this as other Questions of Time c. Eusebius in his Evan. praepar out of Tatian nameth many Greek Writers more Antient than Homer Hesiodus's Age is also questioned some hold him Elder some Younger than he But Varro leaves it uncertain finding that both the Fathers lived some Years together Senyes or Senemyres seemed to have Ruled Egypt at this time For Tenefersobris his Successor preceded Vaphres Father-in-Law to Solomon About the end of Saul the Amazons and Cymmerians Invaded Asia After the Fall of Troy Six Kingdoms grew up as the Latins in Italy Lacedemon Corintâ— and Achaia in Greece Syria Soba and Damascus under the Adads in Arabia of which were Ten Kings which began and ended in effect with the Kings of Israel which now changed their form of Government into a Monarchy CHAP. XIII Of David First of his Estate under Saul § 1. DAvid's hazards after he was designed King were many first with Goliaâ— which won him Fame with all Love with Ionathan like that he bare to his own Soul and a ground of deadly Hatred in Saul though it brake not out 'till he had entertained him to play on his Harp and had made him his Son-in-Law when in a raving Fit he threw his Spear at him Censorinus speaketh of Esculapius a Physician and Seneca of Pythagoras's Curing Frenzie by Musick but Saul's Madness arose from the Cause of Causes and therefore incurable and the ease he had God ordained for the Musician's good more than the King 's Saul after this fearing to trust David about his Person imploy'd him against the Philistins hoping of his Fall by them And being disappointed therein he moved Ionathan and his Servants to kill him but in vain From many other desperate Perils the Lord delivered him at home and abroad yea in a Mutiny of his own c. as the History of this part of his Life witnesseth Saul being slain the Philistins Victory was such as some Towns even beyond Iordan were abandon'd and left to their Oppression without resistance It is therefore to be wonder'd at that they being Warlike and Ambitious did not follow the Victory to make the Conquest entire But it may be that the Civil Wars between David and the House of Saul immediately breaking out gave them hope of an easie Victory over both whereas their farther Pursuit might inforce an Attonement against a common Enemy § 2. David's beginning of his Reign was opposed by Abner who sought to advance Ishbosheth the Son of Saul yet without right while Mephibosheth the Son of Ionathan lived The first War was defensive in David when Abner fought it upon a Challenge of twelve Combatants on either side which slew each other like the Combate between 300 Lacedemonians and as many Argives wherein three survived and between the Horatii and the Curatii for the Romans and the Latins The Text Chap. 3.1 makes it probable The Wars between David and Ishbosheth lasted longer than two years so that those two Years mentioned Chap. 2.13 some Rabins refer to the time when this was written § 3. Abner being reconciled to David was murthered by Ioah in revenge of Asael and in jealousie of his Place and Dignity which admitted of no Companion much less a Superiour as he doubted Abner would prove being General of Ten Tribes Upon like jealousie he also murdered his own Kinsman Amasa The death of Abner might greatly have endanger'd David's Condition if any thing could withstand God's Ordinance therefore he wisely bewailed it so openly complaining of Ioab's Greatness which makes Princes oft put up Wrongs at their hands yet he publickly Cursed him c. § 4. David's Reign over all Israel after Ishbosheth's death being confirmed his first Enterprize was against Ierusalem the Center of the Kingdom held by the Iebusites from Ioshua to that day whose strength was such that in derision they Manned the Wall with Blind and Lame Men but lost it The Pâ—ilistins hearing of David's Anointing thought it good to try him before he was warm in his Seat but were overthrown twice David after this brought the Ark to the City of David after which he intended to Build a Temple but was forbidden because he was a Man of War The Wars which he had made were just yet God refused to have the Foundation of his Temple to be layed by his hands whereby the damnable Pride of Princes appeareth who by terrours of Wars think to grow to Greatness like the Almighty not caring to imitate his Mercy and Goodness or to seek the blessed Promise by our Saviour to Peace-Makers yet God so accepted his Religious intent that his Kingdom was confirmed to him and his and a Promise is made of that Everlasting Throne to be Established in his Seed § 5. David after this overthrew the Philistins and demolished their strong City of Gath which was their Frontier Town at the entrance into Iudah and Ephraim from whence they made their incursions and thither retreated and was therefore called in the Text the Bridle of Amgar After this he gave them 4 Overthrows of which see 2 Sam. 21.17 But the Conquest of Moah and the Arabian Wars came between Of Moab he slew two parts and saved a third to till the ground yet the occasion is uncertain only Moses for bad them to seek their peace From thence to Syria Zoba against Hadadezer § 6. David overthrew Hadadezer going to inlarge his Borders to Euphrates which purpose for Euphrates cannot be understood of David who upon this Victory and winning of Damascus upon it had a fair way and help of Chariots and Horses now won sit for such a Journey if he had intended it all which notwithstanding he returned to Ierusalem This purpose is better referred to Hadadezer Next hereto followed the Victory against the Ammonites and their Confederates with the severe Revenge David took for the Affront Hanun shewed his Ambassadors But before Rabba afterwards called Philadelphia was Besieged David gain'd another great Victory over the Aramites brought to Helam by Adadezer out of Mesopotamia from whence yet David proceeded not to Euphrates § 7. David 's Troubles in his Reign § As Victories beget Security and Prosperity Forgetfulness of former Misery and many times of God himself the giver of all Goodness so it fell out with this good King For being free from dangerous and apparent Enemies he began to indulge Human Affections as we see in his Carriage towards Vriah and his Wife forgetting the zealous care which formerly he had to please God in the precise keeping of his Commandments After this he fell by degrees from the highest Happiness and his Days were filled with inter-changeable Joys and Woes and the Sword never departed from his House Then followed the death of the Adulterous Child Incestuous Rape of Thamar Murder of Amnon Insurrection Usurpation Incest and Death of Absalom the Treachery of Ziba the Affront front of Shimei the Insolence of Ioab the Rebellion of Sheba the Murder of Amasa c. The
the stock of Ithamar that obtained that High-Priesthood which continued in his stock until Solomon cast out Abâ—athar and put in Zâ—dok descended from Eleazer 1 Kings 2.26 35. In his time for the Sins of the Priests and People the Lord gave his Ark the Sacrament of his Presence into the hands of the Philistins as he did his Temple to be destroyed by the Chaldeans and after by the Romans because they put more Confidence therein than in the Lord himself whose Law they would not observe Whereas after the Captivity and in the time of the Machabees while they feared the Lord they were Victorious without an Ark more than they were when they guarded themselves with the Sign void of substance David also knew the Ark was not made for an Ensign in the Field The Trojans believed that while the Paladium or Image of Minerva was in the City it should never be overthrown The Christians also carried into the Field in the last Fatal Battel against Saladine the very Cross as they were made to believe whereon Christ died and yet lost themselves and the Wood. But Chrysostom said well upon St. Matthew if that be his work of them which wore part of St. Iohn's Gospel about their Necks for an Amulet or Preservative If the words profit thee nâ—t in thine Ears how can they about thy Neck For it was neither the Wood of the Ark or of the Cross but the Reverence of the Father that gave them for a memory of his Covenant and the Faith of his Son which shed his Blood on the other for Redemption that could or can profit them or us either in this Life or after it The Holy story telleth us how after this Victory of the Philistins the Ark of God was in Captivity yet they overthrew the Philistin's Dagon and brake off both Head and Hands to shew he had neither Wisdom nor Power in God's Presence and that God and the Devil cannot inhabit in one House or one Heart If this Idol then could not endure the representation of the true God what Marvel is it that when it pleased him to Cloath his only Begotten with Flesh and sent him into the World that all the Oracles wherein the Devil derided and betray'd Mortal Men lost Power Speech and Operation at that instant For when the true Light which never had any beginning of Brightness brake through the Clouds of a Virgins Womb shining upon the Earth long obscured by Idolatry all these stinking Vapours vanished Plutarch rehearseth a Memorable History of that Age of the death of their great God Pan but could not find the true cause thereof c. God also plagued the Philistims as well as their God and forced them to return his Ark and to give him Glory after they had tried all their wit to the contrary See the Story Thus God is acknowledged of his Enemies as he had been of Pharaoh and was after of Nebuchodonezer Darius c. § 3. Of Samuel's Government 1 Sam. 7. He descended of Korah 1 Chron. 6.22 for his Father Elcana a Levite of Mount Ephraim came of Korah the Son of Izaar Son of Cheath Son of Levi. His Mother after long Barreness obtained him by earnest Prayer to avoid the reproach of Barrenness as it was esteemed considering it was God's Promise Deut. 7. and Blessing to Adam and Abraham c. Under his Government the Lord freed Israel from the Philistins who at his Prayers were miraculously overthrown as were the Amalekites at the Prayer of Moses He Ministred Justice at three fit places Of which see Cap. 12. § 1. CHAP. XII Of Saul the First King of Israel § 1. THE deliberation to change the Government into a Kingdom arose upon Samuel's being grown unable to sustain the Burthen of so careful a Government which he put over his Sons who failing of their Father's Care and Uprightness and relishing nothing but Gain sold Law and Justice to the best Chap-men The Elders observing this and that the Old Man though a Prophet yet as a natural Father discerned not his Sons Errors and remembring the lamentable success of Eli's Sons Rule saw no other way to put them off than by desiring a King This Motion displeased Samuel who seeking Counsel from God as in a Cause of so great consequence he was order'd to hear the Voice of the People yet so as God accounted it a Wrong to himself rather than to Samuel and therefore commanded him to declare unto them the Inconveniencies and Miseries which shall befall them under that Government All which are not intolerable but as have been and are still born by Subjects free Consent But the Oppressions threatned verse 14 c. give an occasion â—o the Question Whether a King fearing God or one which will Rule by his own discretion and playeth the Tyrant be here set out as some judge or that the Text only teacheth what they ought with patience to bear at their Sovereigns hand as others judge The first ground themselves upon Deut. 17.14 c. and on the words of the Text which do not say he may but he will do so and so shewing what Power severed from Piety will do as in Achab's Example contrary to the Law Deut. 16.18 The Arguments on the other side are largely handled in that Discourse of free Monarchies which I shall not take upon me here to Insert This change of Government God fore-told Gen. 15. and 17. and 49. and provided for the direction of it by Laws Deut. 17. But whether the Reasons which move most Nations moved them to choose a Monarch or thereby to be cleared from the Sons of Samuel doth not so plainly appear for neither Perswasions nor Threats could draw them from their desire of a King § 2. Saul ' s Election § Samuel by God's direction having yielded to the People returned to his City Rama expecting the Lord's direction touching the King to be chosen which the Lord accordinly performed giving him warning the day before Samuel hereupon prepared to entertain whom God should send and Saul intending nothing less than a Kingdom found it and was Anointed and Confirmed by signs given him by Samuel and returned home Thus God oft by meanest occasions ordereth the greatest things and in Moses and David's Calling from feeding Sheep Iames and Iohn from Fishing c. Among the Signs given to Saul one was of the Company of the Prophets not such as by divine Revelation fore-told things to come as Moses Ioshua Samuel c. but such as were exercised in Expounding Scriptures as were those 1 Cor. 14. at which time God changed his Heart from a Vulgar condition to a Kingly After this another Assembly at Mispezh Saul was Published and designed King by God and accepted of the People and saluted King § 3. Saul's Establishment after his Victory against the Ammonites 1 Sam. 11. The Ammonites attending the Advantage of Times for recovery of their Territories taken from them by the Amorites having in vain
attempted it in Iephtha's days finding Israels weakness by long oppression of the Philistins who had disarmed them had also slain 34000 of them and that 50000 perished about Bethshemes and their King was not yet so acceptable to all his Subjects who were encouraged to begin with Iabesh Gilead so near unto them Saul to shew himself King being proprobably descended of one of the Four Hundred Virgins taken from the Gileadits undertook the relief of Iabesh assembling 330000 Men and Defeated the Ammonites Hence Samuel drew them all to Gilgal where Saul was again Confirmed King where also Samuel exhorted them to fear the Lord and rehearsed his own Justice After a Years Reign Saul chose him a strong Guard of Three Thousand 1 Sam. 13.2 § 4. Saul 's Disobedience and Rejection § Ionathan with his Regiment of 1000 surprised a Garrison of the Philistins which some judge was in Careatjearim where was the Ark but Iunius taketh it to be Gebah in Benjamin near Gibha where Ionathan stayed with his Thousand so that though the Philistins were much broken under Samuel yet they held some strong places in Israel of which this was one whose Surprise so enraged them that they gathered together the greatest Forces mention'd 1 Sam. 12. while Saul was at Gilgal expecting Samuel as he had been required 1 Sam. 10.8 But because Samuel came not so soon as Saul expected he hasteâ—ed to Sacrifice taking the Office of a Priest on him as some think or as others judge he in diffidence and distraction upon the Philistins Power and his Peoples deserting him attended not the Prophet's coming to direct him and pray for him For Samuel had sharply reproved and threatned him with great Indecency had he not had extraordinary warrant from the Lord. So they departed each from other Saul being come to Gibeah his own City being of strength his Forces were but 600 between him and Ionathan and of these not one had Sword or Spear of which the Reason is rendred in the Text. The like Policy Nebuchadonozer us'd in the Conquest of Iudaea and Dyonisius in Sicily It may be the other Israelits had some though these Six hundred had not for they might gain some at the overthrow of the Philistins and Ammonites As for the Weapons the Israelites used in these Wars they were Clubs Bows and Slings wherein they were expert 1 Chr. 12.2 and their Victories were rather extraordinary as by Thunder or Astonishments sent from God as in this next Overthrow by the hand of Ionathan and his Armour-bearer wherein God set them at dissention cap. 14.10 So that the Israelites needed no Swords when every Philistin's Sword supplyed the want After this Victory Saul undertook by turns all the bordering Enemies and by special Commandment the Amalekites in Arabia Petraea and the Desart ravaging from Havila to Shur But for presuming contrary to God's express Charge to spare Agag c. he was utterly rejected of the Lord for all his pretence of Sacrifice and Samuel never after visited Saul § 5. Samuel fearing to Anoint another King as God willed him is directed how to do it safely So that by cautious care to avoid danger he did no way derogate from God's Providence seeing the Lord himself tho' All-sufficient instructed Samuel to avoid Saul's Fury by the accustomed cautions ways of the World and therefore Men neglecting of Prayer to God and exercise of that Wisdom he hath indued the Mind of Man with for his preservation are stupified with the Opinion of Fate c. Iesse having presented all his Sons but David to Samuel he only whom the Father neglected is chosen of God and anointed by Samuel The Philistins in the mean time considering how Saul's Power increased while they sat still and doubting least Israel might become able to revenge themselves if they were suffer'd thus to encrease thought it good to offer a new Check presuming of their own Abilities and former Successes as for late Disasters they might suppose the one was by a casual Tempest and the last by a mistaken Alarum which wrought needless fear and put the Army to Rout. Having therefore taken the Field Encamping near Saul's Army and both keeping their ground of advantage they maintained some Skirmishes not joining in gross which the Philistins had cause to fear considering their late Success and thereupon perhaps provoked to single Combat with their Giant upon Condition of a general subjection of the vanquished Nation in their Champion This gave occasion to David now to make a famous entrance into the publick notice of the People with the success Recorded in Scripture By this Victory David fell under the heavy displeasure of Saul by reason of his great Merits whereupon he became a Convert Tyrant faithless to Men and irreligious to God as the History sheweth which brought him to the end we read of § 6. Of such as lived with Samuel and Saul § Aeneas Sylvius began to Reign over the Latins in Alba about the 11th year of Samuel and Reigned Thirty one years The same year Dorcillus began in Assyria being the Thirty first King and Reigned Forty years The Dores which came with Heraclides obtained Peloponnesus in this Age. Here follows the Account of the First Planters of Greece from Iopetus Father of Prometheus Father of Deucalion and Pyrrha King and Queen of Thessaly of whom came Helen Father of Xuthus Dorus and Aeolus Xuthus fled to Erictheus of Athens of whose Daughter came Achaeus and Ion. Achaeus for a slaughter fled to Laconia in Peloponnesus and gave it his Name and after recovered Thessaly Ion was made Governour of Attica which he brought into a civil Course and Planted Syciona then called Aegiolio and Married Helice the Kings Daughter of whom also the Land took Name Dorus second Son of Helen Planted about Parnassus and Lacedemon but when the Heraclides Nephews of Hercules Invaded Peloponnesus the Dores assisting they expelled the Achaeans in Laconia who seeking Habitation drove out the Ionians who failed into Asia on whose West Coast they Built Twelve Cities Hercules Ancestor of the Heraclides and his Twelve Labours of Fabulous Poets rehearsed Sure it is Greece was oblig'd to him for freeing it from many Tyrants and Thieves which oppressed the Land in the Reign of Euristheus who employed him therein being Jealous of him for his Virtue and Descent from Perseus His Children after his Death fled to the Athenians who assisted them against Euristheus whom they slew but upon the death of Hillus Son of Hercules slain in Combat by Echenus King of Tegeates in Arcadia who assisted Atreus Successor of Euristheus they were to leave the Country for one Hundred years now expired when they returned under Aristodemus when Tisamenus was King of Achaea § 7. Homer the Poet seemed to live about this time but the diversity of Mens Opinions and curiosity about this Age is so Ridiculous that I would not offend the Reader therewith But to shew the uncertainty of Historians as well in
Land also indured three Years Famine for Saul's wrong to the Gibeonites which was relieved by the death of Seven of Saul's Issue of which Five were the Sons of Michoâ—'s Sister as by an Elipsis the Hebrew will bear as in the like ver 19. As the Lord by this Execution secured David's House from Competitors so was the Nation strengthened by the valour of many brave Commanders of which Six Colonels under the General had Thirty Captains of Thousands among whom the difference of place and Honour grew by meer consideration of Virtue as we see Abishai Brother of Ioab and the King's Kinsman short in Honour of the first Three David thus Established in ostentation of his Power provoked the Lord to punish his People with Pestilence for his numbring of them and slew Seventy Thousand § 8. David's last Acts. § Abishag in his impotence keepeth him Warm c. Adonijah aspireth which causeth David publickly to declare Solomon his Successor and to set him in his Throne whereupon Adonijah and his Associates were scattered After this David having two especial Cares remaining of which he desired to discharge his Thoughts one concerning Solomon's peaceable holding his Crown the other about building the Temple he called a Parliament of all the Princes c. In this Assembly he signifieth his purpose and the approbation of God chargeth all and Solomon by Name v. 9. and produceth the pattern of the Work according to the Form which God himself had appointed laying down his own preparation whereto the Princes and others added their free-will offering This being done David made a solemn Feast at which time Solomon was again anointed King and received Fealty of the Princes People and the King's Sons After all this David as upon his Death-Bed again with powerful words giveth Solomon the Charge of the Lord his God and then adviseth him concerning Ioab who otherwise tho' of exceeding desert yet for his intolerable Insolence came to such an end by Justice when time served as many worthy Men had done for acts of the like presumption David after Forty Years Reign died being Seventy Years old having been a Man of small Stature exceeding Strength and for internal Gifts and Graces passing all others and putting his Human Frailty apart commended by God himself to be according to his own Heart Being a Prophet as well as a King he fore-told Christ more lightsomly and lively than all the rest and writ many Psalms but whether all the Book is disputed though Chrysostom and Augustin hold it Christ and his Apostles cite him § 9. David and Solomon's Treasures § David's Treasure exceeded as appeareth by what he gave toward the Temple 1 Chron. 22.14 which amounteth to 3333â— Cart loads of Silver or 6000 l. sterling to every Cart-load and 23 Millions and 1000 l. in Gold a matter incredible but for Testimony of Scripture where consider how such a Treasure could be raised by Parcimony Eusebius cites Eupolemus for a Navy which he sent from Melanis or Achanis to the Isle Vpher or Opher by Ortelius then his Husbandry which was great his Presents Tributes Taxations Capitations his Spoils the Riches of the Sanctuary long increasing by large Gifts and the Portion out of all Prizes from Enemies even from Ioshua's days Of Solomon's Treasure see 1 Kings 9.20 and 10.14.29 See Iosephus of the Treasure he hid in David's Sepulcher out of which Hircanus took 3000 Talents and Herod more § 10. David's Contemporaries § Achis a Philistin King of Gath and another in Solomon's days Latinus Sylvius King of Alba. Cedrus the last King of Athens after whom they changed the Government into a Principality for Life without Regal Title This change was made in honour of Codrus voluntarily slain for their sakes in a War with the Dores to disappoint the Oracle Eupalus the Third King of Assyria sate 38 Years Ixion the second King of the Heraclids in Corinth Son of Eurythenes Agis the second King of the Heraclids in Lacedemon he restored the Laconians and made the Citizens of Helos Slaves for refusing Tribute as at length all the Messenians were and thereof called Helons that is Slaves Slave came from Sclavi which were Samaritans now Russians which Conquering Illyria would be called Slaves which with them signifieth glorious but when the warm Clime had thawed their Northern hardness but not ripened their Wits the Italians which made many of them Bond-men used their Name in Reproach calling all Bond-men Slaves Achetratus succeeded Agis in whose time Androchus the Third Son of Codrus assisted by the Iones built Ephesus in Caria and was slain of the Carians He also held Erithrae famous for Sybyls which writ Verses of Iesus Christ Son of God the Saviour reported by Augustine who saw them Vaphres King of Egypt began to Reign when David Besieged Rabba Magnesia on Meander in Asia founded now and Capua Campania CHAP. XIV Of Solomon Anno Mundi 2991. § 1. SOlomon began to Reign in the 2991 st Year of the World and was first Congratulated by Hiram King of Tyre according to the Ancient Custom of Princes Though his Reign were peaceable yet his beginning was with the blood of his Brother Adonijah without warrant either from his Father or the Law of God The occasion was his desire of Abyshag but being his Elder Brother who also had sought the Kingdom it was enough as a word is to the Wise and he which seeth the Claw knows whether it be a Lyon or no. Solomon took the motion as a demonstration of a new Treason such was the jealousie of seeking a King's Widow or Concubines as Absolom's taking his Father's Concubines was a taking possession of a Royalty so it was applied to David by Nathan c. 2 Sam. 12.8 Birth-right pleaded by Adonijah was according to God's Law and of Nations but the Kings of the Iews were more Absolute and not without Example in Iacob for private Inheritance As for what we read of Peoples Elections it was but an acknowledging him whom the Lord chose and not to frustrate the Elder 's Right Solomon also executed Ioab deposed Abiathar and put Shemei to death He Married the Daughter of Vaphres as Eusebius calls him King of Egypt and according to his request to God obtained extraordinary Wisdom especially for Government as appeared in the Example purposely set down of his judging the two Harlots yet did he excell in all other Knowledge § 2. Solomon's Building and Glory § Renewing the League with Hiram of Tyre he had much of his Materials for his Buildings from him Of the Glorious Temple and parts of it many Learned Men have Written as Salmeron Montanus Bibera Barradas Azorius Villalpandus Pineda c. The Letters which passed between Solomon and Hiram Eusebius sets down out of Eupolon which Iosephus also Records in his Antiquities Lib. 8. § 2. Besides the matchless Temple he made many other Magnificent Buildings of which Gerar on the Border of Ephraim taught the Egyptians to
he may be thought a grave wise Man and that by the Fear in which the Oppressed live he may be thought a Reverence to the Oppressed at least it will dazel the Eyes of Underlings keeping them from prying into the weakness of their Governours Thus the time in which by well using it Men might attain to be such as they ought they do usually mispend it in seeking to appear such as they are not so procure more Indignation than was feared instead of the Respect that was hoped which is of dangerous Consequence in an unable Spirit in high Authority too passionate in Execution of an Office and cannot be checked but by violence If Amaziah thought by extreme rigour to uphold his Reputation what did he but make the People think he hated them who easily believed he did not love them He had indeed provided for his own security by revenging on his Father but who shall take Vengeance or on whom of a Murther in which every one hath a part Surely God himself who hath not given Leave to the People to shed the blood of his Anointed Yet as he was careless of God and was carried head-long with his own Affection so his Subjects by his Example not enquiring what was their Duty rose up against him with a precipitant Fury which yet he could not avoid by flying to Lachish as a choice Town for Strengh and Affection where yet he found no other Favour but that they would not kill him with their own Hands but abandon'd him to the Conspirators sent after him who dispatched him with little Opposition § 11. Amaziah being Slain the Throne of Iudah was vacant Eleven Years for as he out-lived Ioash King of Israel 15 Years which Ieroboam held and must dye the 15 th of Ieroboam so it is expresly said Vâ—ziah his Son began to Reign in the 27 th of Ieroboam being 16 Years old and Reigned 52 Years which argueth 11 Years Inter-regnâ—m Others to avoid this Inter-regnum have made divers Conjectures as G. Mercator c. But I know not why it may not be admitted in Iudah seeing the like necessity hath inforced it in the Kingdom of Israel as between the death of Ieroboam 2. and his Son Zecharias and between Peka and Hosea Such suspence of the Crown of Iudah is more probable considering how things stood at the death of Amaziah although the computation were not so apparent For the Publick Fury which extended so far against the King's Person was not like to be appeased 'till order was taken to redress the Matters which caused that eruption We need not then wonder that they who involv'd themselves in the former Treason against the Father would stay the Crown 'till things were set in order the Prince being so young and to be under protection c. To make Ieroboam's Reign to begin the 11th with his Father were the best but only for swallowing up so much of Ioash's Reign extending the Years of the Kings of Israel and contracting the Years of the Princes of other Nations § 12. Contemporaries with Amaziah and Eleven Years after were Ioash and Ieroboam in Israel Cephreras and Mycerinus in Egypt Sylvius Alladius and Sylvius Aventinus in Alba Agamemnon in Corinth Diognetus Pheredus and Ariphron in Athens Thelectus in Lacedemon when the Spartans won Towns from the Achaians Sardanapalus in the 21 st Year of Amaziah succeeded Acrozapes his Father in Assyria 21 Years and was slain the Year before Azariah entred and ended Ninus's Line after 1240 Years Empire This unhappy voluptuous Prince was so base he durst let no Man see him 'till at length Arbaces Governour of Media got a sight of that beastly Spectacle of a Man in Woman's Attire counterfeiting an Harlot which moved him to such indignation that he brake with Belosus a Chaldean about casting off the Yoke of so unworthy a Creature Belosus pleased him too well to tell him he should enjoy the Kingdom who promised him thereupon the Kingdom of Babylon Being thus agreed the one stirr'd up the Medes and Persians the other the Babylonians and Arabians and so drew together 40000 Men against Sardanapalus who contrary to his former course of Life became a Man gathered his Forces and encounter'd the Rebels and foil'd them in three Battles and had not Belosus promised unexpected Succors Arbaces had broken up the Camp About that time an Army out of Bactria was coming to assist the King but Arbaces encountring it upon promise of Liberty drew them to joyn with him In the mean time the King supposing Arbaces to be fled Feasted his Army Triumphing before Victory The Rebels strengthned with new Supplies came upon him by Night forced his Camp unprepared for resistance and made the King retire into the City Ninive leaving Salaminus his Wives Brother to keep the Field 'till new Succours came Arbaces overthrew the King's Army slew Salaminus and lay two whole Years before the City in hope to win it by Famine for force it hâ— could not the Wall being an hundred Foot high and so thick that three Chariots might pass in the Front upon the Rampire But what he could not now do the River Tygris did the third Year for in a swelling after a Rain it cast down 20 Furlongs and made a fair Breach for Arbaces to enter Sardanapalus either terrified with accomplishment of the old Oracle that Ninive should never be taken 'till the River became an Enemy to it or seeing no means of resistance he at last consumed himself and Family with fire in his Palace CHAP. XI X Of Uzziah and his Contemporaries in Israel and elsewhere of his two Successors § 1. UZziah or Aaria being Sixteen Years of Age succeeded his Father Amaziah in the Twenty Seventh Year of Ieroboam and Reigned Forty Two Years he served the God of his Fathers and prosper'd His Victories and Atchievments were far beyond any since the time of David and his Wealth exceeded any since Solomon's days Ieroboam also King of Israel prospered in the North and won Damascus and Hamath not for his Piety being an Idolater It was only the Lord's compassion on Israel so extreamly afflicted by Aram. Yet as God's goodness to Iehu his Grandfather could not win him from Ieroboam's politick Idolatry of the Calves no more could it make Ieroboam his Son render the Honour due to the only giver of Victory so that the Promise made to Iehu for Four Generations grew to an accomplishment to be a fair warning to his Son to expect a Change except himself or his Son would change his Idolatry But as Ieroboam ended his days in his Idolatry so his Son Zachary who should have succeeded presently was held out many years without apparent reason but only the two Calves at Dan and Bethel yet Secondary Causes were like not to be wanting Probable it is that as Ieroboam's Reign had bred many brave Captains so they saw so little in Zechary to respect him for or perhaps found something which
visit those parts in Rehoboam's days before they were sent for Thadimor Ioseph held to be Palmyra in the Desart of Syria to the North-East of Libanus the utmost Border of Solomon's Dominion which Ierom calls Thermeth and by Adrian Rebuilt and called Adrianopolis He also Repaired and Peopled the Towns Hiram refused and made his first and only Journey in Syria Zobah to establish his Tributes and then visited all the Borders of his Dominions from Palmyrena in the North to Eziongaber and Eloth in the South upon the Red-Sea § 3. Solomon from Eziongaber sent a Fleet to Ophir an Island of the Molucca's in East-India from whence he received 430 Talents of Gold all Charges defrayed Of the word Tharsis see before lib. 1. c. 8. § 9 10. Pineda dreamt Ophir was in the Cades or Calis-Malis his Country in Spain of old called Turtessus whereto the next way by the Mediterranean was hindred by the great Atlantick Island exceeding all Africa swallowed up and choaking the Streights with Mad like his Dream of Ionas's Whale which in 3 days swam about all Africa into the Red-Sea to cast him up 12000 Miles in compass Solomon's Chariots Horsemen daily Provision Wisdom c. See 1 Kings 4.10 with 2 Chron. 9. § 4. Solomon 's Fall and term of Life § Solomon forgetting what the Lord Commanded as he had plenty of all other things so of Wives even of Idolatrous Nations 1 Kings 11.1 2. prohibited whereupon they turned his heart after other Gods for which the Lord punish'd him with Enemies in his Age and rent his Kingdom from his Son as he threatned 1 Kings 11. Touching his Age it is conjectur'd by his Father's Actions whose Conquests were ended before he wan Rabba when Solomon was not Born So that half of David's Reign being spent at the time of vanquishing the Ammonites Solomon's Birth must fall after David's 20 Years and above a Year it could not be seeing Rehoboam's Age at Solomon's death compared with the many heavy things which befell David after and that David in his Charge to Solomon speaketh as to a Man grown though Solomon at Nineteen Years old speaking to the Lord about his weighty Charge might well call himself a Charge Some time after Ammon forced Thamar and two Years after was slain by Absolom who fied to Geshur where he abode three Years yet saw not his Father's face for two years How long after he brake into Rebellion is uncertain which seemeth to be the 30 th Year of David's Reign but the 40 th Year after his Anointing as those words 2 Sam. 15.7 may well be taken Which 40 Iosephus Theodoret and the Latin Translation read 4 Years to wit from Absolom's Return § 5. Solomon's Writings In his Proverbs he teacheth good Life and correcting the contrary In Eccles. the Vanity of Humane Nature In the Canticles he singeth the Epithalamion of Christ and his Church The Book of Wisdom the best Learned make us think it none of his and Kimchi ascribeth the 3 other to Isaiah the Prophet Iosephus also tells us of his own Invention rather than truly that Solomon wrote Books of Enchantments But certainly so strange an Example of Human Frailty was never read of that a Man endowed with Wisdom by God himself in honour of whom and for his Service he built the first and most glorious Temple of the World was made King not by Law but the Love of God and became the Wisest Richest and Happiest of all Kings did in the end by perswasion of weak wretched Idolatrous Women forget and forsake the Lord of all the World and giver of all goodness of which he was more liberal to him than to any that ever the World had § 6. Solomon's Contemporaries were Agelaus in Corinth Labotes in Lacedâ—monia Silvius Alba over the Latins Leosthenes in Assyria Argastus and after Archippus in Athens Baliastrus succeeded Hiram in Tyre others put Bozorius between Sesac after Vaphres in Egypt whom Eusebius calls Smerides and others by other Names CHAP. XV. Solomon's Successors to Jehoram The Kingdom divided REhoboam succeeded his Father but was not so Wise as to resolve the People's Petition without Counsel nor yet to discern of Councils which is the very best of Wisdom in Princes and all others for though he consulted with grave advised Men yet he was Transported by his Favourites who ignorant of the nature of Severity which without the Temper of Clemency is Cruelty it self thrust him on to threaten an Increase of what was unsupportable already ignorant also that Severity is to be used for the Help and not for the Hurt of Subjects These foolish Parasites could better judge of the King's disposition which Learning was sufficient for to enable them to the Places they held This Answer of Rehoboam set forward Ieroboam's designs and the Prophecie of Ahijah as the sequel shewed for the People at once chose Ieroboam and after the manner of all Rebels forgetting Duty to God and Bonds of Nature renounced all interest in David the Honour of their Nation and murder the Officers sent to appease them After this Rehoboam intended Wars upon them but was stayed by the Prophet from God Ieroboam fortified himself and to prevent re-uniting by communion in Religion impiously set up a new Worship learn'd in Egypt expelling the Levites Thus by irreligious Policy he founded that Idolatry which rooted Israel out of the Land at last neither could he be stayed by the Prophet that foretold his Advancement nor Miracle upon his own hand This point of Policy must be made good though it cast off God and the Religion of his Fathers Whereunto an Italian Historian compares the Policy of his Nation in making good the State they have gotten by what means soever as if God would not oppose it Upon this ground Amos must not Prophecie at Bethel it is the King 's Court. Iehu will upon this ground maintain the Worship of Calves and Hen. IV of France change Religion c. whom yet the Protestants whom he forsook never hurt as the Papists did whom he followed But of the wretched end of such Policy all these are notable Examples § 2. Rehoboam 's Impiety Punishment End and Contemporaries § Rhehoboam Fortified his Cities as well against Egypt as Ieroboam and then forsook the Lord 1 Kings 14. and 1 Chron. 11. But in his Fifth Year Sesac of Egypt who favoured Ieroboam taught him how weak Fortifications are where God watcheth not the City Sesac brought with him the Lybeans Cusits of Arabia and Succaeans which were not the Troglodits spoken of by Pliny and Ptolomy as Iunius judgeth These were 600 Miles from the best of Egypt and were in the 22 d degree North from the Line too far for such an occasion The Succaeans were rather Arabian Egyptians as the Ichthyophagy in Ptolomy between the Mountains Alabastrine and the Red-Sea when this powerful Sesâ—c wan Ierusalem and other Cities of Iuda and added to the Spoil of them the Temple and
Subjects against their Fellows whose Cause might well be favour'd by many who yet durst not discover themselves being unarmed as they might when Weapons were put into their Hands So desperate is the Condition of Tyrants who think it a greater Happiness to be Feared than Loved yet are oblig'd to fear those whose Love would make them dreadful to others § 4. Iehoram taking no notice of God's displeasure by these Afflictions was threatned by a Prophetical Writing sent to him being such a Tyrant as the Prophets durst not reprove him to his Face as they had done many of his Predecessors bad as well as good but they writ to him keeping themselves from him Elias being Translated might have left this Writing or as some conjecture by mistaking in Writing one Letter for another Elias is put for Elisha c. The Accomplishment of the Prophecy proved as terrible as the Sentence when the Philistins which from David's days durst never look out brake in upon him c. with the Arabians a naked People on Horse-back of no Force dwelling in a Barren Desert So that the one quarter of those whom Iehosaphat Mustered had been able to repel greater Forces than both these Enemies could raise had the Iudean People been Armed as by their Prince's Jealousy they were not according to the Policy of the Philistins in the days of Saul The House of Iehoram which they surprised seemeth rather a Country House than in Ierusalem considering they made no further Ravages It is probable all Iehoram's Children were not now slain considering the Slaughters made after by Iehu and Athaliah within two years Lastly himself after two years Torment voided his Guts c. And as the People had small cause of comfort in his Life so they observed not the decency of pretending Sorrow for his Death neither had he the Honour of his Ancestors Burial though his Son Succeeded and his Wife did all Athaliah busie in Plotting her own Greatness and providing trusty Counsellors for her Son thought it unreasonable to offend the Eyes of the People with a magnificent Funeral of a Man by them detested and chose rather to let the Blame of past Actions lie upon the Dead than by doing him Honour to procure an ill Opinion of her self and Children which it now concerned her to avoid Such is the quality of Wicked Instigators to charge the Man whose Evil Inclination they corrupted by sinister Counsel not only with his own Vice but with their Faults also when once he is gone and can profit them no longer Thus we may clearly see how the corrupted Affections of Men impugning the Revealed Will of God accomplish nevertheless his hidden Purpose and without miraculous means confound themselves in the seeming Wise Devices of their own Folly All Men may likewise learn to submit their Judgments to the Ordinance of God rather than to follow Worldly Wisdom contrary to his Commandments § 5. Ahaziah succeeded his Father in the Twelfth year of Iehoram King of Israel and was guided by the same Spirits that had been his Father's Evil Angels Touching his Age 2 Chron. 22.2 a Point more difficult than important I see not a more probable Conclusion than that of Torniellus's mentioning an Edition of the Seventy at Rome Anno. 1588 which saith he was Twenty years old when he succeeded and the Annotations thereon which cite other Copies which give him two years more c. He accompanied Iehoram King of Israel to Ramoth Gilead and returneth home after the Battle and presently took a new Journey to visit Iehoram It seems his speedy return to Ierusalem was not pleasing to Athaliah as interrupting her in her Plots who therefore sought to oblige him abroad if it were but in a vain Complement to visit one whom he had seen but yesterday But however these things may seem accidental yet all concurred as disposed at this time to fulfil the high pleasure of God yea Athaliah's secret Plots which intended nothing less § 6. Ahaziah and that Family perished with the House of Ahab § Iehu is anointrd King and made Executioner of the Sentence of God against the House of Ahab according to the Prophecy of Elias and is proclaimed by all the other Captains He having this Honour upon the sudden thrown upon him was not slow in the heat of their Affections to put himself in possession and to set on foot the Business which so nearly concerned him and not to be retarded being no more his own than God's Ahab's House never so flourished having Seventy Princes of the Blood a valiant King honoured with the Victory of Ramoth Gilead so deeply Allied with Iudah and Courted by the King and so many Princes of his Blood that it might discourage all common Enemies and make Rebellious Enterprises hopeless In this Security and Joy of the Court for the King's Recovery and Entertainment of the Princes of Iudah the King his Court and Friends are suddainly surprized and slain neither could Iezebel's Painted Majesty nor Man-like Spirit with untimely brave Apothegms terrify her Adversary who of her Servant became her Lord at whose Command her base Grooms feared not to violate her affected Majesty Ahaziah is also wounded to Death CHAP. XVII Of Athaliah and Ioash that succeeded her § 1. AThaliah Vsurpeth and upon what pretences § Ahaziah being dead after one Years Reign his House was not able to retain the Kingdom 2 Chron. 22.9 which Speech hath bred the question of Ioash's Pedigree Athaliah having Reigned under her Sons Name had laid the Plot to play the Queen under her own Title if her Son fail'd and to that end had furnished the King Councel and Places of Chief Command with Men fittest for her purposes And though Ambition be violent yet seldom is it so shameless as to neglect Beauty It is not therefore improbable to think that Athaliah seeing the Royal Blood so wasted in her Husband and Son's days had by some means drawn her Husband or Son to make her Heir if the King's Blood should be extinct considering that without some such order taken when the King's Blood fail'd the Kingdom were like to be torn in sunder by Competitors or some Popular Seditious Man should be chosen that would subvert all regularity and exercise his Cruelty on such as they loved most and cast aspersions on the Royal House Pretence of Testaments to thrust out true Heirs is no new thing Yea what is new under the Sun To prefer a younger before the natural Heir hath proof in David and for State-Policy to slay a Brother by example of Solomon c. And though these had ground of their doings yet they which follow Examples which please them will neglect the Reasons which please them not Solomon slew Adonijah which had Rebelled and was entred a new practice Iehoram slew his Brethren better than he David purchased the Crown yet he gave it by God's direction when as Ahaziah sought to cut off David's Issue which the Lord had appointed