and to the intent he might the better be beleeued he caused him to walke forth with him into the cleare and open ayre and there sware vnto him that he would not pretermit any thing that might tend to the conseruation of Dauid For said he that God that filleth and moderateth all things in this wide spred Vniuers and who before I speake knoweth my mind he I say shall beare witnesse of that accord which shall be ratified betweene thee and me that I will not cease to sound my father till such â—…ime as I know and haue conceiued his intention and that I haue entred into his secrets to know what sicknes his soule is seazed with and that when as I shall apprehend the same I will not conceale it from thee but giue thee notice thereof be it that he be appeased or displeased against thee The same God knoweth how incessantly I beseech him to be assistant vnto thee as also he is at this present and that he abandon thee neuer but make thee Lord ouer thine enemies yea though it were my father or my selfe Onely remember me in this point that after my death if I chance to die before thee thou take care of my children and be as fauourable towards them as I am affected to theeward at this present After he had sworne this oth he dismissed Dauid willing him to conceale himselfe in a certaine place of the plaine where he ordinarily exercised himselfe For that as soone as he vnderstood his fathers mind he would returne thither with his Page and if saith he hauing shot three shafts at the marke I shall commaund my Page to gather them and bring them backe againe to me for that they are right before him know thou that thou art to expect no euill from my father but if thou hearest me speake to the contrarie thinke thou that my father is incensed and misaffected towards thee yet howsoeuer it happen I will doe my best that nothing shall befall thee otherwaies then we expect and wish Be thou therefore mindfull of these things at such time as thou shalt obtaine thy happie daies and be thou fauourable vnto my children Dauid being confirmed by Ionathans promises retired himselfe to the appointed place The next day after which was the solemnitie of the new moone after the king was purified according to the custome he sate downe to take his repast Now when his sonne Ionathan was set on his right side and Abner the General of his Armie on the left Saul perceiued Dauids place was void and spake not a word supposing that hee was absent from that companie by reason he was not purified since he had the companie of his wife but seeing the second day of the new Moone that he was absent likewise he asked his sonne Ionathan why Iesses sonne both the day before and at that instant was not present at that fast who answered him that he was gone into his countrie prosecuting the storie according as it had beene concluded betweene them alleaging that his Tribe celebrated a feast and that he had permitted him to assist the same Further said he he inuited me to the banquet and if it stand with your pleasure I will assist the feast for you know how intirely I loue the man At this time knew Ionathan the displeasure his father had conceiued against Dauid and perceiued most apparantly how hainously he was affected for Saul could not conceale his choler but began to raile vpon his sonne calling him rebell and his enemie and companion and confederate with Dauid telling him that he shewed reuerence neither to him nor to his mother since he was so minded and that he would not beleeue but that as long as Dauid liued their royall estate should be alwayes in continual disturbance He commanded him therefore to bring him before him to the end that he might do iustice vpon him Ionathan replied What euill hath Dauid committed for which he should be punished Hereupon Saul not onely expressed his choler in words and disgraces but taking hold of a iauelin he assaulted him and would haue slaine him but he missed his purpose by reason he was retained by his friends At that time did Ionathan clearely discouer the hatred that Saul bare towards Dauid and how instantly furiously he sought his ruine since welny for Dauids sake he had slaine his owne eldest sonne Then did Ionathan withdraw himselfe from the banquet seeing with how little profit he had pleaded and so much was he grieued that he ceased not to weepe and the rather since welny his father had vnkindly slaine him And seeing that Dauid was adiudged to die he passed all the night long without sleepe and about the day spring he departed out of the Citie to the appointed field making a shew that he walked out to take his exercise but indeed it was to discouer vnto his friend the intent which his father had according as it was couenanted betweene them After that Ionathan had done that which he had promised sending backe his Page into the citie he came vnto Dauid both to see and speak with him in priuate who as soone as he perceiued him cast himselfe prostrate at Ionathans feet calling him the conseruer and maintainer of his life But Ionathan lifted him vp from the earth so that both of them embracing one another and intermixing their mutuall kisses for a long time lamented their yeares with warme teares and their vnfortunate friendshippe with bitter sighes they bewailed likewise their future separation no lesse grieuous vnto them then death it selfe Finally scarcely giuing any truce to their aboundant teares and exhorting one another to haue in perpetuall remembrance their plighted faiths and promises they departed the one from the other Dauid flying from the king and the war which he made against him retired himselfe to the city of Nob to Achimelech the priest who seeing Dauid come alone vnto him without either friend or seruant was amased and desired to know the cause why he thus wandred without any attendance Dauid told him that the king had sent him about some secret execution which might not be communicated vnto him although he were desirous to know it and as touching my seruants said he I haue commanded them to attend me in this place He further required him that he would giue him such things as were necessarie for his voyage that he had to make wherin he might performe the part of a friend in succouring him at such time as he had neede of him Which when he had condescended vnto he requested him to giue him some armes either sword or iauelin now in this place was there present one of Sauls seruants that was called Doeg a Syrian by nation and the pastor of the kings mulets The Priest answered him that he had no such thing by him except it were Goliahs sword which he himselfe had hanged in the Tabernacle and dedicated vnto
thorow the intestine warres of his family Dauid was expulsed out of his kingdome by his son 9 Absolon marching out with his army against his father is ouerthrowne 10 The happy estate of Dauid restored againe into his kingdome 11 Dauid in his life time annointeth and createth his sonne Salomon king 12 The death of Dauid and how much he left his sonne towards the building of the temple CHAP. I. Dauid is created King of one Tribe in Hebron ouer the rest Sauls sonne obtaineth the soueraigntie THIs battell was fought on the same day that Dauid returned conquerour to Siceleg after he had subdued the Amalechites But some three daies after his returne he that slew Saul and had escaped from the battell hauing his garment rent and ashes cast vpon his head came and cast himselfe prostrate before Dauid and being demaunded from whence he came he answered from the battell of the Israelites and certified Dauid of the vnhappy issue thereof telling him how diuers thousands of the Hebrewes were slaine and how Saul himselfe and his sonnes were done to death in the conflict He likewise gaue him to vnderstand how hee himselfe retreated amongst the Hebrewes and was present at the flight of the king confessing likewise that he was the author of his death vnder purpose to redeeme him from the hands of his enemies For said he Saul hauing cast himselfe vpon the point of his sword was so weake by reason of the agonie of his wounds that he could not dispatch himselfe Furthermore he produced the testimonies of his death the gold about his armes and the royall crowne which he tooke and brought from him being dead Dauid perceiuing no cause wherby he should suspect his death whereof he had most euident and infallible testimonies rent his garments and spent the day in weeping and lamenting with his companions And the more was he ouerpressed with sorrow by reason of the losse of his most deere friend Ionathan whom he acknowledged to be the authour and conseruer of his life And so vertuous and affectionate shewed he himselfe towards Saul that although he had oftentimes been in danger to haue been slaine by him yet was he sore agrieued at his death and not that alone but he likewise executed him that slew him telling him that he himselfe had accused himselfe for slaying the king declaring thereby that he was the sonne of an Amalechite and commanded that he should be put to death He composed likewise lamentations and Epitaphs in praise of Saul and Ionathan which are as yet extant at this present time where in I liue After that he had thus honouted the king and performed his lamentation and obsequies he asked counsaile of God by the meanes of the Prophet what Citie of the tribe of Iuda he would giue him to inhabite in who answered him that he would giue him Hebron For which cause he forsooke Siceleg and came and dwelt in Hebron and brought thither his wife and souldiers All the people of the aforesaid tribe resorted thither vnto him and proclaimed him king where vnderstanding how the Iabesins had buried Saul and his sonnes he sent embassadours vnto them both to praise and approue their actions promising them that both he allowed their act and would remunerate their deuoire which they had extended toward the dead giuing them likewise to vnderstand that the tribe of Iuda had chosen him for their king But Abner the son of Ner General of Sauls army a man of execution and of a noble disposition vnderstanding that Saul and Ionathan and his two other brothers were dead came into the campe and bringing with him the onely sonne of Saul that was left whose name was Isboseth he passed on the other side of Iordan and proclaimed him king of all the people except the tribe of Iuda He appointed likewise for his royall seate and place of residence a certaine countrie called in Hebrew Machare that is to say the campe From thence went he with an elected band of souldiers with a resolution to fight against those of the tribe of Iuda in that he was displeased with them because they had made choise of Dauid for their king Against him marched out Ioab the sonne of Suri and of Saruia Dauids sister generall of his army to encounter him accompanied with his brothers Abisai and Azael and all Dauids souldiers and arriuing neere a certaine fountaine of Gabaa he arranged his army in that place to enter battell And when as Abner said vnto him that he desired to make triall whether part had the better souldiers it was accorded betweene them that twelue for either side should be chosen out to determine the challenge who marching out into a certaine place betwixt both the hosts and hauing darted their Iauelins the one against the other came at last to the sword where mutually assailing hewing and butchering one another both in their heads sides and bowels they all of them at last fell down dead as if the plot had bin determined between them Which done the two armies ioyned in like sort and after a cruel battell Abner with his followers were discomfited who speedily flying were incessantly pursued by Ioab who in his owne person insisted and exhorted his other soldiers to pursue them hastily without suffering any of them to escape But amongst the rest Ioabs brothers were hot vpon the chase and the yoongest of them called Azael gaue especiall restimonie of his forwardnesse thorow that swiftnesse in running wherwith he was endowed for he ranne not onely more swifte then other men but outstripped horses also in their race Whilest thus he pursued Abner with great vehemencie and headlong course without turning either on the one side or on the other Abner turned back vpon him and intending to dignifie him for his forces he first couenanted with him for one souldiers armour and another time seeing that he could not be perswaded to stay he prayed him to arest himselfe and pursue him no further for feare least being inforced to kill him he should be depriued of the courage to behold his brother Ioab But perceiuing that he made no account of his words but that Azael instantly insisted to pursue him Abner flying and turning himselfe backe stroke him with a Iauelin which he had in his hand in such sort as he presently died But they that pursued Abner likewise arriuing in the place where Azaels body vnaduenturously fell dead staied round about him and surceased to pursue the enemy any further But Ioab and his brother Abisai outstripping the body with swift running and conceiuing a more mortall hatred against Abner for that he had in this sort slaine their brother they pursued him vntill sun-set with admirable swiftnesse and incredible alacritie vnto a place called Dumaton There mounting vppon a hillocke hee sawe Abner with the tribe of Beniamin flying from him who beganne to crie out vnto him and say that men of the same tribe should not be so whetted
and to that intent he sent his sonne Adoram vnto him to testifie and expresse what contentment he had receiued for that he had defeated Adarezer his enemy and to contract with him amitie and confederation He seht him presents also namely vessels of antique worke of gold of siluer and of brasse whereupon Dauid made a league with Thani for so was the king of Amath called and receiued the presents that were sent vnto him and afterwards dismissed his sonne with conuenient honor both for the one and the other and consecrated that to God which he had sent him togither with the gold and siluer which he had taken from other cities and nations that were subiect vnto him For God did not only so farre fauour him as to make him victorious and happy in his owne wars but hauing also sent Abisai Ioabs brother the lieutenant of his army against the Idumeans he likewise granted him victorie for Abisai slew in the battell about eighteene thousand of them and filled all Idumaea with garrisons challenging a tribute throughout the countrey by the pole This king loued iustice of his own nature and exercised iudgement according to veritie He had for his lieutenant generall in all his armies Ioab and appointed Iosaphat the son of Achilles chiefe ouer the Registers After Abiathar he established Sadoc of the house of Phinees for high priest who was his friend Sisa was his secretarie Banaia the sonne of Ioiada was captaine ouer his guard and all the elders were ordinarily about him to guard and attend him He remembring himselfe also of the conuentions and oathes that were past twixt him and Ionathan the sonne of Saul and of 〈◊〉 â—…itie and affection that had been betweene them for besides all other graces which he had he most freshly retained them in memorie from whom in times past he had receiued any friendship He caused a search to be made if any one of the house and family of Ionathan were left-aliue to the intent he might remunerate the friendship which he had receiued at Ionathans hands Where upon a certaine man was brought vnto him who was enfranchised by Saul that might enforme him what one of his race was aliue who asked him if he could name him any of Ionathans sons then liuing whom he might make partaker of those curteous fauors graces which in times past he had receiued by Ionathan Who answered him that he had one sonne remaining whose name was Mephiboseth who was lame of his legs for that at such time as the newes came that both his father and grandfather were slaine in the battell his nurse fearfully snatching vp the child and flying suffered him vnfortunately to fal from her shoulders and so hurt him When as then he was aduertised where and with whom he was brought vp he sent vnto the citie of Labath to Machir with whom Mephiboseth was kept commanded him to be brought vnto him Now when he came to Dauids presence he cast himselfe prostrate on his face to do him reuerence but the king exhorted him to be of good courage and to hope hereafter for better fortune and gaue him his fathers house with all the possessions that were purchased by Saul his grandfather appointing him to sit and feed with him at his owne table yea to eate of his royall prouision not letting one day slip wherein he accompanied him not at meales The yong man did him reuerence humbly thanking him for the gratious words and roiall offers be had made vnto him At that time Dauid called for Siba and certified him how he had giuen Mephiboseth his fathers house and all Sauls purchases commanding him to manure and husband his possessions and to haue care of all things and to returne the reuenew to Ierusalem for that Mephiboseth was euery day to take his refectioÌ„ at his table charging both him his 15. sons and 20. seruants to doe him seruice After the king had thus disposed of him Siba did him reuerence and after he had protested to performe whatsoeuer he had giuen him in charge he departed and Ionathans sonne remained in Ierusalem where he liued at the kings table and was entertained and tended as carefully as if he had beene his owne sonne he had a sonne also called Micha These were the honors that those children which suruiued after Ionathan and Sauls death receined at Dauids hands About the same time died Naas king of the Ammonites who during his life time was Dauids friend and his sonne succeeded him in his kingdome to whom Dauid sent embassadors to comfort him exhorting him to disgest his fathers death with patience assuring him that he would expresse no lesse loue towards him then he did vnto his father But the gouernours of the Ammonites entertained this embassage verie contumeliously and not according as Dauid had kindly intended it and murmured against their king telling him that they were but spies sent by Dauid to seeke into his forces and discouer the strength of his countrey vnder a pretext of humanitie counselling him to stand vpon his guard and not to giue eare to his protestation least being deceiued he should fall into some remedilesse inconuenient Naas king of the Ammonites supposing that his gouernors spoke nothing but truth outraged the embassadors that were sent vnto him with great iniuries for causing the halfe of their beards to be shauen close by the chin and cutting away the halfe of their vestments he sent them back againe returning their answeres not in words but in deeds Which when Dauid saw he was grieuously displeased and made it knowne that he would not suffer that mockerie and iniurie so easily to be disgested but that he would make warre on the Ammonites and reuenge those indignities that were offered to his embassadors The friends and gouernors of Naas considering how they had violated and broken the peace and how for that occasion they deserued to be punished prepared for the war and sent one thousand talents to Syrus king of Mesopotamia requiring him that he would be their consederate in that warre and receiue their pay they requested the like of Subas these kings had 20000. footmen in camp They hired also with their mony the king of the countrey called Michas and the fourth called Istob which two had with them 12000. thousand souldiers CHAP. VII How Dauid ouercame the Mesopotamians BVt Dauid was no whit amated neither with the confederacie nor force of the Ammonites but trusting in God resolued that the cause of his warre was iust for which cause he continued in reuenge of those outrages which he had receiued by them Hauing therefore mustered vnder Ioab the flower of his whole army he commanded him to depart and make warre vpon them who came and incamped himselfe before their chiefest Citie called Aramath which when the enemies perceiued they issued foorth and arranged themselues in battell not altogether but in two seuerall parts For their confederates and allies were
God at such time as he slew the Philistine Dauid hauing gotten it fled out of the countrey of the Hebrewes and went vnto Geth a countrey of the Philistines wherein Achis was king There being knowne by the kings seruants hee was discouered and noted to be that Dauid that had slaine many thousand Philistines Dauid fearing to be put to death by him and suspecting least he should fall into the same daunger which hee had escaped by flying from Saul counterfeited himselfe to be foolish and mad so that the some frothed and issued out of his mouth and counterfeited in all things so cunningly that he made the king of Geth beleeue most stedfastly that he was besotted and frenzie in his sicknesse For which cause the king was wroth with his seruants in that they had brought him a madman and commanded them with all expedition that might be to driue him out of his countrey Hauing in this sort escaped out of the countrey of the Geths he transported himselfe into the tribe of Iuda and being in the caue of Adullam he sent vnto his brothers to let them vnderstand that he was there who came vnto him with all their linage and diuers others that either were in need or stood in feare of Saul resorted vnto him saying that they were ready to performe whatsoeuer he should command them all which amounted to the number of foure hundreth or thereabouts Dauid therfore being thus assured by reason of the succours and forces that come vnto him dislodged from thence went to the king of the Moabites beseeching him that he would bee pleased to entertaine his father and mother in that countrey vntill such time as he vnderstood what should be the issue or end of his affaires The king vouchsafed him this fauour and did them great honour all the time they were in his countrey And as touching Dauid he hauing receiued instructions by the commandement of the Prophet to abandon the desart to soiourne in the tribe of Iuda he obeyed him so that comming to Saron he made his aboade in that place But when Saul had vnderstood that Dauid had beene seene with a number of men he fell into an extraordinarie feare and trouble of minde for knowing both the vnderstanding and courage of the man he thought inwardly with himselfe that he would attempt no action that was not great and such a one as might not onely endanger his kingdome or at leastwise breed him much difficultie labor For which cause assembling his friends and captaines and those of his tribe in Gaba where he kept his royall court there sitting in a place called Aror where all his honourable and ciuill magistrates with the rest of his captaines and souldiers enuironed him round about hee spake vnto them after this manner Beloued friends I know that you can beare witnesse of my bountie and how I haue aduanced some of you to honours signiories and possessions and haue preferred you to the chiefest dignities and prerogatiues amongst the people Now would I know of you whether you hope or expect from the sonne of Iesse greater bountie and larger benefits then I haue bestowed vpon you I know that all of you are confederated with him and that my sonne Ionathan likewise is of the same faction and hath perswaded you to follow and fauour him For I am not ignorant both of the othes and couenants that are past twixt him and Dauid and am well assured that he is both a counseller and assister vnto him in whatsoeuer he vndertaketh against me yet are none of you touched with these cares but intending your owne quiet you expect the euent of these matters When the king had spoken thus there were none of the assistants that replied onely Doeg the Syrian master of the kings mulets arose and said That he had seene Dauid in the Citie of Nob who resorted to the high Priest Achimelech to aske counsel of him as touching his assaires that there he had receiued those things that were needfull to furnish him in his voyage and Goliahs sword likewise and how he was safely conducted towards the place whither he pretended to go Hereupon Saul sent for the high Priest and all his kinred and spake thus vnto him What wrong or displeasure haue I done thee that thou hast entertained the sonne of Iesse and hast deliuered him victuals and armes to him I say that seeketh but the meanes to possesse himselfe of my kingdome What answere hast thou made him as touching those demaunds he presented thee in regard of his future fortunes for thou hast not been ignorant that he fled from me and what hatred he beareth against both me my family The high priest denied none of these things but freely confessed that he had deliuered him such things as were reported but not with an intent to gratifie Dauid but the king for I entertained him said he not as thine enemy but as thy faithfull minister and tribune nay which is more as thy sonne in law and such a one as was tied vnto thee by neere alliance For who would haue thought that he who was intitled to so much honour by thee should be thine enemie nay rather who would not esteeme him for thy sauourite and neerest friend And where as he asked counsell of me as touching Gods will this is not the first time I haue answered him but oft many other times haue I aduised him And where as he said that he was sent by thee about some hastie and secret businesse should I haue refused him those supplies which he required at my hands I might haue bin iudged rather to haue done iniurie to thy maiestie then to him For which cause thou art not to suspect or thinke euil of me or if thou hast receiued any aduertisement that Dauid at this time intendeth some trouble innouation against thee oughtst thou to thinke that by reason of the curtesie I haue shewed him that I either fauor him or maintain him against thee for what I bestowed I imployed as on thy friend thy sonne in law and thy tribune and whatsoeuer curtesie he receiued from me it was done vnto thee Notwithstanding all these iust allegations yet could Saul be no waies induced to beleeue them but contrariwise his vehement feare made him suspect the true iustifications of Achimelech so that he commanded certaine armed men that were about him that they should put both him and all his family to the sword But when they held it no lesse then sacriledge to violate by violent death such as were men consecrated vnto God Saul commanded Doeg the Syrian to perpetrate the slaughter who ioyning to himselfe certaine other sacrilegious and impious men he murthered Achimelech and all his race who were in number three hundreth thirtie and fiue men He further sent to Nob the citie of the Priests and put all of them vnto the sword neither sparing woman nor childe nor hauing respect vnto any
other age but consumed the whole Citie with fire onely one sonne of Achimelech escaped who was called Abiathar All which befortuned according as God had foretold the high priest Eli saying that by reason of the transgression of his two sonnes his posteritie should be extinguished This cruell and malicious act perpetrated by king Saul in extinguishing all the race of the sacerdotall order without compassion either of infants or reuerence of old age this destruction of his of that Citie which God had chosen to be the countrey and common nurse of the Priests and Prophets and which he elected to be a receptacle and refuge of all that sort of men manifestly expresseth and declareth vnto all men how depraued and corrupt the mindes of men are For so long as they are humble and limited by a base and priuate estate because they neither dare nor can haue libertie to giue scope to their vnbridled natures they seeme to be good and iust men and make shew of a wonderfull studie of iustice accompanying the same with pietie and are perswaded that God is present in all our actions finally that he beholdeth all our cogitations But no sooner haue they attained to power and empire laying aside their former and reformed manners and taking vpon them as it were in a stage play both a new habite and an other personage but they are deuoured in all audaciousnes and insolencie and contempt of both diuine and humane lawes And when as to ouercome their enuie that had most need of pietie and iustice and when as not onely all their actions but also their wils are exposed to all mens eies then most of all as if either God dissembled or feared their power they exercise their tyrannies vpon their subiects and whatsoeuer they decree either thorowe vaine feare hatred or vnreasonable fauour that suppose they both to be ratified by men and allowed by God being altogither depriued of either respect or reason of those things that are to come For whatsoeuer they be that spend their many and vnexhausted labours in their seruice those do they first preferre and afterwards when they haue loaden them with the burthen of dignities they thorow enuie not onely depriue of those dignities but thorow slander also doe oftentimes oppresse them not considering how deseruedly they oppresse but onely giuing credit without proofe to rash and scandalous detractions executing and satiating their rage not on those they ought to punish but those that may most easilie be depressed and ouerthrown The manifest example hereof appeareth vnto vs in Saul the sonne of Cis who after the gouernment of the nobilitie was extinct and the supreme magistracie of iudges was disanulled being the first created king of the Hebrewes onely for that he suspected Achimelech he slew three hundreth priests and prophets and after he had slaine them destroied their citie with fire and as much as in him lay depriued the high temple of God not only of priests but sacred ministers and after so hideous a slaughter neither spared their countrey nor any one of their ofspring to be left aliue But Abiathar Achimelechs sonne who only escaped with life amidst all his slaughtered family flying vnto Dauid declared vnto him both the ouerthrow of his family and the death of his father Dauid answered him that he expected no lesse then that which hapned at such time as he espied Doeg there who as his minde gaue him would not faile to reproue and scandale Achimelech to Saul yet tooke he it on him that the misfortune hapned vnto his friend by his meanes he therefore praied him to remaine with him because he could not be concealed or secured in any place better then with himselfe About the same time Dauid vnderstanding that the Philistines made a road into the countrey of Cilla and praied the same determined to assault them if after the Prophet had asked counsell of God he should be by the oracle animated to the performance thereof which accordingly falling out he sallied out accompanied with his friends and set vpon the Philistines and made a great slaughter of them and recouered a verie rich pray and gaue conuoy to the Cillans till such time as they had safely gathered in and housed all their corne and fruit The rumour of this his exploit was presently brought vnto Saul for this noble act and happy execution was not only not shut within the limits of the place wherein it was performed but the renowme thereof was dispersed euerie where both in other mens eares as also in the kings and both the action and the authour thereof were highly commended Saul was verie ioyfull to heare that Dauid was in Cilla and said thus God hath deliuered him into my hands by inforcing him to shut vp himselfe within a citie inclosed with wals gates and bars whereupon he sodainly gaue commandement that all the people should march against Cilla and besiege the same and surprise or kill Dauid But Dauid hauing intelligence hereof and aduertised by God that if he staied among the Cillans they would deliuer him into the hands of Saul hee tooke with him his foure hundreth men and retired himselfe from the Citie into the desart and encamped on a defenced hill called Engaddi so that the king being aduertised that he was fled from the Cillans ceased to issue out in armes against him From thence Dauid departed to a certaine place of the Ziphians where Ionathan Sauls sonne met with him and after he had embraced him he exhorted him to be of good cheere and to conceiue an assured hope of future good fortune and not to giue place to his present miseries by reason that he should obtaine the kingdome and should haue the whole power of the Hebrewes subiected vnto him but that such things were not-wont to happen except they were accompanied with great trauailes and after they had once more renued the oth of mutual and lasting amitie and faith betweene them during all the time of their liues calling God to witnesse with imprecations against him that should contradict or in any sort change those conuentions Ionathan left Dauid somewhat eased in heart and disburdned of his conceiued feare and that done returned to his owne home But the Ziphians intending to gratifie Saul told him that Dauid was amongst them and promised him to deliuer him prisoner into his hands if so be he would issue out against him in so much as if he would seaze all the streights of the countrey it should bee impossible for him to flie into any other place The king praised their forwardnesse and promised them to requite their loyalty and to remunerate them shortly for this their good affection and withall sent out certaine men to seeke out Dauid and to beake ouer the forrest promising them that shortly he would follow after them Thus did the gouernours princes of the Ziphians offer themselues vnto the king to search out and apprehend him
thing for him to slay him who was Gods elected for that it was Gods right to take reuenge on him who had giuen the kingdome and thus restrained he the others vnbridled furie Yet to the intent he might certifie the king that hauing the opportunitie to slay him he had spared his life he bare away with him his Iauelin and the pitcher of water that stood by Saul whilst he slept without the witting or knowledge of any of the campe so much were they deuoured and ouerhaled with sleepe He therefore departed thence in all assurance hauing executed all that which either the time or his courage would permit him to doe But after he had passed the riuer and had attained the top of a mountaine from whence he might be easily heard he cried out to Sauls soldiers and their generall Abner so strongly that he awaked them from their sleepe and calling vpon Abner as well as the common sort of souldiers the generall asked who it was that called him to whom Dauid answered It is I the sonne of Iesse your fugitiue but said he how commeth it to passe that thou who art so great and in chiefest authoritie about the king hast so small respect and gard of his person Thy sleep is more pleasant vnto thee then thy watch for his conseruation Assuredly this act of thine deserueth a capitall punishment because thou neither hast discouered me nor any others before we entred the campe or approched the â—…ing Seeke for the kings Iauelin and his pitcher of water and thou shalt perceiue in what great danger he hath been euen in the midst of you without any notice or discouerie of yours Saul perceiuing that it was Dauids voice and conceiued how that being in his hands whom he had surprised in the depth of sleep thorow the negligence of his guard he had not slaine him but pardoned him his life although it iustly lay in his power to take his head from him he said that he gaue him thankes and acknowledged his life from him exhorting him to be assured and without suspect of any euill to returne home vnto his house because he was perswaded that he loued not himselfe so much as he was intirely affected by Dauid notwithstanding that he had pursued him and for a long time past had chased him like a fugitiue constraining him also by diuers afflictions and great torments of spirit to be abandoned from his neerest parents and friends yea from Dauid himselfe who might haue preserued him and who had giuen him diuers demonstrations of his good will towards him and by whom he had been often times preserued whom notwithstanding he ceased not to pursue vnto the death who contrariwise desired nothing more then his life Hereupon Dauid willed him to send some one of his seruants to bring backe his Iauelin and pitcher of water protesting that God should be iudge of both their natures manners actions who knew that that day also he had spared his enemy whom if he had so thought good he might haue extinguished Saul hauing this second time escaped from Dauids hands returned to his royall house But Dauid fearing least if he soiourned in that place he should bee intrapped by Saul thought good to retire himselfe into the countrey of the Philistines and soiourne there So that accompanied with six hundreth men which he had with him he transported himselfe to Achis king of Geth one of their fiue Cities who receiued him with all his people and gaue him a place to dwell in so that he aboad in Geth hauing with him his two wiues Achimaas and Abigal Which when Saul vnderstood he made no more account to send or sallie out against him because that two seuerall times he had been in danger of his life at such time as he pursued him to intrap him Dauid held it not conuenient to remaine in the Citie of Geth and therfore requested the king of the Philistines that since he had courteously entertained him it might please him likewise to do him the fauour to assigne him a certaine place in his countrey where he might make his habitation because he feared to be chargeable to him if so be he remained in the Citie Achis assigned him a village called Siceleg which Dauid after he obtained the kingdome loued and honoured holding that for his owne demaine as his owne children and heires did after him But hereof will we speake in an other place The time that Dauid liued amongst the Philistines and in the towne of Siceleg were foure moneths and twentie daies during which time by seuerall and secret excursions against the bordering Sarrites and Amalechites he spoyled their countrey and returned backe againe with a great bootie of oxen and camels yet brought he thence no bondmen least Achis by their meanes should haue intelligence of his enterprise He sent likewise a part of the pray vnto the king and when he demaunded from whom he had taken the same he answered that he had taken it from the Iewes that dwelt Southward and in the plaine perswading him that he had done no losse so that Achis conceiued an opinion that since Dauid warred against his owne nation all the time of his aboad with him hee would be a faithfull seruant vnto him About the same time the Philistines hauing determined to lead forth their army against the Israelites sent out to their allies requiring them to assist them in that warre and to make their Rendeuous at Renga to the intent that being there assembled they might dislodge and assaile the Israelites Amongst their other auxiliarie companies Achis had requested Dauid to assist him with his six hundreth souldiers which he promised him willingly to performe telling him that the opportunitie was now come wherein he might requite his curtesie and the hospitalitie he had shewed him Achis promised him that after the victory when as all things had succeeded according as he desired he would preferre Dauid to the guard of his person thinking by the promise of this honour and trust he might augment Dauids forwardnes and affection towards him CHAP. XV. The Philistines renew their warre against the Hebrewes and obtaine the victorie and Saul with his sonnes are slaine in the battell BVt Saul about this time had banished all diuiners and inchanters and in generall all such as were tellers of fortunes reseruing none within his countrey but the Prophets When as therefore hee vnderstood that the Palestines were alreadie vp in armes and strongly encamped neere to the city of Sonna sciruate in the plain he marched forward made head against them with all his forces And as soone as he drew neere to the mountain of Gelboa he encamped right ouer against the enemy Now when his army discouered their great forces they were much discomforted no sooner beheld it but were amased Being therfore sore troubled herewith he sought counsel at Gods hands as touching the euent of the battell seeing he returned him no
of them perished being loaden with sleep gorged with wine They likewise that were compleatly armed intending to make resistance were as easily slaine as they that lay naked vpon the earth Thus Dauids men abode with him from the first hower of the morning till the euening doing nought else but kill murther that that only foure hundreth of the Amalechites escaped who likewise fled being mounted on their Dromodaries So recouered he all that which the enemie had ransackt and amongst other things he released both his own wiues those of his companions Wherupon they returned to the place where they had left the other two hundreth which might not follow them because they were appointed to guard the baggage To these the abouesaid foure hundreth would not grant a part of the booty and profit because they had not as they said followed the enimie with them but shewed themselues slacke in the pursuit alledging that they ought to content themselues with the recouerie of their wiues But Dauid said that the sentence which was pronounced by them was both euill and vniust for since God had granted them the grace to defeat their enemies all of them merited to haue part in the profit which ought equally to be deuided amongst them both amongst those that had fought and amongst those likewise that staied behiâ—…d to guard the baggage And from that day forward this ordinance hath beene held firmely amongst them that they that keepe the baggage should haue equall part and portion of the pray with those that should goe out to the battell But when Dauid was returned to Siceleg he sent vnto all his familiars and friends of the tribe of Iuda a seuerall part of the spoyle In this manner was Siceleg sacked and burned and thus were the Amalechites discomfited But the Philistines assailed and fought a bloudie battell with Saul and his followers wherein the Philistines had the vpper hand and slew a great number of their enemies Saul king of Israell with his sonnes fought therin verie valiantly and with stout hearts seeing that all their honour consisted in that onely point to die nobly and to hazard themselues against all camisadoes of their enemies For since the Philistines bent all their forces against them they saw no meanes of recouerie so that encompassed by them they died in the middest of them and yet before their death slewe a great number of the Philistines There were there present Sauls three sonnes Ionathan Aminadab and Melchi who being defeated all the Hebrewe armie turned their backes so that being instantly pursued by the enemie there fell a great disorder confusion and slaughter amongst them Saul fled also although he had about him a strong squadron of men And although the Philistines marshalled foorth against him a multitude of archers that shot many dartes and arrowes at him yet were they all but a verie fewe repulsed and although he had fought verie brauely hauing receiued on him diuers wounds yet being vnable to support the paine and griefe of his woundes and trauailed with shortnesse of breath he commanded his esquier to drawe his sword and to thrust it thorow his body before he should be surprised aliue by his enemies which his esquire refused to doe not daring to lay hands vpon his master For which cause Saul drew his owne sword and setled the point to his breast and cast himselfe thereon but vnable to force it home enough nor make it by goaring himselfe thereon to pierce quite thorow him he looked backe and perceiued a yoong man hard beside him of whom he demaunded what he was and hearing that hee was an Amalechite he requested him that since himselfe was vnable to pierce himselfe with his owne hands that he would leaue vpon him and make the sword passe thorow him and bring him to that death which he so earnestly desired which he did and hauing taken from him the gold which he had about his armes and the royall crowne likewise he fled away The Esquire seeing Saul dead sodainly slew himselfe Not one of all the kings guard escaped but all of them were slaine neere vnto the mountaine Gelboa When they that inhabited the valley on the other side of Iordan and in the plaine had intelligence that Saul and his sonnes were dead and with them a great number of their nation was slaine they abandoned their Cities and fled to others that were more defenced The Philistines finding these Cities destitute of inhabitants encamped therein The next day whilest the Philistines spoyled the dead they found the bodies of Saul and his sons which they spoyled beheaded sending their heads round about the countrey to make it knowne that their enemies were defeated They offered vp their armes also in the temple of Astaroth and as for their bodies they hung them on the wals of the Citie of Bethsan at this day called Scythopolis When they of Iabes a Citie of Galaad vnderstood how the Philistines had thus cut off the heads of Saul and his sonnes they were sore moued and thought it became them not to be so carelesse of them but that they should be rescued For which cause the most valiant and hardie amongst them for that Citie bringeth vp men both valiant in heart and strong in body departed and marched all night long so as they attained Bethsan and approching neere the wals tooke downe the body of Saul and his sonnes and carried them vnto Iabes without any resistance of the enemy in that they durst not attempt the rescue These Iabesians lamented ouer their dead bodies and made publike lamentations and buried them in the fairest place of their countrey which place is called Arar They mourned after this manner weeping both men and women and children and beating their breasts and lamenting the king and his sonnes and tasting neither meat nor drinke This was the end of Saul according as Samuel had foretold him because he had disobeyed God in his war against the Amalechites and for that he had slaine the race of Achimelech and Achimelech himselfe also and destroyed the Citie of the Priests He raigned during the life of Samuel for the space of eighteene yeares and twentie two yeares after his death Thus finished Saul his life THE SEVENTH BOOKE OF THE ANTIQVITIES OF THE IEWES WRITTEN BY FLAVIVS IOSEPHVS The Contents of the Chapters of the 7. booke 1 Dauid is created king of one tribe in Hebron ouer the rest Sauls sonne obtaineth the soueraignty 2 Isboseth is slaine by the treacherie of his domesticall seruants and the whole kingdome commeth vnto Dauid 3 Dauid hauing surprised the Citie and cittadell of Ierusalem driueth the Chananites from thence and causeth the Iewes to inhabit the same 4 Dauid assayled by the Philistines obtaineth a famous victorie against them neere vnto Ierusalem 5 Dauid ouercomming the neighbouring nations imposeth tributes on them 6 They of Damasco are ouercome by Dauid 7 How Dauid ouercame the Mesopotamians 8 How
and incensed the one against the other That their brother Azael was in the fault because that although he had exhorted him to cease from running after him yet could he not perswade him and that for the same cause he had both stroken and slaine him Ioab wisely disgesting these his sayings and accepting of them as of holesome and friendly aduertisements and counsailes he commanded the trumpet to sound retreat and surceased to pursue them any more and encamped for that night in the same place during which time Abner trauelled without ceasing and hauing past ouer Iordan returned to his campe to Isboseth Sauls sonne The next day Ioab suruaied the dead and caused them to be buried Those that were found dead on Abners side were about three hundreth and sixtie men and on Dauids side nineteene ouer and besides Azael whose body Ioab and Abisai tooke with them and carried it vnto Bethleem and after they had enterred it in the toomb of their auncestors they repaired to Hebron vnto Dauid From that time forward there arose a ciuill warre amongst the Hebrewes that endured a long time in which Dauids followers had alwaies the vpper hand and neuer aduentured the hazard of the field without returning with some aduentage whereas the sonne of Saul and his partakers had almost euerie day the worse Dauid at that time had sixe sons by so many wiues the eldest of them was called Ammon the sonne of Achimaas the second was Daniel the sonne of Abigal the third was called Absolon the sonne of Machama the daughter of Ptolomey king of Gessur the fourth was Adomas the sonne of his wife called Aggite the fift and the sixt were called Gerthessa and Gala. But after this ciuill warre was begunne and that the kings on both sides had oftentimes encountred and fought togither Abner generall of the armie for king Sauls sonne a prudentman and one that was beloued by the people endeuored all that in him lay that the whole country might be commanded by Isboseth and in effect they all submitted vnto him for a certaine time but when as it afterwards fell out that Abner was charged and accused to haue kept company with Rispa Sauls concubine the daughter of Sibath and that Isboseth likewise had reproued him for the same cause he conceiued a great griefe and despite supposing that he had great iniury done vnto him considering how carefull he had beene and was of the kings estate for which cause he threatned him to establish the kingdome to Dauid and to make him know that it was neither his vertue nor prudence that made him soueraigne ouer the tribes on that side Iordan but that his faith and warlike conduct was the cause thereof For which cause he sent vnto Hebron to Dauid requiring him by an oth to accept of him as his confederate and friend promising him to perswade the people to forsake Sauls sonne and to proclaime him king of the whole region Dauid sware vnto him according as he had required and was verie glad of that embassage that Abner had sent vnto him and the rather for that vnder assured testimonie of their accords he had preserued Michol Dauids wife whom he had purchased with the price of diuers great daungers and with sixe hundreth heads of the Philistines presented to his father Saul to the end he might enioy her which Michol Abner had sent him backe hauing taken her from Phalti who had since that time espoused her whereunto Isboseth also was assistant to whom Dauid had written that it was reason that he should recouer his wife Abner therfore assembled all the elders and gouernours of the people and told them that at such time as heretofore they were readie to forsake Isboseth to submit themselues to Dauid he had disswaded them from that intent but at this present if they had the will hee vvould condescend vnto them because he was assured that God had chosen Dauid by the mouth of Samuel the Prophet to be king ouer all the Hebrewes and had foretold that he should punish the Philistines and should ouercome them and bring them vnder his subiection Which when the elders and gouernours vnderstood and were assured likewise that Abner would subscribe to their resolution as touching the estate they all of them determined to submit themselues to Dauid Abner seeing them thus resolued did afterwards assemble all the tribe of Beniamin out of which the archers of Isboseths guard were chosen and told them the like and perceiuing that they contradicted him no waies but submitted themselues vnto his pleasure he gathered about twentie of his familiar friends and resorted vnto Dauid to receiue in his owne person Dauids oth Both for that each man in his owne affaires reposeth greatest confidence in himselfe as also to giue him intelligence what speech he had held with the elders and the whole tribe Dauid receiued and entertained him very kindly and magnificently and sumptuously feasted him at his table for many daies praying him that he would depart and returne and bring the people with him to the end that in their presence and sight he might deliuer him the gouernment When Dauid had dismissed Abner some little time after his departure Ioab the generall of Dauids armie came to Hebron and knowing that Abner had beene with Dauid and that but some little time before he was departed from him with accords and promises made vnto him that he should be gouernour he feared least that if Dauid should place him in honour and dignitie and should make Abner who was a man otherwaies exercised in affaires and politique to preuent occasions as it were his companion in the kingdome that the said Ioab should be degraded and depriued of his office he tooke vpon him a cursed and froward resolution For first of all he laboured to detract and make him odious in the kings eare counselling him to stand on his guard and not to giue eare vnto Abners promises who vnder colour subtiltie sought to establish the kingdome vnto Sauls sonne alledging that he came vnto him vnder colour and caâ—…tele intending then to leaue him when his hopes were satisfied and affaires disposed But perceiuing that these his subtilties tooke little effect with Dauid and considering with himselfe likewise that he moued him in no sort he attempted a more perilous exploit then the former For resoluing with himselfe to kill Abner he sent out certaine men after him whom he gaue in commission that as soone as they should ouertake him they should vrge their interparlee in the name of Dauid alledging that they had something to communicate with him as touching the estate which he had forgot to certifie him of When Abner had heard the words of these messengers who ouertooke him in a place called Besira some twentie furlongs off of Hebron he strooke out of the way without suspition of his future desaster Ioab going before him embraced him with great loue and like an
affectionate friend for such as enterprise any wicked action do often and subtilly dissemble and make shew of honestie to the end to expell out of the innocents mind all iealousie or euill suspition where singling him from his other company and making a shew to informe him of certaine secrets and hauing drawne him into a by-way besides the wall accompanied only with his brother Abisai he drew his rapier and thrust it into his short ribbes Of which wound Abner died surprised by the treason of Ioab who pretended and coloured that act of his with the reuenge and death of his brother Azael whom Abner had slaine vpon the chase in the first warre at Hebron but in truth it was but the suspition of his greatnesse and honour fearing least he should be depriued and Abner inseated by obtaining the next degree of honour vnto Dauid Hereby may a man conceiue how many and how mightie things men attempt and hazard for their auarice and ambition sake and to the end they may not be inferiour vnto any others in those matters For when as they desire to attaine riches and honours they atchieue it by ten thousand mischiefes and at such time as they feare to be dispossest they striue to continue their estates by meanes more pernicious because they thinke it to be the lesse sinne and that the calamitie is lesse actiue rather not to haue obtained to any greatnesse and power then after the possession thereof to fall into disgrace Thence it commeth that all of them intend and practise many hazards and difficult encountries thorow the feare they haue to lose their degree But it sufficeth to haue briefly touched this point Dauid hauing notice of the murther of Abner conceiued a great griefe in his heart and called all his assistants to witnesse lifting vp his hands vnto God and protesting that he was no partaker of the murther and that Abner had beene slaine without his commandement or will He likewise vttered most grieuous curses against the murtherer his house and accomplices by which he wished them to be subiect to the fatal penalty of murther for he greatly suspected least he should be held in suspition to be a party in that which had hapned vnto Abner contrarie to his faith oth and promise which he had past vnto him Moreouer he commanded that all the people should weep and lament for him and that the funerals of his bodie should be honored according to the accustomed fashion in renting of garments and putting on sackcloth and that the same should be done the coffin being carried before which both he and the chiefest gouernours of the Israelites followed beating on their breasts and shedding teares and testifying the loue which they bare vnto him during his life and their displeasure to see him dead who had bin murthered contrary to their wil and intention He was entombed in Hebron with great magnificence and Epitaphs composed in his praise by Dauid himselfe who setting himselfe on the tombe first of all lamented and gaue others cause of lamentation And so much was hee confused at the death of this Abner that he swore to forbeare all kind of meat vntill the sunne-set notwithstanding all the instances of his friends who vrged him to take refection which act of his purchased him much good will and loue amongst the people For they that loued Abner were verie glad to be witnesses of that honour which he did him in his death and that faith which he maintained in honouring him euerie way according to the custome as if he had been his kinsman or friend and not embasing him with a vilde and contemptible tombe as if he had beene his enemie And in generall all of them were so glad of the curtesie sweetnesse and royall nature of king Dauid that they esteemed in the like case that he would haue the like estimate of them as they saw him haue of deceased Abner And by this means Dauid happely maintained his credit and increased the peoples good opinion of him escaping thereby the suspition and conceit that he might in some sort haue bin accessarie to his death He protested also vnto the people that he conceiued no small griefe at the losse of so good a man declaring thereby that it was no small staine vnto the state of the Hebrewes to be depriued of him who had the meanes to maintaine their peace by his good aduise and to ratifie the same by his executions and warlike valour But God said he who hath care of all things shall not suffer him to die vnreuenged And he it is that shall beare me witnesse that it lieth not in my power to punish Ioab and Abisai who haue greater credit in the armie then my selfe yet shall they not escape Gods iustice for this fault Thus ended the life of Abner CHAP. II. Isboseth is slaine thorow the treason of his friends and followers the whole kingdome descendeth to Dauid WHen Isboseth Sauls sonne had notice of Abners death he was sore displeased not onely for that he perceiuing himselfe to be depriued of his neere kinsman but also of so great a personage as had setled the crowne on his head Neither did he himselfe long time remaine aliue after him but by the sonnes of Ieremon Banaoth and Thannus he was traiterously done to death These two being Beniamites and of the chiefest nobilitie amongst them made their reckoning that they would make away Isboseth and thereby obtaine great recompence at Dauids hands supposing that such an act of theirs would get them the chiefest place and dignitie in the army or some other credit For which cause finding Isboseth alone in his house about mid-day laide on his bed and asleepe and vnassisted by any of his guard and perciuing likewise that the porter was fast who thorow his trauaile and other businesse by reason of the extreme heate was laid downe to rest they entred into his lodging whereas Isboseth was a sleepe and slew him and hauing cut off his head they trauelled all the night and day long as if they fled from those whom they had offended and sought their rescues from them who would succour and assure them from perill and when they came to Hebron they presented Dauid with Isboseths head offering themselues as his most dutifull liegemen to doe him seruice who had deliuered him of an enemy and made away an aduersarie against his royaltie But Dauid allowed not their act in such sort as they hoped but spake thus vnto them O cursed men said he on whom I intend presently to execute iustice haue you not heard how I punished him that murthered Saul and brought his royall crowne vnto me Yea although he slew him vpon his owne instant request and to the intent the enemy should not surprise him aliue Were you of that opinion that I was changed and that I am not the same that I was but that I take delight to be partakers with you in your mischiefes
king of the Amalechites is slaine by Samuels commaund 1. Reg. 16. God sendeth Samuel to Bethleem to annoint Dauid king The yeare of the world 2883. before Christs Natiuitie 1081. God respecteth not the beauties of the bodie but the perfections of the mind Iesses sonnes being goodly in personage were not to be perferred to the souerainty Samuel annointeth Dauid king Gods spirit forsaking Saul descendeth on Dauid who beginneth to prophecie Saul maketh Dauid one of his pentioner or guard The yeare of the world 2883. before Christes Natiuity 1081. Hedio Ruffinus chap. 11. 1. Reg. 17. Another expedition of the Palestines against the Hebrewes Goliah a man of prodigious statute amongst the Palestines Goliah challeÌ„geth a single combate at the Hebrewes hands Saul sendeth Dauid backe againe to his father Dauid desireth to fight with Goliah Dauid redeemed a lambe from the lawes of a lion and slew him Dauid killed a beare The yeare of the world 1883. before Christs birth 1081. Dauid laying aside those armes wherewith he was furnished to fight with Goliah marcheth forward with his sling against the enemie Dauid drawing neere his enemie is contemned Dauids talke with Goliah before the combate Dauids victory against Goliah The I alestines fly and are discomfited Thirtie thousand of the Palestines slaine 1. Reg. 18. Saul priuily hateth Dauid Saul from one of his chiefe nobles maketh Dauid a tribune to the end that being often drawen out by the enemie he might be slain The yeare of the world 2883. before Christs Natiuitie 1081. Sauls daughter in loue with Dauid Saul subtilly obiecteth Dauid to slaughter vnder a colourable coÌ„ditioÌ„ of slaughtering the Palestines Saul vnder couenant of 600. Philistines heads promiseth Dauid his daughter 1. Reg. 19. Saul marieth Michol to Dauid Hedio Ruffinus chap. 〈◊〉 Saul resolueth to kill Dauid IonathaÌ„ loueth Dauid and sheweth him his fathers determination and counselleth him to haue care of his safety and stand on his guard The yeare of the world 2883. before the Natiuitie of Christ. 1081. Ionathan reckoneth vp vnto his father the good deserts of Dauid praying him to pacific his displeasure conceiued against him Ionathan certifieth Dauid how he hath pacified his father Dauid hath a great victorie against the Palestines Saul darteth his Iauclin at Dauid The yeare of the world 2883 before Christs birth 1081. Michol perswadeth the kings seruants that Dauid is sicke Michol excufeth her selfe for deliuering Dauid Dauid expresseth to Samuel how the â—…ing was affected towards him Saul sent armed soldiers to apprehend Dauid who began to prophecie and he himselfe likewise comming thither prophecieth 〈◊〉 Reg. 20. Dauid complaineth vnto Ionathan of his fathers iniuries IonathaÌ„ exculeth his father Dauid desired Ionathan to sound his father how he was affected towards him The yeare of the world 2883. before Christs Natiuitie 1081. Ionathan confirmeth his friendship towards Dauid with an oth IonathaÌ„ giueth Dauid certaine signes whereby he should know whether his father were displeased with him Saul questioneth about Dauids absence Ionathan by his answer asâ—…eth to know his fathers mind Saul discouereth his 〈◊〉 hate against Dauid Ionathan â—…cusing Dauid to his father is almost slaine with a Iauelin by him Ionathan flieth from the banquet Ionathan and Dauid meete in the field He dio Ruffinus chap. 13. 1. Reg 21. The yeare of the world 1883 before Christes Natiuity 108â—… Dauid coÌ„meth to Naban or Nob to Achimelech the high Priest Dauid receiuing Goliahs sword flieth to Geth to Achis king of the Palestines Dauid couÌ„terseits madnes to escape the furie of Achis 1. Reg. 22. Dauid repairing to the king of the Moabits committeth his father and mother to his protection Dauid commeth to SaroÌ„ Saul feareth Dauid Sauls oration to his captains friends and estates against Dauid The yeare of the world 2883. before the Natiuitie of Christ. 1081. Doeg telleth Saul how he saw Dauid in Noba with Achimelech Saul reproueth Achimelech for furnishing Dauid with victuals and armes Achimelechâ—… Apologie to Sauls accusation of treason The vniust slaughter of Achimelech with his whole family Noba the citie of the priests it burnt and all the inhabitaÌ„ts slaine Sup li. 5. ca. 11. 1. Reg. 2. 3. A manifest exemplification of that proueth Honours chaungeth maners Note diâ—…gerly The yeare of the world 2883 before Christs birth 1081. Abiathar escaping from Sauls hands telleth Dauid of the slaughter of Achimelech his father and of the priests Dauid defendeth Cilla against the incursions of the Palestines 1. Reg 23. Saul seeketh to besiege Dauid in Cilla Dauid admonished by God flieth from his daunger Dauid came with his army to Caena or Ziphia where Ionathan commeth vnto him coÌ„forteth him and renueth his couenant The Ziphians certifie Saul of Dauids abode in their countrey Dauid hearing of the kings comming flieth to saue himselfe The yeare of the world 2883. before Christs birth 1081. Saul pursueth Dauid and hauing circumueÌ„ted him had taken him had not he receiued newes that renoked him Dauid cut off the lap of Sauls garmeÌ„t Dauid vpbraideth Saul for his subtilties to seeke his death who was innocent Saul acknowledgeth his malice Dauids innocency and requesteth him that when he hath obtained the kingdom he would be fauourable to his family Samuels death and buriall 1. Reg. 25. The yeare of the world 2883. before Christs Natiuitie 1081. Nabals flocks spared by Dauid Dauids embassage to Nabal to require reliefe and his currish answer Dauid sallieth out against Nabal with 400. armed men Abigal Nabals wife appeaseth Dauid with presents Nabla signifieth a â—…oole Dauids prophecy of Nabal The yeare of the world 2889. before Christs Natiuitie 1075. Nabal conceiueth so much sorrow and feaâ—…e for his immodesty against Dauid that he dieth Apoplecâ—…ique An example of Gods prouidence that no sin can escape vnpunished Dauid marieth Abigal Nabals wife Saul marieth his daughter Michol to an other husband 1. Râ—… 26. The Ziphians once more labour to betray Dauid in their countrey Dauid once more attended by two entring into Sauls campe stole away his dart his pitcher of water Dauid vpâ—…deth â—…ner 〈◊〉 Sauâ—… general for suffering his kings Iauelin and pitcher of water to be taken from him Saul praiseth Dauid and willeth him to be of good courage and exhorteth him to returne to his own house The yeare of the world 2889. before Christes Natiuity 1075. Dauid declareth his innocencie to Saul 1. Reg. 27. Saul desisteth to persecute Dauid Dauid with six hundreth men and his two wines went into Palestine to Achis king of Gitta Dauid requireth a certaine place at the kings hands to make his habitation in The king giueth him Siceleg Dauid spoyled the Sarrâ—…es Amalechites and giueth part of the pray to the king perswading him that he tooke it froÌ„ the Iewes that inhabited the South plaine The yeare of the world 2890. before Christs birth 1074. Saul banisheth all diuiners enchanters out of his kingdome Saul hearing the Philistines made head against him
and families and let each of you cast your lots To this the people condescended and the lot fell on the tribe of Beniamin which being cast the second time light on the family of Metri and afterwards being approued by the people it fell to Sauls lot who was the sonne of Cis to haue the kingdome The young man who before that time knew what should happen had stept aside to the intent as I suppose that it might not seeme that he had desired this dignitie and such moderation temperance shewed he in this matter that although it so fel out that diuers cannot conceale the ioy they conceiue if any face of felicitie smile vpon them bur manifest the same vnto all men yet notwithstanding he not onely was void of vaine appearance although he were to be King and Lord of so many worthie people but that which is more he stole away from the presence of those men ouer whom he should commaund and so handled all things that he made them seeke after him and trauell to find him out Whilest therefore they carefully sought knew not what was become of Saul the Prophet praied God that he would shew them where he was that he would bring him into their presence whenas therfore he was enformed by God in what place he remained Samuel sent out certaine messengers to conduct him thither assoone as he came amongst them Samuel set and placed him in the midst of the people now was he more higher then any of the company by the shoulders and had a kingly and goodly shape and appearence then spake the Prophet after this manner God hath giuen you this man to be your King behold how he surpasseth you al and sheweth himselfe worthy to be your Prince But assoone as the people had cried God saue the King the Prophet who had reduced into writings all those mischiefes that should befall them red the same vnto them in the hearing of the King and put the booke into the Tabernacle of God for a perpetual testimonie vnto posterity of those things which in future ages should succeed according as he had foreprophecied which done Samuel dismissed the people and returned to the Citie of Ramath which was his countrey But Saul departing vnto Gabatha diuers worthy men gaue their attendance on him and did him the honour that appertained vnto a king But diuers seditious and loose companions who set him at noughts both mocked them and those things which they did neither brought they any presents vnto Saul neither seemed they either in affection or in word any waies to respect their King A moneth after his instalment there fell a warre betwixt him and Naas King of the Ammonites which was the originall of that honour which was generally attributed vnto him by the whole multitude this Naas had offered diuers outrages vnto those Iewes that dwell on the other side of Iordan For he had trauersed the riuer with a great and huge armie leuied against them had ouercome diuers of their Cities For at that time he vsed force and violence against thē to the intent that they might not rebel neither deliuer thēselues from his subiection he vsed this subtiltie and preuention to cut off all colour and occasion from them of opposition For to those that surrendred themselues subscribed to his mercy to those that were takē captiues or conquered in the warres he plucked out their right eies and this did he to that intent that when they should defend themselues they should haue their left eies couered with their bucklers and by that meanes be made vnapt to enter battell The King of the Ammonites hauing after this manner dealt with those on the other side of Iordan he led his army towards the Galaadites and encamped neere vnto their chiefe Citie called Iabes to which he sent heraulds to sommon the inhabitantes to surrender the same vnder these conditions Either to suffer their right eies to be pulled out or else by induring the siege to see the finall ouerthrow both of themselues and of their Citie wishing them to make choice of which they list whether they would lose a little part of their bodie or hazard both their fortunes and liues at once The Galaadites terrified with this so doubtfull and dreadfull an election neither durst returne an hostile or peaceable answere but asked truce for seuen daies to the end that sending their messenger to their kinsfolke they might craue their aide which if they could obtaine they would warre and otherwise they promised to submit themselues vnto the enemie vnder what condition soeuer were best pleasing vnto him Naas that neither cared for the Galaadites neither for their answere granted them that time of truce which they demaunded and permitted them likewise to craue assistance at all their hands who were their associates Wherupon they presently sent messengers from citie to Citie and certified the Israelites of all that which Naas had done vnto them and the extremitie whereunto they were reduced The Israelites hauing before time vnderstood in what estate they of Iabes were had grieuously lamented and conceiued great displeasure thereat but the feare that afflicted them suffered them to assist their friends in no other manner then by commiseration yet as soone as their messengers arriued in the Citie where Saul was and that they had recounted vnto him the daungers wherewith the Iabasites were oppressed the people were as in times past moued with compassion For they lamented the miserie of their parents but as touching Saul he returning from the fields into the Citie perceiued the inhabitants drowned in their teares and enquiring of them for what cause they were so confused and abashed he was certified of that which the messengers had reported and on the instant he was rauished by a diuine motion and sent the Embassadours backe againe to those that sent them promising that within three daies he would come and succour them and that he would haue the vpper hand of the enemie before sunne rise to the end that the rising sunne might behold them victorious and deliuered from all feare Meane while he commaunded some of them to make stay with him to the intent they might guide and direct him in his way CHAP. VI. The combate and victorie of Saul against the Ammonites SAul desirous to incite the people to issue out and make warre vpon the Ammonites to the intent vnder a penaltie he might assemble them with more readines he houghed his owne oxen and threatned all those whom he met withall to doe the like vnto theirs except the next day they presented themselues with their armes vpon the banke of Iordan to follow the King and the Prophet Samuel and march vnto the place whither by them they should be conducted The feare of this penaltie published among the tribes made them gather to head about the same time so that all the assemblies of the
betrothed her after he had rauished her from Dauid she bare fiue sonnes of whom we wil speake in their place The king perceiuing how by Gods assistance his affaires prospered daily more more thought that it should be a hainous offēce in him if he should dwel in houses made of Cedar high and well builded and neglecting the Arke suffer it to remaine vnder a pauilion for which cause he conceiued a desire to build a Temple vnto God according as Moses had foretold and to this intent consulted he with the Prophet Nathan who willed him to performe all that which he was minded to accomplish assuring him that God would be each way assistant vnto him for which cause he was verie heartily affected towards the building of the Temple But the same night God appeared vnto Nathan commaunding him to certifie Dauid that he accepted his will and that his affection was agreeable vnto him considering in especiall that no one before him had a thought to performe the like yet notwithstanding although his deliberation were such he permitted him not to finish the same by reason he had followed many warres and had embrewed his hands in the bloud of many of his enemies But after his decease which shall happen after he hath liued a long and prosperous life his sonne called Salomon to whom he shall leaue the kingdome after his death shall cause a Temple to be built vnto him promising him to assist and fauour the said Salomon euen as the father doth his sonne and that he would continue the royaltie in his heires and their successors And that if they shall happen to offend him he will onely punish them with sicknes and sterilitie Dauid vnderstanding these words which were deliuered him by the Prophet was verie ioyfull by reason that the royaltie was firmely assured to his heires and for that his house should be famous and renowmed and presenting himselfe before the Arke he prostrated himselfe and adored and gaue God thanks for all the benefits he had bestowed on him for that from a poore and humble shepheard he had raised him to so great a height of maiestie and glory and for that he had promised to haue care of his posteritie as erst he had had of the Hebrewes and their libertie This said after he had sung hymnes vnto God he departed CHAP. V. Dauid ouercomming the neighbouring nations imposeth tributes on them NOt long time after this Dauid thought it requisite to make warre vpon the Philistines partly to the intent he might auoid the suspition of sloth and idlenes and partly that hauing according as God had foretold discomfited his enemies he might leaue a peaceable kingdome to his posteritie after him He therefore assembled his army anew commanding thē to be in a readines to march forward to the warre whenas therefore he supposed that the armie was addressed he departed out of Ierusalem and made a road vpon the Philistines whom he ouercame in battell and tooke a great part of the countrey from them by meanes whereof he enlarged the frontires of the Hebrewes and translated the warre and led forth his forces against the Moabites whose army being deuided into two parts was by him defeated and ouerthrown and the rest were taken prisoners and tributes were imposed on them which they were bound to satisfie euery yeare Afterwards he led out his host against Adarezer sonne of Ara king of Sophona and waging battell with him neere vnto the riuer of Euphrates he slew about twentie thousand of his footmen and some fiue thousand of his horse he tooke also almost a thousand of his chariots the greater part whereof was wholy consumed and one hundreth of them onely reserued to his owne vse CHAP. VI. They of Damasco are ouercome by Dauid ADad king of Damasco and of Syria vnderstanding that Dauid had made warre on Adarezer who was both his friend and confederate issued forth with great forces to bee assistant vnto him and to deliuer him from his enemies according as he expected But entring field and waging battell with Dauid neere vnto the riuer of Euphrates he was ouercome and lost a great number of his souldiers for in that battell there were staine on his side by the Hebrew enemy to the number of twenty thousand and the rest fled Of this king Nicholas the Historiographer maketh mention in the fourth book of his histories in these words Sithence and long time after a certaine man of that countrey called Adad gouerned in Damasco and ouer the rest of Syria except Phoenicia who making warre against Dauid king of Iudaea and hauing oftentimes fought with him in his last encountrie wherein he was ouercome neere vnto the floud Euphrates he shewed himselfe more resolute then all other kings in force and valour Moreouer he speaketh of his heires how after his death they succeeded him both in royaltie and name the one after the other and saith thus He being deceased his sonnes raigned for ten generations after him each of them receiuing from their father the same name and the same kingdome after the manner of the Ptolomies of Aegypt The third of these being more mightie then the rest and desirous to reuenge himselfe in warre of these iniuries which were offered vnto his grandfather led foorth his army against the Iewes and destroyed the countrey called at this day Samatia Wherein he varied not any waies from the truth for he of whom he speaketh is that Adad that made warre in Samatia during the raigne of Achab king of Israell of whom we will speake hereafter in his place But when Dauid had led forth his campe against Damasco and against the rest of the countrey of Syria he reduced them all vnder his obeisance placing garrisons amidst their countrey and imposing tribute vpon them which they should pay vnto him He dedicated also to God in the Citie of Ierusalem the golden quiuers and armors which Adads guard were wont to weare which afterward Syssa king of Aegypt tooke at such time as he warred against Roboam his Nephew and carried away great riches out of the temple of Ierusalem as it shall be declared hereafter when as we shall come to intreat of that matter This king of the Hebrewes being inspired by God who made him prosperous in all his wars encamped before the goodliest Cities Adarezer had that is to say Betthea and Machon which he besieged tooke and spoyled where there was found great store of gold and siluer and of brasse which was of more estimation then gold whereof Salomon made that great vessell called the Sea and other faire lauers at such time as he adorned and furnished the temple of God When the king of Amath vnderstood of all that which had hapned to Adarezer and how his power and forces were destroied he grew affraid of his owne estate and resolued with himselfe to make a league confederacie with Dauid before he might come out against him
he called vnto him one of his officers who certifying him of the truth he arose and washed himselfe and put on a white garment and presented himselfe before the tabernacle of God and commanded his dinner to be made ready Whereat his friends and seruants were verie sore amazed and wondred why he hauing done none of these things during the childes sicknesse should now after his death doe all these things at once they besought him therefore that it might be lawfull for them to demaund the cause of these his proceedings To whom he answered that he would teach and discouer that vnto them of which they were ignorant Vnderstand you not said he that while the childe was aliue and I had hope of his recouerie I omitted no means whereby I might moue God vnto mercie but now after that he is dead it were in vaine for me to spend my selfe with vnnecessarie griefe Which when they heard they praised the wisedome and consideration of the king After this he knew Bethsabe his wife who became with childe and was brought a bed of a sonne who by Nathans direction was called Salomon Meanewhile Ioab pressed the Ammonites with a sore siege and cut off their water and other commodities and things necessarie so that they were welny famished for want of victuall and prouision for they drew their water from a little spring in such sort that they feared least if they should vse it to their owne contentment it would be sodainly dried He therefore wrote vnto the king and certified him of the estate of the Citie and exhorted him to come in person and be present at the surprisall thereof to the intent that the victorie might be famed by his name The king vnderstanding that which Ioab had written allowed of his readines good-will and faith and taking with him all the forces which he had he came to the taking in of Rabatha which being by him forcibly surprised and giuen in pillage vnto his souldiers he retained for himselfe the crowne of the king of the Ammonites waighing a talent of gold in the midst vvherof was enchased a Sardonyx of great valew which Dauid wore vpon his head He found likewise in that citie diuers spoyles of great price but as touching the inhabitants he put them to the sword and did the like in all the Cities of the Ammonites which he tooke by force But after that the king was returned vnto Ierusalem there fell a grieuous accident in his family vpon this occasion He had a daughter at that time which was a virgin faire and beautifull and surpassed all other vvomen in admirable perfections whose name was Thamar borne by the same mother that Absalon was Of her Amnon the eldest sonne of Dauid became enamoured and for that he could not enioy her at his pleasure by reason of her virginitie and the hand that was had of her he grew so melancholy that his body dried vp and his colour changed thorow the verie griefe that consumed him A certaine cousin and friend of his called Ionathan a man of great reach and quick vnderstanding perceiuing this his passion and noting euerie day howe Amnons beauty and strength decaied and wasted he came vnto him and asked him the cause thereof alleadging that that indisposition of his seemed to proceede from some amorous affection Which when Amnon confessed and how he was growne passionate thorow the loue he bare vnto his sister by the fathers side Ionathan suggested him both the meanes and inuention to compasse his desires for he perswaded him to counterfeit himselfe to be sicke and that if his father came to visit him hee should desire him to send his sister to minister vnto him by which meanes he should easily and speedily be deliuered of his sicknesse This counsell of his was plausible in Amnons eares who presently counterfaited sicknesse and laid him downe on his bed according as Ionathan had aduised him and when Dauid was come to visit him he required him to send his sister vnto him which he did She being arriued he praied her with her owne hands that she would temper and frie some fritters for him because they would the more content him if they were of her owne making for which cause she in her brothers presence tempered the flower and made certaine cakes and fried them in the frying pan and presented them vnto him but he tasted them not but commanded all his seruants to retire themselues out of his lodging because he intended to take his rest without noise or trouble As soone as this commaundement of his was performed hee prayed his sister to bring the meate into his most retired and priuie chamber whereunto the damsell condescended whereupon he sodainly surprised her began to perswade her to grant him her company But the virgin exclaiming said vnto him Forbeare my brother forbeare to offer me violence for it is a hainous sinne to perpetrate so foule a fact Giue ouer this thy most hatefull concupiscence which will breed nought els but disgrace and infamy to our whole family or if thou hast not the power to resist the same require me at my fathers hands and extort not mine honour from me by force But hee enraged with loue neglected all these sayings and wholy poisoned with the sting of disordinate passion rauished and violated her notwithstanding all her resist And as soone as he had aslaked his lustfull desire a certaine hatred entred into his heart which extorted from his mouth many iniurious words against Thamar so that he commanded her to arise and depart She answered that this second outrage was more hainous then the former for that hauing violated her he would not suffer her to remaine there vntill night time but thrust her out incontinently by day time and during the light to the end she might meet with such as might testifie her dishonour Notwithstanding all these iust reasons of hers he commanded his seruant to driue her out of the doores She strangely agrieued at the outrage and violence that had been offered her tore her garment which was such as the noble and princely virgins were wont to weare and strewed ashes on her head running thorow the Citie with cries and lamentations wherein she expressed what wrong had beene done vnto her With her thus distracted her brother Absalon met enquiring of her what euill hap had befallen her To whom she reported all the iniurie which her brother Amnon had done her whereupon he exhorted her to pacifie her selfe and to suffer moderately whatsoeuer had befallen her and not to suppose her selfe to be indignified by any act of their brother Whereunto she condescended forbearing her exclaimes and surceasing to publish the iniuries she had receiued in the eares of the people And thus remained she a long time with her brother Absalon in the qualitie of a widow Dauid hauing intelligence of that which had hapned was sore displeased notwithstanding he loued Amnon
answered I haue said he inuented this stratageme to make thee come vnto me seeing thou madest small account of my commissions whereby I haue charged thee to reconcile me vnto my father And at this present I beseech thee that thou wilt moue my father in my behalfe otherwise I shall thinke my returne more grieuous then my banishment hath been if so be my father shall as yet continue his displeasure Ioab was perswaded thorow the compassion he conceiued of the necessitie wherein he saw him and went and sollicited the king with whom he so effectually debated as touching Absalon that altering his contrarie disposition he graciously and speedily sent and called for him As soone as he came vnto his presence Absalon cast himselfe prostrate on the ground demaunding pardon for his offences But Dauid raised and lifted him vp and promised him that from thenceforth he would no more vpbraid him with those misdeedes After all things had thus fallen out Absalon within a little space assembled a great number of horses and chariots and entertained fiftie men for his guard and euerie day earlie in the morning presented himselfe before the kings pallace and talked with those that resorted thither about the triall of their differents and wheras some of them were condemned he talked with them according as he found thē affected alleadging that his father had no good counsellers that perhaps he himselfe had in some things iudged amisse and by these means indeuoured he to get the goodwil of al mē telling them that if he had the like authoritie he would make thē know by proofe what his equity was Hauing by these plausible perswasions drawne the hearts of the common people vnto him he thought himselfe alreadie seased of their seruices in whatsoeuer he intended Some foure years after his reconciliation he came to his father Dauid requiring of him that he might go to Hebron sacrifice vnto God according as he had vowed at such time as he fled from his presence Which request of his when Dauid had granted him he resorted thither being attended with great affluence and concourse of all the people by reason he had appointed diuers to meet him in that place amongst whom was Achitophel the Gelmonite one of Dauids counnsellers and 200. others of Ierusalem who altogither ignorant of his enterprise assembled themselues in that place to be assistant to his sacrifice by all whom he was declared king according as he himselfe had commanded them to do When the newes hereof came vnto Dauids eares and he was thorowly ascertained beyond all conceit how his sonne had behaued himselfe he suspected and doubted his impiety and arrogancie wondring that he should so soone and so lewdly forget himselfe of the pardon which he had obtained for his enormous and hainous crimes and contrarie to all law plunge himselfe and hazard his reputation in more grieuous offences as first of all to peruert the estate of the kingdome which God had established and secondly in complotting to depriue and degrade his owne father For which cause he determined to flie to the other side of Iordan conducting with him his most inward and harty friends to whom he reported the vnbridled furie of his sonne remitting all things vnto God who iudgeth all things and leauing the gouernment of his royall house to the disposition of his six concubines he departed from Ierusalem With him issued an affectionate and great number of people besides those six hundreth souldiers who had followed him in his banishment during Sauls life time And although the hie priests Abiathar and Sadoc with all the Leuites had concluded to depart with him yet perswaded he them to abide with the Arke assuring them that God would deliuer them yea although the Arke were vnremoued from his place He commanded Abiathar likewise to send him priuate intelligence of each occurrent that should happen reseruing with him for his intire and inward counsellers Achimaas the sonne of Sadoc and Ionathan the sonne of the abousaid Abiathar But Ethaeus the Gittite by no perswasions of the king could be induced to stay but contrarie to his commaund followed him whereby he more manifestly expressed his affection towards him But as he mounted and ascended on his bare feet vpon the mountaine of Oliuet and all they of his traine followed him intermixing their trauel with bitter teares a certaine messenger came and certified him that Achitophel was with Absalon and held on his side Which report aggrauated and increased his griefe so that he besought God that it might please him to alienate the affection of Absalon from Achitophel for feare least if he should giue him some sinister counsel he might easily be perswaded thereunto because that Achitophel was a man of ripe iudgement and readie execution in all that concerned him As soone as he came vnto the top of the mountaine he beheld the citie and as if he had vtterly beene banished from his kingdome he began with abundant teares to call vpon God There met he with Chusai his sincere and vnfained friend whom when he beheld with his garments rent with ashes on his head and lamenting the vnhappie chaunge which he then beheld Dauid cheered him and exhorted him to be no waies discomforted and finally besought him to returne vnto Absalon as vnder a colour that he had forsaken his part where diligently prying into his secrets he might oppose himselfe against Achitophels counsels because he might not so much pleasure him in keeping him cōpanie as in staying with Absalon Chusai being after this maner perswaded by Dauid returned back to Ierusalē where presently after he encountred with Absalon who repaired thither In the mean time Dauid marching onward a little further chanced to meet with Siba Mephiboseths seruant purueior of al those goods which Dauid had giuen him for that he was Ionathans sonne who was the sonne of Saul This man droue before him two Asses loaden with victuals which he presented to Dauid and his companie to refresh themselues with and being demanded where he had left Mephiboseth in Ierusalem said he where he expecteth to be chosen king thorow the occasion of those troubles that had hapned in memorie of the benefits that diuers men had receiued at Sauls hands Dauid displeased with that which he heard gaue Siba all those riches wherewith he had gratified Mephiboseth in times past deeming him more worthy of the same then Mephiboseth Wherewith Siba was verie highly contented When Dauid drew neere vnto a place which is called Choran a certaine cousen of Sauls called Simei the sonne of Gera came out against him and cast stones at him and reuiled him and the more Dauids friends inuironed and defended him the more obstinately perseuered he in his reproofes and scandalous raylings calling him murtherer and captaine of the wicked charging him like an impure and execrable man to get him out of the kingdome giuing God thanks for
that he had depriued him of his kingdome by the meanes of his owne sonne and in punishment of those crimes which he had committed against his owne master This his so cruel and vnbridled libertie moued all Dauids followers to displeasure so that all of them were prepared to reuenge them on Simei and amongst the rest Abisai would haue slaine him but Dauid pacified his displeasure willing him to forbeare for feare said hee least to our present miseries we annexe a further and new occasion For in as much as concerneth my selfe I set light by this mad dogge referre the matter vnto God who is the cause that he is thus desperatly bent against vs Neither is it to be wondred at that I suffer these outrages by him since mine owne sonne is so wicked as he taketh a felicitie to disdaine me but it may be that God wil haue compassion on vs if he please we shal haue the vpper hand ouer our enimies He therfore walked onward on his way not caring what Simei said who ranne on the other side of the mountaine rayling reuiling at him When Dauid was arriued on the banke of Iordan he mustred and refreshed his army who were fore wearied meane while Absalon entring Ierusalem with Achitophel his counsellor was saluted and applauded by the whole concourse of the people amongst the rest Dauids friend came vnto them who prostrating himself before Absalons feete wished him both prosperitie and perpetuitie in his kingdome Him did Absalon aske how it came to passe that he who was reputed to be one of Dauids most indeered friends and esteemed alwaies to be most loyall and faithfull vnto him should at that time when most occasion was profered him to expresse his loyaltie abandon him and submit himselfe to his enemie To him Chusai answered both readily and wisely that it became him to follow God and the good will of the people Since therefore said he my soueraigne that both these are for you it concerneth me to follow you because you haue receiued the kingdome from God If therefore you esteeme me to be your faithfull friend I will approue vnto you my loyaltie and true affection in like manner as in your knowledge I haue testified in effect vnto your father who ought not to be displeased at that which had hapned since the kingdome is not transported into an other house but remaineth in his owne family because he who was his sonne receiued the same By such like words he reconciled himselfe to Absalon whereas before that time he was inwardly suspected Hereupon Achitophel was sent for to consult with him about their affaires in hand who gaue him counsell to abuse all his fathers concubines and make them his owne For said he from that time forward the people will beleeue that you and he will neuer be reconciled and will be more readie to beare armes and inuade your father for your sake For hitherto said he they haue vnwillingly professed themselues to be his enemies suspecting least a peace should ◅e concluded betwixt the father and the sonne Absalon beleeuing this aduise of his caused a Tent or royall Pauilion to be pitched in the sight of all the people whereinto he entred and had the company of his fathers concubines All which fell out according as the Prophet Nathan had foretold at such time as he certified Dauid that his owne sonne should make warre against him CHAP. IX Absalons warre against his father his death and the discomfiture of his armie WHen Absalon had done that which Achitophel had instructed him in he requested him once more to counsaile him concerning that warre which he had enterprised against his father who required ten thousand chosen men at his hand promising him to kill Dauid and to bring all the rest that were in his conduct vnder his subiection assuring him that Absalons kingdome would be then established when Dauids head were cut off from his shoulders When this aduise of his had highly contēted him he sent for Chusai who was the chiefest amongst Dauids friends for so Dauid himselfe had termed him to whom he discouered the aduice which Achitophel had giuen him required him to giue his opinion what he thought therof who knowing verie well that if Achitophels counsaile were followed Dauid should be in daunger to be apprehended and slaine enforced all his arguments and counsails to the contrarie For said he my Liege you are sufficiently informed both what your fathers valour is and their vertue that accompanie him who hath fought many battels and hath had the vpper hand ouer all his enemies It is to be feared also least he at this present be encamped in the field For he is well exercised in leading armies and to preuent any stratagemes whereby the enemy may inuade him and about the euening he hath perhappes left his men hidden in some streight or in ambush behinde some rock and if our men shall assaile him his soldiers will by little and little retire and afterward recouering courage by reason that the King shall be neere vnto them they will charge vs afresh and during their medly your father will sodainly breake out of his ambush and encourage his owne men and discomfort yours wisely therfore examine mine aduice and if you find that it be good neglect that which Achitophel hath giuen you Send me thorow al the countrey of the Hebrewes commanding euery one to take armes march out against your father and when you haue gathered togither these forces be you your selfe in person the generall of the army and commit it not to an other mans charge and assuredly expect to haue an easie victory ouer him if you assaile him in the open field for that he is accompanied with a verie few men and your selfe are attended by many thousands who at least wise if they loue you and will shew a good affection towards you may easily rid you of that enemy And if so be your father shut himselfe vp in any Citie we will and may subuert the same by mines and engines This aduise of his seemed to be better then that of Achitophels so that Absalon preferred the same For it was God that put this thought into his heart to neglect Achitophels and respect Chusais counsell Now when Chusai had thus preuailed he presently repaired to the high Priests Sadoc and Abiathar certifying them what Achitophel had complotted and how he had contradicted him finally how his opinion had taken place giuing them in charge to send priuate intelligence vnto Dauid thereof and to enforme him of his sonnes resolution wishing him with all speede to passe ouer the riuer of Iordan for feare least Absalon being informed of his aboad in that place should make haste and pursue him and ouertake him before he might recouer a place of securitie Now had the high Priests before hand prouided that their sonnes should lie hid without the Citie of set purpose to the end
should enioy a firme peace and a flourishing estate such blessings as God bestoweth vpon those that studie after pietie and iustice Moreouer he charged him to place the Arke within the Temple at such time as it should be finished with all other sacred vtensils for the receit whereof the Temple should long since haue beene builded had not their forefathers neglected Gods commaund who had enioyned them that at such time as they should possesse their enemies land they should build him a Temple These were Dauids exhortations not onely vnto his sonne but also to the other Princes Now when Dauid was verie olde so that by reason of his yeares his bodie was so cold and benumd that notwithstanding the many couerings and clothes they laid vpon him yet could he not be her or warmed his Phisitions assembled themselues together and consulted and at last conluded that one of the fairest virgins that was in the countrey might be chosen out to lie with the king because by this meanes she might warme his chill lims and comfort his decaying heat Wherupon after search made they found out a Damsell called Abisace which surpassed all other in beautie who slept with him and warmed him for by reason of his age he was vnable to haue the vse of a woman But of this virgin hereafter we shall make further mention The fourth sonne of Dauid was a goodly tall young man called Adonias the sonne of Aegistha who resembling Absalon in complexion and ambition began to vsurpe with a deliberation to make himselfe king and amongst his ordinarie discourses which he vsed to his friends he said that it behooued him to take possession of the kingdome To this intent he prepared many chariots and horses and fiftie men to attend him for his guard His father certified of these his proceedings reproued him not neither crossed this his deliberation neither demaunded of him likewise wherefore he presumed to attempt such vnseemely actions Of this his reuolt he had for his coadiutors Ioab the general and the high Priest Abiathar but they that contradicted him were the high Priest Sadoc and the Prophet Nathan and Banaia the captaine of the guard with Simei Dauids friend besides all other the valiant men at aries Whereas therefore Adonias made a banquet out of the Citie and in the suburbes neere vnto the fountaine of the parke royall he inuited all his brethren vnto the same except Salomon and tooke with him Ioab and Abiathar with the gouernours of the tribe of Iuda but as touching Sadoc the Prophet Nathan Banaia the rest of the contrary partie he called them not vnto the banquet This did the prophet Nathan tell to Bethsabe Salomons mother certifying her that Adonias was made King without the knowledge of Dauid aduising her both to haue care of hir owne securitie and the estate maiestie of her sonne who by reason of Adonias vsurpation was like to be supplanted wishing her in person to certifie the king thereof and further promising that whilest she debated these things with the King he would come in in the meane while confirme that which she had said Bethsabe being thus perswaded by Nathan came vnto the King and humbling hir selfe before him afterwards requiring licence to speake vnto him she certified him of all those things that had hapned according as she had beene aduised by the Prophet particularly deciphering vnto him what banquet Adonias had made and what guestes he had inuited namely Abiathar and Ioab with the rest of his sonnes except Salomon and his particular friends vrging this furthermore that the people expected who it should be whom Dauid would nominate to succeed him for which cause she earnestly besought Dauid that he would prouide forsee that he who should succeed him in the gouerment should neither seeke her bloud nor the death of her son Salomon Whilest Bethsabe discoursed after this manner the chamberlaines gaue the king to vnderstand that Nathan attended to speake with him Whereupon Dauid commaunded that he should be called in and as soone as he was entred he asked the king if that day he had appointed Adonias to gouerne and succeed in the kingdome after him for that said he he hath made a sumptuous feast where unto he hath inuited all thy sonnes but Salomon thither also hath he called Ioab where after the great cheere and banquetting they haue proclaimed and cried long liue King Adonias Furthermore said he he hath neither inuited me nor the high Priest Sadoc nor the captaine of the guard Banaia It therefore behooueth thee to let vs know if this be done by thy approbation and allowance As soone as Nathan had made an end of his speech Dauid commanded that Bethsabe should be called in who had retired her selfe out of the kings chamber at such time as the Prophet entred into the same As soon as Bethsabe reentred the chamber Dauid said vnto her I sweare vnto thee by that great God that thy sonne Salomon shall raigne after me according as before this time I haue already sworne vnto thee and he it is that shall sit vpon my throne yea euen this present day Vpon these words Bethsabe humbled her selfe and besought God to grant the king long life Whereupon he called for Sadoc the high priest and Banaia captaine of the guard and gaue them in charge to take the Prophet Nathan with them and all the men at armes that attended him in court charging them to mount his sonne Salomon vpon the royall Moyle and to conduct him out of the Citie neere vnto the fountaine of Gehon in which place after they had annointed him with holy oyle he willed them to proclaime Salomon king commanding the high priest Sadoc and the Prophet Nathan to see his will performed charging those that followed him thorow the Citie with sound of trumpet and a loud voice to crie out that Salomon was seated for euer on his fathers throne to the intent that all the people might vnderstand that by his fathers consent he was declared king But as touching Salomon he gaue him instructions how he ought to behaue himselfe with pietie and iustice in the gouernment of all the people of the Hebrewes and of the tribe of Iuda After this Banaia besought God that it would please him to bee fauourable vnto Salomon and with all expedition Salomon was mounted vpon the kings mule and conducted out of the Citie neere vnto the fountaine where after he had been annointed with oyle they brought him backe againe into the Citie with ioy and applause wishing him a long and prosperous gouernment then reconducting him to the kings pallace they placed him in his throne and on the instant all the people began to celebrate banquets feasts and to disport and reioyce themselues with dances and instruments of musicke so that by reason of the multitude of instruments both the earth and the ayre resounded therewith So that Adonias and they that
thereof that the worthy nature of this king might be known vnto all men and how beloued he was of God and how surpassing in all kindes of vertue When Hiram king of Tyre vnderstood that Salomon succeeded his father in the kingdome he was glad thereof for he was Dauids friend for which cause he sent messengers vnto him to salute him and to congratulate with him of that good which had hapned vnto him by whom Salomon returned an answere in these tearmes Salomon to Hiram the king Know thou that my father hauing a wil to build a temple vnto God hath been withdrawen from the performance thereof by the continuall warres and troubles he hath had for he neuer tooke rest before he either had defeated his enemies or made thē tributaries vnto him For mine own part I thanke God for the peace which I possesse and for that by the means therof I haue opportunity according to mine own desire to build a temple vnto God for he it is that foretold my father that this house should be builded during my raign For which cause I pray you send some one of your skilfullest men with my seruants to the wood Libanus to hew downe trees in that place for the Sidonians are more skilfull in hewing and preparing timber then our people are and I will pay the cleauers of wood according to your direction When Hiram had read this letter he was very glad to p◅e the contents of the same and wrote backe againe vnto him to this effect The king Hiram vnto king Salomon Thou hast cause to thanke God in that he hath deliuered thy fathers kingdome into thy hands to thee I say who art a man wise and full of vertue For which cause since no newes can come vnto me more gratious nor office of loue more esteemed then this I will accomplish all that thou requestest for after I haue caused a great quantitie of Cedar and Cyprus wood to be cut downe I will send it thee by sea by my seruants whom I will commaund and furnish with conuenient vessels of burthen to the end they may deliuer the same in what place of thy kingdome it shall best please thee that afterwards thy subiects may transport them to Ierusalem You shall prouide to furnish vs with corne whereof we stand in need because we inhabit an Island The copies are yet at this day kept not onely by those of that nation but also by the Tyrians so that if any man desire exactly to know that they be let him search the publique records of the Tyrians and he shall finde in them matters accordant to that we haue said All which I say to that end that the readers might be assured that I outstrip not the truth in any sort and that I insert not in this historie matters that are meerly apparant deceitful and only fashioned for delight neither feare I that any man shall examine my writings neither desire I likewise that euery man giue credit at the first sight to the same or that I be held blamelesse in suffering my selfe any waies to vary or vnproperly dilate ought in this historie but contrariwise if I cannot approoue the truth by demonstration and sufficient testimonies I desire not to be allowed As soone as Salomon had receiued these letters from the King of the Tyrians he praised his facilitie and beneuolence and presently sent him that which he demanded euerie yeare therefore he sent him two thousand Cores of wheat and the like number of Ba ds of oyle this Bad containeth seuentie and two sextaries He gaue him also the like measure of wine From that time forward the friendship betwixt Hiram and Salomon increased more and more so that both of them protested that it should continue for euer The king imposed on his people the tribute of thirtie thousand workemen whom he gaue in charge to trauell continually and distributed them verie discreetly Hee ordained that ten thousand of them should cut wood in Libanus for the space of one moneth and that then they should rest two moneths returning euery man vnto his owne dwelling place vntill such time as the twentie thousand had in their turne accomplished the taske in the time that was prefixed vnto them and then the first 10000. renewed their work followed the same in the fourth month Ador◅ was constituted superintendēt ouer this tribute Besides these there were 70000. men appointed to cary stones wood who were the inhabitants of that countrey which Dauid had left There were foure score thousand hewers of stone ouer whichwere 3200. commissaries these had the king commaunded to cut the greatest stones to make the foundations of the temple which after they had hewed and prepared in the mountaine he commaunded should be drawne and brought into the Citie and not onely commaunded he his countrimen to performe this but those workemen also that were sent him by Hiram Salomon began this building in the fourth yeare of his raigne in the second month which the Macedons call Artemisium and the Hebrewes Iar fiue hundreth nintie and two yeares after the departure of the Israelites out of Aegypt one thousand and twentie yeares since the arriuall of Abraham in Mesopotamia one thousand foure hundreth and fortie yeares after the Deluge And since Adam the first man vntill Salomon who builded the Temple all the yeares that are passed haue beene three thousand one hundreth and two But the beginning of the building of the Temple hapned in the eleuenth yeare of the raigne of Hiram who gouerned in Tyre and since the first time that Tyre began to be inhabited vntil the said building of the temple there passed two hundreth and fortie yeares The king therefore laid the foundations of the Temple and made a most deepe trench and fortified it with most strong stones which might be able to resist al the iniuries of time These stones were so closely ioined the one vnto the other that for the strength of the foundations they might serue to make the base and ground both to fortifie the worke as also to sustaine that which should be builded thereupon either for embellishment or waight of the charge neither could the foundations be of lesse strength and hugenes which were to sustaine a sumptuous pile of that height greatnes magnificence and ornament The walles were made of white stone and continued of the same matter euen vntill the roofe The height of the Temple was sixtie cubits and the length as much and the bredth twentie Ouer that was another edifice hauing the like dimensions so that the whole height of the Temple was sixescore cubits and the entry therof was to the East-ward The porch that gaue entry thereinto had twentie cubits in length which was the bredth of the Temple and in bredth ten cubits and the height thereof was of sixescore cubits About the Temple were builded thirtie celles which inuironed the circuit of the same on
deaths After that Ioram had taken possession of the kingdome he resolued to make warre vpon Misa the king of the Moabites who paid Achab his father before him the tribute of 200000. sheepe bearing wooll Whenas therefore he had assembled his forces he sent vnto Iosaphat requiring him that since he had beene his fathers friend he would likewise second and send him ayde in his intended warre against the Moabites who had as then newly reuolted from his gouernment Iosaphat not only promised him to yeeld him succours but moreouer he assured him that he would draw the king of Idumaea who was his subiect into their association When Ioram vnderstood these things by those whom he had sent vnto Iosaphat hee tooke his army with him and repaired to Ierusalem where he was magnificently receiued and intertained by the King of that Citie where after they had concluded to march thorow the desart of Idumaea and that way to charge the enemie in that they expected nothing lesse then to be endangered on that side these three kings departed together from Ierusalem namely the king of Ierusalem the king of Samaria and the king of Idumaea Now when they had marched some seuen daies iourney they found a great sarcitie of water amongst them both to water their horses to refresh their whole army by reason that their guides had led them astray out of the high way so that they were in great want and in especiall Ioram who by reason of the necessitie wherwith he was pressed cried vnto God expostulating with him for what offence of his he would betray three such kings as were there present into the hands of the king of Moab without stroke strooken But Iosaphat who was a vertuous man encouraged him and sent into the army to know whether there were any Prophet of God that had followed them to the battell to the intent said he that we may vnderstand by God what we ought to do and whereas one of the seruants of Ioram said that he had seene Elizaeus the sonne of Saphat the disciple of Elias all the three kings by the sollicitation of Iosaphat resorted vnto him now when they drewe neere vnto the Prophets tent which he had pitched apart from the rest of the company they asked him what should become of the army and Ioram in especiall questioned with him To whom Elizeus answered that he had no reason to sollicite him in this sort but to repaire vnto his fathers and mothers Prophets who would certifie him the truth Notwithstanding Ioram intreated him that he would prophecie and continue the preseruation of the army and the defence of his life but Elizeus sware by the liuing God that he would answere him nothing except for Iosaphats sake who was an vpightman and such a one as feared God Afterwards calling vnto them a certaine man that could cunningly play vpon instruments for so had the Prophet commaunded whilest he sung Elizeus was rauished with a diuine spirit and enioyned the kings to make certaine trenches in the channell of the riuer for said he you shall see the riuer full of water without either vvind cloud or raine so that both the whole army and all their cattell shall be saued and sufficiently sustained and God will not onely bestow these benefits on you but will giue you the vpper hand of your enemies also and you shal surprise the fairest and strongest Cities of the Moabites and you shall cut downe their trees ruinate their countrey and fill vp their fountaines and riuers When the Prophet had spoken thus the next day before sunne rise the riuer flowed aboundantly with water for some three daies iourney off God had suffered a very strong and setled raine to fall in Idumaea so that both the soldiers and their horses were sufficiently refreshed and watered When the Moabites were informed that the three kings came out against them tooke their way thorow the desart their king presently assembled his army and commaunded them to keepe the passages of the mountaines to the end they might hinder the enemy from entring their countrey vnawares Who beholding about the sunne rise that the water of the riuer was bloud red for at that time it arose in the countrey of Moab and at this houre the water is red they conceiued a false opinion that the three kings being pressed by thirst had slaine one another and that the riuer flowed with their bloud Being in this sort seduced with this imagination they besought the king to giue them leaue to gather their enemies spoiles which when they had obtained they altogether inconsiderately matched forth as if to a pray alreadie prepared for them and came vnto the kings campes vnder hope to find no man to resist them But their hope deceiued them for their enemies enuironed them round about and some of them were cut in peeces the rest turned backe and fled towards their owne countrey and the three kings entring into the territories of the Moabites destroyed their Cities pillaged the champion countrey disfigured their inclosures filling them with stones and mud taken out of the riuer cut downe their fairest trees stopped vp the sources of their waters and leuelled their wals with the ground The king of the Moabites himselfe seeing himselfe pursued and besieged and that his Citie was in daunger to be taken perforce sallied out verie valiantly with seuen hundreth men hoping by the swiftnes of his horse to breake thorow the Israelites campe on that side where he thought it was least defenced Which when he had attempted and could not execute because he charged on that side which was the best defended he returned backe againe into the Citie and committed a desperate and hatefull action for he tooke his eldest sonne who ought in right to succeede him in the kingdome and set him on the wall of the Citie and in the sight of all his enemies offered him for a burnt sacrifice vnto God The kings beholding this wofull spectacle were moued with compassion of his necessitie and ouercome with humanitie and mercy leuied the siege and returned backe againe into their countries After that Iosaphat was returned into Ierusalem he enioyed a peaceable gouernment but liued not long time after this exploit but died when he was threescore yeares olde in the fiue and twentith yeare of his raigne and was magnificently buried in Ierusalem according as the successour of Dauids vertue and kingdome ought to be entombed CHAP. II. Ioram obtaining the kingdome of Ierusalem slewe his brothers and his fathers friends HE left behind him diuers children the eldest of whom he appointed his successor in the kingdome who was called Ioram as his vncle was who was his mothers brother and Achabs sonne whilome king of Israel The king of the ten lines returning backe vnto Samaria kept with him the Prophet Elizaeus whose actions I wil heere recite because they are notable deserue to be registred in writing
constrained by Embassadors to complaine of them vnto Caesar who wrote vnto euery prouince that it was his pleasure that the Iewes should enioy like priuiledges with the other inhabitants of the countrey The copy of which writing we haue here set downe that it may the better appeare how the Roman Emperors of ancient times were affected vnto our nation Caesar Augustus Pont. Max. Trib. potestatis thus decreeth For as much as the nation of the Iewes hath alwaies been trusty vnto the Romans not only at this day but also in all former ages and especially in the time of our father Caesar the Emperour vnder Hircanus their high priest I haue ordained that according to the common sentence of the Senate they shal liue after their countrey lawes vnder which they liued in the time of Hircanus the high priest of God and that their temple shall retaine the right of a sanctuarie and that it shall be lawfull for them to send votiue money vnto Ierusalem by certaine persons and that they shall not be compelled to appeare before any iudge vpon their Sabaoth daies or the day before their Sabaoths after nine of the clocke vpon the preparation day And if any one be knowne to steale the holy bookes or holy money laid vp in their places appointed for religion he shall be guiltie of sacrilege and his goods shall be confiscate vnto the treasurie of the people of Rome I also decree for the good will I beare vnto all men that their memoriall or request offered vnto me by C. Marcius Censorinus shall togither with this my edict be published in that famous place which all Asia hath dedicated vnto my name to wit Argyra And if any shall be so hardy as to doe contrarie to our decree he shall be punished extraordinarily This was engrauen in a pillar in Caesars temple Caesar wisheth health vnto Norbanus Flaccus let it be lawfull for all Iewes wheresoeuer liuing to carrie their sacred money vnto Ierusalem according to their auncient custome and that no man should forbid them so to doe and this did Caesar write in fauour of the Iewes Agrippa also wrote in the Iewes behalfe as followeth Agrippa wisheth health vnto the magistrates Senate and people of Ephesus I will that the Iewes liuing in Asia keepe their sacred money which according to the custome of their countrey they are wont to send vnto Ierusalem and if any one shall steale their holy money that the same person if he flie vnto a sanctuary shall be violently taken away from thence as a sacrilegious person and deliuered vnto the Iewes to be punished He also wrote vnto Syllanus the magistrate that the Iewes might not be constrained vpon their Sabaoths to appeare before a Iudge M. Agrippa wisheth health to the Cyrenian magistrates and Senate The Iewes inhabiting amongst you for whom Augustus hath already written vnto Flauius the president of Libya and vnto other magistrates of that prouince are not to be hindered from sending their holy money to Ierusalem as their custome is and they haue now complained vnto me that they are molested by the false accusations of some bad people and forbidden to doe it vnder pretence of a certaine tribute which notwithstanding they are not to pay Wherefore I commaund that they may be permitted to liue after their custome and free from all such matters and if in any of your Cities any sacred money of theirs be intercepted that by certaine persons which you knowing to be fit for that purpose make choise of them to send it againe vnto the Iewes Item C. Norbanus Flaccus proconsul Health vnto the magistrates of Sardinia Caesar hath written vnto me commaunding that no man hinder the Iewes according to their custome to send sacred money vnto Ierusalem wherefore I also write vnto you of the same that you may not be ignorant both of my will and Caesars also Moreouer Iulius Antonius proconsul did also write vnto this effect Health vnto the magistrates Senate and people of Ephesus The Iewes of Asia in the Ideas of Februarie I sitting in iudiciall seat at Ephesus signified vnto me that Caesar Augustus and Agrippa haue permitted them to vse their countrey customes and euerie one according as he thinketh good to contribute his first fruites for religion sake to be caried without let or hinderance vnto the temple of the most mightie God and they desired me to ratifie by my consent that which they had already granted them by the abouenamed Emperours Wherfore I would haue you to know that I also according vnto Caesars and Agrippas decrees and ordinances doe permit and grant them also to doe all things they please according vnto their countrey customes forbidding any man to hinder them therein I haue thought good to annex these decrees for that I know that these my writings will come vnto the Grecians hands that I may shew them that in former ages we were so esteemed of the publike magistrates that were not permitted to hinder vs from vsing our countrey rites and ceremonies and that by their consent we worshipped God in our own religion which I do inculcate the oftner that I may moue strange and forraine nations and take away their hatred conceiued against vs which is without all reasonable cause For no nation doth alwaies vse the same customes but almost whole townes amongst them doe sometimes alter and differ from the rest yet is iustice equally to be distributed vnto all men which is most profitable as well to the Greekes as to other barbarous nations which is greatly obserued in our lawes which if we follow and violate not are able to make all nations loue vs. Wherefore we request all men not to despise vs for that we differ from them in religion but fauour vs in that we follow vertue For this is common to all nations and without this mans life cannot stand But I will now returne vnto my Historie CHAP. XI How Herode hauing neede of money opened Dauids Sepulchre HErode spending lauishly much and many summes of money both at home and abroad hearing that Hircanus who raigned before him opened Dauids Sepulchre and tooke out of it three thousand talents of siluer and that there was left yet farre more able to defray any great charges whatsoeuer he long time purposed to doe the like And at this time in the night season accompanied only with his most trustie friends being verie warie that none of the people should know of it he entred into the Sepulchre but he found no money there as Hircanus did but he tooke from thence a great company of precious attires and ornaments of gold whereby he was entised to make a more diligent search and he sent two of his company for the nonce into the inner part of the Sepulchre where the bodies of Salomon and Dauid were intombed who were there lost and as it is reported fire came out of those secret places and consumed them Whereat Herode being terrified