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+*** START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK ANTIQUITIES OF THE JEWS ***
+
+
+
+
+THE ANTIQUITIES OF THE JEWS
+
+
+By Flavius Josephus
+
+
+
+Translated by William Whiston
+
+
+
+
+
+CONTENTS
+
+PREFACE
+
+FOOTNOTES
+
+
+BOOK I. Containing The Interval Of Three Thousand Eight Hundred And
+Thirty-Three Years. — From The Creation To The Death Of Isaac.
+
+CHAPTER 1. The Constitution Of The World And The Disposition Of The
+Elements.
+
+CHAPTER 2. Concerning The Posterity Of Adam, And The Ten Generations
+From Him To The Deluge.
+
+CHAPTER 3. Concerning The Flood; And After What Manner Noah Was Saved In
+An Ark, With His Kindred, And Afterwards Dwelt In The Plain Of Shinar.
+
+CHAPTER 4. Concerning The Tower Of Babylon, And The Confusion Of
+Tongues.
+
+CHAPTER 5. After What Manner The Posterity Of Noah Sent Out Colonies,
+And Inhabited The Whole Earth.
+
+CHAPTER 6. How Every Nation Was Denominated From Their First
+Inhabitants.
+
+CHAPTER 7. How Abram Our Forefather Went Out Of The Land Of The
+Chaldeans, And Lived In The Land Then Called Canaan But Now Judea.
+
+CHAPTER 8. That When There Was A Famine In Canaan, Abram Went Thence
+Into Egypt; And After He Had Continued There A While He Returned Back
+Again.
+
+CHAPTER 9. The Destruction Of The Sodomites By The Assyrian War.
+
+CHAPTER 10. How Abram Fought With The Assyrians, And Overcame Them, And
+Saved The Sodomite Prisoners, And Took From The Assyrians The Prey They
+Had Gotten.
+
+CHAPTER 11. How God Overthrew The Nation Of The Sodomites, Out Of His
+Wrath Against Them For Their Sins.
+
+CHAPTER 12. Concerning Abimelech; And Concerning Ismael The Son Of
+Abraham; And Concerning The Arabians, Who Were His Posterity.
+
+CHAPTER 13. Concerning Isaac The Legitimate Son Of Abraham.
+
+CHAPTER 14. Concerning Sarah Abraham's Wife; And How She Ended Her Days.
+
+CHAPTER 15. How The Nation Of The Troglodytes Were Derived From Abraham
+By Keturah.
+
+CHAPTER 16. How Isaac Took Rebeka To Wife.
+
+CHAPTER 17. Concerning The Death Of Abraham.
+
+CHAPTER 18. Concerning The Sons Of Isaac, Esau And Jacob; Of Their
+Nativity And Education.
+
+CHAPTER 19. Concerning Jacob's Flight Into Mesopotamia, By Reason Of The
+Fear He Was In Of His Brother.
+
+CHAPTER 20. Concerning The Meeting Of Jacob And Esau.
+
+CHAPTER 21. Concerning The Violation Of Dina's Chastity.
+
+CHAPTER 22. How Isaac Died, And Was Buried In Hebron.
+
+FOOTNOTES:
+
+BOOK II. Containing The Interval Of Two Hundred And Twenty Years.—From
+The Death Of Isaac To The Exodus Out Of Egypt.
+
+CHAPTER 1. How Esau And Jacob, Isaac's Sons Divided Their Habitation;
+And Esau Possessed Idumea And Jacob Canaan.
+
+CHAPTER 2. How Joseph, The Youngest Of Jacob's Sons, Was Envied By His
+Brethren, When Certain Dreams Had Foreshown His Future Happiness.
+
+CHAPTER 3. How Joseph Was Thus Sold By His Brethren Into Egypt, By
+Reason Of Their Hatred To Him; And How He There Grew Famous And
+Illustrious And Had His Brethren Under His Power.
+
+CHAPTER 4. Concerning The Signal Chastity Of Joseph.
+
+CHAPTER 5. What Things Befell Joseph In Prison.
+
+CHAPTER 6. How Joseph When He Was Become Famous In Egypt, Had His
+Brethren In Subjection.
+
+CHAPTER 7. The Removal Of Joseph's Father With All His Family, To Him,
+On Account Of The Famine.
+
+CHAPTER 8. Of The Death Of Jacob And Joseph.
+
+CHAPTER 9. Concerning The Afflictions That Befell The Hebrews In Egypt,
+During Four Hundred Years. [16]
+
+CHAPTER 10. How Moses Made War With The Ethiopians.
+
+CHAPTER 11. How Moses Fled Out Of Egypt Into Midian.
+
+CHAPTER 12. Concerning The Burning Bush And The Rod Of Moses.
+
+CHAPTER 13. How Moses And Aaron Returned Into Egypt To Pharaoh.
+
+CHAPTER 14. Concerning The Ten Plagues Which Came Upon The Egyptians.
+
+CHAPTER 15. How The Hebrews Under The Conduct Of Moses Left Egypt.
+
+CHAPTER 16. How The Sea Was Divided Asunder For The Hebrews, When They
+Were Pursued By The Egyptians, And So Gave Them An Opportunity Of
+Escaping From Them.
+
+FOOTNOTES
+
+BOOK III. Containing The Interval Of Two Years.—From The Exodus Out Of
+Egypt, To The Rejection Of That Generation.
+
+CHAPTER 1. How Moses When He Had Brought The People Out Of Egypt Led
+Them To Mount Sinai; But Not Till They Had Suffered Much In Their
+Journey.
+
+CHAPTER 2. How The Amalekites And The Neighbouring Nations, Made War
+With The Hebrews And Were Beaten And Lost A Great Part Of Their Army.
+
+CHAPTER 3. That Moses Kindly Received-His Father-In-Law, Jethro, When He
+Came To Him To Mount Sinai.
+
+CHAPTER 4. How Raguel Suggested To Moses To Set His People In Order,
+Under Their Rulers Of Thousands, And Rulers Of Hundreds, Who Lived
+Without Order Before; And How Moses Complied In All Things With His
+Father-In-Law's Admonition.
+
+CHAPTER 5. How Moses Ascended Up To Mount Sinai, And Received Laws From
+God, And Delivered Them To The Hebrews.
+
+CHAPTER 6. Concerning The Tabernacle Which Moses Built In The Wilderness
+For The Honor Of God And Which Seemed To Be A Temple.
+
+CHAPTER 7. Concerning The Garments Of The Priests, And Of The High
+Priest.
+
+CHAPTER 8. Of The Priesthood Of Aaron.
+
+CHAPTER 9. The Manner Of Our Offering Sacrifices.
+
+CHAPTER 10. Concerning The Festivals; And How Each Day Of Such Festival
+Is To Be Observed.
+
+CHAPTER 11. Of The Purifications.
+
+CHAPTER 12. Several Laws.
+
+CHAPTER 13. Moses Removed From Mount Sinai, And Conducted The People To
+The Borders Of The Canaanites.
+
+CHAPTER 14. How Moses Sent Some Persons To Search Out The Land Of The
+Canaanites, And The Largeness Of Their Cities; And Further That When
+Those Who Were Sent Were Returned, After Forty Days And Reported That
+They Should Not Be A Match For Them, And Extolled The Strength Of The
+Canaanites The Multitude Were Disturbed And Fell Into Despair; And Were
+Resolved To Stone Moses, And To Return Back Again Into Egypt, And Serve
+The Egyptians.
+
+CHAPTER 15. How Moses Was Displeased At This, And Foretold That God Was
+Angry And That They Should Continue In The Wilderness For Forty Years
+And Not, During That Time, Either Return Into Egypt Or Take Possession
+Of Canaan.
+
+FOOTNOTES:
+
+BOOK IV. Containing The Interval Of Thirty-Eight Years.—From The
+Rejection Of That Generation To The Death Of Moses.
+
+CHAPTER 1. Fight Of The Hebrews With The Canaanites Without The Consent
+Of Moses; And Their Defeat.
+
+CHAPTER 2. The Sedition Of Corah And Of The Multitude Against Moses, And
+Against His Brother, Concerning The Priesthood.
+
+CHAPTER 3. How Those That Stirred Up This Sedition Were Destroyed,
+According To The Will Of God; And How Aaron, Moses's Brother Both He And
+His Posterity, Retained The Priesthood.
+
+CHAPTER 4. What Happened To The Hebrews During Thirty-Eight Years In The
+Wilderness.
+
+CHAPTER 5. How Moses Conquered Sihon And Og Kings Of The Amorites, And
+Destroyed Their Whole Army And Then Divided Their Land By Lot To Two
+Tribes And A Half Of The Hebrews.
+
+CHAPTER 6. Concerning Balaam The Prophet And What Kind Of Man He Was.
+
+CHAPTER 7. How The Hebrews Fought With The Midianites, And Overcame
+Them.
+
+CHAPTER 8. The Polity Settled By Moses; And How He Disappeared From
+Among Mankind.
+
+FOOTNOTES:
+
+BOOK V. Containing The Interval Of Four Hundred And Seventy-Six
+Years.—From The Death Of Moses To The Death Of Eli.
+
+CHAPTER 1. How Joshua, The Commander Of The Hebrews, Made War With The
+Canaanites, And Overcame Them, And Destroyed Them, And Divided Their
+Land By Lot To The Tribes Of Israel.
+
+CHAPTER 2. How, After The Death Of Joshua Their Commander, The
+Israelites Transgressed The Laws Of Their Country, And Experienced Great
+Afflictions; And When There Was A Sedition Arisen, The Tribe Of Benjamin
+Was Destroyed Excepting Only Six Hundred Men.
+
+CHAPTER 3. How The Israelites After This Misfortune Grew Wicked And
+Served The Assyrians; And How God Delivered Them By Othniel, Who Ruled
+Over Them Forty Years.
+
+CHAPTER 4. How Our People Served The Moabites Eighteen Years, And Were
+Then Delivered From Slavery By One Ehud Who Retained The Dominion Eighty
+Years.
+
+CHAPTER 5. How The Canaanites Brought The Israelites Under Slavery For
+Twenty Years; After Which They Were Delivered By Barak And Deborah, Who
+Ruled Over Them For Forty Years.
+
+CHAPTER 6. How The Midianites And Other Nations Fought Against The
+Israelites And Beat Them, And Afflicted Their Country For Seven Years,
+How They Were Delivered By Gideon, Who Ruled Over The Multitude For
+Forty Years.
+
+CHAPTER 7. That The Judges Who Succeeded Gideon Made War With The
+Adjoining Nations For A Long Time.
+
+CHAPTER 8. Concerning The Fortitude Of Samson, And What Mischiefs He
+Brought Upon The Philistines.
+
+CHAPTER 9. How Under Eli's Government Of The Israelites Booz Married
+Ruth, From Whom Came Obed The Grandfather Of David.
+
+CHAPTER 10. Concerning The Birth Of Samuel; And How He Foretold The
+Calamity That Befell The Sons Of Eli.
+
+CHAPTER 11. Herein Is Declared What Befell The Sons Of Eli, The Ark, And
+The People And How Eli Himself Died Miserably.
+
+FOOTNOTES
+
+BOOK VI. Containing The Interval Of Thirty-Two Years.—From The Death Of
+Eli To The Death Of Saul.
+
+CHAPTER 1. The Destruction That Came Upon The Philistines, And Upon
+Their Land, By The Wrath Of Go On Account Of Their Having Carried The
+Ark Away Captive; And After What Manner They Sent It Back To The
+Hebrews.
+
+CHAPTER 2. The Expedition Of The Philistines Against The Hebrews And The
+Hebrews' Victory Under The Conduct Of Samuel The Prophet, Who Was Their
+General.
+
+CHAPTER 3. How Samuel When He Was So Infirm With Old Age That He Could
+Not Take Care Of The Public Affairs Intrusted Them To His Sons; And How
+Upon The Evil Administration Of The Government By Them The Multitude
+Were So Angry, That They Required To Have A King To Govern Them,
+Although Samuel Was Much Displeased Thereat.
+
+CHAPTER 4. The Appointment Of A King Over The Israelites, Whose Name Was
+Saul; And This By The Command Of God.
+
+CHAPTER 5. Saul's Expedition Against The Nation Of The Ammonites And
+Victory Over Them And The Spoils He Took From Them.
+
+CHAPTER 6. How The Philistines Made Another Expedition Against The
+Hebrews And Were Beaten.
+
+CHAPTER 7. Saul's War With The Amalekites, And Conquest Of Them.
+
+CHAPTER 8. How, Upon Saul's Transgression Of The Prophet's Commands,
+Samuel Ordained Another Person To Be King Privately, Whose Name Was
+David, As God Commanded Him.
+
+CHAPTER 9. How The Philistines Made Another Expedition Against The
+Hebrews Under The Reign Of Saul; And How They Were Overcome By David's
+Slaying Goliath In Single Combat.
+
+CHAPTER 10. Saul Envies David For His Glorious Success, And Takes An
+Occasion Of Entrapping Him, From The Promise He Made Him Of Giving Him
+His Daughter In Marriage; But This Upon Condition Of His Bringing Him
+Six Hundred Heads Of The Philistines.
+
+CHAPTER 11. How David, Upon Saul's Laying Snares For Him, Did Yet Escape
+The Dangers He Was In By The Affection And Care Of Jonathan And The
+Contrivances Of His Wife Michal: And How He Came To Samuel The Prophet.
+
+CHAPTER 12. How David Fled To Ahimelech And Afterwards To The Kings Of
+The Philistines And Of The Moabites, And How Saul Slew Ahimelech And His
+Family.
+
+CHAPTER 13. How David, When He Had Twice The Opportunity Of Killing Saul
+Did Not Kill Him. Also Concerning The Death Of Samuel And Nabal.
+
+CHAPTER 14. Now Saul Upon God's Not Answering Him Concerning The Fight
+With The Philistines Desired A Necromantic Woman To Raise Up The Soul Of
+Samuel To Him; And How He Died, With His Sons Upon The Overthrow Of The
+Hebrews In Battle.
+
+FOOTNOTES:
+
+BOOK VII. Containing The Interval Of Forty Years.—From The Death Of Saul
+To The Death Of David.
+
+CHAPTER 1. How David Reigned Over One Tribe At Hebron While The Son Of
+Saul Reigned Over The Rest Of The Multitude; And How, In The Civil War
+Which Then Arose Asahel And Abner Were Slain.
+
+CHAPTER 2. That Upon The Slaughter Of Ishbosheth By The Treachery Of His
+Friends, David Received The Whole Kingdom.
+
+CHAPTER 3. How David Laid Siege To Jerusalem; And When He Had Taken The
+City, He Cast The Canaanites Out Of It, And Brought In The Jews To
+Inhabit Therein.
+
+CHAPTER 4. That When David Had Conquered The Philistines Who Made War
+Against Him At Jerusalem, He Removed The Ark To Jerusalem And Had A Mind
+To Build A Temple.
+
+CHAPTER 5. How David Brought Under The Philistines, And The Moabites,
+And The Kings Of Sophene And Of Damascus, And Of The Syrians As Also The
+Idumeans, In War; And How He Made A League With The King Of Hamath; And
+Was Mindful Of The Friendship That Jonathan, The Son Of Saul, Had Borne
+Him.
+
+CHAPTER 6. How The War Was Waged Against The Ammonites And Happily
+Concluded.
+
+CHAPTER 7. How David Fell In Love With Bathsheba, And Slew Her Husband
+Uriah, For Which He Is Reproved By Nathan.
+
+CHAPTER 8. How Absalom Murdered Amnon, Who Had Forced His Own Sister;
+And How He Was Banished And Afterwards Recalled By David.
+
+CHAPTER 9. Concerning The Insurrection Of Absalom Against David And
+Concerning Ahithophel And Hushai; And Concerning Ziba And Shimei; And
+How Ahithophel Hanged Himself.
+
+CHAPTER 10. How, When Absalom Was Beaten, He Was Caught In A Tree By His
+Hair And Was Slain.
+
+CHAPTER 11. How David, When He Had Recovered His Kingdom, Was Reconciled
+To Shimei, And To Ziba; And Showed A Great Affection To Barzillai; And
+How, Upon The Rise Of A Sedition, He Made Amasa Captain Of His Host, In
+Order To Pursue Seba; Which Amasa Was Slain By Joab.
+
+CHAPTER 12. How The Hebrews Were Delivered From A Famine When The
+Gibeonites Had Caused Punishment To Be Inflicted For Those Of Them That
+Had Been Slain: As Also, What Great Actions Were Performed Against The
+Philistines By David, And The Men Of Valor About Him.
+
+CHAPTER 13. That When David Had Numbered the People, They Were Punished;
+and How the Divine Compassion Restrained That Punishment.
+
+CHAPTER 14. That David Made Great Preparations For The House Of God; And
+That, Upon Adonijah's Attempt To Gain The Kingdom, He Appointed Solomon
+To Reign.
+
+CHAPTER 15. What Charge David Gave Tohis Son Solomon At The Approach Of
+His Death, And How Many Things He Left Him For The Building Of The
+Temple.
+
+FOOTNOTES
+
+BOOK VIII. Containing The Interval Of One Hundred And Sixty-Three
+Years.—From The Death Of David To The Death Of Ahab.
+
+CHAPTER 1. How Solomon, When He Had Received The Kingdom Took Off His
+Enemies.
+
+CHAPTER 2. Concerning The Wife Of Solomon; Concerning His Wisdom And
+Riches; And Concerning What He Obtained Of Hiram For The Building Of The
+Temple.
+
+CHAPTER 3. Of The Building Of This Temple
+
+CHAPTER 4. How Solomon Removed The Ark Into The Temple How He Made
+Supplication To God, And Offered Public Sacrifices To Him.
+
+CHAPTER 5. How Solomon Built Himself A Royal Palace, Very Costly And
+Splendid; And How He Solved The Riddles Which Were Sent Him By Hiram.
+
+CHAPTER 6. How Solomon Fortified The City Of Jerusalem, And Built Great
+Cities; And How He Brought Some Of The Canaanites Into Subjection, And
+Entertained The Queen Of Egypt And Of Ethiopia.
+
+CHAPTER 7. How Solomon Grew Rich, And Fell Desperately In Love With
+Women And How God, Being Incensed At It, Raised Up Ader And Jeroboam
+Against Him. Concerning The Death Of Solomon.
+
+CHAPTER 8. How, Upon The Death Of Solomon The People Forsook His Son
+Rehoboam, And Ordained Jeroboam King Over The Ten Tribes.
+
+CHAPTER 9. How Jadon The Prophet Was Persuaded By Another Lying Prophet
+And Returned [To Bethel,] And Was Afterwards Slain By A Lion. As Also
+What Words The Wicked Prophet Made Use Of To Persuade The King, And
+Thereby Alienated His Mind From God.
+
+CHAPTER 10. Concerning Rehoboam, And How God Inflicted Punishment Upon
+Him For His Impiety By Shishak [King Of Egypt].
+
+CHAPTER 11. Concerning The Death Of A Son Of Jeroboam. How Jeroboam Was
+Beaten By Abijah Who Died A Little Afterward And Was Succeeded In His
+Kingdom By Asa. And Also How, After The Death Of Jeroboam Baasha
+Destroyed His Son Nadab And All The House Of Jeroboam.
+
+CHAPTER 12. How Zerah, King Of The Ethiopians, Was Beaten By Asa; And
+How Asa, Upon Baasha's Making War Against Him, Invited The King Of The
+Damascens To Assist Him; And How, On The Destruction Of The House Of
+Baasha Zimri Got The Kingdom As Did His Son Ahab After Him.
+
+CHAPTER 13. How Ahab When He Had Taken Jezebel To Wife Became More
+Wicked Than All The Kings That Had Been Before Him; Of The Actions Of
+The Prophet Elijah, And What Befell Naboth.
+
+CHAPTER 14. How Hadad King Of Damascus And Of Syria, Made Two
+Expeditions Against Ahab And Was Beaten.
+
+CHAPTER 15. Concerning Jehoshaphat The King Of Jerusalem And How Ahab
+Made An Expedition Against The Syrians And Was Assisted Therein By
+Jehoshaphat, But Was Himself Overcome In Battle And Perished Therein.
+
+FOOTNOTES:
+
+BOOK IX. Containing The Interval Of One Hundred And Fifty-Seven
+Years.—From The Death Of Ahab To The Captivity Of The Ten Tribes.
+
+CHAPTER 1. Concerning Jehoshaphat Again; How He Constituted Judges And,
+By God's Assistance Overcame His Enemies.
+
+CHAPTER 2. Concerning Ahaziah; The King Of Israel; And Again Concerning
+The Prophet Elijah.
+
+CHAPTER 3. How Joram And Jehoshaphat Made An Expedition Against The
+Moabites; As Also Concerning The Wonders Of Elisha; And The Death Of
+Jehoshaphat.
+
+CHAPTER 4. Jehoram Succeeds Jehoshaphat; How Joram, His Namesake, King
+Of Israel, Fought With The Syrians; And What Wonders Were Done By The
+Prophet Elisha.
+
+CHAPTER 5. Concerning The Wickedness Of Jehoram King O Jerusalem; His
+Defeat And Death.
+
+CHAPTER 6. How Jehu Was Anointed King, And Slew Both Joram And Ahaziah;
+As Also What He Did For The Punishment Of The Wicked.
+
+CHAPTER 7. How Athaliah Reigned Over Jerusalem For Five [Six] Years When
+Jehoiada The High Priest Slew Her And Made Jehoash, The Son Of Ahaziah,
+King.
+
+CHAPTER 8. Hazael Makes An Expedition Against The People Of Israel And
+The Inhabitants Of Jerusalem. Jehu Dies, And Jehoahaz Succeeds In The
+Government. Jehoash The King Of Jerusalem At First Is Careful About The
+Worship Of God But Afterwards Becomes Impious And Commands Zechariah To
+Be Stoned. When Jehoash [King Of Judah] Was Dead, Amaziah Succeeds Him
+In The Kingdom.
+
+CHAPTER 9. How Amaziah Made An Expedition Against The Edomites And
+Amalekites And Conquered Them; But When He Afterwards Made War Against
+Joash, He Was Beaten And Not Long After Was Slain, And Uzziah Succeeded
+In The Government.
+
+CHAPTER 10. Concerning Jeroboam King Of Israel And Jonah The Prophet;
+And How After The Death Of Jeroboam His Son Zachariah Took The
+Government. How Uzziah, King Of Jerusalem, Subdued The Nations That Were
+Round About Him; And What Befell Him When He Attempted To Offer Incense
+To God.
+
+CHAPTER 11. How Zachariah Shallum, Menahem Pekahiah And Pekah Took The
+Government Over The Israelites; And How Pul And Tiglath-Pileser Made An
+Expedition Against The Israelites. How Jotham, The Son Of Uzziah Reigned
+Over The Tribe Of Judah; And What Things Nahum Prophesied Against The
+Assyrians.
+
+CHAPTER 12. How Upon The Death Of Jotham, Ahaz Reigned In His Stead;
+Against Whom Rezin, King Of Syria And Pekah King Of Israel, Made War;
+And How Tiglath-Pileser, King Of Assyria Came To The Assistance Of Ahaz,
+And Laid Syria Waste And Removing The Damascenes Into Media Placed Other
+Nations In Their Room.
+
+CHAPTER 13. How Pekah Died By The Treachery Of Hoshea Who Was A Little
+After Subdued By Shalmaneser; And How Hezekiah Reigned Instead Of Ahaz;
+And What Actions Of Piety And Justice He Did.
+
+CHAPTER 14. How Shalmaneser Took Samaria By Force And How He
+Transplanted The Ten Tribes Into Media, And Brought The Nation Of The
+Cutheans Into Their Country [In Their Room].
+
+FOOTNOTES
+
+BOOK X. Containing The Interval Of One Hundred And Eighty-Two Years And
+A Half.—From The Captivity Of The Ten Tribes To The First Year Of Cyrus.
+
+CHAPTER 1. How Sennacherib Made An Expedition Against Hezekiah; What
+Threatenings Rabshakeh Made To Hezekiah When Sennacherib Was Gone
+Against The Egyptians; How Isaiah The Prophet Encouraged Him; How
+Sennacherib Having Failed Of Success In Egypt, Returned Thence To
+Jerusalem; And How Upon His Finding His Army Destroyed, He Returned
+Home; And What Befell Him A Little Afterward.
+
+CHAPTER 2. How Hezekiah Was Sick, And Ready To Die; And How God Bestowed
+Upon Him Fifteen Years Longer Life, [And Secured That Promise] By The
+Going Back Of The Shadow Ten Degrees.
+
+CHAPTER 3. How Manasseh Reigned After Hezekiah; And How When He Was In
+Captivity He Returned To God And Was Restored To His Kingdom And Left It
+To [His Son] Amon.
+
+CHAPTER 4. How Amon Reigned Instead Of Manasseh; And After Amon Reigned
+Josiah; He Was Both Righteous And Religious. As Also Concerning Huldah
+The Prophetess.
+
+CHAPTER 5. How Josiah Fought With Neco [King Of Egypt.] And Was Wounded
+And Died In A Little Time Afterward; As Also How Neco Carried Jehoahaz,
+Who Had Been Made King Into Egypt And Delivered The Kingdom To
+Jehoiakim; And [Lastly] Concerning Jeremiah And Ezekiel.
+
+CHAPTER 6. How Nebuchadnezzar, When He Had Conquered The King Of Egypt
+Made An Expedition Against The Jews, And Slew Jehoiakim, And Made
+Jeholachin His Son King.
+
+CHAPTER 7. That The King Of Babylon Repented Of Making Jehoiachin King,
+And Took Him Away To Babylon And Delivered The Kingdom To Zedekiah. This
+King Would Not Believe What Was Predicted By Jeremiah And Ezekiel But
+Joined Himself To The Egyptians; Who When They Came Into Judea, Were
+Vanquished By The King Of Babylon; As Also What Befell Jeremiah.
+
+CHAPTER 8. How The King Of Babylon Took Jerusalem And Burnt The Temple
+And Removed The People Of Jerusalem And Zedekiah To Babylon. As Also,
+Who They Were That Had Succeeded In The High Priesthood Under The Kings.
+
+CHAPTER 9. How Nebuzaradan Set Gedaliah Over The Jews That Were Left In
+Judea Which Gedaliah Was A Little Afterward Slain By Ishmael; And How
+Johanan After Ishmael Was Driven Away Went Down Into Egypt With The
+People Which People Nebuchadnezzar When He Made An Expedition Against
+The Egyptians Took Captive And Brought Them Away To Babylon.
+
+CHAPTER 10. Concerning Daniel And What Befell Him At Babylon.
+
+CHAPTER 11. Concerning Nebuchadnezzar And His Successors And How Their
+Government Was Dissolved By The Persians; And What Things Befell Daniel
+In Media; And What Prophecies He Delivered There.
+
+FOOTNOTES
+
+BOOK XI. Containing The Interval Of Two Hundred And Fifty-Three Years
+And Five Months.—From The First Of Cyrus To The Death Of Alexander The
+Great.
+
+CHAPTER 1. How Cyrus, King Of The Persians, Delivered The Jews Out Of
+Babylon And Suffered Them To Return To Their Own Country And To Build
+Their Temple, For Which Work He Gave Them Money.
+
+CHAPTER 2. How Upon The Death Of Cyrus The Jews Were Hindered In
+Building Of The Temple By The Cutheans, And The Neighboring Governors;
+And How Cambyses Entirely Forbade The Jews To Do Any Such Thing.
+
+CHAPTER 3. How After The Death Of Cambyses And The Slaughter Of The Magi
+But Under The Reign Of Darius, Zorobabel Was Superior To The Rest In The
+Solution Of Problems And Thereby Obtained This Favor Of The King, That
+The Temple Should Be Built.
+
+CHAPTER 4. How The Temple Was Built While The Cutheans Endeavored In
+Vain To Obstruct The Work.
+
+CHAPTER 5. How Xerxes The Son Of Darius Was Well Disposed To The Jews;
+As Also Concerning Esdras And Nehemiah.
+
+CHAPTER 6. Concerning Esther And Mordecai And Haman; And How In The
+Reign Of Artaxerxes The Whole Nation Of The Jews Was In Danger Of
+Perishing.
+
+CHAPTER 7. How John Slew His Brother Jesus In The Temple; And How
+Bagoses Offered Many Injuries To The Jews; And What Sanballat Did.
+
+CHAPTER 8. Concerning Sanballat And Manasseh, And The Temple Which They
+Built On Mount Gerizzim; As Also How Alexander Made His Entry Into The
+City Jerusalem, And What Benefits He Bestowed On The Jews.
+
+FOOTNOTES:
+
+BOOK XII. Containing The Interval Of A Hundred And Seventy Years.—From
+The Death Of Alexander The Great To The Death Of Judas Maccabeus.
+
+CHAPTER 1. How Ptolemy The Son Of Lagus Took Jerusalem And Judea By
+Deceit And Treachery, And Carried Many Thence, And Planted Them In
+Egypt.
+
+CHAPTER 2. How Ptolemy Philadelphus Procured The Laws Of The Jews To Be
+Translated Into The Greek Tongue And Set Many Captives Free, And
+Dedicated Many Gifts To God.
+
+CHAPTER 3. How The Kings Of Asia Honored The Nation Of The Jews And Made
+Them Citizens Of Those Cities Which They Built.
+
+CHAPTER 4. How Antiochus Made A League With Ptolemy And How Onias
+Provoked Ptolemy Euergetes To Anger; And How Joseph Brought All Things
+Right Again, And Entered Into Friendship With Him; And What Other Things
+Were Done By Joseph, And His Son Hyrcanus.
+
+CHAPTER 5. How, Upon The Quarrels One Against Another About The High
+Priesthood Antiochus Made An Expedition Against Jerusalem, Took The City
+And Pillaged The Temples. And Distressed The Jews' As Also How Many Of
+The Jews Forsook The Laws Of Their Country; And How The Samaritans
+Followed The Customs Of The Greeks And Named Their Temple At Mount
+Gerizzim The Temple Of Jupiter Hellenius.
+
+CHAPTER 6. How, Upon Antiochus's Prohibition To The Jews To Make Use Of
+The Laws Of Their Country Mattathias, The Son Of Asamoneus, Alone
+Despised The King, And Overcame The Generals Of Antiochus's Army; As
+Also Concerning The Death Of Mattathias, And The Succession Of Judas.
+
+CHAPTER 7. How Judas Overthrew The Forces Of Apollonius And Seron And
+Killed The Generals Of Their Armies Themselves; And How When, A Little
+While Afterwards Lysias And Gorgias Were Beaten He Went Up To Jerusalem
+And Purified The Temple.
+
+CHAPTER 8. How Judas Subdued The Nations Round About; And How Simon Beat
+The People Of Tyre And Ptolemais; And How Judas Overcame Timotheus, And
+Forced Him To Fly Away, And Did Many Other Things After Joseph And
+Azarias Had Been Beaten.
+
+CHAPTER 9. Concerning The Death Of Antiochus Epiphane. How Antiochus
+Eupator Fought Against Juda And Besieged Him In The Temple And
+Afterwards Made Peace With Him And Departed; Of Alcimus And Onias.
+
+CHAPTER 10. How Bacchides, The General Of Demetrius's Army, Made An
+Expedition Against Judea, And Returned Without Success; And How Nicanor
+Was Sent A Little Afterward Against Judas And Perished, Together With
+His Army; As Also Concerning The Death Of Alcimus And The Succession Of
+Judas.
+
+CHAPTER 11. That Bacchides Was Again Sent Out Against Judas; And How
+Judas Fell As He Was Courageously Fighting.
+
+FOOTNOTES
+
+BOOK XIII. Containing The Interval Of Eighty-Two Years.—From The Death
+Of Judas Maccabeus To The Death Of Queen Alexandra.
+
+CHAPTER 1. How Jonathan Took The Government After His Brother Judas; And
+How He, Together With His Brother Simon, Waged War Against Bacchides.
+
+CHAPTER 2. How Alexander [Bala] In His War With Demetrius, Granted
+Jonathan Many Advantages And Appointed Him To Be High Priest And
+Persuaded Him To Assist Him Although Demetrius Promised Him Greater
+Advantages On The Other Side. Concerning The Death
+
+CHAPTER 3. The Friendship That Was Between Onias And Ptolemy Philometor;
+And How Onias Built A Temple In Egypt Like To That At Jerusalem.
+
+CHAPTER 4. How Alexander Honored Jonathan After An Extraordinary Manner;
+And How Demetrius, The Son Of Demetrius, Overcame Alexander And Made A
+League Of Friendship With Jonathan.
+
+CHAPTER 5. How Trypho After He Had Beaten Demetrius Delivered The
+Kingdom To Antiochus The Son Of Alexander, And Gained Jonathan For His
+Assistant; And Concerning The Actions And Embassies Of Jonathan.
+
+CHAPTER 6. How Jonathan Was Slain By Treachery; And How Thereupon The
+Jews Made Simon Their General And High Priest: What Courageous Actions
+He Also Performed Especially Against Trypho.
+
+CHAPTER 7. How Simon Confederated Himself With Antiochus Pius, And Made
+War Against Trypho, And A Little Afterward, Against Cendebeus, The
+General Of Antiochus's Army; As Also How Simon Was Murdered By His Son-
+In-Law Ptolemy, And That By Treachery.
+
+CHAPTER 8. Hyrcanus Receives The High Priesthood, And Ejects Ptolemy Out
+Of The Country. Antiochus Makes War Against Hyrcanus And Afterwards
+Makes A League With Him.
+
+CHAPTER 9. How, After The Death Of Antiochus, Hyrcanus Made An
+Expedition Against Syria, And Made A League With The Romans. Concerning
+The Death Of King Demetrius And Alexander.
+
+CHAPTER 10. How Upon The Quarrel Between Antiochus Grypus And Antiochus
+Cyzicenus About The Kingdom Hyrcanus Tooksamaria, And Utterly Demolished
+It; And How Hyrcaus Joined Himself To The Sect Of The Sadducees, And
+Left That Of The Pharisees.
+
+CHAPTER 11. How Aristobulus, When He Had Taken The Government First Of
+All Put A Diadem On His Head, And Was Most Barbarously Cruel To His
+Mother And His Brethren; And How, After He Had Slain Antigonus, He
+Himself Died.
+
+CHAPTER 12. How Alexander When He Had Taken The Government Made An
+Expedition Against Ptolemais, And Then Raised The Siege Out Of Fear Of
+Ptolemy Lathyrus; And How Ptolemy Made War Against Him, Because He Had
+Sent To Cleopatra To Persuade Her To Make War Against Ptolemy, And Yet
+Pretended To Be In Friendship With Him, When He Beat The Jews In The
+Battle.
+
+CHAPTER 13. How Alexander, upon the League of Mutual Defense Which
+Cleopatra Had Agreed with Him, Made an Expedition Against Coelesyria,
+and Utterly Overthrew the City of Gaza; and How He Slew Many Ten
+Thousands of Jews That Rebelled Against Him.
+
+CHAPTER 14. How Demetrius Eucerus Overcame Alexander And Yet In A Little
+Time Retired Out Of The Country For Fear; As Also How Alexander Slew
+Many Of The Jews And Thereby Got Clear Of His Troubles. Concerning The
+Death Of Demetrius.
+
+CHAPTER 15. How Antiochus, Who Was Called Dionysus, And After Him Aretas
+Made Expeditions Into Judea; As Also How Alexander Took Many Cities And
+Then Returned To Jerusalem, And After A Sickness Of Three Years Died;
+And What Counsel He Gave To Alexandra.
+
+CHAPTER 16. How Alexandra By Gaining The Good-Will Of The Pharisees,
+Retained The Kingdom Nine Years, And Then, Having Done Many Glorious
+Actions Died.
+
+FOOTNOTES
+
+BOOK XIV. Containing The Interval Of Thirty-Two Years.—From The Death Of
+Queen Alexandra To The Death Of Antigonus.
+
+CHAPTER 1. The War Between Aristobulus And Hyrcanus About The Kingdom;
+And How They Made Anagreement That Aristobulus Should Be King, And
+Hyrcanus Live A Private Life; As Also How Hyrcanus A Little Afterward
+Was Persuaded By Antipater To Fly To Aretas.
+
+CHAPTER 2. How Aretas And Hyrcanus Made An Expedition Against
+Aristobulus And Besieged Jerusalem; And How Scaurus The Roman General
+Raised The Siege. Concerning The Death Of Onias.
+
+CHAPTER 3. How Aristobulus And Hyrcanus Came To Pompey In Order To Argue
+Who Ought To Have The Kingdom; And How Upon The Plight Of Aristobulus To
+The Fortress Alexandrium Pompey Led His Army Against Him And Ordered Him
+To Deliver Up The Fortresses Whereof He Was Possessed.
+
+CHAPTER 4. How Pompey When The Citizens Of Jerusalem Shut Their Gates
+Against Him Besieged The City And Took It By Force; As Also What Other
+Things He Did In Judea.
+
+CHAPTER 5. How Scaurus Made A League Of Mutual Assistance With Aretas;
+And What Gabinius Did In Judea, After He Had Conquered Alexander, The
+Son Of Aristobulus.
+
+CHAPTER 6. How Gabinius Caught Aristobulus After He Had Fled From Rome,
+And Sent Him Back To Rome Again; And Now The Same Gabinius As He
+Returned Out Of Egypt Overcame Alexander And The Nabateans In Battle.
+
+CHAPTER 7. How Crassus Came Into Judea, And Pillaged The Temple; And
+Then Marched Against The Parthians And Perished, With His Army. Also How
+Cassius Obtained Syria, And Put A Stop To The Parthians And Then Went Up
+To Judea.
+
+CHAPTER 8. The Jews Become Confederates With Cæsar When He Fought
+Against Egypt. The Glorious Actions Of Antipater, And His Friendship
+With Cæsar. The Honors Which The Jews Received From The Romans And
+Athenians.
+
+CHAPTER 9. How Antipater Committed The Care Of Galilee To Herod, And
+That Of Jerusalem To Phasaelus; As Also How Herod Upon The Jews' Envy At
+Antipater Was Accused Before Hyrcanus.
+
+CHAPTER 10. The Honors That Were Paid The Jews; And The Leagues That
+Were Made By The Romans And Other Nations, With Them.
+
+CHAPTER 11. How Marcus, Succeeded Sextus When He Had Been Slain By
+Bassus's Treachery; And How, After The Death Of Cæsar, Cassius Came Into
+Syria, And Distressed Judea; As Also How Malichus Slew Antipater And Was
+Himself Slain By Herod.
+
+CHAPTER 12. Herod Ejects Antigonus, The Son Of Aristobulus Out Of Judea,
+And Gains The Friendship Of Antony, Who Was Now Come Into Syria, By
+Sending Him Much Money; On Which Account He Would Not Admit Of Those
+That Would Have Accused Herod: And What It Was That Antony Wrote To The
+Tyrians In Behalf.
+
+CHAPTER 13. How Antony Made Herod And Phasaelus Tetrarchs, After They
+Had Been Accused To No Purpose; And How The Parthians When They Brought
+Antigonus Into Judea Took Hyrcanus And Phasaelus Captives. Herod's
+Flight; And What Afflictions Hyrcanus And Phasaelus Endured.
+
+CHAPTER 14. How Herod Got Away From The King Of Arabia And Made Haste To
+Go Into Egypt And Thence Went Away In Haste Also To Rome; And How, By
+Promising A Great Deal Of Money To Antony He Obtained Of The Senate And
+Of Cæsar To Be Made King Of The Jews.
+
+CHAPTER 15. How Herod Sailed Out Of Italy To Judea, And Fought With
+Antigonus And What Other Things Happened In Judea About That Time.
+
+CHAPTER 16. How Herod, When He Had Married Mariamne Took Jerusalem With
+The Assistance Of Sosius By Force; And How The Government Of The
+Asamoneans Was Put An End To.
+
+FOOTNOTES:
+
+BOOK XV. Containing The Interval Of Eighteen Years.—From The Death Of
+Antigonus To The Finishing Of The Temple By Herod.
+
+CHAPTER 1. Concerning Pollio And Sameas. Herod Slays The Principal Of
+Antigonus's Friends, And Spoils The City Of Its Wealth. Antony Beheads
+Antigonus.
+
+CHAPTER 2. How Hyrcanus Was Set At Liberty By The Parthians, And
+Returned To Herod; And What Alexandra Did When She Heard That Ananelus
+Was Made High Priest.
+
+CHAPTER 3. How Herod Upon His Making Aristobulus High Priest Took Care
+That He Should Be Murdered In A Little Time; And What Apology He Made To
+Antony About Aristobulus; As Also Concerning Joseph And Mariamne.
+
+CHAPTER 4. How Cleopatra, When She Had Gotten From Antony Some Parts Of
+Judea And Arabia Came Into Judea; And How Herod Gave Her Many Presents
+And Conducted Her On Her Way Back To Egypt.
+
+CHAPTER 5. How Herod Made War With The King Of Arabia, And After They
+Had Fought Many Battles, At Length Conquered Him, And Was Chosen By The
+Arabs To Be Governor Of That Nation; As Also Concerning A Great
+Earthquake.
+
+CHAPTER 6. How Herod Slew Hyrcanus And Then Hasted Away To Cæsar, And
+Obtained The Kingdom From Him Also; And How A Little Time Afterward, He
+Entertained Cæsar In A Most Honorable Manner.
+
+CHAPTER 7. How Herod Slew Sohemus And Mariamne And Afterward Alexandra
+And Costobarus, And His Most Intimate Friends, And At Last The Sons Of
+Babbas Also.
+
+CHAPTER 8. How Ten Men Of The Citizens [Of Jerusalem] Made A Conspiracy
+Against Herod, For The Foreign Practices He Had Introduced, Which Was A
+Transgression Of The Laws Of Their Country. Concerning The Building Of
+Sebaste And Cæsarea, And Other Edifices Of Herod.
+
+CHAPTER 9. Concerning The Famine That Happened In Judea And Syria; And
+How Herod, After He Had Married Another Wife, Rebuilt Cæsarea, And Other
+Grecian Cities.
+
+CHAPTER 10. How Herod Sent His Sons To Rome; How Also He Was Accused By
+Zenodorus And The Gadarens, But Was Cleared Of What They Accused Him Of
+And Withal Gained To Himself The Good-Will Of Cæsar. Concerning The
+Pharisees, The Essens And Manahem.
+
+CHAPTER 11. How Herod Rebuilt The Temple And Raised It Higher And Made
+It More Magnificent Than It Was Before; As Also Concerning That Tower
+Which He Called Antonia.
+
+FOOTNOTES:
+
+BOOK XVI. Containing The Interval Of Twelve Years.—From The Finishing Of
+The Temple By Herod To The Death Of Alexander And Aristobulus.
+
+CHAPTER 1. A Law Of Herod's About, Thieves. Salome And Pheroras
+Calumniate Alexander And Aristobulus, Upon Their Return From Rome For
+Whom Yet Herod Provides Wives.
+
+CHAPTER 2. How Herod Twice Sailed To Agrippa; And How Upon The Complaint
+In Ionia Against The Greeks Agrippa Confirmed The Laws To Them.
+
+CHAPTER 3. How Great Disturbances Arose In Herods Family On His
+Preferring Antipater His Eldest Son Before The Rest, Till Alexander Took
+That Injury Very Heinously.
+
+CHAPTER 4. How During Antipater's Abode At Rome, Herod Brought Alexander
+And Aristobulus Before Cæsar And Accused Them. Alexander's Defense Of
+Himself Before Cæsar And Reconciliation To His Father.
+
+CHAPTER 5. How Herod Celebrated The Games That Were To Return Every
+Fifth Year Upon The Building Of Cæsarea; And How He Built And Adorned
+Many Other Places After A Magnificent Manner; And Did Many Other Actions
+Gloriously
+
+CHAPTER 6. An Embassage In Cyrene And Asia To Cæsar, Concerning The
+Complaints They Had To Make Against The Greeks; With Copies Of The
+Epistles Which Cæsar And Agrippa Wrote To The Cities For Them.
+
+CHAPTER 7. How, Upon Herod's Going Down Into David's Sepulcher, The
+Sedition In His Family Greatly Increased.
+
+CHAPTER 8. How Herod Took Up Alexander And Bound Him; Whom Yet Archelaus
+King Of Cappadocia Reconciled To His Father Herod Again.
+
+CHAPTER 9. Concerning The Revolt Of The Trachonites; How Sylleus Accused
+Herod Before Cæsar; And How Herod, When Cæsar Was Angry At Him, Resolved
+To Send Nicolaus To Rome.
+
+CHAPTER 10. How Eurycles Falsely Accused Herod's Sons; And How Their
+Father Bound Them, And Wrote To Cæsar About Them. Of Sylleus And How He
+Was Accused By Nicolaus.
+
+CHAPTER 11. How Herod, By Permission From Cæsar Accused His Sons Before
+An Assembly Of Judges At Berytus; And What Tero Suffered For Using A
+Boundless And Military Liberty Of Speech. Concerning Also The Death Of
+The Young Men And Their Burial At
+
+FOOTNOTES
+
+BOOK XVII. Containing The Interval Of Fourteen Years.—From The Death Of
+Alexander And Aristobulus To The Banishment Of Archelaus.
+
+CHAPTER 1. How Antipater Was Hated By All The Nation [Of The Jews] For
+The Slaughter Of His Brethren; And How, For That Reason He Got Into
+Peculiar Favor With His Friends At Rome, By Giving Them Many Presents;
+As He Did Also With Saturninus, The President Of Syria And The Governors
+Who Were Under Him; And Concerning Herod's Wives And Children.
+
+CHAPTER 2. Concerning Zamaris, The Babylonian Jew; Concerning The Plots
+Laid By Antipater Against His Father; And Somewhat About The Pharisees.
+
+CHAPTER 3. Concerning The Enmity Between Herod And Pheroras; How Herod
+Sent Antipater To Cæsar; And Of The Death Of Pheroras.
+
+CHAPTER 4. Pheroras's Wife Is Accused By His Freedmen, As Guilty Of
+Poisoning Him; And How Herod, Upon Examining; Of The Matter By Torture
+Found The Poison; But So That It Had Been Prepared For Himself By His
+Son Antipater; And Upon An Inquiry By Torture He Discovered The
+Dangerous Designs Of Antipater.
+
+CHAPTER 5. Antipater's Navigation From Rome To His Father; And How He
+Was Accused By Nicolaus Of Damascus And Condemned To Die By His Father,
+And By Quintilius Varus, Who Was Then President Of Syria; And How He Was
+Then Bound Till Cæsar Should Be Informed Of His Cause.
+
+CHAPTER 6. Concerning The Disease That Herod Fell Into And The Sedition
+Which The Jews Raised Thereupon; With The Punishment Of The Seditious.
+
+CHAPTER 7. Herod Has Thoughts Of Killing Himself With His Own Hand; And
+A Little Afterwards He Orders Antipater To Be Slain.
+
+CHAPTER 8. Concerning Herod's Death, And Testament, And Burial.
+
+CHAPTER 9. How The People Raised A Sedition Against Archelaus, And How
+He Sailed To Rome.
+
+CHAPTER 10. A Sedition Against Sabinus; And How Varus Brought The
+Authors Of It To Punishment.
+
+CHAPTER 11. An Embassage To Cæsar; And How Cæsar Confirmed Herod's
+Testament.
+
+CHAPTER 12. Concerning A Spurious Alexander.
+
+CHAPTER 13. How Archelaus Upon A Second Accusation, Was Banished To
+Vienna.
+
+FOOTNOTES:
+
+BOOK XVIII. Containing The Interval Of Thirty-Two Years.—From The
+Banishment Of Archelus To The Departure From Babylon.
+
+CHAPTER 1. How Cyrenius Was Sent By Cæsar To Make A Taxation Of Syria
+And Judea; And How Coponius Was Sent To Be Procurator Of Judea;
+Concerning Judas Of Galilee And Concerning The Sects That Were Among The
+Jews.
+
+CHAPTER 2. Now Herod And Philip Built Several Cities In Honor Of Cæsar.
+Concerning The Succession Of Priests And Procurators; As Also What
+Befell Phraates And The Parthians.
+
+CHAPTER 3. Sedition Of The Jews Against Pontius Pilate. Concerning
+Christ, And What Befell Paulina And The Jews At Rome.
+
+CHAPTER 4. How The Samaritans Made A Tumult And Pilate Destroyed Many Of
+Them; How Pilate Was Accused And What Things Were Done By Vitellius
+Relating To The Jews And The Parthians.
+
+CHAPTER 5. Herod The Tetrarch Makes War With Aretas, The King Of Arabia,
+And Is Beaten By Him As Also Concerning The Death Of John The Baptist.
+How Vitellius Went Up To Jerusalem; Together With Some Account Of
+Agrippa And Of The Posterity Of Herod The Great.
+
+CHAPTER 6. Of The Navigation Of King Agrippa To Rome, To Tiberius Cæsar;
+And Now Upon His Being Accused By His Own Freed-Man, He Was Bound; How
+Also He, Was Set At Liberty By Caius, After Tiberius's Death And Was
+Made King Of The Tetrarchy Of Philip.
+
+CHAPTER 7. How Herod The Tetrarch Was Banished.
+
+CHAPTER 8. Concerning The Embassage Of The Jews To Caius; [28] And How
+Caius Sent Petronius Into Syria To Make War Against The Jews, Unless
+They Would Receive His Statue.
+
+CHAPTER 9. What Befell The Jews That Were In Babylon On Occasion Of
+Asineus And Anileus, Two Brethren.
+
+FOOTNOTES
+
+BOOK XIX. Containing The Interval Of Three Years And A Half.—From The
+Departure Out Of Babylon To Fadus, The Roman Procurator.
+
+CHAPTER 1. How Caius [1] Was Slain By Cherea.
+
+CHAPTER 2. How The Senators Determined To Restore The Democracy; But The
+Soldiers Were For Preserving The Monarchy, Concerning The Slaughter Of
+Caius's Wife And Daughter. A Character Of Caius's Morals.
+
+CHAPTER 3. How Claudius Was Seized Upon And Brought Out Of His House And
+Brought To The Camp; And How The Senate Sent An Embassage To Him.
+
+CHAPTER 4. What Things King Agrippa Did For Claudius; And How Claudius
+When He Had Taken The Government Commanded The Murderers Of Caius To Be
+Slain.
+
+CHAPTER 5. How Claudius Restored To Agrippa His Grandfathers Kingdoms
+And Augmented His Dominions; And How He Published An Edict In Behalf.
+
+CHAPTER 6. What Things Were Done By Agrippa At Jerusalem When He Was
+Returned Back Into Judea; And What It Was That Petronius Wrote To The
+Inhabitants Of Doris, In Behalf.
+
+CHAPTER 7. Concerning Silas And On What Account It Was That King Agrippa
+Was Angry At Him. How Agrippa Began To Encompass Jerusalem With A Wall;
+And What Benefits He Bestowed On The Inhabitants Of Berytus.
+
+CHAPTER 8. What Other Acts Were Done By Agrippa Until His Death; And
+After What Manner He Died.
+
+CHAPTER 9. What Things Were Done After The Death Of Agrippa; And How
+Claudius, On Account Of The Youth And Unskilfulness Of Agrippa, Junior,
+Sent Cuspius Fadus To Be Procurator Of Judea, And Of The Entire Kingdom.
+
+FOOTNOTES
+
+BOOK XX. Containing The Interval Of Twenty-Two Years.—From Fadus The
+Procurator To Florus.
+
+CHAPTER 1. A Sedition Of The Philadelphians Against The Jews; And Also
+Concerning The Vestments Of The High Priest.
+
+CHAPTER 2. How Helena The Queen Of Adiabene And Her Son Izates, Embraced
+The Jewish Religion; And How Helena Supplied The Poor With Corn, When
+There Was A Great Famine At Jerusalem.
+
+CHAPTER 3. How Artabanus, the King of Parthia out of Fear of the Secret
+Contrivances of His Subjects Against Him, Went to Izates, and Was By Him
+Reinstated in His Government; as Also How Bardanes His Son Denounced War
+Against Izates.
+
+CHAPTER 4. How Izates Was Betrayed By His Own Subjects, And Fought
+Against By The Arabians And How Izates, By The Providence Of God, Was
+Delivered Out Of Their Hands.
+
+CHAPTER 5. Concerning Theudas And The Sons Of Judas The Galilean; As
+Also What Calamity Fell Upon The Jews On The Day Of The Passover.
+
+CHAPTER 6. How There Happened A Quarrel Between The Jews And The
+Samaritans; And How Claudius Put An End To Their Differences.
+
+CHAPTER 7. Felix Is Made Procurator Of Judea; As Also Concerning
+Agrippa, Junior And His Sisters.
+
+CHAPTER 8. After What Manner Upon The Death Of Claudius, Nero Succeeded
+In The Government; As Also What Barbarous Things He Did. Concerning The
+Robbers, Murderers And Impostors, That Arose While Felix And Festus Were
+Procurators Of Judea.
+
+CHAPTER 9. Concerning Albinus Under Whose Procuratorship James Was
+Slain; As Also What Edifices Were Built By Agrippa.
+
+CHAPTER 10. An Enumeration Of The High Priests.
+
+CHAPTER 11. Concerning Florus The Procurator, Who Necessitated The Jews
+To Take Up Arms Against The Romans. The Conclusion.
+
+FOOTNOTES
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+PREFACE.1
+
+1. Those who undertake to write histories, do not, I perceive, take that
+trouble on one and the same account, but for many reasons, and those
+such as are very different one from another. For some of them apply
+themselves to this part of learning to show their skill in composition,
+and that they may therein acquire a reputation for speaking finely:
+others of them there are, who write histories in order to gratify those
+that happen to be concerned in them, and on that account have spared no
+pains, but rather gone beyond their own abilities in the performance:
+but others there are, who, of necessity and by force, are driven to
+write history, because they are concerned in the facts, and so cannot
+excuse themselves from committing them to writing, for the advantage of
+posterity; nay, there are not a few who are induced to draw their
+historical facts out of darkness into light, and to produce them for the
+benefit of the public, on account of the great importance of the facts
+themselves with which they have been concerned. Now of these several
+reasons for writing history, I must profess the two last were my own
+reasons also; for since I was myself interested in that war which we
+Jews had with the Romans, and knew myself its particular actions, and
+what conclusion it had, I was forced to give the history of it, because
+I saw that others perverted the truth of those actions in their
+writings.
+
+2. Now I have undertaken the present work, as thinking it will appear to
+all the Greeks 2 worthy of their study; for it will contain all our
+antiquities, and the constitution of our government, as interpreted out
+of the Hebrew Scriptures. And indeed I did formerly intend, when I wrote
+of the war, 3 to explain who the Jews originally were,—what fortunes
+they had been subject to,—and by what legislature they had been
+instructed in piety, and the exercise of other virtues,—what wars also
+they had made in remote ages, till they were unwillingly engaged in this
+last with the Romans: but because this work would take up a great
+compass, I separated it into a set treatise by itself, with a beginning
+of its own, and its own conclusion; but in process of time, as usually
+happens to such as undertake great things, I grew weary and went on
+slowly, it being a large subject, and a difficult thing to translate our
+history into a foreign, and to us unaccustomed language. However, some
+persons there were who desired to know our history, and so exhorted me
+to go on with it; and, above all the rest, Epaphroditus, 4 a man who is
+a lover of all kind of learning, but is principally delighted with the
+knowledge of history, and this on account of his having been himself
+concerned in great affairs, and many turns of fortune, and having shown
+a wonderful rigor of an excellent nature, and an immovable virtuous
+resolution in them all. I yielded to this man's persuasions, who always
+excites such as have abilities in what is useful and acceptable, to join
+their endeavors with his. I was also ashamed myself to permit any
+laziness of disposition to have a greater influence upon me, than the
+delight of taking pains in such studies as were very useful: I thereupon
+stirred up myself, and went on with my work more cheerfully. Besides the
+foregoing motives, I had others which I greatly reflected on; and these
+were, that our forefathers were willing to communicate such things to
+others; and that some of the Greeks took considerable pains to know the
+affairs of our nation.
+
+3. I found, therefore, that the second of the Ptolemies was a king who
+was extraordinarily diligent in what concerned learning, and the
+collection of books; that he was also peculiarly ambitious to procure a
+translation of our law, and of the constitution of our government
+therein contained, into the Greek tongue. Now Eleazar the high priest,
+one not inferior to any other of that dignity among us, did not envy the
+forenamed king the participation of that advantage, which otherwise he
+would for certain have denied him, but that he knew the custom of our
+nation was, to hinder nothing of what we esteemed ourselves from being
+communicated to others. Accordingly, I thought it became me both to
+imitate the generosity of our high priest, and to suppose there might
+even now be many lovers of learning like the king; for he did not obtain
+all our writings at that time; but those who were sent to Alexandria as
+interpreters, gave him only the books of the law, while there were a
+vast number of other matters in our sacred books. They, indeed, contain
+in them the history of five thousand years; in which time happened many
+strange accidents, many chances of war, and great actions of the
+commanders, and mutations of the form of our government. Upon the whole,
+a man that will peruse this history, may principally learn from it, that
+all events succeed well, even to an incredible degree, and the reward of
+felicity is proposed by God; but then it is to those that follow his
+will, and do not venture to break his excellent laws: and that so far as
+men any way apostatize from the accurate observation of them, what was
+practical before becomes impracticable 5 and whatsoever they set about
+as a good thing, is converted into an incurable calamity. And now I
+exhort all those that peruse these books, to apply their minds to God;
+and to examine the mind of our legislator, whether he hath not
+understood his nature in a manner worthy of him; and hath not ever
+ascribed to him such operations as become his power, and hath not
+preserved his writings from those indecent fables which others have
+framed, although, by the great distance of time when he lived, he might
+have securely forged such lies; for he lived two thousand years ago; at
+which vast distance of ages the poets themselves have not been so hardy
+as to fix even the generations of their gods, much less the actions of
+their men, or their own laws. As I proceed, therefore, I shall
+accurately describe what is contained in our records, in the order of
+time that belongs to them; for I have already promised so to do
+throughout this undertaking; and this without adding any thing to what
+is therein contained, or taking away any thing therefrom.
+
+4. But because almost all our constitution depends on the wisdom of
+Moses, our legislator, I cannot avoid saying somewhat concerning him
+beforehand, though I shall do it briefly; I mean, because otherwise
+those that read my book may wonder how it comes to pass, that my
+discourse, which promises an account of laws and historical facts,
+contains so much of philosophy. The reader is therefore to know, that
+Moses deemed it exceeding necessary, that he who would conduct his own
+life well, and give laws to others, in the first place should consider
+the Divine nature; and, upon the contemplation of God's operations,
+should thereby imitate the best of all patterns, so far as it is
+possible for human nature to do, and to endeavor to follow after it:
+neither could the legislator himself have a right mind without such a
+contemplation; nor would any thing he should write tend to the promotion
+of virtue in his readers; I mean, unless they be taught first of all,
+that God is the Father and Lord of all things, and sees all things, and
+that thence he bestows a happy life upon those that follow him; but
+plunges such as do not walk in the paths of virtue into inevitable
+miseries. Now when Moses was desirous to teach this lesson to his
+countrymen, he did not begin the establishment of his laws after the
+same manner that other legislators did; I mean, upon contracts and other
+rights between one man and another, but by raising their minds upwards
+to regard God, and his creation of the world; and by persuading them,
+that we men are the most excellent of the creatures of God upon earth.
+Now when once he had brought them to submit to religion, he easily
+persuaded them to submit in all other things: for as to other
+legislators, they followed fables, and by their discourses transferred
+the most reproachful of human vices unto the gods, and afforded wicked
+men the most plausible excuses for their crimes; but as for our
+legislator, when he had once demonstrated that God was possessed of
+perfect virtue, he supposed that men also ought to strive after the
+participation of it; and on those who did not so think, and so believe,
+he inflicted the severest punishments. I exhort, therefore, my readers
+to examine this whole undertaking in that view; for thereby it will
+appear to them, that there is nothing therein disagreeable either to the
+majesty of God, or to his love to mankind; for all things have here a
+reference to the nature of the universe; while our legislator speaks
+some things wisely, but enigmatically, and others under a decent
+allegory, but still explains such things as required a direct
+explication plainly and expressly. However, those that have a mind to
+know the reasons of every thing, may find here a very curious
+philosophical theory, which I now indeed shall wave the explication of;
+but if God afford me time for it, I will set about writing it 6 after I
+have finished the present work. I shall now betake myself to the history
+before me, after I have first mentioned what Moses says of the creation
+of the world, which I find described in the sacred books after the
+manner following.
+
+
+
+
+
+
+FOOTNOTES
+
+
+1 (return) [ This preface of Josephus is excellent in its kind, and
+highly worthy the repeated perusal of the reader, before he set about
+the perusal of the work itself.]
+
+
+2 (return) [ That is, all the Gentiles, both Greeks and Romans.]
+
+
+3 (return) [ We may seasonably note here, that Josephus wrote his Seven
+Books of the Jewish War long before he wrote these his Antiquities.
+Those books of the War were published about A.D. 75, and these
+Antiquities, A. D. 93, about eighteen years later.]
+
+
+4 (return) [ This Epaphroditus was certainly alive in the third year of
+Trajan, A.D. 100. See the note on the First Book Against Apion, sect. 1.
+Who he was we do not know; for as to Epaphroditus, the freedman of Nero,
+and afterwards Domitian's secretary, who was put to death by Domitian in
+the 14th or 15th year of his reign, he could not be alive in the third
+of Trajan.]
+
+
+5 (return) [ Josephus here plainly alludes to the famous Greek proverb,
+If God be with us, every thing that is impossible becomes possible.]
+
+
+6 (return) [ As to this intended work of Josephus concerning the reasons
+of many of the Jewish laws, and what philosophical or allegorical sense
+they would bear, the loss of which work is by some of the learned not
+much regretted, I am inclinable, in part, to Fabricius's opinion, ap.
+Havercamp, p. 63, 61, That "we need not doubt but that, among some vain
+and frigid conjectures derived from Jewish imaginations, Josephus would
+have taught us a greater number of excellent and useful things, which
+perhaps nobody, neither among the Jews, nor among the Christians, can
+now inform us of; so that I would give a great deal to find it still
+extant."]
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+BOOK I. Containing The Interval Of Three Thousand Eight Hundred And
+Thirty-Three Years. — From The Creation To The Death Of Isaac.
+
+
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER 1. The Constitution Of The World And The Disposition Of The
+Elements.
+
+1. In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth. But when the
+earth did not come into sight, but was covered with thick darkness, and
+a wind moved upon its surface, God commanded that there should be light:
+and when that was made, he considered the whole mass, and separated the
+light and the darkness; and the name he gave to one was Night, and the
+other he called Day: and he named the beginning of light, and the time
+of rest, The Evening and The Morning, and this was indeed the first day.
+But Moses said it was one day; the cause of which I am able to give even
+now; but because I have promised to give such reasons for all things in
+a treatise by itself, I shall put off its exposition till that time.
+After this, on the second day, he placed the heaven over the whole
+world, and separated it from the other parts, and he determined it
+should stand by itself. He also placed a crystalline [firmament] round
+it, and put it together in a manner agreeable to the earth, and fitted
+it for giving moisture and rain, and for affording the advantage of
+dews. On the third day he appointed the dry land to appear, with the sea
+itself round about it; and on the very same day he made the plants and
+the seeds to spring out of the earth. On the fourth day he adorned the
+heaven with the sun, the moon, and the other stars, and appointed them
+their motions and courses, that the vicissitudes of the seasons might be
+clearly signified. And on the fifth day he produced the living
+creatures, both those that swim, and those that fly; the former in the
+sea, the latter in the air: he also sorted them as to society and
+mixture, for procreation, and that their kinds might increase and
+multiply. On the sixth day he created the four-footed beasts, and made
+them male and female: on the same day he also formed man. Accordingly
+Moses says, That in just six days the world, and all that is therein,
+was made. And that the seventh day was a rest, and a release from the
+labor of such operations; whence it is that we Celebrate a rest from our
+labors on that day, and call it the Sabbath, which word denotes rest in
+the Hebrew tongue.
+
+2. Moreover, Moses, after the seventh day was over1 begins to talk
+philosophically; and concerning the formation of man, says thus: That
+God took dust from the ground, and formed man, and inserted in him a
+spirit and a soul.2 This man was called Adam, which in the Hebrew tongue
+signifies one that is red, because he was formed out of red earth,
+compounded together; for of that kind is virgin and true earth. God also
+presented the living creatures, when he had made them, according to
+their kinds, both male and female, to Adam, who gave them those names by
+which they are still called. But when he saw that Adam had no female
+companion, no society, for there was no such created, and that he
+wondered at the other animals which were male and female, he laid him
+asleep, and took away one of his ribs, and out of it formed the woman;
+whereupon Adam knew her when she was brought to him, and acknowledged
+that she was made out of himself. Now a woman is called in the Hebrew
+tongue Issa; but the name of this woman was Eve, which signifies the
+mother of all living.
+
+3. Moses says further, that God planted a paradise in the east,
+flourishing with all sorts of trees; and that among them was the tree of
+life, and another of knowledge, whereby was to be known what was good
+and evil; and that when he brought Adam and his wife into this garden,
+he commanded them to take care of the plants. Now the garden was watered
+by one river,3 which ran round about the whole earth, and was parted
+into four parts. And Phison, which denotes a multitude, running into
+India, makes its exit into the sea, and is by the Greeks called Ganges.
+Euphrates also, as well as Tigris, goes down into the Red Sea.4 Now the
+name Euphrates, or Phrath, denotes either a dispersion, or a flower: by
+Tiris, or Diglath, is signified what is swift, with narrowness; and Geon
+runs through Egypt, and denotes what arises from the east, which the
+Greeks call Nile.
+
+4. God therefore commanded that Adam and his wife should eat of all the
+rest of the plants, but to abstain from the tree of knowledge; and
+foretold to them, that if they touched it, it would prove their
+destruction. But while all the living creatures had one language, 5 at
+that time the serpent, which then lived together with Adam and his wife,
+shewed an envious disposition, at his supposal of their living happily,
+and in obedience to the commands of God; and imagining, that when they
+disobeyed them, they would fall into calamities, he persuaded the woman,
+out of a malicious intention, to taste of the tree of knowledge, telling
+them, that in that tree was the knowledge of good and evil; which
+knowledge, when they should obtain, they would lead a happy life; nay, a
+life not inferior to that of a god: by which means he overcame the
+woman, and persuaded her to despise the command of God. Now when she had
+tasted of that tree, and was pleased with its fruit, she persuaded Adam
+to make use of it also. Upon this they perceived that they were become
+naked to one another; and being ashamed thus to appear abroad, they
+invented somewhat to cover them; for the tree sharpened their
+understanding; and they covered themselves with fig-leaves; and tying
+these before them, out of modesty, they thought they were happier than
+they were before, as they had discovered what they were in want of. But
+when God came into the garden, Adam, who was wont before to come and
+converse with him, being conscious of his wicked behavior, went out of
+the way. This behavior surprised God; and he asked what was the cause of
+this his procedure; and why he, that before delighted in that
+conversation, did now fly from it, and avoid it. When he made no reply,
+as conscious to himself that he had transgressed the command of God, God
+said, "I had before determined about you both, how you might lead a
+happy life, without any affliction, and care, and vexation of soul; and
+that all things which might contribute to your enjoyment and pleasure
+should grow up by my providence, of their own accord, without your own
+labor and pains-taking; which state of labor and pains-taking would soon
+bring on old age, and death would not be at any remote distance: but now
+thou hast abused this my good-will, and hast disobeyed my commands; for
+thy silence is not the sign of thy virtue, but of thy evil conscience."
+However, Adam excused his sin, and entreated God not to be angry at him,
+and laid the blame of what was done upon his wife; and said that he was
+deceived by her, and thence became an offender; while she again accused
+the serpent. But God allotted him punishment, because he weakly
+submitted to the counsel of his wife; and said the ground should not
+henceforth yield its fruits of its own accord, but that when it should
+be harassed by their labor, it should bring forth some of its fruits,
+and refuse to bring forth others. He also made Eve liable to the
+inconveniency of breeding, and the sharp pains of bringing forth
+children; and this because she persuaded Adam with the same arguments
+wherewith the serpent had persuaded her, and had thereby brought him
+into a calamitous condition. He also deprived the serpent of speech, out
+of indignation at his malicious disposition towards Adam. Besides this,
+he inserted poison under his tongue, and made him an enemy to men; and
+suggested to them, that they should direct their strokes against his
+head, that being the place wherein lay his mischievous designs towards
+men, and it being easiest to take vengeance on him, that way. And when
+he had deprived him of the use of his feet, he made him to go rolling
+all along, and dragging himself upon the ground. And when God had
+appointed these penalties for them, he removed Adam and Eve out of the
+garden into another place.
+
+
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER 2. Concerning The Posterity Of Adam, And The Ten Generations
+From Him To The Deluge.
+
+1. Adam and Eve had two sons: the elder of them was named Cain; which
+name, when it is interpreted, signifies a possession: the younger was
+Abel, which signifies sorrow. They had also daughters. Now the two
+brethren were pleased with different courses of life: for Abel, the
+younger, was a lover of righteousness; and believing that God was
+present at all his actions, he excelled in virtue; and his employment
+was that of a shepherd. But Cain was not only very wicked in other
+respects, but was wholly intent upon getting; and he first contrived to
+plough the ground. He slew his brother on the occasion following:—They
+had resolved to sacrifice to God. Now Cain brought the fruits of the
+earth, and of his husbandry; but Abel brought milk, and the first-fruits
+of his flocks: but God was more delighted with the latter oblation,6
+when he was honored with what grew naturally of its own accord, than he
+was with what was the invention of a covetous man, and gotten by forcing
+the ground; whence it was that Cain was very angry that Abel was
+preferred by God before him; and he slew his brother, and hid his dead
+body, thinking to escape discovery. But God, knowing what had been done,
+came to Cain, and asked him what was become of his brother, because he
+had not seen him of many days; whereas he used to observe them
+conversing together at other times. But Cain was in doubt with himself,
+and knew not what answer to give to God. At first he said that he was
+himself at a loss about his brother's disappearing; but when he was
+provoked by God, who pressed him vehemently, as resolving to know what
+the matter was, he replied, he was not his brother's guardian or keeper,
+nor was he an observer of what he did. But, in return, God convicted
+Cain, as having been the murderer of his brother; and said, "I wonder at
+thee, that thou knowest not what is become of a man whom thou thyself
+hast destroyed." God therefore did not inflict the punishment [of death]
+upon him, on account of his offering sacrifice, and thereby making
+supplication to him not to be extreme in his wrath to him; but he made
+him accursed, and threatened his posterity in the seventh generation. He
+also cast him, together with his wife, out of that land. And when he was
+afraid that in wandering about he should fall among Wild beasts, and by
+that means perish, God bid him not to entertain such a melancholy
+suspicion, and to go over all the earth without fear of what mischief he
+might suffer from wild beasts; and setting a mark upon him, that he
+might be known, he commanded him to depart.
+
+2. And when Cain had traveled over many countries, he, with his wife,
+built a city, named Nod, which is a place so called, and there he
+settled his abode; where also he had children. However, he did not
+accept of his punishment in order to amendment, but to increase his
+wickedness; for he only aimed to procure every thing that was for his
+own bodily pleasure, though it obliged him to be injurious to his
+neighbors. He augmented his household substance with much wealth, by
+rapine and violence; he excited his acquaintance to procure pleasures
+and spoils by robbery, and became a great leader of men into wicked
+courses. He also introduced a change in that way of simplicity wherein
+men lived before; and was the author of measures and weights. And
+whereas they lived innocently and generously while they knew nothing of
+such arts, he changed the world into cunning craftiness. He first of all
+set boundaries about lands: he built a city, and fortified it with
+walls, and he compelled his family to come together to it; and called
+that city Enoch, after the name of his eldest son Enoch. Now Jared was
+the son of Enoch; whose son was Malaliel; whose son was Mathusela; whose
+son was Lamech; who had seventy-seven children by two wives, Silla and
+Ada. Of those children by Ada, one was Jabal: he erected tents, and
+loved the life of a shepherd. But Jubal, who was born of the same mother
+with him, exercised himself in music;7 and invented the psaltery and the
+harp. But Tubal, one of his children by the other wife, exceeded all men
+in strength, and was very expert and famous in martial performances. He
+procured what tended to the pleasures of the body by that method; and
+first of all invented the art of making brass. Lamech was also the
+father of a daughter, whose name was Naamah. And because he was so
+skillful in matters of divine revelation, that he knew he was to be
+punished for Cain's murder of his brother, he made that known to his
+wives. Nay, even while Adam was alive, it came to pass that the
+posterity of Cain became exceeding wicked, every one successively dying,
+one after another, more wicked than the former. They were intolerable in
+war, and vehement in robberies; and if any one were slow to murder
+people, yet was he bold in his profligate behavior, in acting unjustly,
+and doing injuries for gain.
+
+3. Now Adam, who was the first man, and made out of the earth, [for our
+discourse must now be about him,] after Abel was slain, and Cain fled
+away, on account of his murder, was solicitous for posterity, and had a
+vehement desire of children, he being two hundred and thirty years old;
+after which time he lived other seven hundred, and then died. He had
+indeed many other children,8 but Seth in particular. As for the rest, it
+would be tedious to name them; I will therefore only endeavor to give an
+account of those that proceeded from Seth. Now this Seth, when he was
+brought up, and came to those years in which he could discern what was
+good, became a virtuous man; and as he was himself of an excellent
+character, so did he leave children behind him who imitated his
+virtues.9 All these proved to be of good dispositions. They also
+inhabited the same country without dissensions, and in a happy
+condition, without any misfortunes falling upon them, till they died.
+They also were the inventors of that peculiar sort of wisdom which is
+concerned with the heavenly bodies, and their order. And that their
+inventions might not be lost before they were sufficiently known, upon
+Adam's prediction that the world was to be destroyed at one time by the
+force of fire, and at another time by the violence and quantity of
+water, they made two pillars, 10 the one of brick, the other of stone:
+they inscribed their discoveries on them both, that in case the pillar
+of brick should be destroyed by the flood, the pillar of stone might
+remain, and exhibit those discoveries to mankind; and also inform them
+that there was another pillar of brick erected by them. Now this remains
+in the land of Siriad to this day.
+
+
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER 3. Concerning The Flood; And After What Manner Noah Was Saved In
+An Ark, With His Kindred, And Afterwards Dwelt In The Plain Of Shinar.
+
+1. Now this posterity of Seth continued to esteem God as the Lord of the
+universe, and to have an entire regard to virtue, for seven generations;
+but in process of time they were perverted, and forsook the practices of
+their forefathers; and did neither pay those honors to God which were
+appointed them, nor had they any concern to do justice towards men. But
+for what degree of zeal they had formerly shown for virtue, they now
+showed by their actions a double degree of wickedness, whereby they made
+God to be their enemy. For many angels11 of God accompanied with women,
+and begat sons that proved unjust, and despisers of all that was good,
+on account of the confidence they had in their own strength; for the
+tradition is, that these men did what resembled the acts of those whom
+the Grecians call giants. But Noah was very uneasy at what they did; and
+being displeased at their conduct, persuaded them to change their
+dispositions and their acts for the better: but seeing they did not
+yield to him, but were slaves to their wicked pleasures, he was afraid
+they would kill him, together with his wife and children, and those they
+had married; so he departed out of that land.
+
+2. Now God loved this man for his righteousness: yet he not only
+condemned those other men for their wickedness, but determined to
+destroy the whole race of mankind, and to make another race that should
+be pure from wickedness; and cutting short their lives, and making their
+years not so many as they formerly lived, but one hundred and twenty
+only,12 he turned the dry land into sea; and thus were all these men
+destroyed: but Noah alone was saved; for God suggested to him the
+following contrivance and way of escape:—That he should make an ark of
+four stories high, three hundred cubits13 long, fifty cubits broad, and
+thirty cubits high. Accordingly he entered into that ark, and his wife,
+and sons, and their wives, and put into it not only other provisions, to
+support their wants there, but also sent in with the rest all sorts of
+living creatures, the male and his female, for the preservation of their
+kinds; and others of them by sevens. Now this ark had firm walls, and a
+roof, and was braced with cross beams, so that it could not be any way
+drowned or overborne by the violence of the water. And thus was Noah,
+with his family, preserved. Now he was the tenth from Adam, as being the
+son of Lamech, whose father was Mathusela; he was the son of Enoch, the
+son of Jared; and Jared was the son of Malaleel, who, with many of his
+sisters, were the children of Cainan, the son of Enos. Now Enos was the
+son of Seth, the son of Adam.
+
+3. This calamity happened in the six hundredth year of Noah's
+government, [age,] in the second month, 14 called by the Macedonians
+Dius, but by the Hebrews Marchesuan: for so did they order their year in
+Egypt. But Moses appointed that ú Nisan, which is the same with
+Xanthicus, should be the first month for their festivals, because he
+brought them out of Egypt in that month: so that this month began the
+year as to all the solemnities they observed to the honor of God,
+although he preserved the original order of the months as to selling and
+buying, and other ordinary affairs. Now he says that this flood began on
+the twenty-seventh [seventeenth] day of the forementioned month; and
+this was two thousand six hundred and fifty-six [one thousand six
+hundred and fifty-six] years from Adam, the first man; and the time is
+written down in our sacred books, those who then lived having noted
+down,[15] with great accuracy, both the births and deaths of illustrious
+men.
+
+4. For indeed Seth was born when Adam was in his two hundred and
+thirtieth year, who lived nine hundred and thirty years. Seth begat Enos
+in his two hundred and fifth year; who, when he had lived nine hundred
+and twelve years, delivered the government to Cainan his son, whom he
+had in his hundred and ninetieth year. He lived nine hundred and five
+years. Cainan, when he had lived nine hundred and ten years, had his son
+Malaleel, who was born in his hundred and seventieth year. This
+Malaleel, having lived eight hundred and ninety-five years, died,
+leaving his son Jared, whom he begat when he was in his hundred and
+sixty-fifth year. He lived nine hundred and sixty-two years; and then
+his son Enoch succeeded him, who was born when his father was one
+hundred and sixty-two years old. Now he, when he had lived three hundred
+and sixty-five years, departed and went to God; whence it is that they
+have not written down his death. Now Mathusela, the son of Enoch, who
+was born to him when he was one hundred and sixty-five years old, had
+Lamech for his son when he was one hundred and eighty-seven years of
+age; to whom he delivered the government, when he had retained it nine
+hundred and sixty-nine years. Now Lamech, when he had governed seven
+hundred and seventy-seven years, appointed Noah, his son, to be ruler of
+the people, who was born to Lamech when he was one hundred and eighty-
+two years old, and retained the government nine hundred and fifty years.
+These years collected together make up the sum before set down. But let
+no one inquire into the deaths of these men; for they extended their
+lives along together with their children and grandchildren; but let him
+have regard to their births only.15
+
+5. When God gave the signal, and it began to rain, the water poured down
+forty entire days, till it became fifteen cubits higher than the earth;
+which was the reason why there was no greater number preserved, since
+they had no place to fly to. When the rain ceased, the water did but
+just begin to abate after one hundred and fifty days, [that is, on the
+seventeenth day of the seventh month,] it then ceasing to subside for a
+little while. After this, the ark rested on the top of a certain
+mountain in Armenia; which, when Noah understood, he opened it; and
+seeing a small piece of land about it, he continued quiet, and conceived
+some cheerful hopes of deliverance. But a few days afterward, when the
+water was decreased to a greater degree, he sent out a raven, as
+desirous to learn whether any other part of the earth were left dry by
+the water, and whether he might go out of the ark with safety; but the
+raven, finding all the land still overflowed, returned to Noah again.
+And after seven days he sent out a dove, to know the state of the
+ground; which came back to him covered with mud, and bringing an olive
+branch: hereby Noah learned that the earth was become clear of the
+flood. So after he had staid seven more days, he sent the living
+creatures out of the ark; and both he and his family went out, when he
+also sacrificed to God, and feasted with his companions. However, the
+Armenians call this place, [GREEK] 16 The Place of Descent; for the ark
+being saved in that place, its remains are shown there by the
+inhabitants to this day.
+
+6. Now all the writers of barbarian histories make mention of this
+flood, and of this ark; among whom is Berosus the Chaldean. For when he
+is describing the circumstances of the flood, he goes on thus: "It is
+said there is still some part of this ship in Armenia, at the mountain
+of the Cordyaeans; and that some people carry off pieces of the bitumen,
+which they take away, and use chiefly as amulets for the averting of
+mischiefs." Hieronymus the Egyptian also, who wrote the Phoenician
+Antiquities, and Mnaseas, and a great many more, make mention of the
+same. Nay, Nicolaus of Damascus, in his ninety-sixth book, hath a
+particular relation about them; where he speaks thus: "There is a great
+mountain in Armenia, over Minyas, called Baris, upon which it is
+reported that many who fled at the time of the Deluge were saved; and
+that one who was carried in an ark came on shore upon the top of it; and
+that the remains of the timber were a great while preserved. This might
+be the man about whom Moses the legislator of the Jews wrote."
+
+7. But as for Noah, he was afraid, since God had determined to destroy
+mankind, lest he should drown the earth every year; so he offered burnt-
+offerings, and besought God that nature might hereafter go on in its
+former orderly course, and that he would not bring on so great a
+judgment any more, by which the whole race of creatures might be in
+danger of destruction: but that, having now punished the wicked, he
+would of his goodness spare the remainder, and such as he had hitherto
+judged fit to be delivered from so severe a calamity; for that otherwise
+these last must be more miserable than the first, and that they must be
+condemned to a worse condition than the others, unless they be suffered
+to escape entirely; that is, if they be reserved for another deluge;
+while they must be afflicted with the terror and sight of the first
+deluge, and must also be destroyed by a second. He also entreated God to
+accept of his sacrifice, and to grant that the earth might never again
+undergo the like effects of 'his wrath; that men might be permitted to
+go on cheerfully in cultivating the same; to build cities, and live
+happily in them; and that they might not be deprived of any of those
+good things which they enjoyed before the Flood; but might attain to the
+like length of days, and old age, which the ancient people had arrived
+at before.
+
+8. When Noah had made these supplications, God, who loved the man for
+his righteousness, granted entire success to his prayers, and said, that
+it was not he who brought the destruction on a polluted world, but that
+they underwent that vengeance on account of their own wickedness; and
+that he had not brought men into the world if he had himself determined
+to destroy them, it being an instance of greater wisdom not to have
+granted them life at all, than, after it was granted, to procure their
+destruction; "But the injuries," said he, "they offered to my holiness
+and virtue, forced me to bring this punishment upon them. But I will
+leave off for the time to come to require such punishments, the effects
+of so great wrath, for their future wicked actions, and especially on
+account of thy prayers. But if I shall at any time send tempests of
+rain, in an extraordinary manner, be not affrighted at the largeness of
+the showers; for the water shall no more overspread the earth. However,
+I require you to abstain from shedding the blood of men, and to keep
+yourselves pure from murder; and to punish those that commit any such
+thing. I permit you to make use of all the other living creatures at
+your pleasure, and as your appetites lead you; for I have made you lords
+of them all, both of those that walk on the land, and those that swim in
+the waters, and of those that fly in the regions of the air on high,
+excepting their blood, for therein is the life. But I will give you a
+sign that I have left off my anger by my bow." [whereby is meant the
+rainbow, for they determined that the rainbow was the bow of God]. And
+when God had said and promised thus, he went away.
+
+9. Now when Noah had lived three hundred and fifty years after the
+Flood, and that all that time happily, he died, having lived the number
+of nine hundred and fifty years. But let no one, upon comparing the
+lives of the ancients with our lives, and with the few years which we
+now live, think that what we have said of them is false; or make the
+shortness of our lives at present an argument, that neither did they
+attain to so long a duration of life, for those ancients were beloved of
+God, and [lately] made by God himself; and because their food was then
+fitter for the prolongation of life, might well live so great a number
+of years: and besides, God afforded them a longer time of life on
+account of their virtue, and the good use they made of it in
+astronomical and geometrical discoveries, which would not have afforded
+the time of foretelling [the periods of the stars] unless they had lived
+six hundred years; for the great year is completed in that interval. Now
+I have for witnesses to what I have said, all those that have written
+Antiquities, both among the Greeks and barbarians; for even Manetho, who
+wrote the Egyptian History, and Berosus, who collected the Chaldean
+Monuments, and Mochus, and Hestieus, and, besides these, Hieronymus the
+Egyptian, and those who composed the Phoenician History, agree to what I
+here say: Hesiod also, and Hecatseus, Hellanicus, and Acusilaus; and,
+besides these, Ephorus and Nicolaus relate that the ancients lived a
+thousand years. But as to these matters, let every one look upon them as
+he thinks fit.
+
+
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER 4. Concerning The Tower Of Babylon, And The Confusion Of
+Tongues.
+
+1. Now the sons of Noah were three,—Shem, Japhet, and Ham, born one
+hundred years before the Deluge. These first of all descended from the
+mountains into the plains, and fixed their habitation there; and
+persuaded others who were greatly afraid of the lower grounds on account
+of the flood, and so were very loath to come down from the higher
+places, to venture to follow their examples. Now the plain in which they
+first dwelt was called Shinar. God also commanded them to send colonies
+abroad, for the thorough peopling of the earth, that they might not
+raise seditions among themselves, but might cultivate a great part of
+the earth, and enjoy its fruits after a plentiful manner. But they were
+so ill instructed that they did not obey God; for which reason they fell
+into calamities, and were made sensible, by experience, of what sin they
+had been guilty: for when they flourished with a numerous youth, God
+admonished them again to send out colonies; but they, imagining the
+prosperity they enjoyed was not derived from the favor of God, but
+supposing that their own power was the proper cause of the plentiful
+condition they were in, did not obey him. Nay, they added to this their
+disobedience to the Divine will, the suspicion that they were therefore
+ordered to send out separate colonies, that, being divided asunder, they
+might the more easily be Oppressed.
+
+2. Now it was Nimrod who excited them to such an affront and contempt of
+God. He was the grandson of Ham, the son of Noah, a bold man, and of
+great strength of hand. He persuaded them not to ascribe it to God, as
+if it was through his means they were happy, but to believe that it was
+their own courage which procured that happiness. He also gradually
+changed the government into tyranny, seeing no other way of turning men
+from the fear of God, but to bring them into a constant dependence on
+his power. He also said he would be revenged on God, if he should have a
+mind to drown the world again; for that he would build a tower too high
+for the waters to be able to reach! and that he would avenge himself on
+God for destroying their forefathers!
+
+3. Now the multitude were very ready to follow the determination of
+Nimrod, and to esteem it a piece of cowardice to submit to God; and they
+built a tower, neither sparing any pains, nor being in any degree
+negligent about the work: and, by reason of the multitude of hands
+employed in it, it grew very high, sooner than any one could expect; but
+the thickness of it was so great, and it was so strongly built, that
+thereby its great height seemed, upon the view, to be less than it
+really was. It was built of burnt brick, cemented together with mortar,
+made of bitumen, that it might not be liable to admit water. When God
+saw that they acted so madly, he did not resolve to destroy them
+utterly, since they were not grown wiser by the destruction of the
+former sinners; but he caused a tumult among them, by producing in them
+divers languages, and causing that, through the multitude of those
+languages, they should not be able to understand one another. The place
+wherein they built the tower is now called Babylon, because of the
+confusion of that language which they readily understood before; for the
+Hebrews mean by the word Babel, confusion. The Sibyl also makes mention
+of this tower, and of the confusion of the language, when she says thus:
+"When all men were of one language, some of them built a high tower, as
+if they would thereby ascend up to heaven, but the gods sent storms of
+wind and overthrew the tower, and gave every one his peculiar language;
+and for this reason it was that the city was called Babylon." But as to
+the plan of Shinar, in the country of Babylonia, Hestiaeus mentions it,
+when he says thus: "Such of the priests as were saved, took the sacred
+vessels of Jupiter Enyalius, and came to Shinar of Babylonia."
+
+
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER 5. After What Manner The Posterity Of Noah Sent Out Colonies,
+And Inhabited The Whole Earth.
+
+1. After this they were dispersed abroad, on account of their languages,
+and went out by colonies every where; and each colony took possession of
+that land which they light upon, and unto which God led them; so that
+the whole continent was filled with them, both the inland and the
+maritime countries. There were some also who passed over the sea in
+ships, and inhabited the islands: and some of those nations do still
+retain the denominations which were given them by their first founders;
+but some have lost them also, and some have only admitted certain
+changes in them, that they might be the more intelligible to the
+inhabitants. And they were the Greeks who became the authors of such
+mutations. For when in after-ages they grew potent, they claimed to
+themselves the glory of antiquity; giving names to the nations that
+sounded well [in Greek] that they might be better understood among
+themselves; and setting agreeable forms of government over them, as if
+they were a people derived from themselves.
+
+
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER 6. How Every Nation Was Denominated From Their First
+Inhabitants.
+
+1. Now they were the grandchildren of Noah, in honor of whom names were
+imposed on the nations by those that first seized upon them. Japhet, the
+son of Noah, had seven sons: they inhabited so, that, beginning at the
+mountains Taurus and Amanus, they proceeded along Asia, as far as the
+river Tansis, and along Europe to Cadiz; and settling themselves on the
+lands which they light upon, which none had inhabited before, they
+called the nations by their own names. For Gomer founded those whom the
+Greeks now call Galatians, [Galls,] but were then called Gomerites.
+Magog founded those that from him were named Magogites, but who are by
+the Greeks called Scythians. Now as to Javan and Madai, the sons of
+Japhet; from Madai came the Madeans, who are called Medes, by the
+Greeks; but from Javan, Ionia, and all the Grecians, are derived. Thobel
+founded the Thobelites, who are now called Iberes; and the Mosocheni
+were founded by Mosoch; now they are Cappadocians. There is also a mark
+of their ancient denomination still to be shown; for there is even now
+among them a city called Mazaca, which may inform those that are able to
+understand, that so was the entire nation once called. Thiras also
+called those whom he ruled over Thirasians; but the Greeks changed the
+name into Thracians. And so many were the countries that had the
+children of Japhet for their inhabitants. Of the three sons of Gomer,
+Aschanax founded the Aschanaxians, who are now called by the Greeks
+Rheginians. So did Riphath found the Ripheans, now called Paphlagonians;
+and Thrugramma the Thrugrammeans, who, as the Greeks resolved, were
+named Phrygians. Of the three sons of Javan also, the son of Japhet,
+Elisa gave name to the Eliseans, who were his subjects; they are now the
+Aeolians. Tharsus to the Tharsians, for so was Cilicia of old called;
+the sign of which is this, that the noblest city they have, and a
+metropolis also, is Tarsus, the tau being by change put for the theta.
+Cethimus possessed the island Cethima: it is now called Cyprus; and from
+that it is that all islands, and the greatest part of the sea-coasts,
+are named Cethim by the Hebrews: and one city there is in Cyprus that
+has been able to preserve its denomination; it has been called Citius by
+those who use the language of the Greeks, and has not, by the use of
+that dialect, escaped the name of Cethim. And so many nations have the
+children and grandchildren of Japhet possessed. Now when I have premised
+somewhat, which perhaps the Greeks do not know, I will return and
+explain what I have omitted; for such names are pronounced here after
+the manner of the Greeks, to please my readers; for our own country
+language does not so pronounce them: but the names in all cases are of
+one and the same ending; for the name we here pronounce Noeas, is there
+Noah, and in every case retains the same termination.
+
+2. The children of Ham possessed the land from Syria and Amanus, and the
+mountains of Libanus; seizing upon all that was on its sea-coasts, and
+as far as the ocean, and keeping it as their own. Some indeed of its
+names are utterly vanished away; others of them being changed, and
+another sound given them, are hardly to be discovered; yet a few there
+are which have kept their denominations entire. For of the four sons of
+Ham, time has not at all hurt the name of Chus; for the Ethiopians, over
+whom he reigned, are even at this day, both by themselves and by all men
+in Asia, called Chusites. The memory also of the Mesraites is preserved
+in their name; for all we who inhabit this country [of Judea] called
+Egypt Mestre, and the Egyptians Mestreans. Phut also was the founder of
+Libya, and called the inhabitants Phutites, from himself: there is also
+a river in the country of Moors which bears that name; whence it is that
+we may see the greatest part of the Grecian historiographers mention
+that river and the adjoining country by the appellation of Phut: but the
+name it has now has been by change given it from one of the sons of
+Mesraim, who was called Lybyos. We will inform you presently what has
+been the occasion why it has been called Africa also. Canaan, the fourth
+son of Ham, inhabited the country now called Judea, and called it from
+his own name Canaan. The children of these [four] were these: Sabas, who
+founded the Sabeans; Evilas, who founded the Evileans, who are called
+Getuli; Sabathes founded the Sabathens, they are now called by the
+Greeks Astaborans; Sabactas settled the Sabactens; and Ragmus the
+Ragmeans; and he had two sons, the one of whom, Judadas, settled the
+Judadeans, a nation of the western Ethiopians, and left them his name;
+as did Sabas to the Sabeans: but Nimrod, the son of Chus, staid and
+tyrannized at Babylon, as we have already informed you. Now all the
+children of Mesraim, being eight in number, possessed the country from
+Gaza to Egypt, though it retained the name of one only, the Philistim;
+for the Greeks call part of that country Palestine. As for the rest,
+Ludieim, and Enemim, and Labim, who alone inhabited in Libya, and called
+the country from himself, Nedim, and Phethrosim, and Chesloim, and
+Cephthorim, we know nothing of them besides their names; for the
+Ethiopic war17 which we shall describe hereafter, was the cause that
+those cities were overthrown. The sons of Canaan were these: Sidonius,
+who also built a city of the same name; it is called by the Greeks Sidon
+Amathus inhabited in Amathine, which is even now called Amathe by the
+inhabitants, although the Macedonians named it Epiphania, from one of
+his posterity: Arudeus possessed the island Aradus: Arucas possessed
+Arce, which is in Libanus. But for the seven others, [Eueus,] Chetteus,
+Jebuseus, Amorreus, Gergesus, Eudeus, Sineus, Samareus, we have nothing
+in the sacred books but their names, for the Hebrews overthrew their
+cities; and their calamities came upon them on the occasion following.
+
+3. Noah, when, after the deluge, the earth was resettled in its former
+condition, set about its cultivation; and when he had planted it with
+vines, and when the fruit was ripe, and he had gathered the grapes in
+their season, and the wine was ready for use, he offered sacrifice, and
+feasted, and, being drunk, he fell asleep, and lay naked in an unseemly
+manner. When his youngest son saw this, he came laughing, and showed him
+to his brethren; but they covered their father's nakedness. And when
+Noah was made sensible of what had been done, he prayed for prosperity
+to his other sons; but for Ham, he did not curse him, by reason of his
+nearness in blood, but cursed his prosperity: and when the rest of them
+escaped that curse, God inflicted it on the children of Canaan. But as
+to these matters, we shall speak more hereafter.
+
+4. Shem, the third son of Noah, had five sons, who inhabited the land
+that began at Euphrates, and reached to the Indian Ocean. For Elam left
+behind him the Elamites, the ancestors of the Persians. Ashur lived at
+the city Nineve; and named his subjects Assyrians, who became the most
+fortunate nation, beyond others. Arphaxad named the Arphaxadites, who
+are now called Chaldeans. Aram had the Aramites, which the Greeks called
+Syrians; as Laud founded the Laudites, which are now called Lydians. Of
+the four sons of Aram, Uz founded Trachonitis and Damascus: this country
+lies between Palestine and Celesyria. Ul founded Armenia; and Gather the
+Bactrians; and Mesa the Mesaneans; it is now called Charax Spasini. Sala
+was the son of Arphaxad; and his son was Heber, from whom they
+originally called the Jews Hebrews. 18 Heber begat Joetan and Phaleg: he
+was called Phaleg, because he was born at the dispersion of the nations
+to their several countries; for Phaleg among the Hebrews signifies
+division. Now Joctan, one of the sons of Heber, had these sons, Elmodad,
+Saleph, Asermoth, Jera, Adoram, Aizel, Decla, Ebal, Abimael, Sabeus,
+Ophir, Euilat, and Jobab. These inhabited from Cophen, an Indian river,
+and in part of Asia adjoining to it. And this shall suffice concerning
+the sons of Shem.
+
+5. I will now treat of the Hebrews. The son of Phaleg, whose father Was
+Heber, was Ragau; whose son was Serug, to whom was born Nahor; his son
+was Terah, who was the father of Abraham, who accordingly was the tenth
+from Noah, and was born in the two hundred and ninety-second year after
+the deluge; for Terah begat Abram in his seventieth year. Nahor begat
+Haran when he was one hundred and twenty years old; Nahor was born to
+Serug in his hundred and thirty-second year; Ragau had Serug at one
+hundred and thirty; at the same age also Phaleg had Ragau; Heber begat
+Phaleg in his hundred and thirty-fourth year; he himself being begotten
+by Sala when he was a hundred and thirty years old, whom Arphaxad had
+for his son at the hundred and thirty-fifth year of his age. Arphaxad
+was the son of Shem, and born twelve years after the deluge. Now Abram
+had two brethren, Nahor and Haran: of these Haran left a son, Lot; as
+also Sarai and Milcha his daughters; and died among the Chaldeans, in a
+city of the Chaldeans, called Ur; and his monument is shown to this day.
+These married their nieces. Nabor married Milcha, and Abram married
+Sarai. Now Terah hating Chaldea, on account of his mourning for Ilaran,
+they all removed to Haran of Mesopotamia, where Terah died, and was
+buried, when he had lived to be two hundred and five years old; for the
+life of man was already, by degrees, diminished, and became shorter than
+before, till the birth of Moses; after whom the term of human life was
+one hundred and twenty years, God determining it to the length that
+Moses happened to live. Now Nahor had eight sons by Milcha; Uz and Buz,
+Kemuel, Chesed, Azau, Pheldas, Jadelph, and Bethuel. These were all the
+genuine sons of Nahor; for Teba, and Gaam, and Tachas, and Maaca, were
+born of Reuma his concubine: but Bethuel had a daughter, Rebecca, and a
+son, Laban.
+
+
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER 7. How Abram Our Forefather Went Out Of The Land Of The
+Chaldeans, And Lived In The Land Then Called Canaan But Now Judea.
+
+1. Now Abram, having no son of his own, adopted Lot, his brother Haran's
+son, and his wife Sarai's brother; and he left the land of Chaldea when
+he was seventy-five years old, and at the command of God went into
+Canaan, and therein he dwelt himself, and left it to his posterity. He
+was a person of great sagacity, both for understanding all things and
+persuading his hearers, and not mistaken in his opinions; for which
+reason he began to have higher notions of virtue than others had, and he
+determined to renew and to change the opinion all men happened then to
+have concerning God; for he was the first that ventured to publish this
+notion, That there was but one God, the Creator of the universe; and
+that, as to other [gods], if they contributed any thing to the happiness
+of men, that each of them afforded it only according to his appointment,
+and not by their own power. This his opinion was derived from the
+irregular phenomena that were visible both at land and sea, as well as
+those that happen to the sun, and moon, and all the heavenly bodies,
+thus:—"If [said he] these bodies had power of their own, they would
+certainly take care of their own regular motions; but since they do not
+preserve such regularity, they make it plain, that in so far as they co-
+operate to our advantage, they do it not of their own abilities, but as
+they are subservient to Him that commands them, to whom alone we ought
+justly to offer our honor and thanksgiving." For which doctrines, when
+the Chaldeans, and other people of Mesopotamia, raised a tumult against
+him, he thought fit to leave that country; and at the command and by the
+assistance of God, he came and lived in the land of Canaan. And when he
+was there settled, he built an altar, and performed a sacrifice to God.
+
+2. Berosus mentions our father Abram without naming him, when he says
+thus: "In the tenth generation after the Flood, there was among the
+Chaldeans a man righteous and great, and skillful in the celestial
+science." But Hecatseus does more than barely mention him; for he
+composed, and left behind him, a book concerning him. And Nicolaus of
+Damascus, in the fourth book of his History, says thus: "Abram reigned
+at Damascus, being a foreigner, who came with an army out of the land
+above Babylon, called the land of the Chaldeans: but, after a long time,
+he got him up, and removed from that country also, with his people, and
+went into the land then called the land of Canaan, but now the land of
+Judea, and this when his posterity were become a multitude; as to which
+posterity of his, we relate their history in another work. Now the name
+of Abram is even still famous in the country of Damascus; and there is
+shown a village named from him, The Habitation of Abram."
+
+
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER 8. That When There Was A Famine In Canaan, Abram Went Thence
+Into Egypt; And After He Had Continued There A While He Returned Back
+Again.
+
+1. Now, after this, when a famine had invaded the land of Canaan, and
+Abram had discovered that the Egyptians were in a flourishing condition,
+he was disposed to go down to them, both to partake of the plenty they
+enjoyed, and to become an auditor of their priests, and to know what
+they said concerning the gods; designing either to follow them, if they
+had better notions than he, or to convert them into a better way, if his
+own notions proved the truest. Now, seeing he was to take Sarai with
+him, and was afraid of the madness of the Egyptians with regard to
+women, lest the king should kill him on occasion of his wife's great
+beauty, he contrived this device:—he pretended to be her brother, and
+directed her in a dissembling way to pretend the same, for he said it
+would be for their benefit. Now, as soon as he came into Egypt, it
+happened to Abram as he supposed it would; for the fame of his wife's
+beauty was greatly talked of; for which reason Pharaoh, the king of
+Egypt, would not be satisfied with what was reported of her, but would
+needs see her himself, and was preparing to enjoy her; but God put a
+stop to his unjust inclinations, by sending upon him a distemper, and a
+sedition against his government. And when he inquired of the priests how
+he might be freed from these calamities, they told him that this his
+miserable condition was derived from the wrath of God, upon account of
+his inclinations to abuse the stranger's wife. He then, out of fear,
+asked Sarai who she was, and who it was that she brought along with her.
+And when he had found out the truth, he excused himself to Abram, that
+supposing the woman to be his sister, and not his wife, he set his
+affections on her, as desiring an affinity with him by marrying her, but
+not as incited by lust to abuse her. He also made him a large present in
+money, and gave him leave to enter into conversation with the most
+learned among the Egyptians; from which conversation his virtue and his
+reputation became more conspicuous than they had been before.
+
+2. For whereas the Egyptians were formerly addicted to different
+customs, and despised one another's sacred and accustomed rites, and
+were very angry one with another on that account, Abram conferred with
+each of them, and, confuting the reasonings they made use of, every one
+for their own practices, demonstrated that such reasonings were vain and
+void of truth: whereupon he was admired by them in those conferences as
+a very wise man, and one of great sagacity, when he discoursed on any
+subject he undertook; and this not only in understanding it, but in
+persuading other men also to assent to him. He communicated to them
+arithmetic, and delivered to them the science of astronomy; for before
+Abram came into Egypt they were unacquainted with those parts of
+learning; for that science came from the Chaldeans into Egypt, and from
+thence to the Greeks also.
+
+3. As soon as Abram was come back into Canaan, he parted the land
+between him and Lot, upon account of the tumultuous behavior of their
+shepherds, concerning the pastures wherein they should feed their
+flocks. However, he gave Lot his option, or leave, to choose which lands
+he would take; and he took himself what the other left, which were the
+lower grounds at the foot of the mountains; and he himself dwelt in
+Hebron, which is a city seven years more ancient than Tunis of Egypt.
+But Lot possessed the land of the plain, and the river Jordan, not far
+from the city of Sodom, which was then a fine city, but is now
+destroyed, by the will and wrath of God, the cause of which I shall show
+in its proper place hereafter.
+
+
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER 9. The Destruction Of The Sodomites By The Assyrian War.
+
+At this time, when the Assyrians had the dominion over Asia, the people
+of Sodom were in a flourishing condition, both as to riches and the
+number of their youth. There were five kings that managed the affairs of
+this county: Ballas, Barsas, Senabar, and Sumobor, with the king of
+Bela; and each king led on his own troops: and the Assyrians made war
+upon them; and, dividing their army into four parts, fought against
+them. Now every part of the army had its own commander; and when the
+battle was joined, the Assyrians were conquerors, and imposed a tribute
+on the kings of the Sodomites, who submitted to this slavery twelve
+years; and so long they continued to pay their tribute: but on the
+thirteenth year they rebelled, and then the army of the Assyrians came
+upon them, under their commanders Amraphel, Arioch, Chodorlaomer, and
+Tidal. These kings had laid waste all Syria, and overthrown the
+offspring of the giants. And when they were come over against Sodom,
+they pitched their camp at the vale called the Slime Pits, for at that
+time there were pits in that place; but now, upon the destruction of the
+city of Sodom, that vale became the Lake Asphaltites, as it is called.
+However, concerning this lake we shall speak more presently. Now when
+the Sodomites joined battle with the Assyrians, and the fight was very
+obstinate, many of them were killed, and the rest were carried captive;
+among which captives was Lot, who had come to assist the Sodomites.
+
+
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER 10. How Abram Fought With The Assyrians, And Overcame Them, And
+Saved The Sodomite Prisoners, And Took From The Assyrians The Prey They
+Had Gotten.
+
+1. When, Abram heard of their calamity, he was at once afraid for Lot
+his kinsman, and pitied the Sodomites, his friends and neighbors; and
+thinking it proper to afford them assistance, he did not delay it, but
+marched hastily, and the fifth night fell upon the Assyrians, near Dan,
+for that is the name of the other spring of Jordan; and before they
+could arm themselves, he slew some as they were in their beds, before
+they could suspect any harm; and others, who were not yet gone to sleep,
+but were so drunk they could not fight, ran away. Abram pursued after
+them, till, on the second day, he drove them in a body unto Hoba, a
+place belonging to Damascus; and thereby demonstrated that victory does
+not depend on multitude and the number of hands, but the alacrity and
+courage of soldiers overcome the most numerous bodies of men, while he
+got the victory over so great an army with no more than three hundred
+and eighteen of his servants, and three of his friends: but all those
+that fled returned home ingloriously.
+
+2. So Abram, when he had saved the captive Sodomites, who had been taken
+by the Assyrians, and Lot also, his kinsman, returned home in peace. Now
+the king of Sodom met him at a certain place, which they called The
+King's Dale, where Melchisedec, king of the city Salem, received him.
+That name signifies, the righteous king: and such he was, without
+dispute, insomuch that, on this account, he was made the priest of God:
+however, they afterward called Salem Jerusalem. Now this Melchisedec
+supplied Abram's army in an hospitable manner, and gave them provisions
+in abundance; and as they were feasting, he began to praise him, and to
+bless God for subduing his enemies under him. And when Abram gave him
+the tenth part of his prey, he accepted of the gift: but the king of
+Sodom desired Abram to take the prey, but entreated that he might have
+those men restored to him whom Abram had saved from the Assyrians,
+because they belonged to him. But Abram would not do so; nor would make
+any other advantage of that prey than what his servants had eaten; but
+still insisted that he should afford a part to his friends that had
+assisted him in the battle. The first of them was called Eschol, and
+then Enner, and Mambre.
+
+3. And God commended his virtue, and said, Thou shalt not however lose
+the rewards thou hast deserved to receive by such thy glorious actions.
+He answered, And what advantage will it be to me to have such rewards,
+when I have none to enjoy them after me?—for he was hitherto childless.
+And God promised that he should have a son, and that his posterity
+should be very numerous; insomuch that their number should be like the
+stars. When he heard that, he offered a sacrifice to God, as he
+commanded him. The manner of the sacrifice was this:—He took an heifer
+of three years old, and a she-goat of three years old, and a ram in like
+manner of three years old, and a turtle-dove, and a pigeon 19 and as he
+was enjoined, he divided the three former, but the birds he did not
+divide. After which, before he built his altar, where the birds of prey
+flew about, as desirous of blood, a Divine voice came to him, declaring
+that their neighbors would be grievous to his posterity, when they
+should be in Egypt, for four hundred years; 20 during which time they
+should be afflicted, but afterwards should overcome their enemies,
+should conquer the Canaanites in war, and possess themselves of their
+land, and of their cities.
+
+4. Now Abram dwelt near the oak called Ogyges,—the place belongs to
+Canaan, not far from the city of Hebron. But being uneasy at his wife's
+barrenness, he entreated God to grant that he might have male issue; and
+God required of him to be of good courage, and said that he would add to
+all the rest of the benefits that he had bestowed upon him, ever since
+he led him out of Mesopotamia, the gift of children. Accordingly Sarai,
+at God's command, brought to his bed one of her handmaidens, a woman of
+Egyptian descent, in order to obtain children by her; and when this
+handmaid was with child, she triumphed, and ventured to affront Sarai,
+as if the dominion were to come to a son to be born of her. But when
+Abram resigned her into the hand of Sarai, to punish her, she contrived
+to fly away, as not able to bear the instances of Sarai's severity to
+her; and she entreated God to have compassion on her. Now a Divine Angel
+met her, as she was going forward in the wilderness, and bid her return
+to her master and mistress, for if she would submit to that wise advice,
+she would live better hereafter; for that the reason of her being in
+such a miserable case was this, that she had been ungrateful and
+arrogant towards her mistress. He also told her, that if she disobeyed
+God, and went on still in her way, she should perish; but if she would
+return back, she should become the mother of a son who should reign over
+that country. These admonitions she obeyed, and returned to her master
+and mistress, and obtained forgiveness. A little while afterwards, she
+bare Ismael; which may be interpreted Heard of God, because God had
+heard his mother's prayer.
+
+5. The forementioned son was born to Abram when he was eighty-six years
+old: but when he was ninety-nine, God appeared to him, and promised him
+that he Should have a son by Sarai, and commanded that his name should
+be Isaac; and showed him, that from this son should spring great nations
+and kings, and that they should obtain all the land of Canaan by war,
+from Sidon to Egypt. But he charged him, in order to keep his posterity
+unmixed with others, that they should be circumcised in the flesh of
+their foreskin, and that this should be done on the eighth day after
+they were born: the reason of which circumcision I will explain in
+another place. And Abram inquiring also concerning Ismael, whether he
+should live or not, God signified to him that he should live to be very
+old, and should be the father of great nations. Abram therefore gave
+thanks to God for these blessings; and then he, and all his family, and
+his son Ismael, were circumcised immediately; the son being that day
+thirteen years of age, and he ninety-nine.
+
+
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER 11. How God Overthrew The Nation Of The Sodomites, Out Of His
+Wrath Against Them For Their Sins.
+
+1. About this time the Sodomites grew proud, on account of their riches
+and great wealth; they became unjust towards men, and impious towards
+God, insomuch that they did not call to mind the advantages they
+received from him: they hated strangers, and abused themselves with
+Sodomitical practices. God was therefore much displeased at them, and
+determined to punish them for their pride, and to overthrow their city,
+and to lay waste their country, until there should neither plant nor
+fruit grow out of it.
+
+2. When God had thus resolved concerning the Sodomites, Abraham, as he
+sat by the oak of Mambre, at the door of his tent, saw three angels; and
+thinking them to be strangers, he rose up, and saluted them, and desired
+they would accept of an entertainment, and abide with him; to which,
+when they agreed, he ordered cakes of meal to be made presently; and
+when he had slain a calf, he roasted it, and brought it to them, as they
+sat under the oak. Now they made a show of eating; and besides, they
+asked him about his wife Sarah, where she was; and when he said she was
+within, they said they would come again hereafter, and find her become a
+mother. Upon which the woman laughed, and said that it was impossible
+she should bear children, since she was ninety years of age, and her
+husband was a hundred. Then they concealed themselves no longer, but
+declared that they were angels of God; and that one of them was sent to
+inform them about the child, and two of the overthrow of Sodom.
+
+3. When Abraham heard this, he was grieved for the Sodomites; and he
+rose up, and besought God for them, and entreated him that he would not
+destroy the righteous with the wicked. And when God had replied that
+there was no good man among the Sodomites; for if there were but ten
+such man among them, he would not punish any of them for their sins,
+Abraham held his peace. And the angels came to the city of the
+Sodomites, and Lot entreated them to accept of a lodging with him; for
+he was a very generous and hospitable man, and one that had learned to
+imitate the goodness of Abraham. Now when the Sodomites saw the young
+men to be of beautiful countenances, and this to an extraordinary
+degree, and that they took up their lodgings with Lot, they resolved
+themselves to enjoy these beautiful boys by force and violence; and when
+Lot exhorted them to sobriety, and not to offer any thing immodest to
+the strangers, but to have regard to their lodging in his house; and
+promised that if their inclinations could not be governed, he would
+expose his daughters to their lust, instead of these strangers; neither
+thus were they made ashamed.
+
+4. But God was much displeased at their impudent behavior, so that he
+both smote those men with blindness, and condemned the Sodomites to
+universal destruction. But Lot, upon God's informing him of the future
+destruction of the Sodomites, went away, taking with him his wife and
+daughters, who were two, and still virgins; for those that were
+betrothed 21 to them were above the thoughts of going, and deemed that
+Lot's words were trifling. God then cast a thunderbolt upon the city,
+and set it on fire, with its inhabitants; and laid waste the country
+with the like burning, as I formerly said when I wrote the Jewish War.
+22 But Lot's wife continually turning back to view the city as she went
+from it, and being too nicely inquisitive what would become of it,
+although God had forbidden her so to do, was changed into a pillar of
+salt;23 for I have seen it, and it remains at this day. Now he and his
+daughters fled to a certain small place, encompassed with the fire, and
+settled in it: it is to this day called Zoar, for that is the word which
+the Hebrews use for a small thing. There it was that he lived a
+miserable life, on account of his having no company, and his want of
+provisions.
+
+5. But his daughters, thinking that all mankind were destroyed,
+approached to their father, 24 though taking care not to be perceived.
+This they did, that human kind might not utterly fail: and they bare
+sons; the son of the elder was named Moab, Which denotes one derived
+from his father; the younger bare Ammon, which name denotes one derived
+from a kinsman. The former of whom was the father of the Moabites, which
+is even still a great nation; the latter was the father of the
+Ammonites; and both of them are inhabitants of Celesyria. And such was
+the departure of Lot from among the Sodomites.
+
+
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER 12. Concerning Abimelech; And Concerning Ismael The Son Of
+Abraham; And Concerning The Arabians, Who Were His Posterity.
+
+1. Abraham now removed to Gerar of Palestine, leading Sarah along with
+him, under the notion of his sister, using the like dissimulation that
+he had used before, and this out of fear: for he was afraid of
+Abimelech, the king of that country, who did also himself fall in love
+with Sarah, and was disposed to corrupt her; but he was restrained from
+satisfying his lust by a dangerous distemper which befell him from God.
+Now when his physicians despaired of curing him, he fell asleep, and saw
+a dream, warning him not to abuse the stranger's wife; and when he
+recovered, he told his friends that God had inflicted that disease upon
+him, by way of punishment, for his injury to the stranger; and in order
+to preserve the chastity of his wife, for that she did not accompany him
+as his sister, but as his legitimate wife; and that God had promised to
+be gracious to him for the time to come, if this person be once secure
+of his wife's chastity. When he had said this, by the advice of his
+friends, he sent for Abraham, and bid him not to be concerned about his
+wife, or fear the corruption of her chastity; for that God took care of
+him, and that it was by his providence that he received his wife again,
+without her suffering any abuse. And he appealed to God, and to his
+wife's conscience; and said that he had not any inclination at first to
+enjoy her, if he had known she was his wife; but since, said he, thou
+leddest her about as thy sister, I was guilty of no offense. He also
+entreated him to be at peace with him, and to make God propitious to
+him; and that if he thought fit to continue with him, he should have
+what he wanted in abundance; but that if he designed to go away, he
+should be honorably conducted, and have whatsoever supply he wanted when
+he came thither. Upon his saying this, Abraham told him that his
+pretense of kindred to his wife was no lie, because she was his
+brother's daughter; and that he did not think himself safe in his
+travels abroad, without this sort of dissimulation; and that he was not
+the cause of his distemper, but was only solicitous for his own safety:
+he said also, that he was ready to stay with him. Whereupon Abimelech
+assigned him land and money; and they coventanted to live together
+without guile, and took an oath at a certain well called Beersheba,
+which may be interpreted, The Well of the Oath: and so it is named by
+the people of the country unto this day.
+
+2. Now in a little time Abraham had a son by Sarah, as God had foretold
+to him, whom he named Isaac, which signifies Laughter. And indeed they
+so called him, because Sarah laughed when God 25 said that she should
+bear a son, she not expecting such a thing, as being past the age of
+child-bearing, for she was ninety years old, and Abraham a hundred; so
+that this son was born to them both in the last year of each of those
+decimal numbers. And they circumcised him upon the eighth day and from
+that time the Jews continue the custom of circumcising their sons within
+that number of days. But as for the Arabians, they circumcise after the
+thirteenth year, because Ismael, the founder of their nation, who was
+born to Abraham of the concubine, was circumcised at that age;
+concerning whom I will presently give a particular account, with great
+exactness.
+
+3. As for Sarah, she at first loved Ismael, who was born of her own
+handmaid Hagar, with an affection not inferior to that of her own son,
+for he was brought up in order to succeed in the government; but when
+she herself had borne Isaac, she was not willing that Ismael should be
+brought up with him, as being too old for him, and able to do him
+injuries when their father should be dead; she therefore persuaded
+Abraham to send him and his mother to some distant country. Now, at the
+first, he did not agree to what Sarah was so zealous for, and thought it
+an instance of the greatest barbarity, to send away a young child 26 and
+a woman unprovided of necessaries; but at length he agreed to it,
+because God was pleased with what Sarah had determined: so he delivered
+Ismael to his mother, as not yet able to go by himself; and commanded
+her to take a bottle of water, and a loaf of bread, and so to depart,
+and to take Necessity for her guide. But as soon as her necessary
+provisions failed, she found herself in an evil case; and when the water
+was almost spent, she laid the young child, who was ready to expire,
+under a fig-tree, and went on further, that so he might die while she
+was absent. But a Divine Angel came to her, and told her of a fountain
+hard by, and bid her take care, and bring up the child, because she
+should be very happy by the preservation of Ismael. She then took
+courage, upon the prospect of what was promised her, and, meeting with
+some shepherds, by their care she got clear of the distresses she had
+been in.
+
+4. When the lad was grown up, he married a wife, by birth an Egyptian,
+from whence the mother was herself derived originally. Of this wife were
+born to Ismael twelve sons; Nabaioth, Kedar, Abdeel, Mabsam, Idumas,
+Masmaos, Masaos, Chodad, Theman, Jetur, Naphesus, Cadmas. These
+inhabited all the country from Euphrates to the Red Sea, and called it
+Nabatene. They are an Arabian nation, and name their tribes from these,
+both because of their own virtue, and because of the dignity of Abraham
+their father.
+
+
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER 13. Concerning Isaac The Legitimate Son Of Abraham.
+
+1. Now Abraham greatly loved Isaac, as being his only begotten 27 and
+given to him at the borders of old age, by the favor of God. The child
+also endeared himself to his parents still more, by the exercise of
+every virtue, and adhering to his duty to his parents, and being zealous
+in the worship of God. Abraham also placed his own happiness in this
+prospect, that, when he should die, he should leave this his son in a
+safe and secure condition; which accordingly he obtained by the will of
+God: who being desirous to make an experiment of Abraham's religious
+disposition towards himself, appeared to him, and enumerated all the
+blessings he had bestowed on him; how he had made him superior to his
+enemies; and that his son Isaac, who was the principal part of his
+present happiness, was derived from him; and he said that he required
+this son of his as a sacrifice and holy oblation. Accordingly he
+commanded him to carry him to the mountain Moriah, and to build an
+altar, and offer him for a burnt-offering upon it for that this would
+best manifest his religious disposition towards him, if he preferred
+what was pleasing to God, before the preservation of his own son.
+
+2. Now Abraham thought that it was not right to disobey God in any
+thing, but that he was obliged to serve him in every circumstance of
+life, since all creatures that live enjoy their life by his providence,
+and the kindness he bestows on them. Accordingly he concealed this
+command of God, and his own intentions about the slaughter of his son,
+from his wife, as also from every one of his servants, otherwise he
+should have been hindered from his obedience to God; and he took Isaac,
+together with two of his servants, and laying what things were necessary
+for a sacrifice upon an ass, he went away to the mountain. Now the two
+servants went along with him two days; but on the third day, as soon as
+he saw the mountain, he left those servants that were with him till then
+in the plain, and, having his son alone with him, he came to the
+mountain. It was that mountain upon which king David afterwards built
+the temple. 28 Now they had brought with them every thing necessary for
+a sacrifice, excepting the animal that was to be offered only. Now Isaac
+was twenty-five years old. And as he was building the altar, he asked
+his father what he was about to offer, since there was no animal there
+for an oblation:—to which it was answered, "That God would provide
+himself an oblation, he being able to make a plentiful provision for men
+out of what they have not, and to deprive others of what they already
+have, when they put too much trust therein; that therefore, if God
+pleased to be present and propitious at this sacrifice, he would provide
+himself an oblation."
+
+3. As soon as the altar was prepared, and Abraham had laid on the wood,
+and all things were entirely ready, he said to his son, "O son, I poured
+out a vast number of prayers that I might have thee for my son; when
+thou wast come into the world, there was nothing that could contribute
+to thy support for which I was not greatly solicitous, nor any thing
+wherein I thought myself happier than to see thee grown up to man's
+estate, and that I might leave thee at my death the successor to my
+dominion; but since it was by God's will that I became thy father, and
+it is now his will that I relinquish thee, bear this consecration to God
+with a generous mind; for I resign thee up to God who has thought fit
+now to require this testimony of honor to himself, on account of the
+favors he hath conferred on me, in being to me a supporter and defender.
+Accordingly thou, my son, wilt now die, not in any common way of going
+out of the world, but sent to God, the Father of all men, beforehand, by
+thy own father, in the nature of a sacrifice. I suppose he thinks thee
+worthy to get clear of this world neither by disease, neither by war,
+nor by any other severe way, by which death usually comes upon men, but
+so that he will receive thy soul with prayers and holy offices of
+religion, and will place thee near to himself, and thou wilt there be to
+me a succorer and supporter in my old age; on which account I
+principally brought thee up, and thou wilt thereby procure me God for my
+Comforter instead of thyself."
+
+4. Now Isaac was of such a generous disposition as became the son of
+such a father, and was pleased with this discourse; and said, "That he
+was not worthy to be born at first, if he should reject the
+determination of God and of his father, and should not resign himself up
+readily to both their pleasures; since it would have been unjust if he
+had not obeyed, even if his father alone had so resolved." So he went
+immediately to the altar to be sacrificed. And the deed had been done if
+God had not opposed it; for he called loudly to Abraham by his name, and
+forbade him to slay his son; and said, "It was not out of a desire of
+human blood that he was commanded to slay his son, nor was he willing
+that he should be taken away from him whom he had made his father, but
+to try the temper of his mind, whether he would be obedient to such a
+command. Since therefore he now was satisfied as to that his alacrity,
+and the surprising readiness he showed in this his piety, he was
+delighted in having bestowed such blessings upon him; and that he would
+not be wanting in all sort of concern about him, and in bestowing other
+children upon him; and that his son should live to a very great age;
+that he should live a happy life, and bequeath a large principality to
+his children, who should be good and legitimate." He foretold also, that
+his family should increase into many nations 29 and that those
+patriarchs should leave behind them an everlasting name; that they
+should obtain the possession of the land of Canaan, and be envied by all
+men. When God had said this, he produced to them a ram, which did not
+appear before, for the sacrifice. So Abraham and Isaac receiving each
+other unexpectedly, and having obtained the promises of such great
+blessings, embraced one another; and when they had sacrificed, they
+returned to Sarah, and lived happily together, God affording them his
+assistance in all things they desired.
+
+
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER 14. Concerning Sarah Abraham's Wife; And How She Ended Her Days.
+
+Now Sarah died a little while after, having lived one hundred and
+twenty-seven years. They buried her in Hebron; the Canaanites publicly
+allowing them a burying-place; which piece of ground Abraham bought for
+four hundred shekels, of Ephron, an inhabitant of Hebron. And both
+Abraham and his descendants built themselves sepulchers in that place.
+
+
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER 15. How The Nation Of The Troglodytes Were Derived From Abraham
+By Keturah.
+
+Abraham after this married Keturah, by whom six sons were born to him,
+men of courage, and of sagacious minds: Zambran, and Jazar, and Madan,
+and Madian, and Josabak, and Sous. Now the sons of Sous were Sabathan
+and Dadan. The sons of Dadan were Latusim, and Assur, and Luom. The sons
+of Madiau were Ephas, and Ophren, and Anoch, and Ebidas, and Eldas. Now,
+for all these sons and grandsons, Abraham contrived to settle them in
+colonies; and they took possession of Troglodytis, and the country of
+Arabia the Happy, as far as it reaches to the Red Sea. It is related of
+this Ophren, that he made war against Libya, and took it, and that his
+grandchildren, when they inhabited it, called it [from his name] Africa.
+And indeed Alexander Polyhistor gives his attestation to what I here
+say; who speaks thus: "Cleodemus the prophet, who was also called
+Malchus, who wrote a History of the Jews, in agreement with the History
+of Moses, their legislator, relates, that there were many sons born to
+Abraham by Keturah: nay, he names three of them, Apher, and Surim, and
+Japhran. That from Surim was the land of Assyria denominated; and that
+from the other two [Apher and Japbran] the country of Africa took its
+name, because these men were auxiliaries to Hercules, when he fought
+against Libya and Antaeus; and that Hercules married Aphra's daughter,
+and of her he begat a son, Diodorus; and that Sophon was his son, from
+whom that barbarous people called Sophacians were denominated."
+
+
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER 16. How Isaac Took Rebeka To Wife.
+
+1. Now when Abraham, the father of Isaac, had resolved to take Rebeka,
+who was grand-daughter to his brother Nahor, for a wife to his son
+Isaac, who was then about forty years old, he sent the ancientest of his
+servants to betroth her, after he had obliged him to give him the
+strongest assurances of his fidelity; which assurances were given after
+the manner following:—They put each other's hands under each other's
+thighs; then they called upon God as the witness of what was to be done.
+He also sent such presents to those that were there as were in esteem,
+on account that that they either rarely or never were seen in that
+country, The servant got thither not under a considerable time; for it
+requires much time to pass through Meopotamia, in which it is tedious
+traveling, both in the winter for the depth of the clay, and in summer
+for want of water; and, besides this, for the robberies there committed,
+which are not to be avoided by travelers but by caution beforehand.
+However, the servant came to Haran; and when he was in the suburbs, he
+met a considerable number of maidens going to the water; he therefore
+prayed to God that Rebeka might be found among them, or her whom Abraham
+sent him as his servant to espouse to his son, in case his will were
+that this marriage should be consummated, and that she might be made
+known to him by the sign, That while others denied him water to drink,
+she might give it him.
+
+2. With this intention he went to the well, and desired the maidens to
+give him some water to drink: but while the others refused, on pretense
+that they wanted it all at home, and could spare none for him, one only
+of the company rebuked them for their peevish behavior towards the
+stranger; and said, What is there that you will ever communicate to
+anybody, who have not so much as given the man some water? She then
+offered him water in an obliging manner. And now he began to hope that
+his grand affair would succeed; but desiring still to know the truth, he
+commended her for her generosity and good nature, that she did not
+scruple to afford a sufficiency of water to those that wanted it, though
+it cost her some pains to draw it; and asked who were her parents, and
+wished them joy of such a daughter. "And mayst thou be espoused," said
+he, "to their satisfaction, into the family of an agreeable husband, and
+bring him legitimate children." Nor did she disdain to satisfy his
+inquiries, but told him her family. "They," says she, "call me Rebeka;
+my father was Bethuel, but he is dead; and Laban is my brother; and,
+together with my mother, takes care of all our family affairs, and is
+the guardian of my virginity." When the servant heard this, he was very
+glad at what had happened, and at what was told him, as perceiving that
+God had thus plainly directed his journey; and producing his bracelets,
+and some other ornaments which it was esteemed decent for virgins to
+wear, he gave them to the damsel, by way of acknowledgment, and as a
+reward for her kindness in giving him water to drink; saying, it was but
+just that she should have them, because she was so much more obliging
+than any of the rest. She desired also that he would come and lodge with
+them, since the approach of the night gave him not time to proceed
+farther. And producing his precious ornaments for women, he said he
+desired to trust them to none more safely than to such as she had shown
+herself to be; and that he believed he might guess at the humanity of
+her mother and brother, that they would not be displeased, from the
+virtue he found in her; for he would not be burdensome, but would pay
+the hire for his entertainment, and spend his own money. To which she
+replied, that he guessed right as to the humanity of her parents; but
+complained that he should think them so parsimonious as to take money,
+for that he should have all on free cost. But she said she would first
+inform her brother Laban, and, if he gave her leave, she would conduct
+him in.
+
+3. As soon then as this was over, she introduced the stranger; and for
+the camels, the servants of Laban brought them in, and took care of
+them; and he was himself brought in to supper by Laban. And, after
+supper, he says to him, and to the mother of the damsel, addressing
+himself to her, "Abraham is the son of Terah, and a kinsman of yours;
+for Nahor, the grandfather of these children, was the brother of
+Abraham, by both father and mother; upon which account he hath sent me
+to you, being desirous to take this damsel for his son to wife. He is
+his legitimate son, and is brought up as his only heir. He could indeed
+have had the most happy of all the women in that country for him, but he
+would not have his son marry any of them; but, out of regard to his own
+relations, he desired him to match here, whose affection and inclination
+I would not have you despise; for it was by the good pleasure of God
+that other accidents fell out in my journey, and that thereby I lighted
+upon your daughter and your house; for when I was near to the city, I
+saw a great many maidens coming to a well, and I prayed that I might
+meet with this damsel, which has come to pass accordingly. Do you
+therefore confirm that marriage, whose espousals have been already made
+by a Divine appearance; and show the respect you have for Abraham, who
+hath sent me with so much solicitude, in giving your consent to the
+marriage of this damsel." Upon this they understood it to be the will of
+God, and greatly approved of the offer, and sent their daughter, as was
+desired. Accordingly Isaac married her, the inheritance being now come
+to him; for the children by Keturah were gone to their own remote
+habitations.
+
+
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER 17. Concerning The Death Of Abraham.
+
+A Little while after this Abraham died. He was a man of incomparable
+virtue, and honored by God in a manner agreeable to his piety towards
+him. The whole time of his life was one hundred seventy and five years,
+and he was buried in Hebron, with his wife Sarah, by their sons Isaac
+and Ismael.
+
+
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER 18. Concerning The Sons Of Isaac, Esau And Jacob; Of Their
+Nativity And Education.
+
+1. Now Isaac's wife proved with child, after the death of Abraham; 30
+and when her belly was greatly burdened, Isaac was very anxious, and
+inquired of God; who answered, that Rebeka should bear twins; and that
+two nations should take the names of those sons; and that he who
+appeared the second should excel the elder. Accordingly she, in a little
+time, as God had foretold, bare twins; the elder of whom, from his head
+to his feet, was very rough and hairy; but the younger took hold of his
+heel as they were in the birth. Now the father loved the elder, who was
+called Esau, a name agreeable to his roughness, for the Hebrews call
+such a hairy roughness [Esau, 31 or] Seir; but Jacob the younger was
+best beloved by his mother.
+
+2. When there was a famine in the land, Isaac resolved to go into Egypt,
+the land there being good; but he went to Gerar, as God commanded him.
+Here Abimelech the king received him, because Abraham had formerly lived
+with him, and had been his friend. And as in the beginning he treated
+him exceeding kindly, so he was hindered from continuing in the same
+disposition to the end, by his envy at him; for when he saw that God was
+with Isaac, and took such great care of him, he drove him away from him.
+But Isaac, when he saw how envy had changed the temper of Abimelech
+retired to a place called the Valley, not far from Gerar: and as he was
+digging a well, the shepherds fell upon him, and began to fight, in
+order to hinder the work; and because he did not desire to contend, the
+shepherds seemed to get the him, so he still retired, and dug another
+and when certain other shepherds of Abimelech began to offer him
+violence, he left that also, still retired, thus purchasing security to
+himself a rational and prudent conduct. At length they gave him leave to
+dig a well without disturbance. He named this well Rehoboth, which
+denotes a large space; but of the former wells, one was called Escon,
+which denotes strife, the other Sitenna, name signifies enmity.
+
+3. It was now that Isaac's affairs increased, and in a flourishing
+condition; and this his great riches. But Abimelech, thinking in
+opposition to him, while their living made them suspicious of each
+other, and retiring showing a secret enmity also, he afraid that his
+former friendship with Isaac would not secure him, if Isaac should
+endeavor the injuries he had formerly offered him; he therefore renewed
+his friendship with him, Philoc, one of his generals. And when he had
+obtained every thing he desired, by reason of Isaac's good nature, who
+preferred the earlier friendship Abimelech had shown to himself and his
+father to his later wrath against him, he returned home.
+
+4. Now when Esau, one of the sons of Isaac, whom the father principally
+loved, was now come to the age of forty years, he married Adah, the
+daughter of Helon, and Aholibamah, the daughter of Esebeon; which Helon
+and Esebeon were great lords among the Canaanites: thereby taking upon
+himself the authority, and pretending to have dominion over his own
+marriages, without so much as asking the advice of his father; for had
+Isaac been the arbitrator, he had not given him leave to marry thus, for
+he was not pleased with contracting any alliance with the people of that
+country; but not caring to be uneasy to his son by commanding him to put
+away these wives, he resolved to be silent.
+
+5. But when he was old, and could not see at all, he called Esau to him,
+and told him, that besides his blindness, and the disorder of his eyes,
+his very old age hindered him from his worship of God [by sacrifice]; he
+bid him therefore to go out a hunting, and when he had caught as much
+venison as he could, to prepare him a supper 32 that after this he might
+make supplication to God, to be to him a supporter and an assister
+during the whole time of his life; saying, that it was uncertain when he
+should die, and that he was desirous, by prayers for him, to procure,
+beforehand, God to be merciful to him.
+
+6. Accordingly, Esau went out a hunting. But Rebeka 33 thinking it
+proper to have the supplication made for obtaining the favor of God to
+Jacob, and that without the consent of Isaac, bid him kill kids of the
+goats, and prepare a supper. So Jacob obeyed his mother, according to
+all her instructions. Now when the supper was got ready, he took a
+goat's skin, and put it about his arm, that by reason of its hairy
+roughness, he might by his father be believed to be Esau; for they being
+twins, and in all things else alike, differed only in this thing. This
+was done out of his fear, that before his father had made his
+supplications, he should be caught in his evil practice, and lest he
+should, on the contrary, provoke his father to curse him. So he brought
+in the supper to his father. Isaac perceivest to be Esau. So suspecting
+no deceit, he ate the supper, and betook himself to his prayers and
+intercessions with God; and said, "O Lord of all ages, and Creator of
+all substance; for it was thou that didst propose to my father great
+plenty of good things, and hast vouchsafed to bestow on me what I have;
+and hast promised to my posterity to be their kind supporter, and to
+bestow on them still greater blessings; do thou therefore confirm these
+thy promises, and do not overlook me, because of my present weak
+condition, on account of which I most earnestly pray to thee. Be
+gracious to this my son; and preserve him and keep him from every thing
+that is evil. Give him a happy life, and the possession of as many good
+things as thy power is able to bestow. Make him terrible to his enemies,
+and honorable and beloved among his friends."
+
+7. Thus did Isaac pray to God, thinking his prayers had been made for
+Esau. He had but just finished them, when Esau came in from hunting. And
+when Isaac perceived his mistake, he was silent: but Esau required that
+he might be made partaker of the like blessing from his father that his
+brother had partook of; but his father refused it, because all his
+prayers had been spent upon Jacob: so Esau lamented the mistake.
+However, his father being grieved at his weeping, said, that "he should
+excel in hunting and strength of body, in arms, and all such sorts of
+work; and should obtain glory for ever on those accounts, he and his
+posterity after him; but still should serve his brother."
+
+8. Now the mother delivered Jacob, when she was afraid that his brother
+would inflict some punishment upon him because of the mistake about the
+prayers of Isaac; for she persuaded her husband to take a wife for Jacob
+out of Mesopotamia, of her own kindred, Esau having married already
+Basemmath, the daughter of Ismael, without his father's consent; for
+Isaac did not like the Canaanites, so that he disapproved of Esau's
+former marriages, which made him take Basemmath to wife, in order to
+please him; and indeed he had a great affection for her.
+
+
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER 19. Concerning Jacob's Flight Into Mesopotamia, By Reason Of The
+Fear He Was In Of His Brother.
+
+1. Now Jacob was sent by his mother to Mesopotamia, in order to marry
+Laban her brother's daughter [which marriage was permitted by Isaac, on
+account of his obsequiousness to the desires of his wife]; and he
+accordingly journeyed through the land of Canaan; and because he hated
+the people of that country, he would not lodge with any of them, but
+took up his lodging in the open air, and laid his head on a heap of
+stones that he had gathered together. At which time he saw in his sleep
+such a vision standing by him:—he seemed to see a ladder that reached
+from the earth unto heaven, and persons descending upon the ladder that
+seemed more excellent than human; and at last God himself stood above
+it, and was plainly visible to him, who, calling him by his name, spake
+to him in these words:—
+
+2. "O Jacob, it is not fit for thee, who art the son of a good father,
+and grandson of one who had obtained a great reputation for his eminent
+virtue, to be dejected at thy present circumstances, but to hope for
+better times, for thou shalt have great abundance of all good things, by
+my assistance: for I brought Abraham hither, out of Mesopotamia, when he
+was driven away by his kinsmen, and I made thy father a happy man, nor
+will I bestow a lesser degree of happiness on thyself: be of good
+courage, therefore, and under my conduct proceed on this thy journey,
+for the marriage thou goest so zealously about shall be consummated. And
+thou shalt have children of good characters, but their multitude shall
+be innumerable; and they shall leave what they have to a still more
+numerous posterity, to whom, and to whose posterity, I give the dominion
+of all the land, and their posterity shall fill the entire earth and
+sea, so far as the sun beholds them: but do not thou fear any danger,
+nor be afraid of the many labors thou must undergo, for by my providence
+I will direct thee what thou art to do in the time present, and still
+much more in the time to come."
+
+3. Such were the predictions which God made to Jacob; whereupon he
+became very joyful at what he had seen and heard; and he poured oil on
+the stones, because on them the prediction of such great benefits was
+made. He also vowed a vow, that he would offer sacrifices upon them, if
+he lived and returned safe; and if he came again in such a condition, he
+would give the tithe of what he had gotten to God. He also judged the
+place to be honorable and gave it the name of Bethel, which, in the
+Greek, is interpreted, The House of God.
+
+4. So he proceeded on his journey to Mesopotamia, and at length came to
+Haran; and meeting with shepherds in the suburbs, with boys grown up,
+and maidens sitting about a certain well, he staid with them, as wanting
+water to drink; and beginning to discourse with them, he asked them
+whether they knew such a one as Laban, and whether he was still alive.
+Now they all said they knew him, for he was not so inconsiderable a
+person as to be unknown to any of them; and that his daughter fed her
+father's flock together with them; and that indeed they wondered that
+she was not yet come, for by her means thou mightest learn more exactly
+whatever thou desirest to know about that family. While they were saying
+this the damsel came, and the other shepherds that came down along with
+her. Then they showed her Jacob, and told her that he was a stranger,
+who came to inquire about her father's affairs. But she, as pleased,
+after the custom of children, with Jacob's coming, asked him who he was,
+and whence he came to them, and what it was he lacked that he came
+thither. She also wished it might be in their power to supply the wants
+he came about.
+
+5. But Jacob was quite overcome, not so much by their kindred, nor by
+that affection which might arise thence, as by his love to the damsel,
+and his surprise at her beauty, which was so flourishing, as few of the
+women of that age could vie with. He said then, "There is a relation
+between thee and me, elder than either thy or my birth, if thou be the
+daughter of Laban; for Abraham was the son of Terah, as well as Haran
+and Nahor. Of the last of whom [Nahor] Bethuel thy grandfather was the
+son. Isaac my father was the son of Abraham and of Sarah, who was the
+daughter of Haran. But there is a nearer and later cement of mutual
+kindred which we bear to one another, for my mother Rebeka was sister to
+Laban thy father, both by the same father and mother; I therefore and
+thou are cousin-germans. And I am now come to salute you, and to renew
+that affinity which is proper between us." Upon this the damsel, at the
+mention of Rebeka, as usually happens to young persons, wept, and that
+out of the kindness she had for her father, and embraced Jacob, she
+having learned an account of Rebeka from her father, and knew that her
+parents loved to hear her named; and when she had saluted him, she said
+that "he brought the most desirable and greatest pleasures to her
+father, with all their family, who was always mentioning his mother, and
+always thinking of her, and her alone; and that this will make thee
+equal in his eyes to any advantageous circumstances whatsoever." Then
+she bid him go to her father, and follow her while she conducted him to
+him; and not to deprive him of such a pleasure, by staying any longer
+away from him.
+
+6. When she had said thus, she brought him to Laban; and being owned by
+his uncle, he was secure himself, as being among his friends; and he
+brought a great deal of pleasure to them by his unexpected coning. But a
+little while afterward, Laban told him that he could not express in
+words the joy he had at his coming; but still he inquired of him the
+occasion of his coming, and why he left his aged mother and father, when
+they wanted to be taken care of by him; and that he would afford him all
+the assistance he wanted. Then Jacob gave him an account of the whole
+occasion of his journey, and told him, "that Isaac had two sons that
+were twins, himself and Esau; who, because he failed of his father's
+prayers, which by his mother's wisdom were put up for him, sought to
+kill him, as deprived of the kingdom 34 which was to be given him of
+God, and of the blessings for which their father prayed; and that this
+was the occasion of his coming hither, as his mother had commanded him
+to do: for we are all [says he] brethren one to another; but our mother
+esteems an alliance with your family more than she does one with the
+families of the country; so I look upon yourself and God to be the
+supporters of my travels, and think myself safe in my present
+circumstances."
+
+7. Now Laban promised to treat him with great humanity, both on account
+of his ancestors, and particularly for the sake of his mother, towards
+whom, he said, he would show his kindness, even though she were absent,
+by taking care of him; for he assured him he would make him the head
+shepherd of his flock, and give him authority sufficient for that
+purpose; and when he should have a mind to return to his parents, he
+would send him back with presents, and this in as honorable a manner as
+the nearness of their relation should require. This Jacob heard gladly;
+and said he would willingly, and with pleasure, undergo any sort of
+pains while he tarried with him, but desired Rachel to wife, as the
+reward of those pains, who was not only on other accounts esteemed by
+him, but also because she was the means of his coming to him; for he
+said he was forced by the love of the damsel to make this proposal.
+Laban was well pleased with this agreement, and consented to give the
+damsel to him, as not desirous to meet with any better son-in-law; and
+said he would do this, if he would stay with him some time, for he was
+not willing to send his daughter to be among the Canaanites, for he
+repented of the alliance he had made already by marrying his sister
+there. And when Jacob had given his consent to this, he agreed to stay
+seven years; for so many years he had resolved to serve his father-in-
+law, that, having given a specimen of his virtue, it might be better
+known what sort of a man he was. And Jacob, accepting of his terms,
+after the time was over, he made the wedding-feast; and when it was
+night, without Jacob's perceiving it, he put his other daughter into bed
+to him, who was both elder than Rachel, and of no comely countenance:
+Jacob lay with her that night, as being both in drink and in the dark.
+However, when it was day, he knew what had been done to him; and he
+reproached Laban for his unfair proceeding with him; who asked pardon
+for that necessity which forced him to do what he did; for he did not
+give him Lea out of any ill design, but as overcome by another greater
+necessity: that, notwithstanding this, nothing should hinder him from
+marrying Rachel; but that when he had served another seven years, he
+would give him her whom he loved. Jacob submitted to this condition, for
+his love to the damsel did not permit him to do otherwise; and when
+another seven years were gone, he took Rachel to wife.
+
+8. Now each of these had handmaids, by their father's donation. Zilpha
+was handmaid to Lea, and Bilha to Rachel; by no means slaves, 35 but
+however subject to their mistresses. Now Lea was sorely troubled at her
+husband's love to her sister; and she expected she should be better
+esteemed if she bare him children: so she entreated God perpetually; and
+when she had borne a son, and her husband was on that account better
+reconciled to her, she named her son Reubel, because God had had mercy
+upon her, in giving her a son, for that is the signification of this
+name. After some time she bare three more sons; Simeon, which name
+signifies that God had hearkened to her prayer. Then she bare Levi, the
+confirmer of their friendship. After him was born Judah, which denotes
+thanksgiving. But Rachel, fearing lest the fruitfulness of her sister
+should make herself enjoy a lesser share of Jacob's affections, put to
+bed to him her handmaid Bilha; by whom Jacob had Dan: one may interpret
+that name into the Greek tongue, a divine judgment. And after him
+Nephthalim, as it were, unconquerable in stratagems, since Rachel tried
+to conquer the fruitfulness of her sister by this stratagem.
+Accordingly, Lea took the same method, and used a counter-stratagem to
+that of her sister; for she put to bed to him her own handmaid. Jacob
+therefore had by Zilpha a son, whose name was Gad, which may be
+interpreted fortune; and after him Asher, which may be called a happy
+man, because he added glory to Lea. Now Reubel, the eldest son of Lea,
+brought apples of mandrakes 36 to his mother. When Rachel saw them, she
+desired that she would give her the apples, for she longed to eat them;
+but when she refused, and bid her be content that she had deprived her
+of the benevolence she ought to have had from her husband, Rachel, in
+order to mitigate her sister's anger, said she would yield her husband
+to her; and he should lie with her that evening. She accepted of the
+favor, and Jacob slept with Lea, by the favor of Rachel. She bare then
+these sons: Issachar, denoting one born by hire: and Zabulon, one born
+as a pledge of benevolence towards her; and a daughter, Dina. After some
+time Rachel had a son, named Joseph, which signified there should be
+another added to him.
+
+9. Now Jacob fed the flocks of Laban his father-in-law all this time,
+being twenty years, after which he desired leave of his father-in-law to
+take his wives and go home; but when his father-in-law would not give
+him leave, he contrived to do it secretly. He made trial therefore of
+the disposition of his wives what they thought of this journey;—when
+they appeared glad, and approved of it. Rachel took along with her the
+images of the gods, which, according to their laws, they used to worship
+in their own country, and ran away together with her sister. The
+children also of them both, and the handmaids, and what possessions they
+had, went along with them. Jacob also drove away half the cattle,
+without letting Laban know of it beforehand But the reason why Rachel
+took the images of the gods, although Jacob had taught her to despise
+such worship of those gods, was this, That in case they were pursued,
+and taken by her father, she might have recourse to these images, in
+order to obtain his pardon.
+
+10. But Laban, after one day's time, being acquainted with Jacob's and
+his daughters' departure, was much troubled, and pursued after them,
+leading a band of men with him; and on the seventh day overtook them,
+and found them resting on a certain hill; and then indeed he did not
+meddle with them, for it was even-tide; but God stood by him in a dream,
+and warned him to receive his son-in-law and his daughters in a
+peaceable manner; and not to venture upon any thing rashly, or in wrath
+to but to make a league with Jacob. And he told him, that if he despised
+their small number, attacked them in a hostile manner, he would assist
+them. When Laban had been thus forewarned by God, he called Jacob to him
+the next day, in order to treat with him, and showed him what dream he
+had; in dependence whereupon he came confidently to him, and began to
+accuse him, alleging that he had entertained him when he was poor, and
+in want of all things, and had given him plenty of all things which he
+had. "For," said he, "I have joined my daughters to thee in marriage,
+and supposed that thy kindness to me be greater than before; but thou
+hast had no regard to either thy mother's relations to me, nor to the
+affinity now newly contracted between us; nor to those wives whom thou
+hast married; nor to those children, of whom I am the grandfather. Thou
+hast treated me as an enemy, driving away my cattle, and by persuading
+my daughters to run away from their father; and by carrying home those
+sacred paternal images which were worshipped by my forefathers, and have
+been honored with the like worship which they paid them by myself. In
+short, thou hast done this whilst thou art my kinsman, and my sister's
+son, and the husband of my daughters, and was hospitably treated by me,
+and didst eat at my table." When Laban had said this, Jacob made his
+defense—That he was not the only person in whom God had implanted the
+love of his native country, but that he had made it natural to all men;
+and that therefore it was but reasonable that, after so long time, he
+should go back to it. "But as to the prey, of whose driving away thou
+accusest me, if any other person were the arbitrator, thou wouldst be
+found in the wrong; for instead of those thanks I ought to have had from
+thee, for both keeping thy cattle, and increasing them, how is it that
+thou art unjustly angry at me because I have taken, and have with me, a
+small portion of them? But then, as to thy daughters, take notice, that
+it is not through any evil practices of mine that they follow me in my
+return home, but from that just affection which wives naturally have to
+their husbands. They follow therefore not so properly myself as their
+own children." And thus far of his apology was made, in order to clear
+himself of having acted unjustly. To which he added his own complaint
+and accusation of Laban; saying, "While I was thy sister's son, and thou
+hadst given me thy daughters in marriage, thou hast worn me out with thy
+harsh commands, and detained me twenty years under them. That indeed
+which was required in order to my marrying thy daughters, hard as it
+was, I own to have been tolerable; but as to those that were put upon me
+after those marriages, they were worse, and such indeed as an enemy
+would have avoided." For certainly Laban had used Jacob very ill; for
+when he saw that God was assisting to Jacob in all that he desired, he
+promised him, that of the young cattle which should be born, he should
+have sometimes what was of a white color, and sometimes what should be
+of a black color; but when those that came to Jacob's share proved
+numerous, he did not keep his faith with him, but said he would give
+them to him the next year, because of his envying him the multitude of
+his possessions. He promised him as before, because he thought such an
+increase was not to be expected; but when it appeared to be fact, he
+deceived him.
+
+11. But then, as to the sacred images, he bid him search for them; and
+when Laban accepted of the offer, Rachel, being informed of it, put
+those images into that camel's saddle on which she rode, and sat upon
+it; and said, that her natural purgation hindered her rising up: so
+Laban left off searching any further, not supposing that his daughter in
+such circumstances would approach to those images. So he made a league
+with Jacob, and bound it by oaths, that he would not bear him any malice
+on account of what had happened; and Jacob made the like league, and
+promised to love Laban's daughters. And these leagues they confirmed
+with oaths also, which the made upon certain as whereon they erected a
+pillar, in the form of an altar: whence that hill is called Gilead; and
+from thence they call that land the Land of Gilead at this day. Now when
+they had feasted, after the making of the league, Laban returned home.
+
+
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER 20. Concerning The Meeting Of Jacob And Esau.
+
+1. Now as Jacob was proceeding on his journey to the land of Canaan,
+angels appeared to him, and suggested to him good hope of his future
+condition; and that place he named the Camp of God. And being desirous
+of knowing what his brother's intentions were to him, he sent
+messengers, to give him an exact account of every thing, as being
+afraid, on account of the enmities between them. He charged those that
+were sent, to say to Esau, "Jacob had thought it wrong to live together
+with him while he was in anger against him, and so had gone out of the
+country; and that he now, thinking the length of time of his absence
+must have made up their differences, was returning; that he brought with
+him his wives, and his children, with what possessions he had gotten;
+and delivered himself, with what was most dear to him, into his hands;
+and should think it his greatest happiness to partake together with his
+brother of what God had bestowed upon him." So these messengers told him
+this message. Upon which Esau was very glad, and met his brother with
+four hundred men. And Jacob, when he heard that he was coming to meet
+him with such a number of men, was greatly afraid: however, he committed
+his hope of deliverance to God; and considered how, in his present
+circumstances, he might preserve himself and those that were with him,
+and overcome his enemies if they attacked him injuriously. He therefore
+distributed his company into parts; some he sent before the rest, and
+the others he ordered to come close behind, that so, if the first were
+overpowered when his brother attacked them, they might have those that
+followed as a refuge to fly unto. And when he had put his company in
+this order, he sent some of them to carry presents to his brother. The
+presents were made up of cattle, and a great number of four-footed
+beasts, of many kinds, such as would be very acceptable to those that
+received them, on account of their rarity. Those who were sent went at
+certain intervals of space asunder, that, by following thick, one after
+another, they might appear to be more numerous, that Esau might remit of
+his anger on account of these presents, if he were still in a passion.
+Instructions were also given to those that were sent to speak gently to
+him.
+
+2. When Jacob had made these appointments all the day, and night came
+on, he moved on with his company; and, as they were gone over a certain
+river called Jabboc, Jacob was left behind; and meeting with an angel,
+he wrestled with him, the angel beginning the struggle: but he prevailed
+over the angel, who used a voice, and spake to him in words, exhorting
+him to be pleased with what had happened to him, and not to suppose that
+his victory was a small one, but that he had overcome a divine angel,
+and to esteem the victory as a sign of great blessings that should come
+to him, and that his offspring should never fall, and that no man should
+be too hard for his power. He also commanded him to be called Israel,
+which in the Hebrew tongue signifies one that struggled with the divine
+angel. 37 These promises were made at the prayer of Jacob; for when he
+perceived him to be the angel of God, he desired he would signify to him
+what should befall him hereafter. And when the angel had said what is
+before related, he disappeared; but Jacob was pleased with these things,
+and named the place Phanuel, which signifies, the face of God. Now when
+he felt pain, by this struggling, upon his broad sinew, he abstained
+from eating that sinew himself afterward; and for his sake it is still
+not eaten by us.
+
+3. When Jacob understood that his brother was near, he ordered his wives
+to go before, each by herself, with the handmaids, that they might see
+the actions of the men as they were fighting, if Esau were so disposed.
+He then went up to his brother Esau, and bowed down to him, who had no
+evil design upon him, but saluted him; and asked him about the company
+of the children and of the women; and desired, when he had understood
+all he wanted to know about them, that he would go along with him to
+their father; but Jacob pretending that the cattle were weary, Esau
+returned to Seir, for there was his place of habitation, he having named
+the place Roughness, from his own hairy roughness.
+
+
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER 21. Concerning The Violation Of Dina's Chastity.
+
+1. Hereupon Jacob came to the place, till this day called Tents
+[Succoth]; from whence he went to Shechem, which is a city of the
+Canaanites. Now as the Shechemites were keeping a festival Dina, who was
+the only daughter of Jacob, went into the city to see the finery of the
+women of that country. But when Shechem, the son of Hamor the king, saw
+her, he defiled her by violence; and being greatly in love with her,
+desired of his father that he would procure the damsel to him for a
+wife. To which desire he condescended, and came to Jacob, desiring him
+to give leave that his son Shechem might, according to law, marry Dina.
+But Jacob, not knowing how to deny the desire of one of such great
+dignity, and yet not thinking it lawful to marry his daughter to a
+stranger, entreated him to give him leave to have a consultation about
+what he desired him to do. So the king went away, in hopes that Jacob
+would grant him this marriage. But Jacob informed his sons of the
+defilement of their sister, and of the address of Hamor; and desired
+them to give their advice what they should do. Upon thiss, the greatest
+part said nothing, not knowing what advice to give. But Simeon and Levi,
+the brethren of the damsel by the same mother, agreed between themselves
+upon the action following: It being now the time of a festival, when the
+Shechemites were employed in ease and feasting, they fell upon the watch
+when they were asleep, and, coming into the city, slew all the males 38
+as also the king, and his son, with them; but spared the women. And when
+they had done this without their father's consent, they brought away
+their sister.
+
+2. Now while Jacob was astonished at the greatness of this act, and was
+severely blaming his sons for it, God stood by him, and bid him be of
+good courage; but to purify his tents, and to offer those sacrifices
+which he had vowed to offer when he went first into Mesopotamia, and saw
+his vision. As he was therefore purifying his followers, he lighted upon
+the gods of Laban; [for he did not before know they were stolen by
+Rachel;] and he hid them in the earth, under an oak, in Shechem. And
+departing thence, he offered sacrifice at Bethel, the place where he saw
+his dream, when he went first into Mesopotamia.
+
+3. And when he was gone thence, and was come over against Ephrata, he
+there buried Rachel, who died in child-bed: she was the only one of
+Jacob's kindred that had not the honor of burial at Hebron. And when he
+had mourned for her a great while, he called the son that was born of
+her Benjamin, 39 because of the sorrow the mother had with him. These
+are all the children of Jacob, twelve males and one female.--Of them
+eight were legitimate,--viz. six of Lea, and two of Rachel; and four
+were of the handmaids, two of each; all whose names have been set down
+already.
+
+
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER 22. How Isaac Died, And Was Buried In Hebron.
+
+From thence Jacob came to Hebron, a city situate among the Canaanites;
+and there it was that Isaac lived: and so they lived together for a
+little while; for as to Rebeka, Jacob did not find her alive. Isaac also
+died not long after the coming of his son; and was buried by his sons,
+with his wife, in Hebron, where they had a monument belonging to them
+from their forefathers. Now Isaac was a man who was beloved of God, and
+was vouchsafed great instances of providence by God, after Abraham his
+father, and lived to be exceeding old; for when he had lived virtuously
+one hundred and eighty-five years, he then died.
+
+
+
+
+
+
+FOOTNOTES:
+
+
+1 (return) [ Since Josephus, in his Preface, sect. 4, says that Moses
+wrote some things enigmatically, some allegorically, and the rest in
+plain words, since in his account of the first chapter of Genesis, and
+the first three verses of the second, he gives us no hints of any
+mystery at all; but when he here comes to ver. 4, etc., he says that
+Moses, after the seventh day was over, began to talk philosophically; it
+is not very improbable that he understood the rest of the second and the
+third chapters in some enigmatical, or allegorical, or philosophical
+sense. The change of the name of God just at this place, from Elohim to
+Jehovah Elohim, from God to Lord God, in the Hebrew, Samaritan, and
+Septuagint, does also not a little favor some such change in the
+narration or construction.]
+
+
+2 (return) [ We may observe here, that Josephus supposed man to be
+compounded of spirit, soul, and body, with St. Paul, 1 Thessalonians
+5:23, and the rest of the ancients: he elsewhere says also, that the
+blood of animals was forbidden to be eaten, as having in it soul and
+spirit, Antiq. B. III. ch. 11. sect. 2.]
+
+
+3 (return) [ Whence this strange notion came, which yet is not peculiar
+to Joseph, but, as Dr. Hudson says here, is derived from older authors,
+as if four of the greatest rivers in the world, running two of them at
+vast distances from the other two, by some means or other watered
+paradise, is hard to say. Only since Josephus has already appeared to
+allegorize this history, and take notice that these four names had a
+particular signification; Phison for Ganges, a multitude; Phrath for
+Euphrates, either a dispersion or a flower; Diglath for Tigris, what is
+swift, with narrowness; and Geon for Nile, what arises from the east,—we
+perhaps mistake him when we suppose he literally means those four
+rivers; especially as to Geon or Nile, which arises from the east, while
+he very well knew the literal Nile arises from the south; though what
+further allegorical sense he had in view, is now, I fear, impossible to
+be determined.]
+
+
+4 (return) [ By the Red Sea is not here meant the Arabian Gulf, which
+alone we now call by that name, but all that South Sea, which included
+the Red Sea, and the Persian Gulf, as far as the East Indies; as Reland
+and Hudson here truly note, from the old geographers.]
+
+
+5 (return) [ Hence it appears, that Josephus thought several, at least,
+of the brute animals, particularly the serpent, could speak before the
+fall. And I think few of the more perfect kinds of those animals want
+the organs of speech at this day. Many inducements there are also to a
+notion, that the present state they are in, is not their original state;
+and that their capacities have been once much greater than we now see
+them, and are capable of being restored to their former condition. But
+as to this most ancient, and authentic, and probably allegorical account
+of that grand affair of the fall of our first parents, I have somewhat
+more to say in way of conjecture, but being only a conjecture, I omit
+it: only thus far, that the imputation of the sin of our first parents
+to their posterity, any further than as some way the cause or occasion
+of man's mortality, seems almost entirely groundless; and that both man,
+and the other subordinate creatures, are hereafter to be delivered from
+the curse then brought upon them, and at last to be delivered from that
+bondage of corruption, Romans 8:19-22.]
+
+
+6 (return) [ St. John's account of the reason why God accepted the
+sacrifice of Abel, and rejected that of Cain; as also why Cain slew
+Abel, on account of that his acceptance with God, is much better than
+this of Josephus: I mean, because "Cain was of the evil one, and slew
+his brother. And wherefore slew he him? Because his own works were evil,
+and his brother's righteous," 1 John 3:12. Josephus's reason seems to be
+no better than a pharisaical notion or tradition.]
+
+
+7 (return) [ From this Jubal, not improbably, came Jobel, the trumpet of
+jobel or jubilee; that large and loud musical instrument, used in
+proclaiming the liberty at the year of jubilee.]
+
+
+8 (return) [ The number of Adam's children, as says the old tradition
+was thirty-three sons, and twenty-three daughters.]
+
+
+9 (return) [ What is here said of Seth and his posterity, that they were
+very good and virtuous, and at the same time very happy, without any
+considerable misfortunes, for seven generations, [see ch. 2. sect. 1,
+before; and ch. 3. sect. 1, hereafter,] is exactly agreeable to the
+state of the world and the conduct of Providence in all the first ages.]
+
+
+10 (return) [ Of Josephus's mistake here, when he took Seth the son of
+Adam, for Seth or Sesostris, king of Egypt, the erector of this pillar
+in the land of Siriad, see Essay on the Old Testament, Appendix, p. 159,
+160. Although the main of this relation might be true, and Adam might
+foretell a conflagration and a deluge, which all antiquity witnesses to
+be an ancient tradition; nay, Seth's posterity might engrave their
+inventions in astronomy on two such pillars; yet it is no way credible
+that they could survive the deluge, which has buried all such pillars
+and edifices far under ground in the sediment of its waters, especially
+since the like pillars of the Egyptian Seth or Sesostris were extant
+after the flood, in the land of Siriad, and perhaps in the days of
+Josephus also, as is shown in the place here referred to.]
+
+
+11 (return) [ This notion, that the fallen angels were, in some sense,
+the fathers of the old giants, was the constant opinion of antiquity.]
+
+
+12 (return) [ Josephus here supposes that the life of these giants, for
+of them only do I understand him, was now reduced to 120 years; which is
+confirmed by the fragment of Enoch, sect. 10, in Authent. Rec. Part I.
+p. 268. For as to the rest of mankind, Josephus himself confesses their
+lives were much longer than 120 years, for many generations after the
+flood, as we shall see presently; and he says they were gradually
+shortened till the days of Moses, and then fixed [for some time] at 120,
+ch. 6. sect. 5. Nor indeed need we suppose that either Enoch or Josephus
+meant to interpret these 120 years for the life of men before the flood,
+to be different from the 120 years of God's patience [perhaps while the
+ark was preparing] till the deluge; which I take to be the meaning of
+God when he threatened this wicked world, that if they so long continued
+impenitent, their days should be no more than 120 years.]
+
+
+13 (return) [ A cubit is about 21 English inches.]
+
+
+14 (return) [ Josephus here truly determines, that the year at the Flood
+began about the autumnal equinox. As to what day of the month the Flood
+began, our Hebrew and Samaritan, and perhaps Josephus's own copy, more
+rightly placed it on the 17th day, instead of the 27th, as here; for
+Josephus agrees with them, as to the distance of 150 days to the 17th
+day of the 7th month, as Genesis 7. ult. with 8:3.]
+
+
+15 (return) [ Josephus here takes notice, that these ancient genealogies
+were first set down by those that then lived, and from them were
+transmitted down to posterity; which I suppose to be the true account of
+that matter. For there is no reason to imagine that men were not taught
+to read and write soon after they were taught to speak; and perhaps all
+by the Messiah himself, who, under the Father, was the Creator or
+Governor of mankind, and who frequently in those early days appeared to
+them.]
+
+
+16 (return) [ This [GREEK], or Place of Descent, is the proper rendering
+of the Armenian name of this very city. It is called in Ptolemy Naxuana,
+and by Moses Chorenensis, the Armenian historian, Idsheuan; but at the
+place itself Nachidsheuan, which signifies The first place of descent,
+and is a lasting monument of the preservation of Noah in the ark, upon
+the top of that mountain, at whose foot it was built, as the first city
+or town after the flood. See Antiq. B. XX. ch. 2. sect. 3; and Moses
+Chorenensis, who also says elsewhere, that another town was related by
+tradition to have been called Seron, or, The Place of Dispersion, on
+account of the dispersion of Xisuthrus's or Noah's sons, from thence
+first made. Whether any remains of this ark be still preserved, as the
+people of the country suppose, I cannot certainly tell. Mons. Tournefort
+had, not very long since, a mind to see the place himself, but met with
+too great dangers and difficulties to venture through them.]
+
+
+17 (return) [ One observation ought not here to be neglected, with
+regard to that Ethiopic war which Moses, as general of the Egyptians,
+put an end to, Antiq. B. II. ch. 10., and about which our late writers
+seem very much unconcerned; viz. that it was a war of that consequence,
+as to occasion the removal or destruction of six or seven nations of the
+posterity of Mitzraim, with their cities; which Josephus would not have
+said, if he had not had ancient records to justify those his assertions,
+though those records be now all lost.]
+
+
+18 (return) [ That the Jews were called Hebrews from this their
+progenitor Heber, our author Josephus here rightly affirms; and not from
+Abram the Hebrew, or passenger over Euphrates, as many of the moderns
+suppose. Shem is also called the father of all the children of Heber, or
+of all the Hebrews, in a history long before Abram passed over
+Euphrates, Genesis 10:21, though it must be confessed that, Genesis
+14:13, where the original says they told Abram the Hebrew, the
+Septuagint renders it the passenger, [GREEK]: but this is spoken only of
+Abram himself, who had then lately passed over Euphrates, and is another
+signification of the Hebrew word, taken as an appellative, and not as a
+proper name.]
+
+
+19 (return) [ It is worth noting here, that God required no other
+sacrifices under the law of Moses, than what were taken from these five
+kinds of animals which he here required of Abram. Nor did the Jews feed
+upon any other domestic animals than the three here named, as Reland
+observes on Antiq. B. IV. ch. 4. sect. 4.]
+
+
+20 (return) [ As to this affliction of Abram's posterity for 400 years,
+see Antiq. B. II. ch. 9. sect. 1.]
+
+
+21 (return) [ These sons-in-law to Lot, as they are called, Genesis
+19:12-14, might be so styled, because they were betrothed to Lot's
+daughters, though not yet married to them. See the note on Antiq. B.
+XIV. ch. 13. sect. 1.]
+
+
+22 (return) [ Of the War, B. IV. ch. 8. sect. 4.]
+
+
+23 (return) [ This pillar of salt was, we see here, standing in the days
+of Josephus, and he had seen it. That it was standing then is also
+attested by Clement of Rome, contemporary with Josephus; as also that it
+was so in the next century, is attested by Irenaeus, with the addition
+of an hypothesis, how it came to last so long, with all its members
+entire.—Whether the account that some modern travelers give be true,
+that it is still standing, I do not know. Its remote situation, at the
+most southern point of the Sea of Sodom, in the wild and dangerous
+deserts of Arabia, makes it exceeding difficult for inquisitive
+travelers to examine the place; and for common reports of country
+people, at a distance, they are not very satisfactory. In the mean time,
+I have no opinion of Le Clerc's dissertation or hypothesis about this
+question, which can only be determined by eye-witnesses. When Christian
+princes, so called, lay aside their foolish and unchristian wars and
+quarrels, and send a body of fit persons to travel over the east, and
+bring us faithful accounts of all ancient monuments, and procure us
+copies of all ancient records, at present lost among us, we may hope for
+full satisfaction in such inquiries; but hardly before.]
+
+
+24 (return) [ I see no proper wicked intention in these daughters of
+Lot, when in a case which appeared to them of unavoidable necessity,
+they procured themselves to be with child by their father. Without such
+an unavoidable necessity, incest is a horrid crime; but whether in such
+a case of necessity, as they apprehended this to be, according to
+Josephus, it was any such crime, I am not satisfied. In the mean time,
+their making their father drunk, and their solicitous concealment of
+what they did from him, shows that they despaired of persuading him to
+an action which, at the best, could not but be very suspicious and
+shocking to so good a man.]
+
+
+25 (return) [ It is well worth observation, that Josephus here calls
+that principal Angel, who appeared to Abraham and foretold the birth of
+Isaac, directly God; which language of Josephus here, prepares us to
+believe those other expressions of his, that Jesus was a wise man, if it
+be lawful to call him a man, Antiq. B. XVIII. ch. 3. sect. 3, and of God
+the Word, in his homily concerning Hades, may be both genuine. Nor is
+the other expression of Divine Angel, used presently, and before, also
+of any other signification.]
+
+
+26 (return) [ Josephus here calls Ismael a young child or infant, though
+he was about 13 years of age; as Judas calls himself and his brethren
+young men, when he was 47, and had two children, Antiq. B. II. ch. 6.
+sect. 8, and they were of much the same age; as is a damsel of 12 years
+old called a little child, Mark 5:39-42, five several times. Herod is
+also said by Josephus to be a very young man at 25. See the note on
+Antiq. B. XIV. ch. 9. sect 2, and of the War, B. I. ch. 10. And
+Aristobulus is styled a very little child at 16 years of age, Antiq. B.
+XV. ch. 2. sect. 6, 7. Domitian also is called by him a very young
+child, when he went on his German expedition at about 18 years of age,
+of the War, B. VII. ch. 4. sect. 2. Samson's wife, and Ruth, when they
+were widows, are called children, Antiq. B. V. ch. 8. sect. 6, and ch.
+9. sect. 2 3.]
+
+
+27 (return) [ Note, that both here and Hebrews 11:17, Isaac is called
+Abraham's only begotten son, though he at the same time had another son,
+Ismael. The Septuagint expresses the true meaning, by rendering the text
+the beloved son.]
+
+
+28 (return) [ Here is a plain error in the copies which say that king
+David afterwards built the temple on this Mount Moriah, while it was
+certainly no other than king Solomon who built that temple, as indeed
+Procopius cites it from Josephus. For it was for certain David, and not
+Solomon, who built the first altar there, as we learn, 2 Samuel 24:18,
+etc.; 1 Chronicles 21:22, etc.; and Antiq. B. VII. ch. 13. sect. 4.]
+
+
+29 (return) [ It seems both here, and in God's parallel blessing to
+Jacob, ch. 19. sect. 1, that Josephus had yet no notion of the hidden
+meaning of that most important and most eminent promise, "In thy seed
+shall all the families of the earth be blessed. He saith not, and of
+seeds, as of many, but as of one; and to thy seed, which is Christ,"
+Galatians 3:16. Nor is it any wonder, he being, I think, as yet not a
+Christian. And had he been a Christian, yet since he was, to be sure,
+till the latter part of his life, no more than an Ebionite Christian,
+who, above all the apostles, rejected and despised St. Paul, it would be
+no great wonder if he did not now follow his interpretation. In the mean
+time, we have in effect St. Paul's exposition in the Testament of
+Reuben, sect. 6, in Authent. Rec. Part I. p. 302, who charges his sons
+"to worship the seed of Judah, who should die for them in visible and
+invisible wars; and should be among them an eternal king." Nor is that
+observation of a learned foreigner of my acquaintance to be despised,
+who takes notice, that as seeds in the plural, must signify posterity,
+so seed in the singular may signify either posterity, or a single
+person; and that in this promise of all nations being happy in the seed
+of Abraham, or Isaac, or Jacob, etc., it is always used in the singular.
+To which I shall add, that it is sometimes, as it were, paraphrased by
+the son of Abraham, the son of David, etc., which is capable of no such
+ambiguity.]
+
+
+30 (return) [ The birth of Jacob and Esau is here said to be after
+Abraham's death: it should have been after Sarah's death. The order of
+the narration in Genesis, not always exactly according to the order of
+time, seems to have led Josephus into this error, as Dr. Bernard
+observes here.]
+
+
+31 (return) [ For Seir in Josephus, the coherence requires that we read
+Esau or Seir, which signify the same thing.]
+
+
+32 (return) [ The supper of savory meat, as we call it, Genesis 27:4, to
+be caught by hunting, was intended plainly for a festival or a
+sacrifice; and upon the prayers that were frequent at sacrifices, Isaac
+expected, as was then usual in such eminent cases, that a divine impulse
+would come upon him, in order to the blessing of his son there present,
+and his foretelling his future behavior and fortune. Whence it must be,
+that when Isaac had unwittingly blessed Jacob, and was afterwards made
+sensible of his mistake, yet did he not attempt to alter it, how
+earnestly soever his affection for Esau might incline him to wish it
+might be altered, because he knew that this blessing came not from
+himself, but from God, and that an alteration was out of his power. A
+second afflatus then came upon him, and enabled him to foretell Esau's
+future behavior and foretell Esau's future behavior and fortune also.]
+
+
+33 (return) [ Whether Jacob or his mother Rebeka were most blameable in
+this imposition upon Isaac in his old age, I cannot determine. However
+the blessing being delivered as a prediction of future events, by a
+Divine impulse, and foretelling things to befall to the posterity of
+Jacob and Esau in future ages, was for certain providential; and
+according to what Rebeka knew to be the purpose of God, when he answered
+her inquiry, "before the children were born," Genesis 25:23, "that one
+people should be stronger than the other people; and the elder, Esau,
+should serve the younger, Jacob." Whether Isaac knew or remembered this
+old oracle, delivered in our copies only to Rebeka; or whether, if he
+knew and remembered it, he did not endeavor to alter the Divine
+determination, out of his fondness for his elder and worser son Esau, to
+the damage of his younger and better son Jacob, as Josephus elsewhere
+supposes, Antiq. B. II. ch. 7. sect. 3; I cannot certainly say. If so,
+this might tempt Rebeka to contrive, and Jacob to put this imposition
+upon him. However, Josephus says here, that it was Isaac, and not
+Rebeka, who inquired of God at first, and received the forementioned
+oracle, sect. 1; which, if it be the true reading, renders Isaac's
+procedure more inexcusable. Nor was it probably any thing else that so
+much encouraged Esau formerly to marry two Canaanitish wives, without
+his parents' consent, as Isaac's unhappy fondness for him.]
+
+
+34 (return) [ By this "deprivation of the kingdom that was to be given
+Esau of God," as the first-born, it appears that Josephus thought that a
+"kingdom to be derived from God" was due to him whom Isaac should bless
+as his first-born, which I take to be that kingdom which was expected
+under the Messiah, who therefore was to be born of his posterity whom
+Isaac should so bless. Jacob therefore by obtaining this blessing of the
+first-born, became the genuine heir of that kingdom, in opposition to
+Esau.]
+
+
+35 (return) [ Here we have the difference between slaves for life and
+servants, such as we now hire for a time agreed upon on both sides, and
+dismiss again after he time contracted for is over, which are no slaves,
+but free men and free women. Accordingly, when the Apostolical
+Constitutions forbid a clergyman to marry perpetual servants or slaves,
+B. VI. ch. 17., it is meant only of the former sort; as we learn
+elsewhere from the same Constitutions, ch. 47. Can. LXXXII. But
+concerning these twelve sons of Jacob, the reasons of their several
+names, and the times of their several births in the intervals here
+assigned, their several excellent characters, their several faults and
+repentance, the several accidents of their lives, with their several
+prophecies at their deaths, see the Testaments of these twelve
+patriarchs, still preserved at large in the Authent. Rec. Part I. p.
+294-443.]
+
+
+36 (return) [ I formerly explained these mandrakes, as we, with the
+Septuagint, and Josephus, render the Hebrew word Dudaim, of the Syrian
+Maux, with Ludolphus, Antbent. Rec. Part I. p. 420; but have since seen
+such a very probable account in M. S. of my learned friend Mr. Samuel
+Barker, of what we still call mandrakes, and their description by the
+ancient naturalists and physicians, as inclines me to think these here
+mentioned were really mandrakes, and no other.]
+
+
+37 (return) [ Perhaps this may be the proper meaning of the word Israel,
+by the present and the old Jerusalem analogy of the Hebrew tongue. In
+the mean time, it is certain that the Hellenists of the first century,
+in Egypt and elsewhere, interpreted Israel to be a man seeing God, as is
+evident from the argument fore-cited.]
+
+
+38 (return) [ Of this slaughter of the Shechemites by Simeon and Levi,
+see Authent. Rec. Part I. p. 309, 418, 432-439. But why Josephus has
+omitted the circumcision of these Shechemites, as the occasion of their
+death; and of Jacob's great grief, as in the Testament of Levi, sect. 5;
+I cannot tell.]
+
+
+39 (return) [ Since Benoni signifies the son of my sorrow, and Benjamin
+the son of days, or one born in the father's old age, Genesis 44:20, I
+suspect Josephus's present copies to be here imperfect, and suppose
+that, in correspondence to other copies, he wrote that Rachel called her
+son's name Benoni, but his father called him Benjamin, Genesis 35:18. As
+for Benjamin, as commonly explained, the son of the right hand, it makes
+no sense at all, and seems to be a gross modern error only. The
+Samaritan always writes this name truly Benjamin, which probably is here
+of the same signification, only with the Chaldee termination in, instead
+of im in the Hebrew; as we pronounce cherubin or cherubim indifferently.
+Accordingly, both the Testament of Benjamin, sect. 2, p. 401, and Philo
+de Nominum Mutatione, p. 1059, write the name Benjamin, but explain it
+not the son of the right hand, but the son of days.]
+
+
+
+
+
+
+BOOK II. Containing The Interval Of Two Hundred And Twenty Years.—From
+The Death Of Isaac To The Exodus Out Of Egypt.
+
+
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER 1. How Esau And Jacob, Isaac's Sons Divided Their Habitation;
+And Esau Possessed Idumea And Jacob Canaan.
+
+1. After the death of Isaac, his sons divided their habitations
+respectively; nor did they retain what they had before; but Esau
+departed from the city of Hebron, and left it to his brother, and dwelt
+in Seir, and ruled over Idumea. He called the country by that name from
+himself, for he was named Adom; which appellation he got on the
+following occasion:—One day returning from the toil of hunting very
+hungry, [it was when he was a child in age,] he lighted on his brother
+when he was getting ready lentile-pottage for his dinner, which was of a
+very red color; on which account he the more earnestly longed for it,
+and desired him to give him some of it to eat: but he made advantage of
+his brother's hunger, and forced him to resign up to him his birthright;
+and he, being pinched with famine, resigned it up to him, under an oath.
+Whence it came, that, on account of the redness of this pottage, he was,
+in way of jest, by his contemporaries, called Adom, for the Hebrews call
+what is red Adom; and this was the name given to the country; but the
+Greeks gave it a more agreeable pronunciation, and named it Idumea.
+
+2. He became the father of five sons; of whom Jaus, and Jalomus, and
+Coreus, were by one wife, whose name was Alibama; but of the rest,
+Aliphaz was born to him by Ada, and Raguel by Basemmath: and these were
+the sons of Esau. Aliphaz had five legitimate sons; Theman, Omer,
+Saphus, Gotham, and Kanaz; for Amalek was not legitimate, but by a
+concubine, whose name was Thamna. These dwelt in that part of Idumea
+which is called Gebalitis, and that denominated from Amalek, Amalekitis;
+for Idumea was a large country, and did then preserve the name of the
+whole, while in its several parts it kept the names of its peculiar
+inhabitants.
+
+
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER 2. How Joseph, The Youngest Of Jacob's Sons, Was Envied By His
+Brethren, When Certain Dreams Had Foreshown His Future Happiness.
+
+1. It happened that Jacob came to so great happiness as rarely any other
+person had arrived at. He was richer than the rest of the inhabitants of
+that country; and was at once envied and admired for such virtuous sons,
+for they were deficient in nothing, but were of great souls, both for
+laboring with their hands and enduring of toil; and shrewd also in
+understanding. And God exercised such a providence over him, and such a
+care of his happiness, as to bring him the greatest blessings, even out
+of what appeared to be the most sorrowful condition; and to make him the
+cause of our forefathers' departure out of Egypt, him and his posterity.
+The occasion was this:—When Jacob had his son Joseph born to him by
+Rachel, his father loved him above the rest of his sons, both because of
+the beauty of his body, and the virtues of his mind, for he excelled the
+rest in prudence. This affection of his father excited the envy and the
+hatred of his brethren; as did also his dreams which he saw, and related
+to his father, and to them, which foretold his future happiness, it
+being usual with mankind to envy their very nearest relations such their
+prosperity. Now the visions which Joseph saw in his sleep were these:—
+
+2. When they were in the middle of harvest, and Joseph was sent by his
+father, with his brethren, to gather the fruits of the earth, he saw a
+vision in a dream, but greatly exceeding the customary appearances that
+come when we are asleep; which, when he was got up, he told his
+brethren, that they might judge what it portended. He said, he saw the
+last night, that his wheat-sheaf stood still in the place where he set
+it, but that their sheaves ran to bow down to it, as servants bow down
+to their masters. But as soon as they perceived the vision foretold that
+he should obtain power and great wealth, and that his power should be in
+opposition to them, they gave no interpretation of it to Joseph, as if
+the dream were not by them understood: but they prayed that no part of
+what they suspected to be its meaning might come to pass; and they bare
+a still greater hatred to him on that account.
+
+3. But God, in opposition to their envy, sent a second vision to Joseph,
+which was much more wonderful than the former; for it seemed to him that
+the sun took with him the moon, and the rest of the stars, and came down
+to the earth, and bowed down to him. He told the vision to his father,
+and that, as suspecting nothing of ill-will from his brethren, when they
+were there also, and desired him to interpret what it should signify.
+Now Jacob was pleased with the dream: for, considering the prediction in
+his mind, and shrewdly and wisely guessing at its meaning, he rejoiced
+at the great things thereby signified, because it declared the future
+happiness of his son; and that, by the blessing of God, the time would
+come when he should be honored, and thought worthy of worship by his
+parents and brethren, as guessing that the moon and sun were like his
+mother and father; the former, as she that gave increase and nourishment
+to all things; and the latter, he that gave form and other powers to
+them; and that the stars were like his brethren, since they were eleven
+in number, as were the stars that receive their power from the sun and
+moon.
+
+4. And thus did Jacob make a judgment of this vision, and that a shrewd
+one also. But these interpretations caused very great grief to Joseph's
+brethren; and they were affected to him hereupon as if he were a certain
+stranger, that was to those good things which were signified by the
+dreams and not as one that was a brother, with whom it was probable they
+should be joint-partakers; and as they had been partners in the same
+parentage, so should they be of the same happiness. They also resolved
+to kill the lad; and having fully ratified that intention of theirs, as
+soon as their collection of the fruits was over, they went to Shechem,
+which is a country good for feeding of cattle, and for pasturage; there
+they fed their flocks, without acquainting their father with their
+removal thither; whereupon he had melancholy suspicions about them, as
+being ignorant of his sons' condition, and receiving no messenger from
+the flocks that could inform him of the true state they were in; so,
+because he was in great fear about them, he sent Joseph to the flocks,
+to learn the circumstances his brethren were in, and to bring him word
+how they did.
+
+
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER 3. How Joseph Was Thus Sold By His Brethren Into Egypt, By
+Reason Of Their Hatred To Him; And How He There Grew Famous And
+Illustrious And Had His Brethren Under His Power.
+
+1. Now these brethren rejoiced as soon as they saw their brother coming
+to them, not indeed as at the presence of a near relation, or as at the
+presence of one sent by their father, but as at the presence of an
+enemy, and one that by Divine Providence was delivered into their hands;
+and they already resolved to kill him, and not let slip the opportunity
+that lay before them. But when Reubel, the eldest of them, saw them thus
+disposed, and that they had agreed together to execute their purpose, he
+tried to restrain them, showing them the heinous enterprise they were
+going about, and the horrid nature of it; that this action would appear
+wicked in the sight of God, and impious before men, even though they
+should kill one not related to them; but much more flagitious and
+detestable to appear to have slain their own brother, by which act the
+father must be treated unjustly in the son's slaughter, and the mother 1
+also be in perplexity while she laments that her son is taken away from
+her, and this not in a natural way neither. So he entreated them to have
+a regard to their own consciences, and wisely to consider what mischief
+would betide them upon the death of so good a child, and their youngest
+brother; that they would also fear God, who was already both a spectator
+and a witness of the designs they had against their brother; that he
+would love them if they abstained from this act, and yielded to
+repentance and amendment; but in case they proceeded to do the fact, all
+sorts of punishments would overtake them from God for this murder of
+their brother, since they polluted his providence, which was every where
+present, and which did not overlook what was done, either in deserts or
+in cities; for wheresoever a man is, there ought he to suppose that God
+is also. He told them further, that their consciences would be their
+enemies, if they attempted to go through so wicked an enterprise, which
+they can never avoid, whether it be a good conscience; or whether it be
+such a one as they will have within them when once they have killed
+their brother. He also added this besides to what he had before said,
+that it was not a righteous thing to kill a brother, though he had
+injured them; that it is a good thing to forget the actions of such near
+friends, even in things wherein they might seem to have offended; but
+that they were going to kill Joseph, who had been guilty of nothing that
+was ill towards them, in whose case the infirmity of his small age
+should rather procure him mercy, and move them to unite together in the
+care of his preservation. That the cause of killing him made the act
+itself much worse, while they determined to take him off out of envy at
+his future prosperity, an equal share of which they would naturally
+partake while he enjoyed it, since they were to him not strangers, but
+the nearest relations, for they might reckon upon what God bestowed upon
+Joseph as their own; and that it was fit for them to believe, that the
+anger of God would for this cause be more severe upon them, if they slew
+him who was judged by God to be worthy of that prosperity which was to
+be hoped for; and while, by murdering him, they made it impossible for
+God to bestow it upon him.
+
+2. Reubel said these and many other things, and used entreaties to them,
+and thereby endeavored to divert them from the murder of their brother.
+But when he saw that his discourse had not mollified them at all, and
+that they made haste to do the fact, he advised them to alleviate the
+wickedness they were going about, in the manner of taking Joseph off;
+for as he had exhorted them first, when they were going to revenge
+themselves, to be dissuaded from doing it; so, since the sentence for
+killing their brother had prevailed, he said that they would not,
+however, be so grossly guilty, if they would be persuaded to follow his
+present advice, which would include what they were so eager about, but
+was not so very bad, but, in the distress they were in, of a lighter
+nature. He begged of them, therefore, not to kill their brother with
+their own hands, but to cast him into the pit that was hard by, and so
+to let him die; by which they would gain so much, that they would not
+defile their own hands with his blood. To this the young men readily
+agreed; so Reubel took the lad and tied him to a cord, and let him down
+gently into the pit, for it had no water at all in it; who, when he had
+done this, went his way to seek for such pasturage as was fit for
+feeding his flocks.
+
+3. But Judas, being one of Jacob's sons also, seeing some Arabians, of
+the posterity of Ismael, carrying spices and Syrian wares out of the
+land of Gilead to the Egyptians, after Rubel was gone, advised his
+brethren to draw Joseph out of the pit, and sell him to the Arabians;
+for if he should die among strangers a great way off, they should be
+freed from this barbarous action. This, therefore, was resolved on; so
+they drew Joseph up out of the pit, and sold him to the merchants for
+twenty pounds 2 He was now seventeen years old. But Reubel, coming in
+the night-time to the pit, resolved to save Joseph, without the privity
+of his brethren; and when, upon his calling to him, he made no answer,
+he was afraid that they had destroyed him after he was gone; of which he
+complained to his brethren; but when they had told him what they had
+done, Reubel left off his mourning.
+
+4. When Joseph's brethren had done thus to him, they considered what
+they should do to escape the suspicions of their father. Now they had
+taken away from Joseph the coat which he had on when he came to them at
+the time they let him down into the pit; so they thought proper to tear
+that coat to pieces, and to dip it into goats' blood, and then to carry
+it and show it to their father, that he might believe he was destroyed
+by wild beasts. And when they had so done, they came to the old man, but
+this not till what had happened to his son had already come to his
+knowledge. Then they said that they had not seen Joseph, nor knew what
+mishap had befallen him; but that they had found his coat bloody and
+torn to pieces, whence they had a suspicion that he had fallen among
+wild beasts, and so perished, if that was the coat he had on when he
+came from home. Now Jacob had before some better hopes that his son was
+only made a captive; but now he laid aside that notion, and supposed
+that this coat was an evident argument that he was dead, for he well
+remembered that this was the coat he had on when he sent him to his
+brethren; so he hereafter lamented the lad as now dead, and as if he had
+been the father of no more than one, without taking any comfort in the
+rest; and so he was also affected with his misfortune before he met with
+Joseph's brethren, when he also conjectured that Joseph was destroyed by
+wild beasts. He sat down also clothed in sackcloth and in heavy
+affliction, insomuch that he found no ease when his sons comforted him,
+neither did his pains remit by length of time.
+
+
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER 4. Concerning The Signal Chastity Of Joseph.
+
+1. Now Potiphar, an Egyptian, who was chief cook to king Pharaoh, bought
+Joseph of the merchants, who sold him to him. He had him in the greatest
+honor, and taught him the learning that became a free man, and gave him
+leave to make use of a diet better than was allotted to slaves. He
+intrusted also the care of his house to him. So he enjoyed these
+advantages, yet did not he leave that virtue which he had before, upon
+such a change of his condition; but he demonstrated that wisdom was able
+to govern the uneasy passions of life, in such as have it in reality,
+and do not only put it on for a show, under a present state of
+prosperity.
+
+2. For when his master's wife was fallen in love with him, both on
+account of his beauty of body, and his dexterous management of affairs;
+and supposed, that if she should make it known to him, she could easily
+persuade him to come and lie with her, and that he would look upon it as
+a piece of happy fortune that his mistress should entreat him, as
+regarding that state of slavery he was in, and not his moral character,
+which continued after his condition was changed. So she made known her
+naughty inclinations, and spake to him about lying with her. However, he
+rejected her entreaties, not thinking it agreeable to religion to yield
+so far to her, as to do what would tend to the affront and injury of him
+that purchased him, and had vouchsafed him so great honors. He, on the
+contrary, exhorted her to govern that passion; and laid before her the
+impossibility of her obtaining her desires, which he thought might be
+conquered, if she had no hope of succeeding; and he said, that as to
+himself, he would endure any thing whatever before he would be persuaded
+to it; for although it was fit for a slave, as he was, to do nothing
+contrary to his mistress, he might well be excused in a case where the
+contradiction was to such sort of commands only. But this opposition of
+Joseph, when she did not expect it, made her still more violent in her
+love to him; and as she was sorely beset with this naughty passion, so
+she resolved to compass her design by a second attempt.
+
+3. When, therefore, there was a public festival coming on, in which it
+was the custom for women to come to the public solemnity; she pretended
+to her husband that she was sick, as contriving an opportunity for
+solitude and leisure, that she might entreat Joseph again. Which
+opportunity being obtained, she used more kind words to him than before;
+and said that it had been good for him to have yielded to her first
+solicitation, and to have given her no repulse, both because of the
+reverence he ought to bear to her dignity who solicited him, and because
+of the vehemence of her passion, by which she was forced though she were
+his mistress to condescend beneath her dignity; but that he may now, by
+taking more prudent advice, wipe off the imputation of his former folly;
+for whether it were that he expected the repetition of her solicitations
+she had now made, and that with greater earnestness than before, for
+that she had pretended sickness on this very account, and had preferred
+his conversation before the festival and its solemnity; or whether he
+opposed her former discourses, as not believing she could be in earnest;
+she now gave him sufficient security, by thus repeating her application,
+that she meant not in the least by fraud to impose upon him; and assured
+him, that if he complied with her affections, he might expect the
+enjoyment of the advantages he already had; and if he were submissive to
+her, he should have still greater advantages; but that he must look for
+revenge and hatred from her, in case he rejected her desires, and
+preferred the reputation of chastity before his mistress; for that he
+would gain nothing by such procedure, because she would then become his
+accuser, and would falsely pretend to her husband, that he had attempted
+her chastity; and that Potiphar would hearken to her words rather than
+to his, let his be ever so agreeable to the truth.
+
+4. When the woman had said thus, and even with tears in her eyes,
+neither did pity dissuade Joseph from his chastity, nor did fear compel
+him to a compliance with her; but he opposed her solicitations, and did
+not yield to her threatenings, and was afraid to do an ill thing, and
+chose to undergo the sharpest punishment rather than to enjoy his
+present advantages, by doing what his own conscience knew would justly
+deserve that he should die for it. He also put her in mind that she was
+a married woman, and that she ought to cohabit with her husband only;
+and desired her to suffer these considerations to have more weight with
+her than the short pleasure of lustful dalliance, which would bring her
+to repentance afterwards, would cause trouble to her, and yet would not
+amend what had been done amiss. He also suggested to her the fear she
+would be in lest they should be caught; and that the advantage of
+concealment was uncertain, and that only while the wickedness was not
+known [would there be any quiet for them]; but that she might have the
+enjoyment of her husband's company without any danger. And he told her,
+that in the company of her husband she might have great boldness from a
+good conscience, both before God and before men. Nay, that she would act
+better like his mistress, and make use of her authority over him better
+while she persisted in her chastity, than when they were both ashamed
+for what wickedness they had been guilty of; and that it is much better
+to a life, well and known to have been so, than upon the hopes of the
+concealment of evil practices.
+
+5. Joseph, by saying this, and more, tried to restrain the violent
+passion of the woman, and to reduce her affections within the rules of
+reason; but she grew more ungovernable and earnest in the matter; and
+since she despaired of persuading him, she laid her hands upon him, and
+had a mind to force him. But as soon as Joseph had got away from her
+anger, leaving also his garment with her, for he left that to her, and
+leaped out of her chamber, she was greatly afraid lest he should
+discover her lewdness to her husband, and greatly troubled at the
+affront he had offered her; so she resolved to be beforehand with him,
+and to accuse Joseph falsely to Potiphar, and by that means to revenge
+herself on him for his pride and contempt of her; and she thought it a
+wise thing in itself, and also becoming a woman, thus to prevent his
+accusation. Accordingly she sat sorrowful and in confusion, framing
+herself so hypocritically and angrily, that the sorrow, which was really
+for her being disappointed of her lust, might appear to be for the
+attempt upon her chastity; so that when her husband came home, and was
+disturbed at the sight of her and inquired what was the cause of the
+disorder she was in, she began to accuse Joseph: and, "O husband," said
+she, "mayst thou not live a day longer if thou dost not punish the
+wicked slave who has desired to defile thy bed; who has neither minded
+who he was when he came to our house, so as to behave himself with
+modesty; nor has he been mindful of what favors he had received from thy
+bounty [as he must be an ungrateful man indeed, unless he, in every
+respect, carry himself in a manner agreeable to us]: this man, I say,
+laid a private design to abuse thy wife, and this at the time of a
+festival, observing when thou wouldst be absent. So that it now is clear
+that his modesty, as it appeared to be formerly, was only because of the
+restraint he was in out of fear of thee, but that he was not really of a
+good disposition. This has been occasioned by his being advanced to
+honor beyond what he deserved, and what he hoped for; insomuch that he
+concluded, that he who was deemed fit to be trusted with thy estate and
+the government of thy family, and was preferred above thy eldest
+servants, might be allowed to touch thy wife also." Thus when she had
+ended her discourse, she showed him his garment, as if he then left it
+with her when he attempted to force her. But Potiphar not being able to
+disbelieve what his wife's tears showed, and what his wife said, and
+what he saw himself, and being seduced by his love to his wife, did not
+set himself about the examination of the truth; but taking it for
+granted that his wife was a modest woman, and condemning Joseph as a
+wicked man, he threw him into the malefactors' prison; and had a still
+higher opinion of his wife, and bare her witness that she was a woman of
+a becoming modesty and chastity.
+
+
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER 5. What Things Befell Joseph In Prison.
+
+1. Now Joseph, commending all his affairs to God, did not betake himself
+to make his defense, nor to give an account of the exact circumstances
+of the fact, but silently underwent the bonds and the distress he was
+in, firmly believing that God, who knew the cause of his affliction, and
+the truth of the fact, would be more powerful than those that inflicted
+the punishments upon him:—a proof of whose providence he quickly
+received; for the keeper of the prison taking notice of his care and
+fidelity in the affairs he had set him about, and the dignity of his
+countenance, relaxed his bonds, and thereby made his heavy calamity
+lighter, and more supportable to him. He also permitted him to make use
+of a diet better than that of the rest of the prisoners. Now, as his
+fellow prisoners, when their hard labors were over, fell to discoursing
+one among another, as is usual in such as are equal sufferers, and to
+inquire one of another what were the occasions of their being condemned
+to a prison: among them the king's cupbearer, and one that had been
+respected by him, was put in bonds, upon the king's anger at him. This
+man was under the same bonds with Joseph, and grew more familiar with
+him; and upon his observing that Joseph had a better understanding than
+the rest had, he told him of a dream he had, and desired he would
+interpret its meaning, complaining that, besides the afflictions he
+underwent from the king, God did also add to him trouble from his
+dreams.
+
+2. He therefore said, that in his sleep he saw three clusters of grapes
+hanging upon three branches of a vine, large already, and ripe for
+gathering; and that he squeezed them into a cup which the king held in
+his hand; and when he had strained the wine, he gave it to the king to
+drink, and that he received it from him with a pleasant countenance.
+This, he said, was what he saw; and he desired Joseph, that if he had
+any portion of understanding in such matters, he would tell him what
+this vision foretold. Who bid him be of good cheer, and expect to be
+loosed from his bonds in three days' time, because the king desired his
+service, and was about to restore him to it again; for he let him know
+that God bestows the fruit of the vine upon men for good; which wine is
+poured out to him, and is the pledge of fidelity and mutual confidence
+among men; and puts an end to their quarrels, takes away passion and
+grief out of the minds of them that use it, and makes them cheerful.
+"Thou sayest that thou didst squeeze this wine from three clusters of
+grapes with thine hands, and that the king received it: know, therefore,
+that this vision is for thy good, and foretells a release from thy
+present distress within the same number of days as the branches had
+whence thou gatheredst thy grapes in thy sleep. However, remember what
+prosperity I have foretold thee when thou hast found it true by
+experience; and when thou art in authority, do not overlook us in this
+prison, wherein thou wilt leave us when thou art gone to the place we
+have foretold; for we are not in prison for any crime; but for the sake
+of our virtue and sobriety are we condemned to suffer the penalty of
+malefactors, and because we are not willing to injure him that has thus
+distressed us, though it were for our own pleasure." The cupbearer,
+therefore, as was natural to do, rejoiced to hear such an interpretation
+of his dream, and waited the completion of what had been thus shown him
+beforehand.
+
+3. But another servant there was of the king, who had been chief baker,
+and was now bound in prison with the cupbearer; he also was in good
+hope, upon Joseph's interpretation of the other's vision, for he had
+seen a dream also; so he desired that Joseph would tell him what the
+visions he had seen the night before might mean. They were these that
+follow:—"Methought," says he, "I carried three baskets upon my head; two
+were full of loaves, and the third full of sweetmeats and other
+eatables, such as are prepared for kings; but that the fowls came
+flying, and eat them all up, and had no regard to my attempt to drive
+them away." And he expected a prediction like to that of the cupbearer.
+But Joseph, considering and reasoning about the dream, said to him, that
+he would willingly be an interpreter of good events to him, and not of
+such as his dream denounced to him; but he told him that he had only
+three days in all to live, for that the [three] baskets signify, that on
+the third day he should be crucified, and devoured by fowls, while he
+was not able to help himself. Now both these dreams had the same several
+events that Joseph foretold they should have, and this to both the
+parties; for on the third day before mentioned, when the king solemnized
+his birth-day, he crucified the chief baker, but set the butler free
+from his bonds, and restored him to his former ministration.
+
+4. But God freed Joseph from his confinement, after he had endured his
+bonds two years, and had received no assistance from the cupbearer, who
+did not remember what he had said to him formerly; and God contrived
+this method of deliverance for him. Pharaoh the king had seen in his
+sleep the same evening two visions; and after them had the
+interpretations of them both given him. He had forgotten the latter, but
+retained the dreams themselves. Being therefore troubled at what he had
+seen, for it seemed to him to be all of a melancholy nature, the next
+day he called together the wisest men among the Egyptians, desiring to
+learn from them the interpretation of his dreams. But when they
+hesitated about them, the king was so much the more disturbed. And now
+it was that the memory of Joseph, and his skill in dreams, came into the
+mind of the king's cupbearer, when he saw the confusion that Pharaoh was
+in; so he came and mentioned Joseph to him, as also the vision he had
+seen in prison, and how the event proved as he had said; as also that
+the chief baker was crucified on the very same day; and that this also
+happened to him according to the interpretation of Joseph. That Joseph
+himself was laid in bonds by Potiphar, who was his head cook, as a
+slave; but, he said, he was one of the noblest of the stock of the
+Hebrews; and said further, his father lived in great splendor. "If,
+therefore, thou wilt send for him, and not despise him on the score of
+his misfortunes, thou wilt learn what thy dreams signify." So the king
+commanded that they should bring Joseph into his presence; and those who
+received the command came and brought him with them, having taken care
+of his habit, that it might be decent, as the king had enjoined them to
+do.
+
+5. But the king took him by the hand; and, "O young man," says he, "for
+my servant bears witness that thou art at present the best and most
+skillful person I can consult with; vouchsafe me the same favors which
+thou bestowedst on this servant of mine, and tell me what events they
+are which the visions of my dreams foreshow; and I desire thee to
+suppress nothing out of fear, nor to flatter me with lying words, or
+with what may please me, although the truth should be of a melancholy
+nature. For it seemed to me that, as I walked by the river, I saw kine
+fat and very large, seven in number, going from the river to the
+marshes; and other kine of the same number like them, met them out of
+the marshes, exceeding lean and ill-favored, which ate up the fat and
+the large kine, and yet were no better than before, and not less
+miserably pinched with famine. After I had seen this vision, I awaked
+out of my sleep; and being in disorder, and considering with myself what
+this appearance should be, I fell asleep again, and saw another dream,
+much more wonderful than the foregoing, which still did more affright
+and disturb me:—I saw seven ears of corn growing out of one root, having
+their heads borne down by the weight of the grains, and bending down
+with the fruit, which was now ripe and fit for reaping; and near these I
+saw seven other ears of corn, meager and weak, for want of rain, which
+fell to eating and consuming those that were fit for reaping, and put me
+into great astonishment."
+
+6. To which Joseph replied:—"This dream," said he, "O king, although
+seen under two forms, signifies one and the same event of things; for
+when thou sawest the fat kine, which is an animal made for the plough
+and for labor, devoured by the worser kine, and the ears of corn eaten
+up by the smaller ears, they foretell a famine, and want of the fruits
+of the earth for the same number of years, and equal with those when
+Egypt was in a happy state; and this so far, that the plenty of these
+years will be spent in the same number of years of scarcity, and that
+scarcity of necessary provisions will be very difficult to be corrected;
+as a sign whereof, the ill-favored kine, when they had devoured the
+better sort, could not be satisfied. But still God foreshows what is to
+come upon men, not to grieve them, but that, when they know it
+beforehand, they may by prudence make the actual experience of what is
+foretold the more tolerable. If thou, therefore, carefully dispose of
+the plentiful crops which will come in the former years, thou wilt
+procure that the future calamity will not be felt by the Egyptians."
+
+7. Hereupon the king wondered at the discretion and wisdom of Joseph;
+and asked him by what means he might so dispense the foregoing plentiful
+crops in the happy years, as to make the miserable crops more tolerable.
+Joseph then added this his advice: To spare the good crops, and not
+permit the Egyptians to spend them luxuriously, but to reserve what they
+would have spent in luxury beyond their necessity against the time of
+want. He also exhorted him to take the corn of the husbandmen, and give
+them only so much as will be sufficient for their food. Accordingly
+Pharaoh being surprised at Joseph, not only for his interpretation of
+the dream, but for the counsel he had given him, intrusted him with
+dispensing the corn; with power to do what he thought would be for the
+benefit of the people of Egypt, and for the benefit of the king, as
+believing that he who first discovered this method of acting, would
+prove the best overseer of it. But Joseph having this power given him by
+the king, with leave to make use of his seal, and to wear purple, drove
+in his chariot through all the land of Egypt, and took the corn of the
+husbandmen, 3 allotting as much to every one as would be sufficient for
+seed, and for food, but without discovering to any one the reason why he
+did so.
+
+
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER 6. How Joseph When He Was Become Famous In Egypt, Had His
+Brethren In Subjection.
+
+1. Joseph was now grown up to thirty years of age, and enjoyed great
+honors from the king, who called him Psothom Phanech, out of regard to
+his prodigious degree of wisdom; for that name denotes the revealer of
+secrets. He also married a wife of very high quality; for he married the
+daughter of Petephres, 4 one of the priests of Heliopolis; she was a
+virgin, and her name was Asenath. By her he had children before the
+scarcity came on; Manasseh, the elder, which signifies forgetful,
+because his present happiness made him forget his former misfortunes;
+and Ephraim, the younger, which signifies restored, because he was
+restored to the freedom of his forefathers. Now after Egypt had happily
+passed over seven years, according to Joseph's interpretation of the
+dreams, the famine came upon them in the eighth year; and because this
+misfortune fell upon them when they had no sense of it beforehand, 5
+they were all sorely afflicted by it, and came running to the king's
+gates; and he called upon Joseph, who sold the corn to them, being
+become confessedly a savior to the whole multitude of the Egyptians. Nor
+did he open this market of corn for the people of that country only, but
+strangers had liberty to buy also; Joseph being willing that all men,
+who are naturally akin to one another, should have assistance from those
+that lived in happiness.
+
+2. Now Jacob also, when he understood that foreigners might come, sent
+all his sons into Egypt to buy corn, for the land of Canaan was
+grievously afflicted with the famine; and this great misery touched the
+whole continent. He only retained Benjamin, who was born to him by
+Rachel, and was of the same mother with Joseph. These sons of Jacob then
+came into Egypt, and applied themselves to Joseph, wanting to buy corn;
+for nothing of this kind was done without his approbation, since even
+then only was the honor that was paid the king himself advantageous to
+the persons that paid it, when they took care to honor Joseph also. Now
+when he well knew his brethren, they thought nothing of him; for he was
+but a youth when he left them, and was now come to an age so much
+greater, that the lineaments of his face were changed, and he was not
+known by them: besides this, the greatness of the dignity wherein he
+appeared, suffered them not so much as to suspect it was he. He now made
+trial what sentiments they had about affairs of the greatest
+consequence; for he refused to sell them corn, and said they were come
+as spies of the king's affairs; and that they came from several
+countries, and joined themselves together, and pretended that they were
+of kin, it not being possible that a private man should breed up so many
+sons, and those of so great beauty of countenance as they were, such an
+education of so many children being not easily obtained by kings
+themselves. Now this he did in order to discover what concerned his
+father, and what happened to him after his own departure from him, and
+as desiring to know what was become of Benjamin his brother; for he was
+afraid that they had ventured on the like wicked enterprise against him
+that they had done to himself, and had taken him off also.
+
+3. Now these brethren of his were under distraction and terror, and
+thought that very great danger hung over them; yet not at all reflecting
+upon their brother Joseph, and standing firm under the accusations laid
+against them, they made their defense by Reubel, the eldest of them, who
+now became their spokesman: "We come not hither," said he, "with any
+unjust design, nor in order to bring any harm to the king's affairs; we
+only want to be preserved, as supposing your humanity might be a refuge
+for us from the miseries which our country labors under, we having heard
+that you proposed to sell corn, not only to your own countrymen, but to
+strangers also, and that you determined to allow that corn, in order to
+preserve all that want it; but that we are brethren, and of the same
+common blood, the peculiar lineaments of our faces, and those not so
+much different from one another, plainly show. Our father's name is
+Jacob, an Hebrew man, who had twelve of us for his sons by four wives;
+which twelve of us, while we were all alive, were a happy family; but
+when one of our brethren, whose name was Joseph, died, our affairs
+changed for the worse, for our father could not forbear to make a long
+lamentation for him; and we are in affliction, both by the calamity of
+the death of our brother, and the miserable state of our aged father. We
+are now, therefore, come to buy corn, having intrusted the care of our
+father, and the provision for our family, to Benjamin, our youngest
+brother; and if thou sendest to our house, thou mayst learn whether we
+are guilty of the least falsehood in what we say."
+
+4. And thus did Reubel endeavor to persuade Joseph to have a better
+opinion of them. But when he had learned from them that Jacob was alive,
+and that his brother was not destroyed by them, he for the present put
+them in prison, as intending to examine more into their affairs when he
+should be at leisure. But on the third day he brought them out, and said
+to them, "Since you constantly affirm that you are not come to do any
+harm to the king's affairs; that you are brethren, and the sons of the
+father whom you named; you will satisfy me of the truth of what you say,
+if you leave one of your company with me, who shall suffer no injury
+here; and if, when ye have carried corn to your father, you will come to
+me again, and bring your brother, whom you say you left there, along
+with you, for this shall be by me esteemed an assurance of the truth of
+what you have told me." Hereupon they were in greater grief than before;
+they wept, and perpetually deplored one among another the calamity of
+Joseph; and said, "They were fallen into this misery as a punishment
+inflicted by God for what evil contrivances they had against him." And
+Reubel was large in his reproaches of them for their too late
+repentance, whence no profit arose to Joseph; and earnestly exhorted
+them to bear with patience whatever they suffered, since it was done by
+God in way of punishment, on his account. Thus they spake to one
+another, not imagining that Joseph understood their language. A general
+sadness also seized on them at Reubel's words, and a repentance for what
+they had done; and they condemned the wickedness they had perpetrated,
+for which they judged they were justly punished by God. Now when Joseph
+saw that they were in this distress, he was so affected at it that he
+fell into tears, and not being willing that they should take notice of
+him, he retired; and after a while came to them again, and taking Symeon
+6 in order to his being a pledge for his brethren's return, he bid them
+take the corn they had bought, and go their way. He also commanded his
+steward privily to put the money which they had brought with them for
+the purchase of corn into their sacks, and to dismiss them therewith;
+who did what he was commanded to do.
+
+5. Now when Jacob's sons were come into the land of Canaan, they told
+their father what had happened to them in Egypt, and that they were
+taken to have come thither as spies upon the king; and how they said
+they were brethren, and had left their eleventh brother with their
+father, but were not believed; and how they had left Symeon with the
+governor, until Benjamin should go thither, and be a testimonial of the
+truth of what they had said: and they begged of their father to fear
+nothing, but to send the lad along with them. But Jacob was not pleased
+with any thing his sons had done; and he took the detention of Symeon
+heinously, and thence thought it a foolish thing to give up Benjamin
+also. Neither did he yield to Reubel's persuasion, though he begged it
+of him, and gave leave that the grandfather might, in way of requital,
+kill his own sons, in case any harm came to Benjamin in the journey. So
+they were distressed, and knew not what to do; nay, there was another
+accident that still disturbed them more,—the money that was found hidden
+in their sacks of corn. Yet when the corn they had brought failed them,
+and when the famine still afflicted them, and necessity forced them,
+Jacob did 7 [not] still resolve to send Benjamin with his brethren,
+although there was no returning into Egypt unless they came with what
+they had promised. Now the misery growing every day worse, and his sons
+begging it of him, he had no other course to take in his present
+circumstances. And Judas, who was of a bold temper on other occasions,
+spake his mind very freely to him: "That it did not become him to be
+afraid on account of his son, nor to suspect the worst, as he did; for
+nothing could be done to his son but by the appointment of God, which
+must also for certain come to pass, though he were at home with him;
+that he ought not to condemn them to such manifest destruction; nor
+deprive them of that plenty of food they might have from Pharaoh, by his
+unreasonable fear about his son Benjamin, but ought to take care of the
+preservation of Symeon, lest, by attempting to hinder Benjamin's
+journey, Symeon should perish. He exhorted him to trust God for him; and
+said he would either bring his son back to him safe, or, together with
+his, lose his own life." So that Jacob was at length persuaded, and
+delivered Benjamin to them, with the price of the corn doubled; he also
+sent presents to Joseph of the fruits of the land of Canaan, balsam and
+rosin, as also turpentine and honey. 8 Now their father shed many tears
+at the departure of his sons, as well as themselves. His concern was,
+that he might receive them back again safe after their journey; and
+their concern was, that they might find their father well, and no way
+afflicted with grief for them. And this lamentation lasted a whole day;
+so that the old man was at last tired with grief, and staid behind; but
+they went on their way for Egypt, endeavoring to mitigate their grief
+for their present misfortunes, with the hopes of better success
+hereafter.
+
+6. As soon as they came into Egypt, they were brought down to Joseph:
+but here no small fear disturbed them, lest they should be accused about
+the price of the corn, as if they had cheated Joseph. They then made a
+long apology to Joseph's steward; and told him, that when they came home
+they found the money in their sacks, and that they had now brought it
+along with them. He said he did not know what they meant: so they were
+delivered from that fear. And when he had loosed Symeon, and put him
+into a handsome habit, he suffered him to be with his brethren; at which
+time Joseph came from his attendance on the king. So they offered him
+their presents; and upon his putting the question to them about their
+father, they answered that they found him well. He also, upon his
+discovery that Benjamin was alive, asked whether this was their younger
+brother; for he had seen him. Whereupon they said he was: he replied,
+that the God over all was his protector. But when his affection to him
+made him shed tears, he retired, desiring he might not be seen in that
+plight by his brethren. Then Joseph took them to supper, and they were
+set down in the same order as they used to sit at their father's table.
+And although Joseph treated them all kindly, yet did he send a mess to
+Benjamin that was double to what the rest of the guests had for their
+shares.
+
+7. Now when after supper they had composed themselves to sleep, Joseph
+commanded his steward both to give them their measures of corn, and to
+hide its price again in their sacks; and that withal they should put
+into Benjamin's sack the golden cup, out of which he loved himself to
+drink.—which things he did, in order to make trial of his brethren,
+whether they would stand by Benjamin when he should be accused of having
+stolen the cup, and should appear to be in danger; or whether they would
+leave him, and, depending on their own innocency, go to their father
+without him. When the servant had done as he was bidden, the sons of
+Jacob, knowing nothing of all this, went their way, and took Symeon
+along with them, and had a double cause of joy, both because they had
+received him again, and because they took back Benjamin to their father,
+as they had promised. But presently a troop of horsemen encompassed
+them, and brought with them Joseph's servant, who had put the cup into
+Benjamin's sack. Upon which unexpected attack of the horsemen they were
+much disturbed, and asked what the reason was that they came thus upon
+men, who a little before had been by their lord thought worthy of an
+honorable and hospitable reception? They replied, by calling them wicked
+wretches, who had forgot that very hospitable and kind treatment which
+Joseph had given them, and did not scruple to be injurious to him, and
+to carry off that cup out of which he had, in so friendly a manner,
+drank to them, and not regarding their friendship with Joseph, no more
+than the danger they should be in if they were taken, in comparison of
+the unjust gain. Hereupon he threatened that they should be punished;
+for though they had escaped the knowledge of him who was but a servant,
+yet had they not escaped the knowledge of God, nor had gone off with
+what they had stolen; and, after all, asked why we come upon them, as if
+they knew nothing of the matter: and he told them that they should
+immediately know it by their punishment. This, and more of the same
+nature, did the servant say, in way of reproach to them: but they being
+wholly ignorant of any thing here that concerned them, laughed at what
+he said, and wondered at the abusive language which the servant gave
+them, when he was so hardy as to accuse those who did not before so much
+as retain the price of their corn, which was found in their sacks, but
+brought it again, though nobody else knew of any such thing,—so far were
+they from offering any injury to Joseph voluntarily. But still,
+supposing that a search would be a more sure justification of themselves
+than their own denial of the fact, they bid him search them, and that if
+any of them had been guilty of the theft, to punish them all; for being
+no way conscious to themselves of any crime, they spake with assurance,
+and, as they thought, without any danger to themselves also. The
+servants desired there might be a search made; but they said the
+punishment should extend to him alone who should be found guilty of the
+theft. So they made the search; and, having searched all the rest, they
+came last of all to Benjamin, as knowing it was Benjamin's sack in which
+they had hidden the cup, they having indeed searched the rest only for a
+show of accuracy: so the rest were out of fear for themselves, and were
+now only concerned about Benjamin, but still were well assured that he
+would also be found innocent; and they reproached those that came after
+them for their hindering them, while they might, in the mean while, have
+gotten a good way on their journey. But as soon as they had searched
+Benjamin's sack, they found the cup, and took it from him; and all was
+changed into mourning and lamentation. They rent their garments, and
+wept for the punishment which their brother was to undergo for his
+theft, and for the delusion they had put on their father, when they
+promised they would bring Benjamin safe to him. What added to their
+misery was, that this melancholy accident came unfortunately at a time
+when they thought they had been gotten off clear; but they confessed
+that this misfortune of their brother, as well as the grief of their
+father for him, was owing to themselves, since it was they that forced
+their father to send him with them, when he was averse to it.
+
+8. The horsemen therefore took Benjamin and brought him to Joseph, his
+brethren also following him; who, when he saw him in custody, and them
+in the habit of mourners, said, "How came you, vile wretches as you are,
+to have such a strange notion of my kindness to you, and of God's
+providence, as impudently to do thus to your benefactor, who in such an
+hospitable manner had entertained you?" Whereupon they gave up
+themselves to be punished, in order to save Benjamin; and called to mind
+what a wicked enterprise they had been guilty of against Joseph. They
+also pronounced him more happy than themselves, if he were dead, in
+being freed from the miseries of this life; and if he were alive, that
+he enjoyed the pleasure of seeing God's vengeance upon them. They said
+further; that they were the plague of their father, since they should
+now add to his former affliction for Joseph, this other affliction for
+Benjamin. Reubel also was large in cutting them upon this occasion. But
+Joseph dismissed them; for he said they had been guilty of no offense,
+and that he would content himself with the lad's punishment; for he said
+it was not a fit thing to let him go free, for the sake of those who had
+not offended; nor was it a fit thing to punish them together with him
+who had been guilty of stealing. And when he promised to give them leave
+to go away in safety, the rest of them were under great consternation,
+and were able to say nothing on this sad occasion. But Judas, who had
+persuaded their father to send the lad from him, being otherwise also a
+very bold and active man, determined to hazard himself for the
+preservation of his brother. "It is true," 9 said he, "O governor, that
+we have been very wicked with regard to thee, and on that account
+deserved punishment; even all of us may justly be punished, although the
+theft were not committed by all, but only by one of us, and he the
+youngest also; but yet there remains some hope for us, who otherwise
+must be under despair on his account, and this from thy goodness, which
+promises us a deliverance out of our present danger. And now I beg thou
+wilt not look at us, or at that great crime we have been guilty of, but
+at thy own excellent nature, and take advice of thine own virtue,
+instead of that wrath thou hast against us; which passion those that
+otherwise are of lower character indulge, as they do their strength, and
+that not only on great, but also on very trifling occasions. Overcome,
+sir, that passion, and be not subdued by it, nor suffer it to slay those
+that do not otherwise presume upon their own safety, but are desirous to
+accept of it from thee; for this is not the first time that thou wilt
+bestow it on us, but before, when we came to buy corn, thou affordedst
+us great plenty of food, and gavest us leave to carry so much home to
+our family as has preserved them from perishing by famine. Nor is there
+any difference between not overlooking men that were perishing for want
+of necessaries, and not punishing those that seem to be offenders, and
+have been so unfortunate as to lose the advantage of that glorious
+benefaction which they received from thee. This will be an instance of
+equal favor, though bestowed after a different manner; for thou wilt
+save those this way whom thou didst feed the other; and thou wilt hereby
+preserve alive, by thy own bounty, those souls which thou didst not
+suffer to be distressed by famine, it being indeed at once a wonderful
+and a great thing to sustain our lives by corn, and to bestow on us that
+pardon, whereby, now we are distressed, we may continue those lives. And
+I am ready to suppose that God is willing to afford thee this
+opportunity of showing thy virtuous disposition, by bringing us into
+this calamity, that it may appear thou canst forgive the injuries that
+are done to thyself, and mayst be esteemed kind to others, besides those
+who, on other accounts, stand in need of thy assistance; since it is
+indeed a right thing to do well to those who are in distress for want of
+food, but still a more glorious thing to save those who deserve to be
+punished, when it is on account of heinous offenses against thyself; for
+if it be a thing deserving commendation to forgive such as have been
+guilty of small offenses, that tend to a person's loss, and this be
+praiseworthy in him that overlooks such offenses, to restrain a man's
+passion as to crimes which are capital to the guilty, is to be like the
+most excellent nature of God himself. And truly, as for myself, had it
+not been that we had a father, who had discovered, on occasion of the
+death of Joseph, how miserably he is always afflicted at the loss of his
+sons, I had not made any words on account of the saving of our own
+lives; I mean, any further than as that would be an excellent character
+for thyself, to preserve even those that would have nobody to lament
+them when they were dead, but we would have yielded ourselves up to
+suffer whatsoever thou pleasedst; but now [for we do not plead for mercy
+to ourselves, though indeed, if we die, it will be while we are young,
+and before we have had the enjoyment of life] have regard to our father,
+and take pity of his old age, on whose account it is that we make these
+supplications to thee. We beg thou wilt give us those lives which this
+wickedness of ours has rendered obnoxious to thy punishment; and this
+for his sake who is not himself wicked, nor does his being our father
+make us wicked. He is a good man, and not worthy to have such trials of
+his patience; and now, we are absent, he is afflicted with care for us.
+But if he hear of our deaths, and what was the cause of it, he will on
+that account die an immature death; and the reproachful manner of our
+ruin will hasten his end, and will directly kill him; nay, will bring
+him to a miserable death, while he will make haste to rid himself out of
+the world, and bring himself to a state of insensibility, before the sad
+story of our end come abroad into the rest of the world. Consider these
+things in this manner, although our wickedness does now provoke thee
+with a just desire of punishing that wickedness, and forgive it for our
+father's sake; and let thy commiseration of him weigh more with thee
+than our wickedness. Have regard to the old age of our father, who, if
+we perish, will be very lonely while he lives, and will soon die himself
+also. 10 Grant this boon to the name of fathers, for thereby thou wilt
+honor him that begat thee, and will grant it to thyself also, who
+enjoyest already that denomination; thou wilt then, by that
+denomination, be preserved of God, the Father of all,—by showing a pious
+regard to which, in the case of our father, thou wilt appear to honor
+him who is styled by the same name; I mean, if thou wilt have this pity
+on our father, upon this consideration, how miserable he will be if he
+be deprived of his sons! It is thy part therefore to bestow on us what
+God has given us, when it is in thy power to take it away, and so to
+resemble him entirely in charity; for it is good to use that power,
+which can either give or take away, on the merciful side; and when it is
+in thy power to destroy, to forget that thou ever hadst that power, and
+to look on thyself as only allowed power for preservation; and that the
+more any one extends this power, the greater reputation does he gain to
+himself. Now, by forgiving our brother what he has unhappily committed,
+thou wilt preserve us all; for we cannot think of living if he be put to
+death, since we dare not show ourselves alive to our father without our
+brother, but here must we partake of one and the same catastrophe of his
+life. And so far we beg of thee, O governor, that if thou condemnest our
+brother to die, thou wilt punish us together with him, as partners of
+his crime,—for we shall not think it reasonable to be reserved to kill
+ourselves for grief of our brother's death, but so to die rather as
+equally guilty with him of this crime. I will only leave with thee this
+one consideration, and then will say no more, viz. that our brother
+committed this fault when he was young, and not yet of confirmed wisdom
+in his conduct; and that men naturally forgive such young persons. I end
+here, without adding what more I have to say, that in case thou
+condemnest us, that omission may be supposed to have hurt us, and
+permitted thee to take the severer side. But in case thou settest us
+free, that this may be ascribed to thy own goodness, of which thou art
+inwardly conscious, that thou freest us from condemnation; and that not
+by barely preserving us, but by granting us such a favor as will make us
+appear more righteous than we really are, and by representing to thyself
+more motives for our deliverance than we are able to produce ourselves.
+If, therefore, thou resolvest to slay him, I desire thou wilt slay me in
+his stead, and send him back to his father; or if thou pleasest to
+retain him with thee as a slave, I am fitter to labor for thy advantage
+in that capacity, and, as thou seest, am better prepared for either of
+those sufferings." So Judas, being very willing to undergo any thing
+whatever for the deliverance of his brother, cast himself down at
+Joseph's feet, and earnestly labored to assuage and pacify his anger.
+All his brethren also fell down before him, weeping and delivering
+themselves up to destruction for the preservation of the life of
+Benjamin.
+
+10. But Joseph, as overcome now with his affections, and no longer able
+to personate an angry man, commanded all that were present to depart,
+that he might make himself known to his brethren when they were alone;
+and when the rest were gone out, he made himself known to his brethren;
+and said, "I commend you for your virtue, and your kindness to our
+brother: I find you better men than I could have expected from what you
+contrived about me. Indeed, I did all this to try your love to your
+brother; so I believe you were not wicked by nature in what you did in
+my case, but that all has happened according to God's will, who has
+hereby procured our enjoyment of what good things we have; and, if he
+continue in a favorable disposition, of what we hope for hereafter.
+Since, therefore, I know that our father is safe and well, beyond
+expectation, and I see you so well disposed to your brother, I will no
+longer remember what guilt you seem to have had about me, but will leave
+off to hate you for that your wickedness; and do rather return you my
+thanks, that you have concurred with the intentions of God to bring
+things to their present state. I would have you also rather to forget
+the same, since that imprudence of yours is come to such a happy
+conclusion, than to be uneasy and blush at those your offenses. Do not,
+therefore, let your evil intentions, when you condemned me, and that
+bitter remorse which might follow, be a grief to you now, because those
+intentions were frustrated. Go, therefore, your way, rejoicing in what
+has happened by the Divine Providence, and inform your father of it,
+lest he should be spent with cares for you, and deprive me of the most
+agreeable part of my felicity; I mean, lest he should die before he
+comes into my sight, and enjoys the good things that we now have. Bring,
+therefore, with you our father, and your wives and children, and all
+your kindred, and remove your habitations hither; for it is not proper
+that the persons dearest to me should live remote from me, now my
+affairs are so prosperous, especially when they must endure five more
+years of famine." When Joseph had said this, he embraced his brethren,
+who were in tears and sorrow; but the generous kindness of their brother
+seemed to leave among them no room for fear, lest they should be
+punished on account of what they had consulted and acted against him;
+and they were then feasting. Now the king, as soon as he heard that
+Joseph's brethren were come to him, was exceeding glad of it, as if it
+had been a part of his own good fortune; and gave them wagons full of
+corn and gold and silver, to be conveyed to his father. Now when they
+had received more of their brother part to be carried to their father,
+and part as free gifts to every one of themselves, Benjamin having still
+more than the rest, they departed.
+
+
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER 7. The Removal Of Joseph's Father With All His Family, To Him,
+On Account Of The Famine.
+
+1. As soon as Jacob came to know, by his sons returning home, in what
+state Joseph was, that he had not only escaped death, for which yet he
+lived all along in mourning, but that he lived in splendor and
+happiness, and ruled over Egypt, jointly with the king, and had
+intrusted to his care almost all his affairs, he did not think any thing
+he was told to be incredible, considering the greatness of the works of
+God, and his kindness to him, although that kindness had, for some late
+times, been intermitted; so he immediately and zealously set out upon
+his journey to him.
+
+2. When he came to the Well of the Oath, [Beersheba,] he offered
+sacrifice to God; and being afraid that the happiness there was in Egypt
+might tempt his posterity to fall in love with it, and settle in it, and
+no more think of removing into the land of Canaan, and possessing it, as
+God had promised them; as also being afraid, lest, if this descent into
+Egypt were made without the will of God, his family might be destroyed
+there; out of fear, withal, lest he should depart this life before he
+came to the sight of Joseph; he fell asleep, revolving these doubts in
+his mind.
+
+3. But God stood by him, and called him twice by his name; and when he
+asked who he was, God said, "No, sure; it is not just that thou, Jacob,
+shouldst be unacquainted with that God who has been ever a protector and
+a helper to thy forefathers, and after them to thyself: for when thy
+father would have deprived thee of the dominion, I gave it thee; and by
+my kindness it was that, when thou wast sent into Mesopotamia all alone,
+thou obtainedst good wives, and returnedst with many children, and much
+wealth. Thy whole family also has been preserved by my providence; and
+it was I who conducted Joseph, thy son, whom thou gavest up for lost, to
+the enjoyment of great prosperity. I also made him lord of Egypt, so
+that he differs but little from a king. Accordingly, I come now as a
+guide to thee in this journey; and foretell to thee, that thou shalt die
+in the arms of Joseph: and I inform thee, that thy posterity shall be
+many ages in authority and glory, and that I will settle them in the
+land which I have promised them."
+
+4. Jacob, encouraged by this dream, went on more cheerfully for Egypt
+with his sons, and all belonging to them. Now they were in all seventy.
+I once, indeed, thought it best not to set down the names of this
+family, especially because of their difficult pronunciation [by the
+Greeks]; but, upon the whole, I think it necessary to mention those
+names, that I may disprove such as believe that we came not originally
+from Mesopotamia, but are Egyptians. Now Jacob had twelve sons; of these
+Joseph was come thither before. We will therefore set down the names of
+Jacob's children and grandchildren. Reuben had four sons--Anoch, Phallu,
+Assaron, Charmi. Simeon had six--Jamuel, Jamin, Avod, Jachin, Soar,
+Saul. Levi had three sons--Gersom, Caath, Merari. Judas had three sons--
+Sala, Phares, Zerah; and by Phares two grandchildren, Esrom and Amar.
+Issachar had four sons--Thola, Phua, Jasob, Samaron. Zabulon had with
+him three sons--Sarad, Helon, Jalel. So far is the posterity of Lea;
+with whom went her daughter Dinah. These are thirty-three. Rachel had
+two sons, the one of whom, Joseph, had two sons also, Manasses and
+Ephraim. The other, Benjamin, had ten sons—Bolau, Bacchar, Asabel,
+Geras, Naaman, Jes, Ros, Momphis, Opphis, Arad. These fourteen added to
+the thirty-three before enumerated, amount to the number forty-seven.
+And this was the legitimate posterity of Jacob. He had besides by
+Bilhah, the handmaid of Rachel, Dan and Nephtliali; which last had four
+sons that followed him— Jesel, Guni, Issari, and Sellim. Dan had an only
+begotten son, Usi. If these be added to those before mentioned, they
+complete the number fifty-four. Gad and Aser were the sons of Zilpha,
+who was the handmaid of Lea. These had with them, Gad seven— Saphoniah,
+Augis, Sunis, Azabon, Aerin, Erocd, Ariel. Aser had a daughter, Sarah,
+and six male children, whose names were Jomne, Isus, Isoui, Baris, Abar
+and Melchiel. If we add these, which are sixteen, to the fifty-four, the
+forementioned number 70 is completed 11 Jacob not being himself included
+in that number.
+
+5. When Joseph understood that his father was coming, for Judas his
+brother was come before him, and informed him of his approach, he went
+out to meet him; and they met together at Heroopolis. But Jacob almost
+fainted away at this unexpected and great joy; however, Joseph revived
+him, being yet not himself able to contain from being affected in the
+same manner, at the pleasure he now had; yet was he not wholly overcome
+with his passion, as his father was. After this, he desired Jacob to
+travel on slowly; but he himself took five of his brethren with him, and
+made haste to the king, to tell him that Jacob and his family were come;
+which was a joyful hearing to him. He also bid Joseph tell him what sort
+of life his brethren loved to lead, that he might give them leave to
+follow the same, who told him they were good shepherds, and had been
+used to follow no other employment but this alone. Whereby he provided
+for them, that they should not be separated, but live in the same place,
+and take care of their father; as also hereby he provided, that they
+might be acceptable to the Egyptians, by doing nothing that would be
+common to them with the Egyptians; for the Egyptians are prohibited to
+meddle with feeding of sheep. 12
+
+6. When Jacob was come to the king, and saluted him, and wished all
+prosperity to his government, Pharaoh asked him how old he now was; upon
+whose answer, that he was a hundred and thirty years old, he admired
+Jacob on account of the length of his life. And when he had added, that
+still he had not lived so long as his forefathers, he gave him leave to
+live with his children in Heliopolis; for in that city the king's
+shepherds had their pasturage.
+
+7. However, the famine increased among the Egyptians, and this heavy
+judgment grew more oppressive to them, because neither did the river
+overflow the ground, for it did not rise to its former height, nor did
+God send rain upon it; 13 nor did they indeed make the least provision
+for themselves, so ignorant were they what was to be done; but Joseph
+sold them corn for their money. But when their money failed them, they
+bought corn with their cattle and their slaves; and if any of them had a
+small piece of land, they gave up that to purchase them food, by which
+means the king became the owner of all their substance; and they were
+removed, some to one place, and some to another, that so the possession
+of their country might be firmly assured to the king, excepting the
+lands of the priests, for their country continued still in their own
+possession. And indeed this sore famine made their minds, as well as
+their bodies, slaves; and at length compelled them to procure a
+sufficiency of food by such dishonorable means. But when this misery
+ceased, and the river overflowed the ground, and the ground brought
+forth its fruits plentifully, Joseph came to every city, and gathered
+the people thereto belonging together, and gave them back entirely the
+land which, by their own consent, the king might have possessed alone,
+and alone enjoyed the fruits of it. He also exhorted them to look on it
+as every one's own possession, and to fall to their husbandry with
+cheerfulness, and to pay as a tribute to the king, the fifth part 14 of
+the fruits for the land which the king, when it was his own, restored to
+them. These men rejoiced upon their becoming unexpectedly owners of
+their lands, and diligently observed what was enjoined them; and by this
+means Joseph procured to himself a greater authority among the
+Egyptians, and greater love to the king from them. Now this law, that
+they should pay the fifth part of their fruits as tribute, continued
+until their later kings.
+
+
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER 8. Of The Death Of Jacob And Joseph.
+
+1. Now when Jacob had lived seventeen years in Egypt, he fell into a
+disease, and died in the presence of his sons; but not till he made his
+prayers for their enjoying prosperity, and till he had foretold to them
+prophetically how every one of them was to dwell in the land of Canaan.
+But this happened many years afterward. He also enlarged upon the
+praises of Joseph 15 how he had not remembered the evil doings of his
+brethren to their disadvantage; nay, on the contrary, was kind to them,
+bestowing upon them so many benefits, as seldom are bestowed on men's
+own benefactors. He then commanded his own sons that they should admit
+Joseph's sons, Ephraim and Manasses, into their number, and divide the
+land of Canaan in common with them; concerning whom we shall treat
+hereafter. However, he made it his request that he might be buried at
+Hebron. So he died, when he had lived full a hundred and fifty years,
+three only abated, having not been behind any of his ancestors in piety
+towards God, and having such a recompense for it, as it was fit those
+should have who were so good as these were. But Joseph, by the king's
+permission, carried his father's dead body to Hebron, and there buried
+it, at a great expense. Now his brethren were at first unwilling to
+return back with him, because they were afraid lest, now their father
+was dead, he should punish them for their secret practices against him;
+since he was now gone, for whose sake he had been so gracious to them.
+But he persuaded them to fear no harm, and to entertain no suspicions of
+him: so he brought them along with him, and gave them great possessions,
+and never left off his particular concern for them.
+
+2. Joseph also died when he had lived a hundred and ten years; having
+been a man of admirable virtue, and conducting all his affairs by the
+rules of reason; and used his authority with moderation, which was the
+cause of his so great felicity among the Egyptians, even when he came
+from another country, and that in such ill circumstances also, as we
+have already described. At length his brethren died, after they had
+lived happily in Egypt. Now the posterity and sons of these men, after
+some time, carried their bodies, and buried them at Hebron: but as to
+the bones of Joseph, they carried them into the land of Canaan
+afterward, when the Hebrews went out of Egypt, for so had Joseph made
+them promise him upon oath. But what became of every one of these men,
+and by what toils they got the possession of the land of Canaan, shall
+be shown hereafter, when I have first explained upon what account it was
+that they left Egypt.
+
+
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER 9. Concerning The Afflictions That Befell The Hebrews In Egypt,
+During Four Hundred Years. 16
+
+1. Now it happened that the Egyptians grew delicate and lazy, as to
+pains-taking, and gave themselves up to other pleasures, and in
+particular to the love of gain. They also became very ill-affected
+towards the Hebrews, as touched with envy at their prosperity; for when
+they saw how the nation of the Israelites flourished, and were become
+eminent already in plenty of wealth, which they had acquired by their
+virtue and natural love of labor, they thought their increase was to
+their own detriment. And having, in length of time, forgotten the
+benefits they had received from Joseph, particularly the crown being now
+come into another family, they became very abusive to the Israelites,
+and contrived many ways of afflicting them; for they enjoined them to
+cut a great number of channels for the river, and to build walls for
+their cities and ramparts, that they might restrain the river, and
+hinder its waters from stagnating, upon its running over its own banks:
+they set them also to build pyramids, 17 and by all this wore them out;
+and forced them to learn all sorts of mechanical arts, and to accustom
+themselves to hard labor. And four hundred years did they spend under
+these afflictions; for they strove one against the other which should
+get the mastery, the Egyptians desiring to destroy the Israelites by
+these labors, and the Israelites desiring to hold out to the end under
+them.
+
+2. While the affairs of the Hebrews were in this condition, there was
+this occasion offered itself to the Egyptians, which made them more
+solicitous for the extinction of our nation. One of those sacred
+scribes, 18 who are very sagacious in foretelling future events truly,
+told the king, that about this time there would a child be born to the
+Israelites, who, if he were reared, would bring the Egyptian dominion
+low, and would raise the Israelites; that he would excel all men in
+virtue, and obtain a glory that would be remembered through all ages.
+Which thing was so feared by the king, that, according to this man's
+opinion, he commanded that they should cast every male child, which was
+born to the Israelites, into the river, and destroy it; that besides
+this, the Egyptian midwives 19 should watch the labors of the Hebrew
+women, and observe what is born, for those were the women who were
+enjoined to do the office of midwives to them; and by reason of their
+relation to the king, would not transgress his commands. He enjoined
+also, that if any parents should disobey him, and venture to save their
+male children alive, 20 they and their families should be destroyed.
+This was a severe affliction indeed to those that suffered it, not only
+as they were deprived of their sons, and while they were the parents
+themselves, they were obliged to be subservient to the destruction of
+their own children, but as it was to be supposed to tend to the
+extirpation of their nation, while upon the destruction of their
+children, and their own gradual dissolution, the calamity would become
+very hard and inconsolable to them. And this was the ill state they were
+in. But no one can be too hard for the purpose of God, though he
+contrive ten thousand subtle devices for that end; for this child, whom
+the sacred scribe foretold, was brought up and concealed from the
+observers appointed by the king; and he that foretold him did not
+mistake in the consequences of his preservation, which were brought to
+pass after the manner following:—
+
+3. A man whose name was Amram, one of the nobler sort of the Hebrews,
+was afraid for his whole nation, lest it should fail, by the want of
+young men to be brought up hereafter, and was very uneasy at it, his
+wife being then with child, and he knew not what to do. Hereupon he
+betook himself to prayer to God; and entreated him to have compassion on
+those men who had nowise transgressed the laws of his worship, and to
+afford them deliverance from the miseries they at that time endured, and
+to render abortive their enemies' hopes of the destruction of their
+nation. Accordingly God had mercy on him, and was moved by his
+supplication. He stood by him in his sleep, and exhorted him not to
+despair of his future favors. He said further, that he did not forget
+their piety towards him, and would always reward them for it, as he had
+formerly granted his favor to their forefathers, and made them increase
+from a few to so great a multitude. He put him in mind, that when
+Abraham was come alone out of Mesopotamia into Canaan, he had been made
+happy, not only in other respects, but that when his wife was at first
+barren, she was afterwards by him enabled to conceive seed, and bare him
+sons. That he left to Ismael and to his posterity the country of Arabia;
+as also to his sons by Ketura, Troglodytis; and to Isaac, Canaan. That
+by my assistance, said he, he did great exploits in war, which, unless
+you be yourselves impious, you must still remember. As for Jacob, he
+became well known to strangers also, by the greatness of that prosperity
+in which he lived, and left to his sons, who came into Egypt with no
+more than seventy souls, while you are now become above six hundred
+thousand. Know therefore that I shall provide for you all in common what
+is for your good, and particularly for thyself what shall make thee
+famous; for that child, out of dread of whose nativity the Egyptians
+have doomed the Israelite children to destruction, shall be this child
+of thine, and shall be concealed from those who watch to destroy him:
+and when he is brought up in a surprising way, he shall deliver the
+Hebrew nation from the distress they are under from the Egyptians. His
+memory shall be famous while the world lasts; and this not only among
+the Hebrews, but foreigners also:—all which shall be the effect of my
+favor to thee, and to thy posterity. He shall also have such a brother,
+that he shall himself obtain my priesthood, and his posterity shall have
+it after him to the end of the world.
+
+4. When the vision had informed him of these things, Amram awaked and
+told it to Jochebed who was his wife. And now the fear increased upon
+them on account of the prediction in Amram's dream; for they were under
+concern, not only for the child, but on account of the great happiness
+that was to come to him also. However, the mother's labor was such as
+afforded a confirmation to what was foretold by God; for it was not
+known to those that watched her, by the easiness of her pains, and
+because the throes of her delivery did not fall upon her with violence.
+And now they nourished the child at home privately for three months; but
+after that time Amram, fearing he should be discovered, and, by falling
+under the king's displeasure, both he and his child should perish, and
+so he should make the promise of God of none effect, he determined
+rather to trust the safety and care of the child to God, than to depend
+on his own concealment of him, which he looked upon as a thing
+uncertain, and whereby both the child, so privately to be nourished, and
+himself should be in imminent danger; but he believed that God would
+some way for certain procure the safety of the child, in order to secure
+the truth of his own predictions. When they had thus determined, they
+made an ark of bulrushes, after the manner of a cradle, and of a bigness
+sufficient for an infant to be laid in, without being too straitened:
+they then daubed it over with slime, which would naturally keep out the
+water from entering between the bulrushes, and put the infant into it,
+and setting it afloat upon the river, they left its preservation to God;
+so the river received the child, and carried him along. But Miriam, the
+child's sister, passed along upon the bank over against him, as her
+mother had bid her, to see whither the ark would be carried, where God
+demonstrated that human wisdom was nothing, but that the Supreme Being
+is able to do whatsoever he pleases: that those who, in order to their
+own security, condemn others to destruction, and use great endeavors
+about it, fail of their purpose; but that others are in a surprising
+manner preserved, and obtain a prosperous condition almost from the very
+midst of their calamities; those, I mean, whose dangers arise by the
+appointment of God. And, indeed, such a providence was exercised in the
+case of this child, as showed the power of God.
+
+5. Thermuthis was the king's daughter. She was now diverting herself by
+the banks of the river; and seeing a cradle borne along by the current,
+she sent some that could swim, and bid them bring the cradle to her.
+When those that were sent on this errand came to her with the cradle,
+and she saw the little child, she was greatly in love with it, on
+account of its largeness and beauty; for God had taken such great care
+in the formation of Moses, that he caused him to be thought worthy of
+bringing up, and providing for, by all those that had taken the most
+fatal resolutions, on account of the dread of his nativity, for the
+destruction of the rest of the Hebrew nation. Thermuthis bid them bring
+her a woman that might afford her breast to the child; yet would not the
+child admit of her breast, but turned away from it, and did the like to
+many other women. Now Miriam was by when this happened, not to appear to
+be there on purpose, but only as staying to see the child; and she said,
+"It is in vain that thou, O queen, callest for these women for the
+nourishing of the child, who are no way of kin to it; but still, if thou
+wilt order one of the Hebrew women to be brought, perhaps it may admit
+the breast of one of its own nation." Now since she seemed to speak
+well, Thermuthis bid her procure such a one, and to bring one of those
+Hebrew women that gave suck. So when she had such authority given her,
+she came back and brought the mother, who was known to nobody there. And
+now the child gladly admitted the breast, and seemed to stick close to
+it; and so it was, that, at the queen's desire, the nursing of the child
+was entirely intrusted to the mother.
+
+6. Hereupon it was that Thermuthis imposed this name Mouses upon him,
+from what had happened when he was put into the river; for the Egyptians
+call water by the name of Mo, and such as are saved out of it, by the
+name of Uses: so by putting these two words together, they imposed this
+name upon him. And he was, by the confession of all, according to God's
+prediction, as well for his greatness of mind as for his contempt of
+difficulties, the best of all the Hebrews, for Abraham was his ancestor
+of the seventh generation. For Moses was the son of Amram, who was the
+son of Caath, whose father Levi was the son of Jacob, who was the son of
+Isaac, who was the son of Abraham. Now Moses's understanding became
+superior to his age, nay, far beyond that standard; and when he was
+taught, he discovered greater quickness of apprehension than was usual
+at his age, and his actions at that time promised greater, when he
+should come to the age of a man. God did also give him that tallness,
+when he was but three years old, as was wonderful. And as for his
+beauty, there was nobody so unpolite as, when they saw Moses, they were
+not greatly surprised at the beauty of his countenance; nay, it happened
+frequently, that those that met him as he was carried along the road,
+were obliged to turn again upon seeing the child; that they left what
+they were about, and stood still a great while to look on him; for the
+beauty of the child was so remarkable and natural to him on many
+accounts, that it detained the spectators, and made them stay longer to
+look upon him.
+
+7. Thermuthis therefore perceiving him to be so remarkable a child,
+adopted him for her son, having no child of her own. And when one time
+had carried Moses to her father, she showed him to him, and said she
+thought to make him her successor, if it should please God she should
+have no legitimate child of her own; and to him, "I have brought up a
+child who is of a divine form, 21 and of a generous mind; and as I have
+received him from the bounty of the river, in, I thought proper to adopt
+him my son, and the heir of thy kingdom." And she had said this, she put
+the infant into her father's hands: so he took him, and hugged him to
+his breast; and on his daughter's account, in a pleasant way, put his
+diadem upon his head; but Moses threw it down to the ground, and, in a
+puerile mood, he wreathed it round, and trod upon his feet, which seemed
+to bring along with evil presage concerning the kingdom of Egypt. But
+when the sacred scribe saw this, [he was the person who foretold that
+his nativity would lay the dominion of that kingdom low,] he made a
+violent attempt to kill him; and crying out in a frightful manner, he
+said, "This, O king! this child is he of whom God foretold, that if we
+kill him we shall be in no danger; he himself affords an attestation to
+the prediction of the same thing, by his trampling upon thy government,
+and treading upon thy diadem. Take him, therefore, out of the way, and
+deliver the Egyptians from the fear they are in about him; and deprive
+the Hebrews of the hope they have of being encouraged by him." But
+Thermuthis prevented him, and snatched the child away. And the king was
+not hasty to slay him, God himself, whose providence protected Moses,
+inclining the king to spare him. He was, therefore, educated with great
+care. So the Hebrews depended on him, and were of good hopes great
+things would be done by him; but the Egyptians were suspicious of what
+would follow such his education. Yet because, if Moses had been slain,
+there was no one, either akin or adopted, that had any oracle on his
+side for pretending to the crown of Egypt, and likely to be of greater
+advantage to them, they abstained from killing him.
+
+
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER 10. How Moses Made War With The Ethiopians.
+
+1. Moses, therefore, when he was born, and brought up in the foregoing
+manner, and came to the age of maturity, made his virtue manifest to the
+Egyptians; and showed that he was born for the bringing them down, and
+raising the Israelites. And the occasion he laid hold of was this:—The
+Ethiopians, who are next neighbors to the Egyptians, made an inroad into
+their country, which they seized upon, and carried off the effects of
+the Egyptians, who, in their rage, fought against them, and revenged the
+affronts they had received from them; but being overcome in battle, some
+of them were slain, and the rest ran away in a shameful manner, and by
+that means saved themselves; whereupon the Ethiopians followed after
+them in the pursuit, and thinking that it would be a mark of cowardice
+if they did not subdue all Egypt, they went on to subdue the rest with
+greater vehemence; and when they had tasted the sweets of the country,
+they never left off the prosecution of the war: and as the nearest parts
+had not courage enough at first to fight with them, they proceeded as
+far as Memphis, and the sea itself, while not one of the cities was able
+to oppose them. The Egyptians, under this sad oppression, betook
+themselves to their oracles and prophecies; and when God had given them
+this counsel, to make use of Moses the Hebrew, and take his assistance,
+the king commanded his daughter to produce him, that he might be the
+general 22 of their army. Upon which, when she had made him swear he
+would do him no harm, she delivered him to the king, and supposed his
+assistance would be of great advantage to them. She withal reproached
+the priest, who, when they had before admonished the Egyptians to kill
+him, was not ashamed now to own their want of his help.
+
+2. So Moses, at the persuasion both of Thermuthis and the king himself,
+cheerfully undertook the business: and the sacred scribes of both
+nations were glad; those of the Egyptians, that they should at once
+overcome their enemies by his valor, and that by the same piece of
+management Moses would be slain; but those of the Hebrews, that they
+should escape from the Egyptians, because Moses was to be their general.
+But Moses prevented the enemies, and took and led his army before those
+enemies were apprized of his attacking them; for he did not march by the
+river, but by land, where he gave a wonderful demonstration of his
+sagacity; for when the ground was difficult to be passed over, because
+of the multitude of serpents, [which it produces in vast numbers, and,
+indeed, is singular in some of those productions, which other countries
+do not breed, and yet such as are worse than others in power and
+mischief, and an unusual fierceness of sight, some of which ascend out
+of the ground unseen, and also fly in the air, and so come upon men at
+unawares, and do them a mischief,] Moses invented a wonderful stratagem
+to preserve the army safe, and without hurt; for he made baskets, like
+unto arks, of sedge, and filled them with ibes, 23 and carried them
+along with them; which animal is the greatest enemy to serpents
+imaginable, for they fly from them when they come near them; and as they
+fly they are caught and devoured by them, as if it were done by the
+harts; but the ibes are tame creatures, and only enemies to the
+serpentine kind: but about these ibes I say no more at present, since
+the Greeks themselves are not unacquainted with this sort of bird. As
+soon, therefore, as Moses was come to the land which was the breeder of
+these serpents, he let loose the ibes, and by their means repelled the
+serpentine kind, and used them for his assistants before the army came
+upon that ground. When he had therefore proceeded thus on his journey,
+he came upon the Ethiopians before they expected him; and, joining
+battle with them, he beat them, and deprived them of the hopes they had
+of success against the Egyptians, and went on in overthrowing their
+cities, and indeed made a great slaughter of these Ethiopians. Now when
+the Egyptian army had once tasted of this prosperous success, by the
+means of Moses, they did not slacken their diligence, insomuch that the
+Ethiopians were in danger of being reduced to slavery, and all sorts of
+destruction; and at length they retired to Saba, which was a royal city
+of Ethiopia, which Cambyses afterwards named Mero, after the name of his
+own sister. The place was to be besieged with very great difficulty,
+since it was both encompassed by the Nile quite round, and the other
+rivers, Astapus and Astaboras, made it a very difficult thing for such
+as attempted to pass over them; for the city was situate in a retired
+place, and was inhabited after the manner of an island, being
+encompassed with a strong wall, and having the rivers to guard them from
+their enemies, and having great ramparts between the wall and the
+rivers, insomuch, that when the waters come with the greatest violence,
+it can never be drowned; which ramparts make it next to impossible for
+even such as are gotten over the rivers to take the city. However, while
+Moses was uneasy at the army's lying idle, [for the enemies durst not
+come to a battle,] this accident happened:—Tharbis was the daughter of
+the king of the Ethiopians: she happened to see Moses as he led the army
+near the walls, and fought with great courage; and admiring the subtilty
+of his undertakings, and believing him to be the author of the
+Egyptians' success, when they had before despaired of recovering their
+liberty, and to be the occasion of the great danger the Ethiopians were
+in, when they had before boasted of their great achievements, she fell
+deeply in love with him; and upon the prevalancy of that passion, sent
+to him the most faithful of all her servants to discourse with him about
+their marriage. He thereupon accepted the offer, on condition she would
+procure the delivering up of the city; and gave her the assurance of an
+oath to take her to his wife; and that when he had once taken possession
+of the city, he would not break his oath to her. No sooner was the
+agreement made, but it took effect immediately; and when Moses had cut
+off the Ethiopians, he gave thanks to God, and consummated his marriage,
+and led the Egyptians back to their own land.
+
+
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER 11. How Moses Fled Out Of Egypt Into Midian.
+
+1. Now the Egyptians, after they had been preserved by Moses,
+entertained a hatred to him, and were very eager in compassing their
+designs against him, as suspecting that he would take occasion, from his
+good success, to raise a sedition, and bring innovations into Egypt; and
+told the king he ought to be slain. The king had also some intentions of
+himself to the same purpose, and this as well out of envy at his
+glorious expedition at the head of his army, as out of fear of being
+brought low by him and being instigated by the sacred scribes, he was
+ready to undertake to kill Moses: but when he had learned beforehand
+what plots there were against him, he went away privately; and because
+the public roads were watched, he took his flight through the deserts,
+and where his enemies could not suspect he would travel; and, though he
+was destitute of food, he went on, and despised that difficulty
+courageously; and when he came to the city Midian, which lay upon the
+Red Sea, and was so denominated from one of Abraham's sons by Keturah,
+he sat upon a certain well, and rested himself there after his laborious
+journey, and the affliction he had been in. It was not far from the
+city, and the time of the day was noon, where he had an occasion offered
+him by the custom of the country of doing what recommended his virtue,
+and afforded him an opportunity of bettering his circumstances.
+
+2. For that country having but little water, the shepherds used to seize
+on the wells before others came, lest their flocks should want water,
+and lest it should be spent by others before they came. There were now
+come, therefore, to this well seven sisters that were virgins, the
+daughters of Raguel, a priest, and one thought worthy by the people of
+the country of great honor. These virgins, who took care of their
+father's flocks, which sort of work it was customary and very familiar
+for women to do in the country of the Troglodytes, they came first of
+all, and drew water out of the well in a quantity sufficient for their
+flocks, into troughs, which were made for the reception of that water;
+but when the shepherds came upon the maidens, and drove them away, that
+they might have the command of the water themselves, Moses, thinking it
+would be a terrible reproach upon him if he overlooked the young women
+under unjust oppression, and should suffer the violence of the men to
+prevail over the right of the maidens, he drove away the men, who had a
+mind to more than their share, and afforded a proper assistance to the
+women; who, when they had received such a benefit from him, came to
+their father, and told him how they had been affronted by the shepherds,
+and assisted by a stranger, and entreated that he would not let this
+generous action be done in vain, nor go without a reward. Now the father
+took it well from his daughters that they were so desirous to reward
+their benefactor; and bid them bring Moses into his presence, that he
+might be rewarded as he deserved. And when Moses came, he told him what
+testimony his daughters bare to him, that he had assisted them; and
+that, as he admired him for his virtue, he said that Moses had bestowed
+such his assistance on persons not insensible of benefits, but where
+they were both able and willing to return the kindness, and even to
+exceed the measure of his generosity. So he made him his son, and gave
+him one of his daughters in marriage; and appointed him to be the
+guardian and superintendent over his cattle; for of old, all the wealth
+of the barbarians was in those cattle.
+
+
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER 12. Concerning The Burning Bush And The Rod Of Moses.
+
+1. Now Moses, when he had obtained the favor of Jethro, for that was one
+of the names of Raguel, staid there and fed his flock; but some time
+afterward, taking his station at the mountain called Sinai, he drove his
+flocks thither to feed them. Now this is the highest of all the
+mountains thereabout, and the best for pasturage, the herbage being
+there good; and it had not been before fed upon, because of the opinion
+men had that God dwelt there, the shepherds not daring to ascend up to
+it; and here it was that a wonderful prodigy happened to Moses; for a
+fire fed upon a thorn bush, yet did the green leaves and the flowers
+continue untouched, and the fire did not at all consume the fruit
+branches, although the flame was great and fierce. Moses was affrighted
+at this strange sight, as it was to him; but he was still more
+astonished when the fire uttered a voice, and called to him by name, and
+spake words to him, by which it signified how bold he had been in
+venturing to come into a place whither no man had ever come before,
+because the place was divine; and advised him to remove a great way off
+from the flame, and to be contented with what he had seen; and though he
+were himself a good man, and the offspring of great men, yet that he
+should not pry any further; and he foretold to him, that he should have
+glory and honor among men, by the blessing of God upon him. He also
+commanded him to go away thence with confidence to Egypt, in order to
+his being the commander and conductor of the body of the Hebrews, and to
+his delivering his own people from the injuries they suffered there:
+"For," said God, "they shall inhabit this happy land which your
+forefather Abraham inhabited, and shall have the enjoyment of all good
+things." But still he enjoined them, when he brought the Hebrews out of
+the land of Egypt, to come to that place, and to offer sacrifices of
+thanksgiving there, Such were the divine oracles which were delivered
+out of the fire.
+
+2. But Moses was astonished at what he saw, and much more at what he
+heard; and he said, "I think it would be an instance of too great
+madness, O Lord, for one of that regard I bear to thee, to distrust thy
+power, since I myself adore it, and know that it has been made manifest
+to my progenitors: but I am still in doubt how I, who am a private man,
+and one of no abilities, should either persuade my own countrymen to
+leave the country they now inhabit, and to follow me to a land whither I
+lead them; or, if they should be persuaded, how can I force Pharaoh to
+permit them to depart, since they augment their own wealth and
+prosperity by the labors and works they put upon them?"
+
+3. But God persuaded him to be courageous on all occasions, and promised
+to be with him, and to assist him in his words, when he was to persuade
+men; and in his deeds, when he was to perform wonders. He bid him also
+to take a signal of the truth of what he said, by throwing his rod upon
+the ground, which, when he had done, it crept along, and was become a
+serpent, and rolled itself round in its folds, and erected its head, as
+ready to revenge itself on such as should assault it; after which it
+become a rod again as it was before. After this God bid Moses to put his
+right hand into his bosom: he obeyed, and when he took it out it was
+white, and in color like to chalk, but afterward it returned to its
+wonted color again. He also, upon God's command, took some of the water
+that was near him, and poured it upon the ground, and saw the color was
+that of blood. Upon the wonder that Moses showed at these signs, God
+exhorted him to be of good courage, and to be assured that he would be
+the greatest support to him; and bid him make use of those signs, in
+order to obtain belief among all men, that "thou art sent by me, and
+dost all things according to my commands. Accordingly I enjoin thee to
+make no more delays, but to make haste to Egypt, and to travel night and
+day, and not to draw out the time, and so make the slavery of the
+Hebrews and their sufferings to last the longer."
+
+4. Moses having now seen and heard these wonders that assured him of the
+truth of these promises of God, had no room left him to disbelieve them:
+he entreated him to grant him that power when he should be in Egypt; and
+besought him to vouchsafe him the knowledge of his own name; and since
+he had heard and seen him, that he would also tell him his name, that
+when he offered sacrifice he might invoke him by such his name in his
+oblations. Whereupon God declared to him his holy name, which had never
+been discovered to men before; concerning which it is not lawful for me
+to say any more 24 Now these signs accompanied Moses, not then only, but
+always when he prayed for them: of all which signs he attributed the
+firmest assent to the fire in the bush; and believing that God would be
+a gracious supporter to him, he hoped he should be able to deliver his
+own nation, and bring calamities on the Egyptians.
+
+
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER 13. How Moses And Aaron Returned Into Egypt To Pharaoh.
+
+1. So Moses, when he understood that the Pharaoh, in whose reign he fled
+away, was dead, asked leave of Raguel to go to Egypt, for the benefit of
+his own people. And he took with him Zipporah, the daughter of Raguel,
+whom he had married, and the children he had by her, Gersom and Eleazer,
+and made haste into Egypt. Now the former of those names, Gersom, in the
+Hebrew tongue, signifies that he was in a strange land; and Eleazer,
+that, by the assistance of the God of his fathers, he had escaped from
+the Egyptians. Now when they were near the borders, Aaron his brother,
+by the command of God, met him, to whom he declared what had befallen
+him at the mountain, and the commands that God had given him. But as
+they were going forward, the chief men among the Hebrews, having learned
+that they were coming, met them: to whom Moses declared the signs he had
+seen; and while they could not believe them, he made them see them, So
+they took courage at these surprising and unexpected sights, and hoped
+well of their entire deliverance, as believing now that God took care of
+their preservation.
+
+2. Since then Moses found that the Hebrews would be obedient to
+whatsoever he should direct, as they promised to be, and were in love
+with liberty, he came to the king, who had indeed but lately received
+the government, and told him how much he had done for the good of the
+Egyptians, when they were despised by the Ethiopians, and their country
+laid waste by them; and how he had been the commander of their forces,
+and had labored for them, as if they had been his own people and he
+informed him in what danger he had been during that expedition, without
+having any proper returns made him as he had deserved. He also informed
+him distinctly what things happened to him at Mount Sinai; and what God
+said to him; and the signs that were done by God, in order to assure him
+of the authority of those commands which he had given him. He also
+exhorted him not to disbelieve what he told him, nor to oppose the will
+of God.
+
+3. But when the king derided Moses; he made him in earnest see the signs
+that were done at Mount Sinai. Yet was the king very angry with him and
+called him an ill man, who had formerly run away from his Egyptian
+slavery, and came now back with deceitful tricks, and wonders, and
+magical arts, to astonish him. And when he had said this, he commanded
+the priests to let him see the same wonderful sights; as knowing that
+the Egyptians were skillful in this kind of learning, and that he was
+not the only person who knew them, and pretended them to be divine; as
+also he told him, that when he brought such wonderful sights before him,
+he would only be believed by the unlearned. Now when the priests threw
+down their rods, they became serpents. But Moses was not daunted at it;
+and said, "O king, I do not myself despise the wisdom of the Egyptians,
+but I say that what I do is so much superior to what these do by magic
+arts and tricks, as Divine power exceeds the power of man: but I will
+demonstrate that what I do is not done by craft, or counterfeiting what
+is not really true, but that they appear by the providence and power of
+God." And when he had said this, he cast his rod down upon the ground,
+and commanded it to turn itself into a serpent. It obeyed him, and went
+all round, and devoured the rods of the Egyptians, which seemed to be
+dragons, until it had consumed them all. It then returned to its own
+form, and Moses took it into his hand again.
+
+4. However, the king was no more moved when it was done than before; and
+being very angry, he said that he should gain nothing by this his
+cunning and shrewdness against the Egyptians;—and he commanded him that
+was the chief taskmaster over the Hebrews, to give them no relaxation
+from their labors, but to compel them to submit to greater oppressions
+than before; and though he allowed them chaff before for making their
+bricks, he would allow it them no longer, but he made them to work hard
+at brick-making in the day-time, and to gather chaff in the night. Now
+when their labor was thus doubled upon them, they laid the blame upon
+Moses, because their labor and their misery were on his account become
+more severe to them. But Moses did not let his courage sink for the
+king's threatenings; nor did he abate of his zeal on account of the
+Hebrews' complaints; but he supported himself, and set his soul
+resolutely against them both, and used his own utmost diligence to
+procure liberty to his countrymen. So he went to the king, and persuaded
+him to let the Hebrews go to Mount Sinai, and there to sacrifice to God,
+because God had enjoined them so to do. He persuaded him also not to
+counterwork the designs of God, but to esteem his favor above all
+things, and to permit them to depart, lest, before he be aware, he lay
+an obstruction in the way of the Divine commands, and so occasion his
+own suffering such punishments as it was probable any one that
+counterworked the Divine commands should undergo, since the severest
+afflictions arise from every object to those that provoke the Divine
+wrath against them; for such as these have neither the earth nor the air
+for their friends; nor are the fruits of the womb according to nature,
+but every thing is unfriendly and adverse towards them. He said further,
+that the Egyptians should know this by sad experience; and that besides,
+the Hebrew people should go out of their country without their consent.
+
+
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER 14. Concerning The Ten Plagues Which Came Upon The Egyptians.
+
+1. But when the king despised the words of Moses, and had no regard at
+all to them, grievous plagues seized the Egyptians; every one of which I
+will describe, both because no such plagues did ever happen to any other
+nation as the Egyptians now felt, and because I would demonstrate that
+Moses did not fail in any one thing that he foretold them; and because
+it is for the good of mankind, that they may learn this caution—Not to
+do anything that may displease God, lest he be provoked to wrath, and
+avenge their iniquities upon them. For the Egyptian river ran with
+bloody water at the command of God, insomuch that it could not be drunk,
+and they had no other spring of water neither; for the water was not
+only of the color of blood, but it brought upon those that ventured to
+drink of it, great pains and bitter torment. Such was the river to the
+Egyptians; but it was sweet and fit for drinking to the Hebrews, and no
+way different from what it naturally used to be. As the king therefore
+knew not what to do in these surprising circumstances, and was in fear
+for the Egyptians, he gave the Hebrews leave to go away; but when the
+plague ceased, he changed his mind again, end would not suffer them to
+go. 25
+
+2. But when God saw that he was ungrateful, and upon the ceasing of this
+calamity would not grow wiser, he sent another plague upon the
+Egyptians:—An innumerable multitude of frogs consumed the fruit of the
+ground; the river was also full of them, insomuch that those who drew
+water had it spoiled by the blood of these animals, as they died in, and
+were destroyed by, the water; and the country was full of filthy slime,
+as they were born, and as they died: they also spoiled their vessels in
+their houses which they used, and were found among what they eat and
+what they drank, and came in great numbers upon their beds. There was
+also an ungrateful smell, and a stink arose from them, as they were
+born, and as they died therein. Now, when the Egyptians were under the
+oppression of these miseries, the king ordered Moses to take the Hebrews
+with him, and be gone. Upon which the whole multitude of the frogs
+vanished away; and both the land and the river returned to their former
+natures. But as soon as Pharaoh saw the land freed from this plague, he
+forgot the cause of it, and retained the Hebrews; and, as though he had
+a mind to try the nature of more such judgments, he would not yet suffer
+Moses and his people to depart, having granted that liberty rather out
+of fear than out of any good consideration.
+
+3. Accordingly, God punished his falseness with another plague, added to
+the former; for there arose out of the bodies of the Egyptians an
+innumerable quantity of lice, by which, wicked as they were, they
+miserably perished, as not able to destroy this sort of vermin either
+with washes or with ointments. At which terrible judgment the king of
+Egypt was in disorder, upon the fear into which he reasoned himself,
+lest his people should be destroyed, and that the manner of this death
+was also reproachful, so that he was forced in part to recover himself
+from his wicked temper to a sounder mind, for he gave leave for the
+Hebrews themselves to depart. But when the plague thereupon ceased, he
+thought it proper to require that they should leave their children and
+wives behind them, as pledges of their return; whereby he provoked God
+to be more vehemently angry at him, as if he thought to impose on his
+providence, and as if it were only Moses, and not God, who punished the
+Egyptians for the sake of the Hebrews: for he filled that country full
+of various sorts of pestilential creatures, with their various
+properties, such indeed as had never come into the sight of men before,
+by whose means the men perished themselves, and the land was destitute
+of husbandmen for its cultivation; but if any thing escaped destruction
+from them, it was killed by a distemper which the men underwent also.
+
+4. But when Pharaoh did not even then yield to the will of God, but,
+while he gave leave to the husbands to take their wives with them, yet
+insisted that the children should be left behind, God presently resolved
+to punish his wickedness with several sorts of calamities, and those
+worse than the foregoing, which yet had so generally afflicted them; for
+their bodies had terrible boils, breaking forth with blains, while they
+were already inwardly consumed; and a great part of the Egyptians
+perished in this manner. But when the king was not brought to reason by
+this plague, hail was sent down from heaven; and such hail it was, as
+the climate of Egypt had never suffered before, nor was it like to that
+which falls in other climates in winter time, 26 but was larger than
+that which falls in the middle of spring to those that dwell in the
+northern and north-western regions. This hail broke down their boughs
+laden with fruit. After this a tribe of locusts consumed the seed which
+was not hurt by the hail; so that to the Egyptians all hopes of the
+future fruits of the ground were entirely lost.
+
+5. One would think the forementioned calamities might have been
+sufficient for one that was only foolish, without wickedness, to make
+him wise, and to make him Sensible what was for his advantage. But
+Pharaoh, led not so much by his folly as by his wickedness, even when he
+saw the cause of his miseries, he still contested with God, and
+willfully deserted the cause of virtue; so he bid Moses take the Hebrews
+away, with their wives and children, to leave their cattle behind, since
+their own cattle were destroyed. But when Moses said that what he
+desired was unjust, since they were obliged to offer sacrifices to God
+of those cattle, and the time being prolonged on this account, a thick
+darkness, without the least light, spread itself over the Egyptians,
+whereby their sight being obstructed, and their breathing hindered by
+the thickness of the air, they died miserably, and under a terror lest
+they should be swallowed up by the dark cloud. Besides this, when the
+darkness, after three days and as many nights, was dissipated, and when
+Pharaoh did not still repent and let the Hebrews go, Moses came to him
+and said, "How long wilt thou be disobedient to the command of God? for
+he enjoins thee to let the Hebrews go; nor is there any other way of
+being freed from the calamities you are under, unless you do so." But
+the king angry at what he said, and threatened to cut off his head if he
+came any more to trouble him these matters. Hereupon Moses said he not
+speak to him any more about them, for he himself, together with the
+principal men among the Egyptians, should desire the Hebrews away. So
+when Moses had said this, he his way.
+
+6. But when God had signified, that with one plague he would compel the
+Egyptians to let Hebrews go, he commanded Moses to tell the people that
+they should have a sacrifice ready, and they should prepare themselves
+on the tenth day of the month Xanthicus, against the fourteenth, [which
+month is called by the Egyptians Pharmuth, Nisan by the Hebrews; but the
+Macedonians call it Xanthicus,] and that he should carry the Hebrews
+with all they had. Accordingly, he having got the Hebrews ready for
+their departure, and having sorted the people into tribes, he kept them
+together in one place: but when the fourteenth day was come, and all
+were ready to depart they offered the sacrifice, and purified their
+houses with the blood, using bunches of hyssop for that purpose; and
+when they had supped, they burnt the remainder of the flesh, as just
+ready to depart. Whence it is that we do still offer this sacrifice in
+like manner to this day, and call this festival Pascha which signifies
+the feast of the passover; because on that day God passed us over, and
+sent the plague upon the Egyptians; for the destruction of the first-
+born came upon the Egyptians that night, so that many of the Egyptians
+who lived near the king's palace, persuaded Pharaoh to let the Hebrews
+go. Accordingly he called for Moses, and bid them be gone; as supposing,
+that if once the Hebrews were gone out of the country, Egypt should be
+freed from its miseries. They also honored the Hebrews with gifts; 27
+some, in order to get them to depart quickly, and others on account of
+their neighborhood, and the friendship they had with them.
+
+
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER 15. How The Hebrews Under The Conduct Of Moses Left Egypt.
+
+1. So the Hebrews went out of Egypt, while the Egyptians wept, and
+repented that they had treated them so hardly.—Now they took their
+journey by Letopolis, a place at that time deserted, but where Babylon
+was built afterwards, when Cambyses laid Egypt waste: but as they went
+away hastily, on the third day they came to a place called Beelzephon,
+on the Red Sea; and when they had no food out of the land, because it
+was a desert, they eat of loaves kneaded of flour, only warmed by a
+gentle heat; and this food they made use of for thirty days; for what
+they brought with them out of Egypt would not suffice them any longer
+time; and this only while they dispensed it to each person, to use so
+much only as would serve for necessity, but not for satiety. Whence it
+is that, in memory of the want we were then in, we keep a feast for
+eight days, which is called the feast of unleavened bread. Now the
+entire multitude of those that went out, including the women and
+children, was not easy to be numbered, but those that were of an age fit
+for war, were six hundred thousand.
+
+2. They left Egypt in the month Xanthicus, on the fifteenth day of the
+lunar month; four hundred and thirty years after our forefather Abraham
+came into Canaan, but two hundred and fifteen years only after Jacob
+removed into Egypt. 28 It was the eightieth year of the age of Moses,
+and of that of Aaron three more. They also carried out the bones of
+Joesph with them, as he had charged his sons to do.
+
+3. But the Egyptians soon repented that the Hebrews were gone; and the
+king also was mightily concerned that this had been procured by the
+magic arts of Moses; so they resolved to go after them. Accordingly they
+took their weapons, and other warlike furniture, and pursued after them,
+in order to bring them back, if once they overtook them, because they
+would now have no pretense to pray to God against them, since they had
+already been permitted to go out; and they thought they should easily
+overcome them, as they had no armor, and would be weary with their
+journey; so they made haste in their pursuit, and asked of every one
+they met which way they were gone. And indeed that land was difficult to
+be traveled over, not only by armies, but by single persons. Now Moses
+led the Hebrews this way, that in case the Egyptians should repent and
+be desirous to pursue after them, they might undergo the punishment of
+their wickedness, and of the breach of those promises they had made to
+them. As also he led them this way on account of the Philistines, who
+had quarreled with them, and hated them of old, that by all means they
+might not know of their departure, for their country is near to that of
+Egypt; and thence it was that Moses led them not along the road that
+tended to the land of the Philistines, but he was desirous that they
+should go through the desert, that so after a long journey, and after
+many afflictions, they might enter upon the land of Canaan. Another
+reason of this was, that God commanded him to bring the people to Mount
+Sinai, that there they might offer him sacrifices. Now when the
+Egyptians had overtaken the Hebrews, they prepared to fight them, and by
+their multitude they drove them into a narrow place; for the number that
+pursued after them was six hundred chariots, with fifty thousand
+horsemen, and two hundred thousand foot-men, all armed. They also seized
+on the passages by which they imagined the Hebrews might fly, shutting
+them up 29 between inaccessible precipices and the sea; for there was
+[on each side] a [ridge of] mountains that terminated at the sea, which
+were impassable by reason of their roughness, and obstructed their
+flight; wherefore they there pressed upon the Hebrews with their army,
+where [the ridges of] the mountains were closed with the sea; which army
+they placed at the chops of the mountains, that so they might deprive
+them of any passage into the plain.
+
+4. When the Hebrews, therefore, were neither able to bear up, being
+thus, as it were, besieged, because they wanted provisions, nor saw any
+possible way of escaping; and if they should have thought of fighting,
+they had no weapons; they expected a universal destruction, unless they
+delivered themselves up to the Egyptians. So they laid the blame on
+Moses, and forgot all the signs that had been wrought by God for the
+recovery of their freedom; and this so far, that their incredulity
+prompted them to throw stones at the prophet, while he encouraged them
+and promised them deliverance; and they resolved that they would deliver
+themselves up to the Egyptians. So there was sorrow and lamentation
+among the women and children, who had nothing but destruction before
+their eyes, while they were encompassed with mountains, the sea, and
+their enemies, and discerned no way of flying from them.
+
+5. But Moses, though the multitude looked fiercely at him, did not,
+however, give over the care of them, but despised all dangers, out of
+his trust in God, who, as he had afforded them the several steps already
+taken for the recovery of their liberty, which he had foretold them,
+would not now suffer them to be subdued by their enemies, to be either
+made slaves or be slain by them; and, standing in midst of them, he
+said, "It is not just of us to distrust even men, when they have
+hitherto well managed our affairs, as if they would not be the same
+hereafter; but it is no better than madness, at this time to despair of
+the providence of God, by whose power all those things have been
+performed he promised, when you expected no such things: I mean all that
+I have been concerned in for deliverance and escape from slavery. Nay,
+when we are in the utmost distress, as you see we ought rather to hope
+that God will succor us, by whose operation it is that we are now in
+this narrow place, that he may out of such difficulties as are otherwise
+insurmountable and out of which neither you nor your enemies expect you
+can be delivered, and may at once demonstrate his own power and his
+providence over us. Nor does God use to give his help in small
+difficulties to those whom he favors, but in such cases where no one can
+see how any hope in man can better their condition. Depend, therefore,
+upon such a Protector as is able to make small things great, and to show
+that this mighty force against you is nothing but weakness, and be not
+affrighted at the Egyptian army, nor do you despair of being preserved,
+because the sea before, and the mountains behind, afford you no
+opportunity for flying, for even these mountains, if God so please, may
+be made plain ground for you, and the sea become dry land."
+
+
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER 16. How The Sea Was Divided Asunder For The Hebrews, When They
+Were Pursued By The Egyptians, And So Gave Them An Opportunity Of
+Escaping From Them.
+
+1. When Moses had said this, he led them to the sea, while the Egyptians
+looked on; for they were within sight. Now these were so distressed by
+the toil of their pursuit, that they thought proper to put off fighting
+till the next day. But when Moses was come to the sea-shore, he took his
+rod, and made supplication to God, and called upon him to be their
+helper and assistant; and said "Thou art not ignorant, O Lord, that it
+is beyond human strength and human contrivance to avoid the difficulties
+we are now under; but it must be thy work altogether to procure
+deliverance to this army, which has left Egypt at thy appointment. We
+despair of any other assistance or contrivance, and have recourse only
+to that hope we have in thee; and if there be any method that can
+promise us an escape by thy providence, we look up to thee for it. And
+let it come quickly, and manifest thy power to us; and do thou raise up
+this people unto good courage and hope of deliverance, who are deeply
+sunk into a disconsolate state of mind. We are in a helpless place, but
+still it is a place that thou possessest; still the sea is thine, the
+mountains also that enclose us are thine; so that these mountains will
+open themselves if thou commandest them, and the sea also, if thou
+commandest it, will become dry land. Nay, we might escape by a flight
+through the air, if thou shouldst determine we should have that way of
+salvation."
+
+2. When Moses had thus addressed himself to God, he smote the sea with
+his rod, which parted asunder at the stroke, and receiving those waters
+into itself, left the ground dry, as a road and a place of flight for
+the Hebrews. Now when Moses saw this appearance of God, and that the sea
+went out of its own place, and left dry land, he went first of all into
+it, and bid the Hebrews to follow him along that divine road, and to
+rejoice at the danger their enemies that followed them were in; and gave
+thanks to God for this so surprising a deliverance which appeared from
+him.
+
+3. Now, while these Hebrews made no stay, but went on earnestly, as led
+by God's presence with them, the Egyptians supposed first that they were
+distracted, and were going rashly upon manifest destruction. But when
+they saw that they were going a great way without any harm, and that no
+obstacle or difficulty fell in their journey, they made haste to pursue
+them, hoping that the sea would be calm for them also. They put their
+horse foremost, and went down themselves into the sea. Now the Hebrews,
+while these were putting on their armor, and therein spending their
+time, were beforehand with them, and escaped them, and got first over to
+the land on the other side without any hurt. Whence the others were
+encouraged, and more courageously pursued them, as hoping no harm would
+come to them neither: but the Egyptians were not aware that they went
+into a road made for the Hebrews, and not for others; that this road was
+made for the deliverance of those in danger, but not for those that were
+earnest to make use of it for the others' destruction. As soon,
+therefore, as ever the whole Egyptian army was within it, the sea flowed
+to its own place, and came down with a torrent raised by storms of wind,
+30 and encompassed the Egyptians. Showers of rain also came down from
+the sky, and dreadful thunders and lightning, with flashes of fire.
+Thunderbolts also were darted upon them. Nor was there any thing which
+used to be sent by God upon men, as indications of his wrath, which did
+not happen at this time, for a dark and dismal night oppressed them. And
+thus did all these men perish, so that there was not one man left to be
+a messenger of this calamity to the rest of the Egyptians.
+
+4. But the Hebrews were not able to contain themselves for joy at their
+wonderful deliverance, and destruction of their enemies; now indeed
+supposing themselves firmly delivered, when those that would have forced
+them into slavery were destroyed, and when they found they had God so
+evidently for their protector. And now these Hebrews having escaped the
+danger they were in, after this manner, and besides that, seeing their
+enemies punished in such a way as is never recorded of any other men
+whomsoever, were all the night employed in singing of hymns, and in
+mirth. 31 Moses also composed a song unto God, containing his praises,
+and a thanksgiving for his kindness, in hexameter verse. 32
+
+5. As for myself, I have delivered every part of this history as I found
+it in the sacred books; nor let any one wonder at the strangeness of the
+narration if a way were discovered to those men of old time, who were
+free from the wickedness of the modern ages, whether it happened by the
+will of God or whether it happened of its own accord;—while, for the
+sake of those that accompanied Alexander, king of Macedonia, who yet
+lived, comparatively but a little while ago, the Pamphylian Sea retired
+and afforded them a passage 33 through itself, had no other way to go; I
+mean, when it was the will of God to destroy the monarchy of the
+Persians: and this is confessed to be true by all that have written
+about the actions of Alexander. But as to these events, let every one
+determine as he pleases.
+
+6. On the next day Moses gathered together the weapons of the Egyptians,
+which were brought to the camp of the Hebrews by the current of the sea,
+and the force of the winds resisting it; and he conjectured that this
+also happened by Divine Providence, that so they might not be destitute
+of weapons. So when he had ordered the Hebrews to arm themselves with
+them, he led them to Mount Sinai, in order to offer sacrifice to God,
+and to render oblations for the salvation of the multitude, as he was
+charged to do beforehand.
+
+
+
+
+
+
+FOOTNOTES
+
+
+1 (return) [ We may here observe, that in correspondence to Joseph's
+second dream, which implied that his mother, who was then alive, as well
+as his father, should come and bow down to him, Josephus represents her
+here as still alive after she was dead, for the decorum of the dream
+that foretold it, as the interpretation of the dream does also in all
+our copies, Genesis 37:10.]
+
+
+2 (return) [ The Septuagint have twenty pieces of gold; the Testament of
+Gad thirty; the Hebrew and Samaritan twenty of silver; and the vulgar
+Latin thirty. What was the true number and true sum cannot therefore now
+be known.]
+
+
+3 (return) [ That is, bought it for Pharaoh at a very low price.]
+
+
+4 (return) [ This Potiphar, or, as Josephus, Petephres, who was now a
+priest of On, or Heliopolis, is the same name in Josephus, and perhaps
+in Moses also, with him who is before called head cook or captain of the
+guard, and to whom Joseph was sold. See Genesis 37:36; 39:1, with 41:50.
+They are also affirmed to be one and the same person in the Testament of
+Joseph, sect. 18, for he is there said to have married the daughter of
+his master and mistress. Nor is this a notion peculiar to that
+Testament, but, as Dr. Bernard confesses, note on Antiq. B. II. ch. 4.
+sect. 1, common to Josephus, to the Septuagint interpreters, and to
+other learned Jews of old time.]
+
+
+5 (return) [ This entire ignorance of the Egyptians of these years of
+famine before they came, told us before, as well as here, ch. 5. sect.
+7, by Josephus, seems to me almost incredible. It is in no other copy
+that I know of.]
+
+
+6 (return) [ The reason why Symeon might be selected out of the rest for
+Joseph's prisoner, is plain in the Testament of Symeon, viz. that he was
+one of the bitterest of all Joseph's brethren against him, sect. 2;
+which appears also in part by the Testament of Zabulon, sect. 3.]
+
+
+7 (return) [ The coherence seems to me to show that the negative
+particle is here wanting, which I have supplied in brackets, and I
+wonder none have hitherto suspected that it ought to be supplied.]
+
+
+8 (return) [ Of the precious balsam of Judea, and the turpentine, see
+the note on Antiq. B. VIII. ch. 6. sect. 6.]
+
+
+9 (return) [ This oration seems to me too large, and too unusual a
+digression, to have been composed by Judas on this occasion. It seems to
+me a speech or declamation composed formerly, in the person of Judas,
+and in the way of oratory, that lay by him, and which he thought fit to
+insert on this occasion. See two more such speeches or declamations,
+Antiq. B. VI. ch. 14. sect. 4]
+
+
+10 (return) [ In all this speech of Judas we may observe, that Josephus
+still supposed that death was the punishment of theft in Egypt, in the
+days of Joseph, though it never was so among the Jews, by the law of
+Moses.]
+
+
+11 (return) [ All the Greek copies of Josephus have the negative
+particle here, that Jacob himself was not reckoned one of the 70 souls
+that came into Egypt; but the old Latin copies want it, and directly
+assure us he was one of them. It is therefore hardly certain which of
+these was Josephus's true reading, since the number 70 is made up
+without him, if we reckon Leah for one; but if she be not reckoned,
+Jacob must himself be one, to complete the number.]
+
+
+12 (return) [ Josephus thought that the Egyptians hated or despised the
+employment of a shepherd in the days of Joseph; whereas Bishop
+Cumberland has shown that they rather hated such Poehnician or Canaanite
+shepherds that had long enslaved the Egyptians of old time. See his
+Sanchoniatho, p. 361, 362.]
+
+
+13 (return) [ Reland here puts the question, how Josephus could complain
+of its not raining in Egypt during this famine, while the ancients
+affirm that it never does naturally rain there. His answer is, that when
+the ancients deny that it rains in Egypt, they only mean the Upper Egypt
+above the Delta, which is called Egypt in the strictest sense; but that
+in the Delta [and by consequence in the Lower Egypt adjoining to it] it
+did of old, and still does, rain sometimes. See the note on Antiq. B.
+III. ch. 1. sect. 6.]
+
+
+14 (return) [ Josephus supposes that Joseph now restored the Egyptians
+their lands again upon the payment of a fifth part as tribute. It seems
+to me rather that the land was now considered as Pharaoh's land, and
+this fifth part as its rent, to be paid to him, as he was their
+landlord, and they his tenants; and that the lands were not properly
+restored, and this fifth part reserved as tribute only, till the days of
+Sesostris. See Essay on the Old Testament, Append. 148, 149.]
+
+
+15 (return) [ As to this encomium upon Joseph, as preparatory to Jacob's
+adopting Ephraim and Manasses into his own family, and to be admitted
+for two tribes, which Josephus here mentions, all our copies of Genesis
+omit it, ch. 48.; nor do we know whence he took it, or whether it be not
+his own embellishment only.]
+
+
+16 (return) [ As to the affliction of Abraham's posterity for 400 years,
+see Antiq. B. I. ch. 10. sect. 3; and as to what cities they built in
+Egypt, under Pharaoh Sesostris, and of Pharaoh Sesostris's drowning in
+the Red Sea, see Essay on the Old Testament, Append. p. 132-162.]
+
+
+17 (return) [ Of this building of the pyramids of Egypt by the
+Israelites, see Perizonius Orig. Aegyptiac, ch. 21. It is not impossible
+they might build one or more of the small ones; but the larger ones seem
+much later. Only, if they be all built of stone, this does not so well
+agree with the Israelites' labors, which are said to have been in brick,
+and not in stone, as Mr. Sandys observes in his Travels. p. 127, 128.]
+
+
+18 (return) [ Dr. Bernard informs us here, that instead of this single
+priest or prophet of the Egyptians, without a name in Josephus, the
+Targum of Jonathan names the two famous antagonists of Moses, Jannes and
+Jambres. Nor is it at all unlikely that it might be one of these who
+foreboded so much misery to the Egyptians, and so much happiness to the
+Israelites, from the rearing of Moses.]
+
+
+19 (return) [ Josephus is clear that these midwives were Egyptians, and
+not Israelites, as in our other copies: which is very probable, it being
+not easily to be supposed that Pharaoh could trust the Israelite
+midwives to execute so barbarous a command against their own nation.
+(Consult, therefore, and correct hence our ordinary copies, Exodus 1:15,
+22.) And, indeed, Josephus seems to have had much completer copies of
+the Pentateuch, or other authentic records now lost, about the birth and
+actions of Moses, than either our Hebrew, Samaritan, or Greek Bibles
+afford us, which enabled him to be so large and particular about him.]
+
+
+20 (return) [ Of this grandfather of Sesostris, Ramestes the Great, who
+slew the Israelite infants, and of the inscription on his obelisk,
+containing, in my opinion, one of the oldest records of mankind, see
+Essay on the Old Test. Append. p. 139, 145, 147, 217-220.]
+
+
+21 (return) [ What Josephus here says of the beauty of Moses, that he
+was of a divine form, is very like what St. Stephen says of the same
+beauty; that Moses was beautiful in the sight of Acts 7:20.]
+
+
+22 (return) [ This history of Moses, as general of the Egyptians against
+the Ethiopians, is wholly omitted in our Bibles; but is thus by
+Irenaeus, from Josephus, and that soon after his own age:—"Josephus
+says, that when Moses was nourished in the palace, he was appointed
+general of the army against the Ethiopians, and conquered them, when he
+married that king's daughter; because, out of her affection for him, she
+delivered the city up to him." See the Fragments of Irenaeus, ap. edit.
+Grab. p. 472. Nor perhaps did St. Stephen refer to any thing else when
+he said of Moses, before he was sent by God to the Israelites, that he
+was not only learned in all the wisdom of the Egyptians, but was also
+mighty in words and in deeds, Acts 7:22.]
+
+
+23 (return) [ Pliny speaks of these birds called ibes; and says, "The
+Egyptians invoked them against the serpents," Hist. Nat. B. X. ch. 28.
+Strabo speaks of this island Meroe, and these rivers Astapus and
+Astaboras, B. XVI. p. 771, 786; and B XVII. p. 82].]
+
+
+24 (return) [ This superstitious fear of discovering the name with four
+letters, which of late we have been used falsely to pronounce Jehovah,
+but seems to have been originally pronounced Jahoh, or Jao, is never, I
+think, heard of till this passage of Josephus; and this superstition, in
+not pronouncing that name, has continued among the Rabbinical Jews to
+this day [though whether the Samaritans and Caraites observed it so
+early, does not appear]. Josephus also durst not set down the very words
+of the ten commandments, as we shall see hereafter, Antiq. B. III. ch.
+5. sect. 4, which superstitious silence I think has yet not been
+continued even by the Rabbins. It is, however, no doubt but both these
+cautious concealments were taught Josephus by the Pharisees, a body of
+men at once very wicked and very superstitious.]
+
+
+25 (return) [ Of this judicial hardening the hearts and blinding the
+eyes of wicked men, or infatuating them, as a just punishment for their
+other willful sins, to their own destruction, see the note on Antiq. B.
+VII. ch. 9. sect. 6.]
+
+
+26 (return) [ As to this winter or spring hail near Egypt and Judea, see
+the like on thunder and lightning there, in the note on Antiq. B. VI.
+ch. 5. sect. 6.]
+
+
+27 (return) [ These large presents made to the Israelites, of vessels of
+and vessels of gold, and raiment, were, as Josephus truly calls them,
+gifts really given them; not lent them, as our English falsely renders
+them. They were spoils required, not of them, Genesis 15:14; Exodus
+3:22; 11:2; Psalm 105:37,] as the same version falsely renders the
+Hebrew word Exodus 12:35, 36. God had ordered the Jews to demand these
+as their pay and reward, during their long and bitter slavery in Egypt,
+as atonements for the lives of the Egyptians, and as the condition of
+the Jews' departure, and of the Egyptians' deliverance from these
+terrible judgments, which, had they not now ceased, they had soon been
+all dead men, as they themselves confess, ch. 12. 33. Nor was there any
+sense in borrowing or lending, when the Israelites were finally
+departing out of the land for ever.]
+
+
+28 (return) [ Why our Masorete copy so groundlessly abridges this
+account in Exodus 12:40, as to ascribe 430 years to the sole
+peregrination of the Israelites in Egypt, when it is clear even by that
+Masorete chronology elsewhere, as well as from the express text itself,
+in the Samaritan, Septuagint, and Josephus, that they sojourned in Egypt
+but half that time,--and that by consequence, the other half of their
+peregrination was in the land of Canaan, before they came into Egypt,--
+is hard to say. See Essay on the Old Testament, p. 62, 63.]
+
+
+29 (return) [ Take the main part of Reland's excellent note here, which
+greatly illustrates Josephus, and the Scripture, in this history, as
+follows: "[A traveller, says Reland, whose name was] Eneman, when he
+returned out of Egypt, told me that he went the same way from Egypt to
+Mount Sinai, which he supposed the Israelites of old traveled; and that
+he found several mountainous tracts, that ran down towards the Red Sea.
+He thought the Israelites had proceeded as far as the desert of Etham,
+Exodus 13:20, when they were commanded by God to return back, Exodus
+14:2, and to pitch their camp between Migdol and the sea; and that when
+they were not able to fly, unless by sea, they were shut in on each side
+by mountains. He also thought we might evidently learn hence, how it
+might be said that the Israelites were in Etham before they went over
+the sea, and yet might be said to have come into Etham after they had
+passed over the sea also. Besides, he gave me an account how he passed
+over a river in a boat near the city Suez, which he says must needs be
+the Heroopolia of the ancients, since that city could not be situate any
+where else in that neighborhood." As to the famous passage produced here
+by Dr. Bernard, out of Herodotus, as the most ancient heathen testimony
+of the Israelites coming from the Red Sea into Palestine, Bishop
+Cumberland has shown that it belongs to the old Canaanite or Phoenician
+shepherds, and their retiring out of Egypt into Canaan or Phoenicia,
+long before the days of Moses. Sanchoniatho, p. 374, &c.]
+
+
+30 (return) [ Of these storms of wind, thunder, and lightning, at this
+drowning of Pharaoh's army, almost wanting in our copies of Exodus, but
+fully extant in that of David, Psalm 77:16-18, and in that of Josephus
+here, see Essay on the Old Test. Append. p. 15,1, 155.]
+
+
+31 (return) [ What some have here objected against this passage of the
+Israelites over the Red Sea, in this one night, from the common maps,
+viz. that this sea being here about thirty miles broad, so great an army
+could not pass over it in so short a time, is a great mistake. Mons.
+Thevenot, an authentic eye-witness, informs us, that this sea, for about
+five days' journey, is no where more than about eight or nine miles
+over-cross, and in one place but four or five miles, according to De
+Lisle's map, which is made from the best travelers themselves, and not
+copied from others. What has been further objected against this passage
+of the Israelites, and drowning of the Egyptians, being miraculous also,
+viz. that Moses might carry the Israelites over at a low tide without
+any miracle, while yet the Egyptians, not knowing the tide so well as
+he, might be drowned upon the return of the tide, is a strange story
+indeed! That Moses, who never had lived here, should know the quantity
+and time of the flux and reflux of the Red Sea better than the Egyptians
+themselves in its neighborhood! Yet does Artapanus, an ancient heathen
+historian, inform us, that this was what the more ignorant Memphites,
+who lived at a great distance, pretended, though he confesses, that the
+more learned Heliopolitans, who lived much nearer, owned the destruction
+of the Egyptians, and the deliverance of the Israelites, to have been
+miraculous: and De Castro, a mathematician, who surveyed this sea with
+great exactness, informs us, that there is no great flux or reflux in
+this part of the Red Sea, to give a color to this hypothesis; nay, that
+at the elevation of the tide there is little above half the height of a
+man. See Essay on the Old Test. Append. p. 239, 240. So vain and
+groundless are these and the like evasions and subterfuges of our modern
+sceptics and unbelievers, and so certainly do thorough inquiries and
+authentic evidence disprove and confute such evasions and subterfuges
+upon all occasions.]
+
+
+32 (return) [ What that hexameter verse, in which Moses's triumphant
+song is here said to be written, distinctly means, our present ignorance
+of the old Hebrew metre or measure will not let us determine. Nor does
+it appear to me certain that even Josephus himself had a distinct notion
+of it, though he speaks of several sort of that metre or measure, both
+here and elsewhere. Antiq. B. IV. ch. 8. sect. 44; and B. VII. ch. 12.
+sect. 3.]
+
+
+33 (return) [ Take here the original passages of the four old authors
+that still remain, as to this transit of Alexander the Great over the
+Pamphylian Sea: I mean, of Callisthenes, Strabu, Arrian, and Appian. As
+to Callisthenes, who himself accompanied Alexander in this expedition,
+Eustathius, in his Notes on the third Iliad of Homer, [as Dr. Bernard
+here informs us,] says, That "this Callisthenes wrote how the Pamphylian
+Sea did not only open a passage for Alexander, but, by rising and did
+pay him homage as its king." Strabo's is this [Geog. B. XIV. p. 666]:
+"Now about Phaselis is that narrow passage, by the sea-side, through
+which his army. There is a mountain called Climax, adjoins to the Sea of
+Pamphylia, leaving a narrow passage on the shore, which, in calm
+weather, is bare, so as to be passable by travelers, but when the sea
+overflows, it is covered to a great degree by the waves. Now then, the
+ascent by the mountains being round about and steep, in still weather
+they make use of the road along the coast. But Alexander fell into the
+winter season, and committing himself chiefly to fortune, he marched on
+before the waves retired; and so it happened that were a whole day in
+journeying over it, and were under water up to the navel." Arrian's
+account is this [B. I. p. 72, 73]: "Alexander removed from Phaselis, he
+sent some part his army over the mountains to Perga; which road the
+Thracians showed him. A difficult way it was, but short. He himself
+conducted those that were with him by the sea-shore. This road is
+impassable at any other time than when the north wind blows; but if the
+south wind prevail, there is no passing by the shore. Now at this time,
+after strong south winds, a north wind blew, and that not without the
+Divine Providence, [as both he and they that were with him supposed,]
+and afforded him an easy and quick passage." Appian, when he compares
+Cæsar and Alexander together, [De Bel. Civil. B. II. p. 522,] says,
+"That they both depended on their boldness and fortune, as much as on
+their skill in war. As an instance of which, Alexander journeyed over a
+country without water, in the heat of summer, to the oracle of [Jupiter]
+Hammon, and quickly passed over the Bay of Pamphylia, when, by Divine
+Providence, the sea was cut off—thus Providence restraining the sea on
+his account, as it had sent him rain when he traveled [over the
+desert]." N. B.—Since, in the days of Josephus, as he assures us, all
+the more numerous original historians of Alexander gave the account he
+has here set down, as to the providential going back of the waters of
+the Pamphylian Sea, when he was going with his army to destroy the
+Persian monarchy, which the fore-named authors now remaining fully
+confirm, it is without all just foundation that Josephus is here blamed
+by some late writers for quoting those ancient authors upon the present
+occasion; nor can the reflections of Plutarch, or any other author later
+than Josephus, be in the least here alleged to contradict him. Josephus
+went by all the evidence he then had, and that evidence of the most
+authentic sort also. So that whatever the moderns may think of the thing
+itself, there is hence not the least color for finding fault with
+Josephus: he would rather have been much to blame had he omitted these
+quotations.]
+
+
+
+
+
+
+BOOK III. Containing The Interval Of Two Years.—From The Exodus Out Of
+Egypt, To The Rejection Of That Generation.
+
+
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER 1. How Moses When He Had Brought The People Out Of Egypt Led
+Them To Mount Sinai; But Not Till They Had Suffered Much In Their
+Journey.
+
+1. When the Hebrews had obtained such a wonderful deliverance, the
+country was a great trouble to them, for it was entirely a desert, and
+without sustenance for them; and also had exceeding little water, so
+that it not only was not at all sufficient for the men, but not enough
+to feed any of the cattle, for it was parched up, and had no moisture
+that might afford nutriment to the vegetables; so they were forced to
+travel over this country, as having no other country but this to travel
+in. They had indeed carried water along with them from the land over
+which they had traveled before, as their conductor had bidden them; but
+when that was spent, they were obliged to draw water out of wells, with
+pain, by reason of the hardness of the soil. Moreover, what water they
+found was bitter, and not fit for drinking, and this in small quantities
+also; and as they thus traveled, they came late in the evening to a
+place called Marah, 1 which had that name from the badness of its water,
+for Mar denotes bitterness. Thither they came afflicted both by the
+tediousness of their journey, and by their want of food, for it entirely
+failed them at that time. Now here was a well, which made them choose to
+stay in the place, which, although it were not sufficient to satisfy so
+great an army, did yet afford them some comfort, as found in such desert
+places; for they heard from those who had been to search, that there was
+nothing to be found, if they traveled on farther. Yet was this water
+bitter, and not fit for men to drink; and not only so, but it was
+intolerable even to the cattle themselves.
+
+2. When Moses saw how much the people were cast down, and that the
+occasion of it could not be contradicted, for the people were not in the
+nature of a complete army of men, who might oppose a manly fortitude to
+the necessity that distressed them; the multitude of the children, and
+of the women also, being of too weak capacities to be persuaded by
+reason, blunted the courage of the men themselves,—he was therefore in
+great difficulties, and made everybody's calamity his own; for they ran
+all of them to him, and begged of him; the women begged for their
+infants, and the men for the women, that he would not overlook them, but
+procure some way or other for their deliverance. He therefore betook
+himself to prayer to God, that he would change the water from its
+present badness, and make it fit for drinking. And when God had granted
+him that favor, he took the top of a stick that lay down at his feet,
+and divided it in the middle, and made the section lengthways. He then
+let it down into the well, and persuaded the Hebrews that God had
+hearkened to his prayers, and had promised to render the water such as
+they desired it to be, in case they would be subservient to him in what
+he should enjoin them to do, and this not after a remiss or negligent
+manner. And when they asked what they were to do in order to have the
+water changed for the better, he bid the strongest men among them that
+stood there, to draw up water 2 and told them, that when the greatest
+part was drawn up, the remainder would be fit to drink. So they labored
+at it till the water was so agitated and purged as to be fit to drink.
+
+3. And now removing from thence they came to Elim; which place looked
+well at a distance, for there was a grove of palm-trees; but when they
+came near to it, it appeared to be a bad place, for the palm-trees were
+no more than seventy; and they were ill-grown and creeping trees, by the
+want of water, for the country about was all parched, and no moisture
+sufficient to water them, and make them hopeful and useful, was derived
+to them from the fountains, which were in number twelve: they were
+rather a few moist places than springs, which not breaking out of the
+ground, nor running over, could not sufficiently water the trees. And
+when they dug into the sand, they met with no water; and if they took a
+few drops of it into their hands, they found it to be useless, on
+account of its mud. The trees were too weak to bear fruit, for want of
+being sufficiently cherished and enlivened by the water. So they laid
+the blame on their conductor, and made heavy complaints against him; and
+said that this their miserable state, and the experience they had of
+adversity, were owing to him; for that they had then journeyed an entire
+thirty days, and had spent all the provisions they had brought with
+them; and meeting with no relief, they were in a very desponding
+condition. And by fixing their attention upon nothing but their present
+misfortunes, they were hindered from remembering what deliverances they
+had received from God, and those by the virtue and wisdom of Moses also;
+so they were very angry at their conductor, and were zealous in their
+attempt to stone him, as the direct occasion of their present miseries.
+
+4. But as for Moses himself, while the multitude were irritated and
+bitterly set against him, he cheerfully relied upon God, and upon his
+consciousness of the care he had taken of these his own people; and he
+came into the midst of them, even while they clamored against him, and
+had stones in their hands in order to despatch him. Now he was of an
+agreeable presence, and very able to persuade the people by his
+speeches; accordingly he began to mitigate their anger, and exhorted
+them not to be over-mindful of their present adversities, lest they
+should thereby suffer the benefits that had formerly been bestowed on
+them to slip out of their memories; and he desired them by no means, on
+account of their present uneasiness, to cast those great and wonderful
+favors and gifts, which they had obtained of God, out of their minds,
+but to expect deliverance out of those their present troubles which they
+could not free themselves from, and this by the means of that Divine
+Providence which watched over them. Seeing it is probable that God tries
+their virtue, and exercises their patience by these adversities, that it
+may appear what fortitude they have, and what memory they retain of his
+former wonderful works in their favor, and whether they will not think
+of them upon occasion of the miseries they now feel. He told them, it
+appeared they were not really good men, either in patience, or in
+remembering what had been successfully done for them, sometimes by
+contemning God and his commands, when by those commands they left the
+land of Egypt; and sometimes by behaving themselves ill towards him who
+was the servant of God, and this when he had never deceived them, either
+in what he said, or had ordered them to do by God's command. He also put
+them in mind of all that had passed; how the Egyptians were destroyed
+when they attempted to detain them, contrary to the command of God; and
+after what manner the very same river was to the others bloody, and not
+fit for drinking, but was to them sweet, and fit for drinking; and how
+they went a new road through the sea, which fled a long way from them,
+by which very means they were themselves preserved, but saw their
+enemies destroyed; and that when they were in want of weapons, God gave
+them plenty of them;-and so he recounted all the particular instances,
+how when they were, in appearance, just going to be destroyed, God had
+saved them in a surprising manner; and that he had still the same power;
+and that they ought not even now to despair of his providence over them;
+and accordingly he exhorted them to continue quiet, and to consider that
+help would not come too late, though it come not immediately, if it be
+present with them before they suffer any great misfortune; that they
+ought to reason thus: that God delays to assist them, not because he has
+no regard to them, but because he will first try their fortitude, and
+the pleasure they take in their freedom, that he may learn whether you
+have souls great enough to bear want of food, and scarcity of water, on
+its account; or whether you rather love to be slaves, as cattle are
+slaves to such as own them, and feed them liberally, but only in order
+to make them more useful in their service. That as for himself, he shall
+not be so much concerned for his own preservation; for if he die
+unjustly, he shall not reckon it any affliction, but that he is
+concerned for them, lest, by casting stones at him, they should be
+thought to condemn God himself.
+
+5. By this means Moses pacified the people, and restrained them from
+stoning him, and brought them to repent of what they were going to do.
+And because he thought the necessity they were under made their passion
+less unjustifiable, he thought he ought to apply himself to God by
+prayer and supplication; and going up to an eminence, he requested of
+God for some succor for the people, and some way of deliverance from the
+want they were in, because in him, and in him alone, was their hope of
+salvation; and he desired that he would forgive what necessity had
+forced the people to do, since such was the nature of mankind, hard to
+please, and very complaining under adversities. Accordingly God promised
+he would take care of them, and afford them the succor they were
+desirous of. Now when Moses had heard this from God, he came down to the
+multitude. But as soon as they saw him joyful at the promises he had
+received from God, they changed their sad countenances into gladness. So
+he placed himself in the midst of them, and told them he came to bring
+them from God a deliverance from their present distresses. Accordingly a
+little after came a vast number of quails, which is a bird more
+plentiful in this Arabian Gulf than any where else, flying over the sea,
+and hovered over them, till wearied with their laborious flight, and,
+indeed, as usual, flying very near to the earth, they fell down upon the
+Hebrews, who caught them, and satisfied their hunger with them, and
+supposed that this was the method whereby God meant to supply them with
+food. Upon which Moses returned thanks to God for affording them his
+assistance so suddenly, and sooner than he had promised them.
+
+6. But presently after this first supply of food, he sent them a second;
+for as Moses was lifting up his hands in prayer, a dew fell down; and
+Moses, when he found it stick to his hands, supposed this was also come
+for food from God to them. He tasted it; and perceiving that the people
+knew not what it was, and thought it snowed, and that it was what
+usually fell at that time of the year, he informed them that this dew
+did not fall from heaven after the manner they imagined, but came for
+their preservation and sustenance. So he tasted it, and gave them some
+of it, that they might be satisfied about what he told them. They also
+imitated their conductor, and were pleased with the food, for it was
+like honey in sweetness and pleasant taste, but like in its body to
+bdellium, one of the sweet spices, and in bigness equal to coriander
+seed. And very earnest they were in gathering it; but they were enjoined
+to gather it equally 3—the measure of an omer for each one every day,
+because this food should not come in too small a quantity, lest the
+weaker might not be able to get their share, by reason of the
+overbearing of the strong in collecting it. However, these strong men,
+when they had gathered more than the measure appointed for them, had no
+more than others, but only tired themselves more in gathering it, for
+they found no more than an omer apiece; and the advantage they got by
+what was superfluous was none at all, it corrupting, both by the worms
+breeding in it, and by its bitterness. So divine and wonderful a food
+was this! It also supplied the want of other sorts of food to those that
+fed on it. And even now, in all that place, this manna comes down in
+rain, 4 according to what Moses then obtained of God, to send it to the
+people for their sustenance. Now the Hebrews call this food manna: for
+the particle man, in our language, is the asking of a question. What is
+this? So the Hebrews were very joyful at what was sent them from heaven.
+Now they made use of this food for forty years, or as long as they were
+in the wilderness.
+
+7. As soon as they were removed thence, they came to Rephidim, being
+distressed to the last degree by thirst; and while in the foregoing days
+they had lit on a few small fountains, but now found the earth entirely
+destitute of water, they were in an evil case. They again turned their
+anger against Moses; but he at first avoided the fury of the multitude,
+and then betook himself to prayer to God, beseeching him, that as he had
+given them food when they were in the greatest want of it, so he would
+give them drink, since the favor of giving them food was of no value to
+them while they had nothing to drink. And God did not long delay to give
+it them, but promised Moses that he would procure them a fountain, and
+plenty of water, from a place they did not expect any. So he commanded
+him to smite the rock which they saw lying there, 5 with his rod, and
+out of it to receive plenty of what they wanted; for he had taken care
+that drink should come to them without any labor or pains-taking. When
+Moses had received this command from God, he came to the people, who
+waited for him, and looked upon him, for they saw already that he was
+coming apace from his eminence. As soon as he was come, he told them
+that God would deliver them from their present distress, and had granted
+them an unexpected favor; and informed them, that a river should run for
+their sakes out of the rock. But they were amazed at that hearing,
+supposing they were of necessity to cut the rock in pieces, now they
+were distressed by their thirst and by their journey; while Moses only
+smiting the rock with his rod, opened a passage, and out of it burst
+water, and that in great abundance, and very clear. But they were
+astonished at this wonderful effect; and, as it were, quenched their
+thirst by the very sight of it. So they drank this pleasant, this sweet
+water; and such it seemed to be, as might well be expected where God was
+the donor. They were also in admiration how Moses was honored by God;
+and they made grateful returns of sacrifices to God for his providence
+towards them. Now that Scripture, which is laid up in the temple, 6
+informs us, how God foretold to Moses, that water timid in this manner
+be derived out of the rock.'
+
+
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER 2. How The Amalekites And The Neighbouring Nations, Made War
+With The Hebrews And Were Beaten And Lost A Great Part Of Their Army.
+
+1. The name of the Hebrews began already to be every where renowned, and
+rumors about them ran abroad. This made the inhabitants of those
+countries to be in no small fear. Accordingly they sent ambassadors to
+one another, and exhorted one another to defend themselves, and to
+endeavor to destroy these men. Those that induced the rest to do so,
+were such as inhabited Gobolitis and Petra. They were called Amalekites,
+and were the most warlike of the nations that lived thereabout; and
+whose kings exhorted one another, and their neighbors, to go to this war
+against the Hebrews; telling them that an army of strangers, and such a
+one as had run away from slavery under the Egyptians, lay in wait to
+ruin them; which army they were not, in common prudence and regard to
+their own safety, to overlook, but to crush them before they gather
+strength, and come to be in prosperity: and perhaps attack them first in
+a hostile manner, as presuming upon our indolence in not attacking them
+before; and that we ought to avenge ourselves of them for what they have
+done in the wilderness, but that this cannot be so well done when they
+have once laid their hands on our cities and our goods: that those who
+endeavor to crush a power in its first rise, are wiser than those that
+endeavor to put a stop to its progress when it is become formidable; for
+these last seem to be angry only at the flourishing of others, but the
+former do not leave any room for their enemies to become troublesome to
+them. After they had sent such embassages to the neighboring nations,
+and among one another, they resolved to attack the Hebrews in battle.
+
+2. These proceedings of the people of those countries occasioned
+perplexity and trouble to Moses, who expected no such warlike
+preparations. And when these nations were ready to fight, and the
+multitude of the Hebrews were obliged to try the fortune of war, they
+were in a mighty disorder, and in want of all necessaries, and yet were
+to make war with men who were thoroughly well prepared for it. Then
+therefore it was that Moses began to encourage them, and to exhort them
+to have a good heart, and rely on God's assistance by which they had
+been put in a state of freedom and to hope for victory over those who
+were ready to fight with them, in order to deprive them of that
+blessing: that they were to suppose their own army to be numerous,
+wanting nothing, neither weapons, nor money, nor provisions, nor such
+other conveniences as, when men are in possession of, they fight
+undauntedly; and that they are to judge themselves to have all these
+advantages in the Divine assistance. They are also to suppose the
+enemy's army to be small, unarmed, weak, and such as want those
+conveniences which they know must be wanted, when it is God's will that
+they shall be beaten; and how valuable God's assistance is, they had
+experienced in abundance of trials; and those such as were more terrible
+than war, for that is only against men; but these were against famine
+and thirst, things indeed that are in their own nature insuperable; as
+also against mountains, and that sea which afforded them no way for
+escaping; yet had all these difficulties been conquered by God's
+gracious kindness to them. So he exhorted them to be courageous at this
+time, and to look upon their entire prosperity to depend on the present
+conquest of their enemies.
+
+3. And with these words did Moses encourage the multitude, who then
+called together the princes of their tribes, and their chief men, both
+separately and conjointly. The young men he charged to obey their
+elders, and the elders to hearken to their leader. So the people were
+elevated in their minds, and ready to try their fortune in battle, and
+hoped to be thereby at length delivered from all their miseries: nay,
+they desired that Moses would immediately lead them against their
+enemies without the least delay, that no backwardness might be a
+hindrance to their present resolution. So Moses sorted all that were fit
+for war into different troops, and set Joshua, the son of Nun, of the
+tribe of Ephraim, over them; one that was of great courage, and patient
+to undergo labors; of great abilities to understand, and to speak what
+was proper; and very serious in the worship of God; and indeed made like
+another Moses, a teacher of piety towards God. He also appointed a small
+party of the armed men to be near the water, and to take care of the
+children, and the women, and of the entire camp. So that whole night
+they prepared themselves for the battle; they took their weapons, if any
+of them had such as were well made, and attended to their commanders as
+ready to rush forth to the battle as soon as Moses should give the word
+of command. Moses also kept awake, teaching Joshua after what manner he
+should order his camp. But when the day began, Moses called for Joshua
+again, and exhorted him to approve himself in deeds such a one as a his
+reputation made men expect from him; and to gain glory by the present
+expedition, in the opinion of those under him, for his exploits in this
+battle. He also gave a particular exhortation to the principal men of
+the Hebrews, and encouraged the whole army as it stood armed before him.
+And when he had thus animated the army, both by his words and works, and
+prepared every thing, he retired to a mountain, and committed the army
+to God and to Joshua.
+
+4. So the armies joined battle; and it came to a close fight, hand to
+hand, both sides showing great alacrity, and encouraging one another.
+And indeed while Moses stretched out his hand towards heaven 7 the
+Hebrews were too hard for the Amalekites: but Moses not being able to
+sustain his hands thus stretched out, [for as often as he let down his
+hands, so often were his own people worsted,] he bade his brother Aaron,
+and Hur their sister Miriam's husband, to stand on each side of him, and
+take hold of his hands, and not permit his weariness to prevent it, but
+to assist him in the extension of his hands. When this was done, the
+Hebrews conquered the Amalekites by main force; and indeed they had all
+perished, unless the approach of the night had obliged the Hebrews to
+desist from killing any more. So our forefathers obtained a most signal
+and most seasonable victory; for they not only overcame those that
+fought against them, but terrified also the neighboring nations, and got
+great and splendid advantages, which they obtained of their enemies by
+their hard pains in this battle: for when they had taken the enemy's
+camp, they got ready booty for the public, and for their own private
+families, whereas till then they had not any sort of plenty, of even
+necessary food. The forementioned battle, when they had once got it, was
+also the occasion of their prosperity, not only for the present, but for
+the future ages also; for they not only made slaves of the bodies of
+their enemies, but subdued their minds also, and after this battle,
+became terrible to all that dwelt round about them. Moreover, they
+acquired a vast quantity of riches; for a great deal of silver and gold
+was left in the enemy's camp; as also brazen vessels, which they made
+common use of in their families; many utensils also that were
+embroidered there were of both sorts, that is, of what were weaved, and
+what were the ornaments of their armor, and other things that served for
+use in the family, and for the furniture of their rooms; they got also
+the prey of their cattle, and of whatsoever uses to follow camps, when
+they remove from one place to another. So the Hebrews now valued
+themselves upon their courage, and claimed great merit for their valor;
+and they perpetually inured themselves to take pains, by which they
+deemed every difficulty might be surmounted. Such were the consequences
+of this battle.
+
+5. On the next day, Moses stripped the dead bodies of their enemies, and
+gathered together the armor of those that were fled, and gave rewards to
+such as had signalized themselves in the action; and highly commended
+Joshua, their general, who was attested to by all the army, on account
+of the great actions he had done. Nor was any one of the Hebrews slain;
+but the slain of the enemy's army were too many to be enumerated. So
+Moses offered sacrifices of thanksgiving to God, and built an altar,
+which he named The Lord the Conqueror. He also foretold that the
+Amalekites should utterly be destroyed; and that hereafter none of them
+should remain, because they fought against the Hebrews, and this when
+they were in the wilderness, and in their distress also. Moreover, he
+refreshed the army with feasting. And thus did they fight this first
+battle with those that ventured to oppose them, after they were gone out
+of Egypt. But when Moses had celebrated this festival for the victory,
+he permitted the Hebrews to rest for a few days, and then he brought
+them out after the fight, in order of battle; for they had now many
+soldiers in light armor. And going gradually on, he came to Mount Sinai,
+in three months' time after they were removed out of Egypt; at which
+mountain, as we have before related, the vision of the bush, and the
+other wonderful appearances, had happened.
+
+
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER 3. That Moses Kindly Received-His Father-In-Law, Jethro, When He
+Came To Him To Mount Sinai.
+
+Now when Raguel, Moses's father-in-law, understood in what a prosperous
+condition his affairs were, he willingly came to meet him and Moses and
+his children, and pleased himself with his coming. And when he had
+offered sacrifice, he made a feast for the multitude, near the Bush he
+had formerly seen; which multitude, every one according to their
+families, partook of the feast. But Aaron and his family took Raguel,
+and sung hymns to God, as to Him who had been the author procurer of
+their deliverance and their freedom. They also praised their conductor,
+as him by whose virtue it was that all things had succeeded with them.
+Raguel also, in his eucharistical oration to Moses, made great encomiums
+upon the whole multitude; and he could not but admire Moses for his
+fortitude, and that humanity he had shewn in the delivery of his
+friends.
+
+
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER 4. How Raguel Suggested To Moses To Set His People In Order,
+Under Their Rulers Of Thousands, And Rulers Of Hundreds, Who Lived
+Without Order Before; And How Moses Complied In All Things With His
+Father-In-Law's Admonition.
+
+1. The next day, as Raguel saw Moses in the middle of a crowd of
+business for he determined the differences of those that referred them
+to him, every one still going to him, and supposing that they should
+then only obtain justice, if he were the arbitrator; and those that lost
+their causes thought it no harm, while they thought they lost them
+justly, and not by partiality. Raguel however said nothing to him at
+that time, as not desirous to be any hinderance to such as had a mind to
+make use of the virtue of their conductor. But afterward he took him to
+himself, and when he had him alone, he instructed him in what he ought
+to do; and advised him to leave the trouble of lesser causes to others,
+but himself to take care of the greater, and of the people's safety, for
+that certain others of the Hebrews might be found that were fit to
+determine causes, but that nobody but a Moses could take of the safety
+of so many ten thousands. "Be therefore," says he, "insensible of thine
+own virtue, and what thou hast done by ministering under God to the
+people's preservation. Permit, therefore, the determination of common
+causes to be done by others, but do thou reserve thyself to the
+attendance on God only, and look out for methods of preserving the
+multitude from their present distress. Make use of the method I suggest
+to you, as to human affairs; and take a review of the army, and appoint
+chosen rulers over tens of thousands, and then over thousands; then
+divide them into five hundreds, and again into hundreds, and into
+fifties; and set rulers over each of them, who may distinguish them into
+thirties, and keep them in order; and at last number them by twenties
+and by tens: and let there be one commander over each number, to be
+denominated from the number of those over whom they are rulers, but such
+as the whole multitude have tried, and do approve of, as being good and
+righteous men; 8 and let those rulers decide the controversies they have
+one with another. But if any great cause arise, let them bring the
+cognizance of it before the rulers of a higher dignity; but if any great
+difficulty arise that is too hard for even their determination, let them
+send it to thee. By these means two advantages will be gained; the
+Hebrews will have justice done them, and thou wilt be able to attend
+constantly on God, and procure him to be more favorable to the people."
+
+2. This was the admonition of Raguel; and Moses received his advice very
+kindly, and acted according to his suggestion. Nor did he conceal the
+invention of this method, nor pretend to it himself, but informed the
+multitude who it was that invented it: nay, he has named Raguel in the
+books he wrote, as the person who invented this ordering of the people,
+as thinking it right to give a true testimony to worthy persons,
+although he might have gotten reputation by ascribing to himself the
+inventions of other men; whence we may learn the virtuous disposition of
+Moses: but of such his disposition, we shall have proper occasion to
+speak in other places of these books.
+
+
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER 5. How Moses Ascended Up To Mount Sinai, And Received Laws From
+God, And Delivered Them To The Hebrews.
+
+1. Now Moses called the multitude together, and told them that he was
+going from them unto mount Sinai to converse with God; to receive from
+him, and to bring back with him, a certain oracle; but he enjoined them
+to pitch their tents near the mountain, and prefer the habitation that
+was nearest to God, before one more remote. When he had said this, he
+ascended up to Mount Sinai, which is the highest of all the mountains
+that are in that country 9 and is not only very difficult to be ascended
+by men, on account of its vast altitude, but because of the sharpness of
+its precipices also; nay, indeed, it cannot be looked at without pain of
+the eyes: and besides this, it was terrible and inaccessible, on account
+of the rumor that passed about, that God dwelt there. But the Hebrews
+removed their tents as Moses had bidden them, and took possession of the
+lowest parts of the mountain; and were elevated in their minds, in
+expectation that Moses would return from God with promises of the good
+things he had proposed to them. So they feasted and waited for their
+conductor, and kept themselves pure as in other respects, and not
+accompanying with their wives for three days, as he had before ordered
+them to do. And they prayed to God that he would favorably receive Moses
+in his conversing with him, and bestow some such gift upon them by which
+they might live well. They also lived more plentifully as to their diet;
+and put on their wives and children more ornamental and decent clothing
+than they usually wore.
+
+2. So they passed two days in this way of feasting; but on the third
+day, before the sun was up, a cloud spread itself over the whole camp of
+the Hebrews, such a one as none had before seen, and encompassed the
+place where they had pitched their tents; and while all the rest of the
+air was clear, there came strong winds, that raised up large showers of
+rain, which became a mighty tempest. There was also such lightning, as
+was terrible to those that saw it; and thunder, with its thunderbolts,
+were sent down, and declared God to be there present in a gracious way
+to such as Moses desired he should be gracious. Now, as to these
+matters, every one of my readers may think as he pleases; but I am under
+a necessity of relating this history as it is described in the sacred
+books. This sight, and the amazing sound that came to their ears,
+disturbed the Hebrews to a prodigious degree, for they were not such as
+they were accustomed to; and then the rumor that was spread abroad, how
+God frequented that mountain, greatly astonished their minds, so they
+sorrowfully contained themselves within their tents, as both supposing
+Moses to be destroyed by the Divine wrath, and expecting the like
+destruction for themselves.
+
+3. When they were under these apprehensions, Moses appeared as joyful
+and greatly exalted. When they saw him, they were freed from their fear,
+and admitted of more comfortable hopes as to what was to come. The air
+also was become clear and pure of its former disorders, upon the
+appearance of Moses; whereupon he called together the people to a
+congregation, in order to their hearing what God would say to them: and
+when they were gathered together, he stood on an eminence whence they
+might all hear him, and said, "God has received me graciously, O
+Hebrews, as he has formerly done; and has suggested a happy method of
+living for you, and an order of political government, and is now present
+in the camp: I therefore charge you, for his sake and the sake of his
+works, and what we have done by his means, that you do not put a low
+value on what I am going to say, because the commands have been given by
+me that now deliver them to you, nor because it is the tongue of a man
+that delivers them to you; but if you have a due regard to the great
+importance of the things themselves, you will understand the greatness
+of Him whose institutions they are, and who has not disdained to
+communicate them to me for our common advantage; for it is not to be
+supposed that the author of these institutions is barely Moses, the son
+of Amram and Jochebed, but He who obliged the Nile to run bloody for
+your sakes, and tamed the haughtiness of the Egyptians by various sorts
+of judgments; he who provided a way through the sea for us; he who
+contrived a method of sending us food from heaven, when we were
+distressed for want of it; he who made the water to issue out of a rock,
+when we had very little of it before; he by whose means Adam was made to
+partake of the fruits both of the land and of the sea; he by whose means
+Noah escaped the deluge; he by whose means our forefather Abraham, of a
+wandering pilgrim, was made the heir of the land of Canaan; he by whose
+means Isaac was born of parents that were very old; he by whose means
+Jacob was adorned with twelve virtuous sons; he by whose means Joseph
+became a potent lord over the Egyptians; he it is who conveys these
+instructions to you by me as his interpreter. And let them be to you
+venerable, and contended for more earnestly by you than your own
+children and your own wives; for if you will follow them, you will lead
+a happy life you will enjoy the land fruitful, the sea calm, and the
+fruit of the womb born complete, as nature requires; you will be also
+terrible to your enemies for I have been admitted into the presence of
+God and been made a hearer of his incorruptible voice so great is his
+concern for your nation, and its duration."
+
+4. When he had said this, he brought the people, with their wives and
+children, so near the mountain, that they might hear God himself
+speaking to them about the precepts which they were to practice; that
+the energy of what should be spoken might not be hurt by its utterance
+by that tongue of a man, which could but imperfectly deliver it to their
+understanding. And they all heard a voice that came to all of them from
+above, insomuch that no one of these words escaped them, which Moses
+wrote on two tables; which it is not lawful for us to set down directly,
+but their import we will declare 10
+
+5. The first commandment teaches us that there is but one God, and that
+we ought to worship him only. The second commands us not to make the
+image of any living creature to worship it. The third, that we must not
+swear by God in a false matter. The fourth, that we must keep the
+seventh day, by resting from all sorts of work. The fifth, that we must
+honor our parents. The sixth that we must abstain from murder. The
+seventh that we must not commit adultery. The eighth, that we must not
+be guilty of theft. The ninth, that we must not bear false witness. The
+tenth, that we must not admit of the desire of any thing that is
+another's.
+
+6. Now when the multitude had heard God himself giving those precepts
+which Moses had discoursed of, they rejoiced at what was said; and the
+congregation was dissolved: but on the following days they came to his
+tent, and desired him to bring them, besides, other laws from God.
+Accordingly he appointed such laws, and afterwards informed them in what
+manner they should act in all cases; which laws I shall make mention of
+in their proper time; but I shall reserve most of those laws for another
+work, 11 and make there a distinct explication of them.
+
+7. When matters were brought to this state, Moses went up again to Mount
+Sinai, of which he had told them beforehand. He made his ascent in their
+sight; and while he staid there so long a time, [for he was absent from
+them forty days,] fear seized upon the Hebrews, lest Moses should have
+come to any harm; nor was there any thing else so sad, and that so much
+troubled them, as this supposal that Moses was perished. Now there was a
+variety in their sentiments about it; some saying that he was fallen
+among wild beasts; and those that were of this opinion were chiefly such
+as were ill-disposed to him; but others said that he was departed, and
+gone to God; but the wiser sort were led by their reason to embrace
+neither of those opinions with any satisfaction, thinking, that as it
+was a thing that sometimes happens to men to fall among wild beasts and
+perish that way, so it was probable enough that he might depart and go
+to God, on account of his virtue; they therefore were quiet, and
+expected the event: yet were they exceeding sorry upon the supposal that
+they were deprived of a governor and a protector, such a one indeed as
+they could never recover again; nor would this suspicion give them leave
+to expect any comfortable event about this man, nor could they prevent
+their trouble and melancholy upon this occasion. However, the camp durst
+not remove all this while, because Moses had bidden them afore to stay
+there.
+
+8. But when the forty days, and as many nights, were over, Moses came
+down, having tasted nothing of food usually appointed for the
+nourishment of men. His appearance filled the army with gladness, and he
+declared to them what care God had of them, and by what manner of
+conduct of their lives they might live happily; telling them, that
+during these days of his absence he had suggested to him also that he
+would have a tabernacle built for him, into which he would descend when
+he came to them, and how we should carry it about with us when we remove
+from this place; and that there would be no longer any occasion for
+going up to Mount Sinai, but that he would himself come and pitch his
+tabernacle amongst us, and be present at our prayers; as also, that the
+tabernacle should be of such measures and construction as he had shown
+him, and that you are to fall to the work, and prosecute it diligently.
+When he had said this, he showed them the two tables, with the ten
+commandments engraven upon them, five upon each table; and the writing
+was by the hand of God.
+
+
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER 6. Concerning The Tabernacle Which Moses Built In The Wilderness
+For The Honor Of God And Which Seemed To Be A Temple.
+
+1. Hereupon the Israelites rejoiced at what they had seen and heard of
+their conductor, and were not wanting in diligence according to their
+ability; for they brought silver, and gold, and brass, and of the best
+sorts of wood, and such as would not at all decay by putrefaction;
+camels' hair also, and sheep-skins, some of them dyed of a blue color,
+and some of a scarlet; some brought the flower for the purple color, and
+others for white, with wool dyed by the flowers aforementioned; and fine
+linen and precious stones, which those that use costly ornaments set in
+ouches of gold; they brought also a great quantity of spices; for of
+these materials did Moses build the tabernacle, which did not at all
+differ from a movable and ambulatory temple. Now when these things were
+brought together with great diligence, [for every one was ambitious to
+further the work even beyond their ability,] he set architects over the
+works, and this by the command of God; and indeed the very same which
+the people themselves would have chosen, had the election been allowed
+to them. Now their names are set down in writing in the sacred books;
+and they were these: Besaleel, the son of Uri, of the tribe of Judah,
+the grandson of Miriam, the sister of their conductor and Aholiab, the
+son of Ahisamach, of the tribe of Dan. Now the people went on with what
+they had undertaken with so great alacrity, that Moses was obliged to
+restrain them, by making proclamation, that what had been brought was
+sufficient, as the artificers had informed him; so they fell to work
+upon the building of the tabernacle. Moses also informed them, according
+to the direction of God, both what the measures were to be, and its
+largeness; and how many vessels it ought to contain for the use of the
+sacrifices. The women also were ambitious to do their parts, about the
+garments of the priests, and about other things that would be wanted in
+this work, both for ornament and for the divine service itself.
+
+2. Now when all things were prepared, the gold, and the silver, and the
+brass, and what was woven, Moses, when he had appointed beforehand that
+there should be a festival, and that sacrifices should be offered
+according to every one's ability, reared up the tabernacle 12 and when
+he had measured the open court, fifty cubits broad and a hundred long,
+he set up brazen pillars, five cubits high, twenty on each of the longer
+sides, and ten pillars for the breadth behind; every one of the pillars
+also had a ring. Their chapiters were of silver, but their bases were of
+brass: they resembled the sharp ends of spears, and were of brass, fixed
+into the ground. Cords were also put through the rings, and were tied at
+their farther ends to brass nails of a cubit long, which, at every
+pillar, were driven into the floor, and would keep the tabernacle from
+being shaken by the violence of winds; but a curtain of fine soft linen
+went round all the pillars, and hung down in a flowing and loose manner
+from their chapiters, and enclosed the whole space, and seemed not at
+all unlike to a wall about it. And this was the structure of three of
+the sides of this enclosure; but as for the fourth side, which was fifty
+cubits in extent, and was the front of the whole, twenty cubits of it
+were for the opening of the gates, wherein stood two pillars on each
+side, after the resemblance of open gates. These were made wholly of
+silver, and polished, and that all over, excepting the bases, which were
+of brass. Now on each side of the gates there stood three pillars, which
+were inserted into the concave bases of the gates, and were suited to
+them; and round them was drawn a curtain of fine linen; but to the gates
+themselves, which were twenty cubits in extent, and five in height, the
+curtain was composed of purple, and scarlet, and blue, and fine linen,
+and embroidered with many and divers sorts of figures, excepting the
+figures of animals. Within these gates was the brazen laver for
+purification, having a basin beneath of the like matter, whence the
+priests might wash their hands and sprinkle their feet; and this was the
+ornamental construction of the enclosure about the court of the
+tabernacle, which was exposed to the open air.
+
+3. As to the tabernacle itself, Moses placed it in the middle of that
+court, with its front to the east, that, when the sun arose, it might
+send its first rays upon it. Its length, when it was set up, was thirty
+cubits, and its breadth was twelve [ten] cubits. The one of its walls
+was on the south, and the other was exposed to the north, and on the
+back part of it remained the west. It was necessary that its height
+should be equal to its breadth [ten cubits]. There were also pillars
+made of wood, twenty on each side; they were wrought into a quadrangular
+figure, in breadth a cubit and a half, but the thickness was four
+fingers: they had thin plates of gold affixed to them on both sides,
+inwardly and outwardly: they had each of them two tenons belonging to
+them, inserted into their bases, and these were of silver, in each of
+which bases there was a socket to receive the tenon; but the pillars on
+the west wall were six. Now all these tenons and sockets accurately
+fitted one another, insomuch that the joints were invisible, and both
+seemed to be one entire and united wall. It was also covered with gold,
+both within and without. The number of pillars was equal on the opposite
+sides, and there were on each part twenty, and every one of them had the
+third part of a span in thickness; so that the number of thirty cubits
+were fully made up between them; but as to the wall behind, where the
+six pillars made up together only nine cubits, they made two other
+pillars, and cut them out of one cubit, which they placed in the
+corners, and made them equally fine with the other. Now every one of the
+pillars had rings of gold affixed to their fronts outward, as if they
+had taken root in the pillars, and stood one row over against another
+round about, through which were inserted bars gilt over with gold, each
+of them five cubits long, and these bound together the pillars, the head
+of one bar running into another, after the nature of one tenon inserted
+into another; but for the wall behind, there was but one row of bars
+that went through all the pillars, into which row ran the ends of the
+bars on each side of the longer walls; the male with its female being so
+fastened in their joints, that they held the whole firmly together; and
+for this reason was all this joined so fast together, that the
+tabernacle might not be shaken, either by the winds, or by any other
+means, but that it might preserve itself quiet and immovable
+continually.
+
+4. As for the inside, Moses parted its length into three partitions. At
+the distance of ten cubits from the most secret end, Moses placed four
+pillars, the workmanship of which was the very same with that of the
+rest; and they stood upon the like bases with them, each a small matter
+distant from his fellow. Now the room within those pillars was the most
+holy place; but the rest of the room was the tabernacle, which was open
+for the priests. However, this proportion of the measures of the
+tabernacle proved to be an imitation of the system of the world; for
+that third part thereof which was within the four pillars, to which the
+priests were not admitted, is, as it were, a heaven peculiar to God. But
+the space of the twenty cubits, is, as it were, sea and land, on which
+men live, and so this part is peculiar to the priests only. But at the
+front, where the entrance was made, they placed pillars of gold, that
+stood on bases of brass, in number seven; but then they spread over the
+tabernacle veils of fine linen and purple, and blue, and scarlet colors,
+embroidered. The first veil was ten cubits every way, and this they
+spread over the pillars which parted the temple, and kept the most holy
+place concealed within; and this veil was that which made this part not
+visible to any. Now the whole temple was called The Holy Place: but that
+part which was within the four pillars, and to which none were admitted,
+was called The Holy of Holies. This veil was very ornamental, and
+embroidered with all sorts of flowers which the earth produces; and
+there were interwoven into it all sorts of variety that might be an
+ornament, excepting the forms of animals. Another veil there was which
+covered the five pillars that were at the entrance. It was like the
+former in its magnitude, and texture, and color; and at the corner of
+every pillar a ring retained it from the top downwards half the depth of
+the pillars, the other half affording an entrance for the priests, who
+crept under it. Over this there was a veil of linen, of the same
+largeness with the former: it was to be drawn this way or that way by
+cords, the rings of which, fixed to the texture of the veil, and to the
+cords also, were subservient to the drawing and undrawing of the veil,
+and to the fastening it at the corner, that then it might be no
+hinderance to the view of the sanctuary, especially on solemn days; but
+that on other days, and especially when the weather was inclined to
+snow, it might be expanded, and afford a covering to the veil of divers
+colors. Whence that custom of ours is derived, of having a fine linen
+veil, after the temple has been built, to be drawn over the entrances.
+But the ten other curtains were four cubits in breadth, and twenty-eight
+in length; and had golden clasps, in order to join the one curtain to
+the other, which was done so exactly that they seemed to be one entire
+curtain. These were spread over the temple, and covered all the top and
+parts of the walls, on the sides and behind, so far as within one cubit
+of the ground. There were other curtains of the same breadth with these,
+but one more in number, and longer, for they were thirty cubits long;
+but these were woven of hair, with the like subtilty as those of wool
+were made, and were extended loosely down to the ground, appearing like
+a triangular front and elevation at the gates, the eleventh curtain
+being used for this very purpose. There were also other curtains made of
+skins above these, which afforded covering and protection to those that
+were woven both in hot weather and when it rained. And great was the
+surprise of those who viewed these curtains at a distance, for they
+seemed not at all to differ from the color of the sky. But those that
+were made of hair and of skins, reached down in the same manner as did
+the veil at the gates, and kept off the heat of the sun, and what injury
+the rains might do. And after this manner was the tabernacle reared.
+
+5. There was also an ark made, sacred to God, of wood that was naturally
+strong, and could not be corrupted. This was called Eron in our own
+language. Its construction was thus: its length was five spans, but its
+breadth and height was each of them three spans. It was covered all over
+with gold, both within and without, so that the wooden part was not
+seen. It had also a cover united to it, by golden hinges, after a
+wonderful manner; which cover was every way evenly fitted to it, and had
+no eminences to hinder its exact conjunction. There were also two golden
+rings belonging to each of the longer boards, and passing through the
+entire wood, and through them gilt bars passed along each board, that it
+might thereby be moved and carried about, as occasion should require;
+for it was not drawn in a cart by beasts of burden, but borne on the
+shoulders of the priests. Upon this its cover were two images, which the
+Hebrews call Cherubims; they are flying creatures, but their form is not
+like to that of any of the creatures which men have seen, though Moses
+said he had seen such beings near the throne of God. In this ark he put
+the two tables whereon the ten commandments were written, five upon each
+table, and two and a half upon each side of them; and this ark he placed
+in the most holy place.
+
+6. But in the holy place he placed a table, like those at Delphi. Its
+length was two cubits, and its breadth one cubit, and its height three
+spans. It had feet also, the lower half of which were complete feet,
+resembling those which the Dorians put to their bedsteads; but the upper
+parts towards the table were wrought into a square form. The table had a
+hollow towards every side, having a ledge of four fingers' depth, that
+went round about like a spiral, both on the upper and lower part of the
+body of the work. Upon every one of the feet was there also inserted a
+ring, not far from the cover, through which went bars of wood beneath,
+but gilded, to be taken out upon occasion, there being a cavity where it
+was joined to the rings; for they were not entire rings; but before they
+came quite round they ended in acute points, the one of which was
+inserted into the prominent part of the table, and the other into the
+foot; and by these it was carried when they journeyed: Upon this table,
+which was placed on the north side of the temple, not far from the most
+holy place, were laid twelve unleavened loaves of bread, six upon each
+heap, one above another: they were made of two tenth-deals of the purest
+flour, which tenth-deal [an omer] is a measure of the Hebrews,
+containing seven Athenian cotyloe; and above those loaves were put two
+vials full of frankincense. Now after seven days other loaves were
+brought in their stead, on the day which is by us called the Sabbath;
+for we call the seventh day the Sabbath. But for the occasion of this
+intention of placing loaves here, we will speak to it in another place.
+
+7. Over against this table, near the southern wall, was set a
+candlestick of cast gold, hollow within, being of the weight of one
+hundred pounds, which the Hebrews call Chinchares, if it be turned into
+the Greek language, it denotes a talent. It was made with its knops, and
+lilies, and pomegranates, and bowls [which ornaments amounted to seventy
+in all]; by which means the shaft elevated itself on high from a single
+base, and spread itself into as many branches as there are planets,
+including the sun among them. It terminated in seven heads, in one row,
+all standing parallel to one another; and these branches carried seven
+lamps, one by one, in imitation of the number of the planets. These
+lamps looked to the east and to the south, the candlestick being situate
+obliquely.
+
+8. Now between this candlestick and the table, which, as we said, were
+within the sanctuary, was the altar of incense, made of wood indeed, but
+of the same wood of which the foregoing vessels were made, such as was
+not liable to corruption; it was entirely crusted over with a golden
+plate. Its breadth on each side was a cubit, but the altitude double.
+Upon it was a grate of gold, that was extant above the altar, which had
+a golden crown encompassing it round about, whereto belonged rings and
+bars, by which the priests carried it when they journeyed. Before this
+tabernacle there was reared a brazen altar, but it was within made of
+wood, five cubits by measure on each side, but its height was but three,
+in like manner adorned with brass plates as bright as gold. It had also
+a brazen hearth of network; for the ground underneath received the fire
+from the hearth, because it had no basis to receive it. Hard by this
+altar lay the basins, and the vials, and the censers, and the caldrons,
+made of gold; but the other vessels, made for the use of the sacrifices,
+were all of brass. And such was the construction of the tabernacle; and
+these were the vessels thereto belonging.
+
+
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER 7. Concerning The Garments Of The Priests, And Of The High
+Priest.
+
+1. There were peculiar garments appointed for the priests, and for all
+the rest, which they call Cohanoeoe [-priestly] garments, as also for
+the high priests, which they call Cahanoeoe Rabbae, and denote the high
+priest's garments. Such was therefore the habit of the rest. But when
+the priest approaches the sacrifices, he purifies himself with the
+purification which the law prescribes; and, in the first place, he puts
+on that which is called Machanase, which means somewhat that is fast
+tied. It is a girdle, composed of fine twined linen, and is put about
+the privy parts, the feet being to be inserted into them in the nature
+of breeches, but above half of it is cut off, and it ends at the thighs,
+and is there tied fast.
+
+2. Over this he wore a linen vestment, made of fine flax doubled: it is
+called Chethone, and denotes linen, for we call linen by the name of
+Chethone. This vestment reaches down to the feet, and sits close to the
+body; and has sleeves that are tied fast to the arms: it is girded to
+the breast a little above the elbows, by a girdle often going round,
+four fingers broad, but so loosely woven, that you would think it were
+the skin of a serpent. It is embroidered with flowers of scarlet, and
+purple, and blue, and fine twined linen, but the warp was nothing but
+fine linen. The beginning of its circumvolution is at the breast; and
+when it has gone often round, it is there tied, and hangs loosely there
+down to the ankles: I mean this, all the time the priest is not about
+any laborious service, for in this position it appears in the most
+agreeable manner to the spectators; but when he is obliged to assist at
+the offering sacrifices, and to do the appointed service, that he may
+not be hindered in his operations by its motion, he throws it to the
+left, and bears it on his shoulder. Moses indeed calls this belt
+Albaneth; but we have learned from the Babylonians to call it Emia, for
+so it is by them called. This vestment has no loose or hollow parts any
+where in it, but only a narrow aperture about the neck; and it is tied
+with certain strings hanging down from the edge over the breast and
+back, and is fastened above each shoulder: it is called Massabazanes.
+
+3. Upon his head he wears a cap, not brought to a conic form nor
+encircling the whole head, but still covering more than the half of it,
+which is called Masnaemphthes; and its make is such that it seems to be
+a crown, being made of thick swathes, but the contexture is of linen;
+and it is doubled round many times, and sewed together; besides which, a
+piece of fine linen covers the whole cap from the upper part, and
+reaches down to the forehead, and hides the seams of the swathes, which
+would otherwise appear indecently: this adheres closely upon the solid
+part of the head, and is thereto so firmly fixed, that it may not fall
+off during the sacred service about the sacrifices. So we have now shown
+you what is the habit of the generality of the priests.
+
+4. The high priest is indeed adorned with the same garments that we have
+described, without abating one; only over these he puts on a vestment of
+a blue color. This also is a long robe, reaching to his feet, [in our
+language it is called Meeir,] and is tied round with a girdle,
+embroidered with the same colors and flowers as the former, with a
+mixture of gold interwoven. To the bottom of which garment are hung
+fringes, in color like pomegranates, with golden bells 13 by a curious
+and beautiful contrivance; so that between two bells hangs a
+pomegranate, and between two pomegranates a bell. Now this vesture was
+not composed of two pieces, nor was it sewed together upon the shoulders
+and the sides, but it was one long vestment so woven as to have an
+aperture for the neck; not an oblique one, but parted all along the
+breast and the back. A border also was sewed to it, lest the aperture
+should look too indecently: it was also parted where the hands were to
+come out.
+
+5. Besides these, the high priest put on a third garment, which was
+called the Ephod, which resembles the Epomis of the Greeks. Its make was
+after this manner: it was woven to the depth of a cubit, of several
+colors, with gold intermixed, and embroidered, but it left the middle of
+the breast uncovered: it was made with sleeves also; nor did it appear
+to be at all differently made from a short coat. But in the void place
+of this garment there was inserted a piece of the bigness of a span,
+embroidered with gold, and the other colors of the ephod, and was called
+Essen, [the breastplate,] which in the Greek language signifies the
+Oracle. This piece exactly filled up the void space in the ephod. It was
+united to it by golden rings at every corner, the like rings being
+annexed to the ephod, and a blue riband was made use of to tie them
+together by those rings; and that the space between the rings might not
+appear empty, they contrived to fill it up with stitches of blue
+ribands. There were also two sardonyxes upon the ephod, at the
+shoulders, to fasten it in the nature of buttons, having each end
+running to the sardonyxes of gold, that they might be buttoned by them.
+On these were engraven the names of the sons of Jacob, in our own
+country letters, and in our own tongue, six on each of the stones, on
+either side; and the elder sons' names were on the right shoulder.
+Twelve stones also there were upon the breast-plate, extraordinary in
+largeness and beauty; and they were an ornament not to be purchased by
+men, because of their immense value. These stones, however, stood in
+three rows, by four in a row, and were inserted into the breastplate
+itself, and they were set in ouches of gold, that were themselves
+inserted in the breastplate, and were so made that they might not fall
+out. Now the first three stones were a sardonyx, a topaz, and an
+emerald. The second row contained a carbuncle, a jasper, and a sapphire.
+The first of the third row was a ligure, then an amethyst, and the third
+an agate, being the ninth of the whole number. The first of the fourth
+row was a chrysolite, the next was an onyx, and then a beryl, which was
+the last of all. Now the names of all those sons of Jacob were engraven
+in these stones, whom we esteem the heads of our tribes, each stone
+having the honor of a name, in the order according to which they were
+born. And whereas the rings were too weak of themselves to bear the
+weight of the stones, they made two other rings of a larger size, at the
+edge of that part of the breastplate which reached to the neck, and
+inserted into the very texture of the breastplate, to receive chains
+finely wrought, which connected them with golden bands to the tops of
+the shoulders, whose extremity turned backwards, and went into the ring,
+on the prominent back part of the ephod; and this was for the security
+of the breastplate, that it might not fall out of its place. There was
+also a girdle sewed to the breastplate, which was of the forementioned
+colors, with gold intermixed, which, when it had gone once round, was
+tied again upon the seam, and hung down. There were also golden loops
+that admitted its fringes at each extremity of the girdle, and included
+them entirely.
+
+6. The high priest's mitre was the same that we described before, and
+was wrought like that of all the other priests; above which there was
+another, with swathes of blue embroidered, and round it was a golden
+crown polished, of three rows, one above another; out of which arose a
+cup of gold, which resembled the herb which we call Saccharus; but those
+Greeks that are skillful in botany call it Hyoscyamus. Now, lest any one
+that has seen this herb, but has not been taught its name, and is
+unacquainted with its nature, or, having known its name, knows not the
+herb when he sees it, I shall give such as these are a description of
+it. This herb is oftentimes in tallness above three spans, but its root
+is like that of a turnip [for he that should compare it thereto would
+not be mistaken]; but its leaves are like the leaves of mint. Out of its
+branches it sends out a calyx, cleaving to the branch; and a coat
+encompasses it, which it naturally puts off when it is changing, in
+order to produce its fruit. This calyx is of the bigness of the bone of
+the little finger, but in the compass of its aperture is like a cup.
+This I will further describe, for the use of those that are unacquainted
+with it. Suppose a sphere be divided into two parts, round at the
+bottom, but having another segment that grows up to a circumference from
+that bottom; suppose it become narrower by degrees, and that the cavity
+of that part grow decently smaller, and then gradually grow wider again
+at the brim, such as we see in the navel of a pomegranate, with its
+notches. And indeed such a coat grows over this plant as renders it a
+hemisphere, and that, as one may say, turned accurately in a lathe, and
+having its notches extant above it, which, as I said, grow like a
+pomegranate, only that they are sharp, and end in nothing but prickles.
+Now the fruit is preserved by this coat of the calyx, which fruit is
+like the seed of the herb Sideritis: it sends out a flower that may seem
+to resemble that of poppy. Of this was a crown made, as far from the
+hinder part of the head to each of the temples; but this Ephielis, for
+so this calyx may be called, did not cover the forehead, but it was
+covered with a golden plate, 14 which had inscribed upon it the name of
+God in sacred characters. And such were the ornaments of the high
+priest.
+
+7. Now here one may wonder at the ill-will which men bear to us, and
+which they profess to bear on account of our despising that Deity which
+they pretend to honor; for if any one do but consider the fabric of the
+tabernacle, and take a view of the garments of the high priest, and of
+those vessels which we make use of in our sacred ministration, he will
+find that our legislator was a divine man, and that we are unjustly
+reproached by others; for if any one do without prejudice, and with
+judgment, look upon these things, he will find they were every one made
+in way of imitation and representation of the universe. When Moses
+distinguished the tabernacle into three parts, 15 and allowed two of
+them to the priests, as a place accessible and common, he denoted the
+land and the sea, these being of general access to all; but he set apart
+the third division for God, because heaven is inaccessible to men. And
+when he ordered twelve loaves to be set on the table, he denoted the
+year, as distinguished into so many months. By branching out the
+candlestick into seventy parts, he secretly intimated the Decani, or
+seventy divisions of the planets; and as to the seven lamps upon the
+candlesticks, they referred to the course of the planets, of which that
+is the number. The veils, too, which were composed of four things, they
+declared the four elements; for the fine linen was proper to signify the
+earth, because the flax grows out of the earth; the purple signified the
+sea, because that color is dyed by the blood of a sea shell-fish; the
+blue is fit to signify the air; and the scarlet will naturally be an
+indication of fire. Now the vestment of the high priest being made of
+linen, signified the earth; the blue denoted the sky, being like
+lightning in its pomegranates, and in the noise of the bells resembling
+thunder. And for the ephod, it showed that God had made the universe of
+four elements; and as for the gold interwoven, I suppose it related to
+the splendor by which all things are enlightened. He also appointed the
+breastplate to be placed in the middle of the ephod, to resemble the
+earth, for that has the very middle place of the world. And the girdle
+which encompassed the high priest round, signified the ocean, for that
+goes round about and includes the universe. Each of the sardonyxes
+declares to us the sun and the moon; those, I mean, that were in the
+nature of buttons on the high priest's shoulders. And for the twelve
+stones, whether we understand by them the months, or whether we
+understand the like number of the signs of that circle which the Greeks
+call the Zodiac, we shall not be mistaken in their meaning. And for the
+mitre, which was of a blue color, it seems to me to mean heaven; for how
+otherwise could the name of God be inscribed upon it? That it was also
+illustrated with a crown, and that of gold also, is because of that
+splendor with which God is pleased. Let this explication 16 suffice at
+present, since the course of my narration will often, and on many
+occasions, afford me the opportunity of enlarging upon the virtue of our
+legislator.
+
+
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER 8. Of The Priesthood Of Aaron.
+
+1. When what has been described was brought to a conclusion, gifts not
+being yet presented, God appeared to Moses, and enjoined him to bestow
+the high priesthood upon Aaron his brother, as upon him that best of
+them all deserved to obtain that honor, on account of his virtue. And
+when he had gathered the multitude together, he gave them an account of
+Aaron's virtue, and of his good-will to them, and of the dangers he had
+undergone for their sakes. Upon which, when they had given testimony to
+him in all respects, and showed their readiness to receive him, Moses
+said to them, "O you Israelites, this work is already brought to a
+conclusion, in a manner most acceptable to God, and according to our
+abilities. And now since you see that he is received into this
+tabernacle, we shall first of all stand in need of one that may
+officiate for us, and may minister to the sacrifices, and to the prayers
+that are to be put up for us. And indeed had the inquiry after such a
+person been left to me, I should have thought myself worthy of this
+honor, both because all men are naturally fond of themselves, and
+because I am conscious to myself that I have taken a great deal of pains
+for your deliverance; but now God himself has determined that Aaron is
+worthy of this honor, and has chosen him for his priest, as knowing him
+to be the most righteous person among you. So that he is to put on the
+vestments which are consecrated to God; he is to have the care of the
+altars, and to make provision for the sacrifices; and he it is that must
+put up prayers for you to God, who will readily hear them, not only
+because he is himself solicitous for your nation, but also because he
+will receive them as offered by one that he hath himself chosen to this
+office." The Hebrews were pleased with what was said, and they gave
+their approbation to him whom God had ordained; for Aaron was of them
+all the most deserving of this honor, on account of his own stock and
+gift of prophecy, and his brother's virtue. He had at that time four
+sons, Nadab, Abihu, Eleazar, and Ithamar.17
+
+2. Now Moses commanded them to make use of all the utensils which were
+more than were necessary to the structure of the tabernacle, for
+covering the tabernacle itself, the candlestick, and altar of incense,
+and the other vessels, that they might not be at all hurt when they
+journeyed, either by the rain, or by the rising of the dust. And when he
+had gathered the multitude together again, he ordained that they should
+offer half a shekel for every man, as an oblation to God; which shekel
+is a piece among the Hebrews, and is equal to four Athenian drachmae. 18
+Whereupon they readily obeyed what Moses had commanded; and the number
+of the offerers was six hundred and five thousand five hundred and
+fifty. Now this money that was brought by the men that were free, was
+given by such as were about twenty years old, but under fifty; and what
+was collected was spent in the uses of the tabernacle.
+
+3. Moses now purified the tabernacle and the priests; which purification
+was performed after the following manner:—He commanded them to take five
+hundred shekels of choice myrrh, an equal quantity of cassia, and half
+the foregoing weight of cinnamon and calamus [this last is a sort of
+sweet spice]; to beat them small, and wet them with an hin of oil of
+olives [an hin is our own country measure, and contains two Athenian
+choas, or congiuses]; then mix them together, and boil them, and prepare
+them after the art of the apothecary, and make them into a very sweet
+ointment; and afterward to take it to anoint and to purify the priests
+themselves, and all the tabernacle, as also the sacrifices. There were
+also many, and those of various kinds, of sweet spices, that belonged to
+the tabernacle, and such as were of very great price, and were brought
+to the golden altar of incense; the nature of which I do not now
+describe, lest it should be troublesome to my readers; but incense 19
+was to be offered twice a-day, both before sun-rising and at sun-
+setting. They were also to keep oil already purified for the lamps;
+three of which were to give light all day long, 20 upon the sacred
+candlestick, before God, and the rest were to be lighted at the evening.
+
+4. Now all was finished. Besaleel and Aholiab appeared to be the most
+skillful of the workmen; for they invented finer works than what others
+had done before them, and were of great abilities to gain notions of
+what they were formerly ignorant of; and of these, Besaleel was judged
+to be the best. Now the whole time they were about this work was the
+interval of seven months; and after this it was that was ended the first
+year since their departure out of Egypt. But at the beginning of the
+second year, on the month Xanthicus, as the Macedonians call it, but on
+the month Nisan, as the Hebrews call it, on the new moon, they
+consecrated the tabernacle, and all its vessels, which I have already
+described.
+
+5. Now God showed himself pleased with the work of the Hebrews, and did
+not permit their labors to be in vain; nor did he disdain to make use of
+what they had made, but he came and sojourned with them, and pitched his
+tabernacle in the holy house. And in the following manner did he come to
+it:—The sky was clear, but there was a mist over the tabernacle only,
+encompassing it, but not with such a very deep and thick cloud as is
+seen in the winter season, nor yet in so thin a one as men might be able
+to discern any thing through it, but from it there dropped a sweet dew,
+and such a one as showed the presence of God to those that desired and
+believed it.
+
+6. Now when Moses had bestowed such honorary presents on the workmen, as
+it was fit they should receive, who had wrought so well, he offered
+sacrifices in the open court of the tabernacle, as God commanded him; a
+bull, a ram, and a kid of the goats, for a sin-offering. Now I shall
+speak of what we do in our sacred offices in my discourse about
+sacrifices; and therein shall inform men in what cases Moses bid us
+offer a whole burnt-offering, and in what cases the law permits us to
+partake of them as of food. And when Moses had sprinkled Aaron's
+vestments, himself, and his sons, with the blood of the beasts that were
+slain, and had purified them with spring waters and ointment, they
+became God's priests. After this manner did he consecrate them and their
+garments for seven days together. The same he did to the tabernacle, and
+the vessels thereto belonging, both with oil first incensed, as I said,
+and with the blood of bulls and of rams, slain day by day one, according
+to its kind. But on the eighth day he appointed a feast for the people,
+and commanded them to offer sacrifice according to their ability.
+Accordingly they contended one with another, and were ambitious to
+exceed each other in the sacrifices which they brought, and so fulfilled
+Moses's injunctions. But as the sacrifices lay upon the altar, a sudden
+fire was kindled from among them of its own accord, and appeared to the
+sight like fire from a flash of lightning, and consumed whatsoever was
+upon the altar.
+
+7. Hereupon an affliction befell Aaron, considered as a man and a
+father, but was undergone by him with true fortitude; for he had indeed
+a firmness of soul in such accidents, and he thought this calamity came
+upon him according to God's will: for whereas he had four sons, as I
+said before, the two elder of them, Nadab and Abihu, did not bring those
+sacrifices which Moses bade them bring, but which they used to offer
+formerly, and were burnt to death. Now when the fire rushed upon them,
+and began to burn them, nobody could quench it. Accordingly they died in
+this manner. And Moses bid their father and their brethren to take up
+their bodies, to carry them out of the camp, and to bury them
+magnificently. Now the multitude lamented them, and were deeply affected
+at this their death, which so unexpectedly befell them. But Moses
+entreated their brethren and their father not to be troubled for them,
+and to prefer the honor of God before their grief about them; for Aaron
+had already put on his sacred garments.
+
+8. But Moses refused all that honor which he saw the multitude ready to
+bestow upon him, and attended to nothing else but the service of God. He
+went no more up to Mount Sinai; but he went into the tabernacle, and
+brought back answers from God for what he prayed for. His habit was also
+that of a private man, and in all other circumstances he behaved himself
+like one of the common people, and was desirous to appear without
+distinguishing himself from the multitude, but would have it known that
+he did nothing else but take care of them. He also set down in writing
+the form of their government, and those laws by obedience whereto they
+would lead their lives so as to please God, and so as to have no
+quarrels one among another. However, the laws he ordained were such as
+God suggested to him; so I shall now discourse concerning that form of
+government, and those laws.
+
+9. I will now treat of what I before omitted, the garment of the high
+priest: for he [Moses] left no room for the evil practices of [false]
+prophets; but if some of that sort should attempt to abuse the Divine
+authority, he left it to God to be present at his sacrifices when he
+pleased, and when he pleased to be absent. 21 And he was willing this
+should be known, not to the Hebrews only, but to those foreigners also
+who were there. For as to those stones, 22 which we told you before, the
+high priest bare on his shoulders, which were sardonyxes, [and I think
+it needless to describe their nature, they being known to every body,]
+the one of them shined out when God was present at their sacrifices; I
+mean that which was in the nature of a button on his right shoulder,
+bright rays darting out thence, and being seen even by those that were
+most remote; which splendor yet was not before natural to the stone.
+This has appeared a wonderful thing to such as have not so far indulged
+themselves in philosophy, as to despise Divine revelation. Yet will I
+mention what is still more wonderful than this: for God declared
+beforehand, by those twelve stones which the high priest bare on his
+breast, and which were inserted into his breastplate, when they should
+be victorious in battle; for so great a splendor shone forth from them
+before the army began to march, that all the people were sensible of
+God's being present for their assistance. Whence it came to pass that
+those Greeks, who had a veneration for our laws, because they could not
+possibly contradict this, called that breastplate the Oracle. Now this
+breastplate, and this sardonyx, left off shining two hundred years
+before I composed this book, God having been displeased at the
+transgressions of his laws. Of which things we shall further discourse
+on a fitter opportunity; but I will now go on with my proposed
+narration.
+
+10. The tabernacle being now consecrated, and a regular order being
+settled for the priests, the multitude judged that God now dwelt among
+them, and betook themselves to sacrifices and praises to God as being
+now delivered from all expectation of evils and as entertaining a
+hopeful prospect of better times hereafter. They offered also gifts to
+God some as common to the whole nation, and others as peculiar to
+themselves, and these tribe by tribe; for the heads of the tribes
+combined together, two by two, and brought a waggon and a yoke of oxen.
+These amounted to six, and they carried the tabernacle when they
+journeyed. Besides which, each head of a tribe brought a bowl, and a
+charger, and a spoon, of ten darics, full of incense. Now the charger
+and the bowl were of silver, and together they weighed two hundred
+shekels, but the bowl cost no more than seventy shekels; and these were
+full of fine flour mingled with oil, such as they used on the altar
+about the sacrifices. They brought also a young bullock, and a ram, with
+a lamb of a year old, for a whole burnt-offering, as also a goat for the
+forgiveness of sins. Every one of the heads of the tribes brought also
+other sacrifices, called peace-offerings, for every day two bulls, and
+five rams, with lambs of a year old, and kids of the goats. These heads
+of tribes were twelve days in sacrificing, one sacrificing every day.
+Now Moses went no longer up to Mount Sinai, but went into the
+tabernacle, and learned of God what they were to do, and what laws
+should be made; which laws were preferable to what have been devised by
+human understanding, and proved to be firmly observed for all time to
+come, as being believed to be the gift of God, insomuch that the Hebrews
+did not transgress any of those laws, either as tempted in times of
+peace by luxury, or in times of war by distress of affairs. But I say no
+more here concerning them, because I have resolved to compose another
+work concerning our laws.
+
+
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER 9. The Manner Of Our Offering Sacrifices.
+
+1. I Will now, however, make mention of a few of our laws which belong
+to purifications, and the like sacred offices, since I am accidentally
+come to this matter of sacrifices. These sacrifices were of two sorts;
+of those sorts one was offered for private persons, and the other for
+the people in general; and they are done in two different ways. In the
+one case, what is slain is burnt, as a whole burnt-offering, whence that
+name is given to it; but the other is a thank-offering, and is designed
+for feasting those that sacrifice. I will speak of the former. Suppose a
+private man offer a burnt-offering, he must slay either a bull, a lamb,
+or a kid of the goats, and the two latter of the first year, though of
+bulls he is permitted to sacrifice those of a greater age; but all
+burnt-offerings are to be of males. When they are slain, the priests
+sprinkle the blood round about the altar; they then cleanse the bodies,
+and divide them into parts, and salt them with salt, and lay them upon
+the altar, while the pieces of wood are piled one upon another, and the
+fire is burning; they next cleanse the feet of the sacrifices, and the
+inwards, in an accurate manner and so lay them to the rest to be purged
+by the fire, while the priests receive the hides. This is the way of
+offering a burnt-offering.
+
+2. But those that offer thank-offerings do indeed sacrifice the same
+creatures, but such as are unblemished, and above a year old; however,
+they may take either males or females. They also sprinkle the altar with
+their blood; but they lay upon the altar the kidneys and the caul, and
+all the fat, and the lobe of the liver, together with the rump of the
+lamb; then, giving the breast and the right shoulder to the priests, the
+offerers feast upon the remainder of the flesh for two days; and what
+remains they burn.
+
+3. The sacrifices for sins are offered in the same manner as is the
+thank-offering. But those who are unable to purchase complete
+sacrifices, offer two pigeons, or turtle doves; the one of which is made
+a burnt-offering to God, the other they give as food to the priests. But
+we shall treat more accurately about the oblation of these creatures in
+our discourse concerning sacrifices. But if a person fall into sin by
+ignorance, he offers an ewe lamb, or a female kid of the goats, of the
+same age; and the priests sprinkle the blood at the altar, not after the
+former manner, but at the corners of it. They also bring the kidneys and
+the rest of the fat, together with the lobe of the liver, to the altar,
+while the priests bear away the hides and the flesh, and spend it in the
+holy place, on the same day; 23 for the law does not permit them to
+leave of it until the morning. But if any one sin, and is conscious of
+it himself, but hath nobody that can prove it upon him, he offers a ram,
+the law enjoining him so to do; the flesh of which the priests eat, as
+before, in the holy place, on the same day. And if the rulers offer
+sacrifices for their sins, they bring the same oblations that private
+men do; only they so far differ, that they are to bring for sacrifices a
+bull or a kid of the goats, both males.
+
+4. Now the law requires, both in private and public sacrifices, that the
+finest flour be also brought; for a lamb the measure of one tenth
+deal,—for a ram two,—and for a bull three. This they consecrate upon the
+altar, when it is mingled with oil; for oil is also brought by those
+that sacrifice; for a bull the half of an hin, and for a ram the third
+part of the same measure, and one quarter of it for a lamb. This hin is
+an ancient Hebrew measure, and is equivalent to two Athenian choas [or
+congiuses]. They bring the same quantity of oil which they do of wine,
+and they pour the wine about the altar; but if any one does not offer a
+complete sacrifice of animals, but brings fine flour only for a vow, he
+throws a handful upon the altar as its first-fruits, while the priests
+take the rest for their food, either boiled or mingled with oil, but
+made into cakes of bread. But whatsoever it be that a priest himself
+offers, it must of necessity be all burnt. Now the law forbids us to
+sacrifice any animal at the same time with its dam; and, in other cases,
+not till the eighth day after its birth. Other sacrifices there are also
+appointed for escaping distempers, or for other occasions, in which
+meat-offerings are consumed, together with the animals that are
+sacrificed; of which it is not lawful to leave any part till the next
+day, only the priests are to take their own share.
+
+
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER 10. Concerning The Festivals; And How Each Day Of Such Festival
+Is To Be Observed.
+
+1. The law requires, that out of the public expenses a lamb of the first
+year be killed every day, at the beginning and at the ending of the day;
+but on the seventh day, which is called the Sabbath, they kill two, and
+sacrifice them in the same manner. At the new moon, they both perform
+the daily sacrifices, and slay two bulls, with seven lambs of the first
+year, and a kid of the goats also, for the expiation of sins; that is,
+if they have sinned through ignorance.
+
+2. But on the seventh month, which the Macedonians call Hyperberetaeus,
+they make an addition to those already mentioned, and sacrifice a bull,
+a ram, and seven lambs, and a kid of the goats, for sins.
+
+3. On the tenth day of the same lunar month, they fast till the evening;
+and this day they sacrifice a bull, and two rams, and seven lambs, and a
+kid of the goats, for sins. And, besides these, they bring two kids of
+the goats; the one of which is sent alive out of the limits of the camp
+into the wilderness for the scapegoat, and to be an expiation for the
+sins of the whole multitude; but the other is brought into a place of
+great cleanness, within the limits of the camp, and is there burnt, with
+its skin, without any sort of cleansing. With this goat was burnt a
+bull, not brought by the people, but by the high priest, at his own
+charges; which, when it was slain, he brought of the blood into the holy
+place, together with the blood of the kid of the goats, and sprinkled
+the ceiling with his finger seven times, as also its pavement, and again
+as often toward the most holy place, and about the golden altar: he also
+at last brings it into the open court, and sprinkles it about the great
+altar. Besides this, they set the extremities, and the kidneys, and the
+fat, with the lobe of the liver, upon the altar. The high priest
+likewise presents a ram to God as a burnt-offering.
+
+4. Upon the fifteenth day of the same month, when the season of the year
+is changing for winter, the law enjoins us to pitch tabernacles in every
+one of our houses, so that we preserve ourselves from the cold of that
+time of the year; as also that when we should arrive at our own country,
+and come to that city which we should have then for our metropolis,
+because of the temple therein to be built, and keep a festival for eight
+days, and offer burnt-offerings, and sacrifice thank-offerings, that we
+should then carry in our hands a branch of myrtle, and willow, and a
+bough of the palm-tree, with the addition of the pome citron: That the
+burnt-offering on the first of those days was to be a sacrifice of
+thirteen bulls, and fourteen lambs, and fifteen rams, with the addition
+of a kid of the goats, as an expiation for sins; and on the following
+days the same number of lambs, and of rams, with the kids of the goats;
+but abating one of the bulls every day till they amounted to seven only.
+On the eighth day all work was laid aside, and then, as we said before,
+they sacrificed to God a bullock, a ram, and seven lambs, with a kid of
+the goats, for an expiation of sins. And this is the accustomed
+solemnity of the Hebrews, when they pitch their tabernacles.24
+
+5. In the month of Xanthicus, which is by us called Nisan, and is the
+beginning of our year, on the fourteenth day of the lunar month, when
+the sun is in Aries, [for in this month it was that we were delivered
+from bondage under the Egyptians,] the law ordained that we should every
+year slay that sacrifice which I before told you we slew when we came
+out of Egypt, and which was called the Passover; and so we do celebrate
+this passover in companies, leaving nothing of what we sacrifice till
+the day following. The feast of unleavened bread succeeds that of the
+passover, and falls on the fifteenth day of the month, and continues
+seven days, wherein they feed on unleavened bread; on every one of which
+days two bulls are killed, and one ram, and seven lambs. Now these lambs
+are entirely burnt, besides the kid of the goats which is added to all
+the rest, for sins; for it is intended as a feast for the priest on
+every one of those days. But on the second day of unleavened bread,
+which is the sixteenth day of the month, they first partake of the
+fruits of the earth, for before that day they do not touch them. And
+while they suppose it proper to honor God, from whom they obtain this
+plentiful provision, in the first place, they offer the first-fruits of
+their barley, and that in the manner following: They take a handful of
+the ears, and dry them, then beat them small, and purge the barley from
+the bran; they then bring one tenth deal to the altar, to God; and,
+casting one handful of it upon the fire, they leave the rest for the use
+of the priest. And after this it is that they may publicly or privately
+reap their harvest. They also at this participation of the first-fruits
+of the earth, sacrifice a lamb, as a burnt-offering to God.
+
+6. When a week of weeks has passed over after this sacrifice, [which
+weeks contain forty and nine days,] on the fiftieth day, which is
+Pentecost, but is called by the Hebrews Asartha, which signifies
+Pentecost, they bring to God a loaf, made of wheat flour, of two tenth
+deals, with leaven; and for sacrifices they bring two lambs; and when
+they have only presented them to God, they are made ready for supper for
+the priests; nor is it permitted to leave any thing of them till the day
+following. They also slay three bullocks for a burnt-offering, and two
+rams; and fourteen lambs, with two kids of the goats, for sins; nor is
+there anyone of the festivals but in it they offer burnt-offerings; they
+also allow themselves to rest on every one of them. Accordingly, the law
+prescribes in them all what kinds they are to sacrifice, and how they
+are to rest entirely, and must slay sacrifices, in order to feast upon
+them.
+
+7. However, out of the common charges, baked bread [was set on the table
+of shew-bread], without leaven, of twenty-four tenth deals of flour, for
+so much is spent upon this bread; two heaps of these were baked, they
+were baked the day before the sabbath, but were brought into the holy
+place on the morning of the sabbath, and set upon the holy table, six on
+a heap, one loaf still standing over against another; where two golden
+cups full of frankincense were also set upon them, and there they
+remained till another sabbath, and then other loaves were brought in
+their stead, while the loaves were given to the priests for their food,
+and the frankincense was burnt in that sacred fire wherein all their
+offerings were burnt also; and so other frankincense was set upon the
+loaves instead of what was there before. The high priest also, of his
+own charges, offered a sacrifice, and that twice every day. It was made
+of flour mingled with oil, and gently baked by the fire; the quantity
+was one tenth deal of flour; he brought the half of it to the fire in
+the morning, and the other half at night. The account of these
+sacrifices I shall give more accurately hereafter; but I think I have
+premised what for the present may be sufficient concerning them.
+
+
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER 11. Of The Purifications.
+
+1. Moses took out the tribe of Levi from communicating with the rest of
+the people, and set them apart to be a holy tribe; and purified them by
+water taken from perpetual springs, and with such sacrifices as were
+usually offered to God on the like occasions. He delivered to them also
+the tabernacle, and the sacred vessels, and the other curtains, which
+were made for covering the tabernacle, that they might minister under
+the conduct of the priests, who had been already consecrated to God.
+
+2. He also determined concerning animals; which of them might be used
+for food, and which they were obliged to abstain from; which matters,
+when this work shall give me occasion, shall be further explained; and
+the causes shall be added by which he was moved to allot some of them to
+be our food, and enjoined us to abstain from others. However, he
+entirely forbade us the use of blood for food, and esteemed it to
+contain the soul and spirit. He also forbade us to eat the flesh of an
+animal that died of itself, as also the caul, and the fat of goats, and
+sheep, and bulls.
+
+3. He also ordered that those whose bodies were afflicted with leprosy,
+and that had a gonorrhea, should not come into the city; nay, he removed
+the women, when they had their natural purgations, till the seventh day;
+after which he looked on them as pure, and permitted them to come in
+again. The law permits those also who have taken care of funerals to
+come in after the same manner, when this number of days is over; but if
+any continued longer than that number of days in a state of pollution,
+the law appointed the offering two lambs for a sacrifice; the one of
+which they are to purge by fire, and for the other, the priests take it
+for themselves. In the same manner do those sacrifice who have had the
+gonorrhea. But he that sheds his seed in his sleep, if he go down into
+cold water, has the same privilege with those that have lawfully
+accompanied with their wives. And for the lepers, he suffered them not
+to come into the city at all, nor to live with any others, as if they
+were in effect dead persons; but if any one had obtained by prayer to
+God, the recovery from that distemper, and had gained a healthful
+complexion again, such a one returned thanks to God, with several sorts
+of sacrifices; concerning which we will speak hereafter.
+
+4. Whence one cannot but smile at those who say that Moses was himself
+afflicted with the leprosy when he fled out of Egypt, and that he became
+the conductor of those who on that account left that country, and led
+them into the land of Canaan; for had this been true, Moses would not
+have made these laws to his own dishonor, which indeed it was more
+likely he would have opposed, if others had endeavored to introduce
+them; and this the rather, because there are lepers in many nations, who
+yet are in honor, and not only free from reproach and avoidance, but who
+have been great captains of armies, and been intrusted with high offices
+in the commonwealth, and have had the privilege of entering into holy
+places and temples; so that nothing hindered, but if either Moses
+himself, or the multitude that was with him, had been liable to such a
+misfortune in the color of his skin, he might have made laws about them
+for their credit and advantage, and have laid no manner of difficulty
+upon them. Accordingly, it is a plain case, that it is out of violent
+prejudice only that they report these things about us. But Moses was
+pure from any such distemper, and lived with countrymen who were pure of
+it also, and thence made the laws which concerned others that had the
+distemper. He did this for the honor of God. But as to these matters,
+let every one consider them after what manner he pleases.
+
+5. As to the women, when they have born a child, Moses forbade them to
+come into the temple, or touch the sacrifices, before forty days were
+over, supposing it to be a boy; but if she hath born a girl, the law is
+that she cannot be admitted before twice that number of days be over.
+And when after the before-mentioned time appointed for them, they
+perform their sacrifices, the priests distribute them before God.
+
+6. But if any one suspect that his wife has been guilty of adultery, he
+was to bring a tenth deal of barley flour; they then cast one handful to
+God and gave the rest of it to the priests for food. One of the priests
+set the woman at the gates that are turned towards the temple, and took
+the veil from her head, and wrote the name of God on parchment, and
+enjoined her to swear that she had not at all injured her husband; and
+to wish that, if she had violated her chastity, her right thigh might be
+put out of joint; that her belly might swell; and that she might die
+thus: but that if her husband, by the violence of his affection, and of
+the jealousy which arose from it, had been rashly moved to this
+suspicion, that she might bear a male child in the tenth month. Now when
+these oaths were over, the priest wiped the name of God out of the
+parchment, and wrung the water into a vial. He also took some dust out
+of the temple, if any happened to be there, and put a little of it into
+the vial, and gave it her to drink; whereupon the woman, if she were
+unjustly accused, conceived with child, and brought it to perfection in
+her womb: but if she had broken her faith of wedlock to her husband, and
+had sworn falsely before God, she died in a reproachful manner; her
+thigh fell off from her, and her belly swelled with a dropsy. And these
+are the ceremonies about sacrifices, and about the purifications thereto
+belonging, which Moses provided for his countrymen. He also prescribed
+the following laws to them:—
+
+
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER 12. Several Laws.
+
+1. As for adultery, Moses forbade it entirely, as esteeming it a happy
+thing that men should be wise in the affairs of wedlock; and that it was
+profitable both to cities and families that children should be known to
+be genuine. He also abhorred men's lying with their mothers, as one of
+the greatest crimes; and the like for lying with the father's wife, and
+with aunts, and sisters, and sons' wives, as all instances of abominable
+wickedness. He also forbade a man to lie with his wife when she was
+defiled by her natural purgation: and not to come near brute beasts; nor
+to approve of the lying with a male, which was to hunt after unlawful
+pleasures on account of beauty. To those who were guilty of such
+insolent behavior, he ordained death for their punishment.
+
+2. As for the priests, he prescribed to them a double degree of purity
+25 for he restrained them in the instances above, and moreover forbade
+them to marry harlots. He also forbade them to marry a slave, or a
+captive, and such as got their living by cheating trades, and by keeping
+inns; as also a woman parted from her husband, on any account
+whatsoever. Nay, he did not think it proper for the high priest to marry
+even the widow of one that was dead, though he allowed that to the
+priests; but he permitted him only to marry a virgin, and to retain her.
+Whence it is that the high priest is not to come near to one that is
+dead, although the rest are not prohibited from coming near to their
+brethren, or parents, or children, when they are dead; but they are to
+be unblemished in all respects. He ordered that the priest who had any
+blemish, should have his portion indeed among the priests, but he
+forbade him to ascend the altar, or to enter into the holy house. He
+also enjoined them, not only to observe purity in their sacred
+ministrations, but in their daily conversation, that it might be
+unblamable also. And on this account it is that those who wear the
+sacerdotal garments are without spot, and eminent for their purity and
+sobriety: nor are they permitted to drink wine so long as they wear
+those garments. 26 Moreover, they offer sacrifices that are entire, and
+have no defect whatsoever.
+
+3. And truly Moses gave them all these precepts, being such as were
+observed during his own lifetime; but though he lived now in the
+wilderness, yet did he make provision how they might observe the same
+laws when they should have taken the land of Canaan. He gave them rest
+to the land from ploughing and planting every seventh year, as he had
+prescribed to them to rest from working every seventh day; and ordered,
+that then what grew of its own accord out of the earth should in common
+belong to all that pleased to use it, making no distinction in that
+respect between their own countrymen and foreigners: and he ordained,
+that they should do the same after seven times seven years, which in all
+are fifty years; and that fiftieth year is called by the Hebrews The
+Jubilee, wherein debtors are freed from their debts, and slaves are set
+at liberty; which slaves became such, though they were of the same
+stock, by transgressing some of those laws the punishment of which was
+not capital, but they were punished by this method of slavery. This year
+also restores the land to its former possessors in the manner
+following:—When the Jubilee is come, which name denotes liberty, he that
+sold the land, and he that bought it, meet together, and make an
+estimate, on one hand, of the fruits gathered; and, on the other hand,
+of the expenses laid out upon it. If the fruits gathered come to more
+than the expenses laid out, he that sold it takes the land again; but if
+the expenses prove more than the fruits, the present possessor receives
+of the former owner the difference that was wanting, and leaves the land
+to him; and if the fruits received, and the expenses laid out, prove
+equal to one another, the present possessor relinquishes it to the
+former owners. Moses would have the same law obtain as to those houses
+also which were sold in villages; but he made a different law for such
+as were sold in a city; for if he that sold it tendered the purchaser
+his money again within a year, he was forced to restore it; but in case
+a whole year had intervened, the purchaser was to enjoy what he had
+bought. This was the constitution of the laws which Moses learned of God
+when the camp lay under Mount Sinai, and this he delivered in writing to
+the Hebrews.
+
+4. Now when this settlement of laws seemed to be well over, Moses
+thought fit at length to take a review of the host, as thinking it
+proper to settle the affairs of war. So he charged the heads of the
+tribes, excepting the tribe of Levi, to take an exact account of the
+number of those that were able to go to war; for as to the Levites, they
+were holy, and free from all such burdens. Now when the people had been
+numbered, there were found six hundred thousand that were able to go to
+war, from twenty to fifty years of age, besides three thousand six
+hundred and fifty. Instead of Levi, Moses took Manasseh, the son of
+Joseph, among the heads of tribes; and Ephraim instead of Joseph. It was
+indeed the desire of Jacob himself to Joseph, that he would give him his
+sons to be his own by adoption, as I have before related.
+
+5. When they set up the tabernacle, they received it into the midst of
+their camp, three of the tribes pitching their tents on each side of it;
+and roads were cut through the midst of these tents. It was like a well-
+appointed market; and every thing was there ready for sale in due order;
+and all sorts of artificers were in the shops; and it resembled nothing
+so much as a city that sometimes was movable, and sometimes fixed. The
+priests had the first places about the tabernacle; then the Levites,
+who, because their whole multitude was reckoned from thirty days old,
+were twenty-three thousand eight hundred and eighty males; and during
+the time that the cloud stood over the tabernacle, they thought proper
+to stay in the same place, as supposing that God there inhabited among
+them; but when that removed, they journeyed also.
+
+6. Moreover, Moses was the inventor of the form of their trumpet, which
+was made of silver. Its description is this:—In length it was little
+less than a cubit. It was composed of a narrow tube, somewhat thicker
+than a flute, but with so much breadth as was sufficient for admission
+of the breath of a man's mouth: it ended in the form of a bell, like
+common trumpets. Its sound was called in the Hebrew tongue Asosra. Two
+of these being made, one of them was sounded when they required the
+multitude to come together to congregations. When the first of them gave
+a signal, the heads of the tribes were to assemble, and consult about
+the affairs to them properly belonging; but when they gave the signal by
+both of them, they called the multitude together. Whenever the
+tabernacle was removed, it was done in this solemn order:—At the first
+alarm of the trumpet, those whose tents were on the east quarter
+prepared to remove; when the second signal was given, those that were on
+the south quarter did the like; in the next place, the tabernacle was
+taken to pieces, and was carried in the midst of six tribes that went
+before, and of six that followed, all the Levites assisting about the
+tabernacle; when the third signal was given, that part which had their
+tents towards the west put themselves in motion; and at the fourth
+signal those on the north did so likewise. They also made use of these
+trumpets in their sacred ministrations, when they were bringing their
+sacrifices to the altar as well on the Sabbaths as on the rest of the
+[festival] days; and now it was that Moses offered that sacrifice which
+was called the Passover in the Wilderness, as the first he had offered
+after the departure out of Egypt.
+
+
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER 13. Moses Removed From Mount Sinai, And Conducted The People To
+The Borders Of The Canaanites.
+
+A Little while afterwards he rose up, and went from Mount Sinai; and,
+having passed through several mansions, of which we will speak he came
+to a place called Hazeroth, where the multitude began again to be
+mutinous, and to Moses for the misfortunes they had suffered their
+travels; and that when he had persuaded to leave a good land, they at
+once had lost land, and instead of that happy state he had them, they
+were still wandering in their miserable condition, being already in want
+of water; and if the manna should happen to fail, must then utterly
+perish. Yet while they spake many and sore things against the there was
+one of them who exhorted them to be unmindful of Moses, and of what
+great pains he had been at about their common safety; not to despair of
+assistance from God. The multitude thereupon became still more unruly,
+and mutinous against Moses than before. Hereupon Moses, although he was
+so basely abused by them encouraged them in their despairing conditioned
+and promised that he would procure them a quantity of flesh-meat, and
+that not for a few days only, but for many days. This they were not to
+believe; and when one of them asked, whence he could obtain such vast
+plenty of what he promised, he replied, "Neither God nor I, we hear such
+opprobrious language from will leave off our labors for you; and this
+soon appear also." As soon as ever he had said this, the whole camp was
+filled with quails, they stood round about them, and gathered great
+numbers. However, it was not long ere God punished the Hebrews for their
+insolence, those reproaches they had used towards him, no small number
+of them died; and still to this day the place retains the memory of this
+destruction and is named Kibrothhattaavah, which is, Graves of Lust.
+
+
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER 14. How Moses Sent Some Persons To Search Out The Land Of The
+Canaanites, And The Largeness Of Their Cities; And Further That When
+Those Who Were Sent Were Returned, After Forty Days And Reported That
+They Should Not Be A Match For Them, And Extolled The Strength Of The
+Canaanites The Multitude Were Disturbed And Fell Into Despair; And Were
+Resolved To Stone Moses, And To Return Back Again Into Egypt, And Serve
+The Egyptians.
+
+1. When Moses had led the Hebrews away from thence to a place called
+Paran, which was near to the borders of the Canaanites, and a place
+difficult to be continued in, he gathered the multitude together to a
+congregation; and standing in the midst of them, he said, "Of the two
+things that God determined to bestow upon us, liberty, and the
+possession of a Happy Country, the one of them ye already are partakers
+of, by the gift of God, and the other you will quickly obtain; for we
+now have our abode near the borders of the Canaanites, and nothing can
+hinder the acquisition of it, when we now at last are fallen upon it: I
+say, not only no king nor city, but neither the whole race of mankind,
+if they were all gathered together, could do it. Let us therefore
+prepare ourselves for the work, for the Canaanites will not resign up
+their land to us without fighting, but it must be wrested from them by
+great struggles in war. Let us then send spies, who may take a view of
+the goodness of the land, and what strength it is of; but, above all
+things, let us be of one mind, and let us honor God, who above all is
+our helper and assister."
+
+2. When Moses had said thus, the multitude requited him with marks of
+respect; and chose twelve spies, of the most eminent men, one out of
+each tribe, who, passing over all the land of Canaan, from the borders
+of Egypt, came to the city Hamath, and to Mount Lebanon; and having
+learned the nature of the land, and of its inhabitants, they came home,
+having spent forty days in the whole work. They also brought with them
+of the fruits which the land bare; they also showed them the excellency
+of those fruits, and gave an account of the great quantity of the good
+things that land afforded, which were motives to the multitude to go to
+war. But then they terrified them again with the great difficulty there
+was in obtaining it; that the rivers were so large and deep that they
+could not be passed over; and that the hills were so high that they
+could not travel along for them; that the cities were strong with walls,
+and their firm fortifications round about them. They told them also,
+that they found at Hebron the posterity of the giants. Accordingly these
+spies, who had seen the land of Canaan, when they perceived that all
+these difficulties were greater there than they had met with since they
+came out of Egypt, they were affrighted at them themselves, and
+endeavored to affright the multitude also.
+
+3. So they supposed, from what they had heard, that it was impossible to
+get the possession of the country. And when the congregation was
+dissolved, they, their wives and children, continued their lamentation,
+as if God would not indeed assist them, but only promised them fair.
+They also again blamed Moses, and made a clamor against him and his
+brother Aaron, the high priest. Accordingly they passed that night very
+ill, and with contumelious language against them; but in the morning
+they ran to a congregation, intending to stone Moses and Aaron, and so
+to return back into Egypt.
+
+4. But of the spies, there were Joshua the son of Nun, of the tribe of
+Ephraim, and Caleb of the tribe of Judah, that were afraid of the
+consequence, and came into the midst of them, and stilled the multitude,
+and desired them to be of good courage; and neither to condemn God, as
+having told them lies, nor to hearken to those who had affrighted them,
+by telling them what was not true concerning the Canaanites, but to
+those that encouraged them to hope for good success; and that they
+should gain possession of the happiness promised them, because neither
+the height of mountains, nor the depth of rivers, could hinder men of
+true courage from attempting them, especially while God would take care
+of them beforehand, and be assistant to them. "Let us then go," said
+they, "against our enemies, and have no suspicion of ill success,
+trusting in God to conduct us, and following those that are to be our
+leaders." Thus did these two exhort them, and endeavor to pacify the
+rage they were in. But Moses and Aaron fell on the ground, and besought
+God, not for their own deliverance, but that he would put a stop to what
+the people were unwarily doing, and would bring their minds to a quiet
+temper, which were now disordered by their present passion. The cloud
+also did now appear, and stood over the tabernacle, and declared to them
+the presence of God to be there.
+
+
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER 15. How Moses Was Displeased At This, And Foretold That God Was
+Angry And That They Should Continue In The Wilderness For Forty Years
+And Not, During That Time, Either Return Into Egypt Or Take Possession
+Of Canaan.
+
+1. Moses came now boldly to the multitude, and informed them that God
+was moved at their abuse of him, and would inflict punishment upon them,
+not indeed such as they deserved for their sins, but such as parents
+inflict on their children, in order to their correction. For, he said,
+that when he was in the tabernacle, and was bewailing with ears that
+destruction which was coming upon them God put him in mind what things
+he had done for them, and what benefits they had received from him, and
+yet how ungrateful they had been to him that just now they had been
+induced, through the timorousness of the spies, to think that their
+words were truer than his own promise to them; and that on this account,
+though he would not indeed destroy them all, nor utterly exterminate
+their nation, which he had honored more than any other part of mankind,
+yet he would not permit them to take possession of the land of Canaan,
+nor enjoy its happiness; but would make them wander in the wilderness,
+and live without a fixed habitation, and without a city, for forty years
+together, as a punishment for this their transgression; but that he had
+promised to give that land to our children, and that he would make them
+the possessors of those good things which, by your ungoverned passions,
+you have deprived yourselves of.
+
+2. When Moses had discoursed thus to them according to the direction of
+God, the multitude grieved, and were in affliction; and entreated Most
+to procure their reconciliation to God, and to permit them no longer to
+wander in the wilderness, but bestow cities upon them. But he replied,
+that God would not admit of any such trial, for that God was not moved
+to this determination from any human levity or anger, but that he had
+judicially condemned them to that punishment. Now we are not to
+disbelieve that Moses, who was but a single person, pacified so many ten
+thousands when they were in anger, and converted them to a mildness
+temper; for God was with him, and prepared way to his persuasions of the
+multitude; and as they had often been disobedient, they were now
+sensible that such disobedience was disadvantageous to them and that
+they had still thereby fallen into calamities.
+
+3. But this man was admirable for his virtue, and powerful in making men
+give credit to what he delivered, not only during the time of his
+natural life, but even there is still no one of the Hebrews who does not
+act even now as if Moses were present, and ready to punish him if he
+should do any thing that is indecent; nay, there is no one but is
+obedient to what laws he ordained, although they might be concealed in
+their transgressions. There are also many other demonstrations that his
+power was more than human, for still some there have been, who have come
+from the parts beyond Euphrates, a journey of four months, through many
+dangers, and at great expenses, in honor of our temple; and yet, when
+they had offered their oblations, could not partake of their own
+sacrifices, because Moses had forbidden it, by somewhat in the law that
+did not permit them, or somewhat that had befallen them, which our
+ancient customs made inconsistent therewith; some of these did not
+sacrifice at all, and others left their sacrifices in an imperfect
+condition; many were not able, even at first, so much as to enter the
+temple, but went their ways in this as preferring a submission to the
+laws of Moses before the fulfilling of their own inclinations, they had
+no fear upon them that anybody could convict them, but only out of a
+reverence to their own conscience. Thus this legislation, which appeared
+to be divine, made this man to be esteemed as one superior to his own
+nature. Nay, further, a little before the beginning of this war, when
+Claudius was emperor of the Romans, and Ismael was our high priest, and
+when so great a famine 27 was come upon us, that one tenth deal [of
+wheat] was sold for four drachmae, and when no less than seventy cori of
+flour were brought into the temple, at the feast of unleavened bread,
+[these cori are thirty-one Sicilian, but forty-one Athenian medimni,]
+not one of the priests was so hardy as to eat one crumb of it, even
+while so great a distress was upon the land; and this out of a dread of
+the law, and of that wrath which God retains against acts of wickedness,
+even when no one can accuse the actors. Whence we are not to wonder at
+what was then done, while to this very day the writings left by Moses
+have so great a force, that even those that hate us do confess, that he
+who established this settlement was God, and that it was by the means of
+Moses, and of his virtue; but as to these matters, let every one take
+them as he thinks fit.
+
+
+
+
+
+
+FOOTNOTES:
+
+
+1 (return) [ Dr. Bernard takes notice here, that this place Mar, where
+the waters were bitter, is called by the Syrians and Arabians Mariri,
+and by the Syrians sometimes Morath, all derived from the Hebrew Mar. He
+also takes notice, that it is called The Bitter Fountain by Pliny
+himself; which waters remain there to this day, and are still bitter, as
+Thevenot assures us and that there are also abundance of palm-trees. See
+his Travels, Part I. ch. 26. p. 166.]
+
+
+2 (return) [ The additions here to Moses's account of the sweetening of
+the waters at Marah, seem derived from some ancient profane author, and
+he such an author also as looks less authentic than are usually followed
+by Josephus. Philo has not a syllable of these additions, nor any other
+ancienter writer that we know of. Had Josephus written these his
+Antiquities for the use of Jews, he would hardly have given them these
+very improbable circumstances; but writing to Gentiles, that they might
+not complain of his omission of any accounts of such miracles derived
+from Gentiles, he did not think proper to conceal what he had met with
+there about this matter. Which procedure is perfectly agreeable to the
+character and usage of Josephus upon many occasions. This note is, I
+confess, barely conjectural; and since Josephus never tells us when his
+own copy, taken out of the temple, had such additions, or when any
+ancient notes supplied them; or indeed when they are derived from
+Jewish, and when from Gentile antiquity,—we can go no further than bare
+conjectures in such cases; only the notions of Jews were generally so
+different from those of Gentiles, that we may sometimes make no
+improbable conjectures to which sort such additions belong. See also
+somewhat like these additions in Josephus's account of Elisha's making
+sweet the bitter and barren spring near Jericho, War, B. IV. ch. 8.
+sect. 3.]
+
+
+3 (return) [ It seems to me, from what Moses, Exodus 16:18, St. Paul, 2
+Corinthians 8:15, and Josephus here say, compared together, that the
+quantity of manna that fell daily, and did not putrefy, was just so much
+as came to an omer apiece, through the whole host of Israel, and no
+more.]
+
+
+4 (return) [ This supposal, that the sweet honey-dew or manna, so
+celebrated in ancient and modern authors, as falling usually in Arabia,
+was of the very same sort with this manna sent to the Israelites, savors
+more of Gentilism than of Judaism or Christianity. It is not improbable
+that some ancient Gentile author, read by Josephus, so thought; nor
+would he here contradict him; though just before, and Antiq. B. IV. ch.
+3. sect. 2, he seems directly to allow that it had not been seen before.
+However, this food from heaven is here described to be like snow; and in
+Artapanus, a heathen writer, it is compared to meal, color like to snow,
+rained down by God," Essay on the Old Test. Append. p. 239. But as to
+the derivation of the word manna, whether from man, which Josephus says
+then signified What is it or from mannah, to divide, i.e., a dividend or
+portion allotted to every one, it is uncertain: I incline to the latter
+derivation. This manna is called angels' food, Psalm 78:26, and by our
+Sacior, John 6:31, etc., as well as by Josephus here and elsewhere,
+Antiq. B. III. ch. 5. sect. 3, said to be sent the Jews from heaven.]
+
+
+5 (return) [ This rock is there at this day, as the travelers agree; and
+must be the same that was there in the days of Moses, as being too large
+to be brought thither by our modern carriages.]
+
+
+6 (return) [ Note here, that the small book of the principal laws of
+Moses is ever said to be laid up in the holy house itself; but the
+larger Pentateuch, as here, some where within the limits of the temple
+and its courts only. See Antiq. B. V. ch. 1. sect. 17.]
+
+
+7 (return) [ This eminent circumstance, that while Moses's hands were
+lift up towards heaven, the Israelites prevailed, and while they were
+let down towards the earth, the Amalekites prevailed, seems to me the
+earliest intimation we have of the proper posture, used of old, in
+solemn prayer, which was the stretching out of the hands [and eyes]
+towards heaven, as other passages of the Old and New Testament inform
+us. Nay, by the way, this posture seemed to have continued in the
+Christian church, till the clergy, instead of learning their prayers by
+heart, read them out of a book, which is in a great measure inconsistent
+with such an elevated posture, and which seems to me to have been only a
+later practice, introduced under the corrupt state of the church; though
+the constant use of divine forms of prayer, praise, and thanksgiving,
+appears to me to have been the practice of God's people, patriarchs,
+Jews, and Christians, in all the past ages.]
+
+
+8 (return) [ This manner of electing the judges and officers of the
+Israelites by the testimonies and suffrages of the people, before they
+were ordained by God, or by Moses, deserves to be carefully noted,
+because it was the pattern of the like manner of the choice and
+ordination of bishops, presbyters, and deacons, in the Christian
+church.]
+
+
+9 (return) [ Since this mountain, Sinai, is here said to be the highest
+of all the mountains that are in that country, it must be that now
+called St. Katherine's, which is one-third higher than that within a
+mile of it, now called Sinai, as Mons. Thevenot informs us, Travels,
+Part I. ch. 23. p. 168. The other name of it, Horeb, is never used by
+Josephus, and perhaps was its name among the Egyptians only, whence the
+Israelites were lately come, as Sinai was its name among the Arabians,
+Canaanites, and other nations. Accordingly when [1 Kings 9:8: the
+Scripture says that Elijah came to Horeb, the mount of God, Josephus
+justly says, Antiq. B. VIII. ch. 13. sect. 7, that he came to the
+mountain called Sinai: and Jerome, here cited by Dr. Hudson, says, that
+he took this mountain to have two names, Sinai and Choreb. De Nomin.
+Heb. p. 427.]
+
+
+10 (return) [ Of this and another like superstitious notion of the
+Pharisees, which Josephus complied with, see the note on Antiq. B. II.
+ch. 12. sect. 4.]
+
+
+11 (return) [ This other work of Josephus, here referred to, seems to be
+that which does not appear to have been ever published, which yet he
+intended to publish, about the reasons of many of the laws of Moses; of
+which see the note on the Preface, sect. 4.]
+
+
+12 (return) [ Of this tabernacle of Moses, with its several parts and
+furniture, see my description at large, chap. 6. 7. 8. 9. 10. 11. 12.,
+hereto belonging.]
+
+
+13 (return) [ The use of these golden bells at the bottom of the high
+priest's long garment, seems to me to have been this: That by shaking
+his garment at the time of his offering incense in the temple, on the
+great day of expiation, or at other proper periods of his sacred
+ministrations there, on the great festivals, the people might have
+notice of it, and might fall to their own prayers at the time of
+incense, or other proper periods; and so the whole congregation might at
+once offer those common prayers jointly with the high priest himself to
+the Almighty See Luke 1:10; Revelation 8:3, 4. Nor probably is the son
+of Sirach to be otherwise understood, when he says of Aaron, the first
+high priest, Ecelus. 45:9, "And God encompassed Aaron with pomegranates,
+and with many golden bells round about, that as he went there might be a
+sound, and a noise made that might be heard in the temple, for a
+memorial to the children of his people."]
+
+
+14 (return) [ The reader ought to take notice here, that the very Mosaic
+Petalon, or golden plate, for the forehead of the Jewish high priest,
+was itself preserved, not only till the days of Josephus, but of Origen;
+and that its inscription, Holiness to the Lord, was in the Samaritan
+characters. See Antiq. B. VIII. ch. 3. sect. 8, Essay on the Old Test.
+p. 154, and Reland, De pol. Templi, p. 132.]
+
+
+15 (return) [ When Josephus, both here and ch. 6. sect. 4, supposes the
+tabernacle to have been parted into three parts, he seems to esteem the
+bare entrance to be a third division, distinct from the holy and the
+most holy places; and this the rather, because in the temple afterward
+there was a real distinct third part, which was called the Porch:
+otherwise Josephus would contradict his own description of the
+tabernacle, which gives as a particular account of no more than two
+parts.]
+
+
+16 (return) [ This explication of the mystical meaning of the Jewish
+tabernacle and its vessels, with the garments of the high priest, is
+taken out of Philo, and fitted to Gentile philosophical notions. This
+may possibly be forgiven in Jews, greatly versed in heathen learning and
+philosophy, as Philo had ever been, and as Josephus had long been when
+he wrote these Antiquities. In the mean time, it is not to be doubted,
+but in their education they must have both learned more Jewish
+interpretations, such as we meet with in the Epistle of Barnabas, in
+that to the Hebrews, and elsewhere among the old Jews. Accordingly when
+Josephus wrote his books of the Jewish War, for the use of the Jews, at
+which time he was comparatively young, and less used to Gentile books,
+we find one specimen of such a Jewish interpretation; for there [B. VII.
+ch. 5. sect. 5: he makes the seven branches of the temple-candlestick,
+with their seven lamps, an emblem of the seven days of creation and
+rest, which are here emblems of the seven planets. Nor certainly ought
+ancient Jewish emblems to be explained any other way than according to
+ancient Jewish, and not Gentile, notions. See of the War, B. I. ch. 33.
+sect. 2.]
+
+
+17 (return) [ It is well worth our observation, that the two principal
+qualifications required in this section for the constitution of the
+first high priest, [viz. that he should have an excellent character for
+virtuous and good actions; as also that he should have the approbation
+of the people,] are here noted by Josephus, even where the nomination
+belonged to God himself; which are the very same qualifications which
+the Christian religion requires in the choice of Christian bishops,
+priests, and deacons; as the Apostolical Constitutions inform us, B. II.
+ch. 3.]
+
+
+18 (return) [ This weight and value of the Jewish shekel, in the days of
+Josephus, equal to about 2s. 10d. sterling, is, by the learned Jews,
+owned to be one-fifth larger than were their old shekels; which
+determination agrees perfectly with the remaining shekels that have
+Samaritan inscriptions, coined generally by Simon the Maccabee, about
+230 years before Josephus published his Antiquities, which never weigh
+more than 2s. 4d., and commonly but 2s. 4d. See Reland De Nummis
+Samaritanorum, p. 138.]
+
+
+19 (return) [ The incense was here offered, according to Josephus's
+opinion, before sun-rising, and at sun-setting; but in the days of
+Pompey, according to the same Josephus, the sacrifices were offered in
+the morning, and at the ninth hour. Antiq. B. XIV. ch. 4. sect. 3.]
+
+
+20 (return) [ Hence we may correct the opinions of the modern Rabbins,
+who say that only one of the seven lamps burned in the day-time; whereas
+our Josephus, an eyewitness, says there were three.]
+
+
+21 (return) [ Of this strange expression, that Moses "left it to God to
+be present at his sacrifices when he pleased, and when he pleased to be
+absent," see the note on B. II. against Apion, sect. 16.]
+
+
+22 (return) [ These answers by the oracle of Urim and Thummim, which
+words signify, light and perfection, or, as the Septuagint render them,
+revelation and truth, and denote nothing further, that I see, but the
+shining stones themselves, which were used, in this method of
+illumination, in revealing the will of God, after a perfect and true
+manner, to his people Israel: I say, these answers were not made by the
+shining of the precious stones, after an awkward manner, in the high
+priest's breastplate, as the modern Rabbins vainly suppose; for
+certainly the shining of the stones might precede or accompany the
+oracle, without itself delivering that oracle, see Antiq. B. VI. ch. 6.
+sect. 4; but rather by an audible voice from the mercy- seat between the
+cherubims. See Prideaux's Connect. at the year 534. This oracle had been
+silent, as Josephus here informs us, two hundred years before he wrote
+his Antiquities, or ever since the days of the last good high priest of
+the family of the Maccabees, John Hyrcanus. Now it is here very well
+worth our observation, that the oracle before us was that by which God
+appeared to be present with, and gave directions to, his people Israel
+as their King, all the while they submitted to him in that capacity; and
+did not set over them such independent kings as governed according to
+their own wills and political maxims, instead of Divine directions.
+Accordingly we meet with this oracle [besides angelic and prophetic
+admonitions] all along from the days of Moses and Joshua to the
+anointing of Saul, the first of the succession of the kings, Numbers
+27:21; Joshua 6:6, etc.; 19:50; Judges 1:1; 18:4-6, 30, 31; 20:18, 23,
+26-28; 21:1, etc.; 1 Samuel 1:17, 18; 3. per tot.; 4. per tot.; nay,
+till Saul's rejection of the Divine commands in the war with Amalek,
+when he took upon him to act as he thought fit, 1 Samuel 14:3, 18, 19,
+36, 37, then this oracle left Saul entirely, [which indeed he had seldom
+consulted before, 1 Samuel 14:35; 1 Chronicles 10:14; 13:3; Antiq. B. 7
+ch. 4 sect 2.] and accompanied David, who was anointed to succeed him,
+and who consulted God by it frequently, and complied with its directions
+constantly [1 Samuel 14:37, 41; 15:26; 22:13, 15; 23:9, 10; 30:7, 8, 18;
+2 Samuel 2:1; 5:19, 23; 21:1; 23:14; 1 Chronicles 14:10, 14; Antiq. B IV
+ch. 12 sect. 5]. Saul, indeed, long after his rejection by God, and when
+God had given him up to destruction for his disobedience, did once
+afterwards endeavor to consult God when it was too late; but God would
+not then answer him, neither by dreams, nor by Urim, nor by prophets, 1
+Samuel 28:6. Nor did any of David's successors, the kings of Judah, that
+we know of, consult God by this oracle, till the very Babylonish
+captivity itself, when those kings were at an end; they taking upon
+them, I suppose, too much of despotic power and royalty, and too little
+owning the God of Israel for the supreme King of Israel, though a few of
+them consulted the prophets sometimes, and were answered by them. At the
+return of the two tribes, without the return of the kingly government,
+the restoration of this oracle was expected, Nehemiah 7;63; 1 Esd. 5:40;
+1 Macc. 4:46; 14:41. And indeed it may seem to have been restored for
+some time after the Babylonish captivity, at least in the days of that
+excellent high priest, John Hyrcanus, whom Josephus esteemed as a king,
+a priest, and a prophet; and who, he says, foretold several things that
+came to pass accordingly; but about the time of his death, he here
+implies, that this oracle quite ceased, and not before. The following
+high priests now putting diadems on their heads, and ruling according to
+their own will, and by their own authority, like the other kings of the
+pagan countries about them; so that while the God of Israel was allowed
+to be the supreme King of Israel, and his directions to be their
+authentic guides, God gave them such directions as their supreme King
+and Governor, and they were properly under a theocracy, by this oracle
+of Urim, but no longer [see Dr. Bernard's notes here]; though I confess
+I cannot but esteem the high priest Jaddus's divine dream, Antiq. B. XI.
+ch. 8. sect. 4, and the high priest Caiaphas's most remarkable prophecy,
+John 11:47-52, as two small remains or specimens of this ancient oracle,
+which properly belonged to the Jewish high priests: nor perhaps ought we
+entirely to forget that eminent prophetic dream of our Josephus himself,
+[Footnote one next to a high priest, as of the family of the Asamoneans
+or Maccabees,] as to the succession of Vespasian and Titus to the Roman
+empire, and that in the days of Nero, and before either Galba, Otho, or
+Vitellius were thought of to succeed him. Of the War, B. III. ch. 8.
+sect. 9. This, I think, may well be looked on as the very last instance
+of any thing like the prophetic Urim among the Jewish nation, and just
+preceded their fatal desolation: but how it could possibly come to pass
+that such great men as Sir John Marsham and Dr. Spenser, should imagine
+that this oracle of Urim and Thummim with other practices as old or
+older than the law of Moses, should have been ordained in imitation of
+somewhat like them among the Egyptians, which we never hear of till the
+days of Diodorus Siculus, Aelian, and Maimonides, or little earlier than
+the Christian era at the highest, is almost unaccountable; while the
+main business of the law of Moses was evidently to preserve the
+Israelites from the idolatrous and superstitious practices of the
+neighboring pagan nations; and while it is so undeniable, that the
+evidence for the great antiquity of Moses's law is incomparably beyond
+that for the like or greater antiquity of such customs in Egypt or other
+nations, which indeed is generally none at all, it is most absurd to
+derive any of Moses's laws from the imitation of those heathen
+practices, Such hypotheses demonstrate to us how far inclination can
+prevail over evidence, in even some of the most learned part of
+mankind.]
+
+
+23 (return) [ What Reland well observes here, out of Josephus, as
+compared with the law of Moses, Leviticus 7:15, [that the eating of the
+sacrifice the same day it was offered, seems to mean only before the
+morning of the next, although the latter part, i.e. the night, be in
+strictness part of the next day, according to the Jewish reckoning,] is
+greatly to be observed upon other occasions also. The Jewish maxim in
+such cases, it seems, is this: That the day goes before the night; and
+this appears to me to be the language both of the Old and New Testament.
+See also the note on Antiq. B. IV. ch. 4. sect. 4, and Reland's note on
+B. IV. ch. 8. sect. 28.]
+
+
+24 (return) [ We may here note, that Josephus frequently calls the camp
+the city, and the court of the Mosaic tabernacle a temple, and the
+tabernacle itself a holy house, with allusion to the latter city,
+temple, and holy house, which he knew so well long afterwards.]
+
+
+25 (return) [ These words of Josephus are remarkable, that the lawgiver
+of the Jews required of the priests a double degree of parity, in
+comparison of that required of the people, of which he gives several
+instances immediately. It was for certain the case also among the first
+Christians, of the clergy, in comparison of the laity, as the
+Apostolical Constitutions and Canons every where inform us.]
+
+
+26 (return) [ We must here note with Reland, that the precept given to
+the priests of not drinking wine while they wore the sacred garments, is
+equivalent; to their abstinence from it all the while they ministered in
+the temple; because they then always, and then only, wore those sacred
+garments, which were laid up there from one time of ministration to
+another.]
+
+
+27 (return) [ See Antiq, B. XX. ch. 2. sect, 6. and Acts 11:28.]
+
+
+
+
+
+
+BOOK IV. Containing The Interval Of Thirty-Eight Years.—From The
+Rejection Of That Generation To The Death Of Moses.
+
+
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER 1. Fight Of The Hebrews With The Canaanites Without The Consent
+Of Moses; And Their Defeat.
+
+1. Now this life of the Hebrews in the wilderness was so disagreeable
+and troublesome to them, and they were so uneasy at it, that although
+God had forbidden them to meddle with the Canaanites, yet could they not
+be persuaded to be obedient to the words of Moses, and to be quiet; but
+supposing they should be able to beat their enemies, without his
+approbation, they accused him, and suspected that he made it his
+business to keep them in a distressed condition, that they might always
+stand in need of his assistance. Accordingly they resolved to fight with
+the Canaanites, and said that God gave them his assistance, not out of
+regard to Moses's intercessions, but because he took care of their
+entire nation, on account of their forefathers, whose affairs he took
+under his own conduct; as also, that it was on account of their own
+virtue that he had formerly procured them their liberty, and would be
+assisting to them, now they were willing to take pains for it. They also
+said that they were possessed of abilities sufficient for the conquest
+of their enemies, although Moses should have a mind to alienate God from
+them; that, however, it was for their advantage to be their own masters,
+and not so far to rejoice in their deliverance from the indignities they
+endured under the Egyptians, as to bear the tyranny of Moses over them,
+and to suffer themselves to be deluded, and live according to his
+pleasure, as though God did only foretell what concerns us out of his
+kindness to him, as if they were not all the posterity of Abraham; that
+God made him alone the author of all the knowledge we have, and we must
+still learn it from him; that it would be a piece of prudence to oppose
+his arrogant pretenses, and to put their confidence in God, and to
+resolve to take possession of that land which he had promised them, and
+not to give ear to him, who on this account, and under the pretense of
+Divine authority, forbade them so to do. Considering, therefore, the
+distressed state they were in at present, and that in those desert
+places they were still to expect things would be worse with them, they
+resolved to fight with the Canaanites, as submitting only to God, their
+supreme Commander, and not waiting for any assistance from their
+legislator.
+
+2. When, therefore, they had come to this resolution, as being best for
+them, they went against their enemies; but those enemies were not
+dismayed either at the attack itself, or at the great multitude that
+made it, and received them with great courage. Many of the Hebrews were
+slain; and the remainder of the army, upon the disorder of their troops,
+were pursued, and fled, after a shameful manner, to their camp.
+Whereupon this unexpected misfortune made them quite despond; and they
+hoped for nothing that was good; as gathering from it, that this
+affliction came from the wrath of God, because they rashly went out to
+war without his approbation.
+
+3. But when Moses saw how deeply they were affected with this defeat,
+and being afraid lest the enemies should grow insolent upon this
+victory, and should be desirous of gaining still greater glory, and
+should attack them, he resolved that it was proper to withdraw the army
+into the wilderness to a further distance from the Canaanites: so the
+multitude gave themselves up again to his conduct, for they were
+sensible that, without his care for them, their affairs could not be in
+a good condition; and he caused the host to remove, and he went further
+into the wilderness, as intending there to let them rest, and not to
+permit them to fight the Canaanites before God should afford them a more
+favorable opportunity.
+
+
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER 2. The Sedition Of Corah And Of The Multitude Against Moses, And
+Against His Brother, Concerning The Priesthood.
+
+1. That which is usually the case of great armies, and especially upon
+ill success, to be hard to be pleased, and governed with difficulty, did
+now befall the Jews; for they being in number six hundred thousand, and
+by reason of their great multitude not readily subject to their
+governors, even in prosperity, they at this time were more than usually
+angry, both against one another and against their leader, because of the
+distress they were in, and the calamities they then endured. Such a
+sedition overtook them, as we have not the like example either among the
+Greeks or the Barbarians, by which they were in danger of being all
+destroyed, but were notwithstanding saved by Moses, who would not
+remember that he had been almost stoned to death by them. Nor did God
+neglect to prevent their ruin; but, notwithstanding the indignities they
+had offered their legislator and the laws, and disobedience to the
+commandments which he had sent them by Moses, he delivered them from
+those terrible calamities which, without his providential care, had been
+brought upon them by this sedition. So I will first explain the cause
+whence this sedition arose, and then will give an account of the
+sedition itself; as also of what settlements made for their government
+after it was over.
+
+2. Corah, a Hebrew of principal account, both by his family and by his
+wealth, one that was also able to speak well, and one that could easily
+persuade the people by his speeches, saw that Moses was in an exceeding
+great dignity, and was at it, and envied him on that account, [he of the
+same tribe with Moses, and of kin to him,] was particularly grieved,
+because he thought he better deserved that honorable post on account of
+great riches, and not inferior to him in his birth. So he raised a
+clamor against him among the Levites, who were of the same tribe, and
+among his kindred, saying, "That it was a very sad thing that they
+should overlook Moses, while he hunted after and paved the way to glory
+for himself, and by ill arts should obtain it, under the pretense of
+God's command, while, contrary to laws, he had given the priesthood to
+Aaron, the common suffrage of the multitude, but by his own vote, as
+bestowing dignities in a way on whom he pleased." He added, "That this
+concealed way of imposing on them was harder to be borne than if it had
+been done by an open force upon them, because he did now not only usurp
+their power without their consent, but even they were unapprised of his
+contrivances against them; for whosoever is conscious to himself that he
+deserves any dignity, aims to get it by persuasion, and not by an
+arrogant method of violence; those that believe it impossible to obtain
+honors justly, make a show of goodness, and do not introduce force, but
+by cunning tricks grow wickedly powerful. That it was proper for the
+multitude to punish such men, even while they think themselves concealed
+in their designs, and not suffer them to gain strength till they have
+them for their open enemies. For what account," added he, "is Moses able
+to give, why he has bestowed the priesthood on Aaron and his sons? for
+if God had determined to bestow that honor on one of the tribe of Levi,
+I am more worthy of it than he is; I myself being equal to Moses by my
+family, and superior to him both in riches and in age: but if God had
+determined to bestow it on the eldest be, that of Reuben might have it
+most justly; and then Dathan, and Abiram, and [On, the son of] Peleth,
+would have it; for these are the oldest men of that tribe, and potent on
+account of their great wealth also."
+
+3. Now Corah, when he said this, had a mind to appear to take care of
+the public welfare, but in reality he was endeavoring to procure to have
+that dignity transferred by the multitude to himself. Thus did he, out
+of a malignant design, but with plausible words, discourse to those of
+his own tribe; when these words did gradually spread to more people, and
+when the hearers still added to what tended to the scandals that were
+cast upon Aaron, the whole army was full of them. Now of those that
+conspired with Corah, there were two hundred and fifty, and those of the
+principal men also, who were eager to have the priesthood taken away
+from Moses's brother, and to bring him into disgrace: nay, the multitude
+themselves were provoked to be seditious, and attempted to stone Moses,
+and gathered themselves together after an indecent manner, with
+confusion and disorder. And now all were, in a tumultuous manner,
+raising a clamour before the tabernacle of God, to prosecute the tyrant,
+and to relieve the multitude from their slavery under him who, under
+color of the Divine laid violent injunctions upon them; for had it been
+God who chose one that was to perform the office of a priest, he would
+have raised person to that dignity, and would not have produced such a
+one as was inferior to many others nor have given him that office; and
+that in he had judged it fit to bestow it on Aaron, he would have
+permitted it to the multitude to bestow it, and not have left it to be
+bestowed by his own brother.
+
+4. Now although Moses had a great while ago foreseen this calumny of
+Corah, and had seen the people were irritated, yet was he not affrighted
+at it; but being of good courage, because given them right advice about
+their affairs, and knowing that his brother had been made partaker of
+the priesthood at the command of God, and not by his own favor to him,
+he came to the assembly; and as for the multitude, he said not a word to
+them, but spake as loud to Corah as he could; and being very skillful in
+making speeches, and having this natural talent, among others, that he
+could greatly move the multitude with his discourses, he said, "O Corah,
+both thou and all these with thee [pointing to the two hundred and fifty
+men] seem to be worthy of this honor; nor do I pretend but that this
+whole company may be worthy of the like dignity, although they may not
+be so rich or so great as you are: nor have I taken and given this
+office to my brother because he excelled others in riches, for thou
+exceedest us both in the greatness of thy wealth; 1 nor indeed because
+he was of an eminent family, for God, by giving us the same common
+ancestor, has made our families equal: nay, nor was it out of brotherly
+affection, which another might yet have justly done; for certainly,
+unless I had bestowed this honor out of regard to God, and to his laws,
+I had not passed by myself, and given it to another, as being nearer of
+kin to myself than to my brother, and having a closer intimacy with
+myself than I have with him; for surely it would not be a wise thing for
+me to expose myself to the dangers of offending, and to bestow the happy
+employment on this account upon another. But I am above such base
+practices: nor would God have overlooked this matter, and seen himself
+thus despised; nor would he have suffered you to be ignorant of what you
+were to do, in order to please him; but he hath himself chosen one that
+is to perform that sacred office to him, and thereby freed us from that
+care. So that it was not a thing that I pretend to give, but only
+according to the determination of God; I therefore propose it still to
+be contended for by such as please to put in for it, only desiring that
+he who has been already preferred, and has already obtained it, may be
+allowed now also to offer himself for a candidate. He prefers your
+peace, and your living without sedition, to this honorable employment,
+although in truth it was with your approbation that he obtained it; for
+though God were the donor, yet do we not offend when we think fit to
+accept it with your good-will; yet would it have been an instance of
+impiety not to have taken that honorable employment when he offered it;
+nay, it had been exceedingly unreasonable, when God had thought fit any
+one should have it for all time to come, and had made it secure and firm
+to him, to have refused it. However, he himself will judge again who it
+shall be whom he would have to offer sacrifices to him, and to have the
+direction of matters of religion; for it is absurd that Corah, who is
+ambitious of this honor, should deprive God of the power of giving it to
+whom he pleases. Put an end, therefore, to your sedition and disturbance
+on this account; and tomorrow morning do every one of you that desire
+the priesthood bring a censer from home, and come hither with incense
+and fire: and do thou, O Corah, leave the judgment to God, and await to
+see on which side he will give his determination upon this occasion, but
+do not thou make thyself greater than God. Do thou also come, that this
+contest about this honorable employment may receive determination. And I
+suppose we may admit Aaron without offense, to offer himself to this
+scrutiny, since he is of the same lineage with thyself, and has done
+nothing in his priesthood that can be liable to exception. Come ye
+therefore together, and offer your incense in public before all the
+people; and when you offer it, he whose sacrifice God shall accept shall
+be ordained to the priesthood, and shall be clear of the present calumny
+on Aaron, as if I had granted him that favor because he was my brother."
+
+
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER 3. How Those That Stirred Up This Sedition Were Destroyed,
+According To The Will Of God; And How Aaron, Moses's Brother Both He And
+His Posterity, Retained The Priesthood.
+
+1. When Moses had said this, the multitude left off the turbulent
+behavior they had indulged, and the suspicion they had of Moses, and
+commended what he had said; for those proposals were good, and were so
+esteemed of the people. At that time therefore they dissolved the
+assembly. But on the next day they came to the congregation, in order to
+be present at the sacrifice, and at the determination that was to be
+made between the candidates for the priesthood. Now this congregation
+proved a turbulent one, and the multitude were in great suspense in
+expectation of what was to be done; for some of them would have been
+pleased if Moses had been convicted of evil practices, but the wiser
+sort desired that they might be delivered from the present disorder and
+disturbance; for they were afraid, that if this sedition went on, the
+good order of their settlement would rather be destroyed; but the whole
+body of the people do naturally delight in clamors against their
+governors, and, by changing their opinions upon the harangues of every
+speaker, disturb the public tranquillity. And now Moses sent messengers
+for Abiram and Dathan, and ordered them to come to the assembly, and
+wait there for the holy offices that were to be performed. But they
+answered the messenger, that they would not obey his summons; nay, would
+not overlook Moses's behavior, who was growing too great for them by
+evil practices. Now when Moses heard of this their answer, he desired
+the heads of the people to follow him, and he went to the faction of
+Dathan, not thinking it any frightful thing at all to go to these
+insolent people; so they made no opposition, but went along with him.
+But Dathan, and his associates, when they understood that Moses and the
+principal of the people were coming to them, came out, with their wives
+and children, and stood before their tents, and looked to see what Moses
+would do. They had also their servants about them to defend themselves,
+in case Moses should use force against them.
+
+2. But he came near, and lifted up his hands to heaven, and cried out
+with a loud voice, in order to be heard by the whole multitude, and
+said, "O Lord of the creatures that are in the heaven, in the earth, and
+in the sea; for thou art the most authentic witness to what I have done,
+that it has all been done by thy appointment, and that it was thou that
+affordedst us assistance when we attempted any thing, and showedst mercy
+on the Hebrews in all their distresses; do thou come now, and hear all
+that I say, for no action or thought escapes thy knowledge; so that thou
+wilt not disdain to speak what is true, for my vindication, without any
+regard to the ungrateful imputations of these men. As for what was done
+before I was born, thou knowest best, as not learning them by report,
+but seeing them, and being present with them when they were done; but
+for what has been done of late, and which these men, although they know
+them well enough, unjustly pretend to suspect, be thou my witness. When
+I lived a private quiet life, I left those good things which, by my own
+diligence, and by thy counsel, I enjoyed with Raguel my father-in-law;
+and I gave myself up to this people, and underwent many miseries on
+their account. I also bore great labors at first, in order to obtain
+liberty for them, and now in order to their preservation; and have
+always showed myself ready to assist them in every distress of theirs.
+Now, therefore, since I am suspected by those very men whose being is
+owing to my labors, come thou, as it is reasonable to hope thou wilt;
+thou, I say, who showedst me that fire at mount Sinai, and madest me to
+hear its voice, and to see the several wonders which that place afforded
+thou who commandedst me to go to Egypt, and declare thy will to this
+people; thou who disturbest the happy estate of the Egyptians, and
+gavest us the opportunity of flying away from out under them, and madest
+the dominion of Pharaoh inferior to my dominion; thou who didst make the
+sea dry land for us, when we knew not whither to go, and didst overwhelm
+the Egyptians with those destructive waves which had been divided for
+us; thou who didst bestow upon us the security of weapons when we were
+naked; thou who didst make the fountains that were corrupted to flow, so
+as to be fit for drinking, and didst furnish us with water that came out
+of the rocks, when we were in want of it; thou who didst preserve our
+lives with [quails, which was] food from the sea, when the fruits of the
+ground failed us; thou didst send us such food from heaven as had never
+been seen before; thou who didst suggest to us the knowledge of thy
+laws, and appoint to us a form of government,—come thou, I say, O Lord
+of the whole world, and that as such a Judge and a Witness to me as
+cannot be bribed, and show how I never admitted of any gift against
+justice from any of the Hebrews; and have never condemned a man that
+ought to have been acquitted, on account of one that was rich; and have
+never attempted to hurt this commonwealth. I am now and am suspected of
+a thing the remotest from my intentions, as if I had given the
+preisthood to Aaron, not at thy command, but out own favor to him; do
+thou at this time demonstrate that all things are administered by thy
+providence and that nothing happens by chance, but is governed by thy
+will, and thereby attains its end: as also demonstrate that thou takest
+care that have done good to the Hebrews; demonstrate this, I say, by the
+punishment of Abiram and Dathan, who condemn thee as an insensible
+Being, and one overcome by my contrivances. This thou do by inflicting
+such an open punishment on these men who so madly fly in the face of thy
+glory, as will take them out of the world, not in an manner, but so that
+it may appear they do die after the manner of other men: let that ground
+which they tread upon open about them and consume them, with their
+families and goods. This will be a demonstration of thy power to all and
+this method of their sufferings will be an instruction of wisdom for
+those that entertain profane sentiments of thee. By this means I shall
+be a good servant, in the precepts thou hast given by me. But if the
+calumnies they have raised against me be true, mayst thou preserve these
+men from every evil accident, and bring all that destruction on me which
+I have imprecated upon them. And when thou hast inflicted punishment on
+those that have endeavored to deal unjustly with this people, bestow
+upon them concord and peace. Save this multitude that follow thy
+commandments, and preserve them free from harm, and let them not partake
+of the punishment of those that have sinned; for thou knowest thyself it
+is not just, that for the wickedness of those men the whole body of the
+Israelites should suffer punishment."
+
+3. When Moses had said this, with tears in his eyes, the ground was
+moved on a sudden; and the agitation that set it in motion was like that
+which the wind produces in waves of the sea. The people were all
+affrighted; and the ground that was about their tents sunk down at the
+great noise, with a terrible sound, and carried whatsoever was dear to
+the seditious into itself, who so entirely perished, that there was not
+the least appearance that any man had ever been seen there, the earth
+that had opened itself about them, closing again, and becoming entire as
+it was before, insomuch that such as saw it afterward did not perceive
+that any such accident had happened to it. Thus did these men perish,
+and become a demonstration of the power of God. And truly, any one would
+lament them, not only on account of this calamity that befell them,
+which yet deserves our commiseration, but also because their kindred
+were pleased with their sufferings; for they forgot the relation they
+bare to them, and at the sight of this sad accident approved of the
+judgment given against them; and because they looked upon the people
+about Dathan as pestilent men, they thought they perished as such, and
+did not grieve for them.
+
+4. And now Moses called for those that contended about the priesthood,
+that trial might be made who should be priest, and that he whose
+sacrifice God was best pleased with might be ordained to that function.
+There attended two hundred and fifty men, who indeed were honored by the
+people, not only on account of the power of their ancestors, but also on
+account of their own, in which they excelled the others: Aaron also and
+Corah came forth, and they all offered incense, in those censers of
+theirs which they brought with them, before the tabernacle. Hereupon so
+great a fire shone out as no one ever saw in any that is made by the
+hand of man, neither in those eruptions out of the earth that are caused
+by subterraneous burn-rags, nor in such fires as arise of their own
+accord in the woods, when the agitation is caused by the trees rubbing
+one against another: but this fire was very bright, and had a terrible
+flame, such as is kindled at the command of God; by whose irruption on
+them, all the company, and Corah himself, were destroyed, 2 and this so
+entirely, that their very bodies left no remains behind them. Aaron
+alone was preserved, and not at all hurt by the fire, because it was God
+that sent the fire to burn those only who ought to be burned. Hereupon
+Moses, after these men were destroyed, was desirous that the memory of
+this judgment might be delivered down to posterity, and that future ages
+might be acquainted with it; and so he commanded Eleazar, the son of
+Aaron, to put their censers near the brazen altar, that they might be a
+memorial to posterity of what these men suffered, for supposing that the
+power of God might be eluded. And thus Aaron was now no longer esteemed
+to have the priesthood by the favor of Moses, but by the public judgment
+of God; and thus he and his children peaceably enjoyed that honor
+afterward.
+
+
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER 4. What Happened To The Hebrews During Thirty-Eight Years In The
+Wilderness.
+
+1. However, this sedition was so far from ceasing upon this destruction,
+that it grew much stronger, and became more intolerable. And the
+occasion of its growing worse was of that nature, as made it likely the
+calamity would never cease, but last for a long time; for the men,
+believing already that nothing is done without the providence of God,
+would have it that these things came thus to pass not without God's
+favor to Moses; they therefore laid the blame upon him that God was so
+angry, and that this happened not so much because of the wickedness of
+those that were punished, as because Moses procured the punishment; and
+that these men had been destroyed without any sin of theirs, only
+because they were zealous about the Divine worship; as also, that he who
+had been the cause of this diminution of the people, by destroying so
+many men, and those the most excellent of them all, besides his escaping
+any punishment himself, had now given the priesthood to his brother so
+firmly, that nobody could any longer dispute it with him; for no one
+else, to be sure, could now put in for it, since he must have seen those
+that first did so to have miserably perished. Nay, besides this, the
+kindred of those that were destroyed made great entreaties to the
+multitude to abate the arrogance of Moses, because it would be safest
+for them so to do.
+
+2. Now Moses, upon his hearing for a good while that the people were
+tumultuous, was afraid that they would attempt some other innovation,
+and that some great and sad calamity would be the consequence. He called
+the multitude to a congregation, and patiently heard what apology they
+had to make for themselves, without opposing them, and this lest he
+should imbitter the multitude: he only desired the heads of the tribes
+to bring their rods, 3 with the names of their tribes inscribed upon
+them, and that he should receive the priesthood in whose rod God should
+give a sign. This was agreed to. So the rest brought their rods, as did
+Aaron also, who had written the tribe of Levi on his rod. These rods
+Moses laid up in the tabernacle of God. On the next day he brought out
+the rods, which were known from one another by those who brought them,
+they having distinctly noted them, as had the multitude also; and as to
+the rest, in the same form Moses had received them, in that they saw
+them still; but they also saw buds and branches grown out of Aaron's
+rod, with ripe fruits upon them; they were almonds, the rod having been
+cut out of that tree. The people were so amazed at this strange sight,
+that though Moses and Aaron were before under some degree of hatred,
+they now laid that hatred aside, and began to admire the judgment of God
+concerning them; so that hereafter they applauded what God had decreed,
+and permitted Aaron to enjoy the priesthood peaceably. And thus God
+ordained him priest three several times, and he retained that honor
+without further disturbance. And hereby this sedition of the Hebrews,
+which had been a great one, and had lasted a great while, was at last
+composed.
+
+3. And now Moses, because the tribe of Levi was made free from war and
+warlike expeditions, and was set apart for the Divine worship, lest they
+should want and seek after the necessaries of life, and so neglect the
+temple, commanded the Hebrews, according to the will of God, that when
+they should gain the possession of the land of Canaan, they should
+assign forty-eight good and fair cities to the Levites; and permit them
+to enjoy their suburbs, as far as the limit of two thousand cubits would
+extend from the walls of the city. And besides this, he appointed that
+the people should pay the tithe of their annual fruits of the earth,
+both to the Levites and to the priests. And this is what that tribe
+receives of the multitude; but I think it necessary to set down what is
+paid by all, peculiarly to the priests.
+
+4. Accordingly he commanded the Levites to yield up to the priests
+thirteen of their forty-eight cities, and to set apart for them the
+tenth part of the tithes which they every year receive of the people; as
+also, that it was but just to offer to God the first-fruits of the
+entire product of the ground; and that they should offer the first-born
+of those four-footed beasts that are appointed for sacrifices, if it be
+a male, to the priests, to be slain, that they and their entire families
+may eat them in the holy city; but that the owners of those first-born
+which are not appointed for sacrifices in the laws of our country,
+should bring a shekel and a half in their stead: but for the first-born
+of a man, five shekels: that they should also have the first-fruits out
+of the shearing of the sheep; and that when any baked bread corn, and
+made loaves of it, they should give somewhat of what they had baked to
+them. Moreover, when any have made a sacred vow, I mean those that are
+called Nazarites, that suffer their hair to grow long, and use no wine,
+when they consecrate their hair, 4 and offer it for a sacrifice, they
+are to allot that hair for the priests [to be thrown into the fire].
+Such also as dedicate themselves to God, as a corban, which denotes what
+the Greeks call a gift, when they are desirous of being freed from that
+ministration, are to lay down money for the priests; thirty shekels if
+it be a woman, and fifty if it be a man; but if any be too poor to pay
+the appointed sum, it shall be lawful for the priests to determine that
+sum as they think fit. And if any slay beasts at home for a private
+festival, but not for a religious one, they are obliged to bring the maw
+and the cheek, [or breast,] and the right shoulder of the sacrifice, to
+the priests. With these Moses contrived that the priests should be
+plentifully maintained, besides what they had out of those offerings for
+sins which the people gave them, as I have set it down in the foregoing
+book. He also ordered, that out of every thing allotted for the priests,
+their servants, [their sons,] their daughters, and their wives, should
+partake, as well as themselves, excepting what came to them out of the
+sacrifices that were offered for sins; for of those none but the males
+of the family of the priests might eat, and this in the temple also, and
+that the same day they were offered.
+
+5. When Moses had made these constitutions, after the sedition was over,
+he removed, together with the whole army, and came to the borders of
+Idumea. He then sent ambassadors to the king of the Idumeans, and
+desired him to give him a passage through his country; and agreed to
+send him what hostages he should desire, to secure him from an injury.
+He desired him also, that he would allow his army liberty to buy
+provisions; and, if he insisted upon it, he would pay down a price for
+the very water they should drink. But the king was not pleased with this
+embassage from Moses: nor did he allow a passage for the army, but
+brought his people armed to meet Moses, and to hinder them, in case they
+should endeavor to force their passage. Upon which Moses consulted God
+by the oracle, who would not have him begin the war first; and so he
+withdrew his forces, and traveled round about through the wilderness.
+
+6. Then it was that Miriam, the sister of Moses, came to her end, having
+completed her fortieth year 5 since she left Egypt, on the first 6 day
+of the lunar month Xanthicus. They then made a public funeral for her,
+at a great expense. She was buried upon a certain mountain, which they
+call Sin: and when they had mourned for her thirty days, Moses purified
+the people after this manner: He brought a heifer that had never been
+used to the plough or to husbandry, that was complete in all its parts,
+and entirely of a red color, at a little distance from the camp, into a
+place perfectly clean. This heifer was slain by the high priest, and her
+blood sprinkled with his finger seven times before the tabernacle of
+God; after this, the entire heifer was burnt in that state, together
+with its skin and entrails; and they threw cedar-wood, and hyssop, and
+scarlet wool, into the midst of the fire; then a clean man gathered all
+her ashes together, and laid them in a place perfectly clean. When
+therefore any persons were defiled by a dead body, they put a little of
+these ashes into spring water, with hyssop, and, dipping part of these
+ashes in it, they sprinkled them with it, both on the third day, and on
+the seventh, and after that they were clean. This he enjoined them to do
+also when the tribes should come into their own land.
+
+7. Now when this purification, which their leader made upon the mourning
+for his sister, as it has been now described, was over, he caused the
+army to remove and to march through the wilderness and through Arabia;
+and when he came to a place which the Arabians esteem their metropolis,
+which was formerly called Arce, but has now the name of Petra, at this
+place, which was encompassed with high mountains, Aaron went up one of
+them in the sight of the whole army, Moses having before told him that
+he was to die, for this place was over against them. He put off his
+pontifical garments, and delivered them to Eleazar his son, to whom the
+high priesthood belonged, because he was the elder brother; and died
+while the multitude looked upon him. He died in the same year wherein he
+lost his sister, having lived in all a hundred twenty and three years.
+He died on the first day of that lunar month which is called by the
+Athenians Hecatombaeon, by the Macedonians Lous, but by the Hebrews
+Abba.
+
+
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER 5. How Moses Conquered Sihon And Og Kings Of The Amorites, And
+Destroyed Their Whole Army And Then Divided Their Land By Lot To Two
+Tribes And A Half Of The Hebrews.
+
+1. The people mourned for Aaron thirty days, and when this mourning was
+over, Moses removed the army from that place, and came to the river
+Arnon, which, issuing out of the mountains of Arabia, and running
+through all that wilderness, falls into the lake Asphaltitis, and
+becomes the limit between the land of the Moabites and the land of the
+Amorites. This land is fruitful, and sufficient to maintain a great
+number of men, with the good things it produces. Moses therefore sent
+messengers to Sihon, the king of this country, desiring that he would
+grant his army a passage, upon what security he should please to
+require; he promised that he should be no way injured, neither as to
+that country which Sihon governed, nor as to its inhabitants; and that
+he would buy his provisions at such a price as should be to their
+advantage, even though he should desire to sell them their very water.
+But Sihon refused his offer, and put his army into battle array, and was
+preparing every thing in order to hinder their passing over Arnon.
+
+2. When Moses saw that the Amorite king was disposed to enter upon
+hostilities with them, he thought he ought not to bear that insult; and,
+determining to wean the Hebrews from their indolent temper, and prevent
+the disorders which arose thence, which had been the occasion of their
+former sedition, [nor indeed were they now thoroughly easy in their
+minds,] he inquired of God, whether he would give him leave to fight?
+which when he had done, and God also promised him the victory, he was
+himself very courageous, and ready to proceed to fighting. Accordingly
+he encouraged the soldiers; and he desired of them that they would take
+the pleasure of fighting, now God gave them leave so to do. They then,
+upon the receipt of this permission, which they so much longed for, put
+on their whole armor, and set about the work without delay. But the
+Amorite king was not now like to himself when the Hebrews were ready to
+attack him; but both he himself was affrighted at the Hebrews, and his
+army, which before had showed themselves to be of good courage, were
+then found to be timorous: so they could not sustain the first onset,
+nor bear up against the Hebrews, but fled away, as thinking this would
+afford them a more likely way for their escape than fighting, for they
+depended upon their cities, which were strong, from which yet they
+reaped no advantage when they were forced to fly to them; for as soon as
+the Hebrews saw them giving ground, they immediately pursued them close;
+and when they had broken their ranks, they greatly terrified them, and
+some of them broke off from the rest, and ran away to the cities. Now
+the Hebrews pursued them briskly, and obstinately persevered in the
+labors they had already undergone; and being very skillful in slinging,
+and very dexterous in throwing of darts, or any thing else of that kind,
+and also having nothing but light armor, which made them quick in the
+pursuit, they overtook their enemies; and for those that were most
+remote, and could not be overtaken, they reached them by their slings
+and their bows, so that many were slain; and those that escaped the
+slaughter were sorely wounded, and these were more distressed with
+thirst than with any of those that fought against them, for it was the
+summer season; and when the greatest number of them were brought down to
+the river out of a desire to drink, as also when others fled away by
+troops, the Hebrews came round them, and shot at them; so that, what
+with darts and what with arrows, they made a slaughter of them all.
+Sihon their king was also slain. So the Hebrews spoiled the dead bodies,
+and took their prey. The land also which they took was full of abundance
+of fruits, and the army went all over it without fear, and fed their
+cattle upon it; and they took the enemies prisoners, for they could no
+way put a stop to them, since all the fighting men were destroyed. Such
+was the destruction which overtook the Amorites, who were neither
+sagacious in counsel, nor courageous in action. Hereupon the Hebrews
+took possession of their land, which is a country situate between three
+rivers, and naturally resembled an island: the river Arnon being its
+southern; the river Jabbok determining its northern side, which running
+into Jordan loses its own name, and takes the other; while Jordan itself
+runs along by it, on its western coast.
+
+3. When matters were come to this state, Og, the king of Gilead and
+Gaulanitis, fell upon the Israelites. He brought an army with him, and
+in haste to the assistance of his friend Sihon: but though he found him
+already slain, yet did he resolve still to come and fight the Hebrews,
+supposing he should be too hard for them, and being desirous to try
+their valor; but failing of his hope, he was both himself slain in the
+battle, and all his army was destroyed. So Moses passed over the river
+Jabbok, and overran the kingdom of Og. He overthrew their cities, and
+slew all their inhabitants, who yet exceeded in riches all the men in
+that part of the continent, on account of the goodness of the soil, and
+the great quantity of their wealth. Now Og had very few equals, either
+in the largeness of his body, or handsomeness of his appearance. He was
+also a man of great activity in the use of his hands, so that his
+actions were not unequal to the vast largeness and handsome appearance
+of his body. And men could easily guess at his strength and magnitude
+when they took his bed at Rabbath, the royal city of the Ammonites; its
+structure was of iron, its breadth four cubits, and its length a cubit
+more than double thereto. However, his fall did not only improve the
+circumstances of the Hebrews for the present, but by his death he was
+the occasion of further good success to them; for they presently took
+those sixty cities, which were encompassed with excellent walls, and had
+been subject to him, and all got both in general and in particular a
+great prey.
+
+
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER 6. Concerning Balaam The Prophet And What Kind Of Man He Was.
+
+1. Now Moses, when he had brought his army to Jordan; pitched his camp
+in the great plain over against Jericho. This city is a very happy
+situation, and very fit for producing palm-trees and balsam. And now the
+Israelites began to be very proud of themselves, and were very eager for
+fighting. Moses then, after he had offered for a few days sacrifices of
+thanksgiving to God, and feasted the people, sent a party of armed men
+to lay waste the country of the Midianites, and to take their cities.
+Now the occasion which he took for making war upon them was this that
+follows:—
+
+2. When Balak, the king of the Moabites, who had from his ancestors a
+friendship and league with the Midianites, saw how great the Israelites
+were grown, he was much affrighted on account of his own and his
+kingdom's danger; for he was not acquainted with this, that the Hebrews
+would not meddle with any other country, but were to be contented with
+the possession of the land of Canaan, God having forbidden them to go
+any farther 7 So he, with more haste than wisdom, resolved to make an
+attempt upon them by words; but he did not judge it prudent to fight
+against them, after they had such prosperous successes, and even became
+out of ill successes more happy than before, but he thought to hinder
+them, if he could, from growing greater, and so he resolved to send
+ambassadors to the Midianites about them. Now these Midianites knowing
+there was one Balaam, who lived by Euphrates, and was the greatest of
+the prophets at that time, and one that was in friendship with them,
+sent some of their honorable princes along with the ambassadors of
+Balak, to entreat the prophet to come to them, that he might imprecate
+curses to the destruction of the Israelites. So Balaam received the
+ambassadors, and treated them very kindly; and when he had supped, he
+inquired what was God's will, and what this matter was for which the
+Midianites entreated him to come to them. But when God opposed his
+going, he came to the ambassadors, and told them that he was himself
+very willing and desirous to comply with their request, but informed
+them that God was opposite to his intentions, even that God who had
+raised him to great reputation on account of the truth of his
+predictions; for that this army, which they entreated him to come and
+curse, was in the favor of God; on which account he advised them to go
+home again, and not to persist in their enmity against the Israelites;
+and when he had given them that answer, he dismissed the ambassadors.
+
+3. Now the Midianites, at the earnest request and fervent entreaties of
+Balak, sent other ambassadors to Balaam, who, desiring to gratify the
+men, inquired again of God; but he was displeased at [second] trial 8
+and bid him by no means to contradict the ambassadors. Now Balaam did
+not imagine that God gave this injunction in order to deceive him, so he
+went along with the ambassadors; but when the divine angel met him in
+the way, when he was in a narrow passage, and hedged in with a wall on
+both sides, the ass on which Balaam rode understood that it was a divine
+spirit that met him, and thrust Balaam to one of the walls, without
+regard to the stripes which Balaam, when he was hurt by the wall, gave
+her; but when the ass, upon the angel's continuing to distress her, and
+upon the stripes which were given her, fell down, by the will of God,
+she made use of the voice of a man, and complained of Balaam as acting
+unjustly to her; that whereas he had no fault to find with her in her
+former service to him, he now inflicted stripes upon her, as not
+understanding that she was hindered from serving him in what he was now
+going about, by the providence of God. And when he was disturbed by
+reason of the voice of the ass, which was that of a man, the angel
+plainly appeared to him, and blamed him for the stripes he had given his
+ass; and informed him that the brute creature was not in fault, but that
+he was himself come to obstruct his journey, as being contrary to the
+will of God. Upon which Balaam was afraid, and was preparing to return
+back again: yet did God excite him to go on his intended journey, but
+added this injunction, that he should declare nothing but what he
+himself should suggest to his mind.
+
+4. When God had given him this charge, he came to Balak; and when the
+king had entertained him in a magnificent manner, he desired him to go
+to one of the mountains to take a view of the state of the camp of the
+Hebrews. Balak himself also came to the mountain, and brought the
+prophet along with him, with a royal attendance. This mountain lay over
+their heads, and was distant sixty furlongs from the camp. Now when he
+saw them, he desired the king to build him seven altars, and to bring
+him as many bulls and rams; to which desire the king did presently
+conform. He then slew the sacrifices, and offered them as burnt-
+offerings, that he might observe some signal of the flight of the
+Hebrews. Then said he, "Happy is this people, on whom God bestows the
+possession of innumerable good things, and grants them his own
+providence to be their assistant and their guide; so that there is not
+any nation among mankind but you will be esteemed superior to them in
+virtue, and in the earnest prosecution of the best rules of life, and of
+such as are pure from wickedness, and will leave those rules to your
+excellent children; and this out of the regard that God bears to you,
+and the provision of such things for you as may render you happier than
+any other people under the sun. You shall retain that land to which he
+hath sent you, and it shall ever be under the command of your children;
+and both all the earth, as well as the seas, shall be filled with your
+glory: and you shall be sufficiently numerous to supply the world in
+general, and every region of it in particular, with inhabitants out of
+your stock. However, O blessed army! wonder that you are become so many
+from one father: and truly, the land of Canaan can now hold you, as
+being yet comparatively few; but know ye that the whole world is
+proposed to be your place of habitation for ever. The multitude of your
+posterity also shall live as well in the islands as on the continent,
+and that more in number than are the stars of heaven. And when you are
+become so many, God will not relinquish the care of you, but will afford
+you an abundance of all good things in times of peace, with victory and
+dominion in times of war. May the children of your enemies have an
+inclination to fight against you; and may they be so hardy as to come to
+arms, and to assault you in battle, for they will not return with
+victory, nor will their return be agreeable to their children and wives.
+To so great a degree of valor will you be raised by the providence of
+God, who is able to diminish the affluence of some, and to supply the
+wants of others."
+
+5. Thus did Balaam speak by inspiration, as not being in his own power,
+but moved to say what he did by the Divine Spirit. But then Balak was
+displeased, and said he had broken the contract he had made, whereby he
+was to come, as he and his confederates had invited him, by the promise
+of great presents: for whereas he came to curse their enemies, he had
+made an encomium upon them, and had declared that they were the happiest
+of men. To which Balaam replied, "O Balak, if thou rightly considerest
+this whole matter, canst thou suppose that it is in our power to be
+silent, or to say any thing, when the Spirit of God seizes upon us?—for
+he puts such words as he pleases in our mouths, and such discourses as
+we are not ourselves conscious of. I well remember by what entreaties
+both you and the Midianites so joyfully brought me hither, and on that
+account I took this journey. It was my prayer, that I might not put any
+affront upon you, as to what you desired of me; but God is more powerful
+than the purposes I had made to serve you; for those that take upon them
+to foretell the affairs of mankind, as from their own abilities, are
+entirely unable to do it, or to forbear to utter what God suggests to
+them, or to offer violence to his will; for when he prevents us and
+enters into us, nothing that we say is our own. I then did not intend to
+praise this army, nor to go over the several good things which God
+intended to do to their race; but since he was so favorable to them, and
+so ready to bestow upon them a happy life and eternal glory, he
+suggested the declaration of those things to me: but now, because it is
+my desire to oblige thee thyself, as well as the Midianites, whose
+entreaties it is not decent for me to reject, go to, let us again rear
+other altars, and offer the like sacrifices that we did before, that I
+may see whether I can persuade God to permit me to bind these men with
+curses." Which, when Balak had agreed to, God would not, even upon
+second sacrifices, consent to his cursing the Israelites. 9 Then fell
+Balaam upon his face, and foretold what calamities would befall the
+several kings of the nations, and the most eminent cities, some of which
+of old were not so much as inhabited; which events have come to pass
+among the several people concerned, both in the foregoing ages, and in
+this, till my own memory, both by sea and by land. From which completion
+of all these predictions that he made, one may easily guess that the
+rest will have their completion in time to come.
+
+6. But Balak being very angry that the Israelites were not cursed, sent
+away Balaam without thinking him worthy of any honor. Whereupon, when he
+was just upon his journey, in order to pass the Euphrates, he sent for
+Balak, and for the princes of the Midianites, and spake thus to them:—"O
+Balak, and you Midianites that are here present, [for I am obliged even
+without the will of God to gratify you,] it is true no entire
+destruction can seize upon the nation of the Hebrews, neither by war,
+nor by plague, nor by scarcity of the fruits of the earth, nor can any
+other unexpected accident be their entire ruin; for the providence of
+God is concerned to preserve them from such a misfortune; nor will it
+permit any such calamity to come upon them whereby they may all perish;
+but some small misfortunes, and those for a short time, whereby they may
+appear to be brought low, may still befall them; but after that they
+will flourish again, to the terror of those that brought those mischiefs
+upon them. So that if you have a mind to gain a victory over them for a
+short space of time, you will obtain it by following my directions:—Do
+you therefore set out the handsomest of such of your daughters as are
+most eminent for beauty, 10 and proper to force and conquer the modesty
+of those that behold them, and these decked and trimmed to the highest
+degree able. Then do you send them to be near camp, and give them in
+charge, that the young men of the Hebrews desire their allow it them;
+and when they see they are enamored of them, let them take leaves; and
+if they entreat them to stay, let give their consent till they have
+persuaded leave off their obedience to their own laws, the worship of
+that God who established them to worship the gods of the Midianites and
+for by this means God will be angry at them 11." Accordingly, when
+Balaam had suggested counsel to them, he went his way.
+
+7. So when the Midianites had sent their daughters, as Balaam had
+exhorted them, the Hebrew men were allured by their beauty, and came
+with them, and besought them not to grudge them the enjoyment of their
+beauty, nor to deny them their conversation. These daughters of
+Midianites received their words gladly, and consented to it, and staid
+with them; but when they brought them to be enamored of them, and their
+inclinations to them were grown to ripeness, they began to think of
+departing from them: then it was that these men became greatly
+disconsolate at the women's departure, and they were urgent with them
+not to leave them, but begged they would continue there, and become
+their wives; and they promised them they should be owned as mistresses
+all they had. This they said with an oath, and called God for the
+arbitrator of what they promised; and this with tears in their eyes, and
+all such marks of concern, as might shew how miserable they thought
+themselves without them, and so might move their compassion for them. So
+the women, as soon as they perceived they had made their slaves, and had
+caught them with their conservation began to speak thus to them:—
+
+8. "O you illustrious young men! we have of our own at home, and great
+plenty of good things there, together with the natural, affectionate
+parents and friends; nor is it out of our want of any such things that
+we came to discourse with you; nor did we admit of your invitation with
+design to prostitute the beauty of our bodies for gain; but taking you
+for brave and worthy men, we agreed to your request, that we might treat
+you with such honors as hospitality required: and now seeing you say
+that you have a great affection for us, and are troubled when you think
+we are departing, we are not averse to your entreaties; and if we may
+receive such assurance of your good-will as we think can be alone
+sufficient, we will be glad to lead our lives with you as your wives;
+but we are afraid that you will in time be weary of our company, and
+will then abuse us, and send us back to our parents, after an
+ignominious manner." And they desired that they would excuse them in
+their guarding against that danger. But the young men professed they
+would give them any assurance they should desire; nor did they at all
+contradict what they requested, so great was the passion they had for
+them. "If then," said they, "this be your resolution, since you make use
+of such customs and conduct of life as are entirely different from all
+other men, 12 insomuch that your kinds of food are peculiar to
+yourselves, and your kinds of drink not common to others, it will be
+absolutely necessary, if you would have us for your wives, that you do
+withal worship our gods. Nor can there be any other demonstration of the
+kindness which you say you already have, and promise to have hereafter
+to us, than this, that you worship the same gods that we do. For has any
+one reason to complain, that now you are come into this country, you
+should worship the proper gods of the same country? especially while our
+gods are common to all men, and yours such as belong to nobody else but
+yourselves." So they said they must either come into such methods of
+divine worship as all others came into, or else they must look out for
+another world, wherein they may live by themselves, according to their
+own laws.
+
+9. Now the young men were induced by the fondness they had for these
+women to think they spake very well; so they gave themselves up to what
+they persuaded them, and transgressed their own laws, and supposing
+there were many gods, and resolving that they would sacrifice to them
+according to the laws of that country which ordained them, they both
+were delighted with their strange food, and went on to do every thing
+that the women would have them do, though in contradiction to their own
+laws; so far indeed that this transgression was already gone through the
+whole army of the young men, and they fell into a sedition that was much
+worse than the former, and into danger of the entire abolition of their
+own institutions; for when once the youth had tasted of these strange
+customs, they went with insatiable inclinations into them; and even
+where some of the principal men were illustrious on account of the
+virtues of their fathers, they also were corrupted together with the
+rest.
+
+10. Even Zimri, the head of the tribe of Simeon accompanied with Cozbi,
+a Midianitish women, who was the daughter of Sur, a man of authority in
+that country; and being desired by his wife to disregard the laws of
+Moses, and to follow those she was used to, he complied with her, and
+this both by sacrificing after a manner different from his own, and by
+taking a stranger to wife. When things were thus, Moses was afraid that
+matters should grow worse, and called the people to a congregation, but
+then accused nobody by name, as unwilling to drive those into despair
+who, by lying concealed, might come to repentance; but he said that they
+did not do what was either worthy of themselves, or of their fathers, by
+preferring pleasure to God, and to the living according to his will;
+that it was fit they should change their courses while their affairs
+were still in a good state, and think that to be true fortitude which
+offers not violence to their laws, but that which resists their lusts.
+And besides that, he said it was not a reasonable thing, when they had
+lived soberly in the wilderness, to act madly now when they were in
+prosperity; and that they ought not to lose, now they have abundance,
+what they had gained when they had little:— and so did he endeavor, by
+saying this, to correct the young inert, and to bring them to repentance
+for what they had done.
+
+11. But Zimri arose up after him, and said, "Yes, indeed, Moses, thou
+art at liberty to make use of such laws as thou art so fond of, and
+hast, by accustoming thyself to them, made them firm; otherwise, if
+things had not been thus, thou hadst often been punished before now, and
+hadst known that the Hebrews are not easily put upon; but thou shalt not
+have me one of thy followers in thy tyrannical commands, for thou dost
+nothing else hitherto, but, under pretense of laws, and of God, wickedly
+impose on us slavery, and gain dominion to thyself, while thou deprivest
+us of the sweetness of life, which consists in acting according to our
+own wills, and is the right of free-men, and of those that have no lord
+over them. Nay, indeed, this man is harder upon the Hebrews then were
+the Egyptians themselves, as pretending to punish, according to his
+laws, every one's acting what is most agreeable to himself; but thou
+thyself better deservest to suffer punishment, who presumest to abolish
+what every one acknowledges to be what is good for him, and aimest to
+make thy single opinion to have more force than that of all the rest;
+and what I now do, and think to be right, I shall not hereafter deny to
+be according to my own sentiments. I have married, as thou sayest
+rightly, a strange woman, and thou hearest what I do from myself as from
+one that is free, for truly I did not intend to conceal myself. I also
+own that I sacrificed to those gods to whom you do not think it fit to
+sacrifice; and I think it right to come at truth by inquiring of many
+people, and not like one that lives under tyranny, to suffer the whole
+hope of my life to depend upon one man; nor shall any one find cause to
+rejoice who declares himself to have more authority over my actions than
+myself."
+
+12. Now when Zimri had said these things, about what he and some others
+had wickedly done, the people held their peace, both out of fear of what
+might come upon them, and because they saw that their legislator was not
+willing to bring his insolence before the public any further, or openly
+to contend with him; for he avoided that, lest many should imitate the
+impudence of his language, and thereby disturb the multitude. Upon this
+the assembly was dissolved. However, the mischievous attempt had
+proceeded further, if Zimri had not been first slain, which came to pass
+on the following occasion:—Phineas, a man in other respects better than
+the rest of the young men, and also one that surpassed his
+contemporaries in the dignity of his father, [for he was the son of
+Eleazar the high priest, and the grandson of [Aaron] Moses's brother,]
+who was greatly troubled at what was done by Zimri, he resolved in
+earnest to inflict punishment on him, before his unworthy behavior
+should grow stronger by impunity, and in order to prevent this
+transgression from proceeding further, which would happen if the
+ringleaders were not punished. He was of so great magnanimity, both in
+strength of mind and body, that when he undertook any very dangerous
+attempt, he did not leave it off till he overcame it, and got an entire
+victory. So he came into Zimri's tent, and slew him with his javelin,
+and with it he slew Cozbi also, Upon which all those young men that had
+a regard to virtue, and aimed to do a glorious action, imitated
+Phineas's boldness, and slew those that were found to be guilty of the
+same crime with Zimri. Accordingly many of those that had transgressed
+perished by the magnanimous valor of these young men; and the rest all
+perished by a plague, which distemper God himself inflicted upon them;
+so that all those their kindred, who, instead of hindering them from
+such wicked actions, as they ought to have done, had persuaded them to
+go on, were esteemed by God as partners in their wickedness, and died.
+Accordingly there perished out of the army no fewer than fourteen 13
+[twenty-four] thousand at this time.
+
+13. This was the cause why Moses was provoked to send an army to destroy
+the Midianites, concerning which expedition we shall speak presently,
+when we have first related what we have omitted; for it is but just not
+to pass over our legislator's due encomium, on account of his conduct
+here, because, although this Balaam, who was sent for by the Midianites
+to curse the Hebrews, and when he was hindered from doing it by Divine
+Providence, did still suggest that advice to them, by making use of
+which our enemies had well nigh corrupted the whole multitude of the
+Hebrews with their wiles, till some of them were deeply infected with
+their opinions; yet did he do him great honor, by setting down his
+prophecies in writing. And while it was in his power to claim this glory
+to himself, and make men believe they were his own predictions, there
+being no one that could be a witness against him, and accuse him for so
+doing, he still gave his attestation to him, and did him the honor to
+make mention of him on this account. But let every one think of these
+matters as he pleases.
+
+
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER 7. How The Hebrews Fought With The Midianites, And Overcame
+Them.
+
+1. Now Moses sent an army against the land of Midian, for the causes
+forementioned, in all twelve thousand, taking an equal number out of
+every tribe, and appointed Phineas for their commander; of which Phineas
+we made mention a little before, as he that had guarded the laws of the
+Hebrews, and had inflicted punishment on Zimri when he had transgressed
+them. Now the Midianites perceived beforehand how the Hebrews were
+coming, and would suddenly be upon them: so they assembled their army
+together, and fortified the entrances into their country, and there
+awaited the enemy's coming. When they were come, and they had joined
+battle with them, an immense multitude of the Midianites fell; nor could
+they be numbered, they were so very many: and among them fell all their
+kings, five in number, viz. Evi, Zur, Reba, Hur, and Rekem, who was of
+the same name with a city, the chief and capital of all Arabia, which is
+still now so called by the whole Arabian nation, Arecem, from the name
+of the king that built it; but is by the Greeks called—Petra. Now when
+the enemies were discomfited, the Hebrews spoiled their country, and
+took a great prey, and destroyed the men that were its inhabitants,
+together with the women; only they let the virgins alone, as Moses had
+commanded Phineas to do, who indeed came back, bringing with him an army
+that had received no harm, and a great deal of prey; fifty-two thousand
+beeves, seventy-five thousand six hundred sheep, sixty thousand asses,
+with an immense quantity of gold and silver furniture, which the
+Midianites made use of in their houses; for they were so wealthy, that
+they were very luxurious. There were also led captive about thirty-two
+thousand virgins. 14 So Moses parted the prey into parts, and gave one
+fiftieth part to Eleazar and the two priests, and another fiftieth part
+to the Levites; and distributed the rest of the prey among the people.
+After which they lived happily, as having obtained an abundance of good
+things by their valor, and there being no misfortune that attended them,
+or hindered their enjoyment of that happiness.
+
+2. But Moses was now grown old, and appointed Joshua for his successor,
+both to receive directions from God as a prophet, and for a commander of
+the army, if they should at any time stand in need of such a one; and
+this was done by the command of God, that to him the care of the public
+should be committed. Now Joshua had been instructed in all those kinds
+of learning which concerned the laws and God himself, and Moses had been
+his instructor.
+
+3. At this time it was that the two tribes of Gad and Reuben, and the
+half tribe of Manasseh, abounded in a multitude of cattle, as well as in
+all other kinds of prosperity; whence they had a meeting, and in a body
+came and besought Moses to give them, as their peculiar portion, that
+land of the Amorites which they had taken by right of war, because it
+was fruitful, and good for feeding of cattle; but Moses, supposing that
+they were afraid of fighting with the Canaanites, and invented this
+provision for their cattle as a handsome excuse for avoiding that war,
+he called them arrant cowards, and said they had only contrived a decent
+excuse for that cowardice; and that they had a mind to live in luxury
+and ease, while all the rest were laboring with great pains to obtain
+the land they were desirous to have; and that they were not willing to
+march along, and undergo the remaining hard service, whereby they were,
+under the Divine promise, to pass over Jordan, and overcome those our
+enemies which God had shown them, and so obtain their land. But these
+tribes, when they saw that Moses was angry with them, and when they
+could not deny but he had a just cause to be displeased at their
+petition, made an apology for themselves; and said, that it was not on
+account of their fear of dangers, nor on account of their laziness, that
+they made this request to him, but that they might leave the prey they
+had gotten in places of safety, and thereby might be more expedite, and
+ready to undergo difficulties, and to fight battles. They added this
+also, that when they had built cities, wherein they might preserve their
+children, and wives, and possessions, if he would bestow them upon them,
+they would go along with the rest of the army. Hereupon Moses was
+pleased with what they said; so he called for Eleazar the high priest,
+and Joshua, and the chief of the tribes, and permitted these tribes to
+possess the land of the Amorites; but upon this condition, that they
+should join with their kinsmen in the war until all things were settled.
+Upon which condition they took possession of the country, and built them
+strong cities, and put into them their children and their wives, and
+whatsoever else they had that might be an impediment to the labors of
+their future marches.
+
+4. Moses also now built those ten cities which were to be of the number
+of the forty-eight [for the Levites;]; three of which he allotted to
+those that slew any person involuntarily, and fled to them; and he
+assigned the same time for their banishment with that of the life of
+that high priest under whom the slaughter and flight happened; after
+which death of the high priest he permitted the slayer to return home.
+During the time of his exile, the relations of him that was slain may,
+by this law, kill the manslayer, if they caught him without the bounds
+of the city to which he fled, though this permission was not granted to
+any other person. Now the cities which were set apart for this flight
+were these: Bezer, at the borders of Arabia; Ramoth, of the land of
+Gilead; and Golan, in the land of Bashan. There were to be also, by
+Moses's command, three other cities allotted for the habitation of these
+fugitives out of the cities of the Levites, but not till after they
+should be in possession of the land of Canaan.
+
+5. At this time the chief men of the tribe of Manasseh came to Moses,
+and informed him that there was an eminent man of their tribe dead,
+whose name was Zelophehad, who left no male children, but left
+daughters; and asked him whether these daughters might inherit his land
+or not. He made this answer, That if they shall marry into their own
+tribe, they shall carry their estate along with them; but if they
+dispose of themselves in marriage to men of another tribe, they shall
+leave their inheritance in their father's tribe. And then it was that
+Moses ordained, that every one's inheritance should continue in his own
+tribe.
+
+
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER 8. The Polity Settled By Moses; And How He Disappeared From
+Among Mankind.
+
+1. When forty years were completed, within thirty days, Moses gathered
+the congregation together near Jordan, where the city Abila now stands,
+a place full of palm-trees; and all the people being come together, he
+spake thus to them:—
+
+2. "O you Israelites and fellow soldiers, who have been partners with me
+in this long and uneasy journey; since it is now the will of God, and
+the course of old age, at a hundred and twenty, requires it that I
+should depart out of this life; and since God has forbidden me to be a
+patron or an assistant to you in what remains to be done beyond Jordan;
+I thought it reasonable not to leave off my endeavors even now for your
+happiness, but to do my utmost to procure for you the eternal enjoyment
+of good things, and a memorial for myself, when you shall be in the
+fruition of great plenty and prosperity. Come, therefore, let me suggest
+to you by what means you may be happy, and may leave an eternal
+prosperous possession thereof to your children after you, and then let
+me thus go out of the world; and I cannot but deserve to be believed by
+you, both on account of the great things I have already done for you,
+and because, when souls are about to leave the body, they speak with the
+sincerest freedom. O children of Israel! there is but one source of
+happiness for all mankind, the favor of God 15 for he alone is able to
+give good things to those that deserve them, and to deprive those of
+them that sin against him; towards whom, if you behave yourselves
+according to his will, and according to what I, who well understand his
+mind, do exhort you to, you will both be esteemed blessed, and will be
+admired by all men; and will never come into misfortunes, nor cease to
+be happy: you will then preserve the possession of the good things you
+already have, and will quickly obtain those that you are at present in
+want of,—only do you be obedient to those whom God would have you to
+follow. Nor do you prefer any other constitution of government before
+the laws now given you; neither do you disregard that way of Divine
+worship which you now have, nor change it for any other form: and if you
+do this, you will be the most courageous of all men, in undergoing the
+fatigues of war, and will not be easily conquered by any of your
+enemies; for while God is present with you to assist you, it is to be
+expected that you will be able to despise the opposition of all mankind;
+and great rewards of virtue are proposed for you, if you preserve that
+virtue through your whole lives. Virtue itself is indeed the principal
+and the first reward, and after that it bestows abundance of others; so
+that your exercise of virtue towards other men will make your own lives
+happy, and render you more glorious than foreigners can be, and procure
+you an undisputed reputation with posterity. These blessings you will be
+able to obtain, in case you hearken to and observe those laws which, by
+Divine revelation, I have ordained for you; that is, in case you withal
+meditate upon the wisdom that is in them. I am going from you myself,
+rejoicing in the good things you enjoy; and I recommend you to the wise
+conduct of your law, to the becoming order of your polity, and to the
+virtues of your commanders, who will take care of what is for your
+advantage. And that God, who has been till now your Leader, and by whose
+goodwill I have myself been useful to you, will not put a period now to
+his providence over you, but as long as you desire to have him your
+Protector in your pursuits after virtue, so long will you enjoy his care
+over you. Your high priest also Eleazar, as well as Joshua, with the
+senate, and chief of your tribes, will go before you, and suggest the
+best advices to you; by following which advices you will continue to be
+happy: to whom do you give ear without reluctance, as sensible that all
+such as know well how to be governed, will also know how to govern, if
+they be promoted to that authority themselves. And do not you esteem
+liberty to consist in opposing such directions as your governors think
+fit to give you for your practice,—as at present indeed you place your
+liberty in nothing else but abusing your benefactors; which error if you
+can avoid for the time to come, your affairs will be in a better
+condition than they have hitherto been. Nor do you ever indulge such a
+degree of passion in these matters, as you have oftentimes done when you
+have been very angry at me; for you know that I have been oftener in
+danger of death from you than from our enemies. What I now put you in
+mind of, is not done in order to reproach you; for I do not think it
+proper, now I am going out of the world, to bring this to your
+remembrance, in order to leave you offended at me, since, at the time
+when I underwent those hardships from you, I was not angry at you; but I
+do it in order to make you wiser hereafter, and to teach you that this
+will be for your security; I mean, that you never be injurious to those
+that preside over you, even when you are become rich, as you will be to
+a great degree when you have passed over Jordan, and are in possession
+of the land of Canaan. Since, when you shall have once proceeded so far
+by your wealth, as to a contempt and disregard of virtue, you will also
+forfeit the favor of God; and when you have made him your enemy, you
+will be beaten in war, and will have the land which you possess taken
+away again from you by your enemies, and this with great reproaches upon
+your conduct. You will be scattered over the whole world, and will, as
+slaves, entirely fill both sea and land; and when once you have had the
+experience of what I now say, you will repent, and remember the laws you
+have broken, when it is too late. Whence I would advise you, if you
+intend to preserve these laws, to leave none of your enemies alive when
+you have conquered them, but to look upon it as for your advantage to
+destroy them all, lest, if you permit them to live, you taste of their
+manners, and thereby corrupt your own proper institutions. I also do
+further exhort you, to overthrow their altars, and their groves, and
+whatsoever temples they have among them, and to burn all such, their
+nation, and their very memory with fire; for by this means alone the
+safety of your own happy constitution can be firmly secured to you. And
+in order to prevent your ignorance of virtue, and the degeneracy of your
+nature into vice, I have also ordained you laws, by Divine suggestion,
+and a form of government, which are so good, that if you regularly
+observe them, you will be esteemed of all men the most happy."
+
+3. When he had spoken thus, he gave them the laws and the constitution
+of government written in a book. Upon which the people fell into tears,
+and appeared already touched with the sense that they should have a
+great want of their conductor, because they remembered what a number of
+dangers he had passed through, and what care he had taken of their
+preservation: they desponded about what would come upon them after he
+was dead, and thought they should never have another governor like him;
+and feared that God would then take less care of them when Moses was
+gone, who used to intercede for them. They also repented of what they
+had said to him in the wilderness when they were angry, and were in
+grief on those accounts, insomuch that the whole body of the people fell
+into tears with such bitterness, that it was past the power of words to
+comfort them in their affliction. However, Moses gave them some
+consolation; and by calling them off the thought how worthy he was of
+their weeping for him, he exhorted them to keep to that form of
+government he had given them; and then the congregation was dissolved at
+that time.
+
+4. Accordingly, I shall now first describe this form of government which
+was agreeable to the dignity and virtue of Moses; and shall thereby
+inform those that read these Antiquities, what our original settlements
+were, and shall then proceed to the remaining histories. Now those
+settlements are all still in writing, as he left them; and we shall add
+nothing by way of ornament, nor any thing besides what Moses left us;
+only we shall so far innovate, as to digest the several kinds of laws
+into a regular system; for they were by him left in writing as they were
+accidentally scattered in their delivery, and as he upon inquiry had
+learned them of God. On which account I have thought it necessary to
+premise this observation beforehand, lest any of my own countrymen
+should blame me, as having been guilty of an offense herein. Now part of
+our constitution will include the laws that belong to our political
+state. As for those laws which Moses left concerning our common
+conversation and intercourse one with another, I have reserved that for
+a discourse concerning our manner of life, and the occasions of those
+laws; which I propose to myself, with God's assistance, to write, after
+I have finished the work I am now upon.
+
+5. When you have possessed yourselves of the land of Canaan, and have
+leisure to enjoy the good things of it, and when you have afterward
+determined to build cities, if you will do what is pleasing to God, you
+will have a secure state of happiness. Let there be then one city of the
+land of Canaan, and this situate in the most agreeable place for its
+goodness, and very eminent in itself, and let it be that which God shall
+choose for himself by prophetic revelation. Let there also be one temple
+therein, and one altar, not reared of hewn stones, but of such as you
+gather together at random; which stones, when they are whited over with
+mortar, will have a handsome appearance, and be beautiful to the sight.
+Let the ascent to it be not by steps 16 but by an acclivity of raised
+earth. And let there be neither an altar nor a temple in any other city;
+for God is but one, and the nation of the Hebrews is but one.
+
+6. He that blasphemeth God, let him be stoned; and let him hang upon a
+tree all that day, and then let him be buried in an ignominious and
+obscure manner.
+
+7. Let those that live as remote as the bounds of the land which the
+Hebrews shall possess, come to that city where the temple shall be, and
+this three times in a year, that they may give thanks to God for his
+former benefits, and may entreat him for those they shall want
+hereafter; and let them, by this means, maintain a friendly
+correspondence with one another by such meetings and feastings together,
+for it is a good thing for those that are of the same stock, and under
+the same institution of laws, not to be unacquainted with each other;
+which acquaintance will be maintained by thus conversing together, and
+by seeing and talking with one another, and so renewing the memorials of
+this union; for if they do not thus converse together continually, they
+will appear like mere strangers to one another.
+
+8. Let there be taken out of your fruits a tenth, besides that which you
+have allotted to give to the priests and Levites. This you may indeed
+sell in the country, but it is to be used in those feasts and sacrifices
+that are to be celebrated in the holy city; for it is fit that you
+should enjoy those fruits of the earth which God gives you to possess,
+so as may be to the honor of the donor.
+
+9. You are not to offer sacrifices out of the hire of a woman who is a
+harlot 17 for the Deity is not pleased with any thing that arises from
+such abuses of nature; of which sort none can be worse than this
+prostitution of the body. In like manner no one may take the price of
+the covering of a bitch, either of one that is used in hunting, or in
+keeping of sheep, and thence sacrifice to God.
+
+10. Let no one blaspheme those gods which other cities esteem such; 18
+nor may any one steal what belongs to strange temples, nor take away the
+gifts that are dedicated to any god.
+
+11. Let not any one of you wear a garment made of woolen and linen, for
+that is appointed to be for the priests alone.
+
+12. When the multitude are assembled together unto the holy city for
+sacrificing every seventh year, at the feast of tabernacles, let the
+high priest stand upon a high desk, whence he may be heard, and let him
+read the laws to all the people; and let neither the women nor the
+children be hindered from hearing, no, nor the servants neither; for it
+is a good thing that those laws should be engraven in their souls, and
+preserved in their memories, that so it may not be possible to blot them
+out; for by this means they will not be guilty of sin, when they cannot
+plead ignorance of what the laws have enjoined them. The laws also will
+have a greater authority among them, as foretelling what they will
+suffer if they break them; and imprinting in their souls by this hearing
+what they command them to do, that so there may always be within their
+minds that intention of the laws which they have despised and broken,
+and have thereby been the causes of their own mischief. Let the children
+also learn the laws, as the first thing they are taught, which will be
+the best thing they can be taught, and will be the cause of their future
+felicity.
+
+13. Let every one commemorate before God the benefits which he bestowed
+upon them at their deliverance out of the land of Egypt, and this twice
+every day, both when the day begins and when the hour of sleep comes on,
+gratitude being in its own nature a just thing, and serving not only by
+way of return for past, but also by way of invitation of future favors.
+They are also to inscribe the principal blessings they have received
+from God upon their doors, and show the same remembrance of them upon
+their arms; as also they are to bear on their forehead and their arm
+those wonders which declare the power of God, and his good-will towards
+them, that God's readiness to bless them may appear every where
+conspicuous about them. 19
+
+14. Let there be seven men to judge in every city, 20 and these such as
+have been before most zealous in the exercise of virtue and
+righteousness. Let every judge have two officers allotted him out of the
+tribe of Levi. Let those that are chosen to judge in the several cities
+be had in great honor; and let none be permitted to revile any others
+when these are present, nor to carry themselves in an insolent manner to
+them; it being natural that reverence towards those in high offices
+among men should procure men's fear and reverence towards God. Let those
+that judge be permitted to determine according as they think to be
+right, unless any one can show that they have taken bribes, to the
+perversion of justice, or can allege any other accusation against them,
+whereby it may appear that they have passed an unjust sentence; for it
+is not fit that causes should be openly determined out of regard to
+gain, or to the dignity of the suitors, but that the judges should
+esteem what is right before all other things, otherwise God will by that
+means be despised, and esteemed inferior to those, the dread of whose
+power has occasioned the unjust sentence; for justice is the power of
+God. He therefore that gratifies those in great dignity, supposes them
+more potent than God himself. But if these judges be unable to give a
+just sentence about the causes that come before them, [which case is not
+unfrequent in human affairs,] let them send the cause undetermined to
+the holy city, and there let the high priest, the prophet, and the
+sanhedrim, determine as it shall seem good to them.
+
+15. But let not a single witness be credited, but three, or two at the
+least, and those such whose testimony is confirmed by their good lives.
+But let not the testimony of women be admitted, on account of the levity
+and boldness of their sex 21 Nor let servants be admitted to give
+testimony, on account of the ignobility of their soul; since it is
+probable that they may not speak truth, either out of hope of gain, or
+fear of punishment. But if any one be believed to have borne false
+witness, let him, when he is convicted, suffer all the very same
+punishments which he against whom he bore witness was to have suffered.
+
+16. If a murder be committed in any place, and he that did it be not
+found, nor is there any suspicion upon one as if he had hated the man,
+and so had killed him, let there be a very diligent inquiry made after
+the man, and rewards proposed to any one who will discover him; but if
+still no information can be procured, let the magistrates and senate of
+those cities that lie near the place in which the murder was committed,
+assemble together, and measure the distance from the place where the
+dead body lies; then let the magistrates of the nearest city thereto
+purchase a heifer, and bring it to a valley, and to a place therein
+where there is no land ploughed or trees planted, and let them cut the
+sinews of the heifer; then the priests and Levites, and the senate of
+that city, shall take water and wash their hands over the head of the
+heifer; and they shall openly declare that their hands are innocent of
+this murder, and that they have neither done it themselves, nor been
+assisting to any that did it. They shall also beseech God to be merciful
+to them, that no such horrid act may any more be done in that land.
+
+17. Aristocracy, and the way of living under it, is the best
+constitution: and may you never have any inclination to any other form
+of government; and may you always love that form, and have the laws for
+your governors, and govern all your actions according to them; for you
+need no supreme governor but God. But if you shall desire a king, let
+him be one of your own nation; let him be always careful of justice and
+other virtues perpetually; let him submit to the laws, and esteem God's
+commands to be his highest wisdom; but let him do nothing without the
+high priest and the votes of the senators: let him not have a great
+number of wives, nor pursue after abundance of riches, nor a multitude
+of horses, whereby he may grow too proud to submit to the laws. And if
+he affect any such things, let him be restrained, lest he become so
+potent that his state be inconsistent with your welfare.
+
+18. Let it not be esteemed lawful to remove boundaries, neither our own,
+nor of those with whom we are at peace. Have a care you do not take
+those landmarks away which are, as it were, a divine and unshaken
+limitation of rights made by God himself, to last for ever; since this
+going beyond limits, and gaining ground upon others, is the occasion of
+wars and seditions; for those that remove boundaries are not far off an
+attempt to subvert the laws.
+
+19. He that plants a piece of land, the trees of which produce fruits
+before the fourth year, is not to bring thence any first-fruits to God,
+nor is he to make use of that fruit himself, for it is not produced in
+its proper season; for when nature has a force put upon her at an
+unseasonable time, the fruit is not proper for God, nor for the master's
+use; but let the owner gather all that is grown on the fourth year, for
+then it is in its proper season. And let him that has gathered it carry
+it to the holy city, and spend that, together with the tithe of his
+other fruits, in feasting with his friends, with the orphans, and the
+widows. But on the fifth year the fruit is his own, and he may use it as
+he pleases.
+
+20. You are not to sow with seed a piece of land which is planted with
+vines, for it is enough that it supply nourishment to that plant, and be
+not harassed by ploughing also. You are to plough your land with oxen,
+and not to oblige other animals to come under the same yoke with them;
+but to till your land with those beasts that are of the same kind with
+each other. The seeds are also to be pure, and without mixture, and not
+to be compounded of two or three sorts, since nature does not rejoice in
+the union of things that are not in their own nature alike; nor are you
+to permit beasts of different kinds to gender together, for there is
+reason to fear that this unnatural abuse may extend from beasts of
+different kinds to men, though it takes its first rise from evil
+practices about such smaller things. Nor is any thing to be allowed, by
+imitation whereof any degree of subversion may creep into the
+constitution. Nor do the laws neglect small matters, but provide that
+even those may be managed after an unblamable manner.
+
+21. Let not those that reap, and gather in the corn that is reaped,
+gather in the gleanings also; but let them rather leave some handfuls
+for those that are in want of the necessaries of life, that it may be a
+support and a supply to them, in order to their subsistence. In like
+manner when they gather their grapes, let them leave some smaller
+bunches for the poor, and let them pass over some of the fruits of the
+olive-trees, when they gather them, and leave them to be partaken of by
+those that have none of their own; for the advantage arising from the
+exact collection of all, will not be so considerable to the owners as
+will arise from the gratitude of the poor. And God will provide that the
+land shall more willingly produce what shall be for the nourishment of
+its fruits, in case you do not merely take care of your own advantage,
+but have regard to the support of others also. Nor are you to muzzle the
+mouths of the oxen when they tread the ears of corn in the thrashing-
+floor; for it is not just to restrain our fellow-laboring animals, and
+those that work in order to its production, of this fruit of their
+labors. Nor are you to prohibit those that pass by at the time when your
+fruits are ripe to touch them, but to give them leave to fill themselves
+full of what you have; and this whether they be of your own country or
+strangers,—as being glad of the opportunity of giving them some part of
+your fruits when they are ripe; but let it not be esteemed lawful for
+them to carry any away. Nor let those that gather the grapes, and carry
+them to the wine-presses, restrain those whom they meet from eating of
+them; for it is unjust, out of envy, to hinder those that desire it, to
+partake of the good things that come into the world according to God's
+will, and this while the season is at the height, and is hastening away
+as it pleases God. Nay, if some, out of bashfulness, are unwilling to
+touch these fruits, let them be encouraged to take of them [I mean,
+those that are Israelites] as if they were themselves the owners and
+lords, on account of the kindred there is between them. Nay, let them
+desire men that come from other countries, to partake of these tokens of
+friendship which God has given in their proper season; for that is not
+to be deemed as idly spent, which any one out of kindness communicates
+to another, since God bestows plenty of good things on men, not only for
+themselves to reap the advantage, but also to give to others in a way of
+generosity; and he is desirous, by this means, to make known to others
+his peculiar kindness to the people of Israel, and how freely he
+communicates happiness to them, while they abundantly communicate out of
+their great superfluities to even these foreigners also. But for him
+that acts contrary to this law, let him be beaten with forty stripes
+save one 22 by the public executioner; let him undergo this punishment,
+which is a most ignominious one for a free-man, and this because he was
+such a slave to gain as to lay a blot upon his dignity; for it is proper
+for you who have had the experience of the afflictions in Egypt, and of
+those in the wilderness, to make provision for those that are in the
+like circumstances; and while you have now obtained plenty yourselves,
+through the mercy and providence of God, to distribute of the same
+plenty, by the like sympathy, to such as stand in need of it.
+
+22. Besides those two tithes, which I have already said you are to pay
+every year, the one for the Levites, the other for the festivals, you
+are to bring every third year a third tithe to be distributed to those
+that want; 23 to women also that are widows, and to children that are
+orphans. But as to the ripe fruits, let them carry that which is ripe
+first of all into the temple; and when they have blessed God for that
+land which bare them, and which he had given them for a possession, when
+they have also offered those sacrifices which the law has commanded them
+to bring, let them give the first-fruits to the priests. But when any
+one hath done this, and hath brought the tithe of all that he hath,
+together with those first-fruits that are for the Levites, and for the
+festivals, and when he is about to go home, let him stand before the
+holy house, and return thanks to God, that he hath delivered them from
+the injurious treatment they had in Egypt, and hath given them a good
+land, and a large, and lets them enjoy the fruits thereof; and when he
+hath openly testified that he hath fully paid the tithes [and other
+dues] according to the laws of Moses, let him entreat God that he will
+be ever merciful and gracious to him, and continue so to be to all the
+Hebrews, both by preserving the good things which he hath already given
+them, and by adding what it is still in his power to bestow upon them.
+
+23. Let the Hebrews marry, at the age fit for it, virgins that are free,
+and born of good parents. And he that does not marry a virgin, let him
+not corrupt another man's wife, and marry her, nor grieve her former
+husband. Nor let free men marry slaves, although their affections should
+strongly bias any of them so to do; for it is decent, and for the
+dignity of the persons themselves, to govern those their affections. And
+further, no one ought to marry a harlot, whose matrimonial oblations,
+arising from the prostitution of her body, God will not receive; for by
+these means the dispositions of the children will be liberal and
+virtuous; I mean, when they are not born of base parents, and of the
+lustful conjunction of such as marry women that are not free. If any one
+has been espoused to a woman as to a virgin, and does not afterward find
+her so to be, let him bring his action, and accuse her, and let him make
+use of such indications 24 to prove his accusation as he is furnished
+withal; and let the father or the brother of the damsel, or some one
+that is after them nearest of kin to her, defend her If the damsel
+obtain a sentence in her favor, that she had not been guilty, let her
+live with her husband that accused her; and let him not have any further
+power at all to put her away, unless she give him very great occasions
+of suspicion, and such as can be no way contradicted. But for him that
+brings an accusation and calumny against his wife in an impudent and
+rash manner, let him be punished by receiving forty stripes save one,
+and let him pay fifty shekels to her father: but if the damsel be
+convicted, as having been corrupted, and is one of the common people,
+let her be stoned, because she did not preserve her virginity till she
+were lawfully married; but if she were the daughter of a priest, let her
+be burnt alive. If any one has two wives, and if he greatly respect and
+be kind to one of them, either out of his affection to her, or for her
+beauty, or for some other reason, while the other is of less esteem with
+him; and if the son of her that is beloved be the younger by birth than
+another born of the other wife, but endeavors to obtain the right of
+primogeniture from his father's kindness to his mother, and would
+thereby obtain a double portion of his father's substance, for that
+double portion is what I have allotted him in the laws,—let not this be
+permitted; for it is unjust that he who is the elder by birth should be
+deprived of what is due to him, on the father's disposition of his
+estate, because his mother was not equally regarded by him. He that hath
+corrupted a damsel espoused to another man, in case he had her consent,
+let both him and her be put to death, for they are both equally guilty;
+the man, because he persuaded the woman willingly to submit to a most
+impure action, and to prefer it to lawful wedlock; the woman, because
+she was persuaded to yield herself to be corrupted, either for pleasure
+or for gain. However, if a man light on a woman when she is alone, and
+forces her, where nobody was present to come to her assistance, let him
+only be put to death. Let him that hath corrupted a virgin not yet
+espoused marry her; but if the father of the damsel be not willing that
+she should be his wife, let him pay fifty shekels as the price of her
+prostitution. He that desires to be divorced from his wife for any cause
+25 whatsoever, [and many such causes happen among men,] let him in
+writing give assurance that he will never use her as his wife any more;
+for by this means she may be at liberty to marry another husband,
+although before this bill of divorce be given, she is not to be
+permitted so to do: but if she be misused by him also, or if, when he is
+dead, her first husband would marry her again, it shall not be lawful
+for her to return to him. If a woman's husband die, and leave her
+without children, let his brother marry her, and let him call the son
+that is born to him by his brother's name, and educate him as the heir
+of his inheritance, for this procedure will be for the benefit of the
+public, because thereby families will not fail, and the estate will
+continue among the kindred; and this will be for the solace of wives
+under their affliction, that they are to be married to the next relation
+of their former husbands. But if the brother will not marry her, let the
+woman come before the senate, and protest openly that this brother will
+not admit her for his wife, but will injure the memory of his deceased
+brother, while she is willing to continue in the family, and to bear him
+children. And when the senate have inquired of him for what reason it is
+that he is averse to this marriage, whether he gives a bad or a good
+reason, the matter must come to this issue, That the woman shall loose
+the sandals of the brother, and shall spit in his face, and say, He
+deserves this reproachful treatment from her, as having injured the
+memory of the deceased. And then let him go away out of the senate, and
+bear this reproach upon him all his life long; and let her marry to whom
+she pleases, of such as seek her in marriage. But now, if any man take
+captive, either a virgin, or one that hath been married, 26 and has a
+mind to marry her, let him not be allowed to bring her to bed to him, or
+to live with her as his wife, before she hath her head shaven, and hath
+put on her mourning habit, and lamented her relations and friends that
+were slain in the battle, that by this means she may give vent to her
+sorrow for them, and after that may betake herself to feasting and
+matrimony; for it is good for him that takes a woman, in order to have
+children by her, to be complaisant to her inclinations, and not merely
+to pursue his own pleasure, while he hath no regard to what is agreeable
+to her. But when thirty days are past, as the time of mourning, for so
+many are sufficient to prudent persons for lamenting the dearest
+friends, then let them proceed to the marriage; but in case when he hath
+satisfied his lust, he be too proud to retain her for his wife, let him
+not have it in his power to make her a slave, but let her go away
+whither she pleases, and have that privilege of a free woman.
+
+24. As to those young men that despise their parents, and do not pay
+them honor, but offer them affronts, either because they are ashamed of
+them or think themselves wiser than they,—in the first place, let their
+parents admonish them in words, [for they are by nature of authority
+sufficient for becoming their judges,] and let them say thus to
+them:—That they cohabited together, not for the sake of pleasure, nor
+for the augmentation of their riches, by joining both their stocks
+together, but that they might have children to take care of them in
+their old age, and might by them have what they then should want. And
+say further to him, "That when thou wast born, we took thee up with
+gladness, and gave God the greatest thanks for thee, and brought time up
+with great care, and spared for nothing that appeared useful for thy
+preservation, and for thy instruction in what was most excellent. And
+now, since it is reasonable to forgive the sins of those that are young,
+let it suffice thee to have given so many indications Of thy contempt of
+us; reform thyself, and act more wisely for the time to come;
+considering that God is displeased with those that are insolent towards
+their parents, because he is himself the Father of the whole race of
+mankind, and seems to bear part of that dishonor which falls upon those
+that have the same name, when they do not meet with dire returns from
+their children. And on such the law inflicts inexorable punishment; of
+which punishment mayst thou never have the experience." Now if the
+insolence of young men be thus cured, let them escape the reproach which
+their former errors deserved; for by this means the lawgiver will appear
+to be good, and parents happy, while they never behold either a son or a
+daughter brought to punishment. But if it happen that these words and
+instructions, conveyed by them in order to reclaim the man, appear to be
+useless, then the offender renders the laws implacable enemies to the
+insolence he has offered his parents; let him therefore be brought forth
+27 by these very parents out of the city, with a multitude following
+him, and there let him be stoned; and when he has continued there for
+one whole day, that all the people may see him, let him be buried in the
+night. And thus it is that we bury all whom the laws condemn to die,
+upon any account whatsoever. Let our enemies that fall in battle be also
+buried; nor let any one dead body lie above the ground, or suffer a
+punishment beyond what justice requires.
+
+25. Let no one lend to any one of the Hebrews upon usury, neither usury
+of what is eaten or what is drunken, for it is not just to make
+advantage of the misfortunes of one of thy own countrymen; but when thou
+hast been assistant to his necessities, think it thy gain if thou
+obtainest their gratitude to thee; and withal that reward which will
+come to thee from God, for thy humanity towards him.
+
+26. Those who have borrowed either silver or any sort of fruits, whether
+dry or wet, [I mean this, when the Jewish affairs shall, by the blessing
+of God, be to their own mind,] let the borrowers bring them again, and
+restore them with pleasure to those who lent them, laying them up, as it
+were, in their own treasuries, and justly expecting to receive them
+thence, if they shall want them again. But if they be without shame, and
+do not restore it, let not the lender go to the borrower's house, and
+take a pledge himself, before judgment be given concerning it; but let
+him require the pledge, and let the debtor bring it of himself, without
+the least opposition to him that comes upon him under the protection of
+the law. And if he that gave the pledge be rich, let the creditor retain
+it till what he lent be paid him again; but if he be poor, let him that
+takes it return it before the going down of the sun, especially if the
+pledge be a garment, that the debtor may have it for a covering in his
+sleep, God himself naturally showing mercy to the poor. It is also not
+lawful to take a millstone, nor any utensil thereto belonging, for a
+pledge, that the debtor, may not be deprived of instruments to get their
+food withal, and lest they be undone by their necessity.
+
+27. Let death be the punishment for stealing a man; but he that hath
+purloined gold or silver, let him pay double. If any one kill a man that
+is stealing something out of his house, let him be esteemed guiltless,
+although the man were only breaking in at the wall. Let him that hath
+stolen cattle pay fourfold what is lost, excepting the case of an ox,
+for which let the thief pay fivefold. Let him that is so poor that he
+cannot pay what mulet is laid upon him, be his servant to whom he was
+adjudged to pay it.
+
+28. If any one be sold to one of his own nation, let him serve him six
+years, and on the seventh let him go free. But if he have a son by a
+woman servant in his purchaser's house, and if, on account of his good-
+will to his master, and his natural affection to his wife and children,
+he will be his servant still, let him be set free only at the coming of
+the year of jubilee, which is the fiftieth year, and let him then take
+away with him his children and wife, and let them be free also.
+
+29. If any one find gold or silver on the road, let him inquire after
+him that lost it, and make proclamation of the place where he found it,
+and then restore it to him again, as not thinking it right to make his
+own profit by the loss of another. And the same rule is to be observed
+in cattle found to have wandered away into a lonely place. If the owner
+be not presently discovered, let him that is the finder keep it with
+himself, and appeal to God that he has not purloined what belongs to
+another.
+
+30. It is not lawful to pass by any beast that is in distress, when in a
+storm it is fallen down in the mire, but to endeavor to preserve it, as
+having a sympathy with it in its pain.
+
+31. It is also a duty to show the roads to those who do not know them,
+and not to esteem it a matter for sport, when we hinder others'
+advantages, by setting them in a wrong way.
+
+32. In like manner, let no one revile a person blind or dumb.
+
+33. If men strive together, and there be no instrument of iron, let him
+that is smitten be avenged immediately, by inflicting the same
+punishment on him that smote him: but if when he is carried home he lie
+sick many days, and then die, let him that smote him not escape
+punishment; but if he that is smitten escape death, and yet be at great
+expense for his cure, the smiter shall pay for all that has been
+expended during the time of his sickness, and for all that he has paid
+the physician. He that kicks a woman with child, so that the woman
+miscarry, 28 let him pay a fine in money, as the judges shall determine,
+as having diminished the multitude by the destruction of what was in her
+womb; and let money also be given the woman's husband by him that kicked
+her; but if she die of the stroke, let him also be put to death, the law
+judging it equitable that life should go for life.
+
+34. Let no one of the Israelites keep any poison 29 that may cause
+death, or any other harm; but if he be caught with it, let him be put to
+death, and suffer the very same mischief that he would have brought upon
+them for whom the poison was prepared.
+
+35. He that maimeth any one, let him undergo the like himself, and be
+deprived of the same member of which he hath deprived the other, unless
+he that is maimed will accept of money instead of it 30 for the law
+makes the sufferer the judge of the value of what he hath suffered, and
+permits him to estimate it, unless he will be more severe.
+
+36. Let him that is the owner of an ox which pusheth with his horn, kill
+him: but if he pushes and gores any one in the thrashing-floor, let him
+be put to death by stoning, and let him not be thought fit for food: but
+if his owner be convicted as having known what his nature was, and hath
+not kept him up, let him also be put to death, as being the occasion of
+the ox's having killed a man. But if the ox have killed a man-servant,
+or a maid-servant, let him be stoned; and let the owner of the ox pay
+thirty shekels 31 to the master of him that was slain; but if it be an
+ox that is thus smitten and killed, let both the oxen, that which smote
+the other and that which was killed, be sold, and let the owners of them
+divide their price between them.
+
+37. Let those that dig a well or a pit be careful to lay planks over
+them, and so keep them shut up, not in order to hinder any persons from
+drawing water, but that there may be no danger of falling into them. But
+if any one's beast fall into such a well or pit thus digged, and not
+shut up, and perish, let the owner pay its price to the owner of the
+beast. Let there be a battlement round the tops of your houses instead
+of a wall, that may prevent any persons from rolling down and perishing.
+
+38. Let him that has received any thing in trust for another, take care
+to keep it as a sacred and divine thing; and let no one invent any
+contrivance whereby to deprive him that hath intrusted it with him of
+the same, and this whether he be a man or a woman; no, not although he
+or she were to gain an immense sum of gold, and this where he cannot be
+convicted of it by any body; for it is fit that a man's own conscience,
+which knows what he hath, should in all cases oblige him to do well. Let
+this conscience be his witness, and make him always act so as may
+procure him commendation from others; but let him chiefly have regard to
+God, from whom no wicked man can lie concealed: but if he in whom the
+trust was reposed, without any deceit of his own, lose what he was
+intrusted withal, let him come before the seven judges, and swear by God
+that nothing hath been lost willingly, or with a wicked intention, and
+that he hath not made use of any part thereof, and so let him depart
+without blame; but if he hath made use of the least part of what was
+committed to him, and it be lost, let him be condemned to repay all that
+he had received. After the same manner as in these trusts it is to be,
+if any one defraud those that undergo bodily labor for him. And let it
+be always remembered, that we are not to defraud a poor man of his
+wages, as being sensible that God has allotted these wages to him
+instead of land and other possessions; nay, this payment is not at all
+to be delayed, but to be made that very day, since God is not willing to
+deprive the laborer of the immediate use of what he hath labored for.
+
+39. You are not to punish children for the faults of their parents, but
+on account of their own virtue rather to vouchsafe them commiseration,
+because they were born of wicked parents, than hatred, because they were
+born of bad ones. Nor indeed ought we to impute the sin of children to
+their fathers, while young persons indulge themselves in many practices
+different from what they have been instructed in, and this by their
+proud refusal of such instruction.
+
+40. Let those that have made themselves eunuchs be had in detestation;
+and do you avoid any conversation with them who have deprived themselves
+of their manhood, and of that fruit of generation which God has given to
+men for the increase of their kind: let such be driven away, as if they
+had killed their children, since they beforehand have lost what should
+procure them; for evident it is, that while their soul is become
+effeminate, they have withal transfused that effeminacy to their body
+also. In like manner do you treat all that is of a monstrous nature when
+it is looked on; nor is it lawful to geld men or any other animals. 32
+
+41. Let this be the constitution of your political laws in time of
+peace, and God will be so merciful as to preserve this excellent
+settlement free from disturbance: and may that time never come which may
+innovate any thing, and change it for the contrary. But since it must
+needs happen that mankind fall into troubles and dangers, either
+undesignedly or intentionally, come let us make a few constitutions
+concerning them, that so being apprised beforehand what ought to be
+done, you may have salutary counsels ready when you want them, and may
+not then be obliged to go to seek what is to be done, and so be
+unprovided, and fall into dangerous circumstances. May you be a
+laborious people, and exercise your souls in virtuous actions, and
+thereby possess and inherit the land without wars; while neither any
+foreigners make war upon it, and so afflict you, nor any internal
+sedition seize upon it, whereby you may do things that are contrary to
+your fathers, and so lose the laws which they have established. And may
+you continue in the observation of those laws which God hath approved
+of, and hath delivered to you. Let all sort of warlike operations,
+whether they befall you now in your own time, or hereafter in the times
+of your posterity, be done out of your own borders: but when you are
+about to go to war, send embassages and heralds to those who are your
+voluntary enemies, for it is a right thing to make use of words to them
+before you come to your weapons of war; and assure them thereby, that
+although you have a numerous army, with horses and weapons, and, above
+these, a God merciful to you, and ready to assist you, you do however
+desire them not to compel you to fight against them, nor to take from
+them what they have, which will indeed be our gain, but what they will
+have no reason to wish we should take to ourselves. And if they hearken
+to you, it will be proper for you to keep peace with them; but if they
+trust in their own strength, as superior to yours, and will not do you
+justice, lead your army against them, making use of God as your supreme
+Commander, but ordaining for a lieutenant under him one that is of the
+greatest courage among you; for these different commanders, besides
+their being an obstacle to actions that are to be done on the sudden,
+are a disadvantage to those that make use of them. Lead an army pure,
+and of chosen men, composed of all such as have extraordinary strength
+of body and hardiness of soul; but do you send away the timorous part,
+lest they run away in the time of action, and so afford an advantage to
+your enemies. Do you also give leave to those that have lately built
+them houses, and have not yet lived in them a year's time; and to those
+that have planted them vineyards, and have not yet been partakers of
+their fruits,—to continue in their own country; as well as those also
+who have betrothed, or lately married them wives, lest they have such an
+affection for these things that they be too sparing of their lives, and,
+by reserving themselves for these enjoyments, they become voluntary
+cowards, on account of their wives.
+
+42. When you have pitched your camp, take care that you do nothing that
+is cruel. And when you are engaged in a siege; and want timber for the
+making of warlike engines, do not you render the land naked by cutting
+down trees that bear fruit, but spare them, as considering that they
+were made for the benefit of men; and that if they could speak, they
+would have a just plea against you, because, though they are not
+occasions of the war, they are unjustly treated, and suffer in it, and
+would, if they were able, remove themselves into another land. When you
+have beaten your enemies in battle, slay those that have fought against
+you; but preserve the others alive, that they may pay you tribute,
+excepting the nation of the Canaanites; for as to that people, you must
+entirely destroy them.
+
+43, Take care, especially in your battles, that no woman use the habit
+of a man, nor man the garment of a woman.
+
+44. This was the form of political government which was left us by
+Moses. Moreover, he had already delivered laws in writing 33 in the
+fortieth year [after they came out of Egypt], concerning which we will
+discourse in another book. But now on the following days [for he called
+them to assemble continually] he delivered blessings to them, and curses
+upon those that should not live according to the laws, but should
+transgress the duties that were determined for them to observe. After
+this, he read to them a poetic song, which was composed in hexameter
+verse, and left it to them in the holy book: it contained a prediction
+of what was to come to pass afterward; agreeably whereto all things have
+happened all along, and do still happen to us; and wherein he has not at
+all deviated from the truth. Accordingly, he delivered these books to
+the priest, 34 with the ark; into which he also put the ten
+commandments, written on two tables. He delivered to them the tabernacle
+also, and exhorted the people, that when they had conquered the land,
+and were settled in it, they should not forget the injuries of the
+Amalekites, but make war against them, and inflict punishment upon them
+for what mischief they did them when they were in the wilderness; and
+that when they had got possession of the land of the Canaanites, and
+when they had destroyed the whole multitude of its inhabitants, as they
+ought to do, they should erect an altar that should face the rising sun,
+not far from the city of Shechem, between the two mountains, that of
+Gerizzim, situate on the right hand, and that called Ebal, on the left;
+and that the army should be so divided, that six tribes should stand
+upon each of the two mountains, and with them the Levites and the
+priests. And that first, those that were upon Mount Gerizzim should pray
+for the best blessings upon those who were diligent about the worship of
+God, and the observation of his laws, and who did not reject what Moses
+had said to them; while the other wished them all manner of happiness
+also; and when these last put up the like prayers, the former praised
+them. After this, curses were denounced upon those that should
+transgress those laws, they, answering one another alternately, by way
+of confirmation of what had been said. Moses also wrote their blessings
+and their curses, that they might learn them so thoroughly, that they
+might never be forgotten by length of time. And when he was ready to
+die, he wrote these blessings and curses upon the altar, on each side of
+it; where he says also the people stood, and then sacrificed and offered
+burnt-offerings, though after that day they never offered upon it any
+other sacrifice, for it was not lawful so to do. These are the
+constitutions of Moses; and the Hebrew nation still live according to
+them.
+
+45. On the next day, Moses called the people together, with the women
+and children, to a congregation, so as the very slaves were present
+also, that they might engage themselves to the observation of these laws
+by oath; and that, duly considering the meaning of God in them, they
+might not, either for favor of their kindred, or out of fear of any one,
+or indeed for any motive whatsoever, think any thing ought to be
+preferred to these laws, and so might transgress them. That in case any
+one of their own blood, or any city, should attempt to confound or
+dissolve their constitution of government, they should take vengeance
+upon them, both all in general, and each person in particular; and when
+they had conquered them, should overturn their city to the very
+foundations, and, if possible, should not leave the least footsteps of
+such madness: but that if they were not able to take such vengeance,
+they should still demonstrate that what was done was contrary to their
+wills. So the multitude bound themselves by oath so to do.
+
+46. Moses taught them also by what means their sacrifices might be the
+most acceptable to God; and how they should go forth to war, making use
+of the stones [in the high priest's breastplate] for their direction, 35
+as I have before signified. Joshua also prophesied while Moses was
+present. And when Moses had recapitulated whatsoever he had done for the
+preservation of the people, both in their wars and in peace, and had
+composed them a body of laws, and procured them an excellent form of
+government, he foretold, as God had declared to him that if they
+transgressed that institution for the worship of God, they should
+experience the following miseries:—Their land should be full of weapons
+of war from their enemies, and their cities should be overthrown, and
+their temple should be burnt that they should be sold for slaves, to
+such men as would have no pity on them in their afflictions; that they
+would then repent, when that repentance would no way profit them under
+their sufferings. "Yet," said he, "will that God who founded your
+nation, restore your cities to your citizens, with their temple also;
+and you shall lose these advantages not once only, but often."
+
+47. Now when Moses had encouraged Joshua to lead out the army against
+the Canaanites, by telling him that God would assist him in all his
+undertakings, and had blessed the whole multitude, he said, "Since I am
+going to my forefathers, and God has determined that this should be the
+day of my departure to them, I return him thanks while I am still alive
+and present with you, for that providence he hath exercised over you,
+which hath not only delivered us from the miseries we lay under, but
+hath bestowed a state of prosperity upon us; as also, that he hath
+assisted me in the pains I took, and in all the contrivances I had in my
+care about you, in order to better your condition, and hath on all
+occasions showed himself favorable to us; or rather he it was who first
+conducted our affairs, and brought them to a happy conclusion, by making
+use of me as a vicarious general under him, and as a minister in those
+matters wherein he was willing to do you good: on which account I think
+it proper to bless that Divine Power which will take care of you for the
+time to come, and this in order to repay that debt which I owe him, and
+to leave behind me a memorial that we are obliged to worship and honor
+him, and to keep those laws which are the most excellent gift of all
+those he hath already bestowed upon us, or which, if he continue
+favorable to us, he will bestow upon us hereafter. Certainly a human
+legislator is a terrible enemy when his laws are affronted, and are made
+to no purpose. And may you never experience that displeasure of God
+which will be the consequence of the neglect of these his laws, which
+he, who is your Creator, hath given you."
+
+48. When Moses had spoken thus at the end of his life, and had foretold
+what would befall to every one of their tribes 36 afterward, with the
+addition of a blessing to them, the multitude fell into tears, insomuch
+that even the women, by beating their breasts, made manifest the deep
+concern they had when he was about to die. The children also lamented
+still more, as not able to contain their grief; and thereby declared,
+that even at their age they were sensible of his virtue and mighty
+deeds; and truly there seemed to be a strife betwixt the young and the
+old who should most grieve for him. The old grieved because they knew
+what a careful protector they were to be deprived of, and so lamented
+their future state; but the young grieved, not only for that, but also
+because it so happened that they were to be left by him before they had
+well tasted of his virtue. Now one may make a guess at the excess of
+this sorrow and lamentation of the multitude, from what happened to the
+legislator himself; for although he was always persuaded that he ought
+not to be cast down at the approach of death, since the undergoing it
+was agreeable to the will of God and the law of nature, yet what the
+people did so overbore him, that he wept himself. Now as he went thence
+to the place where he was to vanish out of their sight, they all
+followed after him weeping; but Moses beckoned with his hand to those
+that were remote from him, and bade them stay behind in quiet, while he
+exhorted those that were near to him that they would not render his
+departure so lamentable. Whereupon they thought they ought to grant him
+that favor, to let him depart according as he himself desired; so they
+restrained themselves, though weeping still towards one another. All
+those who accompanied him were the senate, and Eleazar the high priest,
+and Joshua their commander. Now as soon as they were come to the
+mountain called Abarim, [which is a very high mountain, situate over
+against Jericho, and one that affords, to such as are upon it, a
+prospect of the greatest part of the excellent land of Canaan,] he
+dismissed the senate; and as he was going to embrace Eleazar and Joshua,
+and was still discoursing with them, a cloud stood over him on the
+sudden, and he disappeared in a certain valley, although he wrote in the
+holy books that he died, which was done out of fear, lest they should
+venture to say that, because of his extraordinary virtue, he went to
+God.
+
+49. Now Moses lived in all one hundred and twenty years; a third part of
+which time, abating one month, he was the people's ruler; and he died on
+the last month of the year, which is called by the Macedonians Dystrus,
+but by us Adar, on the first day of the month. He was one that exceeded
+all men that ever were in understanding, and made the best use of what
+that understanding suggested to him. He had a very graceful way of
+speaking and addressing himself to the multitude; and as to his other
+qualifications, he had such a full command of his passions, as if he
+hardly had any such in his soul, and only knew them by their names, as
+rather perceiving them in other men than in himself. He was also such a
+general of an army as is seldom seen, as well as such a prophet as was
+never known, and this to such a degree, that whatsoever he pronounced,
+you would think you heard the voice of God himself. So the people
+mourned for him thirty days: nor did ever any grief so deeply affect the
+Hebrews as did this upon the death of Moses: nor were those that had
+experienced his conduct the only persons that desired him, but those
+also that perused the laws he left behind him had a strong desire after
+him, and by them gathered the extraordinary virtue he was master of. And
+this shall suffice for the declaration of the manner of the death of
+Moses.
+
+
+
+
+
+
+FOOTNOTES:
+
+
+1 (return) [ Reland here takes notice, that although our Bibles say
+little or nothing of these riches of Corah, yet that both the Jews and
+Mahommedans, as well as Josephus, are full of it.]
+
+
+2 (return) [ It appears here, and from the Samaritan Pentateuch, and, in
+effect, from the psalmist, as also from the Apostolical Constitutions,
+from Clement's First Epistle to the Corinthians, from Ignatius's Epistle
+to the Magnesians, and from Eusebius, that Corah was not swallowed up
+with the Reubenites, but burned with the Levites of his own tribe. See
+Essay on the Old Testament, p. 64, 65.]
+
+
+3 (return) [ Concerning these twelve rods of the twelve tribes of
+Israel, see St. Clement's account, much larger than that in our Bibles,
+1 Epist. sect. 45; as is Josephus's present account in measure larger
+also.]
+
+
+4 (return) [ Grotius, on Numbers 6:18, takes notice that the Greeks
+also, aswell as the Jews, sometimes consecrated the hair of their heads
+to the gods.]
+
+
+5 (return) [ Josephus here uses this phrase, "when the fortieth year was
+completed," for when it was begun; as does St. Luke when the day of
+Pentecost was completed," Acts 2:1.]
+
+
+6 (return) [ Whether Miriam died, as Josephus's. Greek copies imply, on
+the first day of the month, may be doubted, because the Latin copies say
+it was on the tenth, and so say the Jewish calendars also, as Dr.
+Bernard assures us. It is said her sepulcher is still extant near Petra,
+the old capital city of Arabia Petraea, at this day; as also that of
+Aaron, not far off.]
+
+
+7 (return) [ What Josephus here remarks is well worth our remark in this
+place also; viz. that the Israelites were never to meddle with the
+Moabites, or Ammonites, or any other people, but those belonging to the
+land of Canaan, and the countries of Sihon and Og beyond Jordan, as far
+as the desert and Euphrates, and that therefore no other people had
+reason to fear the conquests of the Israelites; but that those countries
+given them by God were their proper and peculiar portion among the
+nations, and that all who endeavored to dispossess them might ever be
+justly destroyed by them.]
+
+
+8 (return) [ Note that Josephus never supposes Balaam to be an idolater,
+nor to seek idolatrous enchantments, or to prophesy falsely, but to be
+no other than an ill-disposed prophet of the true God; and intimates
+that God's answer the second time, permitting him to go, was ironical,
+and on design that he deceived [which sort of deception, by way of
+punishment for former crimes, Josephus never scruples to admit, as ever
+esteeming such wicked men justly and providentially deceived]. But
+perhaps we had better keep here close to the text which says Numbers
+23:20, 21, that God only permitted Balaam to go along with the
+ambassadors, in case they came and called him, or positively insisted on
+his going along with them, on any terms; whereas Balaam seems out of
+impatience to have risen up in the morning, and saddled his ass, and
+rather to have called them, than staid for their calling him, so zealous
+does he seem to have been for his reward of divination, his wages of
+unrighteousness, Numbers 23:7, 17, 18, 37; 2 Peter 2:15; Jude 5, 11;
+which reward or wages the truly religious prophets of God never required
+nor accepted, as our Josephus justly takes notice in the cases of
+Samuel, Antiq. B. V. ch. 4. sect. 1, and Daniel, Antiq. B. X. ch. 11.
+sect. 3. See also Genesis 14:22, 23; 2 Kings 5:15, 16, 26, 27; and Acts
+8;17-24.]
+
+
+9 (return) [ Whether Josephus had in his copy but two attempts of Balaam
+in all to curse Israel; or whether by this his twice offering sacrifice,
+he meant twice besides that first time already mentioned, which yet is
+not very probable; cannot now be certainly determined. In the mean time,
+all other copies have three such attempts of Balaam to curse them in the
+present history.]
+
+
+10 (return) [ Such a large and distinct account of this perversion of
+the Israelites by the Midianite women, of which our other copies give us
+but short intimations, Numbers 31:16 2 Peter 2:15; Jude 11; Revelation
+2:14, is preserved, as Reland informs us, in the Samaritan Chronicle, in
+Philo, and in other writings of the Jews, as well as here by Josephus.]
+
+
+11 (return) [ This grand maxim, That God's people of Israel could never
+be hurt nor destroyed, but by drawing them to sin against God, appears
+to be true, by the entire history of that people, both in the Bible and
+in Josephus; and is often taken notice of in them both. See in
+particular a most remarkable Ammonite testimony to this purpose, Judith
+5:5-21.]
+
+
+12 (return) [ What Josephus here puts into the mouths of these Midianite
+women, who came to entice the Israelites to lewdness and idolatry, viz.
+that their worship of the God of Israel, in opposition to their idol
+gods, implied their living according to the holy laws which the true God
+had given them by Moses, in opposition to those impure laws which were
+observed under their false gods, well deserves our consideration; and
+gives us a substantial reason for the great concern that was ever shown
+under the law of Moses to preserve the Israelites from idolatry, and in
+the worship of the true God; it being of no less consequence than,
+Whether God's people should be governed by the holy laws of the true
+God, or by the impure laws derived from demons, under the pagan
+idolatry.]
+
+
+13 (return) [ The mistake in all Josephus's copies, Greek and Latin
+which have here fourteen thousand instead of twenty-four thousand, is so
+flagrant, that our very learned editors, Bernard and Hudson, have put
+the latter number directly into the text. I choose rather to put it in
+brackets.]
+
+
+14 (return) [ The slaughter of all the Midianite women that had
+prostituted themselves to the lewd Israelites, and the preservation of
+those that had not been guilty therein; the last of which were no fewer
+than thirty-two thousand, both here and Numbers 31:15-17, 35, 40, 46,
+and both by the particular command of God; are highly remarkable, and
+show that, even in nations otherwise for their wickedness doomed to
+destruction, the innocent were sometimes particularly and providentially
+taken care of, and delivered from that destruction; which directly
+implies, that it was the wickedness of the nations of Canaan, and
+nothing else, that occasioned their excision. See Genesis 15;16; 1
+Samuel 15:18, 33; Apost. Constit. B. VIII. ch. 12. p. 402. In the first
+of which places, the reason of the delay of the punishment of the
+Amorites is given, because "their iniquity was not yet full." In the
+secured, Saul is ordered to go and "destroy the sinners, the
+Amalekites;" plainly implying that they were therefore to be destroyed,
+because they were sinners, and not otherwise. In the third, the reason
+is given why king Agag was not to be spared, viz. because of his former
+cruelty: "As thy sword hath made the [Hebrew] women childless, so shall
+thy mother be made childless among women by the Hebrews." In the last
+place, the apostles, or their amanuensis Clement, gave this reason for
+the necessity of the coming of Christ, that "men had formerly perverted
+both the positive law, and that of nature; and had cast out of their
+mind the memory of the Flood, the burning of Sodom, the plagues of the
+Egyptians, and the slaughter of the inhabitants of Palestine," as signs
+of the most amazing impenitence and insensibility, under the punishments
+of horrid wickedness.]
+
+
+15 (return) [ Josephus here, in this one sentence, sums up his notion of
+Moses's very long and very serious exhortations in the book of
+Deuteronomy; and his words are so true, and of such importance, that
+they deserve to be had in constant remembrance.]
+
+
+16 (return) [ This law, both here and Exodus 20:25, 26, of not going up
+to God's altar by ladder-steps, but on an acclivity, seems not to have
+belonged to the altar of the tabernacle, which was in all but three
+cubits high, Exodus 27:4; nor to that of Ezekiel, which was expressly to
+be gone up to by steps, ch. 43:17; but rather to occasional altars of
+any considerable altitude and largeness; as also probably to Solomon's
+altar, to which it is here applied by Josephus, as well as to that in
+Zorobabel's and Herod's temple, which were, I think, all ten cubits
+high. See 2 Chronicles 4:1, and Antiq. B. VIII. ch. 3. sect. 7. The
+reason why these temples, and these only, were to have this ascent on an
+acclivity, and not by steps, is obvious, that before the invention of
+stairs, such as we now use, decency could not be otherwise provided for
+in the loose garments which the priests wore, as the law required. See
+Lamy of the Tabernacle and Temple, p. 444.]
+
+
+17 (return) [ The hire of public or secret harlots was given to Venus in
+Syria, as Lucian informs us, p. 878; and against some such vile practice
+of the old idolaters this law seems to have been made.]
+
+
+18 (return) [ The Apostolical Constitutions, B. II. ch. 26. sect. 31,
+expound this law of Moses, Exodus 22. 28, "Thou shalt not revile or
+blaspheme the gods," or magistrates, which is a much more probable
+exposition than this of Josephus, of heathen gillis, as here, and
+against Apion, B. II. ch. 3. sect. 31. What book of the law was thus
+publicly read, see the note on Antiq. B. X. ch. 5. sect. 5, and 1 Esd.
+9:8-55.]
+
+
+19 (return) [ Whether these phylacteries, and other Jewish memorials of
+the law here mentioned by Josephus, and by Muses, [besides the fringes
+on the borders of their garments, Numbers 15:37,] were literally meant
+by God, I much question. That they have been long observed by the
+Pharisees and Rabbinical Jews is certain; however, the Karaites, who
+receive not the unwritten traditions of the elders, but keep close to
+the written law, with Jerome and Grotius, think they were not literally
+to be understood; as Bernard and Reland here take notice. Nor indeed do
+I remember that, either in the ancienter books of the Old Testament, or
+in the books we call Apocrypha, there are any signs of such literal
+observations appearing among the Jews, though their real or mystical
+signification, i.e. the constant remembrance and observation of the laws
+of God by Moses, be frequently inculcated in all the sacred writings.]
+
+
+20 (return) [ Here, as well as elsewhere, sect. 38, of his Life, sect.
+14, and of the War, B. II. ch. 20. sect. 5, are but seven judges
+appointed for small cities, instead of twenty-three in the modern
+Rabbins; which modern Rabbis are always but of very little authority in
+comparison of our Josephus.]
+
+
+21 (return) [ I have never observed elsewhere, that in the Jewish
+government women were not admitted as legal witnesses in courts of
+justice. None of our copies of the Pentateuch say a word of it. It is
+very probable, however, that this was the exposition of the scribes and
+Pharisees, and the practice of the Jews in the days of Josephus.]
+
+
+22 (return) [ This penalty of "forty stripes save one," here mentioned,
+and sect. 23, was five times inflicted on St. Paul himself by the Jews,
+2 Corinthians 11:24]
+
+
+23 (return) [ Josephus's plain and express interpretation of this law of
+Moses, Deuteronomy 14:28, 29; 26:12, etc., that the Jews were bound
+every third year to pay three tithes, that to the Levites, that for
+sacrifices at Jerusalem, and this for the indigent, the widow, and the
+orphans, is fully confirmed by the practice of good old Tobit, even when
+he was a captive in Assyria, against the opinions of the Rabbins, Tobit
+1:6-8.]
+
+
+24 (return) [ These tokens of virginity, as the Hebrew and Septuagint
+style them, Deuteronomy 22:15, 17, 20, seem to me very different from
+what our later interpreters suppose. They appear rather to have been
+such close linen garments as were never put off virgins, after, a
+certain age, till they were married, but before witnesses, and which,
+while they were entire, were certain evidences of such virginity. See
+these, Antiq. B. VII. ch. 8. sect. 1; 2 Samuel 13:18; Isaiah 6:1
+Josephus here determines nothing what were these particular tokens of
+virginity or of corruption: perhaps he thought he could not easily
+describe them to the heathens, without saying what they might have
+thought a breach of modesty; which seeming breach of modesty laws cannot
+always wholly avoid.]
+
+
+25 (return) [ These words of Josephus are very like those of the
+Pharisees to our Savior upon this very subject, Matthew 19:3, "Is it
+lawful for a man to put away his wife for every cause?"]
+
+
+26 (return) [ Here it is supposed that this captive's husband, if she
+were before a married woman, was dead before, or rather was slain in
+this very battle, otherwise it would have been adultery in him that
+married her.]
+
+
+27 (return) [ See Herod the Great insisting on the execution of this
+law, with relation to two of his own sons, before the judges at Berytus,
+Antiq. B. XVI. ch. 11. sect. 2.]
+
+
+28 (return) [ Philo and others appear to have understood this law,
+Exodus 21:22, 23, better than Josephus, who seems to allow, that though
+the infant in the mother's womb, even after the mother were quick, and
+so the infant had a rational soul, were killed by the stroke upon the
+mother, yet if the mother escaped, the offender should only be fined,
+and not put to death; while the law seems rather to mean, that if the
+infant in that case be killed, though the mother escape, the offender
+must be put to death, and not only when the mother is killed, as
+Josephus understood it. It seems this was the exposition of the
+Pharisees in the days of Josephus.]
+
+
+29 (return) [ What we render a witch, according to our modern notions of
+witchcraft, Exodus 22:15, Philo and Josephus understood of a poisoner,
+or one who attempted by secret and unlawful drugs or philtra, to take
+away the senses or the lives of men.]
+
+
+30 (return) [ This permission of redeeming this penalty with money is
+not in our copies, Exodus 21:24, 25; Leviticus 24:20; Deuteronomy
+19:21.]
+
+
+31 (return) [ We may here note, that thirty shekels, the price our
+Savior was sold for by Judas to the Jews, Matthew 26:15, and 27;3, was
+the old value of a bought servant or slave among that people.]
+
+
+32 (return) [ This law against castration, even of brutes, is said to be
+so rigorous elsewhere, as to inflict death on him that does it which
+seems only a Pharisaical interpretation in the days of Josephus of that
+law, Leviticus 21:20, and 22:24: only we may hence observe, that the
+Jews could then have no oxen which are gelded, but only bulls and cows,
+in Judea.]
+
+
+33 (return) [ These laws seem to be those above-mentioned, sect, 4, of
+this chapter.]
+
+
+34 (return) [ What laws were now delivered to the priests, see the note
+on Antiq. B. III. ch. 1. sect. 7.]
+
+
+35 (return) [ Of the exact place where this altar was to be built,
+whether nearer Mount Gerizzim or Mount Ebal, according to Josephus, see
+Essay on the Old Testament, p. 168—171. Dr. Bernard well observes here,
+how unfortunate this neglect of consulting the Urim was to Joshua
+himself, in the case of the Gibeonites, who put a trick upon him, and
+ensnared him, together with the rest of the Jewish rulers, with a solemn
+oath to preserve them, contrary to his commission to extirpate all the
+Canaanites, root and branch; which oath he and the other rulers never
+durst break. See Scripture Politics, p. 55, 56; and this snare they were
+brought into because they "did not ask counsel at the mouth of the
+Lord," Joshua 9:14.]
+
+
+36 (return) [ Since Josephus assures us here, as is most naturally to be
+supposed, and as the Septuagint gives the text, Deuteronomy 33:6, that
+Moses blessed every one of the tribes of Israel, it is evident that
+Simeon was not omitted in his copy, as it unhappily now is, both in our
+Hebrew and Samaritan copies.]
+
+
+
+
+
+
+BOOK V. Containing The Interval Of Four Hundred And Seventy-Six
+Years.—From The Death Of Moses To The Death Of Eli.
+
+
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER 1. How Joshua, The Commander Of The Hebrews, Made War With The
+Canaanites, And Overcame Them, And Destroyed Them, And Divided Their
+Land By Lot To The Tribes Of Israel.
+
+1. When Moses was taken away from among men, in the manner already
+described, and when all the solemnities belonging to the mourning for
+him were finished, and the sorrow for him was over, Joshua commanded the
+multitude to get themselves ready for an expedition. He also sent spies
+to Jericho to discover what forces they had, and what were their
+intentions; but he put his camp in order, as intending soon to pass over
+Jordan at a proper season. And calling to him the rulers of the tribe of
+Reuben, and the governors of the tribe of Gad, and [the half tribe of]
+Manasseh, for half of this tribe had been permitted to have their
+habitation in the country of the Amorites, which was the seventh part of
+the land of Canaan, 1 he put them in mind what they had promised Moses;
+and he exhorted them that, for the sake of the care that Moses had taken
+of them who had never been weary of taking pains for them no, not when
+he was dying, and for the sake of the public welfare, they would prepare
+themselves, and readily perform what they had promised; so he took fifty
+thousand of them who followed him, and he marched from Abila to Jordan,
+sixty furlongs.
+
+2. Now when he had pitched his camp, the spies came to him immediately,
+well acquainted with the whole state of the Canaanites; for at first,
+before they were at all discovered, they took a full view of the city of
+Jericho without disturbance, and saw which parts of the walls were
+strong, and which parts were otherwise, and indeed insecure, and which
+of the gates were so weak as might afford an entrance to their army. Now
+those that met them took no notice of them when they saw them, and
+supposed they were only strangers, who used to be very curious in
+observing everything in the city, and did not take them for enemies; but
+at even they retired to a certain inn that was near to the wall, whither
+they went to eat their supper; which supper when they had done, and were
+considering how to get away, information was given to the king as he was
+at supper, that there were some persons come from the Hebrews' camp to
+view the city as spies, and that they were in the inn kept by Rahab, and
+were very solicitous that they might not be discovered. So he sent
+immediately some to them, and commanded to catch them, and bring them to
+him, that he might examine them by torture, and learn what their
+business was there. As soon as Rahab understood that these messengers
+were coming, she hid the spies under stalks of flax, which were laid to
+dry on the top of her house; and said to the messengers that were sent
+by the king, that certain unknown strangers had supped with her a little
+before sun-setting, and were gone away, who might easily be taken, if
+they were any terror to the city, or likely to bring any danger to the
+king. So these messengers being thus deluded by the woman, 2 and
+suspecting no imposition, went their ways, without so much as searching
+the inn; but they immediately pursued them along those roads which they
+most probably supposed them to have gone, and those particularly which
+led to the river, but could hear no tidings of them; so they left off
+the pains of any further pursuit. But when the tumult was over, Rahab
+brought the men down, and desired them as soon as they should have
+obtained possession of the land of Canaan, when it would be in their
+power to make her amends for her preservation of them, to remember what
+danger she had undergone for their sakes; for that if she had been
+caught concealing them, she could not have escaped a terrible
+destruction, she and all her family with her, and so bid them go home;
+and desired them to swear to her to preserve her and her family when
+they should take the city, and destroy all its inhabitants, as they had
+decreed to do; for so far she said she had been assured by those Divine
+miracles of which she had been informed. So these spies acknowledged
+that they owed her thanks for what she had done already, and withal
+swore to requite her kindness, not only in words, but in deeds. But they
+gave her this advice, That when she should perceive that the city was
+about to be taken, she should put her goods, and all her family, by way
+of security, in her inn, and to hang out scarlet threads before her
+doors, [or windows,] that the commander of the Hebrews might know her
+house, and take care to do her no harm; for, said they, we will inform
+him of this matter, because of the concern thou hast had to preserve us:
+but if any one of thy family fall in the battle, do not thou blame us;
+and we beseech that God, by whom we have sworn, not then to be
+displeased with us, as though we had broken our oaths. So these men,
+when they had made this agreement, went away, letting themselves down by
+a rope from the wall, and escaped, and came and told their own people
+whatsoever they had done in their journey to this city. Joshua also told
+Eleazar the high priest, and the senate, what the spies had sworn to
+Rahab, who continued what had been sworn.
+
+3. Now while Joshua, the commander, was in fear about their passing over
+Jordan, for the river ran with a strong current, and could not be passed
+over with bridges, for there never had been bridges laid over it
+hitherto; and while he suspected, that if he should attempt to make a
+bridge, that their enemies would not afford him time to perfect it, and
+for ferry-boats they had none,-God promised so to dispose of the river,
+that they might pass over it, and that by taking away the main part of
+its waters. So Joshua, after two days, caused the army and the whole
+multitude to pass over in the manner following:—The priests went first
+of all, having the ark with them; then went the Levites bearing the
+tabernacle and the vessels which belonged to the sacrifices; after which
+the entire multitude followed, according to their tribes, having their
+children and their wives in the midst of them, as being afraid for them,
+lest they should be borne away by the stream. But as soon as the priests
+had entered the river first, it appeared fordable, the depth of the
+water being restrained and the sand appearing at the bottom, because the
+current was neither so strong nor so swift as to carry it away by its
+force; so they all passed over the river without fear, finding it to be
+in the very same state as God had foretold he would put it in; but the
+priests stood still in the midst of the river till the multitude should
+be passed over, and should get to the shore in safety; and when all were
+gone over, the priests came out also, and permitted the current to run
+freely as it used to do before. Accordingly the river, as soon as the
+Hebrews were come out of it, arose again presently, and came to its own
+proper magnitude as before.
+
+4. So the Hebrews went on farther fifty furlongs, and pitched their camp
+at the distance of ten furlongs from Jericho; but Joshua built an altar
+of those stones which all the heads of the tribes, at the command of the
+prophets, had taken out of the deep, to be afterwards a memorial of the
+division of the stream of this river, and upon it offered sacrifice to
+God; and in that place celebrated the passover, and had great plenty of
+all the things which they wanted hitherto; for they reaped the corn of
+the Canaanites, which was now ripe, and took other things as prey; for
+then it was that their former food, which was manna, and of which they
+had eaten forty years, failed them.
+
+5. Now while the Israelites did this, and the Canaanites did not attack
+them, but kept themselves quiet within their own walls, Joshua resolved
+to besiege them; so on the first day of the feast [of the passover], the
+priests carried the ark round about, with some part of the armed men to
+be a guard to it. These priests went forward, blowing with their seven
+trumpets; and exhorted the army to be of good courage, and went round
+about the city, with the senate following them; and when the priests had
+only blown with the trumpets, for they did nothing more at all, they
+returned to the camp. And when they had done this for six days, on the
+seventh Joshua gathered the armed men and all the people together, and
+told them these good tidings, That the city should now be taken, since
+God would on that day give it them, by the falling down of the walls,
+and this of their own accord, and without their labor. However, he
+charged them to kill every one they should take, and not to abstain from
+the slaughter of their enemies, either for weariness or for pity, and
+not to fall on the spoil, and be thereby diverted from pursuing their
+enemies as they ran away; but to destroy all the animals, and to take
+nothing for their own peculiar advantage. He commanded them also to
+bring together all the silver and gold, that it might be set apart as
+first-fruits unto God out of this glorious exploit, as having gotten
+them from the city they first took; only that they should save Rahab and
+her kindred alive, because of the oath which the spies had sworn to her.
+
+6. When he had said this, and had set his army in order, he brought it
+against the city: so they went round the city again, the ark going
+before them, and the priests encouraging the people to be zealous in the
+work; and when they had gone round it seven times, and had stood still a
+little, the wall fell down, while no instruments of war, nor any other
+force, was applied to it by the Hebrews.
+
+7. So they entered into Jericho, and slew all the men that were therein,
+while they were affrighted at the surprising overthrow of the walls, and
+their courage was become useless, and they were not able to defend
+themselves; so they were slain, and their throats cut, some in the ways,
+and others as caught in their houses; nothing afforded them assistance,
+but they all perished, even to the women and the children; and the city
+was filled with dead bodies, and not one person escaped. They also burnt
+the whole city, and the country about it; but they saved alive Rahab,
+with her family, who had fled to her inn. And when she was brought to
+him, Joshua owned to her that they owed her thanks for her preservation
+of the spies: so he said he would not appear to be behind her in his
+benefaction to her; whereupon he gave her certain lands immediately, and
+had her in great esteem ever afterwards.
+
+8. And if any part of the city escaped the fire, he overthrew it from
+the foundation; and he denounced a curse 3against its inhabitants, if
+any should desire to rebuild it; how, upon his laying the foundation of
+the walls, he should be deprived of his eldest son; and upon finishing
+it, he should lose his youngest son. But what happened hereupon we shall
+speak of hereafter.
+
+9. Now there was an immense quantity of silver and gold, and besides
+those of brass also, that was heaped together out of the city when it
+was taken, no one transgressing the decree, nor purloining for their own
+peculiar advantage; which spoils Joshua delivered to the priests, to be
+laid up among their treasures. And thus did Jericho perish.
+
+10. But there was one Achar, 4 the son [of Charmi, the son] of Zebedias,
+of the tribe of Judah, who finding a royal garment woven entirely of
+gold, and a piece of gold that weighed two hundred shekels; 5 and
+thinking it a very hard case, that what spoils he, by running some
+hazard, had found, he must give away, and offer it to God, who stood in
+no need of it, while he that wanted it must go without it,—made a deep
+ditch in his own tent, and laid them up therein, as supposing he should
+not only be concealed from his fellow soldiers, but from God himself
+also.
+
+11. Now the place where Joshua pitched his camp was called Gilgal, which
+denotes liberty; 6 for since now they had passed over Jordan, they
+looked on themselves as freed from the miseries which they had undergone
+from the Egyptians, and in the wilderness.
+
+12. Now, a few days after the calamity that befell Jericho, Joshua sent
+three thousand armed men to take Ai, a city situate above Jericho; but,
+upon the sight of the people of Ai, with them they were driven back, and
+lost thirty-six of their men. When this was told the Israelites, it made
+them very sad, and exceeding disconsolate, not so much because of the
+relation the men that were destroyed bare to them, though those that
+were destroyed were all good men, and deserved their esteem, as by the
+despair it occasioned; for while they believed that they were already,
+in effect, in possession of the land, and should bring back the army out
+of the battles without loss, as God had promised beforehand, they now
+saw unexpectedly their enemies bold with success; so they put sackcloth
+over their garments, and continued in tears and lamentation all the day,
+without the least inquiry after food, but laid what had happened greatly
+to heart.
+
+13. When Joshua saw the army so much afflicted, and possessed with
+forebodings of evil as to their whole expedition, he used freedom with
+God, and said, "We are not come thus far out of any rashness of our own,
+as though we thought ourselves able to subdue this land with our own
+weapons, but at the instigation of Moses thy servant for this purpose,
+because thou hast promised us, by many signs, that thou wouldst give us
+this land for a possession, and that thou wouldst make our army always
+superior in war to our enemies, and accordingly some success has already
+attended upon us agreeably to thy promises; but because we have now
+unexpectedly been foiled, and have lost some men out of our army, we are
+grieved at it, as fearing what thou hast promised us, and what Moses
+foretold us, cannot be depended on by us; and our future expectation
+troubles us the more, because we have met with such a disaster in this
+our first attempt. But do thou, O Lord, free us from these suspicions,
+for thou art able to find a cure for these disorders, by giving us
+victory, which will both take away the grief we are in at present, and
+prevent our distrust as to what is to come."
+
+14. These intercessions Joshua put up to God, as he lay prostrate on his
+face: whereupon God answered him, That he should rise up, and purify his
+host from the pollution that had got into it; that "things consecrated
+to me have been impudently stolen from me," and that "this has been the
+occasion why this defeat had happened to them;" and that when they
+should search out and punish the offender, he would ever take care they
+should have the victory over their enemies. This Joshua told the people;
+and calling for Eleazar the high priest, and the men in authority, he
+cast lots, tribe by tribe; and when the lot showed that this wicked
+action was done by one of the tribe of Judah, he then again proposed the
+lot to the several families thereto belonging; so the truth of this
+wicked action was found to belong to the family of Zachar; and when the
+inquiry was made man by man, they took Achar, who, upon God's reducing
+him to a terrible extremity, could not deny the fact: so he confessed
+the theft, and produced what he had taken in the midst of them,
+whereupon he was immediately put to death; and attained no more than to
+be buried in the night in a disgraceful manner, and such as was suitable
+to a condemned malefactor.
+
+15. When Joshua had thus purified the host, he led them against Ai: and
+having by night laid an ambush round about the city, he attacked the
+enemies as soon as it was day; but as they advanced boldly against the
+Israelites, because of their former victory, he made them believe he
+retired, and by that means drew them a great way from the city, they
+still supposing that they were pursuing their enemies, and despised
+them, as though the case had been the same with that in the former
+battle; after which Joshua ordered his forces to turn about, and placed
+them against their front. He then made the signals agreed upon to those
+that lay in ambush, and so excited them to fight; so they ran suddenly
+into the city, the inhabitants being upon the walls, nay, others of them
+being in perplexity, and coming to see those that were without the
+gates. Accordingly, these men took the city, and slew all that they met
+with; but Joshua forced those that came against him to come to a close
+fight, and discomfited them, and made them run away; and when they were
+driven towards the city, and thought it had not been touched, as soon as
+they saw it was taken, and perceived it was burnt, with their wives and
+children, they wandered about in the fields in a scattered condition,
+and were no way able to defend themselves, because they had none to
+support them. Now when this calamity was come upon the men of Ai, there
+were a great number of children, and women, and servants, and an immense
+quantity of other furniture. The Hebrews also took herds of cattle, and
+a great deal of money, for this was a rich country. So when Joshua came
+to Gilgal, he divided all these spoils among the soldiers.
+
+16. But the Gibeonites, who inhabited very near to Jerusalem, when they
+saw what miseries had happened to the inhabitants of Jericho; and to
+those of Ai, and suspected that the like sore calamity would come as far
+as themselves, they did not think fit to ask for mercy of Joshua; for
+they supposed they should find little mercy from him, who made war that
+he might entirely destroy the nation of the Canaanites; but they invited
+the people of Cephirah and Kiriathjearim, who were their neighbors, to
+join in league with them; and told them that neither could they
+themselves avoid the danger they were all in, if the Israelites should
+prevent them, and seize upon them: so when they had persuaded them, they
+resolved to endeavor to escape the forces of the Israelites.
+Accordingly, upon their agreement to what they proposed, they sent
+ambassadors to Joshua to make a league of friendship with him, and those
+such of the citizens as were best approved of, and most capable of doing
+what was most advantageous to the multitude. Now these ambassadors
+thought it dangerous to confess themselves to be Canaanites, but thought
+they might by this contrivance avoid the danger, namely, by saying that
+they bare no relation to the Canaanites at all, but dwelt at a very
+great distance from them: and they said further, that they came a long
+way, on account of the reputation he had gained for his virtue; and as a
+mark of the truth of what they said, they showed him the habit they were
+in, for that their clothes were new when they came out, but were greatly
+worn by the length of thee they had been on their journey; for indeed
+they took torn garments, on purpose that they might make him believe so.
+So they stood in the midst of the people, and said that they were sent
+by the people of Gibeon, and of the circumjacent cities, which were very
+remote from the land where they now were, to make such a league of
+friendship with them, and this on such conditions as were customary
+among their forefathers; for when they understood that, by the favor of
+God, and his gift to them, they were to have the possession of the land
+of Canaan bestowed upon them, they said that they were very glad to hear
+it, and desired to be admitted into the number of their citizens. Thus
+did these ambassadors speak; and showing them the marks of their long
+journey, they entreated the Hebrews to make a league of friendship with
+them. Accordingly Joshua, believing what they said, that they were not
+of the nation of the Canaanites, entered into friendship with them; and
+Eleazar the high priest, with the senate, sware to them that they would
+esteem them their friends and associates, and would attempt nothing that
+should be unfair against them, the multitude also assenting to the oaths
+that were made to them. So these men, having obtained what they desired,
+by deceiving the Israelites, went home: but when Joshua led his army to
+the country at the bottom of the mountains of this part of Canaan, he
+understood that the Gibeonites dwelt not far from Jerusalem, and that
+they were of the stock of the Canaanites; so he sent for their
+governors, and reproached them with the cheat they had put upon him; but
+they alleged, on their own behalf, that they had no other way to save
+themselves but that, and were therefore forced to have recourse to it.
+So he called for Eleazar the high priest, and for the senate, who
+thought it right to make them public servants, that they might not break
+the oath they had made to them; and they ordained them to be so. And
+this was the method by which these men found safety and security under
+the calamity that was ready to overtake them.
+
+17. But the king of Jerusalem took it to heart that the Gibeonites had
+gone over to Joshua; so he called upon the kings of the neighboring
+nations to join together, and make war against them. Now when the
+Gibeonites saw these kings, which were four, besides the king of
+Jerusalem, and perceived that they had pitched their camp at a certain
+fountain not far from their city, and were getting ready for the siege
+of it, they called upon Joshua to assist them; for such was their case,
+as to expect to be destroyed by these Canaanites, but to suppose they
+should be saved by those that came for the destruction of the
+Canaanites, because of the league of friendship that was between them.
+Accordingly, Joshua made haste with his whole army to assist them, and
+marching day and night, in the morning he fell upon the enemies as they
+were going up to the siege; and when he had discomfited them, he
+followed them, and pursued them down the descent of the hills. The place
+is called Bethhoron; where he also understood that God assisted him,
+which he declared by thunder and thunderbolts, as also by the falling of
+hail larger than usual. Moreover, it happened that the day was
+lengthened 7 that the night might not come on too soon, and be an
+obstruction to the zeal of the Hebrews in pursuing their enemies;
+insomuch that Joshua took the kings, who were hidden in a certain cave
+at Makkedah, and put them to death. Now, that the day was lengthened at
+this thee, and was longer than ordinary, is expressed in the books laid
+up in the temple.
+
+18. These kings which made war with, and were ready to fight the
+Gibeonites, being thus overthrown, Joshua returned again to the
+mountainous parts of Canaan; and when he had made a great slaughter of
+the people there, and took their prey, he came to the camp at Gilgal.
+And now there went a great fame abroad among the neighboring people of
+the courage of the Hebrews; and those that heard what a number of men
+were destroyed, were greatly affrighted at it: so the kings that lived
+about Mount Libanus, who were Canaanites, and those Canaanites that
+dwelt in the plain country, with auxiliaries out of the land of the
+Philistines, pitched their camp at Beroth, a city of the Upper Galilee,
+not far from Cadesh, which is itself also a place in Galilee. Now the
+number of the whole army was three hundred thousand armed footmen, and
+ten thousand horsemen, and twenty thousand chariots; so that the
+multitude of the enemies affrighted both Joshua himself and the
+Israelites; and they, instead of being full of hopes of good success,
+were superstitiously timorous, with the great terror with which they
+were stricken. Whereupon God upbraided them with the fear they were in,
+and asked them whether they desired a greater help than he could afford
+them; and promised them that they should overcome their enemies; and
+withal charged them to make their enemies' horses useless, and to burn
+their chariots. So Joshua became full of courage upon these promises of
+God, and went out suddenly against the enemies; and after five days'
+march he came upon them, and joined battle with them, and there was a
+terrible fight, and such a number were slain as could not be believed by
+those that heard it. He also went on in the pursuit a great way, and
+destroyed the entire army of the enemies, few only excepted, and all the
+kings fell in the battle; insomuch, that when there wanted men to be
+killed, Joshua slew their horses, and burnt their chariots and passed
+all over their country without opposition, no one daring to meet him in
+battle; but he still went on, taking their cities by siege, and again
+killing whatever he took.
+
+19. The fifth year was now past, and there was not one of the Canaanites
+remained any longer, excepting some that had retired to places of great
+strength. So Joshua removed his camp to the mountainous country, and
+placed the tabernacle in the city of Shiloh, for that seemed a fit place
+for it, because of the beauty of its situation, until such thee as their
+affairs would permit them to build a temple; and from thence he went to
+Shechem, together with all the people, and raised an altar where Moses
+had beforehand directed; then did he divide the army, and placed one
+half of them on Mount Gerizzim, and the other half on Mount Ebal, on
+which mountain the altar was; he also placed there the tribe of Levi,
+and the priests. And when they had sacrificed, and denounced the
+[blessings and the] curses, and had left them engraven upon the altar,
+they returned to Shiloh.
+
+20. And now Joshua was old, and saw that the cities of the Canaanites
+were not easily to be taken, not only because they were situate in such
+strong places, but because of the strength of the walls themselves,
+which being built round about, the natural strength of the places on
+which the cities stood, seemed capable of repelling their enemies from
+besieging them, and of making those enemies despair of taking them; for
+when the Canaanites had learned that the Israelites came out of Egypt in
+order to destroy them, they were busy all that time in making their
+cities strong. So he gathered the people together to a congregation at
+Shiloh; and when they, with great zeal and haste, were come thither, he
+observed to them what prosperous successes they had already had, and
+what glorious things had been done, and those such as were worthy of
+that God who enabled them to do those things, and worthy of the virtue
+of those laws which they followed. He took notice also, that thirty-one
+of those kings that ventured to give them battle were overcome, and
+every army, how great soever it were, that confided in their own power,
+and fought with them, was utterly destroyed; so that not so much as any
+of their posterity remained. And as for the cities, since some of them
+were taken, but the others must be taken in length of time, by long
+sieges, both on account of the strength of their walls, and of the
+confidence the inhabitants had in them thereby, he thought it reasonable
+that those tribes that came along with them from beyond Jordan, and had
+partaken of the dangers they had undergone, being their own kindred,
+should now be dismissed and sent home, and should have thanks for the
+pains they had taken together with them. As also, he thought it
+reasonable that they should send one man out of every tribe, and he such
+as had the testimony of extraordinary virtue, who should measure the
+land faithfully, and without any fallacy or deceit should inform them of
+its real magnitude.
+
+21. Now Joshua, when he had thus spoken to them, found that the
+multitude approved of his proposal. So he sent men to measure their
+country, and sent with them some geometricians, who could not easily
+fail of knowing the truth, on account of their skill in that art. He
+also gave them a charge to estimate the measure of that part of the land
+that was most fruitful, and what was not so good: for such is the nature
+of the land of Canaan, that one may see large plains, and such as are
+exceeding fit to produce fruit, which yet, if they were compared to
+other parts of the country, might be reckoned exceedingly fruitful; yet,
+if it be compared with the fields about Jericho, and to those that
+belong to Jerusalem, will appear to be of no account at all; and
+although it so falls out that these people have but a very little of
+this sort of land, and that it is, for the main, mountainous also, yet
+does it not come behind other parts, on account of its exceeding
+goodness and beauty; for which reason Joshua thought the land for the
+tribes should be divided by estimation of its goodness, rather than the
+largeness of its measure, it often happening that one acre of some sort
+of land was equivalent to a thousand other acres. Now the men that were
+sent, which were in number ten, traveled all about, and made an
+estimation of the land, and in the seventh month came to him to the city
+of Shiloh, where they had set up the tabernacle.
+
+22. So Joshua took both Eleazar and the senate, and with them the heads
+of the tribes, and distributed the land to the nine tribes, and to the
+half-tribe of Manasseh, appointing the dimensions to be according to the
+largeness of each tribe. So when he had cast lots, Judah had assigned
+him by lot the upper part of Judea, reaching as far as Jerusalem, and
+its breadth extended to the Lake of Sodom. Now in the lot of this tribe
+there were the cities of Askelon and Gaza. The lot of Simeon, which was
+the second, included that part of Idumea which bordered upon Egypt and
+Arabia. As to the Benjamites, their lot fell so, that its length reached
+from the river Jordan to the sea, but in breadth it was bounded by
+Jerusalem and Bethel; and this lot was the narrowest of all, by reason
+of the goodness of the land, for it included Jericho and the city of
+Jerusalem. The tribe of Ephraim had by lot the land that extended in
+length from the river Jordan to Gezer; but in breadth as far as from
+Bethel, till it ended at the Great Plain. The half-tribe of Manasseh had
+the land from Jordan to the city of Dora; but its breadth was at
+Bethsham, which is now called Scythopolis. And after these was Issachar,
+which had its limits in length, Mount Carmel and the river, but its
+limit in breadth was Mount Tabor. The tribe of Zebulon's lot included
+the land which lay as far as the Lake of Genesareth, and that which
+belonged to Carmel and the sea. The tribe of Aser had that part which
+was called the Valley, for such it was, and all that part which lay
+over-against Sidon. The city Arce belonged to their share, which is also
+named Actipus. The Naphthalites received the eastern parts, as far as
+the city of Damascus and the Upper Galilee, unto Mount Libanus, and the
+Fountains of Jordan, which rise out of that mountain; that is, out of
+that part of it whose limits belong to the neighboring city of Arce. The
+Danites' lot included all that part of the valley which respects the
+sun-setting, and were bounded by Azotus and Dora; as also they had all
+Jamnia and Gath, from Ekron to that mountain where the tribe of Judah
+begins.
+
+23. After this manner did Joshua divide the six nations that bear the
+name of the sons of Canaan, with their land, to be possessed by the nine
+tribes and a half; for Moses had prevented him, and had already
+distributed the land of the Amorites, which itself was so called also
+from one of the sons of Canaan, to the two tribes and a half, as we have
+shown already. But the parts about Sidon, as also those that belonged to
+the Arkites, and the Amathites, and the Aradians, were not yet regularly
+disposed of.
+
+24. But now was Joshua hindered by his age from executing what he
+intended to do [as did those that succeeded him in the government, take
+little care of what was for the advantage of the public]; so he gave it
+in charge to every tribe to leave no remainder of the race of the
+Canaanites in the land that had been divided to them by lot; that Moses
+had assured them beforehand, and they might rest fully satisfied about
+it, that their own security and their observation of their own laws
+depended wholly upon it. Moreover, he enjoined them to give thirty-eight
+cities to the Levites, for they had already received ten in the country
+of the Amorites; and three of these he assigned to those that fled from
+the man-slayers, who were to inhabit there; for he was very solicitous
+that nothing should be neglected which Moses had ordained. These cities
+were, of the tribe of Judah, Hebron; of that of Ephraim, Shechem; and of
+that of Naphthali, Cadesh, which is a place of the Upper Galilee. He
+also distributed among them the rest of the prey not yet distributed,
+which was very great; whereby they had an affluence of great riches,
+both all in general, and every one in particular; and this of gold and
+of vestments, and of other furniture, besides a multitude of cattle,
+whose number could not be told.
+
+25. After this was over, he gathered the army together to a
+congregation, and spake thus to those tribes that had their settlement
+in the land of the Amorites beyond Jordan,—for fifty thousand of them
+had armed themselves, and had gone to the war along with them:—"Since
+that God, who is the Father and Lord of the Hebrew nation, has now given
+us this land for a possession, and promised to preserve us in the
+enjoyment of it as our own for ever; and since you have with alacrity
+offered yourselves to assist us when we wanted that assistance on all
+occasions, according to his command; it is but just, now all our
+difficulties are over, that you should be permitted to enjoy rest, and
+that we should trespass on your alacrity to help us no longer; that so,
+if we should again stand in need of it, we may readily have it on any
+future emergency, and not tire you out so much now as may make you
+slower in assisting us another time. We, therefore, return you our
+thanks for the dangers you have undergone with us, and we do it not at
+this time only, but we shall always be thus disposed; and be so good as
+to remember our friends, and to preserve in mind what advantages we have
+had from them; and how you have put off the enjoyments of your own
+happiness for our sakes, and have labored for what we have now, by the
+goodwill of God, obtained, and resolved not to enjoy your own prosperity
+till you had afforded us that assistance. However, you have, by joining
+your labor with ours, gotten great plenty of riches, and will carry home
+with you much prey, with gold and silver, and, what is more than all
+these, our good-will towards you, and a mind willingly disposed to make
+a requital of your kindness to us, in what case soever you shall desire
+it, for you have not omitted any thing which Moses beforehand required
+of you, nor have you despised him because he was dead and gone from you,
+so that there is nothing to diminish that gratitude which we owe to you.
+We therefore dismiss you joyful to your own inheritances; and we entreat
+you to suppose, that there is no limit to be set to the intimate
+relation that is between us; and that you will not imagine, because this
+river is interposed between us, that you are of a different race from
+us, and not Hebrews; for we are all the posterity of Abraham, both we
+that inhabit here, and you that inhabit there; and it is the same God
+that brought our forefathers and yours into the world, whose worship and
+form of government we are to take care of, which he has ordained, and
+are most carefully to observe; because while you continue in those laws,
+God will also show himself merciful and assisting to you; but if you
+imitate the other nations, and forsake those laws, he will reject your
+nation." When Joshua had spoken thus, and saluted them all, both those
+in authority one by one, and the whole multitude in common, he himself
+staid where he was; but the people conducted those tribes on their
+journey, and that not without tears in their eyes; and indeed they
+hardly knew how to part one from the other.
+
+26. Now when the tribe of Reuben, and that of Gad, and as many of the
+Manassites as followed them, were passed over the river, they built an
+altar on the banks of Jordan, as a monument to posterity, and a sign of
+their relation to those that should inhabit on the other side. But when
+those on the other side heard that those who had been dismissed had
+built an altar, but did not hear with what intention they built it, but
+supposed it to be by way of innovation, and for the introduction of
+strange gods, they did not incline to disbelieve it; but thinking this
+defamatory report, as if it were built for divine worship, was credible,
+they appeared in arms, as though they would avenge themselves on those
+that built the altar; and they were about to pass over the river, and to
+punish them for their subversion of the laws of their country; for they
+did not think it fit to regard them on account of their kindred or the
+dignity of those that had given the occasion, but to regard the will of
+God, and the manner wherein he desired to be worshipped; so these men
+put themselves in array for war. But Joshua, and Eleazar the high
+priest, and the senate, restrained them; and persuaded them first to
+make trial by words of their intention, and afterwards, if they found
+that their intention was evil, then only to proceed to make war upon
+them. Accordingly, they sent as ambassadors to them Phineas the son of
+Eleazar, and ten more persons that were in esteem among the Hebrews, to
+learn of them what was in their mind, when, upon passing over the river,
+they had built an altar upon its banks. And as soon as these ambassadors
+were passed over, and were come to them, and a congregation was
+assembled, Phineas stood up and said, That the offense they had been
+guilty of was of too heinous a nature to be punished by words alone, or
+by them only to be amended for the future; yet that they did not so look
+at the heinousness of their transgression as to have recourse to arms,
+and to a battle for their punishment immediately, but that, on account
+of their kindred, and the probability there was that they might be
+reclaimed, they took this method of sending an ambassage to them: "That
+when we have learned the true reasons by which you have been moved to
+build this altar, we may neither seem to have been too rash in
+assaulting you by our weapons of war, if it prove that you made the
+altar for justifiable reasons, and may then justly punish you if the
+accusation prove true; for we can hardly hardly suppose that you, have
+been acquainted with the will of God and have been hearers of those laws
+which he himself hath given us, now you are separated from us, and gone
+to that patrimony of yours, which you, through the grace of God, and
+that providence which he exercises over you, have obtained by lot, can
+forget him, and can leave that ark and that altar which is peculiar to
+us, and can introduce strange gods, and imitate the wicked practices of
+the Canaanites. Now this will appear to have been a small crime if you
+repent now, and proceed no further in your madness, but pay a due
+reverence to, and keep in mind the laws of your country; but if you
+persist in your sins, we will not grudge our pains to preserve our laws;
+but we will pass over Jordan and defend them, and defend God also, and
+shall esteem of you as of men no way differing from the Canaanites, but
+shall destroy you in the like manner as we destroyed them; for do not
+you imagine that, because you are got over the river, you are got out of
+the reach of God's power; you are every where in places that belong to
+him, and impossible it is to overrun his power, and the punishment he
+will bring on men thereby: but if you think that your settlement here
+will be any obstruction to your conversion to what is good, nothing need
+hinder us from dividing the land anew, and leaving this old land to be
+for the feeding of sheep; but you will do well to return to your duty,
+and to leave off these new crimes; and we beseech you, by your children
+and wives, not to force us to punish you. Take therefore such measures
+in this assembly, as supposing that your own safety, and the safety of
+those that are dearest to you, is therein concerned, and believe that it
+is better for you to be conquered by words, than to continue in your
+purpose, and to experience deeds and war therefore."
+
+27. When Phineas had discoursed thus, the governors of the assembly, and
+the whole multitude, began to make an apology for themselves, concerning
+what they were accused of; and they said, That they neither would depart
+from the relation they bare to them, nor had they built the altar by way
+of innovation; that they owned one and the same common God with all the
+Hebrews, and that brazen altar which was before the tabernacle, on which
+they would offer their sacrifices; that as to the altar they had raised,
+on account of which they were thus suspected, it was not built for
+worship, "but that it might be a sign and a monument of our relation to
+you for ever, and a necessary caution to us to act wisely, and to
+continue in the laws of our country, but not a handle for transgressing
+them, as you suspect: and let God be our authentic witness, that this
+was the occasion of our building this altar: whence we beg you will have
+a better opinion of us, and do not impute such a thing to us as would
+render any of the posterity of Abraham well worthy of perdition, in case
+they attempt to bring in new rites, and such as are different from our
+usual practices."
+
+28. When they had made this answer, and Phineas had commended them for
+it, he came to Joshua, and explained before the people what answer they
+had received. Now Joshua was glad that he was under no necessity of
+setting them in array, or of leading them to shed blood, and make war
+against men of their own kindred; and accordingly he offered sacrifices
+of thanksgiving to God for the same. So Joshua after that dissolved this
+great assembly of the people, and sent them to their own inheritances,
+while he himself lived in Shechem. But in the twentieth year after this,
+when he was very old, he sent for those of the greatest dignity in the
+several cities, with those in authority, and the senate, and as many of
+the common people as could be present; and when they were come, he put
+them in mind of all the benefits God had bestowed on them, which could
+not but be a great many, since from a low estate they were advanced to
+so great a degree of glory and plenty; and exhorted them to take notice
+of the intentions of God, which had been so gracious towards them; and
+told them that the Deity would continue their friend by nothing else but
+their piety; and that it was proper for him, now that he was about to
+depart out of this life, to leave such an admonition to them; and he
+desired that they would keep in memory this his exhortation to them.
+
+29. So Joshua, when he had thus discoursed to them, died, having lived a
+hundred and ten years; forty of which he lived with Moses, in order to
+learn what might be for his advantage afterwards. He also became their
+commander after his death for twenty-five years. He was a man that
+wanted not wisdom nor eloquence to declare his intentions to the people,
+but very eminent on both accounts. He was of great courage and
+magnanimity in action and in dangers, and very sagacious in procuring
+the peace of the people, and of great virtue at all proper seasons. He
+was buried in the city of Timnab, of the tribe of Ephraim 9 About the
+same time died Eleazar the high priest, leaving the high priesthood to
+his son Phineas. His monument also, and sepulcher, are in the city of
+Gabatha.
+
+
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER 2. How, After The Death Of Joshua Their Commander, The
+Israelites Transgressed The Laws Of Their Country, And Experienced Great
+Afflictions; And When There Was A Sedition Arisen, The Tribe Of Benjamin
+Was Destroyed Excepting Only Six Hundred Men.
+
+1. After the death of Joshua and Eleazar, Phineas prophesied, 10 that
+according to God's will they should commit the government to the tribe
+of Judah, and that this tribe should destroy the race of the Canaanites;
+for then the people were concerned to learn what was the will of God.
+They also took to their assistance the tribe of Simeon; but upon this
+condition, that when those that had been tributary to the tribe of Judah
+should be slain, they should do the like for the tribe of Simeon.
+
+2. But the affairs of the Canaanites were at this time in a flourishing
+condition, and they expected the Israelites with a great army at the
+city Bezek, having put the government into the hands of Adonibezek,
+which name denotes the Lord of Bezek, for Adoni in the Hebrew tongue
+signifies Lord. Now they hoped to have been too hard for the Israelites,
+because Joshua was dead; but when the Israelites had joined battle with
+them, I mean the two tribes before mentioned, they fought gloriously,
+and slew above ten thousand of them, and put the rest to flight; and in
+the pursuit they took Adonibezek, who, when his fingers and toes were
+cut off by them, said, "Nay, indeed, I was not always to lie concealed
+from God, as I find by what I now endure, while I have not been ashamed
+to do the same to seventy-two kings." 11 So they carried him alive as
+far as Jerusalem; and when he was dead, they buried him in the earth,
+and went on still in taking the cities: and when they had taken the
+greatest part of them, they besieged Jerusalem; and when they had taken
+the lower city, which was not under a considerable time, they slew all
+the inhabitants; but the upper city was not to be taken without great
+difficulty, through the strength of its walls, and the nature of the
+place.
+
+3. For which reason they removed their camp to Hebron; and when they had
+taken it, they slew all the inhabitants. There were till then left the
+race of giants, who had bodies so large, and countenances so entirely
+different from other men, that they were surprising to the sight, and
+terrible to the hearing. The bones of these men are still shown to this
+very day, unlike to any credible relations of other men. Now they gave
+this city to the Levites as an extraordinary reward, with the suburbs of
+two thousand cities; but the land thereto belonging they gave as a free
+gift to Caleb, according to the injunctions of Moses. This Caleb was one
+of the spies which Moses sent into the land of Canaan. They also gave
+land for habitation to the posterity of Jethro, the Midianite, who was
+the father-in-law to Moses; for they had left their own country, and
+followed them, and accompanied them in the wilderness.
+
+4. Now the tribes of Judah and Simeon took the cities which were in the
+mountainous part of Canaan, as also Askelon and Ashdod, of those that
+lay near the sea; but Gaza and Ekron escaped them, for they, lying in a
+flat country, and having a great number of chariots, sorely galled those
+that attacked them. So these tribes, when they were grown very rich by
+this war, retired to their own cities, and laid aside their weapons of
+war.
+
+5. But the Benjamites, to whom belonged Jerusalem, permitted its
+inhabitants to pay tribute. So they all left off, the one to kill, and
+the other to expose themselves to danger, and had time to cultivate the
+ground. The rest of the tribes imitated that of Benjamin, and did the
+same; and, contenting themselves with the tributes that were paid them,
+permitted the Canaanites to live in peace.
+
+6. However, the tribe of Ephraim, when they besieged Bethel, made no
+advance, nor performed any thing worthy of the time they spent, and of
+the pains they took about that siege; yet did they persist in it, still
+sitting down before the city, though they endured great trouble thereby:
+but, after some time, they caught one of the citizens that came to them
+to get necessaries, and they gave him some assurances that, if he would
+deliver up the city to them, they would preserve him and his kindred; so
+he aware that, upon those terms, he would put the city into their hands.
+Accordingly, he that, thus betrayed the city was preserved with his
+family; and the Israelites slew all the inhabitants, and retained the
+city for themselves.
+
+7. After this, the Israelites grew effeminate as to fighting any more
+against their enemies, but applied themselves to the cultivation of the
+land, which producing them great plenty and riches, they neglected the
+regular disposition of their settlement, and indulged themselves in
+luxury and pleasures; nor were they any longer careful to hear the laws
+that belonged to their political government: whereupon God was provoked
+to anger, and put them in mind, first, how, contrary to his directions,
+they had spared the Canaanites; and, after that, how those Canaanites,
+as opportunity served, used them very barbarously. But the Israelites,
+though they were in heaviness at these admonitions from God, yet were
+they still very unwilling to go to war; and since they got large
+tributes from the Canaanites, and were indisposed for taking pains by
+their luxury, they suffered their aristocracy to be corrupted also, and
+did not ordain themselves a senate, nor any other such magistrates as
+their laws had formerly required, but they were very much given to
+cultivating their fields, in order to get wealth; which great indolence
+of theirs brought a terrible sedition upon them, and they proceeded so
+far as to fight one against another, from the following occasion:—
+
+8. There was a Levite 12 a man of a vulgar family, that belonged to the
+tribe of Ephraim, and dwelt therein: this man married a wife from
+Bethlehem, which is a place belonging to the tribe of Judah. Now he was
+very fond of his wife, and overcome with her beauty; but he was unhappy
+in this, that he did not meet with the like return of affection from
+her, for she was averse to him, which did more inflame his passion for
+her, so that they quarreled one with another perpetually; and at last
+the woman was so disgusted at these quarrels, that she left her husband,
+and went to her parents in the fourth month. The husband being very
+uneasy at this her departure, and that out of his fondness for her, came
+to his father and mother-in-law, and made up their quarrels, and was
+reconciled to her, and lived with them there four days, as being kindly
+treated by her parents. On the fifth day he resolved to go home, and
+went away in the evening; for his wife's parents were loath to part with
+their daughter, and delayed the time till the day was gone. Now they had
+one servant that followed them, and an ass on which the woman rode; and
+when they were near Jerusalem, having gone already thirty furlongs, the
+servant advised them to take up their lodgings some where, lest some
+misfortune should befall them if they traveled in the night, especially
+since they were not far off enemies, that season often giving reason for
+suspicion of dangers from even such as are friends; but the husband was
+not pleased with this advice, nor was he willing to take up his lodging
+among strangers, for the city belonged to the Canaanites, but desired
+rather to go twenty furlongs farther, and so to take their lodgings in
+some Israelite city. Accordingly, he obtained his purpose, and came to
+Gibeah, a city of the tribe of Benjamin, when it was just dark; and
+while no one that lived in the market-place invited him to lodge with
+him, there came an old man out of the field, one that was indeed of the
+tribe of Ephraim, but resided in Gibeah, and met him, and asked him who
+he was, and for what reason he came thither so late, and why he was
+looking out for provisions for supper when it was dark? To which he
+replied, that he was a Levite, and was bringing his wife from her
+parents, and was going home; but he told him his habitation was in the
+tribe of Ephraim: so the old man, as well because of their kindred as
+because they lived in the same tribe, and also because they had thus
+accidentally met together, took him in to lodge with him. Now certain
+young men of the inhabitants of Gibeah, having seen the woman in the
+market-place, and admiring her beauty, when they understood that she
+lodged with the old man, came to the doors, as contemning the weakness
+and fewness of the old man's family; and when the old man desired them
+to go away, and not to offer any violence or abuse there, they desired
+him to yield them up the strange woman, and then he should have no harm
+done to him: and when the old man alleged that the Levite was of his
+kindred, and that they would be guilty of horrid wickedness if they
+suffered themselves to be overcome by their pleasures, and so offend
+against their laws, they despised his righteous admonition, and laughed
+him to scorn. They also threatened to kill him if he became an obstacle
+to their inclinations; whereupon, when he found himself in great
+distress, and yet was not willing to overlook his guests, and see them
+abused, he produced his own daughter to them; and told them that it was
+a smaller breach of the law to satisfy their lust upon her, than to
+abuse his guests, supposing that he himself should by this means prevent
+any injury to be done to those guests. When they no way abated of their
+earnestness for the strange woman, but insisted absolutely on their
+desires to have her, he entreated them not to perpetrate any such act of
+injustice; but they proceeded to take her away by force, and indulging
+still more the violence of their inclinations, they took the woman away
+to their house, and when they had satisfied their lust upon her the
+whole night, they let her go about daybreak. So she came to the place
+where she had been entertained, under great affliction at what had
+happened; and was very sorrowful upon occasion of what she had suffered,
+and durst not look her husband in the face for shame, for she concluded
+that he would never forgive her for what she had done; so she fell down,
+and gave up the ghost: but her husband supposed that his wife was only
+fast asleep, and, thinking nothing of a more melancholy nature had
+happened, endeavored to raise her up, resolving to speak comfortably to
+her, since she did not voluntarily expose herself to these men's lust,
+but was forced away to their house; but as soon as he perceived she was
+dead, he acted as prudently as the greatness of his misfortunes would
+admit, and laid his dead wife upon the beast, and carried her home; and
+cutting her, limb by limb, into twelve pieces, he sent them to every
+tribe, and gave it in charge to those that carried them, to inform the
+tribes of those that were the causes of his wife's death, and of the
+violence they had offered to her.
+
+9. Upon this the people were greatly disturbed at what they saw, and at
+what they heard, as never having had the experience of such a thing
+before; so they gathered themselves to Shiloh, out of a prodigious and a
+just anger, and assembling in a great congregation before the
+tabernacle, they immediately resolved to take arms, and to treat the
+inhabitants of Gibeah as enemies; but the senate restrained them from
+doing so, and persuaded them, that they ought not so hastily to make war
+upon people of the same nation with them, before they discoursed them by
+words concerning the accusation laid against them; it being part of
+their law, that they should not bring an army against foreigners
+themselves, when they appear to have been injurious, without sending an
+ambassage first, and trying thereby whether they will repent or not: and
+accordingly they exhorted them to do what they ought to do in obedience
+to their laws, that is, to send to the inhabitants of Gibeah, to know
+whether they would deliver up the offenders to them, and if they deliver
+them up, to rest satisfied with the punishment of those offenders; but
+if they despised the message that was sent them, to punish them by
+taking, up arms against them. Accordingly they sent to the inhabitants
+of Gibeah, and accused the young men of the crimes committed in the
+affair of the Levite's wife, and required of them those that had done
+what was contrary to the law, that they might be punished, as having
+justly deserved to die for what they had done; but the inhabitants of
+Gibeah would not deliver up the young men, and thought it too
+reproachful to them, out of fear of war, to submit to other men's
+demands upon them; vaunting themselves to be no way inferior to any in
+war, neither in their number nor in courage. The rest of their tribe
+were also making great preparation for war, for they were so insolently
+mad as also to resolve to repel force by force.
+
+10. When it was related to the Israelites what the inhabitants of Gibeah
+had resolved upon, they took their oath that no one of them would give
+his daughter in marriage to a Benjamite, but make war with greater fury
+against them than we have learned our forefathers made war against the
+Canaanites; and sent out presently an army of four hundred thousand
+against them, while the Benjamites' army-was twenty-five thousand and
+six hundred; five hundred of whom were excellent at slinging stones with
+their left hands, insomuch that when the battle was joined at Gibeah the
+Benjamites beat the Israelites, and of them there fell two thousand men;
+and probably more had been destroyed had not the night came on and
+prevented it, and broken off the fight; so the Benjamites returned to
+the city with joy, and the Israelites returned to their camp in a great
+fright at what had happened. On the next day, when they fought again,
+the Benjamites beat them; and eighteen thousand of the Israelites were
+slain, and the rest deserted their camp out of fear of a greater
+slaughter. So they came to Bethel, 13 a city that was near their camp,
+and fasted on the next day; and besought God, by Phineas the high
+priest, that his wrath against them might cease, and that he would be
+satisfied with these two defeats, and give them the victory and power
+over their enemies. Accordingly God promised them so to do, by the
+prophesying of Phineas.
+
+11. When therefore they had divided the army into two parts, they laid
+the one half of them in ambush about the city Gibeah by night, while the
+other half attacked the Benjamites, who retiring upon the assault, the
+Benjamites pursued them, while the Hebrews retired by slow degrees, as
+very desirous to draw them entirely from the city; and the other
+followed them as they retired, till both the old men and the young men
+that were left in the city, as too weak to fight, came running out
+together with them, as willing to bring their enemies under. However,
+when they were a great way from the city the Hebrews ran away no longer,
+but turned back to fight them, and lifted up the signal they had agreed
+on to those that lay in ambush, who rose up, and with a great noise fell
+upon the enemy. Now, as soon as ever they perceived themselves to be
+deceived, they knew not what to do; and when they were driven into a
+certain hollow place which was in a valley, they were shot at by those
+that encompassed them, till they were all destroyed, excepting six
+hundred, which formed themselves into a close body of men, and forced
+their passage through the midst of their enemies, and fled to the
+neighboring mountains, and, seizing upon them, remained there; but the
+rest of them, being about twenty-five thousand, were slain. Then did the
+Israelites burn Gibeah, and slew the women, and the males that were
+under age; and did the same also to the other cities of the Benjamites;
+and, indeed, they were enraged to that degree, that they sent twelve
+thousand men out of the army, and gave them orders to destroy Jabesh
+Gilead, because it did not join with them in fighting against the
+Benjamites. Accordingly, those that were sent slew the men of war, with
+their children and wives, excepting four hundred virgins. To such a
+degree had they proceeded in their anger, because they not only had the
+suffering of the Levite's wife to avenge, but the slaughter of their own
+soldiers.
+
+12. However, they afterward were sorry for the calamity they had brought
+upon the Benjamites, and appointed a fast on that account, although they
+supposed those men had suffered justly for their offense against the
+laws; so they recalled by their ambassadors those six hundred which had
+escaped. These had seated themselves on a certain rock called Rimmon,
+which was in the wilderness. So the ambassadors lamented not only the
+disaster that had befallen the Benjamites, but themselves also, by this
+destruction of their kindred; and persuaded them to take it patiently;
+and to come and unite with them, and not, so far as in them lay, to give
+their suffrage to the utter destruction of the tribe of Benjamin; and
+said to them, "We give you leave to take the whole land of Benjamin to
+yourselves, and as much prey as you are able to carry away with you." So
+these men with sorrow confessed, that what had been done was according
+to the decree of God, and had happened for their own wickedness; and
+assented to those that invited them, and came down to their own tribe.
+The Israelites also gave them the four hundred virgins of Jabesh Gilead
+for wives; but as to the remaining two hundred, they deliberated about
+it how they might compass wives enough for them, and that they might
+have children by them; and whereas they had, before the war began, taken
+an oath, that no one would give his daughter to wife to a Benjamite,
+some advised them to have no regard to what they had sworn, because the
+oath had not been taken advisedly and judiciously, but in a passion, and
+thought that they should do nothing against God, if they were able to
+save a whole tribe which was in danger of perishing; and that perjury
+was then a sad and dangerous thing, not when it is done out of
+necessity, but when it is done with a wicked intention. But when the
+senate were affrighted at the very name of perjury, a certain person
+told them that he could show them a way whereby they might procure the
+Benjamites wives enough, and yet keep their oath. They asked him what
+his proposal was. He said, "That three times in a year, when we meet in
+Shiloh, our wives and our daughters accompany us: let then the
+Benjamites be allowed to steal away, and marry such women as they can
+catch, while we will neither incite them nor forbid them; and when their
+parents take it ill, and desire us to inflict punishment upon them, we
+will tell them, that they were themselves the cause of what had
+happened, by neglecting to guard their daughters, and that they ought
+not to be over angry at the Benjamites, since that anger was permitted
+to rise too high already." So the Israelites were persuaded to follow
+this advice, and decreed, That the Benjamites should be allowed thus to
+steal themselves wives. So when the festival was coming on, these two
+hundred Benjamites lay in ambush before the city, by two and three
+together, and waited for the coming of the virgins, in the vineyards and
+other places where they could lie concealed. Accordingly the virgins
+came along playing, and suspected nothing of what was coming upon them,
+and walked after an unguarded manner, so those that laid scattered in
+the road, rose up, and caught hold of them: by this means these
+Benjamites got them wives, and fell to agriculture, and took good care
+to recover their former happy state. And thus was this tribe of the
+Benjamites, after they had been in danger of entirely perishing, saved
+in the manner forementioned, by the wisdom of the Israelites; and
+accordingly it presently flourished, and soon increased to be a
+multitude, and came to enjoy all other degrees of happiness. And such
+was the conclusion of this war.
+
+
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER 3. How The Israelites After This Misfortune Grew Wicked And
+Served The Assyrians; And How God Delivered Them By Othniel, Who Ruled
+Over The Forty Years.
+
+1. Now it happened that the tribe of Dan suffered in like manner with
+the tribe of Benjamin; and it came to do so on the occasion
+following:—When the Israelites had already left off the exercise of
+their arms for war, and were intent upon their husbandry, the Canaanites
+despised them, and brought together an army, not because they expected
+to suffer by them, but because they had a mind to have a sure prospect
+of treating the Hebrews ill when they pleased, and might thereby for the
+time to come dwell in their own cities the more securely; they prepared
+therefore their chariots, and gathered their soldiery together, their
+cities also combined together, and drew over to them Askelon and Ekron,
+which were within the tribe of Judah, and many more of those that lay in
+the plain. They also forced the Danites to fly into the mountainous
+country, and left them not the least portion of the plain country to set
+their foot on. Since then these Danites were not able to fight them, and
+had not land enough to sustain them, they sent five of their men into
+the midland country, to seek for a land to which they might remove their
+habitation. So these men went as far as the neighborhood of Mount
+Libanus, and the fountains of the Lesser Jordan, at the great plain of
+Sidon, a day's journey from the city; and when they had taken a view of
+the land, and found it to be good and exceeding fruitful, they
+acquainted their tribe with it, whereupon they made an expedition with
+the army, and built there the city Dan, of the same name with the son of
+Jacob, and of the same name with their own tribe.
+
+2. The Israelites grew so indolent, and unready of taking pains, that
+misfortunes came heavier upon them, which also proceeded in part from
+their contempt of the Divine worship; for when they had once fallen off
+from the regularity of their political government, they indulged
+themselves further in living according to their own pleasure, and
+according to their own will, till they were full of the evil doings that
+were common among the Canaanites. God therefore was angry with them, and
+they lost that their happy state which they had obtained by innumerable
+labors, by their luxury; for when Chushan, king of the Assyrians, had
+made war against them, they lost many of their soldiers in the battle,
+and when they were besieged, they were taken by force; nay, there were
+some who, out of fear, voluntarily submitted to him, and though the
+tribute laid upon them was more than they could bear, yet did they pay
+it, and underwent all sort of oppression for eight years; after which
+time they were freed from them in the following manner:—
+
+3. There was one whose name was Othniel, the son of Kenaz, of the tribe
+of Judah, an active man and of great courage. He had an admonition from
+God not to overlook the Israelites in such a distress as they were now
+in, but to endeavor boldly to gain them their liberty; so when he had
+procured some to assist him in this dangerous undertaking, [and few they
+were, who, either out of shame at their present circumstances, or out of
+a desire of changing them, could be prevailed on to assist him,] he
+first of all destroyed that garrison which Chushan had set over them;
+but when it was perceived that he had not failed in his first attempt,
+more of the people came to his assistance; so they joined battle with
+the Assyrians, and drove them entirely before them, and compelled them
+to pass over Euphrates. Hereupon Othniel, who had given such proofs of
+his valor, received from the multitude authority to judge the people;
+and when he had ruled over them forty years, he died.
+
+
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER 4. How Our People Served The Moabites Eighteen Years, And Were
+Then Delivered From Slavery By One Ehud Who Retained The Dominion Eighty
+Years.
+
+1. When Othniel was dead, the affairs of the Israelites fell again into
+disorder: and while they neither paid to God the honor due to him, nor
+were obedient to the laws, their afflictions increased, till Eglon, king
+of the Moabites, did so greatly despise them on account of the disorders
+of their political government, that he made war upon them, and overcame
+them in several battles, and made the most courageous to submit, and
+entirely subdued their army, and ordered them to pay him tribute. And
+when he had built him a royal palace at Jericho, 14 he omitted no method
+whereby he might distress them; and indeed he reduced them to poverty
+for eighteen years. But when God had once taken pity of the Israelites,
+on account of their afflictions, and was moved to compassion by their
+supplications put up to him, he freed them from the hard usage they had
+met with under the Moabites. This liberty he procured for them in the
+following manner;—
+
+2. There was a young man of the tribe of Benjamin, whose name was Ehud,
+the son of Gera, a man of very great courage in bold undertakings, and
+of a very strong body, fit for hard labor, but best skilled in using his
+left hand, in which was his whole strength; and he also dwelt at
+Jericho. Now this man became familiar with Eglon, and that by means of
+presents, with which he obtained his favor, and insinuated himself into
+his good opinion; whereby he was also beloved of those that were about
+the king. Now, when on a time he was bringing presents to the king, and
+had two servants with him, he put a dagger on his right thigh secretly,
+and went in to him: it was then summer time, and the middle of the day,
+when the guards were not strictly on their watch, both because of the
+heat, and because they were gone to dinner. So the young man, when he
+had offered his presents to the king, who then resided in a small parlor
+that stood conveniently to avoid the heat, fell into discourse with him,
+for they were now alone, the king having bid his servants that attended
+him to go their ways, because he had a mind to talk with Ehud. He was
+now sitting on his throne; and fear seized upon Ehud lest he should miss
+his stroke, and not give him a deadly wound; so he raised himself up,
+and said he had a dream to impart to him by the command of God; upon
+which the king leaped out of his throne for joy of the dream; so Ehud
+smote him to the heart, and leaving his dagger in his body, he went out
+and shut the door after him. Now the king's servants were very still, as
+supposing that the king had composed himself to sleep.
+
+3. Hereupon Ehud informed the people of Jericho privately of what he had
+done, and exhorted them to recover their liberty; who heard him gladly,
+and went to their arms, and sent messengers over the country, that
+should sound trumpets of rams' horns; for it was our custom to call the
+people together by them. Now the attendants of Eglon were ignorant of
+what misfortune had befallen him for a great while; but, towards the
+evening, fearing some uncommon accident had happened, they entered into
+his parlor, and when they found him dead, they were in great disorder,
+and knew not what to do; and before the guards could be got together,
+the multitude of the Israelites came upon them, so that some of them
+were slain immediately, and some were put to flight, and ran away toward
+the country of Moab, in order to save themselves. Their number was above
+ten thousand. The Israelites seized upon the ford of Jordan, and pursued
+them, and slew them, and many of them they killed at the ford, nor did
+one of them escape out of their hands; and by this means it was that the
+Hebrews freed themselves from slavery under the Moabites. Ehud also was
+on this account dignified with the government over all the multitude,
+and died after he had held the government eighty years 15 He was a man
+worthy of commendation, even besides what he deserved for the
+forementioned act of his. After him Shamgat, the son of Anath, was
+elected for their governor, but died in the first year of his
+government.
+
+
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER 5. How The Canaanites Brought The Israelites Under Slavery For
+Twenty Years; After Which They Were Delivered By Barak And Deborah, Who
+Ruled Over Them For Forty Years.
+
+1. And now it was that the Israelites, taking no warning by their former
+misfortunes to amend their manners, and neither worshipping God nor
+submitting to the laws, were brought under slavery by Jabin, the king of
+the Canaanites, and that before they had a short breathing time after
+the slavery under the Moabites; for this Jabin out of Hazor, a city that
+was situate over the Semechonitis, and had in pay three hundred footmen,
+and ten thousand horsemen, with fewer than three thousand chariots.
+Sisera was commander of all his army, and was the principal person in
+the king's favor. He so sorely beat the Israelites when they fought with
+him, that he ordered them to pay tribute.
+
+2. So they continued to that hardship for twenty years, as not good
+enough of themselves to grow wise by their misfortunes. God was willing
+also hereby the more to subdue their obstinacy and ingratitude towards
+himself: so when at length they were become penitent, and were so wise
+as to learn that their calamities arose from their contempt of the laws,
+they besought Deborah, a certain prophetess among them, [which name in
+the Hebrew tongue signifies a Bee,] to pray to God to take pity on them,
+and not to overlook them, now they were ruined by the Canaanites. So God
+granted them deliverance, and chose them a general, Barak, one that was
+of the tribe of Naphtali. Now Barak, in the Hebrew tongue, signifies
+Lightning.
+
+3. So Deborah sent for Barak, and bade him choose out ten thousand young
+men to go against the enemy, because God had said that that number was
+sufficient, and promised them victory. But when Barak said that he would
+not be the general unless she would also go as a general with him, she
+had indignation at what he said "Thou, O Barak, deliverest up meanly
+that authority which God hath given thee into the hand of a woman, and I
+do not reject it!" So they collected ten thousand men, and pitched their
+camp at Mount Tabor, where, at the king's command, Sisera met them, and
+pitched his camp not far from the enemy; whereupon the Israelites, and
+Barak himself, were so affrighted at the multitude of those enemies,
+that they were resolved to march off, had not Deborah retained them, and
+commanded them to fight the enemy that very day, for that they should
+conquer them, and God would be their assistance.
+
+4. So the battle began; and when they were come to a close fight, there
+came down from heaven a great storm, with a vast quantity of rain and
+hail, and the wind blew the rain in the face of the Canaanites, and so
+darkened their eyes, that their arrows and slings were of no advantage
+to them, nor would the coldness of the air permit the soldiers to make
+use of their swords; while this storm did not so much incommode the
+Israelites, because it came in their backs. They also took such courage,
+upon the apprehension that God was assisting them, that they fell upon
+the very midst of their enemies, and slew a great number of them; so
+that some of them fell by the Israelites, some fell by their own horses,
+which were put into disorder, and not a few were killed by their own
+chariots. At last Sisera, as soon as he saw himself beaten, fled away,
+and came to a woman whose name was Jael, a Kenite, who received him,
+when he desired to be concealed; and when he asked for somewhat to
+drink, she gave him sour milk, of which he drank so unmeasurably that he
+fell asleep; but when he was asleep, Jael took an iron nail, and with a
+hammer drove it through his temples into the floor; and when Barak came
+a little afterward, she showed Sisera nailed to the ground: and thus was
+this victory gained by a woman, as Deborah had foretold. Barak also
+fought with Jabin at Hazor; and when he met with him, he slew him: and
+when the general was fallen, Barak overthrew the city to the foundation,
+and was the commander of the Israelites for forty years.
+
+
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER 6. How The Midianites And Other Nations Fought Against The
+Israelites And Beat Them, And Afflicted Their Country For Seven Years,
+How They Were Delivered By Gideon, Who Ruled Over The Multitude For
+Forty Years.
+
+1. Now when Barak and Deborah were dead, whose deaths happened about the
+same time, afterwards the Midianites called the Amalekites and Arabians
+to their assistance, and made war against the Israelites, and were too
+hard for those that fought against them; and when they had burnt the
+fruits of the earth, they carried off the prey. Now when they had done
+this for three years, the multitude of the Israelites retired to the
+mountains, and forsook the plain country. They also made themselves
+hollows under ground, and caverns, and preserved therein whatsoever had
+escaped their enemies; for the Midianites made expeditions in harvest-
+time, but permitted them to plough the land in winter, that so, when the
+others had taken the pains, they might have fruits for them to carry
+away. Indeed, there ensued a famine and a scarcity of food; upon which
+they betook themselves to their supplications to God, and besought him
+to save them.
+
+2. Gideon also, the son of Joash, one of the principal persons of the
+tribe of Manasseh, brought his sheaves of corn privately, and thrashed
+them at the wine-press; for he was too fearful of their enemies to
+thrash them openly in the thrashing-floor. At this time somewhat
+appeared to him in the shape of a young man, and told him that he was a
+happy man, and beloved of God. To which he immediately replied, "A
+mighty indication of God's favor to me, that I am forced to use this
+wine-press instead of a thrashing-floor!" But the appearance exhorted
+him to be of good courage, and to make an attempt for the recovery of
+their liberty. He answered, that it was impossible for him to recover
+it, because the tribe to which he belonged was by no means numerous; and
+because he was but young himself, and too inconsiderable to think of
+such great actions. But the other promised him, that God would supply
+what he was defective in, and would afford the Israelites victory under
+his conduct.
+
+3. Now, therefore, as Gideon was relating this to some young men, they
+believed him, and immediately there was an army of ten thousand men got
+ready for fighting. But God stood by Gideon in his sleep, and told him
+that mankind were too fond of themselves, and were enemies to such as
+excelled in virtue. Now that they might not pass God over, but ascribe
+the victory to him, and might not fancy it obtained by their own power,
+because they were a great many, and able of themselves to fight their
+enemies, but might confess that it was owing to his assistance, he
+advised him to bring his army about noon, in the violence of the heat,
+to the river, and to esteem those that bent down on their knees, and so
+drank, to be men of courage; but for all those that drank tumultuously,
+that he should esteem them to do it out of fear, and as in dread of
+their enemies. And when Gideon had done as God had suggested to him,
+there were found three hundred men that took water with their hands
+tumultuously; so God bid him take these men, and attack the enemy.
+Accordingly they pitched their camp at the river Jordan, as ready the
+next day to pass over it.
+
+4. But Gideon was in great fear, for God had told him beforehand that he
+should set upon his enemies in the night-time; but God, being willing to
+free him from his fear, bid him take one of his soldiers, and go near to
+the Midianites' tents, for that he should from that very place have his
+courage raised, and grow bold. So he obeyed, and went and took his
+servant Phurah with him; and as he came near to one of the tents, he
+discovered that those that were in it were awake, and that one of them
+was telling to his fellow soldier a dream of his own, and that so
+plainly that Gideon could hear him. The dream was this:—He thought he
+saw a barley-cake, such a one as could hardly be eaten by men, it was so
+vile, rolling through the camp, and overthrowing the royal tent, and the
+tents of all the soldiers. Now the other soldier explained this vision
+to mean the destruction of the army; and told them what his reason was
+which made him so conjecture, viz. That the seed called barley was all
+of it allowed to be of the vilest sort of seed, and that the Israelites
+were known to be the vilest of all the people of Asia, agreeably to the
+seed of barley, and that what seemed to look big among the Israelites
+was this Gideon and the army that was with him; "and since thou sayest
+thou didst see the cake overturning our tents, I am afraid lest God hath
+granted the victory over us to Gideon."
+
+5. When Gideon had heard this dream, good hope and courage came upon
+him; and he commanded his soldiers to arm themselves, and told them of
+this vision of their enemies. They also took courage at what was told
+them, and were ready to perform what he should enjoin them. So Gideon
+divided his army into three parts, and brought it out about the fourth
+watch of the night, each part containing a hundred men: they all bare
+empty pitchers and lighted lamps in their hands, that their onset might
+not be discovered by their enemies. They had also each of them a ram's
+horn in his right hand, which he used instead of a trumpet. The enemy's
+camp took up a large space of ground, for it happened that they had a
+great many camels; and as they were divided into different nations, so
+they were all contained in one circle. Now when the Hebrews did as they
+were ordered beforehand, upon their approach to their enemies, and, on
+the signal given, sounded with their rams' horns, and brake their
+pitchers, and set upon their enemies with their lamps, and a great
+shout, and cried, "Victory to Gideon, by God's assistance," a disorder
+and a fright seized upon the other men while they were half asleep, for
+it was night-time, as God would have it; so that a few of them were
+slain by their enemies, but the greatest part by their own soldiers, on
+account of the diversity of their language; and when they were once put
+into disorder, they killed all that they met with, as thinking them to
+be enemies also. Thus there was a great slaughter made. And as the
+report of Gideon's victory came to the Israelites, they took their
+weapons and pursued their enemies, and overtook them in a certain valley
+encompassed with torrents, a place which these could not get over; so
+they encompassed them, and slew them all, with their kings, Oreb and
+Zeeb. But the remaining captains led those soldiers that were left,
+which were about eighteen thousand, and pitched their camp a great way
+off the Israelites. However, Gideon did not grudge his pains, but
+pursued them with all his army, and joining battle with them, cut off
+the whole enemies' army, and took the other leaders, Zeba and Zalmuna,
+and made them captives. Now there were slain in this battle of the
+Midianites, and of their auxiliaries the Arabians, about a hundred and
+twenty thousand; and the Hebrews took a great prey, gold, and silver,
+and garments, and camels, and asses. And when Gideon was come to his own
+country of Ophrah, he slew the kings of the Midianites.
+
+6. However, the tribe of Ephraim was so displeased at the good success
+of Gideon, that they resolved to make war against him, accusing him
+because he did not tell them of his expedition against their enemies.
+But Gideon, as a man of temper, and that excelled in every virtue,
+pleaded, that it was not the result of his own authority or reasoning,
+that made him attack the enemy without them; but that it was the command
+of God, and still the victory belonged to them as well as those in the
+army. And by this method of cooling their passions, he brought more
+advantage to the Hebrews, than by the success he had against these
+enemies, for he thereby delivered them from a sedition which was arising
+among them; yet did this tribe afterwards suffer the punishment of this
+their injurious treatment of Gideon, of which we will give an account in
+due time.
+
+7. Hereupon Gideon would have laid down the government, but was over-
+persuaded to take it, which he enjoyed forty years, and distributed
+justice to them, as the people came to him in their differences; and
+what he determined was esteemed valid by all. And when he died, he was
+buried in his own country of Ophrah.
+
+
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER 7. That The Judges Who Succeeded Gideon Made War With The
+Adjoining Nations For A Long Time.
+
+1. Now Gideon had seventy sons that were legitimate, for he had many
+wives; but he had also one that was spurious, by his concubine Drumah,
+whose name was Abimelech, who, after his father's death, retired to
+Shechem to his mother's relations, for they were of that place: and when
+he had got money of such of them as were eminent for many instances of
+injustice, he came with them to his father's house, and slew all his
+brethren, except Jotham, for he had the good fortune to escape and be
+preserved; but Abimelech made the government tyrannical, and constituted
+himself a lord, to do what he pleased, instead of obeying the laws; and
+he acted most rigidly against those that were the patrons of justice.
+
+2. Now when, on a certain time, there was a public festival at Shechem,
+and all the multitude was there gathered together, Jotham his brother,
+whose escape we before related, went up to Mount Gerizzim, which hangs
+over the city Shechem, and cried out so as to be heard by the multitude,
+who were attentive to him. He desired they would consider what he was
+going to say to them: so when silence was made, he said, That when the
+trees had a human voice, and there was an assembly of them gathered
+together, they desired that the fig-tree would rule over them; but when
+that tree refused so to do, because it was contented to enjoy that honor
+which belonged peculiarly to the fruit it bare, and not that which
+should be derived to it from abroad, the trees did not leave off their
+intentions to have a ruler, so they thought proper to make the offer of
+that honor to the vine; but when the vine was chosen, it made use of the
+same words which the fig-tree had used before, and excused itself from
+accepting the government: and when the olive-tree had done the same, the
+brier, whom the trees had desired to take the kingdom, [it is a sort of
+wood good for firing,] it promised to take the government, and to be
+zealous in the exercise of it; but that then they must sit down under
+its shadow, and if they should plot against it to destroy it, the
+principle of fire that was in it should destroy them. He told them, that
+what he had said was no laughing matter; for that when they had
+experienced many blessings from Gideon, they overlooked Abimelech, when
+he overruled all, and had joined with him in slaying his brethren; and
+that he was no better than a fire himself. So when he had said this, he
+went away, and lived privately in the mountains for three years, out of
+fear of Abimelech.
+
+3. A little while after this festival, the Shechemites, who had now
+repented themselves of having slain the sons of Gideon, drove Abimelech
+away, both from their city and their tribe; whereupon he contrived how
+he might distress their city. Now at the season of vintage, the people
+were afraid to go out and gather their fruits, for fear Abimelech should
+do them some mischief. Now it happened that there had come to them a man
+of authority, one Gaal, that sojourned with them, having his armed men
+and his kinsmen with him; so the Shechemites desired that he would allow
+them a guard during their vintage; whereupon he accepted of their
+desires, and so the people went out, and Gaal with them at the head of
+his soldiery. So they gathered their fruit with safety; and when they
+were at supper in several companies, they then ventured to curse
+Abimelech openly; and the magistrates laid ambushes in places about the
+city, and caught many of Abimelech's followers, and destroyed them.
+
+4. Now there was one Zebul, a magistrate of the Shechemites, that had
+entertained Abimelech. He sent messengers, and informed him how much
+Gaal had irritated the people against him, and excited him to lay
+ambushes before the city, for that he would persuade Gaal to go out
+against him, which would leave it in his power to be revenged on him;
+and when that was once done, he would bring him to be reconciled to the
+city. So Abimelech laid ambushes, and himself lay with them. Now Gaal
+abode in the suburbs, taking little care of himself; and Zebul was with
+him. Now as Gaal saw the armed men coming on, he said to Zebul, That
+some armed men were coming; but the other replied, They were only
+shadows of huge stones: and when they were come nearer, Gaal perceived
+what was the reality, and said, They were not shadows, but men lying in
+ambush. Then said Zebul, "Didst not thou reproach Abimelech for
+cowardice? why dost thou not then show how very courageous thou art
+thyself, and go and fight him?" So Gaal, being in disorder, joined
+battle with Abimelech, and some of his men fell; whereupon he fled into
+the city, and took his men with him. But Zebul managed his matters so in
+the city, that he procured them to expel Gaal out of the city, and this
+by accusing him of cowardice in this action with the soldiers of
+Ahimelech. But Abimelech, when he had learned that the Shechemites were
+again coming out to gather their grapes, placed ambushes before the
+city, and when they were coming out, the third part of his army took
+possession of the gates, to hinder the citizens from returning in again,
+while the rest pursued those that were scattered abroad, and so there
+was slaughter every where; and when he had overthrown the city to the
+very foundations, for it was not able to bear a siege, and had sown its
+ruins with salt, he proceeded on with his army till all the Shechemites
+were slain. As for those that were scattered about the country, and so
+escaped the danger, they were gathered together unto a certain strong
+rock, and settled themselves upon it, and prepared to build a wall about
+it: and when Abimelech knew their intentions, he prevented them, and
+came upon them with his forces, and laid faggots of dry wood round the
+place, he himself bringing some of them, and by his example encouraging
+the soldiers to do the same. And when the rock was encompassed round
+about with these faggots, they set them on fire, and threw in whatsoever
+by nature caught fire the most easily: so a mighty flame was raised, and
+nobody could fly away from the rock, but every man perished, with their
+wives and children, in all about fifteen hundred men, and the rest were
+a great number also. And such was the calamity which fell upon the
+Shechemites; and men's grief on their account had been greater than it
+was, had they not brought so much mischief on a person who had so well
+deserved of them, and had they not themselves esteemed this as a
+punishment for the same.
+
+5. Now Abimelech, when he had affrighted the Israelites with the
+miseries he had brought upon the Shechemites, seemed openly to affect
+greater authority than he now had, and appeared to set no bounds to his
+violence, unless it were with the destruction of all. Accordingly he
+marched to Thebes, and took the city on the sudden; and there being a
+great tower therein, whereunto the whole multitude fled, he made
+preparation to besiege it. Now as he was rushing with violence near the
+gates, a woman threw a piece of a millstone upon his head, upon which
+Abimelech fell down, and desired his armor-bearer to kill him lest his
+death should be thought to be the work of a woman:—who did what he was
+bid to do. So he underwent this death as a punishment for the wickedness
+he had perpetrated against his brethren, and his insolent barbarity to
+the Shechemites. Now the calamity that happened to those Shechemites was
+according to the prediction of Jotham, However, the army that was with
+Abimelech, upon his fall, was scattered abroad, and went to their own
+homes.
+
+6. Now it was that Jair the Gileadite, 16 of the tribe of Manasseh, took
+the government. He was a man happy in other respects also, but
+particularly in his children, who were of a good character. They were
+thirty in number, and very skillful in riding on horses, and were
+intrusted with the government of the cities of Gilead. He kept the
+government twenty-two years, and died an old man; and he was buried in
+Camon, a city of Gilead.
+
+7. And now all the affairs of the Hebrews were managed uncertainly, and
+tended to disorder, and to the contempt of God and of the laws. So the
+Ammonites and Philistines had them in contempt, and laid waste the
+country with a great army; and when they had taken all Perea, they were
+so insolent as to attempt to gain the possession of all the rest. But
+the Hebrews, being now amended by the calamities they had undergone,
+betook themselves to supplications to God; and brought sacrifices to
+him, beseeching him not to be too severe upon them, but to be moved by
+their prayers to leave off his anger against them. So God became more
+merciful to them, and was ready to assist them.
+
+8. When the Ammonites had made an expedition into the land of Gilead,
+the inhabitants of the country met them at a certain mountain, but
+wanted a commander. Now there was one whose name was Jephtha, who, both
+on account of his father's virtue, and on account of that army which he
+maintained at his own expenses, was a potent man: the Israelites
+therefore sent to him, and entreated him to come to their assistance,
+and promised him the dominion over them all his lifetime. But he did not
+admit of their entreaty; and accused them, that they did not come to his
+assistance when he was unjustly treated, and this in an open manner by
+his brethren; for they cast him off, as not having the same mother with
+the rest, but born of a strange mother, that was introduced among them
+by his father's fondness; and this they did out of a contempt of his
+inability [to vindicate himself]. So he dwelt in the country of Gilead,
+as it is called, and received all that came to him, let them come from
+what place soever, and paid them wages. However, when they pressed him
+to accept the dominion, and sware they would grant him the government
+over them all his life, he led them to the war.
+
+9. And when Jephtha had taken immediate care of their affairs, he placed
+his army at the city Mizpeh, and sent a message to the Ammonite [king],
+complaining of his unjust possession of their land. But that king sent a
+contrary message; and complained of the exodus of the Israelites out of
+Egypt, and desired him to go out of the land of the Amorites, and yield
+it up to him, as at first his paternal inheritance. But Jephtha returned
+this answer: That he did not justly complain of his ancestors about the
+land of the Amorites, and ought rather to thank them that they left the
+land of the Ammonites to them, since Moses could have taken it also; and
+that neither would he recede from that land of their own, which God had
+obtained for them, and they had now inhabited [above] three hundred
+years, but would fight with them about it.
+
+10. And when he had given them this answer, he sent the ambassadors
+away. And when he had prayed for victory, and had vowed to perform
+sacred offices, and if he came home in safety, to offer in sacrifice
+what living creature soever should first meet him, 17 he joined battle
+with the enemy, and gained a great victory, and in his pursuit slew the
+enemies all along as far as the city of Minnith. He then passed over to
+the land of the Ammonites, and overthrew many of their cities, and took
+their prey, and freed his own people from that slavery which they had
+undergone for eighteen years. But as he came back, he fell into a
+calamity no way correspondent to the great actions he had done; for it
+was his daughter that came to meet him; she was also an only child and a
+virgin: upon this Jephtha heavily lamented the greatness of his
+affliction, and blamed his daughter for being so forward in meeting him,
+for he had vowed to sacrifice her to God. However, this action that was
+to befall her was not ungrateful to her, since she should die upon
+occasion of her father's victory, and the liberty of her fellow
+citizens: she only desired her father to give her leave, for two months,
+to bewail her youth with her fellow citizens; and then she agreed, that
+at the forementioned time he might do with her according to his vow.
+Accordingly, when that time was over, he sacrificed his daughter as a
+burnt-offering, offering such an oblation as was neither conformable to
+the law nor acceptable to God, not weighing with himself what opinion
+the hearers would have of such a practice.
+
+11. Now the tribe of Ephraim fought against him, because he did not take
+them along with him in his expedition against the Ammonites, but because
+he alone had the prey, and the glory of what was done to himself. As to
+which he said, first, that they were not ignorant how his kindred had
+fought against him, and that when they were invited, they did not come
+to his assistance, whereas they ought to have come quickly, even before
+they were invited. And in the next place, that they were going to act
+unjustly; for while they had not courage enough to fight their enemies,
+they came hastily against their own kindred: and he threatened them
+that, with God's assistance, he would inflict a punishment upon them,
+unless they would grow wiser. But when he could not persuade them, he
+fought with them with those forces which he sent for out of Gilead, and
+he made a great slaughter among them; and when they were beaten, he
+pursued them, and seized on the passages of Jordan by a part of his army
+which he had sent before, and slew about forty-two thousand of them.
+
+12. So when Jephtha had ruled six years, he died, and was buried in his
+own country, Sebee, which is a place in the land of Gilead.
+
+13. Now when Jephtha was dead, Ibzan took the government, being of the
+tribe of Judah, and of the city of Bethlehem. He had sixty children,
+thirty of them sons, and the rest daughters; all whom he left alive
+behind him, giving the daughters in marriage to husbands, and taking
+wives for his sons. He did nothing in the seven years of his
+administration that was worth recording, or deserved a memorial. So he
+died an old man, and was buried in his own country.
+
+14. When Ibzan was dead after this manner, neither did Helon, who
+succeeded him in the government, and kept it ten years, do any thing
+remarkable: he was of the tribe of Zebulon.
+
+15. Abdon also, the son of Hilel, of the tribe of Ephraim, and born at
+the city Pyrathon, was ordained their supreme governor after Helon. He
+is only recorded to have been happy in his children; for the public
+affairs were then so peaceable, and in such security, that neither did
+he perform any glorious action. He had forty sons, and by them left
+thirty grandchildren; and he marched in state with these seventy, who
+were all very skillful in riding horses; and he left them all alive
+after him. He died an old man, and obtained a magnificent burial in
+Pyrathon.
+
+
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER 8. Concerning The Fortitude Of Samson, And What Mischiefs He
+Brought Upon The Philistines.
+
+1. After Abdon was dead, the Philistines overcame the Israelites, and
+received tribute of them for forty years; from which distress they were
+delivered after this manner:—
+
+2. There was one Manoah, a person of such great virtue, that he had few
+men his equals, and without dispute the principal person of his country.
+He had a wife celebrated for her beauty, and excelling her
+contemporaries. He had no children; and, being uneasy at his want of
+posterity, he entreated God to give them seed of their own bodies to
+succeed them; and with that intent he came constantly into the suburbs
+18 together with his wife; which suburbs were in the Great Plain. Now he
+was fond of his wife to a degree of madness, and on that account was
+unmeasurably jealous of her. Now, when his wife was once alone, an
+apparition was seen by her: it was an angel of God, and resembled a
+young man beautiful and tall, and brought her the good news that she
+should have a son, born by God's providence, that should be a goodly
+child, of great strength; by whom, when he was grown up to man's estate,
+the Philistines should be afflicted. He exhorted her also not to poll
+his hair, and that he should avoid all other kinds of drink, [for so had
+God commanded,] and be entirely contented with water. So the angel, when
+he had delivered that message, went his way, his coming having been by
+the will of God.
+
+3. Now the wife informed her husband when he came home of what the angel
+had said, who showed so great an admiration of the beauty and tallness
+of the young man that had appeared to her, that her husband was
+astonished, and out of himself for jealousy, and such suspicions as are
+excited by that passion: but she was desirous of having her husband's
+unreasonable sorrow taken away; accordingly she entreated God to send
+the angel again, that he might be seen by her husband. So the angel came
+again by the favor of God, while they were in the suburbs, and appeared
+to her when she was alone without her husband. She desired the angel to
+stay so long till she might bring her husband; and that request being
+granted, she goes to call Manoah. When he saw the angel he was not yet
+free from suspicion, and he desired him to inform him of all that he had
+told his wife; but when he said it was sufficient that she alone knew
+what he had said, he then requested of him to tell who he was, that when
+the child was born they might return him thanks, and give him a present.
+He replied that he did not want any present, for that he did not bring
+them the good news of the birth of a son out of the want of any thing.
+And when Manoah had entreated him to stay, and partake of his
+hospitality, he did not give his consent. However he was persuaded, at
+the earnest request of Manoah to stay so long as while he brought him
+one mark of his hospitality; so he slew a kid of the goats, and bid his
+wife boil it. When all was ready, the angel enjoined him to set the
+loaves and the flesh, but without the vessels, upon the rock; which when
+they had done, he touched the flesh with the rod which he had in his
+hand, which, upon the breaking out of a flame, was consumed, together
+with the loaves; and the angel ascended openly, in their sight, up to
+heaven, by means of the smoke, as by a vehicle. Now Manoah was afraid
+that some danger would come to them from this sight of God; but his wife
+bade him be of good courage, for that God appeared to them for their
+benefit.
+
+4. So the woman proved with child, and was careful to observe the
+injunctions that were given her; and they called the child, when he was
+born, Samson, which name signifies one that is strong. So the child grew
+apace; and it appeared evidently that he would be a prophet, 19 both by
+the moderation of his diet, and the permission of his hair to grow.
+
+5. Now when he once came with his parents to Timhath, a city of the
+Philistines, when there was a great festival, he fell in love with a
+maid of that country, and he desired of his parents that they would
+procure him the damsel for his wife: but they refused so to do, because
+she was not of the stock of Israel; yet because this marriage was of
+God, who intended to convert it to the benefit of the Hebrews, he over-
+persuaded them to procure her to be espoused to him. And as he was
+continually coming to her parents, he met a lion, and though he was
+naked, he received his onset, and strangled him with his hands, and cast
+the wild beast into a woody piece of ground on the inside of the road.
+
+6. And when he was going another time to the damsel, he lit upon a swarm
+of bees making their combs in the breast of that lion; and taking three
+honey-combs away, he gave them, together with the rest of his presents,
+to the damsel. Now the people of Timhath, out of a dread of the young
+man's strength, gave him during the time of the wedding-feast [for he
+then feasted them all] thirty of the most stout of their youth, in
+pretense to be his companions, but in reality to be a guard upon him,
+that he might not attempt to give them any disturbance. Now as they were
+drinking merrily and playing, Samson said, as was usual at such times,
+"Come, if I propose you a riddle, and you can expound it in these seven
+days' time, I will give you every one a linen shirt and a garment, as
+the reward of your wisdom." So they being very ambitious to obtain the
+glory of wisdom, together with the gains, desired him to propose his
+riddle. He, "That a devourer produced sweet food out of itself, though
+itself were very disagreeable." And when they were not able, in three
+days' time, to find out the meaning of the riddle, they desired the
+damsel to discover it by the means of her husband, and tell it them; and
+they threatened to burn her if she did not tell it them. So when the
+damsel entreated Samson to tell it her, he at first refused to do it;
+but when she lay hard at him, and fell into tears, and made his refusal
+to tell it a sign of his unkindness to her, he informed her of his
+slaughter of a lion, and how he found bees in his breast, and carried
+away three honey-combs, and brought them to her. Thus he, suspecting
+nothing of deceit, informed her of all, and she revealed it to those
+that desired to know it. Then on the seventh day, whereon they were to
+expound the riddle proposed to them, they met together before sun-
+setting, and said, "Nothing is more disagreeable than a lion to those
+that light on it, and nothing is sweeter than honey to those that make
+use of it." To which Samson made this rejoinder: "Nothing is more
+deceitful than a woman for such was the person that discovered my
+interpretation to you." Accordingly he gave them the presents he had
+promised them, making such Askelonites as met him upon the road his
+prey, who were themselves Philistines also. But he divorced this his
+wife; and the girl despised his anger, and was married to his companion,
+who made the former match between them.
+
+7. At this injurious treatment Samson was so provoked, that he resolved
+to punish all the Philistines, as well as her: so it being then summer-
+time, and the fruits of the land being almost ripe enough for reaping,
+he caught three hundred foxes, and joining lighted torches to their
+tails, he sent them into the fields of the Philistines, by which means
+the fruits of the fields perished. Now when the Philistines knew that
+this was Samson's doing, and knew also for what cause he did it, they
+sent their rulers to Timhath, and burnt his former wife, and her
+relations, who had been the occasion of their misfortunes.
+
+8. Now when Samson had slain many of the Philistines in the plain
+country, he dwelt at Etam, which is a strong rock of the tribe of Judah;
+for the Philistines at that time made an expedition against that tribe:
+but the people of Judah said that they did not act justly with them, in
+inflicting punishments upon them while they paid their tribute, and this
+only on account of Samson's offenses. They answered, that in case they
+would not be blamed themselves, they must deliver up Samson, and put him
+into their power. So they being desirous not to be blamed themselves,
+came to the rock with three thousand armed men, and complained to Samson
+of the bold insults he had made upon the Philistines, who were men able
+to bring calamity upon the whole nation of the Hebrews; and they told
+him they were come to take him, and to deliver him up to them, and put
+him into their power; so they desired him to bear this willingly.
+Accordingly, when he had received assurance from them upon oath, that
+they would do him no other harm than only to deliver him into his
+enemies' hands, he came down from the rock, and put himself into the
+power of his countrymen. Then did they bind him with two cords, and lead
+him on, in order to deliver him to the Philistines; and when they came
+to a certain place, which is now called the Jaw-bone, on account of the
+great action there performed by Samson, though of old it had no
+particular name at all, the Philistines, who had pitched their camp not
+far off, came to meet them with joy and shouting, as having done a great
+thing, and gained what they desired; but Samson broke his bonds asunder,
+and catching up the jaw-bone of an ass that lay down at his feet, fell
+upon his enemies, and smiting them with his jaw-bone, slew a thousand of
+them, and put the rest to flight and into great disorder.
+
+9. Upon this slaughter Samson was too proud of what he had performed,
+and said that this did not come to pass by the assistance of God, but
+that his success was to be ascribed to his own courage; and vaunted
+himself, that it was out of a dread of him that some of his enemies fell
+and the rest ran away upon his use of the jaw-bone; but when a great
+thirst came upon him, he considered that human courage is nothing, and
+bare his testimony that all is to be ascribed to God, and besought him
+that he would not be angry at any thing he had said, nor give him up
+into the hands of his enemies, but afford him help under his affliction,
+and deliver him from the misfortune he was under. Accordingly God was
+moved with his entreaties, and raised him up a plentiful fountain of
+sweet water at a certain rock whence it was that Samson called the place
+the Jaw-bone, 20 and so it is called to this day.
+
+10. After this fight Samson held the Philistines in contempt, and came
+to Gaza, and took up his lodgings in a certain inn. When the rulers of
+Gaza were informed of his coming thither, they seized upon the gates,
+and placed men in ambush about them, that he might not escape without
+being perceived; but Samson, who was acquainted with their contrivances
+against him, arose about midnight, and ran by force upon the gates, with
+their posts and beams, and the rest of their wooden furniture, and
+carried them away on his shoulders, and bare them to the mountain that
+is over Hebron, and there laid them down.
+
+11. However, he at length 21 transgressed the laws of his country, and
+altered his own regular way of living, and imitated the strange customs
+of foreigners, which thing was the beginning of his miseries; for he
+fell in love with a woman that was a harlot among the Philistines: her
+name was Delilah, and he lived with her. So those that administered the
+public affairs of the Philistines came to her, and, with promises,
+induced her to get out of Samson what was the cause of that his
+strength, by which he became unconquerable to his enemies. Accordingly,
+when they were drinking, and had the like conversation together, she
+pretended to admire the actions he had done, and contrived to get out of
+him by subtlety, by what means he so much excelled others in strength.
+Samson, in order to delude Delilah, for he had not yet lost his senses,
+replied, that if he were bound with seven such green withs of a vine as
+might still be wreathed, he should be weaker than any other man. The
+woman said no more then, but told this to the rulers of the Philistines,
+and hid certain of the soldiers in ambush within the house; and when he
+was disordered in drink and asleep, she bound him as fast as possible
+with the withs; and then upon her awakening him, she told him some of
+the people were upon him; but he broke the withs, and endeavored to
+defend himself, as though some of the people were upon him. Now this
+woman, in the constant conversation Samson had with her, pretended that
+she took it very ill that he had such little confidence in her
+affections to him, that he would not tell her what she desired, as if
+she would not conceal what she knew it was for his interest to have
+concealed. However, he deluded her again, and told her, that if they
+bound him with seven cords, he should lose his strength. And when, upon
+doing this, she gained nothing, he told her the third time, that his
+hair should be woven into a web; but when, upon doing this, the truth
+was not yet discovered, at length Samson, upon Delilah's prayer, [for he
+was doomed to fall into some affliction,] was desirous to please her,
+and told her that God took care of him, and that he was born by his
+providence, and that "thence it is that I suffer my hair to grow, God
+having charged me never to poll my head, and thence my strength is
+according to the increase and continuance of my hair." When she had
+learned thus much, and had deprived him of his hair, she delivered him
+up to his enemies, when he was not strong enough to defend himself from
+their attempts upon him; so they put out his eyes, and bound him, and
+had him led about among them.
+
+12. But in process of time Samson's hair grew again. And there was a
+public festival among the Philistines, when the rulers, and those of the
+most eminent character, were feasting together; [now the room wherein
+they were had its roof supported by two pillars;] so they sent for
+Samson, and he was brought to their feast, that they might insult him in
+their cups. Hereupon he, thinking it one of the greatest misfortunes, if
+he should not be able to revenge himself when he was thus insulted,
+persuaded the boy that led him by the hand, that he was weary and wanted
+to rest himself, and desired he would bring him near the pillars; and as
+soon as he came to them, he rushed with force against them, and
+overthrew the house, by overthrowing its pillars, with three thousand
+men in it, who were all slain, and Samson with them. And such was the
+end of this man, when he had ruled over the Israelites twenty years. And
+indeed this man deserves to be admired for his courage and strength, and
+magnanimity at his death, and that his wrath against his enemies went so
+far as to die himself with them. But as for his being ensnared by a
+woman, that is to be ascribed to human nature, which is too weak to
+resist the temptations to that sin; but we ought to bear him witness,
+that in all other respects he was one of extraordinary virtue. But his
+kindred took away his body, and buried it in Sarasat his own country,
+with the rest of his family.
+
+
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER 9. How Under Eli's Government Of The Israelites Booz Married
+Ruth, From Whom Came Obed The Grandfather Of David.
+
+1. Now after the death of Samson, Eli the high priest was governor of
+the Israelites. Under him, when the country was afflicted with a famine,
+Elimelech of Bethlehem, which is a city of the tribe of Judah, being not
+able to support his family under so sore a distress, took with him Naomi
+his wife, and the children that were born to him by her, Chillon and
+Mahlon, and removed his habitation into the land of Moab; and upon the
+happy prosperity of his affairs there, he took for his sons wives of the
+Moabites, Orpah for Chillon, and Ruth for Mahlon. But in the compass of
+ten years, both Elimelech, and a little while after him, the sons, died;
+and Naomi being very uneasy at these accidents, and not being able to
+bear her lonesome condition, now those that were dearest to her were
+dead, on whose account it was that she had gone away from her own
+country, she returned to it again, for she had been informed it was now
+in a flourishing condition. However, her daughters-in-law were not able
+to think of parting with her; and when they had a mind to go out of the
+country with her, she could not dissuade them from it; but when they
+insisted upon it, she wished them a more happy wedlock than they had
+with her sons, and that they might have prosperity in other respects
+also; and seeing her own affairs were so low, she exhorted them to stay
+where they were, and not to think of leaving their own country, and
+partaking with her of that uncertainty under which she must return.
+Accordingly Orpah staid behind; but she took Ruth along with her, as not
+to be persuaded to stay behind her, but would take her fortune with her,
+whatsoever it should prove.
+
+2. When Ruth was come with her mother-in-law to Bethlehem, Booz, who was
+near of kin to Elimelech, entertained her; and when Naomi was so called
+by her fellow citizens, according to her true name, she said, "You might
+more truly call me Mara." Now Naomi signifies in the Hebrew tongue
+happiness, and Mara, sorrow. It was now reaping time; and Ruth, by the
+leave of her mother-in-law, went out to glean, that they might get a
+stock of corn for their food. Now it happened that she came into Booz's
+field; and after some time Booz came thither, and when he saw the
+damsel, he inquired of his servant that was set over the reapers
+concerning the girl. The servant had a little before inquired about all
+her circumstances, and told them to his master, who kindly embraced her,
+both on account of her affection to her mother-in-law, and her
+remembrance of that son of hers to whom she had been married, and wished
+that she might experience a prosperous condition; so he desired her not
+to glean, but to reap what she was able, and gave her leave to carry it
+home. He also gave it in charge to that servant who was over the
+reapers, not to hinder her when she took it away, and bade him give her
+her dinner, and make her drink when he did the like to the reapers. Now
+what corn Ruth received of him she kept for her mother-in-law, and came
+to her in the evening, and brought the ears of corn with her; and Naomi
+had kept for her a part of such food as her neighbors had plentifully
+bestowed upon her. Ruth also told her mother-in-law what Booz had said
+to her; and when the other had informed her that he was near of kin to
+them, and perhaps was so pious a man as to make some provision for them,
+she went out again on the days following, to gather the gleanings with
+Booz's maidservants.
+
+3. It was not many days before Booz, after the barley was winnowed,
+slept in his thrashing-floor. When Naomi was informed of this
+circumstance she contrived it so that Ruth should lie down by him, for
+she thought it might be for their advantage that he should discourse
+with the girl. Accordingly she sent the damsel to sleep at his feet; who
+went as she bade her, for she did not think it consistent with her duty
+to contradict any command of her mother-in-law. And at first she lay
+concealed from Booz, as he was fast asleep; but when he awaked about
+midnight, and perceived a woman lying by him, he asked who she was;—and
+when she told him her name, and desired that he whom she owned for her
+lord would excuse her, he then said no more; but in the morning, before
+the servants began to set about their work, he awaked her, and bid her
+take as much barley as she was able to carry, and go to her mother-in-
+law before any body there should see that she had lain down by him,
+because it was but prudent to avoid any reproach that might arise on
+that account, especially when there had been nothing done that was ill.
+But as to the main point she aimed at, the matter should rest here,—"He
+that is nearer of kin than I am, shall be asked whether he wants to take
+thee to wife: if he says he does, thou shalt follow him; but if he
+refuse it, I will marry thee, according to the law."
+
+4. When she had informed her mother-in-law of this, they were very glad
+of it, out of the hope they had that Booz would make provision for them.
+Now about noon Booz went down into the city, and gathered the senate
+together, and when he had sent for Ruth, he called for her kinsman also;
+and when he was come, he said, "Dost not thou retain the inheritance of
+Elimelech and his sons?" He confessed that he did retain it, and that he
+did as he was permitted to do by the laws, because he was their nearest
+kinsman. Then said Booz, "Thou must not remember the laws by halves, but
+do every thing according to them; for the wife of Mahlon is come hither,
+whom thou must marry, according to the law, in case thou wilt retain
+their fields." So the man yielded up both the field and the wife to
+Booz, who was himself of kin to those that were dead, as alleging that
+he had a wife already, and children also; so Booz called the senate to
+witness, and bid the woman to loose his shoe, and spit in his face,
+according to the law; and when this was done, Booz married Ruth, and
+they had a son within a year's time. Naomi was herself a nurse to this
+child; and by the advice of the women, called him Obed, as being to be
+brought up in order to be subservient to her in her old age, for Obed in
+the Hebrew dialect signifies a servant. The son of Obed was Jesse, and
+David was his son, who was king, and left his dominions to his sons for
+one and twenty generations. I was therefore obliged to relate this
+history of Ruth, because I had a mind to demonstrate the power of God,
+who, without difficulty, can raise those that are of ordinary parentage
+to dignity and splendor, to which he advanced David, though he were born
+of such mean parents.
+
+
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER 10. Concerning The Birth Of Samuel; And How He Foretold The
+Calamity That Befell The Sons Of Eli.
+
+1. And now upon the ill state of the affairs of the Hebrews, they made
+war again upon the Philistines. The occasion was this: Eli, the high
+priest, had two sons, Hophni and Phineas. These sons of Eli were guilty
+of injustice towards men, and of impiety towards God, and abstained from
+no sort of wickedness. Some of their gifts they carried off, as
+belonging to the honorable employment they had; others of them they took
+away by violence. They also were guilty of impurity with the women that
+came to worship God at the tabernacle, obliging some to submit to their
+lust by force, and enticing others by bribes; nay, the whole course of
+their lives was no better than tyranny. Their father therefore was angry
+at them for such their wickedness, and expected that God would suddenly
+inflict his punishments upon them for what they had done. The multitude
+took it heinously also. And as soon as God had foretold what calamity
+would befall Eli's sons, which he did both to Eli himself and to Samuel
+the prophet, who was yet but a child, he openly showed his sorrow for
+his sons' destruction.
+
+2. I will first despatch what I have to say about the prophet Samuel,
+and after that will proceed to speak of the sons of Eli, and the
+miseries they brought on the whole people of the Hebrews. Elcanah, a
+Levite, one of a middle condition among his fellow citizens, and one
+that dwelt at Ramathaim, a city of the tribe of Ephraim, married two
+wives, Hannah and Peninnah. He had children by the latter; but he loved
+the other best, although she was barren. Now Elcanah came with his wives
+to the city Shiloh to sacrifice, for there it was that the tabernacle of
+God was fixed, as we have formerly said. Now when, after he had
+sacrificed, he distributed at that festival portions of the flesh to his
+wives and children, and when Hannah saw the other wife's children
+sitting round about their mother, she fell into tears, and lamented
+herself on account of her barrenness and lonesomeness; and suffering her
+grief to prevail over her husband's consolations to her, she went to the
+tabernacle to beseech God to give her seed, and to make her a mother;
+and to vow to consecrate the first son she should bear to the service of
+God, and this in such a way, that his manner of living should not be
+like that of ordinary men. And as she continued at her prayers a long
+time, Eli, the high priest, for he sat there before the tabernacle, bid
+her go away, thinking she had been disordered with wine; but when she
+said she had drank water, but was in sorrow for want of children, and
+was beseeching God for them, he bid her be of good cheer, and told her
+that God would send her children.
+
+3. So she came to her husband full of hope, and ate her meal with
+gladness. And when they had returned to their own country she found
+herself with child, and they had a son born to them, to whom they gave
+the name of Samuel, which may be styled one that was asked of God. They
+therefore came to the tabernacle to offer sacrifice for the birth of the
+child, and brought their tithes with them; but the woman remembered the
+vows she had made concerning her son, and delivered him to Eli,
+dedicating him to God, that he might become a prophet. Accordingly his
+hair was suffered to grow long, and his drink was water. So Samuel dwelt
+and was brought up in the temple. But Elcanah had other sons by Hannah,
+and three daughters.
+
+4. Now when Samuel was twelve years old, he began to prophesy: and once
+when he was asleep, God called to him by his name; and he, supposing he
+had been called by the high priest, came to him: but when the high
+priest said he did not call him, God did so thrice. Eli was then so far
+illuminated, that he said to him, "Indeed, Samuel, I was silent now as
+well as before: it is God that calls thee; do thou therefore signify it
+to him, and say, I am here ready." So when he heard God speak again, he
+desired him to speak, and to deliver what oracles he pleased to him, for
+he would not fail to perform any ministration whatsoever he should make
+use of him in;—to which God replied, "Since thou art here ready, learn
+what miseries are coming upon the Israelites,—such indeed as words
+cannot declare, nor faith believe; for the sons of Eli shall die on one
+day, and the priesthood shall be transferred into the family of Eleazar;
+for Eli hath loved his sons more than he hath loved my worship, and to
+such a degree as is not for their advantage." Which message Eli obliged
+the prophet by oath to tell him, for otherwise he had no inclination to
+afflict him by telling it. And now Eli had a far more sure expectation
+of the perdition of his sons; but the glory of Samuel increased more and
+more, it being found by experience that whatsoever he prophesied came to
+pass accordingly. 22
+
+
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER 11. Herein Is Declared What Befell The Sons Of Eli, The Ark, And
+The People And How Eli Himself Died Miserably.
+
+1. About this time it was that the Philistines made war against the
+Israelites, and pitched their camp at the city Aphek. Now when the
+Israelites had expected them a little while, the very next day they
+joined battle, and the Philistines were conquerors, and slew above four
+thousand of the Hebrews, and pursued the rest of their multitude to
+their camp.
+
+2. So the Hebrews being afraid of the worst, sent to the senate, and to
+the high priest, and desired that they would bring the ark of God, that
+by putting themselves in array, when it was present with them, they
+might be too hard for their enemies, as not reflecting that he who had
+condemned them to endure these calamities was greater than the ark, and
+for whose sake it was that this ark came to be honored. So the ark came,
+and the sons of the high priest with it, having received a charge from
+their father, that if they pretended to survive the taking of the ark,
+they should come no more into his presence, for Phineas officiated
+already as high priest, his father having resigned his office to him, by
+reason of his great age. So the Hebrews were full of courage, as
+supposing that, by the coming of the ark, they should be too hard for
+their enemies: their enemies also were greatly concerned, and were
+afraid of the ark's coming to the Israelites: however, the upshot did
+not prove agreeable to the expectation of both sides, but when the
+battle was joined, that victory which the Hebrews expected was gained by
+the Philistines, and that defeat the Philistines were afraid of fell to
+the lot of the Israelites, and thereby they found that they had put
+their trust in the ark in vain, for they were presently beaten as soon
+as they came to a close fight with their enemies, and lost about thirty
+thousand men, among whom were the sons of the high priest; but the ark
+was carried away by the enemies.
+
+3. When the news of this defeat came to Shiloh, with that of the
+captivity of the ark, [for a certain young man, a Benjamite, who was in
+the action, came as a messenger thither,] the whole city was full of
+lamentations. And Eli, the high priest, who sat upon a high throne at
+one of the gates, heard their mournful cries, and supposed that some
+strange thing had befallen his family. So he sent for the young man; and
+when he understood what had happened in the battle, he was not much
+uneasy as to his sons, or what was told him withal about the army, as
+having beforehand known by Divine revelation that those things would
+happen, and having himself declared them beforehand,—for what sad things
+come unexpectedly they distress men the most; but as soon as [he heard]
+the ark was carried captive by their enemies, he was very much grieved
+at it, because it fell out quite differently from what he expected; so
+he fell down from his throne and died, having in all lived ninety-eight
+years, and of them retained the government forty.
+
+4. On the same day his son Phineas's wife died also, as not able to
+survive the misfortune of her husband; for they told her of her
+husband's death as she was in labor. However, she bare a son at seven
+months, who lived, and to whom they gave the name of Icabod, which name
+signifies disgrace,—and this because the army received a disgrace at
+this time.
+
+5. Now Eli was the first of the family of Ithamar, the other son of
+Aaron, that had the government; for the family of Eleazar officiated as
+high priest at first, the son still receiving that honor from the father
+which Eleazar bequeathed to his son Phineas; after whom Abiezer his son
+took the honor, and delivered it to his son, whose name was Bukki, from
+whom his son Ozi received it; after whom Eli, of whom we have been
+speaking, had the priesthood, and so he and his posterity until the time
+of Solomon's reign; but then the posterity of Eleazar reassumed it.
+
+
+
+
+
+
+FOOTNOTES
+
+
+1 (return) [ The Amorites were one of the seven nations of Canaan. Hence
+Reland is willing to suppose that Josephus did not here mean that their
+land beyond Jordan was a seventh part of the whole land of Canaan, but
+meant the Arnorites as a seventh nation. His reason is, that Josephus,
+as well as our Bible, generally distinguish the land beyond Jordan from
+the land of Canaan; nor can it be denied, that in strictness they were
+all forgot: yet after two tribes and a half of the twelve tribes came to
+inherit it, it might in a general way altogether be well included under
+the land of Canaan, or Palestine, or Judea, of which we have a clear
+example here before us in Josephus, whose words evidently imply, that
+taking the whole land of Canaan, or that inhabited by all the twelve
+tribes together, and parting it into seven parts, the part beyond Jordan
+was in quantity of ground one seventh part of the whole. And this well
+enough agrees to Reland's own map of that country, although this land
+beyond Jordan was so peculiarly fruitful, and good for pasturage, as the
+two tribes and a half took notice, Numbers 32:1, 4, 16, that it
+maintained about a fifth part of the whole people.]
+
+
+2 (return) [ It plainly appears by the history of these spies, and the
+innkeeper Rahab's deception of the king of Jericho's messengers, by
+telling them what was false in order to save the lives of the spies, and
+yet the great commendation of her faith and good works in the New
+Testament, Hebrews 11:31; James 2:25, as well as by many other parallel
+examples, both in the Old Testament and in Josephus, that the best men
+did not then scruple to deceive those public enemies who might justly be
+destroyed; as also might deceive ill men in order to save life, and
+deliver themselves from the tyranny of their unjust oppressors, and this
+by telling direct falsehoods; I mean, all this where no oath was
+demanded of them, otherwise they never durst venture on such a
+procedure. Nor was Josephus himself of any other opinion or practice, as
+I shall remark in the note on Antiq. B. IX. ch. 4. sect. 3. And observe,
+that I still call this woman Rahab, an innkeeper, not a harlot, the
+whole history, both in our copies, and especially in Josephus, implying
+no more. It was indeed so frequent a thing, that women who were
+innkeepers were also harlots, or maintainers of harlots, that the word
+commonly used for real harlots was usually given them. See Dr. Bernard's
+note here, and Judges 11:1, and Antiq. B. V. ch. 7. sect. 8.]
+
+
+3 (return) [ Upon occasion of this devoting of Jericho to destruction,
+and the exemplary punishment of Achar, who broke that duerein or
+anathema, and of the punishment of the future breaker of it, Hiel, 1
+Kings 16:34, as also of the punishment of Saul, for breaking the like
+chefera or anathema, against the Amalekites, 1 Samuel 15., we may
+observe what was the true meaning of that law, Leviticus 27:28: "None
+devoted which shall be devoted of shall be redeemed; but shall be put to
+death;" i.e. whenever any of the Jews' public enemies had been, for
+their wickedness, solemnly devoted to destruction, according to the
+Divine command, as were generally the seven wicked nations of Canaan,
+and those sinners the Amalekites, 1 Samuel 15:18, it was utterly
+unlawful to permit those enemies to be redeemed; but they were to be all
+utterly destroyed. See also Numbers 23:2, 3.]
+
+
+4 (return) [ That the name of this chief was not Achan, as in the common
+copies, but Achar, as here in Josephus, and in the Apostolical Constit.
+B. VII. ch. 2., and elsewhere, is evident by the allusion to that name
+in the curse of Joshua, "Why hast thou troubled us?—the Lord shall
+trouble thee;" where the Hebrew word alludes only to the name Achar, but
+not to Achan. Accordingly, this Valley of Achar, or Achor, was and is a
+known place, a little north of Gilgal, so called from the days of Joshua
+till this day. See Joshua 7:26; Isaiah 65:10; Hosea 2:15; and Dr.
+Bernard's notes here.]
+
+
+5 (return) [ Here Dr. Bernard very justly observes, that a few words are
+dropped out of Josephus's copies, on account of the repetition of the
+word shekels, and that it ought to be read thus:—"A piece of gold that
+weighed fifty shekels, and one of silver that weighed two hundred
+shekels," as in our other copies, Joshua 7:21.]
+
+
+6 (return) [ I agree here with Dr. Bernard, and approve of Josephus's
+interpretation of Gilgal for liberty. See Joshua 5:9.]
+
+
+7 (return) [ Whether this lengthening of the day, by the standing still
+of the sun and moon, were physical and real, by the miraculous stoppage
+of the diurnal motion of the earth for about half a revolution, or
+whether only apparent, by aerial phosphori imitating the sun and moon as
+stationary so long, while clouds and the night hid the real ones, and
+this parhelion or mock sun affording sufficient light for Joshua's
+pursuit and complete victory, [which aerial phosphori in other shapes
+have been more than ordinarily common of late years,] cannot now be
+determined: philosophers and astronomers will naturally incline to this
+latter hypothesis. In the mean time, the fact itself was mentioned in
+the book of Jasher, now lost, Joshua 10:13, and is confirmed by Isaiah,
+28:21, Habakkuk, 3:11, and by the son of Sirach, Ecclus. 46:4. In the
+18th Psalm of Solomon, yet it is also said of the luminaries, with
+relation, no doubt, to this and the other miraculous standing still and
+going back, in the days of Joshua and Hezekiah, "They have not wandered,
+from the day that he created them; they have not forsaken their way,
+from ancient generations, unless it were when God enjoined them [so to
+do] by the command of his servants." See Authent. Rec. part i. p. 154.
+[8: Of the books laid up in the temple, see the note on Antiq. B. III.
+ch. 1. sect. 7.]
+
+
+9 (return) [ Since not only Procopius and Suidas, but an earlier author,
+Moses Chorenensis, p. 52, 53, and perhaps from his original author
+Mariba Carina, one as old as Alexander the Great, sets down the famous
+inscription at Tangier concerning the old Canaanites driven out of
+Palestine by Joshua, take it here in that author's own words: "We are
+those exiles that were governors of the Canaanites, but have been driven
+away by Joshua the robber, and are come to inhabit here." See the note
+there. Nor is it unworthy of our notice what Moses Chorenensis adds, p.
+53, and this upon a diligent examination, viz. that "one of those
+eminent men among the Canaanites came at the same time into Armenia, and
+founded the Genthuniaa family, or tribe; and that this was confirmed by
+the manners of the same family or tribe, as being like those of the
+Canaanites."]
+
+
+10 (return) [ By prophesying, when spoken of a high priest, Josephus,
+both here and frequently elsewhere, means no more than consulting God by
+Urim, which the reader is still to bear in mind upon all occasions. And
+if St. John, who was contemporary with Josephus, and of the same
+country, made use of this style, when he says that "Caiaphas being high
+priest that year, prophesied that Jesus should die for that nation, and
+not for that nation only, but that also he should gather together in one
+the children of God that were scattered abroad," chap. 11;51, 52, he may
+possibly mean, that this was revealed to the high priest by an
+extraordinary voice from between the cherubims, when he had his
+breastplate, or Urim and Thummim, on before; or the most holy place of
+the temple, which was no other than the oracle of Urim and Thummim. Of
+which above, in the note on Antiq. B. III. ch. 8. sect. 9.]
+
+
+11 (return) [ This great number of seventy-two reguli, or small kings,
+over whom Adonibezek had tyrannized, and for which he was punished
+according to the lex talionis, as well as the thirty-one kings of Canaan
+subdued by Joshua, and named in one chapter, Joshua 12., and thirty-two
+kings, or royal auxiliaries to Benhadad king of Syria, 1 Kings 20:1;
+Antiq. B. VIII. ch. 14. sect. 1, intimate to us what was the ancient
+form of government among several nations before the monarchies began,
+viz. that every city or large town, with its neighboring villages, was a
+distinct government by itself; which is the more remarkable, because
+this was certainly the form of ecclesiastical government that was
+settled by the apostles, and preserved throughout the Christian church
+in the first ages of Christianity. Mr. Addison is of opinion, that "it
+would certainly be for the good of mankind to have all the mighty
+empires and monarchies of the world cantoned out into petty states and
+principalities, which, like so many large families, might lie under the
+observation of their proper governors, so that the care of the prince
+might extend itself to every individual person under his protection;
+though he despairs of such a scheme being brought about, and thinks that
+if it were, it would quickly be destroyed." Remarks on Italy, 4to, p.
+151. Nor is it unfit to be observed here, that the Armenian records,
+though they give us the history of thirty-nine of their ancientest
+heroes or governors after the Flood, before the days of Sardanapalus,
+had no proper king till the fortieth, Parerus. See Moses Chorehensis, p.
+55. And that Almighty God does not approve of such absolute and
+tyrannical monarchies, any one may learn that reads Deuteronomy 17:14-
+20, and 1 Samuel 8:1-22; although, if such kings are set up as own him
+for their supreme King, and aim to govern according to his laws, he hath
+admitted of them, and protected them and their subjects in all
+generations.]
+
+
+12 (return) [ Josephus's early date of this history before the beginning
+of the Judges, or when there was no king in Israel, Judges 19;1, is
+strongly confirmed by the large number of Benjamites, both in the days
+of Asa and Jehoshaphat, 2 Chronicles 14:8, and 16:17, who yet were here
+reduced to six hundred men; nor can those numbers be at all supposed
+genuine, if they were reduced so late as the end of the Judges, where
+our other copies place this reduction.]
+
+
+13 (return) [ Josephus seems here to have made a small mistake, when he
+took the Hebrew word Bethel, which denotes the house of God, or the
+tabernacle, Judges 20:18, for the proper name of a place, Bethel, it no
+way appearing that the tabernacle was ever at Bethel; only so far it is
+true, that Shiloh, the place of the tabernacle in the days of the
+Judges, was not far from Bethel.]
+
+
+14 (return) [ It appears by the sacred history, Judges 1:16; 3:13, that
+Eglon's pavilion or palace was at the City of Palm-Trees, as the place
+where Jericho had stood is called after its destruction by Joshua, that
+is, at or near the demolished city. Accordingly, Josephus says it was at
+Jericho, or rather in that fine country of palm-trees, upon, or near to,
+the same spot of ground on which Jericho had formerly stood, and on
+which it was rebuilt by Hiel, 1 Kings 16:31. Our other copies that avoid
+its proper name Jericho, and call it the City of Palm-Trees only, speak
+here more accurately than Josephus.]
+
+
+15 (return) [ These eighty years for the government of Ehud are
+necessary to Josephus's usual large numbers between the exodus and the
+building of the temple, of five hundred and ninety-two or six hundred
+and twelve years, but not to the smallest number of four hundred and
+eighty years, 1 Kings 6:1; which lesser number Josephus seems sometimes
+to have followed. And since in the beginning of the next chapter it is
+said by Josephus, that there was hardly a breathing time for the
+Israelites before Jabin came and enslaved them, it is highly probable
+that some of the copies in his time had here only eight years instead of
+eighty; as had that of Theophilus of Antioch, Ad Autolye. 1. iii., and
+this most probably from his copy of Josephus.]
+
+
+16 (return) [ Our present copies of Josephus all omit Tola among the
+judges, though the other copies have him next after Abimelech, and allot
+twenty-three years to his administration, Judges 10:1, 2; yet do all
+Josephus's commentators conclude, that in Josephus's sum of the years of
+the judges, his twenty-three years are included; hence we are to
+confess, that somewhat has been here lost out of his copies.]
+
+
+17 (return) [ Josephus justly condemns Jephtha, as do the Apostolical
+Constitutions, B. VII. ch. 37., for his rash vow, whether it were for
+sacrificing his daughter, as Josephus thought, or for dedicating her,
+who was his only child, to perpetual virginity, at the tabernacle or
+elsewhere, which I rather suppose. If he had vowed her for a sacrifice,
+she ought to have been redeemed, Leviticus 27:1-8; but of the sense of
+ver. 28, 29, as relating not to things vowed to. God, but devoted to
+destruction, see the note on Antiq. B. V. ch. 1. sect. 8.]
+
+
+18 (return) [ I can discover no reason why Manoah and his wife came so
+constantly into these suburbs to pray for children, but because there
+was a synagogue or place of devotion in those suburbs.]
+
+
+19 (return) [ Here, by a prophet, Josephus seems only to mean one that
+was born by a particular providence, lived after the manner of a
+Nazarite devoted to God, and was to have an extraordinary commission and
+strength from God for the judging and avenging his people Israel,
+without any proper prophetic revelations at all.]
+
+
+20 (return) [ This fountain, called Lehi, or the Jaw-bone, is still in
+being, as travelers assure us, and was known by this very name in the
+days of Josephus, and has been known by the same name in all those past
+ages. See Antiq. B. VII. ch. 12. sect. 4.]
+
+
+21 (return) [ See this justly observed in the Apostolical Constitutions,
+B. VII. ch. 37., that Samson's prayer was heard, but that it was before
+this his transgression.]
+
+
+22 (return) [ Although there had been a few occasional prophets before,
+yet was this Samuel the first of a constant succession of prophets in
+the Jewish nation, as is implied in St. Peter's words, Acts 3:24 "Yea,
+and all the prophets, from Samuel, and those that follow after, as many
+as have spoken, have likewise foretold of those days." See also Acts
+13:20. The others were rather sometime called righteous men, Matthew
+10:41; 13:17.]
+
+
+
+
+
+
+BOOK VI. Containing The Interval Of Thirty-Two Years.—From The Death Of
+Eli To The Death Of Saul.
+
+
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER 1. The Destruction That Came Upon The Philistines, And Upon
+Their Land, By The Wrath Of Go On Account Of Their Having Carried The
+Ark Away Captive; And After What Manner They Sent It Back To The
+Hebrews.
+
+1. When the Philistines had taken the ark of the Hebrews captive, as I
+said a little before, they carried it to the city of Ashdod, and put it
+by their own god, who was called Dagon, 1 as one of their spoils; but
+when they went into his temple the next morning to worship their god,
+they found him paying the same worship to the ark, for he lay along, as
+having fallen down from the basis whereon he had stood: so they took him
+up, and set him on his basis again, and were much troubled at what had
+happened; and as they frequently came to Dagon and found him still lying
+along, in a posture of adoration to the ark, they were in very great
+distress and confusion. At length God sent a very destructive disease
+upon the city and country of Ashdod, for they died of the dysentery or
+flux, a sore distemper, that brought death upon them very suddenly; for
+before the soul could, as usual in easy deaths, be well loosed from the
+body, they brought up their entrails, and vomited up what they had
+eaten, and what was entirely corrupted by the disease. And as to the
+fruits of their country, a great multitude of mice arose out of the
+earth and hurt them, and spared neither the plants nor the fruits. Now
+while the people of Ashdod were under these misfortunes, and were not
+able to support themselves under their calamities, they perceived that
+they suffered thus because of the ark, and that the victory they had
+gotten, and their having taken the ark captive, had not happened for
+their good; they therefore sent to the people of Askelon, and desired
+that they would receive the ark among them. This desire of the people of
+Ashdod was not disagreeable to those of Askelon, so they granted them
+that favor. But when they had gotten the ark, they were in the same
+miserable condition; for the ark carried along with it the disasters
+that the people of Ashdod had suffered, to those who received it from
+them. Those of Askelon also sent it away from themselves to others: nor
+did it stay among those others neither; for since they were pursued by
+the same disasters, they still sent it to the neighboring cities; so
+that the ark went round, after this manner, to the five cities of the
+Philistines, as though it exacted these disasters as a tribute to be
+paid it for its coming among them.
+
+2. When those that had experienced these miseries were tired out with
+them, and when those that heard of them were taught thereby not to admit
+the ark among them, since they paid so dear a tribute for it, at length
+they sought for some contrivance and method how they might get free from
+it: so the governors of the five cities, Gath, and Ekron, and Askelon,
+as also of Gaza, and Ashdod, met together, and considered what was fit
+to be done; and at first they thought proper to send the ark back to its
+own people, as allowing that God had avenged its cause; that the
+miseries they had undergone came along with it, and that these were sent
+on their cities upon its account, and together with it. However, there
+were those that said they should not do so, nor suffer themselves to be
+deluded, as ascribing the cause of their miseries to it, because it
+could not have such power and force upon them; for, had God had such a
+regard to it, it would not have been delivered into the hands of men. So
+they exhorted them to be quiet, and to take patiently what had befallen
+them, and to suppose there was no other cause of it but nature, which,
+at certain revolutions of time, produces such mutations in the bodies of
+men, in the earth, in plants, and in all things that grow out of the
+earth. But the counsel that prevailed over those already described, was
+that of certain men, who were believed to have distinguished themselves
+in former times for their understanding and prudence, and who, in their
+present circumstances, seemed above all the rest to speak properly.
+These men said it was not right either to send the ark away, or to
+retain it, but to dedicate five golden images, one for every city, as a
+thank-offering to God, on account of his having taken care of their
+preservation, and having kept them alive when their lives were likely to
+be taken away by such distempers as they were not able to bear up
+against. They also would have them make five golden mice like to those
+that devoured and destroyed their country 2 to put them in a bag, and
+lay them upon the ark; to make them a new cart also for it, and to yoke
+milch kine to it 3 but to shut up their calves, and keep them from them,
+lest, by following after them, they should prove a hinderance to their
+dams, and that the dams might return the faster out of a desire of those
+calves; then to drive these milch kine that carried the ark, and leave
+it at a place where three ways met, and So leave it to the kine to go
+along which of those ways they pleased; that in case they went the way
+to the Hebrews, and ascended to their country, they should suppose that
+the ark was the cause of their misfortunes; but if they turned into
+another road, they said, "We will pursue after it, and conclude that it
+has no such force in it."
+
+3. So they determined that these men spake well; and they immediately
+confirmed their opinion by doing accordingly. And when they had done as
+has been already described, they brought the cart to a place where three
+ways met, and left it there and went their ways; but the kine went the
+right way, and as if some persons had driven them, while the rulers of
+the Philistines followed after them, as desirous to know where they
+would stand still, and to whom they would go. Now there was a certain
+village of the tribe of Judah, the name of which was Bethshemesh, and to
+that village did the kine go; and though there was a great and good
+plain before them to proceed in, they went no farther, but stopped the
+cart there. This was a sight to those of that village, and they were
+very glad; for it being then summer-time, and all the inhabitants being
+then in the fields gathering in their fruits, they left off the labors
+of their hands for joy, as soon as they saw the ark, and ran to the
+cart, and taking the ark down, and the vessel that had the images in it,
+and the mice, they set them upon a certain rock which was in the plain;
+and when they had offered a splendid sacrifice to God, and feasted, they
+offered the cart and the kine as a burnt-offering: and when the lords of
+the Philistines saw this, they returned back.
+
+4. But now it was that the wrath of God overtook them, and struck
+seventy persons of the village of Bethshemesh dead, who, not being
+priests, and so not worthy to touch the ark, had approached to it. 4
+Those of that village wept for these that had thus suffered, and made
+such a lamentation as was naturally to be expected on so great a
+misfortune that was sent from God; and every one mourned for his own
+relation. And since they acknowledged themselves unworthy of the ark's
+abode with them, they sent to the public senate of the Israelites, and
+informed them that the ark was restored by the Philistines; which when
+they knew, they brought it away to Kirjathjearim, a city in the
+neighborhood of Bethshemesh. In this city lived one Abinadab, by birth a
+Levite, and who was greatly commended for his righteous and religious
+course of life; so they brought the ark to his house, as to a place fit
+for God himself to abide in, since therein did inhabit a righteous man.
+His sons also ministered to the Divine service at the ark, and were the
+principal curators of it for twenty years; for so many years it
+continued in Kirjathjearim, having been but four months with the
+Philistines.
+
+
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER 2. The Expedition Of The Philistines Against The Hebrews And The
+Hebrews' Victory Under The Conduct Of Samuel The Prophet, Who Was Their
+General.
+
+1. Now while the city of Kirjathjearim had the ark with them, the whole
+body of the people betook themselves all that time to offer prayers and
+sacrifices to God, and appeared greatly concerned and zealous about his
+worship. So Samuel the prophet, seeing how ready they were to do their
+duty, thought this a proper time to speak to them, while they were in
+this good disposition, about the recovery of their liberty, and of the
+blessings that accompanied the same. Accordingly he used such words to
+them as he thought were most likely to excite that inclination, and to
+persuade them to attempt it: "O you Israelites," said he, "to whom the
+Philistines are still grievous enemies, but to whom God begins to be
+gracious, it behooves you not only to be desirous of liberty, but to
+take the proper methods to obtain it. Nor are you to be contented with
+an inclination to get clear of your lords and masters, while you still
+do what will procure your continuance under them. Be righteous then, and
+cast wickedness out of your souls, and by your worship supplicate the
+Divine Majesty with all your hearts, and persevere in the honor you pay
+to him; for if you act thus, you will enjoy prosperity; you will be
+freed from your slavery, and will get the victory over your enemies:
+which blessings it is not possible you should attain, either by weapons
+of war, or by the strength of your bodies, or by the multitude of your
+assistants; for God has not promised to grant these blessings by those
+means, but by being good and righteous men; and if you will be such, I
+will be security to you for the performance of God's promises." When
+Samuel had said thus, the multitude applauded his discourse, and were
+pleased with his exhortation to them, and gave their consent to resign
+themselves up to do what was pleasing to God. So Samuel gathered them
+together to a certain city called Mizpeh, which, in the Hebrew tongue,
+signifies a watch-tower; there they drew water, and poured it out to
+God, and fasted all day, and betook themselves to their prayers.
+
+2. This their assembly did not escape the notice of the Philistines: so
+when they had learned that so large a company had met together, they
+fell upon the Hebrews with a great army and mighty forces, as hoping to
+assault them when they did not expect it, nor were prepared for it. This
+thing affrighted the Hebrews, and put them into disorder and terror; so
+they came running to Samuel, and said that their souls were sunk by
+their fears, and by the former defeat they had received, and "that
+thence it was that we lay still, lest we should excite the power of our
+enemies against us. Now while thou hast brought us hither to offer up
+our prayers and sacrifices, and take oaths [to be obedient], our enemies
+are making an expedition against us, while we are naked and unarmed;
+wherefore we have no other hope of deliverance but that by thy means,
+and by the assistance God shall afford us upon thy prayers to him, we
+shall obtain deliverance from the Philistines." Hereupon Samuel bade
+them be of good cheer, and promised them that God would assist them; and
+taking a sucking lamb, he sacrificed it for the multitude, and besought
+God to hold his protecting hand over them when they should fight with
+the Philistines, and not to overlook them, nor suffer them to come under
+a second misfortune. Accordingly God hearkened to his prayers, and
+accepting their sacrifice with a gracious intention, and such as was
+disposed to assist them, he granted them victory and power over their
+enemies. Now while the altar had the sacrifice of God upon it, and had
+not yet consumed it wholly by its sacred fire, the enemy's army marched
+out of their camp, and was put in order of battle, and this in hope that
+they should be conquerors, since the Jews 5 were caught in distressed
+circumstances, as neither having their weapons with them, nor being
+assembled there in order to fight. But things so fell out, that they
+would hardly have been credited though they had been foretold by
+anybody: for, in the first place, God disturbed their enemies with an
+earthquake, and moved the ground under them to such a degree, that he
+caused it to tremble, and made them to shake, insomuch that by its
+trembling, he made some unable to keep their feet, and made them fall
+down, and by opening its chasms, he caused that others should be hurried
+down into them; after which he caused such a noise of thunder to come
+among them, and made fiery lightning shine so terribly round about them,
+that it was ready to burn their faces; and he so suddenly shook their
+weapons out of their hands, that he made them fly and return home naked.
+So Samuel with the multitude pursued them to Bethcar, a place so called;
+and there he set up a stone as a boundary of their victory and their
+enemies' flight, and called it the Stone of Power, as a signal of that
+power God had given them against their enemies.
+
+3. So the Philistines, after this stroke, made no more expeditions
+against the Israelites, but lay still out of fear, and out of
+remembrance of what had befallen them; and what courage the Philistines
+had formerly against the Hebrews, that, after this victory, was
+transferred to the Hebrews. Samuel also made an expedition against the
+Philistines, and slew many of them, and entirely humbled their proud
+hearts, and took from them that country, which, when they were formerly
+conquerors in battle, they had cut off from the Jews, which was the
+country that extended from the borders of Gath to the city of Ekron: but
+the remains of the Canaanites were at this time in friendship with the
+Israelites.
+
+
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER 3. How Samuel When He Was So Infirm With Old Age That He Could
+Not Take Care Of The Public Affairs Intrusted Them To His Sons; And How
+Upon The Evil Administration Of The Government By Them The Multitude
+Were So Angry, That They Required To Have A King To Govern Them,
+Although Samuel Was Much Displeased Thereat.
+
+1. But Samuel the prophet, when he had ordered the affairs of the people
+after a convenient manner, and had appointed a city for every district
+of them, he commanded them to come to such cities, to have the
+controversies that they had one with another determined in them, he
+himself going over those cities twice in a year, and doing them justice;
+and by that means he kept them in very good order for a long time.
+
+2. But afterwards he found himself oppressed with old age, and not able
+to do what he used to do, so he committed the government and the care of
+the multitude to his sons,—the elder of whom was called Joel, and the
+name of the younger was Abiah. He also enjoined them to reside and judge
+the people, the one at the city of Bethel, and the other at Beersheba,
+and divided the people into districts that should be under the
+jurisdiction of each of them. Now these men afford us an evident example
+and demonstration how some children are not of the like dispositions
+with their parents; but sometimes perhaps good and moderate, though born
+of wicked parents; and sometimes showing themselves to be wicked, though
+born of good parents: for these men turning aside from their father's
+good courses, and taking a course that was contrary to them, perverted
+justice for the 'filthy lucre of gifts and bribes, and made their
+determinations not according to truth, but according to bribery, and
+turned aside to luxury, and a costly way of living; so that as, in the
+first place, they practiced what was contrary to the will of God, so did
+they, in the second place, what was contrary to the will of the prophet
+their father, who had taken a great deal of care, and made a very
+careful provision that the multitude should be righteous.
+
+3. But the people, upon these injuries offered to their former
+constitution and government by the prophet's sons, were very uneasy at
+their actions, and came running to the prophet, who then lived at the
+city Ramah, and informed him of the transgressions of his sons; and
+said, That as he was himself old already, and too infirm by that age of
+his to oversee their affairs in the manner he used to do, so they begged
+of him, and entreated him, to appoint some person to be king over them,
+who might rule over the nation, and avenge them of the Philistines, who
+ought to be punished for their former oppressions. These words greatly
+afflicted Samuel, on account of his innate love of justice, and his
+hatred to kingly government, for he was very fond of an aristocracy, as
+what made the men that used it of a divine and happy disposition; nor
+could he either think of eating or sleeping, out of his concern and
+torment of mind at what they had said, but all the night long did he
+continue awake and revolved these notions in his mind.
+
+4. While he was thus disposed, God appeared to him, and comforted him,
+saying, That he ought not to be uneasy at what the multitude desired,
+because it was not he, but Himself whom they so insolently despised, and
+would not have to be alone their king; that they had been contriving
+these things from the very day that they came out of Egypt; that however
+in no long time they would sorely repent of what they did, which
+repentance yet could not undo what was thus done for futurity; that they
+would be sufficiently rebuked for their contempt, and the ungrateful
+conduct they have used towards me, and towards thy prophetic office. "So
+I command thee to ordain them such a one as I shall name beforehand to
+be their king, when thou hast first described what mischiefs kingly
+government will bring upon them, and openly testified before them into
+what a great change of affairs they are hasting."
+
+5. When Samuel had heard this, he called the Jews early in the morning,
+and confessed to them that he was to ordain them a king; but he said
+that he was first to describe to them what would follow, what treatment
+they would receive from their kings, and with how many mischiefs they
+must struggle. "For know ye," said he, "that, in the first place, they
+will take your sons away from you, and they will command some of them to
+be drivers of their chariots, and some to be their horsemen, and the
+guards of their body, and others of them to be runners before them, and
+captains of thousands, and captains of hundreds; they will also make
+them their artificers, makers of armor, and of chariots, and of
+instruments; they will make them their husbandmen also, and the curators
+of their own fields, and the diggers of their own vineyards; nor will
+there be any thing which they will not do at their commands, as if they
+were slaves bought with money. They will also appoint your daughters to
+be confectioners, and cooks, and bakers; and these will be obliged to do
+all sorts of work which women slaves, that are in fear of stripes and
+torments, submit to. They will, besides this, take away your
+possessions, and bestow them upon their eunuchs, and the guards of their
+bodies, and will give the herds of your cattle to their own servants:
+and to say briefly all at once, you, and all that is yours, will be
+servants to your king, and will become no way superior to his slaves;
+and when you suffer thus, you will thereby be put in mind of what I now
+say. And when you repent of what you have done, you will beseech God to
+have mercy upon you, and to grant you a quick deliverance from your
+kings; but he will not accept your prayers, but will neglect you, and
+permit you to suffer the punishment your evil conduct has deserved."
+
+6. But the multitude was still so foolish as to be deaf to these
+predictions of what would befall them; and too peevish to suffer a
+determination which they had injudiciously once made, to be taken out of
+their mind; for they could not be turned from their purpose, nor did
+they regard the words of Samuel, but peremptorily insisted on their
+resolution, and desired him to ordain them a king immediately, and not
+trouble himself with fears of what would happen hereafter, for that it
+was necessary they should have with them one to fight their battles, and
+to avenge them of their enemies, and that it was no way absurd, when
+their neighbors were under kingly government, that they should have the
+same form of government also. So when Samuel saw that what he had said
+had not diverted them from their purpose, but that they continued
+resolute, he said, "Go you every one home for the present; when it is
+fit I will send for you, as soon as I shall have learned from God who it
+is that he will give you for your king."
+
+
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER 4. The Appointment Of A King Over The Israelites, Whose Name Was
+Saul; And This By The Command Of God.
+
+1. Ther was one of the tribe of Benjamin, a man of a good family, and of
+a virtuous disposition; his name was Kish. He had a son, a young man of
+a comely countenance, and of a tall body, but his understanding and his
+mind were preferable to what was visible in him: they called him Saul.
+Now this Kish had some fine she-asses that were wandered out of the
+pasture wherein they fed, for he was more delighted with these than with
+any other cattle he had; so he sent out his son, and one servant with
+him, to search for the beasts; but when he had gone over his own tribe
+in search after the asses, he went to other tribes, and when he found
+them not there neither, he determined to go his way home, lest he should
+occasion any concern to his father about himself. But when his servant
+that followed him told him as they were near the city of Ramah, that
+there was a true prophet in that city, and advised him to go to him, for
+that by him they should know the upshot of the affair of their asses, he
+replied, That if they should go to him, they had nothing to give him as
+a reward for his prophecy, for their subsistence money was spent. The
+servant answered, that he had still the fourth part of a shekel, and he
+would present him with that; for they were mistaken out of ignorance, as
+not knowing that the prophet received no such reward 6 So they went to
+him; and when they were before the gates, they lit upon certain maidens
+that were going to fetch water, and they asked them which was the
+prophet's house. They showed them which it was; and bid them make haste
+before he sat down to supper, for he had invited many guests to a feast,
+and that he used to sit down before those that were invited. Now Samuel
+had then gathered many together to feast with him on this very account;
+for while he every day prayed to God to tell him beforehand whom he
+would make king, he had informed him of this man the day before, for
+that he would send him a certain young man out of the tribe of Benjamin
+about this hour of the day; and he sat on the top of the house in
+expectation of that time's being come. And when the time was completed,
+he came down and went to supper; so he met with Saul, and God discovered
+to him that this was he who should rule over them. Then Saul went up to
+Samuel and saluted him, and desired him to inform him which was the
+prophet's house; for he said he was a stranger and did not know it. When
+Samuel had told him that he himself was the person, he led him in to
+supper, and assured him that the asses were found which he had been to
+seek, and that the greatest of good things were assured to him: he
+replied, "I am too inconsiderable to hope for any such thing, and of a
+tribe to small to have kings made out of it, and of a family smaller
+than several other families; but thou tellest me this in jest, and
+makest me an object of laughter, when thou discoursest with me of
+greater matters than what I stand in need of." However, the prophet led
+him in to the feast, and made him sit down, him and his servant that
+followed him, above the other guests that were invited, which were
+seventy in number 7 and he gave orders to the servants to set the royal
+portion before Saul. And when the time of going to bed was come, the
+rest rose up, and every one of them went home; but Saul staid with the
+prophet, he and his servant, and slept with him.
+
+2. Now as soon as it was day, Samuel raised up Saul out of his bed, and
+conducted him homeward; and when he was out of the city, he desired him
+to cause his servant to go before, but to stay behind himself, for that
+he had somewhat to say to him when nobody else was present. Accordingly,
+Saul sent away his servant that followed him; then did the prophet take
+a vessel of oil, and poured it upon the head of the young man, and
+kissed him, and said, "Be thou a king, by the ordination of God, against
+the Philistines, and for avenging the Hebrews for what they have
+suffered by them; of this thou shalt have a sign, which I would have
+thee take notice of:—As soon as thou art departed hence, thou will find
+three men upon the road, going to worship God at Bethel; the first of
+whom thou wilt see carrying three loaves of bread, the second carrying a
+kid of the goats, and the third will follow them carrying a bottle of
+wine. These three men will salute thee, and speak kindly to thee, and
+will give thee two of their loaves, which thou shalt accept of. And
+thence thou shalt come to a place called Rachel's Monument, where thou
+shalt meet with those that will tell thee thy asses are found; after
+this, when thou comest to Gabatha, thou shalt overtake a company of
+prophets, and thou shalt be seized with the Divine Spirit, 8 and
+prophesy along with them, till every one that sees thee shall be
+astonished, and wonder, and say, Whence is it that the son of Kish has
+arrived at this degree of happiness? And when these signs have happened
+to thee, know that God is with thee; then do thou salute thy father and
+thy kindred. Thou shalt also come when I send for thee to Gilgal, that
+we may offer thank-offerings to God for these blessings." When Samuel
+had said this, and foretold these things, he sent the young man away.
+Now all things fell out to Saul according to the prophecy of Samuel.
+
+3. But as soon as Saul came into the house of his kinsman Abner, whom
+indeed he loved better than the rest of his relations, he was asked by
+him concerning his journey, and what accidents happened to him therein;
+and he concealed none of the other things from him, no, not his coming
+to Samuel the prophet, nor how he told him the asses were found; but he
+said nothing to him about the kingdom, and what belonged thereto, which
+he thought would procure him envy, and when such things are heard, they
+are not easily believed; nor did he think it prudent to tell those
+things to him, although he appeared very friendly to him, and one whom
+he loved above the rest of his relations, considering, I suppose, what
+human nature really is, that no one is a firm friend, neither among our
+intimates, nor of our kindred; nor do they preserve that kind
+disposition when God advances men to great prosperity, but they are
+still ill-natured and envious at those that are in eminent stations.
+
+4. Then Samuel called the people together to the city Mizpeh, and spake
+to them in the words following, which he said he was to speak by the
+command of God:—That when he had granted them a state of liberty, and
+brought their enemies into subjection, they were become unmindful of his
+benefits, and rejected God that he should not be their King, as not
+considering that it would be most for their advantage to be presided
+over by the best of beings, for God is the best of beings, and they
+chose to have a man for their king; while kings will use their subjects
+as beasts, according to the violence of their own wills and
+inclinations, and other passions, as wholly carried away with the lust
+of power, but will not endeavor so to preserve the race of mankind as
+his own workmanship and creation, which, for that very reason, God would
+take cake of. "But since you have come to a fixed resolution, and this
+injurious treatment of God has quite prevailed over you, dispose
+yourselves by your tribes and scepters, and cast lots."
+
+5. When the Hebrews had so done, the lot fell upon the tribe of
+Benjamin; and when the lot was cast for the families of this tribe, that
+which was called Matri was taken; and when the lot was cast for the
+single persons of that family, Saul, the son of Kish, was taken for
+their king. When the young man knew this, he prevented [their sending
+for him], and immediately went away and hid himself. I suppose that it
+was because he would not have it thought that he willingly took the
+government upon him; nay, he showed such a degree of command over
+himself, and of modesty, that while the greatest part are not able to
+contain their joy, even in the gaining of small advantages, but
+presently show themselves publicly to all men, this man did not only
+show nothing of that nature, when he was appointed to be the lord of so
+many and so great tribes, but crept away and concealed himself out of
+the sight of those he was to reign over, and made them seek him, and
+that with a good deal of trouble. So when the people were at a loss, and
+solicitous, because Saul disappeared, the prophet besought God to show
+where the young man was, and to produce him before them. So when they
+had learned of God the place where Saul was hidden, they sent men to
+bring him; and when he was come, they set him in the midst of the
+multitude. Now he was taller than any of them, and his stature was very
+majestic.
+
+6. Then said the prophet, "God gives you this man to be your king: see
+how he is higher than any of the people, and worthy of this dominion."
+So as soon as the people had made acclamation, God save the king, the
+prophet wrote down what would come to pass in a book, and read it in the
+hearing of the king, and laid up the book in the tabernacle of God, to
+be a witness to future generations of what he had foretold. So when
+Samuel had finished this matter, he dismissed the multitude, and came
+himself to the city Rainah, for it was his own country. Saul also went
+away to Gibeah, where he was born; and many good men there were who paid
+him the respect that was due to him; but the greater part were ill men,
+who despised him and derided the others, who neither did bring him
+presents, nor did they in affection, or even in words, regard to please
+him.
+
+
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER 5. Saul's Expedition Against The Nation Of The Ammonites And
+Victory Over Them And The Spoils He Took From Them.
+
+1. After one month, the war which Saul had with Nahash, the king of the
+Ammonites, obtained him respect from all the people; for this Nahash had
+done a great deal of mischief to the Jews that lived beyond Jordan by
+the expedition he had made against them with a great and warlike army.
+He also reduced their cities into slavery, and that not only by subduing
+them for the present, which he did by force and violence, but by
+weakening them by subtlety and cunning, that they might not be able
+afterward to get clear of the slavery they were under to him; for he put
+out the right eyes 9 of those that either delivered themselves to him
+upon terms, or were taken by him in war; and this he did, that when
+their left eyes were covered by their shields, they might be wholly
+useless in war. Now when the king of the Ammonites had served those
+beyond Jordan in this manner, he led his army against those that were
+called Gileadites, and having pitched his camp at the metropolis of his
+enemies, which was the city of Jabesh, he sent ambassadors to them,
+commanding them either to deliver themselves up, on condition to have
+their right eyes plucked out, or to undergo a siege, and to have their
+cities overthrown. He gave them their choice, whether they would cut off
+a small member of their body, or universally perish. However, the
+Gileadites were so affrighted at these offers, that they had not courage
+to say any thing to either of them, neither that they would deliver
+themselves up, nor that they would fight him. But they desired that he
+would give them seven days' respite, that they might send ambassadors to
+their countrymen, and entreat their assistance; and if they came to
+assist them, they would fight; but if that assistance were impossible to
+be obtained from them, they said they would deliver themselves up to
+suffer whatever he pleased to inflict upon them.
+
+2. So Nabash, contemning the multitude of the Gileadites and the answer
+they gave, allowed them a respite, and gave them leave to send to
+whomsoever they pleased for assistance. So they immediately sent to the
+Israelites, city by city, and informed them what Nabash had threatened
+to do to them, and what great distress they were in. Now the people fell
+into tears and grief at the hearing of what the ambassadors from Jabesh
+said; and the terror they were in permitted them to do nothing more. But
+when the messengers were come to the city of king Saul, and declared the
+dangers in which the inhabitants of Jabesh were, the people were in the
+same affliction as those in the other cities, for they lamented the
+calamity of those related to them. And when Saul was returned from his
+husbandry into the city, he found his fellow citizens weeping; and when,
+upon inquiry, he had learned the cause of the confusion and sadness they
+were in, he was seized with a divine fury, and sent away the ambassadors
+from the inhabitants of Jabesh, and promised them to come to their
+assistance on the third day, and to beat their enemies before sun-
+rising, that the sun upon its rising might see that they had already
+conquered, and were freed from the fears they were under: but he bid
+some of them stay to conduct them the right way to Jabesh.
+
+3. So being desirous to turn the people to this war against the
+Ammonites by fear of the losses they should otherwise undergo, and that
+they might the more suddenly be gathered together, he cut the sinews of
+his oxen, and threatened to do the same to all such as did not come with
+their armor to Jordan the next day, and follow him and Samuel the
+prophet whithersoever they should lead them. So they came together, out
+of fear of the losses they were threatened with, at the appointed time.
+And the multitude were numbered at the city Bezek. And he found the
+number of those that were gathered together, besides that of the tribe
+of Judah, to be seven hundred thousand, while those of that tribe were
+seventy thousand. So he passed over Jordan, and proceeded in marching
+all that night, thirty furlongs, and came to Jabesh before sun-rising.
+So he divided the army into three companies; and fell upon their enemies
+on every side on the sudden, and when they expected no such thing; and
+joining battle with them, they slew a great many of the Ammonites, as
+also their king Nabash. This glorious action was done by Saul, and was
+related with great commendation of him to all the Hebrews; and he thence
+gained a wonderful reputation for his valor: for although there were
+some of them that contemned him before, they now changed their minds,
+and honored him, and esteemed him as the best of men: for he did not
+content himself with having saved the inhabitants of Jabesh only, but he
+made an expedition into the country of the Ammonites, and laid it all
+waste, and took a large prey, and so returned to his own country most
+gloriously. So the people were greatly pleased at these excellent
+performances of Saul, and rejoiced that they had constituted him their
+king. They also made a clamor against those that pretended he would be
+of no advantage to their affairs; and they said, Where now are these
+men?—let them be brought to punishment, with all the like things that
+multitudes usually say when they are elevated with prosperity, against
+those that lately had despised the authors of it. But Saul, although he
+took the good-will and the affection of these men very kindly, yet did
+he swear that he would not see any of his countrymen slain that day,
+since it was absurd to mix this victory, which God had given them, with
+the blood and slaughter of those that were of the same lineage with
+themselves; and that it was more agreeable to be men of a friendly
+disposition, and so to betake themselves to feasting.
+
+4. And when Samuel had told them that he ought to confirm the kingdom to
+Saul by a second ordination of him, they all came together to the city
+of Gilgal, for thither did he command them to come. So the prophet
+anointed Saul with the holy oil in the sight of the multitude, and
+declared him to be king the second time. And so the government of the
+Hebrews was changed into a regal government; for in the days of Moses,
+and his disciple Joshua, who was their general, they continued under an
+aristocracy; but after the death of Joshua, for eighteen years in all,
+the multitude had no settled form of government, but were in an anarchy;
+after which they returned to their former government, they then
+permitting themselves to be judged by him who appeared to be the best
+warrior and most courageous, whence it was that they called this
+interval of their government the Judges.
+
+5. Then did Samuel the prophet call another assembly also, and said to
+them, "I solemnly adjure you by God Almighty, who brought those
+excellent brethren, I mean Moses and Aaron, into the world, and
+delivered our fathers from the Egyptians, and from the slavery they
+endured under them, that you will not speak what you say to gratify me,
+nor suppress any thing out of fear of me, nor be overborne by any other
+passion, but say, What have I ever done that was cruel or unjust? or
+what have I done out of lucre or covetousness, or to gratify others?
+Bear witness against me, if I have taken an ox or a sheep, or any such
+thing, which yet when they are taken to support men, it is esteemed
+blameless; or have I taken an ass for mine own use of any one to his
+grief?—lay some one such crime to my charge, now we are in your king's
+presence." But they cried out, that no such thing had been done by him,
+but that he had presided over the nation after a holy and righteous
+manner.
+
+6. Hereupon Samuel, when such a testimony had been given him by them
+all, said, "Since you grant that you are not able to lay any ill thing
+to my charge hitherto, come on now, and do you hearken while I speak
+with great freedom to you. You have been guilty of great impiety against
+God, in asking you a king. It behoves you to remember that our
+grandfather Jacob came down into Egypt, by reason of a famine, with
+seventy souls only of our family, and that their posterity multiplied
+there to many ten thousands, whom the Egyptians brought into slavery and
+hard oppression; that God himself, upon the prayers of our fathers, sent
+Moses and Aaron, who were brethren, and gave them power to deliver the
+multitude out of their distress, and this without a king. These brought
+us into this very land which you now possess: and when you enjoyed these
+advantages from God, you betrayed his worship and religion; nay,
+moreover, when you were brought under the hands of your enemies, he
+delivered you, first by rendering you superior to the Assyrians and
+their forces, he then made you to overcome the Ammonites and the
+Moabites, and last of all the Philistines; and these things have been
+achieved under the conduct of Jephtha and Gideon. What madness therefore
+possessed you to fly from God, and to desire to be under a king?—yet
+have I ordained him for king whom he chose for you. However, that I may
+make it plain to you that God is angry and displeased at your choice of
+kingly government, I will so dispose him that he shall declare this very
+plainly to you by strange signals; for what none of you ever saw here
+before, I mean a winter storm in the midst of harvest, 10 I will entreat
+of God, and will make it visible to you." Now, as soon as he had said
+this, God gave such great signals by thunder and lightning, and the
+descent of hail, as attested the truth of all that the prophet had said,
+insomuch that they were amazed and terrified, and confessed they had
+sinned, and had fallen into that sin through ignorance; and besought the
+prophet, as one that was a tender and gentle father to them, to render
+God so merciful as to forgive this their sin, which they had added to
+those other offenses whereby they had affronted him and transgressed
+against him. So he promised them that he would beseech God, and persuade
+him to forgive them these their sins. However, he advised them to be
+righteous, and to be good, and ever to remember the miseries that had
+befallen them on account of their departure from virtue: as also to
+remember the strange signs God had shown them, and the body of laws that
+Moses had given them, if they had any desire of being preserved and made
+happy with their king. But he said, that if they should grow careless of
+these things, great judgments would come from God upon them, and upon
+their king. And when Samuel had thus prophesied to the Hebrews, he
+dismissed them to their own homes, having confirmed the kingdom to Saul
+the second time.
+
+
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER 6. How The Philistines Made Another Expedition Against The
+Hebrews And Were Beaten.
+
+1. Now Saul chose out of the multitude about three thousand men, and he
+took two thousand of them to be the guards of his own body, and abode in
+the city Bethel, but he gave the rest of them to Jonathan his son, to be
+the guards of his body; and sent him to Gibeah, where he besieged and
+took a certain garrison of the Philistines, not far from Gilgal; for the
+Philistines of Gibeah had beaten the Jews, and taken their weapons away,
+and had put garrisons into the strongest places of the country, and had
+forbidden them to carry any instrument of iron, or at all to make use of
+any iron in any case whatsoever. And on account of this prohibition it
+was that the husbandmen, if they had occasion to sharpen any of their
+tools, whether it were the coulter or the spade, or any instrument of
+husbandry, they came to the Philistines to do it. Now as soon as the
+Philistines heard of this slaughter of their garrison, they were in a
+rage about it, and, looking on this contempt as a terrible affront
+offered them, they made war against the Jews, with three hundred
+thousand footmen, and thirty thousand chariots, and six thousand horses;
+and they pitched their camp at the city Michmash. When Saul, the king of
+the Hebrews, was informed of this, he went down to the city Gilgal, and
+made proclamation over all the country, that they should try to regain
+their liberty; and called them to the war against the Philistines,
+diminishing their forces, and despising them as not very considerable,
+and as not so great but they might hazard a battle with them. But when
+the people about Saul observed how numerous the Philistines were, they
+were under a great consternation; and some of them hid themselves in
+caves and in dens under ground, but the greater part fled into the land
+beyond Jordan, which belonged to Gad and Reuben.
+
+2. But Saul sent to the prophet, and called him to consult with him
+about the war and the public affairs; so he commanded him to stay there
+for him, and to prepare sacrifices, for he would come to him within
+seven days, that they might offer sacrifices on the seventh day, and
+might then join battle with their enemies. So he waited 11 as the
+prophet sent to him to do; yet did not he, however, observe the command
+that was given him, but when he saw that the prophet tarried longer than
+he expected, and that he was deserted by the soldiers, he took the
+sacrifices and offered them; and when he heard that Samuel was come, he
+went out to meet him. But the prophet said he had not done well in
+disobeying the injunctions he had sent to him, and had not staid till
+his coming, which being appointed according to the will of God, he had
+prevented him in offering up those prayers and those sacrifices that he
+should have made for the multitude, and that he therefore had performed
+Divine offices in an ill manner, and had been rash in performing them.
+Hereupon Saul made an apology for himself, and said that he had waited
+as many days as Samuel had appointed him; that he had been so quick in
+offering his sacrifices, upon account of the necessity he was in, and
+because his soldiers were departing from him, out of their fear of the
+enemy's camp at Michmash, the report being gone abroad that they were
+coming down upon him of Gilgal. To which Samuel replied, "Nay,
+certainly, if thou hadst been a righteous man, 12 and hadst not
+disobeyed me, nor slighted the commands which God suggested to me
+concerning the present state of affairs, and hadst not acted more
+hastily than the present circumstances required, thou wouldst have been
+permitted to reign a long time, and thy posterity after thee." So
+Samuel, being grieved at what happened, returned home; but Saul came to
+the city Gibeah, with his son Jonathan, having only six hundred men with
+him; and of these the greater part had no weapons, because of the
+scarcity of iron in that country, as well as of those that could make
+such weapons; for, as we showed a little before, the Philistines had not
+suffered them to have such iron or such workmen. Now the Philistines
+divided their army into three companies, and took as many roads, and
+laid waste the country of the Hebrews, while king Saul and his son
+Jonathan saw what was done, but were not able to defend the land, having
+no more than six hundred men with them. But as he, and his son, and
+Abiah the high priest, who was of the posterity of Eli the high priest,
+were sitting upon a pretty high hill, and seeing the land laid waste,
+they were mightily disturbed at it. Now Saul's son agreed with his
+armor-bearer, that they would go privately to the enemy's camp, and make
+a tumult and a disturbance among them. And when the armor-bearer had
+readily promised to follow him whithersoever he should lead him, though
+he should be obliged to die in the attempt, Jonathan made use of the
+young man's assistance, and descended from the hill, and went to their
+enemies. Now the enemy's camp was upon a precipice which had three tops,
+that ended in a small but sharp and long extremity, while there was a
+rock that surrounded them, like lines made to prevent the attacks of an
+enemy. There it so happened, that the out-guards of the camp were
+neglected, because of the security that here arose from the situation of
+the place, and because they thought it altogether impossible, not only
+to ascend up to the camp on that quarter, but so much as to come near
+it. As soon, therefore, as they came to the camp, Jonathan encouraged
+his armor-bearer, and said to him, "Let us attack our enemies; and if,
+when they see us, they bid us come up to them, take that for a signal of
+victory; but if they say nothing, as not intending to invite us to come
+up, let us return back again." So when they were approaching to the
+enemy's camp, just after break of day, and the Philistines saw them,
+they said one to another, "The Hebrews come out of their dens and
+caves:" and they said to Jonathan and to his armor-bearer, "Come on,
+ascend up to us, that we may inflict a just punishment upon you, for
+your rash attempt upon us." So Saul's son accepted of that invitation,
+as what signified to him victory, and he immediately came out of the
+place whence they were seen by their enemies: so he changed his place,
+and came to the rock, which had none to guard it, because of its own
+strength; from thence they crept up with great labor and difficulty, and
+so far overcame by force the nature of the place, till they were able to
+fight with their enemies. So they fell upon them as they were asleep,
+and slew about twenty of them, and thereby filled them with disorder and
+surprise, insomuch that some of them threw away their entire armor and
+fled; but the greatest part, not knowing one another, because they were
+of different nations, suspected one another to be enemies, [for they did
+not imagine there were only two of the Hebrews that came up,] and so
+they fought one against another; and some of them died in the battle,
+and some, as they were flying away, were thrown down from the rock
+headlong.
+
+3. Now Saul's watchmen told the king that the camp of the Philistines
+was in confusion; then he inquired whether any body was gone away from
+the army; and when he heard that his son, and with him his armor-bearer,
+were absent, he bade the high priest take the garments of his high
+priesthood, and prophesy to him what success they should have; who said
+that they should get the victory, and prevail against their enemies. So
+he went out after the Philistines, and set upon them as they were
+slaying one another. Those also who had fled to dens and caves, upon
+hearing that Saul was gaining a victory, came running to him. When,
+therefore, the number of the Hebrews that came to Saul amounted to about
+ten thousand, he pursued the enemy, who were scattered all over the
+country; but then he fell into an action, which was a very unhappy one,
+and liable to be very much blamed; for, whether out of ignorance or
+whether out of joy for a victory gained so strangely, [for it frequently
+happens that persons so fortunate are not then able to use their reason
+consistently,] as he was desirous to avenge himself, and to exact a due
+punishment of the Philistines, he denounced a curse 13 upon the Hebrews:
+That if any one put a stop to his slaughter of the enemy, and fell on
+eating, and left off the slaughter or the pursuit before the night came
+on, and obliged them so to do, he should be accursed. Now after Saul had
+denounced this curse, since they were now in a wood belonging to the
+tribe of Ephraim, which was thick and full of bees, Saul's son, who did
+not hear his father denounce that curse, nor hear of the approbation the
+multitude gave to it, broke off a piece of a honey-comb, and ate part of
+it. But, in the mean time, he was informed with what a curse his father
+had forbidden them to taste any thing before sun-setting: so he left off
+eating, and said his father had not done well in this prohibition,
+because, had they taken some food, they had pursued the enemy with
+greater rigor and alacrity, and had both taken and slain many more of
+their enemies.
+
+4. When, therefore, they had slain many ten thousands of the
+Philistines, they fell upon spoiling the camp of the Philistines, but
+not till late in the evening. They also took a great deal of prey and
+cattle, and killed them, and ate them with their blood. This was told to
+the king by the scribes, that the multitude were sinning against God as
+they sacrificed, and were eating before the blood was well washed away,
+and the flesh was made clean. Then did Saul give order that a great
+stone should be rolled into the midst of them, and he made proclamation
+that they should kill their sacrifices upon it, and not feed upon the
+flesh with the blood, for that was not acceptable to God. And when all
+the people did as the king commanded them, Saul erected an altar there,
+and offered burnt-offerings upon it to God 14 This was the first altar
+that Saul built.
+
+5. So when Saul was desirous of leading his men to the enemy's camp
+before it was day, in order to plunder it, and when the soldiers were
+not unwilling to follow him, but indeed showed great readiness to do as
+he commanded them, the king called Ahitub the high priest, and enjoined
+him to know of God whether he would grant them the favor and permission
+to go against the enemy's camp, in order to destroy those that were in
+it. And when the priest said that God did not give any answer, Saul
+replied, "And not without some cause does God refuse to answer what we
+inquire of him, while yet a little while ago he declared to us all that
+we desired beforehand, and even prevented us in his answer. To be sure
+there is some sin against him that is concealed from us, which is the
+occasion of his silence. Now I swear by him himself, that though he that
+hath committed this sin should prove to be my own son Jonathan, I will
+slay him, and by that means will appease the anger of God against us,
+and that in the very same manner as if I were to punish a stranger, and
+one not at all related to me, for the same offense." So when the
+multitude cried out to him so to do, he presently set all the rest on
+one side, and he and his son stood on the other side, and he sought to
+discover the offender by lot. Now the lot appeared to fall upon Jonathan
+himself. So when he was asked by his father what sin he had been guilty
+of, and what he was conscious of in the course of his life that might be
+esteemed instances of guilt or profaneness, his answer was this, "O
+father, I have done nothing more than that yesterday, without knowing of
+the curse and oath thou hadst denounced, while I was in pursuit of the
+enemy, I tasted of a honey-comb." But Saul sware that he would slay him,
+and prefer the observation of his oath before all the ties of birth and
+of nature. And Jonathan was not dismayed at this threatening of death,
+but, offering himself to it generously and undauntedly, he said, "Nor do
+I desire you, father, to spare me: death will be to me very acceptable,
+when it proceeds from thy piety, and after a glorious victory; for it is
+the greatest consolation to me that I leave the Hebrews victorious over
+the Philistines." Hereupon all the people were very sorry, and greatly
+afflicted for Jonathan; and they sware that they would not overlook
+Jonathan, and see him die, who was the author of their victory. By which
+means they snatched him out of the danger he was in from his father's
+curse, while they made their prayers to God also for the young man, that
+he would remit his sin.
+
+6. So Saul, having slain about sixty thousand of the enemy, returned
+home to his own city, and reigned happily: and he also fought against
+the neighboring nations, and subdued the Ammonites, and Moabites, and
+Philistines, and Edomites, and Amalekites, as also the king of Zobah. He
+had three male children, Jonathan, and Isui, and Melchishua; with Merab
+and Michal his daughters. He had also Abner, his uncle's son, for the
+captain of his host: that uncle's name was Ner. Now Ner, and Kish the
+father of Saul, were brothers. Saul had also a great many chariots and
+horsemen, and against whomsoever he made war he returned conqueror, and
+advanced the affairs of the Hebrews to a great degree of success and
+prosperity, and made them superior to other nations; and he made such of
+the young men as were remarkable for tallness and comeliness the guards
+of his body.
+
+
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER 7. Saul's War With The Amalekites, And Conquest Of Them.
+
+1. Now Samuel came unto Saul, and said to him, that he was sent by God
+to put him in mind that God had preferred him before all others, and
+ordained him king; that he therefore ought to be obedient to him, and to
+submit to his authority, as considering, that though he had the dominion
+over the other tribes, yet that God had the dominion over him, and over
+all things. That accordingly God said to him, that "because the
+Amalekites did the Hebrews a great deal of mischief while they were in
+the wilderness, and when, upon their coming out of Egypt, they were
+making their way to that country which is now their own, I enjoin thee
+to punish the Amalekites, by making war upon them; and when thou hast
+subdued them, to leave none of them alive, but to pursue them through
+every age, and to slay them, beginning with the women and the infants,
+and to require this as a punishment to be inflicted upon them for the
+mischief they did to our forefathers; to spare nothing, neither asses
+nor other beasts, nor to reserve any of them for your own advantage and
+possession, but to devote them universally to God, and, in obedience to
+the commands of Moses, to blot out the name of Amalek entirely." 15
+
+2. So Saul promised to do what he was commanded; and supposing that his
+obedience to God would be shown, not only in making war against the
+Amalekites, but more fully in the readiness and quickness of his
+proceedings, he made no delay, but immediately gathered together all his
+forces; and when he had numbered them in Gilgal, he found them to be
+about four hundred thousand of the Israelites, besides the tribe of
+Judah, for that tribe contained by itself thirty thousand. Accordingly,
+Saul made an irruption into the country of the Amalekites, and set many
+men in several parties in ambush at the river, that so he might not only
+do them a mischief by open fighting, but might fall upon them
+unexpectedly in the ways, and might thereby compass them round about,
+and kill them. And when he had joined battle with the enemy, he beat
+them; and pursuing them as they fled, he destroyed them all. And when
+that undertaking had succeeded, according as God had foretold, he set
+upon the cities of the Amalekites; he besieged them, and took them by
+force, partly by warlike machines, partly by mines dug under ground, and
+partly by building walls on the outsides. Some they starved out with
+famine, and some they gained by other methods; and after all, he betook
+himself to slay the women and the children, and thought he did not act
+therein either barbarously or inhumanly; first, because they were
+enemies whom he thus treated, and, in the next place, because it was
+done by the command of God, whom it was dangerous not to obey. He also
+took Agag, the enemies' king, captive,—the beauty and tallness of whose
+body he admired so much, that he thought him worthy of preservation. Yet
+was not this done however according to the will of God, but by giving
+way to human passions, and suffering himself to be moved with an
+unseasonable commiseration, in a point where it was not safe for him to
+indulge it; for God hated the nation of the Amalekites to such a degree,
+that he commanded Saul to have no pity on even those infants which we by
+nature chiefly compassionate; but Saul preserved their king and governor
+from the miseries which the Hebrews brought on the people, as if he
+preferred the fine appearance of the enemy to the memory of what God had
+sent him about. The multitude were also guilty, together with Saul; for
+they spared the herds and the flocks, and took them for a prey, when God
+had commanded they should not spare them. They also carried off with
+them the rest of their wealth and riches; but if there were any thing
+that was not worthy of regard, that they destroyed.
+
+3. But when Saul had conquered all these Amalekites that reached from
+Pelusium of Egypt to the Red Sea, he laid waste all the rest of the
+enemy's country: but for the nation of the Shechemites, he did not touch
+them, although they dwelt in the very middle of the country of Midian;
+for before the battle, Saul had sent to them, and charged them to depart
+thence, lest they should be partakers of the miseries of the Amalekites;
+for he had a just occasion for saving them, since they were of the
+kindred of Raguel, Moses's father-in-law.
+
+4. Hereupon Saul returned home with joy, for the glorious things he had
+done, and for the conquest of his enemies, as though he had not
+neglected any thing which the prophet had enjoined him to do when he was
+going to make war with the Amalekites, and as though he had exactly
+observed all that he ought to have done. But God was grieved that the
+king of the Amalekites was preserved alive, and that the multitude had
+seized on the cattle for a prey, because these things were done without
+his permission; for he thought it an intolerable thing that they should
+conquer and overcome their enemies by that power which he gave them, and
+then that he himself should be so grossly despised and disobeyed by
+them, that a mere man that was a king would not bear it. He therefore
+told Samuel the prophet, that he repented that he had made Saul king,
+while he did nothing that he had commanded him, but indulged his own
+inclinations. When Samuel heard that, he was in confusion, and began to
+beseech God all that night to be reconciled to Saul, and not to be angry
+with him; but he did not grant that forgiveness to Saul which the
+prophet asked for, as not deeming it a fit thing to grant forgiveness of
+[such] sins at his entreaties, since injuries do not otherwise grow so
+great as by the easy tempers of those that are injured; or while they
+hunt after the glory of being thought gentle and good-natured, before
+they are aware they produce other sins. As soon therefore as God had
+rejected the intercession of the prophet, and it plainly appeared he
+would not change his mind, at break of day Samuel came to Saul at
+Gilgal. When the king saw him, he ran to him, and embraced him, and
+said, "I return thanks to God, who hath given me the victory, for I have
+performed every thing that he hath commanded me." To which Samuel
+replied, "How is it then that I hear the bleating of the sheep and the
+lowing of the greater cattle in the camp?" Saul made answer, That the
+people had reserved them for sacrifices; but that, as to the nation of
+the Amalekites, it was entirely destroyed, as he had received it in
+command to see done, and that no one man was left; but that he had saved
+alive the king alone, and brought him to him, concerning whom, he said,
+they would advise together what should be done with him. But the prophet
+said, "God is not delighted with sacrifices, but with good and with
+righteous men, who are such as follow his will and his laws, and never
+think that any thing is well done by them but when they do it as God had
+commanded them; that he then looks upon himself as affronted, not when
+any one does not sacrifice, but when any one appears to be disobedient
+to him. But that from those who do not obey him, nor pay him that duty
+which is the alone true and acceptable worship, he will not kindly
+accept their oblations, be those they offer ever so many and so fat, and
+be the presents they make him ever so ornamental, nay, though they were
+made of gold and silver themselves, but he will reject them, and esteem
+them instances of wickedness, and not of piety. And that he is delighted
+with those that still bear in mind this one thing, and this only, how to
+do that, whatsoever it be, which God pronounces or commands for them to
+do, and to choose rather to die than to transgress any of those
+commands; nor does he require so much as a sacrifice from them. And when
+these do sacrifice, though it be a mean oblation, he better accepts of
+it as the honor of poverty, than such oblations as come from the richest
+men that offer them to him. Wherefore take notice, that thou art under
+the wrath of God, for thou hast despised and neglected what he commanded
+thee. How dost thou then suppose that he will respect a sacrifice out of
+such things as he hath doomed to destruction? unless perhaps thou dost
+imagine that it is almost all one to offer it in sacrifice to God as to
+destroy it. Do thou therefore expect that thy kingdom will be taken from
+thee, and that authority which thou hast abused by such insolent
+behavior, as to neglect that God who bestowed it upon thee." Then did
+Saul confess that he had acted unjustly, and did not deny that he had
+sinned, because he had transgressed the injunctions of the prophet; but
+he said that it was out of a dread and fear of the soldiers, that he did
+not prohibit and restrain them when they seized on the prey. "But
+forgive me," said he, "and be merciful to me, for I will be cautious how
+I offend for the time to come." He also entreated the prophet to go back
+with him, that he might offer his thank-offerings to God; but Samuel
+went home, because he saw that God would not be reconciled to him.
+
+5. But then Saul was so desirous to retain Samuel, that he took hold of
+his cloak, and because the vehemence of Samuel's departure made the
+motion to be violent, the cloak was rent. Upon which the prophet said,
+that after the same manner should the kingdom be rent from him, and that
+a good and a just man should take it; that God persevered in what he had
+decreed about him; that to be mutable and changeable in what is
+determined, is agreeable to human passions only, but is not agreeable to
+the Divine Power. Hereupon Saul said that he had been wicked, but that
+what was done could not be undone: he therefore desired him to honor him
+so far, that the multitude might see that he would accompany him in
+worshipping God. So Samuel granted him that favor, and went with him and
+worshipped God. Agag also, the king of the Amalekites, was brought to
+him; and when the king asked, How bitter death was? Samuel said, "As
+thou hast made many of the Hebrew mothers to lament and bewail the loss
+of their children, so shalt thou, by thy death, cause thy mother to
+lament thee also." Accordingly, he gave order to slay him immediately at
+Gilgal, and then went away to the city Ramah.
+
+
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER 8. How, Upon Saul's Transgression Of The Prophet's Commands,
+Samuel Ordained Another Person To Be King Privately, Whose Name Was
+David, As God Commanded Him.
+
+1. Now Saul being sensible of the miserable condition he had brought
+himself into, and that he had made God to be his enemy, he went up to
+his royal palace at Gibeah, which name denotes a hill, and after that
+day he came no more into the presence of the prophet. And when Samuel
+mourned for him, God bid him leave off his concern for him, and to take
+the holy oil, and go to Bethlehem, to Jesse the son of Obed, and to
+anoint such of his sons as he should show him for their future king. But
+Samuel said, he was afraid lest Saul, when he came to know of it, should
+kill him, either by some private method or even openly. But upon God's
+suggesting to him a safe way of going thither, he came to the
+forementioned city; and when they all saluted him, and asked what was
+the occasion of his coming, he told them he came to sacrifice to God.
+When, therefore, he had gotten the sacrifice ready, he called Jesse and
+his sons to partake of those sacrifices; and when he saw his eldest son
+to be a tall and handsome man, he guessed by his comeliness that he was
+the person who was to be their future king. But he was mistaken in
+judging about God's providence; for when Samuel inquired of God whether
+he should anoint this youth, whom he so admired, and esteemed worthy of
+the kingdom, God said, "Men do not see as God seeth. Thou indeed hast
+respect to the fine appearance of this youth, and thence esteemest him
+worthy of the kingdom, while I propose the kingdom as a reward, not of
+the beauty of bodies, but of the virtue of souls, and I inquire after
+one that is perfectly comely in that respect; I mean one who is
+beautiful in piety, and righteousness, and fortitude, and obedience, for
+in them consists the comeliness of the soul." When God had said this,
+Samuel bade Jesse to show him all his sons. So he made five others of
+his sons to come to him; of all of whom Eliab was the eldest, Aminadab
+the second, Shammall the third, Nathaniel the fourth, Rael the fifth,
+and Asam the sixth. And when the prophet saw that these were no way
+inferior to the eldest in their countenances, he inquired of God which
+of them it was whom he chose for their king. And when God said it was
+none of them, he asked Jesse whether he had not some other sons besides
+these; and when he said that he had one more, named David, but that he
+was a shepherd, and took care of the flocks, Samuel bade them call him
+immediately, for that till he was come they could not possibly sit down
+to the feast. Now, as soon as his father had sent for David, and he was
+come, he appeared to be of a yellow complexion, of a sharp sight, and a
+comely person in other respects also. This is he, said Samuel privately
+to himself, whom it pleases God to make our king. So he sat down to the
+feast, and placed the youth under him, and Jesse also, with his other
+sons; after which he took oil in the presence of David, and anointed
+him, and whispered him in the ear, and acquainted him that God chose him
+to be their king; and exhorted him to be righteous, and obedient to his
+commands, for that by this means his kingdom would continue for a long
+time, and that his house should be of great splendor, and celebrated in
+the world; that he should overthrow the Philistines; and that against
+what nations soever he should make war, he should be the conqueror, and
+survive the fight; and that while he lived he should enjoy a glorious
+name, and leave such a name to his posterity also.
+
+2. So Samuel, when he had given him these admonitions, went away. But
+the Divine Power departed from Saul, and removed to David; who, upon
+this removal of the Divine Spirit to him, began to prophesy. But as for
+Saul, some strange and demoniacal disorders came upon him, and brought
+upon him such suffocations as were ready to choke him; for which the
+physicians could find no other remedy but this, That if any person could
+charm those passions by singing, and playing upon the harp, they advised
+them to inquire for such a one, and to observe when these demons came
+upon him and disturbed him, and to take care that such a person might
+stand over him, and play upon the harp, and recite hymns to him. 16
+Accordingly Saul did not delay, but commanded them to seek out such a
+man. And when a certain stander-by said that he had seen in the city of
+Bethlehem a son of Jesse, who was yet no more than a child in age, but
+comely and beautiful, and in other respects one that was deserving of
+great regard, who was skillful in playing on the harp, and in singing of
+hymns, [and an excellent soldier in war,] he sent to Jesse, and desired
+him to take David away from the flocks, and send him to him, for he had
+a mind to see him, as having heard an advantageous character of his
+comeliness and his valor. So Jesse sent his son, and gave him presents
+to carry to Saul. And when he was come, Saul was pleased with him, and
+made him his armor-bearer, and had him in very great esteem; for he
+charmed his passion, and was the only physician against the trouble he
+had from the demons, whensoever it was that it came upon him, and this
+by reciting of hymns, and playing upon the harp, and bringing Saul to
+his right mind again. However, he sent to Jesse, the father of the
+child, and desired him to permit David to stay with him, for that he was
+delighted with his sight and company; which stay, that he might not
+contradict Saul, he granted.
+
+
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER 9. How The Philistines Made Another Expedition Against The
+Hebrews Under The Reign Of Saul; And How They Were Overcome By David's
+Slaying Goliath In Single Combat.
+
+1. Now the Philistines gathered themselves together again no very long
+time afterward; and having gotten together a great army, they made war
+against the Israelites; and having seized a place between Shochoh and
+Azekah, they there pitched their camp. Saul also drew out his army to
+oppose them; and by pitching his own camp on a certain hill, he forced
+the Philistines to leave their former camp, and to encamp themselves
+upon such another hill, over-against that on which Saul's army lay, so
+that a valley, which was between the two hills on which they lay,
+divided their camps asunder. Now there came down a man out of the camp
+of the Philistines, whose name was Goliath, of the city of Gath, a man
+of vast bulk, for he was of four cubits and a span in tallness, and had
+about him weapons suitable to the largeness of his body, for he had a
+breastplate on that weighed five thousand shekels: he had also a helmet
+and greaves of brass, as large as you would naturally suppose might
+cover the limbs of so vast a body. His spear was also such as was not
+carried like a light thing in his right hand, but he carried it as lying
+on his shoulders. He had also a lance of six hundred shekels; and many
+followed him to carry his armor. Wherefore this Goliath stood between
+the two armies, as they were in battle array, and sent out aloud voice,
+and said to Saul and the Hebrews, "I will free you from fighting and
+from dangers; for what necessity is there that your army should fall and
+be afflicted? Give me a man of you that will fight with me, and he that
+conquers shall have the reward of the conqueror and determine the war;
+for these shall serve those others to whom the conqueror shall belong;
+and certainly it is much better, and more prudent, to gain what you
+desire by the hazard of one man than of all." When he had said this, he
+retired to his own camp; but the next day he came again, and used the
+same words, and did not leave off for forty days together, to challenge
+the enemy in the same words, till Saul and his army were therewith
+terrified, while they put themselves in array as if they would fight,
+but did not come to a close battle.
+
+2. Now while this war between the Hebrews and the Philistines was going
+on, Saul sent away David to his father Jesse, and contented himself with
+those three sons of his whom he had sent to his assistance, and to be
+partners in the dangers of the war: and at first David returned to feed
+his sheep and his flocks; but after no long time he came to the camp of
+the Hebrews, as sent by his father, to carry provisions to his brethren,
+and to know what they were doing. While Goliath came again, and
+challenged them, and reproached them, that they had no man of valor
+among them that durst come down to fight him; and as David was talking
+with his brethren about the business for which his father had sent him,
+he heard the Philistine reproaching and abusing the army, and had
+indignation at it, and said to his brethren, "I am ready to fight a
+single combat with this adversary." Whereupon Eliab, his eldest brother,
+reproved him, and said that he spoke too rashly and improperly for one
+of his age, and bid him go to his flocks, and to his father. So he was
+abashed at his brother's words, and went away, but still he spake to
+some of the soldiers that he was willing to fight with him that
+challenged them. And when they had informed Saul what was the resolution
+of the young man, the king sent for him to come to him: and when the
+king asked what he had to say, he replied, "O king, be not cast down,
+nor afraid, for I will depress the insolence of this adversary, and will
+go down and fight with him, and will bring him under me, as tall and as
+great as he is, till he shall be sufficiently laughed at, and thy army
+shall get great glory, when he shall be slain by one that is not yet of
+man's estate, neither fit for fighting, nor capable of being intrusted
+with the marshalling an army, or ordering a battle, but by one that
+looks like a child, and is really no elder in age than a child."
+
+3. Now Saul wondered at the boldness and alacrity of David, but durst
+not presume on his ability, by reason of his age; but said he must on
+that account be too weak to fight with one that was skilled in the art
+of war. "I undertake this enterprise," said David, "in dependence on
+God's being with me, for I have had experience already of his
+assistance; for I once pursued after and caught a lion that assaulted my
+flocks, and took away a lamb from them; and I snatched the lamb out of
+the wild beast's mouth, and when he leaped upon me with violence, I took
+him by the tail, and dashed him against the ground. In the same manner
+did I avenge myself on a bear also; and let this adversary of ours be
+esteemed like one of these wild beasts, since he has a long while
+reproached our army, and blasphemed our God, who yet will reduce him
+under my power."
+
+4. However, Saul prayed that the end might be, by God's assistance, not
+disagreeable to the alacrity and boldness of the child; and said, "Go
+thy way to the fight." So he put about him his breastplate, and girded
+on his sword, and fitted the helmet to his head, and sent him away. But
+David was burdened with his armor, for he had not been exercised to it,
+nor had he learned to walk with it; so he said, "Let this armor be
+thine, O king, who art able to bear it; but give me leave to fight as
+thy servant, and as I myself desire." Accordingly he laid by the armor,
+and taking his staff with him, and putting five stones out of the brook
+into a shepherd's bag, and having a sling in his right hand, he went
+towards Goliath. But the adversary seeing him come in such a manner,
+disdained him, and jested upon him, as if he had not such weapons with
+him as are usual when one man fights against another, but such as are
+used in driving away and avoiding of dogs; and said, "Dost thou take me
+not for a man, but a dog?" To which he replied, "No, not for a dog, but
+for a creature worse than a dog." This provoked Goliath to anger, who
+thereupon cursed him by the name of God, and threatened to give his
+flesh to the beasts of the earth, and to the fowls of the air, to be
+torn in pieces by them. To whom David answered, "Thou comest to me with
+a sword, and with a spear, and with a breastplate; but I have God for my
+armor in coming against thee, who will destroy thee and all thy army by
+my hands for I will this day cut off thy head, and cast the other parts
+of thy body to the dogs, and all men shall learn that God is the
+protector of the Hebrews, and that our armor and our strength is in his
+providence; and that without God's assistance, all other warlike
+preparations and power are useless." So the Philistine being retarded by
+the weight of his armor, when he attempted to meet David in haste, came
+on but slowly, as despising him, and depending upon it that he should
+slay him, who was both unarmed and a child also, without any trouble at
+all.
+
+5. But the youth met his antagonist, being accompanied with an invisible
+assistant, who was no other than God himself. And taking one of the
+stones that he had out of the brook, and had put into his shepherd's
+bag, and fitting it to his sling, he slang it against the Philistine.
+This stone fell upon his forehead, and sank into his brain, insomuch
+that Goliath was stunned, and fell upon his face. So David ran, and
+stood upon his adversary as he lay down, and cut off his head with his
+own sword; for he had no sword himself. And upon the fall of Goliath the
+Philistines were beaten, and fled; for when they saw their champion
+prostrate on the ground, they were afraid of the entire issue of their
+affairs, and resolved not to stay any longer, but committed themselves
+to an ignominious and indecent flight, and thereby endeavored to save
+themselves from the dangers they were in. But Saul and the entire army
+of the Hebrews made a shout, and rushed upon them, and slew a great
+number of them, and pursued the rest to the borders of Garb, and to the
+gates of Ekron; so that there were slain of the Philistines thirty
+thousand, and twice as many wounded. But Saul returned to their camp,
+and pulled their fortification to pieces, and burnt it; but David
+carried the head of Goliath into his own tent, but dedicated his sword
+to God [at the tabernacle].
+
+
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER 10. Saul Envies David For His Glorious Success, And Takes An
+Occasion Of Entrapping Him, From The Promise He Made Him Of Giving Him
+His Daughter In Marriage; But This Upon Condition Of His Bringing Him
+Six Hundred Heads Of The Philistines.
+
+1. Now the women were an occasion of Saul's envy and hatred to David;
+for they came to meet their victorious army with cymbals, and drums, and
+all demonstrations of joy, and sang thus: The wives said, that "Saul had
+slain his many thousands of the Philistines." The virgins replied, that
+"David had slain his ten thousands." Now, when the king heard them
+singing thus, and that he had himself the smallest share in their
+commendations, and the greater number, the ten thousands, were ascribed
+to the young man; and when he considered with himself that there was
+nothing more wanting to David, after such a mighty applause, but the
+kingdom; he began to be afraid and suspicious of David. Accordingly he
+removed him from the station he was in before, for he was his armor-
+bearer, which, out of fear, seemed to him much too near a station for
+him; and so he made him captain over a thousand, and bestowed on him a
+post better indeed in itself, but, as he thought, more for his own
+security; for he had a mind to send him against the enemy, and into
+battles, as hoping he would be slain in such dangerous conflicts.
+
+2. But David had God going along with him whithersoever he went, and
+accordingly he greatly prospered in his undertakings, and it was visible
+that he had mighty success, insomuch that Saul's daughter, who was still
+a virgin, fell in love with him; and her affection so far prevailed over
+her, that it could not be concealed, and her father became acquainted
+with it. Now Saul heard this gladly, as intending to make use of it for
+a snare against David, and he hoped that it would prove the cause of
+destruction and of hazard to him; so he told those that informed him of
+his daughter's affection, that he would willingly give David the virgin
+in marriage, and said, "I engage myself to marry my daughter to him if
+he will bring me six hundred heads of my enemies 17 supposing that when
+a reward so ample was proposed to him, and when he should aim to get him
+great glory, by undertaking a thing so dangerous and incredible, he
+would immediately set about it, and so perish by the Philistines; and my
+designs about him will succeed finely to my mind, for I shall be freed
+from him, and get him slain, not by myself, but by another man." So he
+gave order to his servants to try how David would relish this proposal
+of marrying the damsel. Accordingly, they began to speak thus to him:
+That king Saul loved him, as well as did all the people, and that he was
+desirous of his affinity by the marriage of this damsel. To which he
+gave this answer:—"Seemeth it to you a light thing to be made the king's
+son-in-law? It does not seem so to me, especially when I am one of a
+family that is low, and without any glory or honor." Now when Saul was
+informed by his servants what answer David had made, he said,—"Tell him
+that I do not want any money nor dowry from him, which would be rather
+to set my daughter to sale than to give her in marriage; but I desire
+only such a son-in-law as hath in him fortitude, and all other kinds of
+virtue," of which he saw David was possessed, and that his desire was to
+receive of him, on account of his marrying his daughter, neither gold
+nor silver, nor that he should bring such wealth out of his father's
+house, but only some revenge on the Philistines, and indeed six hundred
+of their heads, than which a more desirable or a more glorious present
+could not be brought him, and that he had much rather obtain this, than
+any of the accustomed dowries for his daughter, viz. that she should be
+married to a man of that character, and to one who had a testimony as
+having conquered his enemies.
+
+3. When these words of Saul were brought to David, he was pleased with
+them, and supposed that Saul was really desirous of this affinity with
+him; so that without bearing to deliberate any longer, or casting about
+in his mind whether what was proposed was possible, or was difficult or
+not, he and his companions immediately set upon the enemy, and went
+about doing what was proposed as the condition of the marriage.
+Accordingly, because it was God who made all things easy and possible to
+David, he slew many [of the Philistines], and cut off the heads of six
+hundred of them, and came to the king, and by showing him these heads of
+the Philistines, required that he might have his daughter in marriage.
+Accordingly, Saul having no way of getting off his engagements, as
+thinking it a base thing either to seem a liar when he promised him this
+marriage, or to appear to have acted treacherously by him, in putting
+him upon what was in a manner impossible, in order to have him slain, he
+gave him his daughter in marriage: her name was Michal.
+
+
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER 11. How David, Upon Saul's Laying Snares For Him, Did Yet Escape
+The Dangers He Was In By The Affection And Care Of Jonathan And The
+Contrivances Of His Wife Michal: And How He Came To Samuel The Prophet.
+
+1. However, Saul was not disposed to persevere long in the state wherein
+he was, for when he saw that David was in great esteem, both with God
+and with the multitude, he was afraid; and being not able to conceal his
+fear as concerning great things, his kingdom and his life, to be
+deprived of either of which was a very great calamity, he resolved to
+have David slain, and commanded his son Jonathan and his most faithful
+servants to kill him: but Jonathan wondered at his father's change with
+relation to David, that it should be made to so great a degree, from
+showing him no small good-will, to contrive how to have him killed. Now,
+because he loved the young man, and reverenced him for his virtue, he
+informed him of the secret charge his father had given, and what his
+intentions were concerning him. However, he advised him to take care and
+be absent the next day, for that he would salute his father, and, if he
+met with a favorable opportunity, he would discourse with him about him,
+and learn the cause of his disgust, and show how little ground there was
+for it, and that for it he ought not to kill a man that had done so many
+good things to the multitude, and had been a benefactor to himself, on
+account of which he ought in reason to obtain pardon, had he been guilty
+of the greatest crimes; and "I will then inform thee of my father's
+resolution." Accordingly David complied with such an advantageous
+advice, and kept himself then out of the king's sight.
+
+2. On the next day Jonathan came to Saul, as soon as he saw him in a
+cheerful and joyful disposition, and began to introduce a discourse
+about David: "What unjust action, O father, either little or great, hast
+thou found so exceptionable in David, as to induce thee to order us to
+slay a man who hath been of great advantage to thy own preservation, and
+of still greater to the punishment of the Philistines? A man who hath
+delivered the people of the Hebrews from reproach and derision, which
+they underwent for forty days together, when he alone had courage enough
+to sustain the challenge of the adversary, and after that brought as
+many heads of our enemies as he was appointed to bring, and had, as a
+reward for the same, my sister in marriage; insomuch that his death
+would be very sorrowful to us, not only on account of his virtue, but on
+account of the nearness of our relation; for thy daughter must be
+injured at the same time that he is slain, and must be obliged to
+experience widowhood, before she can come to enjoy any advantage from
+their mutual conversation. Consider these things, and change your mind
+to a more merciful temper, and do no mischief to a man, who, in the
+first place, hath done us the greatest kindness of preserving thee; for
+when an evil spirit and demons had seized upon thee, he cast them out,
+and procured rest to thy soul from their incursions: and, in the second
+place, hath avenged us of our enemies; for it is a base thing to forget
+such benefits." So Saul was pacified with these words, and sware to his
+son that he would do David no harm, for a righteous discourse proved too
+hard for the king's anger and fear. So Jonathan sent for David, and
+brought him good news from his father, that he was to be preserved. He
+also brought him to his father; and David continued with the king as
+formerly.
+
+3. About this time it was that, upon the Philistines making a new
+expedition against the Hebrews, Saul sent David with an army to fight
+with them; and joining battle with them he slew many of them, and after
+his victory he returned to the king. But his reception by Saul was not
+as he expected upon such success, for he was grieved at his prosperity,
+because he thought he would be more dangerous to him by having acted so
+gloriously: but when the demoniacal spirit came upon him, and put him
+into disorder, and disturbed him, he called for David into his bed-
+chamber wherein he lay, and having a spear in his hand, he ordered him
+to charm him with playing on his harp, and with singing hymns; which
+when David did at his command, he with great force threw the spear at
+him; but David was aware of it before it came, and avoided it, and fled
+to his own house, and abode there all that day.
+
+4. But at night the king sent officers, and commanded that he should be
+watched till the morning, lest he should get quite away, that he might
+come into the judgment-hall, and so might be delivered up, and condemned
+and slain. But when Michal, David's wife, the king's daughter,
+understood what her father designed, she came to her husband, as having
+small hopes of his deliverance, and as greatly concerned about her own
+life also, for she could not bear to live in case she were deprived of
+him; and she said, "Let not the sun find thee here when it rises, for if
+it do, that will be the last time it will see thee: fly away then while
+the night may afford thee opportunity, and may God lengthen it for thy
+sake; for know this, that if my father find thee, thou art a dead man."
+So she let him down by a cord out of the window, and saved him: and
+after she had done so, she fitted up a bed for him as if he were sick,
+and put under the bed-clothes a goat's liver 18 and when her father, as
+soon as it was day, sent to seize David, she said to those that were
+there, That he had not been well that night, and showed them the bed
+covered, and made them believe, by the leaping of the liver, which
+caused the bed-clothes to move also, that David breathed like one that
+was asthmatic. So when those that were sent told Saul that David had not
+been well in the night he ordered him to be brought in that condition,
+for he intended to kill him. Now when they came and uncovered the bed,
+and found out the woman's contrivance, they told it to the king; and
+when her father complained of her that she had saved his enemy, and had
+put a trick upon himself, she invented this plausible defense for
+herself, and said, That when he had threatened to kill her, she lent him
+her assistance for his preservation, out of fear; for which her
+assistance she ought to be forgiven, because it was not done of her own
+free choice, but out of necessity: "For," said she, "I do not suppose
+that thou wast so zealous to kill thy enemy, as thou wast that I should
+be saved." Accordingly Saul forgave the damsel; but David, when he had
+escaped this danger, came to the prophet Samuel to Ramah, and told him
+what snares the king had laid for him, and how he was very near to death
+by Saul's throwing a spear at him, although he had been no way guilty
+with relation to him, nor had he been cowardly in his battles with his
+enemies, but had succeeded well in them all, by God's assistance; which
+thing was indeed the cause of Saul's hatred to David.
+
+5. When the prophet was made acquainted with the unjust proceedings of
+the king, he left the city Ramah, and took David with him, to a certain
+place called Naioth, and there he abode with him. But when it was told
+Saul that David was with the prophet, he sent soldiers to him, and
+ordered them to take him, and bring him to him: and when they came to
+Samuel, and found there a congregation of prophets, they became
+partakers of the Divine Spirit, and began to prophesy; which when Saul
+heard of, he sent others to David, who prophesying in like manner as did
+the first, he again sent others; which third sort prophesying also, at
+last he was angry, and went thither in great haste himself; and when he
+was just by the place, Samuel, before he saw him, made him prophesy
+also. And when Saul came to him, he was disordered in mind 19 and under
+the vehement agitation of a spirit; and, putting off his garments, 20 he
+fell down, and lay on the ground all that day and night, in the presence
+of Samuel and David.
+
+6. And David went thence, and came to Jonathan, the son of Saul, and
+lamented to him what snares were laid for him by his father; and said,
+that though he had been guilty of no evil, nor had offended against him,
+yet he was very zealous to get him killed. Hereupon Jonathan exhorted
+him not to give credit to such his own suspicions, nor to the calumnies
+of those that raised those reports, if there were any that did so, but
+to depend on him, and take courage; for that his father had no such
+intention, since he would have acquainted him with that matter, and have
+taken his advice, had it been so, as he used to consult with him in
+common when he acted in other affairs. But David sware to him that so it
+was; and he desired him rather to believe him, and to provide for his
+safety, than to despise what he, with great sincerity, told him: that he
+would believe what he said, when he should either see him killed
+himself, or learn it upon inquiry from others: and that the reason why
+his father did not tell him of these things, was this, that he knew of
+the friendship and affection that he bore towards him.
+
+7. Hereupon, when Jonathan found that this intention of Saul was so well
+attested, he asked him what he would have him do for him. To which David
+replied, "I am sensible that thou art willing to gratify me in every
+thing, and procure me what I desire. Now tomorrow is the new moon, and I
+was accustomed to sit down then with the king at supper: now, if it seem
+good to thee, I will go out of the city, and conceal myself privately
+there; and if Saul inquire why I am absent, tell him that I am gone to
+my own city Bethlehem, to keep a festival with my own tribe; and add
+this also, that thou gavest me leave so to do. And if he say, as is
+usually said in the case of friends that are gone abroad, It is well
+that he went, then assure thyself that no latent mischief or enmity may
+be feared at his hand; but if he answer otherwise, that will be a sure
+sign that he hath some designs against me, Accordingly thou shalt inform
+me of thy father's inclinations; and that out of pity to my case and out
+of thy friendship for me, as instances of which friendship thou hast
+vouchsafed to accept of the assurances of my love to thee, and to give
+the like assurances to me, that is, those of a master to his servant;
+but if thou discoverest any wickedness in me, do thou prevent thy
+father, and kill me thyself."
+
+8. But Jonathan heard these last words with indignation, and promised to
+do what he desired of him, and to inform him if his father's answers
+implied any thing of a melancholy nature, and any enmity against him.
+And that he might the more firmly depend upon him, he took him out into
+the open field, into the pure air, and sware that he would neglect
+nothing that might tend to the preservation of David; and he said, "I
+appeal to that God, who, as thou seest, is diffused every where, and
+knoweth this intention of mine, before I explain it in words, as the
+witness of this my covenant with thee, that I will not leave off to make
+frequent trims of the purpose of my father till I learn whether there be
+any lurking distemper in the most secret parts of his soul; and when I
+have learnt it, I will not conceal it from thee, but will discover it to
+thee, whether he be gently or peevishly disposed; for this God himself
+knows, that I pray he may always be with thee, for he is with thee now,
+and will not forsake thee, and will make thee superior to thine enemies,
+whether my father be one of them, or whether I myself be such. Do thou
+only remember what we now do; and if it fall out that I die, preserve my
+children alive, and requite what kindness thou hast now received to
+them." When he had thus sworn, he dismissed David, bidding him go to a
+certain place of that plain wherein he used to perform his exercises;
+for that, as soon as he knew the mind of his father, he would come
+thither to him, with one servant only; "and if," says he, "I shoot three
+darts at the mark, and then bid my servant to carry these three darts
+away, for they are before him, know thou that there is no mischief to be
+feared from my father; but if thou hearest me say the contrary, expect
+the contrary from the king. However, thou shalt gain security by my
+means, and shalt by no means suffer any harm; but see thou dost not
+forget what I have desired of thee in the time of thy prosperity, and be
+serviceable to my children." Now David, when he had received these
+assurances from Jonathan, went his way to the place appointed.
+
+9. But on the next day, which was the new moon, the king, when he had
+purified himself, as the custom was, came to supper; and when there sat
+by him his son Jonathan on his right hand, and Abner, the captain of his
+host, on the other hand, he saw David's seat was empty, but said
+nothing, supposing that he had not purified himself since he had
+accompanied with his wife, and so could not be present; but when he saw
+that he was not there the second day of the month neither, he inquired
+of his son Jonathan why the son of Jesse did not come to the supper and
+the feast, neither the day before nor that day. So Jonathan said, That
+he was gone, according to the agreement between them, to his own city,
+where his tribe kept a festival, and that by his permission: that he
+also invited him to come to their sacrifice; "and," says Jonathan, "if
+thou wilt give me leave, I Will go thither, for thou knowest the good-
+will that I bear him." And then it was that Jonathan understood his
+father's hatred to David, and plainly saw his entire disposition; for
+Saul could not restrain his anger, but reproached Jonathan, and called
+him the son of a runagate, and an enemy; and said he was a partner with
+David, and his assistant, and that by his behavior he showed he had no
+regard to himself, or to his mother, and would not be persuaded of
+this,—that while David is alive, their kingdom was not secure to them;
+yet did he bid him send for him, that he might be punished. And when
+Jonathan said, in answer, "What hath he done that thou wilt punish him?"
+Saul no longer contented himself to express his anger in bare words, but
+snatched up his spear, and leaped upon him, and was desirous to kill
+him. He did not indeed do what he intended, because he was hindered by
+his friends; but it appeared plainly to his son that he hated David, and
+greatly desired to despatch him, insomuch that he had almost slain his
+son with his own hands on his account.
+
+10. And then it was that the king's son rose hastily from supper; and
+being unable to admit any thing into his mouth for grief, he wept all
+night, both because he had himself been near destruction, and because
+the death of David was determined: but as soon as it was day, he went
+out into the plain that was before the city, as going to perform his
+exercises, but in reality to inform his friend what disposition his
+father was in towards him, as he had agreed with him to do; and when
+Jonathan had done what had been thus agreed, he dismissed his servant
+that followed him, to return to the city; but he himself went into the
+desert, and came into his presence, and communed with him. So David
+appeared and fell at Jonathan's feet, and bowed down to him, and called
+him the preserver of his soul; but he lifted him up from the earth, and
+they mutually embraced one another, and made a long greeting, and that
+not without tears. They also lamented their age, and that familiarity
+which envy would deprive them of, and that separation which must now be
+expected, which seemed to them no better than death itself. So
+recollecting themselves at length from their lamentation, and exhorting
+one another to be mindful of the oaths they had sworn to each other,
+they parted asunder.
+
+
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER 12. How David Fled To Ahimelech And Afterwards To The Kings Of
+The Philistines And Of The Moabites, And How Saul Slew Ahimelech And His
+Family.
+
+1. But David fled from the king, and that death he was in danger of by
+him, and came to the city Nob, to Ahimelech the priest, who, when he saw
+him coming all alone, and neither a friend nor a servant with him, he
+wondered at it, and desired to learn of him the cause why there was
+nobody with him. To which David answered, That the king had commanded
+him to do a certain thing that was to be kept secret, to which, if he
+had a mind to know so much, he had no occasion for any one to accompany
+him; "however, I have ordered my servants to meet me at such and such a
+place." So he desired him to let him have somewhat to eat; and that in
+case he would supply him, he would act the part of a friend, and be
+assisting to the business he was now about: and when he had obtained
+what he desired, he also asked him whether he had any weapons with him,
+either sword or spear. Now there was at Nob a servant of Saul, by birth
+a Syrian, whose name was Doeg, one that kept the king's mules. The high
+priest said that he had no such weapons; but, he added, "Here is the
+sword of Goliath, which, when thou hadst slain the Philistine, thou
+didst dedicate to God."
+
+2. When David had received the sword, he fled out of the country of the
+Hebrews into that of the Philistines, over which Achish reigned; and
+when the king's servants knew him, and he was made known to the king
+himself, the servants informing him that he was that David who had
+killed many ten thousands of the Philistines, David was afraid lest the
+king should put him to death, and that he should experience that danger
+from him which he had escaped from Saul; so he pretended to be
+distracted and mad, so that his spittle ran out of his mouth; and he did
+other the like actions before the king of Gath, which might make him
+believe that they proceeded from such a distemper. Accordingly the king
+was very angry at his servants that they had brought him a madman, and
+he gave orders that they should eject David immediately [out of the
+city].
+
+3. So when David had escaped in this manner out of Gath, he came to the
+tribe of Judah, and abode in a cave by the city of Adullam. Then it was
+that he sent to his brethren, and informed them where he was, who then
+came to him with all their kindred, and as many others as were either in
+want or in fear of king Saul, came and made a body together, and told
+him they were ready to obey his orders; they were in all about four
+hundred. Whereupon he took courage, now such a force and assistance was
+come to him; so he removed thence and came to the king of the Moabites,
+and desired him to entertain his parents in his country, while the issue
+of his affairs were in such an uncertain condition. The king granted him
+this favor, and paid great respect to David's parents all the time they
+were with him.
+
+4. As for himself, upon the prophet's commanding him to leave the
+desert, and to go into the portion of the tribe of Judah, and abide
+there, he complied therewith; and coming to the city Hareth, which was
+in that tribe, he remained there. Now when Saul heard that David had
+been seen with a multitude about him, he fell into no small disturbance
+and trouble; but as he knew that David was a bold and courageous man, he
+suspected that somewhat extraordinary would appear from him, and that
+openly also, which would make him weep and put him into distress; so he
+called together to him his friends, and his commanders, and the tribe
+from which he was himself derived, to the hill where his palace was; and
+sitting upon a place called Aroura, his courtiers that were in
+dignities, and the guards of his body, being with him, he spake thus to
+them:—"You that are men of my own tribe, I conclude that you remember
+the benefits that I have bestowed upon you, and that I have made some of
+you owners of land, and made you commanders, and bestowed posts of honor
+upon you, and set some of you over the common people, and others over
+the soldiers; I ask you, therefore, whether you expect greater and more
+donations from the son of Jesse? for I know that you are all inclinable
+to him; [even my own son Jonathan himself is of that opinion, and
+persuades you to be of the same]; for I am not unacquainted with the
+oaths and the covenants that are between him and David, and that
+Jonathan is a counselor and an assistant to those that conspire against
+me, and none of you are concerned about these things, but you keep
+silence and watch, to see what will be the upshot of these things." When
+the king had made this speech, not one of the rest of those that were
+present made any answer; but Doeg the Syrian, who fed his mules, said,
+that he saw David when he came to the city Nob to Ahimelech the high
+priest, and that he learned future events by his prophesying; that he
+received food from him, and the sword of Goliath, and was conducted by
+him with security to such as he desired to go to.
+
+5. Saul therefore sent for the high priest, and for all his kindred; and
+said to them, "What terrible or ungrateful tiring hast thou suffered
+from me, that thou hast received the son of Jesse, and hast bestowed on
+him both food and weapons, when he was contriving to get the kingdom?
+And further, why didst thou deliver oracles to him concerning
+futurities? For thou couldst not be unacquainted that he was fled away
+from me, and that he hated my family." But the high priest did not
+betake himself to deny what he had done, but confessed boldly that he
+had supplied him with these things, not to gratify David, but Saul
+himself: and he said, "I did not know that he was thy adversary, but a
+servant of thine, who was very faithful to thee, and a captain over a
+thousand of thy soldiers, and, what is more than these, thy son-in-law,
+and kinsman. Men do not choose to confer such favors on their
+adversaries, but on those who are esteemed to bear the highest good-will
+and respect to them. Nor is this the first time that I prophesied for
+him, but I have done it often, and at other times as well as now. And
+when he told me that he was sent by thee in great haste to do somewhat,
+if I had furnished him with nothing that he desired I should have
+thought that it was rather in contradiction to thee than to him;
+wherefore do not thou entertain any ill opinion of me, nor do thou have
+a suspicion of what I then thought an act of humanity, from what is now
+told thee of David's attempts against thee, for I did then to him as to
+thy friend and son-in-law, and captain of a thousand, and not as to
+thine adversary."
+
+6. When the high priest had spoken thus, he did not persuade Saul, his
+fear was so prevalent, that he could not give credit to an apology that
+was very just. So he commanded his armed men that stood about him to
+kill him, and all his kindred; but as they durst not touch the high
+priest, but were more afraid of disobeying God than the king, he ordered
+Doeg the Syrian to kill them. Accordingly, he took to his assistance
+such wicked men as were like himself, and slew Ahimelech and all his
+family, who were in all three hundred and eighty-five. Saul also sent to
+Nob, 21 the city of the priests, and slew all that were there, without
+sparing either women or children, or any other age, and burnt it; only
+there was one son of Ahimelech, whose name was Abiathar, who escaped.
+However, these things came to pass as God had foretold to Eli the high
+priest, when he said that his posterity should be destroyed, on account
+of the transgression of his two sons.
+
+7. 22 Now this king Saul, by perpetrating so barbarous a crime, and
+murdering the whole family of the high-priestly dignity, by having no
+pity of the infants, nor reverence for the aged, and by overthrowing the
+city which God had chosen for the property, and for the support of the
+priests and prophets which were there, and had ordained as the only city
+allotted for the education of such men, gives all to understand and
+consider the disposition of men, that while they are private persons,
+and in a low condition, because it is not in their power to indulge
+nature, nor to venture upon what they wish for, they are equitable and
+moderate, and pursue nothing but what is just, and bend their whole
+minds and labors that way; then it is that they have this belief about
+God, that he is present to all the actions of their lives, and that he
+does not only see the actions that are done, but clearly knows those
+their thoughts also, whence those actions do arise. But when once they
+are advanced into power and authority, then they put off all such
+notions, and, as if they were no other than actors upon a theater, they
+lay aside their disguised parts and manners, and take up boldness,
+insolence, and a contempt of both human and Divine laws, and this at a
+time when they especially stand in need of piety and righteousness,
+because they are then most of all exposed to envy, and all they think,
+and all they say, are in the view of all men; then it is that they
+become so insolent in their actions, as though God saw them no longer,
+or were afraid of them because of their power: and whatsoever it is that
+they either are afraid of by the rumors they hear, or they hate by
+inclination, or they love without reason, these seem to them to be
+authentic, and firm, and true, and pleasing both to men and to God; but
+as to what will come hereafter, they have not the least regard to it.
+They raise those to honor indeed who have been at a great deal of pains
+for them, and after that honor they envy them; and when they have
+brought them into high dignity, they do not only deprive them of what
+they had obtained, but also, on that very account, of their lives also,
+and that on wicked accusations, and such as on account of their
+extravagant nature, are incredible. They also punish men for their
+actions, not such as deserve condemnation, but from calumnies and
+accusations without examination; and this extends not only to such as
+deserve to be punished, but to as many as they are able to kill. This
+reflection is openly confirmed to us from the example of Saul, the son
+of Kish, who was the first king who reigned after our aristocracy and
+government under the judges were over; and that by his slaughter of
+three hundred priests and prophets, on occasion of his suspicion about
+Ahimelech, and by the additional wickedness of the overthrow of their
+city, and this is as he were endeavoring in some sort to render the
+temple [tabernacle] destitute both of priests and prophets, which
+endeavor he showed by slaying so many of them, and not suffering the
+very city belonging to them to remain, that so others might succeed
+them.
+
+8. But Abiathar, the son of Ahimelech, who alone could be saved out of
+the family of priests slain by Saul, fled to David, and informed him of
+the calamity that had befallen their family, and of the slaughter of his
+father; who hereupon said, He was not unapprised of what would follow
+with relation to them when he saw Doeg there; for he had then a
+suspicion that the high priest would be falsely accused by him to the
+king, and he blamed himself as having been the cause of this misfortune.
+But he desired him to stay there, and abide with him, as in a place
+where he might be better concealed than any where else.
+
+
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER 13. How David, When He Had Twice The Opportunity Of Killing Saul
+Did Not Kill Him. Also Concerning The Death Of Samuel And Nabal.
+
+1. About this time it was that David heard how the Philistines had made
+an inroad into the country of Keilah, and robbed it; so he offered
+himself to fight against them, if God, when he should be consulted by
+the prophet, would grant him the victory. And when the prophet said that
+God gave a signal of victory, he made a sudden onset upon the
+Philistines with his companions, and he shed a great deal of their
+blood, and carried off their prey, and staid with the inhabitants of
+Keilah till they had securely gathered in their corn and their fruits.
+However, it was told Saul the king that David was with the men of
+Keilah; for what had been done and the great success that had attended
+him, were not confined among the people where the things were done, but
+the fame of it went all abroad, and came to the hearing of others, and
+both the fact as it stood, and the author of the fact, were carried to
+the king's ears. Then was Saul glad when he heard David was in Keilah;
+and he said, "God hath now put him into my hands, since he hath obliged
+him to come into a city that hath walls, and gates, and bars." So he
+commanded all the people suddenly, and when they had besieged and taken
+it to kill David. But when David perceived this, and learned of God that
+if he staid there the men of Keilah would deliver him up to Saul, he
+took his four hundred men and retired into a desert that was over
+against a city called Engedi. So that when the king heard he was fled
+away from the men of Keilah, he left off his expedition against him.
+
+2. Then David removed thence, and came to a certain place called the New
+Place, belonging to Ziph; where Jonathan, the son of Saul, came to him,
+and saluted him, and exhorted him to be of good courage, and to hope
+well as to his condition hereafter, and not to despond at his present
+circumstances, for that he should be king, and have all the forces of
+the Hebrews under him: he told him that such happiness uses to come with
+great labor and pains: they also took oaths, that they would, all their
+lives long, continue in good-will and fidelity one to another; and he
+called God to witness, as to what execrations he had made upon himself
+if he should transgress his covenant, and should change to a contrary
+behavior. So Jonathan left him there, having rendered his cares and
+fears somewhat lighter, and returned home. Now the men of Ziph, to
+gratify Saul, informed him that David abode with them, and [assured him]
+that if he would come to them, they would deliver him up, for that if
+the king would seize on the Straits of Ziph, David would not escape to
+any other people. So the king commended them, and confessed that he had
+reason to thank them, because they had given him information of his
+enemy; and he promised them, that it should not be long ere he would
+requite their kindness. He also sent men to seek for David, and to
+search the wilderness wherein he was; and he promised that he himself
+would follow them. Accordingly they went before the king, to hunt for
+and to catch David, and used endeavors, not only to show their good-will
+to Saul, by informing him where his enemy was, but to evidence the same
+more plainly by delivering him up into his power. But these men failed
+of those their unjust and wicked desires, who, while they underwent no
+hazard by not discovering such an ambition of revealing this to Saul,
+yet did they falsely accuse and promise to deliver up a man beloved of
+God, and one that was unjustly sought after to be put to death, and one
+that might otherwise have lain concealed, and this out of flattery, and
+expectation of gain from the king; for when David was apprized of the
+malignant intentions of the men of Ziph, and the approach of Saul, he
+left the Straits of that country, and fled to the great rock that was in
+the wilderness of Maon.
+
+3. Hereupon Saul made haste to pursue him thither; for, as he was
+marching, he learned that David was gone away from the Straits of Ziph,
+and Saul removed to the other side of the rock. But the report that the
+Philistines had again made an incursion into the country of the Hebrews,
+called Saul another way from the pursuit of David, when he was ready to
+be caught; for he returned back again to oppose those Philistines, who
+were naturally their enemies, as judging it more necessary to avenge
+himself of them, than to take a great deal of pains to catch an enemy of
+his own, and to overlook the ravage that was made in the land.
+
+4. And by this means David unexpectedly escaped out of the danger he was
+in, and came to the Straits of Engedi; and when Saul had driven the
+Philistines out of the land, there came some messengers, who told him
+that David abode within the bounds of Engedi: so he took three thousand
+chosen men that were armed, and made haste to him; and when he was not
+far from those places, he saw a deep and hollow cave by the way-side; it
+was open to a great length and breadth, and there it was that David with
+his four hundred men were concealed. When therefore he had occasion to
+ease nature, he entered into it by himself alone; and being seen by one
+of David's companions, and he that saw him saying to him, that he had
+now, by God's providence, an opportunity of avenging himself of his
+adversary; and advising him to cut off his head, and so deliver himself
+out of that tedious, wandering condition, and the distress he was in; he
+rose up, and only cut off the skirt of that garment which Saul had on:
+but he soon repented of what he had done; and said it was not right to
+kill him that was his master, and one whom God had thought worthy of the
+kingdom; "for that although he were wickedly disposed towards us, yet
+does it not behoove me to be so disposed towards him." But when Saul had
+left the cave, David came near and cried out aloud, and desired Saul to
+hear him; whereupon the king turned his face back, and David, according
+to custom, fell down on his face before the king, and bowed to him; and
+said, "O king, thou oughtest not to hearken to wicked men, nor to such
+as forge calumnies, nor to gratify them so far as to believe what they
+say, nor to entertain suspicions of such as are your best friends, but
+to judge of the dispositions of all men by their actions; for calumny
+deludes men, but men's own actions are a clear demonstration of their
+kindness. Words indeed, in their own nature, may be either true or
+false, but men's actions expose their intentions nakedly to our view. By
+these, therefore it will be well for thee to believe me, as to my regard
+to thee and to thy house, and not to believe those that frame such
+accusations against me as never came into my mind, nor are possible to
+be executed, and do this further by pursuing after my life, and have no
+concern either day or night, but how to compass my life and to murder
+me, which thing I think thou dost unjustly prosecute; for how comes it
+about, that thou hast embraced this false opinion about me, as if I had
+a desire to kill thee? Or how canst thou escape the crime of impiety
+towards God, when thou wishest thou couldst kill, and deemest thine
+adversary, a man who had it in his power this day to avenge himself, and
+to punish thee, but would not do it? nor make use of such an
+opportunity, which, if it had fallen out to thee against me, thou hadst
+not let it slip, for when I cut off the skirt of thy garment, I could
+have done the same to thy head." So he showed him the piece of his
+garment, and thereby made him agree to what he said to be true; and
+added, "I, for certain, have abstained from taking a just revenge upon
+thee, yet art thou not ashamed to prosecute me with unjust hatred. 23
+May God do justice, and determine about each of our dispositions."—But
+Saul was amazed at the strange delivery he had received; and being
+greatly affected with the moderation and the disposition of the young
+man, he groaned; and when David had done the same, the king answered
+that he had the justest occasion to groan, "for thou hast been the
+author of good to me, as I have been the author of calamity to thee; and
+thou hast demonstrated this day, that thou possessest the righteousness
+of the ancients, who determined that men ought to save their enemies,
+though they caught them in a desert place. I am now persuaded that God
+reserves the kingdom for thee, and that thou wilt obtain the dominion
+over all the Hebrews. Give me then assurances upon oath, That thou wilt
+not root out my family, nor, out of remembrance of what evil I have done
+thee, destroy my posterity, but save and preserve my house." So David
+sware as he desired, and sent back Saul to his own kingdom; but he, and
+those that were with him, went up the Straits of Mastheroth.
+
+5. About this time Samuel the prophet died. He was a man whom the
+Hebrews honored in an extraordinary degree: for that lamentation which
+the people made for him, and this during a long time, manifested his
+virtue, and the affection which the people bore for him; as also did the
+solemnity and concern that appeared about his funeral, and about the
+complete observation of all his funeral rites. They buried him in his
+own city of Ramah; and wept for him a very great number of days, not
+looking on it as a sorrow for the death of another man, but as that in
+which they were every one themselves concerned. He was a righteous man,
+and gentle in his nature; and on that account he was very dear to God.
+Now he governed and presided over the people alone, after the death of
+Eli the high priest, twelve years, and eighteen years together with Saul
+the king. And thus we have finished the history of Samuel.
+
+6. There was a man that was a Ziphite, of the city of Maon, who was
+rich, and had a vast number of cattle; for he fed a flock of three
+thousand sheep, and another flock of a thousand goats. Now David had
+charged his associates to keep these flocks without hurt and without
+damage, and to do them no mischief, neither out of covetousness, nor
+because they were in want, nor because they were in the wilderness, and
+so could not easily be discovered, but to esteem freedom from injustice
+above all other motives, and to look upon the touching of what belonged
+to another man as a horrible crime, and contrary to the will of God.
+These were the instructions he gave, thinking that the favors he granted
+this man were granted to a good man, and one that deserved to have such
+care taken of his affairs. This man was Nabal, for that was his name,—a
+harsh man, and of a very wicked life, being like a cynic in the course
+of his behavior, but still had obtained for his wife a woman of a good
+character, wise and handsome. To this Nabal, therefore, David sent ten
+men of his attendants at the time when he sheared his sheep, and by them
+saluted him; and also wished he might do what he now did for many years
+to come, but desired him to make him a present of what he was able to
+give him, since he had, to be sure, learned from his shepherds that we
+had done them no injury, but had been their guardians a long time
+together, while we continued in the wilderness; and he assured him he
+should never repent of giving any thing to David. When the messengers
+had carried this message to Nabal, he accosted them after an inhuman and
+rough manner; for he asked them who David was? and when he heard that he
+was the son of Jesse, he said, "Now is the time that fugitives grow
+insolent, and make a figure, and leave their masters." When they told
+David this, he was wroth, and commanded four hundred armed men to follow
+him, and left two hundred to take care of the stuff, [for he had already
+six hundred, 24] and went against Nabal: he also swore that he would
+that night utterly destroy the whole house and possessions of Nabal; for
+that he was grieved, not only that he had proved ungrateful to them,
+without making any return for the humanity they had shown him, but that
+he had also reproached them, and used ill language to them, when he had
+received no cause of disgust from them.
+
+7. Hereupon one of those that kept the flocks of Nabal, said to his
+mistress, Nabal's wife, that when David sent to her husband he had
+received no civil answer at all from him; but that her husband had
+moreover added very reproachful language, while yet David had taken
+extraordinary care to keep his flocks from harm, and that what had
+passed would prove very pernicious to his master. When the servant had
+said this, Abigail, for that was his wife's name, saddled her asses, and
+loaded them with all sorts of presents; and, without telling her husband
+any thing of what she was about, [for he was not sensible on account of
+his drunkenness,] she went to David. She was then met by David as she
+was descending a hill, who was coming against Nabal with four hundred
+men. When the woman saw David, she leaped down from her ass, and fell on
+her face, and bowed down to the ground; and entreated him not to bear in
+mind the words of Nabal, since he knew that he resembled his name. Now
+Nabal, in the Hebrew tongue, signifies folly. So she made her apology,
+that she did not see the messengers whom he sent. "Forgive me,
+therefore," said she, "and thank God, who hath hindered thee from
+shedding human blood; for so long as thou keepest thyself innocent, he
+will avenge thee of wicked men, 25 for what miseries await Nabal, they
+will fall upon the heads of thine enemies. Be thou gracious to me, and
+think me so far worthy as to accept of these presents from me; and, out
+of regard to me, remit that wrath and that anger which thou hast against
+my husband and his house, for mildness and humanity become thee,
+especially as thou art to be our king." Accordingly, David accepted her
+presents, and said, "Nay, but, O woman, it was no other than God's mercy
+which brought thee to us today, for, otherwise, thou hadst never seen
+another day, I having sworn to destroy Nabal's house this very night,
+and to leave alive not one of you who belonged to a man that was wicked
+and ungrateful to me and my companions; but now hast thou prevented me,
+and seasonably mollified my anger, as being thyself under the care of
+God's providence: but as for Nabal, although for thy sake he now escape
+punishment, he will not always avoid justice; for his evil conduct, on
+some other occasion, will be his ruin." 26
+
+8. When David had said this, he dismissed the woman. But when she came
+home and found her husband feasting with a great company, and oppressed
+with wine, she said nothing to him then about what had happened; but on
+the next day, when he was sober, she told him all the particulars, and
+made his whole body to appear like that of a dead man by her words, and
+by that grief which arose from them; so Nabal survived ten days, and no
+more, and then died. And when David heard of his death, he said that God
+had justly avenged him of this man, for that Nabal had died by his own
+wickedness, and had suffered punishment on his account, while he had
+kept his own hands clean. At which time he understood that the wicked
+are prosecuted by God; that he does not overlook any man, but bestows on
+the good what is suitable to them, and inflicts a deserved punishment on
+the wicked. So he sent to Nabal's wife, and invited her to come to him,
+to live with him, and to be his wife. Whereupon she replied to those
+that came, that she was not worthy to touch his feet; however, she came,
+with all her servants, and became his wife, having received that honor
+on account of her wise and righteous course of life. She also obtained
+the same honor partly on account of her beauty. Now David had a wife
+before, whom he married from the city Abesar; for as to Michal, the
+daughter of king Saul, who had been David's wife, her father had given
+her in marriage to Phalti, the son of Laish, who was of the city of
+Gallim.
+
+9. After this came certain of the Ziphites, and told Saul that David was
+come again into their country, and if he would afford them his
+assistance, they could catch him. So he came to them with three thousand
+armed men; and upon the approach of night, he pitched his camp at a
+certain place called Hachilah. But when David heard that Saul was coming
+against him, he sent spies, and bid them let him know to what place of
+the country Saul was already come; and when they told him that he was at
+Hachilah, he concealed his going away from his companions, and came to
+Saul's camp, having taken with him Abishai, his sister Zeruiah's son,
+and Ahimelech the Hittite. Now Saul was asleep, and the armed men, with
+Abner their commander, lay round about him in a circle. Hereupon David
+entered into the king's tent; but he did neither kill Saul, though he
+knew where he lay, by the spear that was stuck down by him, nor did he
+give leave to Abishai, who would have killed him, and was earnestly bent
+upon it so to do; for he said it was a horrid crime to kill one that was
+ordained king by God, although he was a wicked man; for that he who gave
+him the dominion would in time inflict punishment upon him. So he
+restrained his eagerness; but that it might appear to have been in his
+power to have killed him when he refrained from it, he took his spear,
+and the cruse of water which stood by Saul as he lay asleep, without
+being perceived by any in the camp, who were all asleep, and went
+securely away, having performed every thing among the king's attendants
+that the opportunity afforded, and his boldness encouraged him to do. So
+when he had passed over a brook, and was gotten up to the top of a hill,
+whence he might be sufficiently heard, he cried aloud to Saul's
+soldiers, and to Abner their commander, and awaked them out of their
+sleep, and called both to him and to the people. Hereupon the commander
+heard him, and asked who it was that called him. To whom David replied,
+"It is I, the son of Jesse, whom you make a vagabond. But what is the
+matter? Dost thou, that art a man of so great dignity, and of the first
+rank in the king's court, take so little care of thy master's body? and
+is sleep of more consequence to thee than his preservation, and thy care
+of him? This negligence of yours deserves death, and punishment to be
+inflicted on you, who never perceived when, a little while ago, some of
+us entered into your camp, nay, as far as to the king himself, and to
+all the rest of you. If thou look for the king's spear and his cruse of
+water, thou wilt learn what a mighty misfortune was ready to overtake
+you in your very camp without your knowing it." Now when Saul knew
+David's voice, and understood that when he had him in his power while he
+was asleep, and his guards took no care of him, yet did not he kill him,
+but spared him, when he might justly have cut him off, he said that he
+owed him thanks for his preservation; and exhorted him to be of good
+courage, and not be afraid of suffering any mischief from him any more,
+and to return to his own home, for he was now persuaded that he did not
+love himself so well as he was loved by him: that he had driven away him
+that could guard him, and had given many demonstrations of his good-will
+to him: that he had forced him to live so long in a state of banishment,
+and in great fears of his life, destitute of his friends and his
+kindred, while still he was often saved by him, and frequently received
+his life again when it was evidently in danger of perishing. So David
+bade them send for the spear and the cruse of water, and take them back;
+adding this withal, That God would be the judge of both their
+dispositions, and of the actions that flowed from the same, "who knows
+that then it was this day in my power to have killed thee I abstained
+from it."
+
+10. Thus Saul having escaped the hands of David twice, he went his way
+to his royal palace, and his own city: but David was afraid, that if he
+staid there he should be caught by Saul; so he thought it better to go
+up into the land of the Philistines, and abide there. Accordingly, he
+came with the six hundred men that were with him to Achish, the king of
+Gath, which was one of their five cities. Now the king received both him
+and his men, and gave them a place to inhabit in. He had with him also
+his two wives, Ahinoam and Abigail, and he dwelt in Gath. But when Saul
+heard this, he took no further care about sending to him, or going after
+him, because he had been twice, in a manner, caught by him, while he was
+himself endeavoring to catch him. However, David had no mind to continue
+in the city of Gath, but desired the king, that since he had received
+him with such humanity, that he would grant him another favor, and
+bestow upon him some place of that country for his habitation, for he
+was ashamed, by living in the city, to be grievous and burdensome to
+him. So Achish gave him a certain village called Ziklag; which place
+David and his sons were fond of when he was king, and reckoned it to be
+their peculiar inheritance. But about those matters we shall give the
+reader further information elsewhere. Now the time that David dwelt in
+Ziklag, in the land of the Philistines, was four months and twenty days.
+And now he privately attacked those Geshurites and Amalekites that were
+neighbors to the Philistines, and laid waste their country, and took
+much prey of their beasts and camels, and then returned home; but David
+abstained from the men, as fearing they should discover him to king
+Achish; yet did he send part of the prey to him as a free gift. And when
+the king inquired whom they had attacked when they brought away the
+prey, he said, those that lay to the south of the Jews, and inhabited in
+the plain; whereby he persuaded Achish to approve of what he had done,
+for he hoped that David had fought against his own nation, and that now
+he should have him for his servant all his life long, and that he would
+stay in his country.
+
+
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER 14. How Saul Upon God's Not Answering Him Concerning The Fight
+With The Philistines Desired A Necromantic Woman To Raise Up The Soul Of
+Samuel To Him; And How He Died, With His Sons Upon The Overthrow Of The
+Hebrews In Battle.
+
+1. About the same time the Philistines resolved to make war against the
+Israelites, and sent to all their confederates that they would go along
+with them to the war to Reggan, [near the city Shunem,] whence they
+might gather themselves together, and suddenly attack the Hebrews. Then
+did Achish, the king of Gath, desire David to assist them with his armed
+men against the Hebrews. This he readily promised; and said that the
+time was now come wherein he might requite him for his kindness and
+hospitality. So the king promised to make him the keeper of his body,
+after the victory, supposing that the battle with the enemy succeeded to
+their mind; which promise of honor and confidence he made on purpose to
+increase his zeal for his service.
+
+2. Now Saul, the king of the Hebrews, had cast out of the country the
+fortune-tellers, and the necromancers, and all such as exercised the
+like arts, excepting the prophets. But when he heard that the
+Philistines were already come, and had pitched their camp near the city
+Shunem, situate in the plain, he made haste to oppose them with his
+forces; and when he was come to a certain mountain called Gilboa, he
+pitched his camp over-against the enemy; but when he saw the enemy's
+army he was greatly troubled, because it appeared to him to be numerous,
+and superior to his own; and he inquired of God by the prophets
+concerning the battle, that he might know beforehand what would be the
+event of it. And when God did not answer him, Saul was under a still
+greater dread, and his courage fell, foreseeing, as was but reasonable
+to suppose, that mischief would befall him, now God was not there to
+assist him; yet did he bid his servants to inquire out for him some
+woman that was a necromancer and called up the souls of the dead, that
+So he might know whether his affairs would succeed to his mind; for this
+sort of necromantic women that bring up the souls of the dead, do by
+them foretell future events to such as desire them. And one of his
+servants told him that there was such a woman in the city Endor, but was
+known to nobody in the camp; hereupon Saul put off his royal apparel,
+and took two of those his servants with him, whom he knew to be most
+faithful to him, and came to Endor to the woman, and entreated her to
+act the part of a fortune-teller, and to bring up such a soul to him as
+he should name to her. But when the woman opposed his motion, and said
+she did not despise the king, who had banished this sort of fortune-
+tellers, and that he did not do well himself, when she had done him no
+harm, to endeavor to lay a snare for her, and to discover that she
+exercised a forbidden art, in order to procure her to be punished, he
+sware that nobody should know what she did; and that he would not tell
+any one else what she foretold, but that she should incur no danger. As
+soon as he had induced her by this oath to fear no harm, he bid her
+bring up to him the soul of Samuel. She, not knowing who Samuel was,
+called him out of Hades. When he appeared, and the woman saw one that
+was venerable, and of a divine form, she was in disorder; and being
+astonished at the sight, she said, "Art not thou king Saul?" for Samuel
+had informed her who he was. When he had owned that to be true, and had
+asked her whence her disorder arose, she said that she saw a certain
+person ascend, who in his form was like to a god. And when he bid her
+tell him what he resembled, in what habit he appeared, and of what age
+he was, she told him he was an old man already, and of a glorious
+personage, and had on a sacerdotal mantle. So the king discovered by
+these signs that he was Samuel; and he fell down upon the ground, and
+saluted and worshipped him. And when the soul of Samuel asked him why he
+had disturbed him, and caused him to be brought up, he lamented the
+necessity he was under; for he said, that his enemies pressed heavily
+upon him; that he was in distress what to do in his present
+circumstances; that he was forsaken of God, and could obtain no
+prediction of what was coming, neither by prophets nor by dreams; and
+that "these were the reasons why I have recourse to time, who always
+took great care of me." But 27 Samuel, seeing that the end of Saul's
+life was come, said, "It is in vain for thee to desire to learn of me
+any thing future, when God hath forsaken thee: however, hear what I say,
+that David is to be king, and to finish this war with good success; and
+thou art to lose thy dominion and thy life, because thou didst not obey
+God in the war with the Amalekites, and hast not kept his commandments,
+as I foretold thee while I was alive. Know, therefore, that the people
+shall be made subject to their enemies, and that thou, with thy sons,
+shall fall in the battle tomorrow, and thou shalt then be with me [in
+Hades]."
+
+3. When Saul heard this, he could not speak for grief, and fell down on
+the floor, whether it were from the sorrow that arose upon what Samuel
+had said, or from his emptiness, for he had taken no food the foregoing
+day nor night, he easily fell quite down: and when with difficulty he
+had recovered himself, the woman would force him to eat, begging this of
+him as a favor on account of her concern in that dangerous instance of
+fortune-telling, which it was not lawful for her to have done, because
+of the fear she was under of the king, while she knew not who he was,
+yet did she undertake it, and go through with it; on which account she
+entreated him to admit that a table and food might be set before him,
+that he might recover his strength, and so get safe to his own camp. And
+when he opposed her motion, and entirely rejected it, by reason of his
+anxiety, she forced him, and at last persuaded him to it. Now she had
+one calf that she was very fond of, and one that she took a great deal
+of care of, and fed it herself; for she was a woman that got her living
+by the labor of her own hands, and had no other possession but that one
+calf; this she killed, and made ready its flesh, and set it before his
+servants and himself. So Saul came to the camp while it was yet night.
+
+4. Now it is but just to recommend the generosity of this woman, 28
+because when the king had forbidden her to use that art whence her
+circumstances were bettered and improved, and when she had never seen
+the king before, she still did not remember to his disadvantage that he
+had condemned her sort of learning, and did not refuse him as a
+stranger, and one that she had had no acquaintance with; but she had
+compassion upon him, and comforted him, and exhorted him to do what he
+was greatly averse to, and offered him the only creature she had, as a
+poor woman, and that earnestly, and with great humanity, while she had
+no requital made her for her kindness, nor hunted after any future favor
+from him, for she knew he was to die; whereas men are naturally either
+ambitious to please those that bestow benefits upon them, or are very
+ready to serve those from whom they may receive some advantage. It would
+be well therefore to imitate the example and to do kindnesses to all
+such as are in want and to think that nothing is better, nor more
+becoming mankind, than such a general beneficence, nor what will sooner
+render God favorable, and ready to bestow good things upon us. And so
+far may suffice to have spoken concerning this woman. But I shall speak
+further upon another subject, which will afford me all opportunity of
+discoursing on what is for the advantage of cities, and people, and
+nations, and suited to the taste of good men, and will encourage them
+all in the prosecution of virtue; and is capable of showing them the
+desirability of acquiring glory, and an everlasting fame; and of
+imprinting in the kings of nations, and the rulers of cities, great
+inclination and diligence of doing well; as also of encouraging them to
+undergo dangers, and to die for their countries, and of instructing them
+how to despise all the most terrible adversities: and I have a fair
+occasion offered me to enter on such a discourse by Saul the king of the
+Hebrews; for although he knew what was coming upon him, and that he was
+to die immediately, by the prediction of the prophet, he did not resolve
+to fly from death, nor so far to indulge the love of life as to betray
+his own people to the enemy, or to bring a disgrace on his royal
+dignity; but exposing himself, as well as all his family and children,
+to dangers, he thought it a brave thing to fall together with them, as
+he was fighting for his subjects, and that it was better his sons should
+die thus, showing their courage, than to leave them to their uncertain
+conduct afterward, while, instead of succession and posterity, they
+gained commendation and a lasting name. Such a one alone seems to me to
+be a just, a courageous, and a prudent man; and when any one has arrived
+at these dispositions, or shall hereafter arrive at them, he is the man
+that ought to be by all honored with the testimony of a virtuous or
+courageous man: for as to those that go out to war with hopes of
+success, and that they shall return safe, supposing they should have
+performed some glorious action, I think those do not do well who call
+these valiant men, as so many historians and other writers who treat of
+them are wont to do, although I confess those do justly deserve some
+commendation also; but those only may be styled courageous and bold in
+great undertakings, and despisers of adversities, who imitate Saul: for
+as for those that do not know what the event of war will be as to
+themselves, and though they do not faint in it, but deliver themselves
+up to uncertain futurity, and are tossed this way and that way, this is
+not so very eminent an instance of a generous mind, although they happen
+to perform many great exploits; but when men's minds expect no good
+event, but they know beforehand they must die, and that they must
+undergo that death in the battle also, after this neither to be
+affrighted, nor to be astonished at the terrible fate that is coming,
+but to go directly upon it, when they know it beforehand, this it is
+that I esteem the character of a man truly courageous. Accordingly this
+Saul did, and thereby demonstrated that all men who desire fame after
+they are dead are so to act as they may obtain the same: this especially
+concerns kings, who ought not to think it enough in their high stations
+that they are not wicked in the government of their subjects, but to be
+no more than moderately good to them. I could say more than this about
+Saul and his courage, the subject affording matter sufficient; but that
+I may not appear to run out improperly in his commendation, I return
+again to that history from which I made this digression.
+
+5. Now when the Philistines, as I said before, had pitched their camp,
+and had taken an account of their forces, according to their nations,
+and kingdoms, and governments, king Achish came last of all with his own
+army; after whom came David with his six hundred armed men. And when the
+commanders of the Philistines saw him, they asked the king whence these
+Hebrews came, and at whose invitation. He answered that it was David,
+who was fled away from his master Saul, and that he had entertained him
+when he came to him, and that now he was willing to make him this
+requital for his favors, and to avenge himself upon Saul, and so was
+become his confederate. The commanders complained of this, that he had
+taken him for a confederate who was an enemy; and gave him counsel to
+send him away, lest he should unawares do his friends a great deal of
+mischief by entertaining him, for that he afforded him an opportunity of
+being reconciled to his master by doing a mischief to our army. They
+thereupon desired him, out of a prudent foresight of this, to send him
+away, with his six hundred armed men, to the place he had given him for
+his habitation; for that this was that David whom the virgins celebrated
+in their hymns, as having destroyed many ten thousands of the
+Philistines. When the king of Gath heard this, he thought they spake
+well; so he called David, and said to him, "As for myself, I can bear
+witness that thou hast shown great diligence and kindness about me, and
+on that account it was that I took thee for my confederate; however,
+what I have done does not please the commanders of the Philistines; go
+therefore within a day's time to the place I have given thee, without
+suspecting any harm, and there keep my country, lest any of our enemies
+should make an incursion upon it, which will be one part of that
+assistance which I expect from thee." So David came to Ziklag, as the
+king of Gath bade him; but it happened, that while he was gone to the
+assistance of the Philistines, the Amalekites had made an incursion, and
+taken Ziklag before, and had burnt it; and when they had taken a great
+deal of other prey out of that place, and out of the other parts of the
+Philistines' country, they departed.
+
+6. Now when David found that Ziklag was laid waste, and that it was all
+spoiled, and that as well his own wives, who were two, as the wives of
+his companions, with their children, were made captives, he presently
+rent his clothes, weeping and lamenting, together with his friends; and
+indeed he was so cast down with these misfortunes, that at length tears
+themselves failed him. He was also in danger of being stoned to death by
+his companions, who were greatly afflicted at the captivity of their
+wives and children, for they laid the blame upon him of what had
+happened. But when he had recovered himself out of his grief, and had
+raised up his mind to God, he desired the high priest Abiathar to put on
+his sacerdotal garments, and to inquire of God, and to prophesy to him,
+whether God would grant; that if he pursued after the Amalekites, he
+should overtake them, and save their wives and their children, and
+avenge himself on the enemies. And when the high priest bade him to
+pursue after them, he marched apace, with his four hundred men, after
+the enemy; and when he was come to a certain brook called Besor, and had
+lighted upon one that was wandering about, an Egyptian by birth, who was
+almost dead with want and famine, [for he had continued wandering about
+without food in the wilderness three days,] he first of all gave him
+sustenance, both meat and drink, and thereby refreshed him. He then
+asked him to whom he belonged, and whence he came. Whereupon the man
+told him he was an Egyptian by birth, and was left behind by his master,
+because he was so sick and weak that he could not follow him. He also
+informed him that he was one of those who had burnt and plundered, not
+only other parts of Judea, but Ziklag itself also. So David made use of
+him as a guide to find oat the Amalekites; and when he had overtaken
+them, as they lay scattered about on the ground, some at dinner, some
+disordered, and entirely drunk with wine, and in the fruition of their
+spoils and their prey, he fell upon them on the sudden, and made a great
+slaughter among them; for they were naked, and expected no such thing,
+but had betaken themselves to drinking and feasting; and so they were
+all easily destroyed. Now some of them that were overtaken as they lay
+at the table were slain in that posture, and their blood brought up with
+it their meat and their drink. They slew others of them as they were
+drinking to one another in their cups, and some of them when their full
+bellies had made them fall asleep; and for so many as had time to put on
+their armor, they slew them with the sword, with no less ease than they
+did those that were naked; and for the partisans of David, they
+continued also the slaughter from the first hour of the day to the
+evening, so that there were, not above four hundred of the Amalekites
+left; and they only escaped by getting upon their dromedaries and
+camels. Accordingly David recovered not only all the other spoils which
+the enemy had carried away, but his wives also, and the wives of his
+companions. But when they were come to the place where they had left the
+two hundred men, which were not able to follow them, but were left to
+take care of the stuff, the four hundred men did not think fit to divide
+among them any other parts of what they had gotten, or of the prey,
+since they did not accompany them, but pretended to be feeble, and did
+not follow them in pursuit of the enemy, but said they should be
+contented to have safely recovered their wives; yet did David pronounce
+that this opinion of theirs was evil and unjust, and that when God had
+granted them such a favor, that they had avenged themselves on their
+enemies, and had recovered all that belonged to themselves, they should
+make an equal distribution of what they had gotten to all, because the
+rest had tarried behind to guard their stuff; and from that time this
+law obtained among them, that those who guarded the stuff, should
+receive an equal share with those that fought in the battle. Now when
+David was come to Ziklag, he sent portions of the spoils to all that had
+been familiar with him, and to his friends in the tribe of Judah. And
+thus ended the affairs of the plundering of Ziklag, and of the slaughter
+of the Amalekites.
+
+7. Now upon the Philistines joining battle, there followed a sharp
+engagement, and the Philistine, became the conquerors, and slew a great
+number of their enemies; but Saul the king of Israel, and his sons,
+fought courageously, and with the utmost alacrity, as knowing that their
+entire glory lay in nothing else but dying honorably, and exposing
+themselves to the utmost danger from the enemy [for they had nothing
+else to hope for]; so they brought upon themselves the whole power of
+the enemy, till they were encompassed round and slain, but not before
+they had killed many of the Philistines Now the sons of Saul were
+Jonathan, and Abinadab, and Malchisua; and when these were slain the
+multitude of the Hebrews were put to flight, and all was disorder, and
+confusion, and slaughter, upon the Philistines pressing in upon them.
+But Saul himself fled, having a strong body of soldiers about him; and
+upon the Philistines sending after them those that threw javelins and
+shot arrows, he lost all his company except a few. As for himself, he
+fought with great bravery; and when he had received so many wounds, that
+he was not able to bear up nor to oppose any longer, and yet was not
+able to kill himself, he bade his armor-bearer draw his sword, and run
+him through, before the enemy should take him alive. But his armor-
+bearer not daring to kill his master, he drew his own sword, and placing
+himself over against its point, he threw himself upon it; and when he
+could neither run it through him, nor, by leaning against it, make the
+sword pass through him, he turned him round, and asked a certain young
+man that stood by who he was; and when he understood that he was an
+Amalekite, he desired him to force the sword through him, because he was
+not able to do it with his own hands, and thereby to procure him such a
+death as he desired. This the young man did accordingly; and he took the
+golden bracelet that was on Saul's arm, and his royal crown that was on
+his head, and ran away. And when Saul's armor-bearer saw that he was
+slain, he killed himself; nor did any of the king's guards escape, but
+they all fell upon the mountain called Gilboa. But when those Hebrews
+that dwelt in the valley beyond Jordan, and those who had their cities
+in the plain, heard that Saul and his sons were fallen, and that the
+multitude about them were destroyed, they left their own cities, and
+fled to such as were the best fortified and fenced; and the Philistines,
+finding those cities deserted, came and dwelt in them.
+
+8. On the next day, when the Philistines came to strip their enemies
+that were slain, they got the bodies of Saul and of his sons, and
+stripped them, and cut off their heads; and they sent messengers all
+about their country, to acquaint them that their enemies were fallen;
+and they dedicated their armor in the temple of Astarte, but hung their
+bodies on crosses at the walls of the city Bethshun, which is now called
+Scythepolls. But when the inhabitants of Jabesh-Gilead heard that they
+had dismembered the dead bodies of Saul and of his sons, they deemed it
+so horrid a thing to overlook this barbarity, and to suffer them to be
+without funeral rites, that the most courageous and hardy among them
+[and indeed that city had in it men that were very stout both in body
+and mind] journeyed all night, and came to Bethshun, and approached to
+the enemy's wall, and taking down the bodies of Saul and of his sons,
+they carried them to Jabesh, while the enemy were not able enough nor
+bold enough to hinder them, because of their great courage. So the
+people of Jabesh wept all in general, and buried their bodies in the
+best place of their country, which was named Areurn; and they observed a
+public mourning for them seven days, with their wives and children,
+beating their breasts, and lamenting the king and his sons, without
+either tasting meat or drink 29 [till the evening.]
+
+9. To this his end did Saul come, according to the prophecy of Samuel,
+because he disobeyed the commands of God about the Amalekites, and on
+the account of his destroying the family of Ahimelech the high priest,
+with Ahimelech himself, and the city of the high priests. Now Saul, when
+he had reigned eighteen years while Samuel was alive, and after his
+death two [and twenty], ended his life in this manner.
+
+
+
+
+
+
+FOOTNOTES:
+
+
+1 (return) [ Dagon, a famous maritime god or idol, is generally supposed
+to have been like a man above the navel, and like a fish beneath it.]
+
+
+2 (return) [ Spanheim informs us here, that upon the coins of Tenedos,
+and those of other cities, a field-mouse is engraven, together with
+Apollo Smintheus, or Apollo, the driver away of field-mice, on account
+of his being supposed to have freed certain tracts of ground from those
+mice; which coins show how great a judgment such mice have sometimes
+been, and how the deliverance from them was then esteemed the effect of
+a divine power; which observations are highly suitable to this history.]
+
+
+3 (return) [ This device of the Philistines, of having a yoke of kine to
+draw this cart, into which they put the ark of the Hebrews, is greatly
+illustrated by Sanchoniatho's account, under his ninth generation, that
+Agrouerus, or Agrotes, the husbandman, had a much-worshipped statue and
+temple, carried about by one or more yoke of oxen, or kine, in
+Phoenicia, in the neighborhood of these Philistines. See Cumberland's
+Sanchoniatho, p. 27 and 247; and Essay on the Old Testament, Append. p.
+172.]
+
+
+4 (return) [ These seventy men, being not so much as Levites, touched
+the ark in a rash or profane manner, and were slain by the hand of God
+for such their rashness and profaneness, according to the Divine
+threatenings, Numbers 4:15, 20; but how other copies come to add such an
+incredible number as fifty thousand in this one town, or small city, I
+know not. See Dr. Wall's Critical Notes on 1 Samuel 6:19.]
+
+
+5 (return) [ This is the first place, so far as I remember, in these
+Antiquities, where Josephus begins to call his nation Jews, he having
+hitherto usually, if not constantly, called them either Hebrews or
+Israelites. The second place soon follows; see also ch. 3. sect. 5.]
+
+
+6 (return) [ Of this great mistake of Saul and his servant, as if true
+prophet of God would accept of a gift or present, for foretelling what
+was desired of him, see the note on B. IV. ch. 6. sect. 3.]
+
+
+7 (return) [ It seems to me not improbable that these seventy guests of
+Samuel, as here, with himself at the head of them, were a Jewish
+sanhedrim, and that hereby Samuel intimated to Saul that these seventy-
+one were to be his constant counselors, and that he was to act not like
+a sole monarch, but with the advice and direction of these seventy-one
+members of that Jewish sanhedrim upon all occasions, which yet we never
+read that he consulted afterward.]
+
+
+8 (return) [ An instance of this Divine fury we have after this in Saul,
+ch. 5. sect. 2, 3; 1 Samuel 11:6. See the like, Judges 3:10; 6:34;
+11:29; 13:25; and 14:6.]
+
+
+9 (return) [ Take here Theodoret's note, cited by Dr. Hudson:—"He that
+exposes his shield to the enemy with his left hand, thereby hides his
+left eye, and looks at the enemy with his right eye: he therefore that
+plucks out that eye, makes men useless in war."]
+
+
+10 (return) [ Mr. Reland observes here, and proves elsewhere in his note
+on Antiq. B. III. ch. 1. sect. 6, that although thunder and lightning
+with us usually happen in summer, yet in Palestine and Syria they are
+chiefly confined to winter. Josephus takes notice of the same thing
+again, War, B. IV. ch. 4. sect. 5.]
+
+
+11 (return) [ Saul seems to have staid till near the time of the evening
+sacrifice, on the seventh day, which Samuel the prophet of God had
+appointed him, but not till the end of that day, as he ought to have
+done; and Samuel appears, by delaying to come to the full time of the
+evening sacrifice on that seventh day, to have tried him [who seems to
+have been already for some time declining from his strict and bounden
+subordination to God and his prophet; to have taken life-guards for
+himself and his son, which was entirely a new thing in Israel, and
+savored of a distrust of God's providence; and to have affected more
+than he ought that independent authority which the pagan kings took to
+themselves]; Samuel, I say, seems to have here tried Saul whether he
+would stay till the priest came, who alone could lawfully offer the
+sacrifices, nor would boldly and profanely usurp the priest's office,
+which he venturing upon, was justly rejected for his profaneness. See
+Apost. Constit. B. II. ch. 27. And, indeed, since Saul had accepted
+kingly power, which naturally becomes ungovernable and tyrannical, as
+God foretold, and the experience of all ages has shown, the Divine
+settlement by Moses had soon been laid aside under the kings, had not
+God, by keeping strictly to his laws, and severely executing the
+threatenings therein contained, restrained Saul and other kings in some
+degree of obedience to himself; nor was even this severity sufficient to
+restrain most of the future kings of Israel and Judah from the grossest
+idolatry and impiety. Of the advantage of which strictness, in the
+observing Divine laws, and inflicting their threatened penalties, see
+Antiq. B. VI. ch. 12. sect. 7; and Against Apion, B. II. sect. 30, where
+Josephus speaks of that matter; though it must be noted that it seems,
+at least in three instances, that good men did not always immediately
+approve of such Divine severity. There seems to be one instance, 1
+Samuel 6:19, 20; another, 1 Samuel 15:11; and a third, 2 Samuel 6:8, 9;
+Antiq. B. VI. ch. 7. sect. 2; though they all at last acquiesced in the
+Divine conduct, as knowing that God is wiser than men.]
+
+
+12 (return) [ By this answer of Samuel, and that from a Divine
+commission, which is fuller in l Samuel 13:14, and by that parallel note
+in the Apostolical Constitutions just now quoted, concerning the great
+wickedness of Saul in venturing, even under a seeming necessity of
+affairs, to usurp the priest's office, and offer sacrifice without the
+priest, we are in some degree able to answer that question, which I have
+ever thought a very hard one, viz. Whether, if there were a city or
+country of lay Christians without any clergymen, it were lawful for the
+laity alone to baptize, or celebrate the eucharist, etc., or indeed
+whether they alone could ordain themselves either bishops, priests, or
+deacons, for the due performance of such sacerdotal ministrations; or
+whether they ought not rather, till they procure clergymen to come among
+them, to confine themselves within those bounds of piety and
+Christianity which belong alone to the laity; such particularly as are
+recommended in the first book of the Apostolical Constitutions, which
+peculiarly concern the laity, and are intimated in Clement's undoubted
+epistle, sect. 40. To which latter opinion I incline.]
+
+
+13 (return) [ This rash vow or curse of Saul, which Josephus says was
+confirmed by the people, and yet not executed, I suppose principally
+because Jonathan did not know of it, is very remarkable; it being of the
+essence of the obligation of all laws, that they be sufficiently known
+and promulgated, otherwise the conduct of Providence, as to the
+sacredness of solemn oaths and vows, in God's refusing to answer by Urim
+till this breach of Saul's vow or curse was understood and set right,
+and God propitiated by public prayer, is here very remarkable, as indeed
+it is every where else in the Old Testament.]
+
+
+14 (return) [ Here we have still more indications of Saul's affectation
+of despotic power, and of his entrenching upon the priesthood, and
+making and endeavoring to execute a rash vow or curse, without
+consulting Samuel or the sanhedrim. In this view it is also that I look
+upon this erection of a new altar by Saul, and his offering of burnt-
+offerings himself upon it, and not as any proper instance of devotion or
+religion, with other commentators.]
+
+
+15 (return) [ The reason of this severity is distinctly given, 1 Samuel
+15:18, "Go and utterly destroy the sinners the Amalekites:" nor indeed
+do we ever meet with these Amalekites but as very cruel and bloody
+people, and particularly seeking to injure and utterly to destroy the
+nation of Israel. See Exodus 17:8-16; Numbers 14:45; Deuteronomy 25:17-
+19; Judges 6:3, 6; 1 Samuel 15:33; Psalms 83:7; and, above all, the most
+barbarous of all cruelties, that of Haman the Agagite, or one of the
+posterity of Agag, the old king of the Amalekites, Esther 3:1-15.]
+
+
+16 (return) [ Spanheim takes notice here that the Greeks had such
+singers of hymns; and that usually children or youths were picked out
+for that service; as also, that those called singers to the harp, did
+the same that David did here, i.e. join their own vocal and instrumental
+music together.]
+
+
+17 (return) [ Josephus says thrice in this chapter, and twice
+afterwards, ch. 11. sect. 2, and B. VII. ch. 1. sect. 4, i.e. five times
+in all, that Saul required not a bare hundred of the foreskins of the
+Philistines, but six hundred of their heads. The Septuagint have 100
+foreskins, but the Syriac and Arabic 200. Now that these were not
+foreskins, with our other copies, but heads, with Josephus's copy, seems
+somewhat probable, from 1 Samuel 29:4, where all copies say that it was
+with the heads of such Philistines that David might reconcile himself to
+his master, Saul.]
+
+
+18 (return) [ Since the modern Jews have lost the signification of the
+Hebrew word here used, cebr; and since the LXX., as well as Josephus,
+reader it the liver of the goat, and since this rendering, and
+Josephus's account, are here so much more clear and probable than those
+of others, it is almost unaccountable that our commentators should so
+much as hesitate about its true interpretation.]
+
+
+19 (return) [ These violent and wild agitations of Saul seem to me to
+have been no other than demoniacal; and that the same demon which used
+to seize him, since he was forsaken of God, and which the divine hymns
+and psalms which were sung to the harp by David used to expel, was now
+in a judicial way brought upon him, not only in order to disappoint his
+intentions against innocent David, but to expose him to the laughter and
+contempt of all that saw him, or heard of those agitations; such violent
+and wild agitations being never observed in true prophets, when they
+were under the inspiration of the Spirit of God. Our other copies, which
+say the Spirit of God came him, seem not so here copy, which mentions
+nothing of God at all. Nor does Josephus seem to ascribe this impulse
+and ecstasy of Saul to any other than to his old demoniacal spirit,
+which on all accounts appears the most probable. Nor does the former
+description of Saul's real inspiration by the Divine Spirit, 1 Samuel
+10:9- 12; Antiq. B. VI. ch. 4. sect. 2, which was before he was become
+wicked, well agree with the descriptions before us.]
+
+
+20 (return) [ What is meant by Saul's lying down naked all that day, and
+all that night, 1 Samuel 19:4, and whether any more than laying aside
+his royal apparel, or upper garments, as Josephus seems to understand
+it, is by no means certain. See the note on Antiq. B. VIII. ch. 14.
+sect. 2.
+
+
+21 (return) [ This city Nob was not a city allotted to the priests, nor
+had the prophets, that we know of, any particular cities allotted them.
+It seems the tabernacle was now at Nob, and probably a school of the
+prophets was here also. It was full two days' journey on foot from
+Jerusalem, 1 Samuel 21:5. The number of priests here slain in Josephus
+is three hundred and eighty-five, and but eighty-five in our Hebrew
+copies; yet are they three hundred and five in the Septuagint. I prefer
+Josephus's number, the Hebrew having, I suppose, only dropped the
+hundreds, the other the tens. This city Nob seems to have been the
+chief, or perhaps the only seat of the family of Ithamar, which here
+perished, according to God's former terrible threatenings to Eli, 1
+Samuel 2:27-36; 3:11-18. See ch. 14. sect. D, hereafter.]
+
+
+22 (return) [ This section contains an admirable reflection of Josephus
+concerning the general wickedness of men in great authority, and the
+danger they are in of rejecting that regard to justice and humanity, to
+Divine Providence and the fear of God, which they either really had, or
+pretended to have, while they were in a lower condition. It can never be
+too often perused by kings and great men, nor by those who expect to
+obtain such elevated dignities among mankind. See the like reflections
+of our Josephus, Antiq. B. VII. ch. 1. sect. 5, at the end; and B. VIII.
+ch. 10. sect. 2, at the beginning. They are to the like purport with one
+branch of Agur's prayer: "One thing have I required of thee, deny it me
+not before I die: Give me not riches, lest I be full, and deny thee, and
+say, Who is the Lord?" Proverbs 30:7-9.]
+
+
+23 (return) [ The phrase in David's speech to Saul, as set down in
+Josephus, that he had abstained from just revenge, puts me in mind of
+the like words in the Apostolical Constitutions, B. VII. ch. 2., "That
+revenge is not evil, but that patience is more honorable."]
+
+
+24 (return) [ The number of men that came first to David, are distinctly
+in Josephus, and in our common copies, but four hundred. When he was at
+Keilah still but four hundred, both in Josephus and in the LXXX.; but
+six hundred in our Hebrew copies, 1 Samuel 23:3; see 30:9, 10. Now the
+six hundred there mentioned are here estimated by Josephus to have been
+so many, only by an augmentation of two hundred afterward, which I
+suppose is the true solution of this seeming disagreement.]
+
+
+25 (return) [ In this and the two next sections, we may perceive how
+Josephus, nay, how Abigail herself, would understand, the "not avenging
+ourselves, but heaping coals of fire on the head of the injurious,"
+Proverbs 25:22; Romans 12:20, not as we do now, of them into but of
+leaving them to the judgment of God, "to whom vengeance belongeth,"
+Deuteronomy 32:35; Psalms 94:1; Hebrews 10:30, and who will take
+vengeance on the wicked. And since all God's judgments are just, and all
+fit to be executed, and all at length for the good of the persons
+punished, I incline to think that to be the meaning of this phrase of
+"heaping coals of fire on their heads."]
+
+
+26 (return) [ We may note here, that how sacred soever an oath was
+esteemed among the people of God in old times, they did not think it
+obligatory where the action was plainly unlawful. For so we see it was
+in this case of David, who, although he had sworn to destroy Nabal and
+his family, yet does he here, and 1 Samuel 25:32-41, bless God for
+preventing his keeping his oath, and shedding of blood, which he had
+swore to do.]
+
+
+27 (return) [ This history of Saul's consultation, not with a witch, as
+we render the Hebrew word here, but with a necromancer, as the whole
+history shows, is easily understood, especially if we consult the
+Recognitions of Clement, B. I. ch. 5. at large, and more briefly, and
+nearer the days of Samuel Ecclus. 46:20, "Samuel prophesied after his
+death, and showed the king his end, and lift up his voice from the earth
+in prophecy," to blot out "the wickedness of the people." Nor does the
+exactness of the accomplishment of this prediction, the very next day,
+permit us to suppose any imposition upon Saul in the present history;
+for as to all modern hypotheses against the natural sense of such
+ancient and authentic histories, I take them to be of very small value
+or consideration.]
+
+
+28 (return) [ These great commendations of this necromantic woman of
+Endor, and of Saul's martial courage, when yet he knew he should die in
+the battle, are somewhat unusual digressions in Josephus. They seem to
+me extracted from some speeches or declamations of his composed
+formerly, in the way of oratory, that lay by him, and which he thought
+fit to insert upon this occasion. See before on Antiq. B. I. ch. 6 sect.
+8.]
+
+
+29 (return) [ This way of speaking in Josephus, of fasting "seven days
+without meat or drink," is almost like that of St. Paul, Acts 27:33,
+"This day is the fourteenth day that ye have tarried, and continued
+fasting, having taken nothing:" and as the nature of the thing, and the
+impossibility of strictly fasting so long, require us here to understand
+both Josephus and the sacred author of this history, 1 Samuel 30:13,
+from whom he took it, of only fasting fill the evening; so must we
+understand St. Paul, either that this was really the fourteenth day that
+they had taken nothing till the evening, or else that this was the
+fourteenth day of their tempestuous weather in the Adriatic Sea, as ver.
+27, and that on this fourteenth day alone they had continued fasting,
+and had taken nothing before that evening. The mention of their long
+abstinence, ver. 21, inclines me to believe the former explication to be
+the truth, and that the case was then for a fortnight what it was here
+for a week, that they kept all those days entirely as lasts till the
+evening, but not longer. See Judges 20:26; 21:2; 1 Samuel 14:24; 2
+Samuel 1:12; Antiq. B. VII. ch. 7. sect. 4.]
+
+
+
+
+
+
+BOOK VII. Containing The Interval Of Forty Years.—From The Death Of Saul
+To The Death Of David.
+
+
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER 1. How David Reigned Over One Tribe At Hebron While The Son Of
+Saul Reigned Over The Rest Of The Multitude; And How, In The Civil War
+Which Then Arose Asahel And Abner Were Slain.
+
+1. This fight proved to be on the same day whereon David was come back
+to Ziklag, after he had overcome the Amalekites. Now when he had been
+already two days at Ziklag, there came to him the man who slew Saul,
+which was the third day after the fight. He had escaped out of the
+battle which the Israelites had with the Philistines, and had his
+clothes rent, and ashes upon his head. And when he made his obeisance to
+David, he inquired of him whence he came. He replied, from the battle of
+the Israelites; and he informed him that the end of it was unfortunate,
+many ten thousands of the Israelites having been cut off, and Saul,
+together with his sons, slain. He also said that he could well give him
+this information, because he was present at the victory gained over the
+Hebrews, and was with the king when he fled. Nor did he deny that he had
+himself slain the king, when he was ready to be taken by the enemy, and
+he himself exhorted him to do it, because, when he was fallen on his
+sword, his great wounds had made him so weak that he was not able to
+kill himself. He also produced demonstrations that the king was slain,
+which were the golden bracelets that had been on the king's arms, and
+his crown, which he had taken away from Saul's dead body, and had
+brought them to him. So David having no longer any room to call in
+question the truth of what he said, but seeing most evident marks that
+Saul was dead, he rent his garments, and continued all that day with his
+companions in weeping and lamentation. This grief was augmented by the
+consideration of Jonathan; the son of Saul, who had been his most
+faithful friend, and the occasion of his own deliverance. He also
+demonstrated himself to have such great virtue, and such great kindness
+for Saul, as not only to take his death to heart, though he had been
+frequently in danger of losing his life by his means, but to punish him
+that slew him; for when David had said to him that he was become his own
+accuser, as the very man who had slain the king, and when he had
+understood that he was the son of an Amalekite, he commanded him to be
+slain. He also committed to writing some lamentations and funeral
+commendations of Saul and Jonathan, which have continued to my own age.
+
+2. Now when David had paid these honors to the king, he left off his
+mourning, and inquired of God by the prophet which of the cities of the
+tribe of Judah he would bestow upon him to dwell in; who answered that
+he bestowed upon him Hebron. So he left Ziklag, and came to Hebron, and
+took with him his wives, who were in number two, and his armed men;
+whereupon all the people of the forementioned tribe came to him, and
+ordained him their king. But when he heard that the inhabitants of
+Jabesh- gilead had buried Saul and his sons [honorably], he sent to them
+and commended them, and took what they had done kindly, and promised to
+make them amends for their care of those that were dead; and at the same
+time he informed them that the tribe of Judah had chosen him for their
+king.
+
+3. But as soon as Abner, the son of Ner, who was general of Saul's army,
+and a very active man, and good-natured, knew that the king, and
+Jonathan, and his two other sons, were fallen in the battle, he made
+haste into the camp; and taking away with him the remaining son of Saul,
+whose name was Ishbosheth, he passed over to the land beyond Jordan, and
+ordained him the king of the whole multitude, excepting the tribe of
+Judah; and made his royal seat in a place called in our own language
+Mahanaim, but in the language of the Grecians, The Camps; from whence
+Abner made haste with a select body of soldiers, to fight with such of
+the tribe of Judah as were disposed to it, for he was angry that this
+tribe had set up David for their king. But Joab, whose father was Suri,
+and his mother Zeruiah, David's sister, who was general of David's army,
+met him, according to David's appointment. He had with him his brethren,
+Abishai and Asahel, as also all David's armed men. Now when he met Abner
+at a certain fountain, in the city of Gibeon, he prepared to fight. And
+when Abner said to him, that he had a mind to know which of them had the
+more valiant soldiers, it was agreed between them that twelve soldiers
+of each side should fight together. So those that were chosen out by
+both the generals for this fight came between the two armies, and
+throwing their lances one against the other, they drew their swords, and
+catching one another by the head, they held one another fast, and ran
+each other's swords into their sides and groins, until they all, as it
+were by mutual agreement, perished together. When these were fallen down
+dead, the rest of the army came to a sore battle, and Abner's men were
+beaten; and when they were beaten, Joab did not leave off pursuing them,
+but he pressed upon them, and excited the soldiers to follow them close,
+and not to grow weary of killing them. His brethren also pursued them
+with great alacrity, especially the younger, Asahel, who was the most
+eminent of them. He was very famous for his swiftness of foot, for he
+could not only be too hard for men, but is reported to have overrun a
+horse, when they had a race together. This Asahel ran violently after
+Abner, and would not turn in the least out of the straight way, either
+to the one side or to the other. Hereupon Abner turned back, and
+attempted artfully to avoid his violence. Sometimes he bade him leave
+off the pursuit, and take the armor of one of his soldiers; and
+sometimes, when he could not persuade him so to do, he exhorted him to
+restrain himself, and not to pursue him any longer, lest he should force
+him to kill him, and he should then not be able to look his brother in
+the face: but when Asahel would not admit of any persuasions, but still
+continued to pursue him, Abner smote him with his spear, as he held it
+in his flight, and that by a back-stroke, and gave him a deadly wound,
+so that he died immediately; but those that were with him pursuing
+Abner, when they came to the place where Asahel lay, they stood round
+about the dead body, and left off the pursuit of the enemy. However,
+both Joab 1 himself, and his brother Abishai, ran past the dead corpse,
+and making their anger at the death of Asahel an occasion of greater
+zeal against Abner, they went on with incredible haste and alacrity, and
+pursued Abner to a certain place called Ammah: it was about sun-set.
+Then did Joab ascend a certain hill, as he stood at that place, having
+the tribe of Benjamin with him, whence he took a view of them, and of
+Abner also. Hereupon Abner cried aloud, and said that it was not fit
+that they should irritate men of the same nation to fight so bitterly
+one against another; that as for Asahel his brother, he was himself in
+the wrong, when he would not be advised by him not to pursue him any
+farther, which was the occasion of his wounding and death. So Joab
+consented to what he said, and accepted these his words as an excuse
+[about Asahel], and called the soldiers back with the sound of the
+trumpet, as a signal for their retreat, and thereby put a stop to any
+further pursuit. After which Joab pitched his camp there that night; but
+Abner marched all that night, and passed over the river Jordan, and came
+to Ishbosheth, Saul's son, to Mahanaim. On the next day Joab counted the
+dead men, and took care of all their funerals. Now there were slain of
+Abner's soldiers about three hundred and sixty; but of those of David
+nineteen, and Asahel, whose body Joab and Abishai carried to Bethlehem;
+and when they had buried him in the sepulcher of their fathers, they
+came to David to Hebron. From this time therefore there began an
+intestine war, which lasted a great while, in which the followers of
+David grew stronger in the dangers they underwent, and the servants and
+subjects of Saul's sons did almost every day become weaker.
+
+4. About this time David was become the father of six sons, born of as
+many mothers. The eldest was by Ahinoam, and he was called Arenon; the
+second was Daniel, by his wife Abigail; the name of the third was
+Absalom, by Maacah, the daughter of Talmai, king of Geshur; the fourth
+he named Adonijah, by his wife Haggith; the fifth was Shephatiah, by
+Abital; the sixth he called Ithream, by Eglah. Now while this intestine
+war went on, and the subjects of the two kings came frequently to action
+and to fighting, it was Abner, the general of the host of Saul's son,
+who, by his prudence, and the great interest he had among the multitude,
+made them all continue with Ishbosheth; and indeed it was a considerable
+time that they continued of his party; but afterwards Abner was blamed,
+and an accusation was laid against him, that he went in unto Saul's
+concubine: her name was Rispah, the daughter of Aiah. So when he was
+complained of by Ishbosheth, he was very uneasy and angry at it, because
+he had not justice done him by Ishbosheth, to whom he had shown the
+greatest kindness; whereupon he threatened to transfer the kingdom to
+David, and demonstrate that he did not rule over the people beyond
+Jordan by his own abilities and wisdom, but by his warlike conduct and
+fidelity in leading his army. So he sent ambassadors to Hebron to David,
+and desired that he would give him security upon oath that he would
+esteem him his companion and his friend, upon condition that he should
+persuade the people to leave Saul's son, and choose him king of the
+whole country; and when David had made that league with Abner, for he
+was pleased with his message to him, he desired that he would give this
+as the first mark of performance of the present league, that he might
+have his wife Michal restored to him, as her whom he had purchased with
+great hazards, and with those six hundred heads of the Philistines which
+he had brought to Saul her father. So Abner took Michal from Phaltiel,
+who was then her husband, and sent her to David, Ishbosheth himself
+affording him his assistance, for David had written to him that of right
+he ought to have this his wife restored to him. Abner also called
+together the elders of the multitude, the commanders and captains of
+thousands, and spake thus to them: That he had formerly dissuaded them
+from their own resolution, when they were ready to forsake Ishbosheth,
+and to join themselves to David; that, however, he now gave them leave
+so to do, if they had a mind to it, for they knew that God had appointed
+David to be king of all the Hebrews by Samuel the prophet; and had
+foretold that he should punish the Philistines, and overcome them, and
+bring them under. Now when the elders and rulers heard this, and
+understood that Abner was come over to those sentiments about the public
+affairs which they were of before, they changed their measures, and came
+in to David. When these men had agreed to Abner's proposal, he called
+together the tribe of Benjamin, for all of that tribe were the guards of
+Ishbosheth's body, and he spake to them to the same purpose. And when he
+saw that they did not in the least oppose what he said, but resigned
+themselves up to his opinion, he took about twenty of his friends and
+came to David, in order to receive himself security upon oath from him;
+for we may justly esteem those things to be firmer which every one of us
+do by ourselves, than those which we do by another. He also gave him an
+account of what he had said to the rulers, and to the whole tribe of
+Benjamin; and when David had received him in a courteous manner, and had
+treated him with great hospitality for many days, Abner, when he was
+dismissed, desired him to bring the multitude with him, that he might
+deliver up the government to him, when David himself was present, and a
+spectator of what was done.
+
+5. When David had sent Abner away, Joab, the of his army, came
+immediately to Hebron; he had understood that Abner had been with David,
+and had parted with him a little before under leagues and agreements
+that the government should be delivered up to David, he feared lest
+David should place Abner, who had assisted him to gain the kingdom, in
+the first rank of dignity, especially since he was a shrewd man in other
+respects, in understanding affairs, and in managing them artfully, as
+proper seasons should require, and that he should himself be put lower,
+and be deprived of the command of the army; so he took a knavish and a
+wicked course. In the first place, he endeavored to calumniate Abner to
+the king, exhorting him to have a care of him, and not to give attention
+to what he had engaged to do for him, because all he did tended to
+confirm the government to Saul's son; that he came to him deceitfully
+and with guile, and was gone away in hopes of gaining his purpose by
+this management: but when he could not thus persuade David, nor saw him
+at all exasperated, he betook himself to a project bolder than the
+former:—he determined to kill Abner; and in order thereto, he sent some
+messengers after him, to whom he gave in charge, that when they should
+overtake him they should recall him in David's name, and tell him that
+he had somewhat to say to him about his affairs, which he had not
+remembered to speak of when he was with him. Now when Abner heard what
+the messengers said, [for they overtook him in a certain place called
+Besira, which was distant from Hebron twenty furlongs,] he suspected
+none of the mischief which was befalling him, and came back. Hereupon
+Joab met him in the gate, and received him in the kindest manner, as if
+he were Abner's most benevolent acquaintance and friend; for such as
+undertake the vilest actions, in order to prevent the suspicion of any
+private mischief intended, do frequently make the greatest pretenses to
+what really good men sincerely do. So he took him aside from his own
+followers, as if he would speak with him in private, and brought him
+into a void place of the gate, having himself nobody with him but his
+brother Abishai; then he drew his sword, and smote him in the groin;
+upon which Abner died by this treachery of Joab, which, as he said
+himself, was in the way of punishment for his brother Asahel, whom Abner
+smote and slew as he was pursuing after him in the battle of Hebron, but
+as the truth was, out of his fear of losing his command of the army, and
+his dignity with the king, and lest he should be deprived of those
+advantages, and Abner should obtain the first rank in David's court. By
+these examples any one may learn how many and how great instances of
+wickedness men will venture upon for the sake of getting money and
+authority, and that they may not fail of either of them; for as when
+they are desirous of obtaining the same, they acquire them by ten
+thousand evil practices; so when they are afraid of losing them, they
+get them confirmed to them by practices much worse than the former, as
+if no other calamity so terrible could befall them as the failure of
+acquiring so exalted an authority; and when they have acquired it, and
+by long custom found the sweetness of it, the losing it again: and since
+this last would be the heaviest of all afflictions they all of them
+contrive and venture upon the most difficult actions, out of the fear of
+losing the same. But let it suffice that I have made these short
+reflections upon that subject.
+
+6. When David heard that Abner was slain, it grieved his soul; and he
+called all men to witness, with stretching out his hands to God, and
+crying out that he was not a partaker in the murder of Abner, and that
+his death was not procured by his command or approbation. He also wished
+the heaviest curses might light upon him that slew him and upon his
+whole house; and he devoted those that had assisted him in this murder
+to the same penalties on its account; for he took care not to appear to
+have had any hand in this murder, contrary to the assurances he had
+given and the oaths he had taken to Abner. However, he commanded all the
+people to weep and lament this man, and to honor his dead body with the
+usual solemnities; that is, by rending their garments, and putting on
+sackcloth, and that things should be the habit in which they should go
+before the bier; after which he followed it himself, with the elders and
+those that were rulers, lamenting Abner, and by his tears demonstrating
+his good-will to him while he was alive, and his sorrow for him now he
+was dead, and that he was not taken off with his consent. So he buried
+him at Hebron in a magnificent manner, and indited funeral elegies for
+him; he also stood first over the monument weeping, and caused others to
+do the same; nay, so deeply did the death of Abner disorder him, that
+his companions could by no means force him to take any food, but he
+affirmed with an oath that he would taste nothing till the sun was set.
+This procedure gained him the good-will of the multitude; for such as
+had an affection for Abner were mightily satisfied with the respect he
+paid him when he was dead, and the observation of that faith he had
+plighted to him, which was shown in his vouchsafing him all the usual
+ceremonies, as if he had been his kinsman and his friend, and not
+suffering him to be neglected and injured with a dishonorable burial, as
+if he had been his enemy; insomuch that the entire nation rejoiced at
+the king's gentleness and mildness of disposition, every one being ready
+to suppose that the king would have taken the same care of them in the
+like circumstances, which they saw be showed in the burial of the dead
+body of Abner. And indeed David principally intended to gain a good
+reputation, and therefore he took care to do what was proper in this
+case, whence none had any suspicion that he was the author of Abner's
+death. He also said this to the multitude, that he was greatly troubled
+at the death of so good a man; and that the affairs of the Hebrews had
+suffered great detriment by being deprived of him, who was of so great
+abilities to preserve them by his excellent advice, and by the strength
+of his hands in war. But he added, that "God, who hath a regard to all
+men's actions, will not suffer this man [Joab] to go off unrevenged; but
+know ye, that I am not able to do any thing to these sons of Zeruiah,
+Joab and Abishai, who have more power than I have; but God will requite
+their insolent attempts upon their own heads." And this was the fatal
+conclusion of the life of Abner.
+
+
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER 2. That Upon The Slaughter Of Ishbosheth By The Treachery Of His
+Friends, David Received The Whole Kingdom.
+
+1. When Ishbosheth, the son of Saul, had heard of the death of Abner, he
+took it to heart to be deprived of a man that was of his kindred, and
+had indeed given him the kingdom, but was greatly afflicted, and Abner's
+death very much troubled him; nor did he himself outlive any long time,
+but was treacherously set upon by the sons of Rimmon, [Baanah and Rechab
+were their names,] and was slain by them; for these being of a family of
+the Benjamites, and of the first rank among them, thought that if they
+should slay Ishbosheth, they should obtain large presents from David,
+and be made commanders by him, or, however, should have some other trust
+committed to them. So when they once found him alone, and asleep at
+noon, in an upper room, when none of his guards were there, and when the
+woman that kept the door was not watching, but was fallen asleep also,
+partly on account of the labor she had undergone, and partly on account
+of the heat of the day, these men went into the room in which
+Ishbosheth, Saul's son, lay asleep, and slew him; they also cut off his
+head, and took their journey all that night, and the next day, as
+supposing themselves flying away from those they had injured, to one
+that would accept of this action as a favor, and would afford them
+security. So they came to Hebron, and showed David the head of
+Ishbosheth, and presented themselves to him as his well-wishers, and
+such as had killed one that was his enemy and antagonist. Yet David did
+not relish what they had done as they expected, but said to them, "You
+vile wretches, you shall immediately receive the punishment you deserve.
+Did not you know what vengeance I executed on him that murdered Saul,
+and brought me his crown of gold, and this while he who made this
+slaughter did it as a favor to him, that he might not be caught by his
+enemies? Or do you imagine that I am altered in my disposition, and
+suppose that I am not the same man I then was, but am pleased with men
+that are wicked doers, and esteem your vile actions, when you are become
+murderers of your master, as grateful to me, when you have slain a
+righteous man upon his bed, who never did evil to any body, and treated
+you with great good-will and respect? Wherefore you shall suffer the
+punishment due on his account, and the vengeance I ought to inflict upon
+you for killing Ishbosheth, and for supposing that I should take his
+death kindly at your hands; for you could not lay a greater blot on my
+honor, than by making such a supposal." When David had said this, he
+tormented them with all sorts of torments, and then put them to death;
+and he bestowed all accustomed rites on the burial of the head of
+Ishbosheth, and laid it in the grave of Abner.
+
+2. When these things were brought to this conclusion, all the principal
+men of the Hebrew people came to David to Hebron, with the heads of
+thousands, and other rulers, and delivered themselves up to him, putting
+him in mind of the good-will they had borne to him in Saul's lifetime,
+and the respect they then had not ceased to pay him when he was captain
+of a thousand, as also that he was chosen of God by Samuel the prophet,
+he and his sons; 2 and declaring besides, how God had given him power to
+save the land of the Hebrews, and to overcome the Philistines. Whereupon
+he received kindly this their alacrity on his account; and exhorted them
+to continue in it, for that they should have no reason to repent of
+being thus disposed to him. So when he had feasted them, and treated
+them kindly, he sent them out to bring all the people to him; upon which
+came to him about six thousand and eight hundred armed men of the tribe
+of Judah, who bare shields and spears for their weapons, for these had
+[till now] continued with Saul's son, when the rest of the tribe of
+Judah had ordained David for their king. There came also seven thousand
+and one hundred out of the tribe of Simeon. Out of the tribe of Levi
+came four thousand and seven hundred, having Jehoiada for their leader.
+After these came Zadok the high priest, with twenty-two captains of his
+kindred. Out of the tribe of Benjamin the armed men were four thousand;
+but the rest of the tribe continued, still expecting that some one of
+the house of Saul should reign over them. Those of the tribe of Ephraim
+were twenty thousand and eight hundred, and these mighty men of valor,
+and eminent for their strength. Out of the half tribe of Manasseh came
+eighteen thousand, of the most potent men. Out of the tribe of Issachar
+came two hundred, who foreknew what was to come hereafter, 3 but of
+armed men twenty thousand. Of the tribe of Zebulon fifty thousand chosen
+men. This was the only tribe that came universally in to David, and all
+these had the same weapons with the tribe of Gad. Out of the tribe of
+Naphtali the eminent men and rulers were one thousand, whose weapons
+were shields and spears, and the tribe itself followed after, being [in
+a manner] innumerable [thirty- seven thousand]. Out of the tribe of Dan
+there were of chosen men twenty-seven thousand and six hundred. Out of
+the tribe of Asher were forty thousand. Out of the two tribes that were
+beyond Jordan, and the rest of the tribe of Manasseh, such as used
+shields, and spears, and head-pieces, and swords, were a hundred and
+twenty thousand. The rest of the tribes also made use of swords. This
+multitude came together to Hebron to David, with a great quantity of
+corn, and wine, and all other sorts of food, and established David in
+his kingdom with one consent. And when the people had rejoiced for three
+days in Hebron, David and all the people removed and came to Jerusalem.
+
+
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER 3. How David Laid Siege To Jerusalem; And When He Had Taken The
+City, He Cast The Canaanites Out Of It, And Brought In The Jews To
+Inhabit Therein.
+
+1. Now the Jebusites, who were the inhabitants of Jerusalem, and were by
+extraction Canaanites, shut their gates, and placed the blind, and the
+lame, and all their maimed persons, upon the wall, in way of derision of
+the king, and said that the very lame themselves would hinder his
+entrance into it. This they did out of contempt of his power, and as
+depending on the strength of their walls. David was hereby enraged, and
+began the siege of Jerusalem, and employed his utmost diligence and
+alacrity therein, as intending by the taking of this place to
+demonstrate his power, and to intimidate all others that might be of the
+like [evil] disposition towards him. So he took the lower city by force,
+but the citadel held out still; 4 whence it was that the king, knowing
+that the proposal of dignities and rewards would encourage the soldiers
+to greater actions, promised that he who should first go over the
+ditches that were beneath the citadel, and should ascend to the citadel
+itself and take it, should have the command of the entire people
+conferred upon him. So they all were ambitious to ascend, and thought no
+pains too great in order to ascend thither, out of their desire of the
+chief command. However, Joab, the son of Zeruiah, prevented the rest;
+and as soon as he was got up to the citadel, cried out to the king, and
+claimed the chief command.
+
+2. When David had cast the Jebusites out of the citadel, he also rebuilt
+Jerusalem, and named it The City of David, and abode there all the time
+of his reign; but for the time that he reigned over the tribe of Judah
+only in Hebron, it was seven years and six months. Now when he had
+chosen Jerusalem to be his royal city, his affairs did more and more
+prosper, by the providence of God, who took care that they should
+improve and be augmented. Hiram also, the king of the Tyrians, sent
+ambassadors to him, and made a league of mutual friendship and
+assistance with him. He also sent him presents, cedar-trees, and
+mechanics, and men skillful in building and architecture, that they
+might build him a royal palace at Jerusalem. Now David made buildings
+round about the lower city: he also joined the citadel to it, and made
+it one body; and when he had encompassed all with walls, he appointed
+Joab to take care of them. It was David, therefore, who first cast the
+Jebusites out of Jerusalem, and called it by his own name, The City of
+David: for under our forefather Abraham it was called [Salem, or]
+Solyma; 5 but after that time, some say that Homer mentions it by that
+name of Solyma, [for he named the temple Solyma, according to the Hebrew
+language, which denotes security.] Now the whole time from the warfare
+under Joshua our general against the Canaanites, and from that war in
+which he overcame them, and distributed the land among the Hebrews, [nor
+could the Israelites ever cast the Canaanites out of Jerusalem until
+this time, when David took it by siege,] this whole time was five
+hundred and fifteen years.
+
+3. I shall now make mention of Araunah, who was a wealthy man among the
+Jebusites, but was not slain by David in the siege of Jerusalem, because
+of the good-will he bore to the Hebrews, and a particular benignity and
+affection which he had to the king himself; which I shall take a more
+seasonable opportunity to speak of a little afterwards. Now David
+married other wives over and above those which he had before: he had
+also concubines. The sons whom he had were in number eleven, whose names
+were Amnon, Emnos, Eban, Nathan, Solomon, Jeban, Elien, Phalna,
+Ennaphen, Jenae, Eliphale; and a daughter, Tamar. Nine of these were
+born of legitimate wives, but the two last-named of concubines; and
+Tamar had the same mother with Absalom.
+
+
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER 4. That When David Had Conquered The Philistines Who Made War
+Against Him At Jerusalem, He Removed The Ark To Jerusalem And Had A Mind
+To Build A Temple.
+
+1. When the Philistines understood that David was made king of the
+Hebrews, they made war against him at Jerusalem; and when they had
+seized upon that valley which is called The Valley of the Giants, and is
+a place not far from the city, they pitched their camp therein; but the
+king of the Jews, who never permitted himself to do any thing without
+prophecy, 6 and the command of God and without depending on him as a
+security for the time to come, bade the high priest to foretell to him
+what was the will of God, and what would be the event of this battle.
+And when he foretold that he should gain the victory and the dominion,
+he led out his army against the Philistines; and when the battle was
+joined, he came himself behind, and fell upon the enemy on the sudden,
+and slew some of them, and put the rest to flight. And let no one
+suppose that it was a small army of the Philistines that came against
+the Hebrews, as guessing so from the suddenness of their defeat, and
+from their having performed no great action, or that was worth
+recording, from the slowness of their march, and want of courage; but
+let him know that all Syria and Phoenicia, with many other nations
+besides them, and those warlike nations also, came to their assistance,
+and had a share in this war, which thing was the only cause why, when
+they had been so often conquered, and had lost so many ten thousands of
+their men, they still came upon the Hebrews with greater armies; nay,
+indeed, when they had so often failed of their purpose in these battles,
+they came upon David with an army three times as numerous as before, and
+pitched their camp on the same spot of ground as before. The king of
+Israel therefore inquired of God again concerning the event of the
+battle; and the high priest prophesied to him, that he should keep his
+army in the groves, called the Groves of Weeping, which were not far
+from the enemy's camp, and that he should not move, nor begin to fight,
+till the trees of the grove should be in motion without the wind's
+blowing; but as soon as these trees moved, and the time foretold to him
+by God was come, he should, without delay, go out to gain what was an
+already prepared and evident victory; for the several ranks of the
+enemy's army did not sustain him, but retreated at the first onset, whom
+he closely followed, and slew them as he went along, and pursued them to
+the city Gaza [which is the limit of their country]: after this he
+spoiled their camp, in which he found great riches; and he destroyed
+their gods.
+
+2. When this had proved the event of the battle, David thought it
+proper, upon a consultation with the elders, and rulers, and captains of
+thousands, to send for those that were in the flower of their age out of
+all his countrymen, and out of the whole land, and withal for the
+priests and the Levites, in order to their going to Kirjathjearim, to
+bring up the ark of God out of that city, and to carry it to Jerusalem,
+and there to keep it, and offer before it those sacrifices and those
+other honors with which God used to be well-pleased; for had they done
+thus in the reign of Saul, they had not undergone any great misfortunes
+at all. So when the whole body of the people were come together, as they
+had resolved to do, the king came to the ark, which the priest brought
+out of the house of Aminadab, and laid it upon a new cart, and permitted
+their brethren and their children to draw it, together with the oxen.
+Before it went the king, and the whole multitude of the people with him,
+singing hymns to God, and making use of all sorts of songs usual among
+them, with variety of the sounds of musical instruments, and with
+dancing and singing of psalms, as also with the sounds of trumpets and
+of cymbals, and so brought the ark to Jerusalem. But as they were come
+to the threshing-floor of Chidon, a place so called, Uzzah was slain by
+the anger of God; for as the oxen shook the ark, he stretched out his
+hand, and would needs take hold of it. Now, because he was not a priest
+7 and yet touched the ark, God struck him dead. Hereupon both the king
+and the people were displeased at the death of Uzzah; and the place
+where he died is still called the Breach of Uzzah unto this day. So
+David was afraid; and supposing that if he received the ark to himself
+into the city, he might suffer in the like manner as Uzzah had suffered,
+who, upon his bare putting out his hand to the ark, died in the manner
+already mentioned, he did not receive it to himself into the city, but
+he took it aside unto a certain place belonging to a righteous man,
+whose name was Obededom, who was by his family a Levite, and deposited
+the ark with him; and it remained there three entire months. This
+augmented the house of Obededom, and conferred many blessings upon it.
+And when the king heard what had befallen Obededom, how he was become,
+of a poor man in a low estate, exceeding happy, and the object of envy
+to all those that saw or inquired after his house, he took courage, and,
+hoping that he should meet with no misfortune thereby, he transferred
+the ark to his own house; the priests carrying it, while seven companies
+of singers, who were set in that order by the king, went before it, and
+while he himself played upon the harp, and joined in the music,
+insomuch, that when his wife Michel, the daughter of Saul, who was our
+first king, saw him so doing, she laughed at him. But when they had
+brought in the ark, they placed it under the tabernacle which David had
+pitched for it, and he offered costly sacrifices and peace-offerings,
+and treated the whole multitude, and dealt both to the women, and the
+men, and the infants a loaf of bread and a cake, and another cake baked
+in a pan, with the portion of the sacrifice. So when he had thus feasted
+the people, he sent them away, and he himself returned to his own house.
+
+3. But when Michal his wife, the daughter of Saul, came and stood by
+him, she wished him all other happiness, and entreated that whatsoever
+he should further desire, to the utmost possibility, might be given him
+by God, and that he might be favorable to him; yet did she blame him,
+that so great a king as he was should dance after an unseemly manner,
+and in his dancing, uncover himself among the servants and the
+handmaidens. But he replied, that he was not ashamed to do what was
+acceptable to God, who had preferred him before her father, and before
+all others; that he would play frequently, and dance, without any regard
+to what the handmaidens and she herself thought of it. So this Michal,
+who was David's wife, had no children; however, when she was afterward
+married to him to whom Saul her father had given her, [for at this time
+David had taken her away from him, and had her himself,] she bare five
+children. But concerning those matters I shall discourse in a proper
+place.
+
+4. Now when the king saw that his affairs grew better almost every day,
+by the will of God, he thought he should offend him, if, while he
+himself continued in houses made of cedar, such as were of a great
+height, and had the most curious works of architecture in them, he
+should overlook the ark while it was laid in a tabernacle, and was
+desirous to build a temple to God, as Moses had predicted such a temple
+should be built. 8 And when he had discoursed with Nathan the prophet
+about these things, and had been encouraged by him to do whatsoever he
+had a mind to do, as having God with him, and his helper in all things,
+he was thereupon the more ready to set about that building. But God
+appeared to Nathan that very night, and commanded him to say to David, 9
+that he took his purpose and his desires kindly, since nobody had before
+now taken it into their head to build him a temple, although upon his
+having such a notion he would not permit him to build him that temple,
+because he had made many wars, and was defiled with the slaughter of his
+enemies; that, however, after his death, in his old age, and when he had
+lived a long life, there should be a temple built by a son of his, who
+should take the kingdom after him, and should be called Solomon, whom he
+promised to provide for, as a father provides for his son, by preserving
+the kingdom for his son's posterity, and delivering it to them; but that
+he would still punish him, if he sinned, with diseases and barrenness of
+land. When David understood this from the prophet, and was overjoyful at
+this knowledge of the sure continuance of the dominion to his posterity,
+and that his house should be splendid, and very famous, he came to the
+ark, and fell down on his face, and began to adore God, and to return
+thanks to him for all his benefits, as well for those that he had
+already bestowed upon him in raising him from a low state, and from the
+employment of a shepherd, to so great dignity of dominion and glory; as
+for those also which he had promised to his posterity; and besides, for
+that providence which he had exercised over the Hebrews in procuring
+them the liberty they enjoyed. And when he had said thus, and had sung a
+hymn of praise to God, he went his way.
+
+
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER 5. How David Brought Under The Philistines, And The Moabites,
+And The Kings Of Sophene And Of Damascus, And Of The Syrians As Also The
+Idumeans, In War; And How He Made A League With The King Of Hamath; And
+Was Mindful Of The Friendship That Jonathan, The Son Of Saul, Had Borne
+Him.
+
+1. A Litlle while after this, he considered that he ought to make war
+against the Philistines, and not to see any idleness or laziness
+permitted in his management, that so it might prove, as God had foretold
+to him, that when he had overthrown his enemies, he should leave his
+posterity to reign in peace afterward: so he called together his army
+again, and when he had charged them to be ready and prepared for war,
+and when he thought that all things in his army were in a good state, he
+removed from Jerusalem, and came against the Philistines; and when he
+had overcome them in battle, and had cut off a great part of their
+country, and adjoined it to the country of the Hebrews, he transferred
+the war to the Moabites; and when he had overcome two parts of their
+army in battle, he took the remaining part captive, and imposed tribute
+upon them, to be paid annually. He then made war against Iadadezer, the
+son of Rehob, king of Sophene; 10 and when he had joined battle with him
+at 'the river Euphrates, he destroyed twenty thousand of his footmen,
+and about seven thousand of his horsemen. He also took a thousand of his
+chariots, and destroyed the greatest part of them, and ordered that no
+more than one hundred should be kept. 11
+
+2. Now when Hadad, king of Damascus and of Syria, heard that David
+fought against Hadadezer, who was his friend, he came to his assistance
+with a powerful army, in hopes to rescue him; and when he had joined
+battle with David at the river Euphrates, he failed of his purpose, and
+lost in the battle a great number of his soldiers; for there were slain
+of the army of Hadad twenty thousand, and all the rest fled. Nicelens
+also [of Damascus] makes mention of this king in the fourth book of his
+histories; where he speaks thus: "A great while after these things had
+happened, there was one of that country whose name was Hadad, who was
+become very potent; he reigned over Damascus, and, the other parts of
+Syria, excepting Phoenicia. He made war against David, the king of
+Judea, and tried his fortune in many battles, and particularly in the
+last battle at Euphrates, wherein he was beaten. He seemed to have been
+the most excellent of all their kings in strength and manhood," Nay,
+besides this, he says of his posterity, that "they succeeded one another
+in his kingdom, and in his name;" where he thus speaks: "When Hadad was
+dead, his posterity reigned for ten generations, each of his successors
+receiving from his father that his dominion, and this his name; as did
+the Ptolemies in Egypt. But the third was the most powerful of them all,
+and was willing to avenge the defeat his forefather had received; so he
+made an expedition against the Jews, and laid waste the city which is
+now called Samaria." Nor did he err from the truth; for this is that
+Hadad who made the expedition against Samaria, in the reign of Ahab,
+king of Israel, concerning whom we shall speak in due place hereafter.
+
+3. Now when David had made an expedition against Damascus, and the other
+parts of Syria, and had brought it all into subjection, and had placed
+garrisons in the country, and appointed that they should pay tribute, he
+returned home. He also dedicated to God at Jerusalem the golden quivers,
+the entire armor which the guards of Hadad used to wear; which Shishak,
+the king of Egypt, took away when he fought with David's grandson,
+Rehoboam, with a great deal of other wealth which he carried out of
+Jerusalem. However, these things will come to be explained in their
+proper places hereafter. Now as for the king of the Hebrews, he was
+assisted by God, who gave him great success in his wars, and he made all
+expedition against the best cities of Hadadezer, Betah and Machen; so he
+took them by force, and laid them waste. Therein was found a very great
+quantity of gold and silver, besides that sort of brass which is said to
+be more valuable than gold; of which brass Solomon made that large
+vessel which was called The [Brazen] Sea, and those most curious lavers,
+when he built the temple for God.
+
+4. But when the king of Hamath was informed of the ill success of
+Hadadezer, and had heard of the ruin of his army, he was afraid on his
+own account, and resolved to make a league of friendship and fidelity
+with David before he should come against him; so he sent to him his son
+Joram, and professed that he owed him thanks for fighting against
+Hadadezer, who was his enemy, and made a league with him of mutual
+assistance and friendship. He also sent him presents, vessels of ancient
+workmanship, both of gold, of silver, and of brass. So when David had
+made this league of mutual assistance with Toi, [for that was the name
+of the king of Hamath,] and had received the presents he sent him, he
+dismissed his son with that respect which was due on both sides; but
+then David brought those presents that were sent by him, as also the
+rest of the gold and silver which he had taken of the cities whom he had
+conquered, and dedicated them to God. Nor did God give victory and
+success to him only when he went to the battle himself, and led his own
+army, but he gave victory to Abishai, the brother of Joab, general of
+his forces, over the Idumeans, 12 and by him to David, when he sent him
+with an army into Idumea: for Abishai destroyed eighteen thousand of
+them in the battle; whereupon the king [of Israel] placed garrisons
+through all Idumea, and received the tribute of the country, and of
+every head among them. Now David was in his nature just, and made his
+determination with regard to truth. He had for the general of his whole
+army Joab; and he made Jehoshaphat, the son of Ahilud, recorder. He also
+appointed Zadok, of the family of Phinehas, to be high priest, together
+with Abiathar, for he was his friend. He also made Seisan the scribe,
+and committed the command over the guards of his body to Benaiah; the
+son of Jehoiada. His elder sons were near his body, and had the care of
+it also.
+
+5. He also called to mind the covenants and the oaths he had made with
+Jonathan, the son of Saul, and the friendship and affection Jonathan had
+for him; for besides all the rest of his excellent qualities with which
+he was endowed, he was also exceeding mindful of such as had at other
+times bestowed benefits upon him. He therefore gave order that inquiry
+should be made, whether any of Jonathan's lineage were living, to whom
+he might make return of that familiar acquaintance which Jonathan had
+had with him, and for which he was still debtor. And when one of Saul's
+freed men was brought to him, who was acquainted with those of his
+family that were still living, he asked him whether he could tell him of
+any one belonging to Jonathan that was now alive, and capable of a
+requital of the benefits which he had received from Jonathan. And he
+said, that a son of his was remaining, whose name was Mephibosheth, but
+that he was lame of his feet; for that when his nurse heard that the
+father and grandfather of the child were fallen in the battle, she
+snatched him up, and fled away, and let him fall from her shoulders, and
+his feet were lamed. So when he had learned where and by whom he was
+brought up, he sent messengers to Machir, to the city of Lodebar, for
+with him was the son of Jonathan brought up, and sent for him to come to
+him. So when Mephibosheth came to the king, he fell on his face and
+worshipped him; but David encouraged him, bade him be of good cheer, and
+expect better times. So he gave him his father's house, and all the
+estate which his grandfather Saul was in possession of, and bade him
+come and diet with him at his own table, and never to be absent one day
+from that table. And when the youth had worshipped him on account of his
+words and gifts given to him, he called for Ziba, and told him that he
+had given the youth his father's house, and all Saul's estate. He also
+ordered that Ziba should cultivate his land, and take care of it, and
+bring him the profits of all to Jerusalem. Accordingly, David brought
+him to his table every day, and bestowed upon the youth, Ziba and his
+sons, who were in number fifteen, and his servants, who were in number
+twenty. When the king had made these appointments, and Ziba had
+worshipped him, and promised to do all that he had bidden him, he went
+his way; so that this son of Jonathan dwelt at Jerusalem, and dieted at
+the king's table, and had the same care that a son could claim taken of
+him. He also had himself a son, whom he named Micha.
+
+
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER 6. How The War Was Waged Against The Ammonites And Happily
+Concluded.
+
+1. This were the honors that such as were left of Saul's and Jonathan's
+lineage received from David. About this time died Nahash, the king of
+the Ammonites, who was a friend of David's; and when his son had
+succeeded his father in the kingdom, David sent ambassadors to him to
+comfort him; and exhorted him to take his father's death patiently, and
+to expect that he would continue the same kindness to himself which he
+had shown to his father. But the princes of the Ammonites took this
+message in evil part, and not as David's kind dispositions gave reason
+to take it; and they excited the king to resent it; and said that David
+had sent men to spy out the country, and what strength it had, under the
+pretense of humanity and kindness. They further advised him to have a
+care, and not to give heed to David's words, lest he should be deluded
+by him, and so fall into an inconsolable calamity. Accordingly Nahash's
+[son], the king of the Ammonites, thought these princes spake what was
+more probable than the truth would admit, and so abused the ambassadors
+after a very harsh manner; for he shaved the one half of their beards,
+and cut off one half of their garments, and sent his answer, not in
+words, but in deeds. When the king of Israel saw this, he had
+indignation at it, and showed openly that he would not overlook this
+injurious and contumelious treatment, but would make war with the
+Ammonites, and would avenge this wicked treatment of his ambassadors on
+their king. So that king's intimate friends and commanders,
+understanding that they had violated their league, and were liable to be
+punished for the same, made preparations for war; they also sent a
+thousand talents to the Syrian king of Mesopotamia, and endeavored to
+prevail with him to assist them for that pay, and Shobach. Now these
+kings had twenty thousand footmen. They also hired the king of the
+country called Maacah, and a fourth king, by name Ishtob; which last had
+twelve thousand armed men.
+
+2. But David was under no consternation at this confederacy, nor at the
+forces of the Ammonites; and putting his trust in God, because he was
+going to war in a just cause, on account of the injurious treatment he
+had met with, he immediately sent Joab, the captain of his host, against
+them, and gave him the flower of his army, who pitched his camp by
+Rabbah, the metropolis of the Ammonites; whereupon the enemy came out,
+and set themselves in array, not all of them together, but in two
+bodies; for the auxiliaries were set in array in the plain by
+themselves, but the army of the Ammonites at the gates over against the
+Hebrews. When Joab saw this, he opposed one stratagem against another,
+and chose out the most hardy part of his men, and set them in opposition
+to the king of Syria, and the kings that were with him, and gave the
+other part to his brother Abishai, and bid him set them in opposition to
+the Ammonites; and said to him, that in case he should see that the
+Syrians distressed him, and were too hard for him, he should order his
+troops to turn about and assist him; and he said that he himself would
+do the same to him, if he saw him in the like distress from the
+Ammonites. So he sent his brother before, and encouraged him to do every
+thing courageously and with alacrity, which would teach them to be
+afraid of disgrace, and to fight manfully; and so he dismissed him to
+fight with the Ammonites, while he fell upon the Syrians. And though
+they made a strong opposition for a while, Joab slew many of them, but
+compelled the rest to betake themselves to flight; which, when the
+Ammonites saw, and were withal afraid of Abishai and his army, they
+staid no longer, but imitated their auxiliaries, and fled to the city.
+So Joab, when he had thus overcome the enemy, returned with great joy to
+Jerusalem to the king.
+
+3. This defeat did not still induce the Ammonites to be quiet, nor to
+own those that were superior to them to be so, and be still, but they
+sent to Chalaman, the king of the Syrians, beyond Euphrates, and hired
+him for an auxiliary. He had Shobach for the captain of his host, with
+eighty thousand footmen, and ten thousand horsemen. Now when the king of
+the Hebrews understood that the Ammonites had again gathered so great an
+army together, he determined to make war with them no longer by his
+generals, but he passed over the river Jordan himself with all his army;
+and when he met them he joined battle with them, and overcame them, and
+slew forty thousand of their footmen, and seven thousand of their
+horsemen. He also wounded Shobach, the general of Chalaman's forces, who
+died of that stroke; but the people of Mesopotamia, upon such a
+conclusion of the battle, delivered themselves up to David, and sent him
+presents, who at winter time returned to Jerusalem. But at the beginning
+of the spring he sent Joab, the captain of his host, to fight against
+the Ammonites, who overran all their country, and laid it waste, and
+shut them up in their metropolis Rabbah, and besieged them therein.
+
+
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER 7. How David Fell In Love With Bathsheba, And Slew Her Husband
+Uriah, For Which He Is Reproved By Nathan.
+
+1. But David fell now into a very grievous sin, though he were otherwise
+naturally a righteous and a religious man, and one that firmly observed
+the laws of our fathers; for when late in an evening he took a view
+round him from the roof of his royal palace, where he used to walk at
+that hour, he saw a woman washing herself in her own house: she was one
+of extraordinary beauty, and therein surpassed all other women; her name
+was Bathsheba. So he was overcome by that woman's beauty, and was not
+able to restrain his desires, but sent for her, and lay with her.
+Hereupon she conceived with child, and sent to the king, that he should
+contrive some way for concealing her sin [for, according to the laws of
+their fathers, she who had been guilty of adultery ought to be put to
+death]. So the king sent for Joab's armor-bearer from the siege, who was
+the woman's husband, and his name was Uriah. And when he was come, the
+king inquired of him about the army, and about the siege; and when he
+had made answer that all their affairs went according to their wishes,
+the king took some portions of meat from his supper, and gave them to
+him, and bade him go home to his wife, and take his rest with her. Uriah
+did not do so, but slept near the king with the rest of his armor-
+bearers. When the king was informed of this, he asked him why he did not
+go home to his house, and to his wife, after so long an absence; which
+is the natural custom of all men, when they come from a long journey. He
+replied, that it was not right, while his fellow soldiers, and the
+general of the army, slept upon the ground, in the camp, and in an
+enemy's country, that he should go and take his rest, and solace himself
+with his wife. So when he had thus replied, the king ordered him to stay
+there that night, that he might dismiss him the next day to the general.
+So the king invited Uriah to supper, and after a cunning and dexterous
+manlier plied him with drink at supper, till he was thereby disordered;
+yet did he nevertheless sleep at the king's gates without any
+inclination to go to his wife. Upon this the king was very angry at him;
+and wrote to Joab, and commanded him to punish Uriah, for he told him
+that he had offended him; and he suggested to him the manner in which he
+would have him punished, that it might not be discovered that he was
+himself the author of this his punishment; for he charged him to set him
+over against that part of the enemy's army where the attack would be
+most hazardous, and where he might be deserted, and be in the greatest
+jeopardy, for he bade him order his fellow soldiers to retire out of the
+fight. When he had written thus to him, and sealed the letter with his
+own seal, he gave it to Uriah to carry to Joab. When Joab had received
+it, and upon reading it understood the king's purpose, he set Uriah in
+that place where he knew the enemy would be most troublesome to them;
+and gave him for his partners some of the best soldiers in the army; and
+said that he would also come to their assistance with the whole army,
+that if possible they might break down some part of the wall, and enter
+the city. And he desired him to be glad of the opportunity of exposing
+himself to such great pains, and not to be displeased at it, since he
+was a valiant soldier, and had a great reputation for his valor, both
+with the king and with his countrymen. And when Uriah undertook the work
+he was set upon with alacrity, he gave private orders to those who were
+to be his companions, that when they saw the enemy make a sally, they
+should leave him. When, therefore, the Hebrews made an attack upon the
+city, the Ammonites were afraid that the enemy might prevent them, and
+get up into the city, and this at the very place whither Uriah was
+ordered; so they exposed their best soldiers to be in the forefront, and
+opened their gates suddenly, and fell upon the enemy with great
+vehemence, and ran violently upon them. When those that were with Uriah
+saw this, they all retreated backward, as Joab had directed them
+beforehand; but Uriah, as ashamed to run away and leave his post,
+sustained the enemy, and receiving the violence of their onset, he slew
+many of them; but being encompassed round, and caught in the midst of
+them, he was slain, and some other of his companions were slain with
+him.
+
+2. When this was done, Joab sent messengers to the king, and ordered
+them to tell him that he did what he could to take the city soon; but
+that, as they made an assault on the wall, they had been forced to
+retire with great loss; and bade them, if they saw the king was angry at
+it, to add this, that Uriah was slain also. When the king had heard this
+of the messengers, he took it heinously, and said that they did wrong
+when they assaulted the wall, whereas they ought, by undermining and
+other stratagems of war, to endeavor the taking of the city, especially
+when they had before their eyes the example of Abimelech, the son of
+Gideon, who would needs take the tower in Thebes by force, and was
+killed by a large stone thrown at him by an old woman; and although he
+was a man of great prowess, he died ignominiously by the dangerous
+manner of his assault: that they should remember this accident, and not
+come near the enemy's wall, for that the best method of making war with
+success was to call to mind the accidents of former wars, and what good
+or bad success had attended them in the like dangerous cases, that so
+they might imitate the one, and avoid the other. But when the king was
+in this disposition, the messenger told him that Uriah was slain also;
+whereupon he was pacified. So he bade the messenger go back to Joab and
+tell him that this misfortune is no other than what is common among
+mankind, and that such is the nature, and such the accidents of war,
+insomuch that sometimes the enemy will have success therein, and
+sometimes others; but that he ordered him to go on still in his care
+about the siege, that no ill accident might befall him in it hereafter;
+that they should raise bulwarks and use machines in besieging the city;
+and when they have gotten it, to overturn its very foundations, and to
+destroy all those that are in it. Accordingly the messenger carried the
+king's message with which he was charged, and made haste to Joab. But
+Bathsheba, the wife of Uriah, when she was informed of the death of her
+husband, mourned for his death many days; and when her mourning was
+over, and the tears which she shed for Uriah were dried up, the king
+took her to wife presently; and a son was born to him by her.
+
+3. With this marriage God was not well pleased, but was thereupon angry
+at David; and he appeared to Nathan the prophet in his sleep, and
+complained of the king. Now Nathan was a fair and prudent man; and
+considering that kings, when they fall into a passion, are guided more
+by that passion than they are by justice, he resolved to conceal the
+threatenings that proceeded from God, and made a good-natured discourse
+to him, and this after the manner following:—He desired that the king
+would give him his opinion in the following case:—"There were," said he,
+"two men inhabiting the same city, the one of them was rich, and [the
+other poor]. The rich man had a great many flocks of cattle, of sheep,
+and of kine; but the poor man had but one ewe lamb. This he brought up
+with his children, and let her eat her food with them; and he had the
+same natural affection for her which any one might have for a daughter.
+Now upon the coming of a stranger to the rich man, he would not
+vouchsafe to kill any of his own flocks, and thence feast his friend;
+but he sent for the poor man's lamb, and took her away from him, and
+made her ready for food, and thence feasted the stranger." This
+discourse troubled the king exceedingly; and he denounced to Nathan,
+that "this man was a wicked man who could dare to do such a thing; and
+that it was but just that he should restore the lamb fourfold, and be
+punished with death for it also." Upon this Nathan immediately said that
+he was himself the man who ought to suffer those punishments, and that
+by his own sentence; and that it was he who had perpetrated this 'great
+and horrid crime.' He also revealed to him, and laid before him, the
+anger of God against him, who had made him king over the army of the
+Hebrews, and lord of all the nations, and those many and great nations
+round about him; who had formerly delivered him out of the hands of
+Saul, and had given him such wives as he had justly and legally married;
+and now this God was despised by him, and affronted by his impiety, when
+he had married, and now had, another man's wife; and by exposing her
+husband to the enemy, had really slain him; that God would inflict
+punishments upon him on account of those instances of wickedness; that
+his own wives should be forced by one of his sons; and that he should be
+treacherously supplanted by the same son; and that although he had
+perpetrated his wickedness secretly, yet should that punishment which he
+was to undergo be inflicted publicly upon him; "that, moreover," said
+he, "the child which was born to thee of her shall soon die." When the
+king was troubled at these messages, and sufficiently confounded, and
+said with tears and sorrow that he had sinned, [for he was without
+controversy a pious man, and guilty of no sin at all in his whole life,
+excepting those in the matter of Uriah,] God had compassion on him, and
+was reconciled to him, and promised that he would preserve to him both
+his life and his kingdom; for he said that, seeing he repented of the
+things he had done, he was no longer displeased with him. So Nathan,
+when he had delivered this prophecy to the king, returned home.
+
+4. However, God sent a dangerous distemper upon the child that was born
+to David of the wife of Uriah, at which the king was troubled, and did
+not take any food for seven days, although his servants almost forced
+him to take it; but he clothed himself in a black garment, and fell
+down, and lay upon the ground in sackcloth, entrusting God for the
+recovery of the child, for he vehemently loved the child's mother; but
+when, on the seventh day, the child was dead, the king's servants durst
+not tell him of it, as supposing that when he knew it, he would still
+less admit of food, and other care of himself, by reason of his grief at
+the death of his son, since when the child was only sick, he so greatly
+afflicted himself, and grieved for him: but when the king perceived that
+his servants were in disorder, and seemed to be affected, as those who
+are very desirous to conceal something, he understood that the child was
+dead; and when he had called one of his servants to him, and discovered
+that so it was, he arose up and washed himself, and took a white
+garment, and came into the tabernacle of God. He also commanded them to
+set supper before him, and thereby greatly surprised his kindred and
+servants, while he did nothing of this when the child was sick, but did
+it all when he was dead. Whereupon having first begged leave to ask him
+a question, they besought him to tell them the reason of this his
+conduct; he then called them unskillful people, and instructed them how
+he had hopes of the recovery of the child while it was alive, and
+accordingly did all that was proper for him to do, as thinking by such
+means to render God propitious to him; but that when the child was dead,
+there was no longer any occasion for grief, which was then to no
+purpose. When he had said this, they commended the king's wisdom and
+understanding. He then went in unto Bathsheba his wife, and she
+conceived and bare a son; and by the command of Nathan the prophet
+called his name Solomon.
+
+5. But Joab sorely distressed the Ammonites in the siege, by cutting off
+their waters, and depriving them of other means of subsistence, till
+they were in the greatest want of meat and drink, for they depended only
+on one small well of water, and this they durst not drink of too freely,
+lest the fountain should entirely fail them. So he wrote to the king,
+and informed him thereof; and persuaded him to come himself to take the
+city, that he might have the honor of the victory. Upon this letter of
+Joab's, the king accepted of his good-will and fidelity, and took with
+him his army, and came to the destruction of Rabbah; and when he had
+taken it by force, he gave it to his soldiers to plunder it; but he
+himself took the king of the Ammonites' crown, whose weight was a talent
+of gold; 13 and it had in its middle a precious stone called a sardonyx;
+which crown David ever after wore on his own head. He also found many
+other vessels in the city, and those both splendid and of great price;
+but as for the men, he tormented them, 14 and then destroyed them; and
+when he had taken the other cities of the Ammonites by force, he treated
+them after the same manner.
+
+
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER 8. How Absalom Murdered Amnon, Who Had Forced His Own Sister;
+And How He Was Banished And Afterwards Recalled By David.
+
+1. When the king was returned to Jerusalem, a sad misfortune befell his
+house, on the occasion following: He had a daughter, who was yet a
+virgin, and very handsome, insomuch that she surpassed all the most
+beautiful women; her name was Tamar; she had the same mother with
+Absalom. Now Amnon, David's eldest son, fell in love with her, and being
+not able to obtain his desires, on account of her virginity, and the
+custody she was under, was so much out of order, nay, his grief so eat
+up his body, that he grew lean, and his color was changed. Now there was
+one Jenadab, a kinsman and friend of his, who discovered this his
+passion, for he was an extraordinary wise man, and of great sagacity of
+mind. When, therefore, he saw that every morning Amnon was not in body
+as he ought to be, he came to him, and desired him to tell him what was
+the cause of it: however, he said that he guessed that it arose from the
+passion of love. Amnon confessed his passion, that he was in love with a
+sister of his, who had the same father with himself. So Jenadab
+suggested to him by what method and contrivance he might obtain his
+desires; for he persuaded him to pretend sickness, and bade him, when
+his father should come to him, to beg of him that his sister might come
+and minister to him; for if that were done, he should be better, and
+should quickly recover from his distemper. So Amnon lay down on his bed,
+and pretended to be sick, as Jonadab had suggested. When his father
+came, and inquired how he did, he begged of him to send his sister to
+him. Accordingly, he presently ordered her to be brought to him; and
+when she was come, Amnon bade her make cakes for him, and fry them in a
+pan, and do it all with her own hands, because he should take them
+better from her hand [than from any one's else]. So she kneaded the
+flour in the sight of her brother, and made him cakes, and baked them in
+a pan, and brought them to him; but at that time he would not taste
+them, but gave order to his servants to send all that were there out of
+his chamber, because he had a mind to repose himself, free from tumult
+and disturbance. As soon as what he had commanded was done, he desired
+his sister to bring his supper to him into the inner parlor; which, when
+the damsel had done, he took hold of her, and endeavored to persuade her
+to lie with him. Whereupon the damsel cried out, and said, "Nay,
+brother, do not force me, nor be so wicked as to transgress the laws,
+and bring upon thyself the utmost confusion. Curb this thy unrighteous
+and impure lust, from which our house will get nothing but reproach and
+disgrace." She also advised him to speak to his father about this
+affair; for he would permit him [to marry her]. This she said, as
+desirous to avoid her brother's violent passion at present. But he would
+not yield to her; but, inflamed with love and blinded with the vehemency
+of his passion, he forced his sister: but as soon as Amnon had satisfied
+his lust, he hated her immediately, and giving her reproachful words,
+bade her rise up and be gone. And when she said that this was a more
+injurious treatment than the former, if, now he had forced her, he would
+not let her stay with him till the evening, but bid her go away in the
+day- time, and while it was light, that she might meet with people that
+would be witnesses of her shame,—he commanded his servant to turn her
+out of his house. Whereupon she was sorely grieved at the injury and
+violence that had been offered to her, and rent her loose coat, [for the
+virgins of old time wore such loose coats tied at the hands, and let
+down to the ankles, that the inner coats might not be seen,] and
+sprinkled ashes on her head; and went up the middle of the city, crying
+out and lamenting for the violence that had been offered her. Now
+Absalom, her brother, happened to meet her, and asked her what sad thing
+had befallen her, that she was in that plight; and when she had told him
+what injury had been offered her, he comforted her, and desired her to
+be quiet, and take all patiently, and not to esteem her being corrupted
+by her brother as an injury. So she yielded to his advice, and left off
+her crying out, and discovering the force offered her to the multitude;
+and she continued as a widow with her brother Absalom a long time.
+
+2. When David his father knew this, he was grieved at the actions of
+Amnon; but because he had an extraordinary affection for him, for he was
+his eldest son, he was compelled not to afflict him; but Absalom watched
+for a fit opportunity of revenging this crime upon him, for he
+thoroughly hated him. Now the second year after this wicked affair about
+his sister was over, and Absalom was about to go to shear his own sheep
+at Baalhazor, which is a city in the portion of Ephraim, he besought his
+father, as well as his brethren, to come and feast with him: but when
+David excused himself, as not being willing to be burdensome to him,
+Absalom desired he would however send his brethren; whom he did send
+accordingly. Then Absalom charged his own servants, that when they
+should see Amnon disordered and drowsy with wine, and he should give
+them a signal, they should fear nobody, but kill him.
+
+3. When they had done as they were commanded, the rest of his brethren
+were astonished and disturbed, and were afraid for themselves, so they
+immediately got on horseback, and rode away to their father; but
+somebody there was who prevented them, and told their father they were
+all slain by Absalom; whereupon he was overcome with sorrow, as for so
+many of his sons that were destroyed at once, and that by their brother
+also; and by this consideration, that it was their brother that appeared
+to have slain them, he aggravated his sorrow for them. So he neither
+inquired what was the cause of this slaughter, nor staid to hear any
+thing else, which yet it was but reasonable to have done, when so very
+great, and by that greatness so incredible, a misfortune was related to
+him: he rent his clothes and threw himself upon the ground, and there
+lay lamenting the loss of all his sons, both those who, as he was
+informed, were slain, and of him who slew them. But Jonadab, the son of
+his brother Shemeah, entreated him not to indulge his sorrow so far, for
+as to the rest of his sons he did not believe that they were slain, for
+he found no cause for such a suspicion; but he said it might deserve
+inquiry as to Amnon, for it was not unlikely that Absalom might venture
+to kill him on account of the injury he had offered to Tamar. In the
+mean time, a great noise of horses, and a tumult of some people that
+were coming, turned their attention to them; they were the king's sons,
+who were fled away from the feast. So their father met them as they were
+in their grief, and he himself grieved with them; but it was more than
+he expected to see those his sons again, whom he had a little before
+heard to have perished. However, their were tears on both sides; they
+lamenting their brother who was killed, and the king lamenting his son,
+who was killed also; but Absalom fled to Geshur, to his grandfather by
+his mother's side, who was king of that country, and he remained with
+him three whole years.
+
+4. Now David had a design to send to Absalom, not that he should come to
+be punished, but that he might be with him, for the effects of his anger
+were abated by length of time. It was Joab, the captain of his host,
+that chiefly persuaded him so to do; for he suborned an ordinary woman,
+that was stricken in age, to go to the king in mourning apparel, who
+said thus to him:—That two of her sons, in a coarse way, had some
+difference between them, and that in the progress of that difference
+they came to an open quarrel, and that one was smitten by the other, and
+was dead; and she desired him to interpose in this case, and to do her
+the favor to save this her son from her kindred, who were very zealous
+to have him that had slain his brother put to death, that so she might
+not be further deprived of the hopes she had of being taken care of in
+her old age by him; and that if he would hinder this slaughter of her
+son by those that wished for it, he would do her a great favor, because
+the kindred would not be restrained from their purpose by any thing else
+than by the fear of him. And when the king had given his consent to what
+the woman had begged of him, she made this reply to him:—"I owe thee
+thanks for thy benignity to me in pitying my old age, and preventing the
+loss of my only remaining child; but in order to assure me of this thy
+kindness, be first reconciled to thine own son, and cease to be angry
+with him; for how shall I persuade myself that thou hast really bestowed
+this favor upon me, while thou thyself continuest after the like manner
+in thy wrath to thine own son? for it is a foolish thing to add
+willfully another to thy dead son, while the death of the other was
+brought about without thy consent." And now the king perceived that this
+pretended story was a subornation derived from Joab, and was of his
+contrivance; and when, upon inquiry of the old woman, he understood it
+to be so in reality, he called for Joab, and told him he had obtained
+what he requested according to his own mind; and he bid him bring
+Absalom back, for he was not now displeased, but had already ceased to
+be angry with him. So Joab bowed himself down to the king, and took his
+words kindly, and went immediately to Geshur, and took Absalom with him,
+and came to Jerusalem.
+
+5. However, the king sent a message to his son beforehand, as he was
+coming, and commanded him to retire to his own house, for he was not yet
+in such a disposition as to think fit at present to see him.
+Accordingly, upon the father's command, he avoided coming into his
+presence, and contented himself with the respects paid him by his own
+family only. Now his beauty was not impaired, either by the grief he had
+been under, or by the want of such care as was proper to be taken of a
+king's son, for he still surpassed and excelled all men in the tallness
+of his body, and was more eminent [in a fine appearance] than those that
+dieted the most luxuriously; and indeed such was the thickness of the
+hair of his head, that it was with difficulty that he was polled every
+eighth day; and his hair weighed two hundred shekels 15 which are five
+pounds. However, he dwelt in Jerusalem two years, and became the father
+of three sons, and one daughter; which daughter was of very great
+beauty, and which Rehoboam, the son of Solomon, took to wife afterward,
+and had by her a son named Abijah. But Absalom sent to Joab, and desired
+him to pacify his father entirely towards him; and to beseech him to
+give him leave to come to him to see him, and speak with him. But when
+Joab neglected so to do, he sent some of his own servants, and set fire
+to the field adjoining to him; which, when Joab understood, he came to
+Absalom, and accused him of what he had done; and asked him the reason
+why he did so. To which Absalom replied, that "I have found out this
+stratagem that might bring thee to us, while thou hast taken no care to
+perform the injunction I laid upon thee, which was this, to reconcile my
+father to me; and I really beg it of thee, now thou art here, to pacify
+my father as to me, since I esteem my coming hither to be more grievous
+than my banishment, while my father's wrath against me continues."
+Hereby Joab was persuaded, and pitied the distress that Absalom was in,
+and became an intercessor with the king for him. And when he had
+discoursed with his father, he soon brought him to that amicable
+disposition towards Absalom, that he presently sent for him to come to
+him; and when he had cast himself down upon the ground, and had begged
+for the forgiveness of his offenses, the king raised him up, and
+promised him to forget what he had formerly done.
+
+
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER 9. Concerning The Insurrection Of Absalom Against David And
+Concerning Ahithophel And Hushai; And Concerning Ziba And Shimei; And
+How Ahithophel Hanged Himself.
+
+1. Now Absalom, upon this his success with the king, procured to himself
+a great many horses, and many chariots, and that in a little time also.
+He had moreover fifty armor-bearers that were about him; and he came
+early every day to the king's palace, and spake what was agreeable to
+such as came for justice and lost their causes, as if that happened for
+want of good counselors about the king, or perhaps because the judges
+mistook in that unjust sentence they gave; whereby he gained the good-
+will of them all. He told them, that had he but such authority committed
+to him, he would distribute justice to them in a most equitable manner.
+When he had made himself so popular among the multitude, he thought he
+had already the good-will of the people secured to him; but when four
+years 16 had passed since his father's reconciliation to him, he came to
+him, and besought him to give him leave to go to Hebron, and pay a
+sacrifice to God, because he vowed it to him when he fled out of the
+country. So when David had granted his request, he went thither, and
+great multitudes came running together to him, for he had sent to a
+great number so to do.
+
+2. Among them came Ahithophel the Gilonite, a counsellor of David's, and
+two hundred men out of Jerusalem itself, who knew not his intentions,
+but were sent for as to a sacrifice. So he was appointed king by all of
+them, which he obtained by this stratagem. As soon as this news was
+brought to David, and he was informed of what he did not expect from his
+son, he was affrighted at this his impious and bold undertaking, and
+wondered that he was so far from remembering how his offense had been so
+lately forgiven him, that he undertook much worse and more wicked
+enterprises; first, to deprive him of that kingdom which was given him
+of God; and secondly, to take away his own father's life. He therefore
+resolved to fly to the parts beyond Jordan: so he called his most
+intimate friends together, and communicated to them all that he had
+heard of his son's madness. He committed himself to God, to judge
+between them about all their actions; and left the care of his royal
+palace to his ten concubines, and went away from Jerusalem, being
+willingly accompanied by the rest of the multitude, who went hastily
+away with him, and particularly by those six hundred armed men, who had
+been with him from his first flight in the days of Saul. But he
+persuaded Abiathar and Zadok, the high priests, who had determined to go
+away with him, as also all the Levites, who were with the ark, to stay
+behind, as hoping that God would deliver him without its removal; but he
+charged them to let him know privately how all things went on; and he
+had their sons, Ahimmaz the son of Zadok, and Jonathan the son of
+Abiathar, for faithful ministers in all things; but Ittai the Gitrite
+went out with him whether David would let him or not, for he would have
+persuaded him to stay, and on that account he appeared the more friendly
+to him. But as he was ascending the Mount of Olives barefooted, and all
+his company were in tears, it was told him that Ahithophel was with
+Absalom, and was of his side. This hearing augmented his grief; and he
+besought God earnestly to alienate the mind of Absalom from Ahithophel,
+for he was afraid that he should persuade him to follow his pernicious
+counsel, for he was a prudent man, and very sharp in seeing what was
+advantageous. When David was gotten upon the top of the mountain, he
+took a view of the city; and prayed to God with abundance of tears, as
+having already lost his kingdom; and here it was that a faithful friend
+of his, whose name was Hushai, met him. When David saw him with his
+clothes rent, and having ashes all over his head, and in lamentation for
+the great change of affairs, he comforted him, and exhorted him to leave
+off grieving; nay, at length he besought him to go back to Absalom, and
+appear as one of his party, and to fish out the secretest counsels of
+his mind, and to contradict the counsels of Ahithophel, for that he
+could not do him so much good by being with him as he might by being
+with Absalom. So he was prevailed on by David, and left him, and came to
+Jerusalem, whither Absalom himself came also a little while afterward.
+
+3. When David was gone a little farther, there met him Ziba, the servant
+of Mephibosheth, [whom he had sent to take care of the possessions which
+had been given him, as the son of Jonathan, the son of Saul,] with a
+couple of asses, loaden with provisions, and desired him to take as much
+of them as he and his followers stood in need of. And when the king
+asked him where he had left Mephibosheth, he said he had left him in
+Jerusalem, expecting to be chosen king in the present confusions, in
+remembrance of the benefits Saul had conferred upon them. At this the
+king had great indignation, and gave to Ziba all that he had formerly
+bestowed on Mephibosheth; for he determined that it was much fitter that
+he should have them than the other; at which Ziba greatly rejoiced.
+
+4. When David was at Bahurim, a place so called, there came out a
+kinsman of Saul's, whose name was Shimei, and threw stones at him, and
+gave him reproachful words; and as his friends stood about the king and
+protected him, he persevered still more in his reproaches, and called
+him a bloody man, and the author of all sorts of mischief. He bade him
+also go out of the land as an impure and accursed wretch; and he thanked
+God for depriving him of his kingdom, and causing him to be punished for
+what injuries he had done to his master [Saul], and this by the means of
+his own son. Now when they were all provoked against him, and angry at
+him, and particularly Abishai, who had a mind to kill Shimei, David
+restrained his anger. "Let us not," said he, "bring upon ourselves
+another fresh misfortune to those we have already, for truly I have not
+the least regard nor concern for this dog that raves at me: I submit
+myself to God, by whose permission this man treats me in such a wild
+manner; nor is it any wonder that I am obliged to undergo these abuses
+from him, while I experience the like from an impious son of my own; but
+perhaps God will have some commiseration upon us; if it be his will we
+shall overcome them." So he went on his way without troubling himself
+with Shimei, who ran along the other side of the mountain, and threw out
+his abusive language plentifully. But when David was come to Jordan, he
+allowed those that were with him to refresh themselves; for they were
+weary.
+
+5. But when Absalom, and Ahithophel his counselor, were come to
+Jerusalem, with all the people, David's friend, Hushai, came to them;
+and when he had worshipped Absalom, he withal wished that his kingdom
+might last a long time, and continue for all ages. But when Absalom said
+to him, "How comes this, that he who was so intimate a friend of my
+father's, and appeared faithful to him in all things, is not with him
+now, but hath left him, and is come over to me?" Hushai's answer was
+very pertinent and prudent; for he said, "We ought to follow God and the
+multitude of the people; while these, therefore, my lord and master, are
+with thee, it is fit that I should follow them, for thou hast received
+the kingdom from God. I will therefore, if thou believest me to be thy
+friend, show the same fidelity and kindness to thee, which thou knowest
+I have shown to thy father; nor is there any reason to be in the least
+dissatisfied with the present state of affairs, for the kingdom is not
+transferred into another, but remains still in the same family, by the
+son's receiving it after his father." This speech persuaded Absalom, who
+before suspected Hushai. And now he called Ahithophel, and consulted
+with him what he ought to do: he persuaded him to go in unto his
+father's concubines; for he said that "by this action the people would
+believe that thy difference with thy father is irreconcilable, and will
+thence fight with great alacrity against thy father, for hitherto they
+are afraid of taking up open enmity against him, out of an expectation
+that you will be reconciled again." Accordingly, Absalom was prevailed
+on by this advice, and commanded his servants to pitch him a tent upon
+the top of the royal palace, in the sight of the multitude; and he went
+in and lay with his father's concubines. Now this came to pass according
+to the prediction of Nathan, when he prophesied and signified to him
+that his son would rise up in rebellion against him.
+
+6. And when Absalom had done what he was advised to by Ahithophel, he
+desired his advice, in the second place, about the war against his
+father. Now Ahithophel only asked him to let him have ten thousand
+chosen men, and he promised he would slay his father, and bring the
+soldiers back again in safety; and he said that then the kingdom would
+be firm to him when David was dead [but not otherwise]. Absalom was
+pleased with this advice, and called for Hushai, David's friend [for so
+did he style him]; and informing him of the opinion of Ahithophel, he
+asked, further, what was his opinion concerning that matter. Now he was
+sensible that if Ahithophel's counsel were followed, David would be in
+danger of being seized on, and slain; so he attempted to introduce a
+contrary opinion, and said, "Thou art not unacquainted, O king, with the
+valor of thy father, and of those that are now with him; that he hath
+made many wars, and hath always come off with victory, though probably
+he now abides in the camp, for he is very skillful in stratagems, and in
+foreseeing the deceitful tricks of his enemies; yet will he leave his
+own soldiers in the evening, and will either hide himself in some
+valley, or will place an ambush at some rock; so that when our army
+joins battle with him, his soldiers will retire for a little while, but
+will come upon us again, as encouraged by the king's being near them;
+and in the mean time your father will show himself suddenly in the time
+of the battle, and will infuse courage into his own people when they are
+in danger, but bring consternation to thine. Consider, therefore, my
+advice, and reason upon it, and if thou canst not but acknowledge it to
+be the best, reject the opinion of Ahithophel. Send to the entire
+country of the Hebrews, and order them to come and fight with thy
+father; and do thou thyself take the army, and be thine own general in
+this war, and do not trust its management to another; then expect to
+conquer him with ease, when thou overtakest him openly with his few
+partisans, but hast thyself many ten thousands, who will be desirous to
+demonstrate to thee their diligence and alacrity. And if thy father
+shall shut himself up in some city, and bear a siege, we will overthrow
+that city with machines of war, and by undermining it." When Hushai had
+said this, he obtained his point against Ahithophel, for his opinion was
+preferred by Absalom before the other's: however, it was no other than
+God 17 who made the counsel of Hushai appear best to the mind of
+Absalom.
+
+7. So Hushai made haste to the high priests, Zadok and Abiathar, and
+told them the opinion of Ahithophel, and his own, and that the
+resolution was taken to follow this latter advice. He therefore bade
+them send to David, and tell him of it, and to inform him of the
+counsels that had been taken; and to desire him further to pass quickly
+over Jordan, lest his son should change his mind, and make haste to
+pursue him, and so prevent him, and seize upon him before he be in
+safety. Now the high priests had their sons concealed in a proper place
+out of the city, that they might carry news to David of what was
+transacted. Accordingly, they sent a maid-servant, whom they could
+trust, to them, to carry the news of Absalom's counsels, and ordered
+them to signify the same to David with all speed. So they made no excuse
+nor delay, but taking along with them their fathers' injunctions,
+because pious and faithful ministers, and judging that quickness and
+suddenness was the best mark of faithful service, they made haste to
+meet with David. But certain horsemen saw them when they were two
+furlongs from the city, and informed Absalom of them, who immediately
+sent some to take them; but when the sons of the high priest perceived
+this, they went out of the road, and betook themselves to a certain
+village; that village was called Bahurim; there they desired a certain
+woman to hide them, and afford them security. Accordingly she let the
+young men down by a rope into a well, and laid fleeces of wool over
+them; and when those that pursued them came to her, and asked her
+whether she saw them, she did not deny that she had seen them, for that
+they staid with her some time, but she said they then went their ways;
+and she foretold that, however, if they would follow them directly, they
+would catch them; but when after a long pursuit they could not catch
+them, they came back again; and when the woman saw those men were
+returned, and that there was no longer any fear of the young men's being
+caught by them, she drew them up by the rope, and bade them go on their
+journey accordingly, they used great diligence in the prosecution of
+that journey, and came to David, and informed him accurately of all the
+counsels of Absalom. So he commanded those that were with him to pass
+over Jordan while it was night, and not to delay at all on that account.
+
+8. But Ahithophel, on rejection of his advice, got upon his ass, and
+rode away to his own country, Gilon; and, calling his family together,
+he told them distinctly what advice he had given Absalom; and since he
+had not been persuaded by it, he said he would evidently perish, and
+this in no long time, and that David would overcome him, and return to
+his kingdom again; so he said it was better that he should take his own
+life away with freedom and magnanimity, than expose himself to be
+punished by David, in opposition to whom he had acted entirely for
+Absalom. When he had discoursed thus to them, he went into the inmost
+room of his house, and hanged himself; and thus was the death of
+Ahithophel, who was self-condemned; and when his relations had taken him
+down from the halter, they took care of his funeral. Now, as for David,
+he passed over Jordan, as we have said already, and came to Mahanaim,
+every fine and very strong city; and all the chief men of the country
+received him with great pleasure, both out of the shame they had that he
+should be forced to flee away [from Jerusalem], and out of the respect
+they bare him while he was in his former prosperity. These were
+Barzillai the Gileadite, and Siphar the ruler among the Ammonites, and
+Machir the principal man of Gilead; and these furnished him with
+plentiful provisions for himself and his followers, insomuch that they
+wanted no beds nor blankets for them, nor loaves of bread, nor wine;
+nay, they brought them a great many cattle for slaughter, and afforded
+them what furniture they wanted for their refreshment when they were
+weary, and for food, with plenty of other necessaries.
+
+
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER 10. How, When Absalom Was Beaten, He Was Caught In A Tree By His
+Hair And Was Slain
+
+1. And this was the state of David and his followers: but Absalom got
+together a vast army of the Hebrews to oppose his father, and passed
+therewith over the river Jordan, and sat down not far off Mahanaim, in
+the country of Gilead. He appointed Amasa to be captain of all his host,
+instead of Joab his kinsman: his father was Ithra and his mother
+Abigail: now she and Zeruiah, the mother of Joab, were David's sisters.
+But when David had numbered his followers, and found them to be about
+four thousand, he resolved not to tarry till Absalom attacked him, but
+set over his men captains of thousands, and captains of hundreds, and
+divided his army into three parts; the one part he committed to Joab,
+the next to Abishai, Joab's brother, and the third to Ittai, David's
+companion and friend, but one that came from the city Gath; and when he
+was desirous of fighting himself among them, his friends would not let
+him: and this refusal of theirs was founded upon very wise reasons:
+"For," said they, "if we be conquered when he is with us, we have lost
+all good hopes of recovering ourselves; but if we should be beaten in
+one part of our army, the other parts may retire to him, and may thereby
+prepare a greater force, while the enemy will naturally suppose that he
+hath another army with him." So David was pleased with this their
+advice, and resolved himself to tarry at Mahanaim; and as he sent his
+friends and commanders to the battle, he desired them to show all
+possible alacrity and fidelity, and to bear in mind what advantages they
+had received from him, which, though they had not been very great, yet
+had they not been quite inconsiderable; and he begged of them to spare
+the young man Absalom, lest some mischief should befall himself, if he
+should be killed; and thus did he send out his army to the battle, and
+wished them victory therein.
+
+2. Then did Joab put his army in battle-array over against the enemy in
+the Great Plain, where he had a wood behind him. Absalom also brought
+his army into the field to oppose him. Upon the joining of the battle,
+both sides showed great actions with their hands and their boldness; the
+one side exposing themselves to the greatest hazards, and using their
+utmost alacrity, that David might recover his kingdom; and the other
+being no way deficient, either in doing or suffering, that Absalom might
+not be deprived of that kingdom, and be brought to punishment by his
+father for his impudent attempt against him. Those also that were the
+most numerous were solicitous that they might not be conquered by those
+few that were with Joab, and with the other commanders, because that
+would be the greater disgrace to them; while David's soldiers strove
+greatly to overcome so many ten thousands as the enemy had with them.
+Now David's men were conquerors, as superior in strength and skill in
+war; so they followed the others as they fled away through the forests
+and valleys; some they took prisoners, and many they slew, and more in
+the flight than in the battle for there fell about twenty thousand that
+day. But all David's men ran violently upon Absalom, for he was easily
+known by his beauty and tallness. He was himself also afraid lest his
+enemies should seize on him, so he got upon the king's mule, and fled;
+but as he was carried with violence, and noise, and a great motion, as
+being himself light, he entangled his hair greatly in the large boughs
+of a knotty tree that spread a great way, and there he hung, after a
+surprising manner; and as for the beast, it went on farther, and that
+swiftly, as if his master had been still upon his back; but he, hanging
+in the air upon the boughs, was taken by his enemies. Now when one of
+David's soldiers saw this, he informed Joab of it; and when the general
+said, that if he had shot at and killed Absalom, he would have given him
+fifty shekels,—he replied, "I would not have killed my master's son if
+thou wouldst have given me a thousand shekels, especially when he
+desired that the young man might be spared in the hearing of us all."
+But Joab bade him show him where it was that he saw Absalom hang;
+whereupon he shot him to the heart, and slew him, and Joab's armor-
+bearers stood round the tree, and pulled down his dead body, and cast it
+into a great chasm that was out of sight, and laid a heap of stones upon
+him, till the cavity was filled up, and had both the appearance and the
+bigness of a grave. Then Joab sounded a retreat, and recalled his own
+soldiers from pursuing the enemy's army, in order to spare their
+countrymen.
+
+3. Now Absalom had erected for himself a marble pillar in the king's
+dale, two furlongs distant from Jerusalem, which he named Absalom's
+Hand, saying, that if his children were killed, his name would remain by
+that pillar; for he had three sons and one daughter, named Tamar, as we
+said before, who when she was married to David's grandson, Rehoboam,
+bare a son, Abijah by name, who succeeded his father in the kingdom; but
+of these we shall speak in a part of our history which will be more
+proper. After the death of Absalom, they returned every one to their own
+homes respectively.
+
+4. But now Ahimaaz, the son of Zadok the high priest, went to Joab, and
+desired he would permit him to go and tell David of this victory, and to
+bring him the good news that God had afforded his assistance and his
+providence to him. However, he did not grant his request, but said to
+him, "Wilt thou, who hast always been the messenger of good news, now go
+and acquaint the king that his son is dead?" So he desired him to
+desist. He then called Cushi, and committed the business to him, that he
+should tell the king what he had seen. But when Ahimaaz again desired
+him to let him go as a messenger, and assured him that he would only
+relate what concerned the victory, but not concerning the death of
+Absalom, he gave him leave to go to David. Now he took a nearer road
+than the former did, for nobody knew it but himself, and he came before
+Cushi. Now as David was sitting between the gates, 18 and waiting to see
+when somebody would come to him from the battle, and tell him how it
+went, one of the watchmen saw Ahimaaz running, and before he could
+discern who he was, he told David that he saw somebody coming to him,
+who said he was a good messenger. A little while after, he informed him
+that another messenger followed him; whereupon the king said that he
+also was a good messenger: but when the watchman saw Ahimaaz, and that
+he was already very near, he gave the king notice that it was the son of
+Zadok the high priest who came running. So David was very glad, and said
+he was a messenger of good tidings, and brought him some such news from
+the battle as he desired to hear.
+
+5. While the king was saying thus, Ahimaaz appeared, and worshipped the
+king. And when the king inquired of him about the battle, he said he
+brought him the good news of victory and dominion. And when he inquired
+what he had to say concerning his son, he said that he came away on the
+sudden as soon as the enemy was defeated, but that he heard a great
+noise of those that pursued Absalom, and that he could learn no more,
+because of the haste he made when Joab sent him to inform him of the
+victory. But when Cushi was come, and had worshipped him, and informed
+him of the victory, he asked him about his son, who replied, "May the
+like misfortune befall thine enemies as hath befallen Absalom." That
+word did not permit either himself or his soldiers to rejoice for the
+victory, though it was a very great one; but David went up to the
+highest part of the city, 19 and wept for his son, and beat his breast,
+tearing [the hair of] his head, tormenting himself all manner of ways,
+and crying out, "O my son! I wish that I had died myself, and ended my
+days with thee!" for he was of a tender natural affection, and had
+extraordinary compassion for this son in particular. But when the army
+and Joab heard that the king mourned for his son, they were ashamed to
+enter the city in the habit of conquerors, but they all came in as cast
+down, and in tears, as if they had been beaten. Now while the king
+covered himself, and grievously lamented his son, Joab went in to him,
+and comforted him, and said, "O my lord the king, thou art not aware
+that thou layest a blot on thyself by what thou now doest; for thou
+seemest to hate those that love thee, and undergo dangers for thee nay,
+to hate thyself and thy family, and to love those that are thy bitter
+enemies, and to desire the company of those that are no more, and who
+have been justly slain; for had Absalom gotten the victory, and firmly
+settled himself in the kingdom, there had been none of us left alive,
+but all of us, beginning with thyself and thy children, had miserably
+perished, while our enemies had not wept for his, but rejoiced over us,
+and punished even those that pitied us in our misfortunes; and thou art
+not ashamed to do this in the case of one that has been thy bitter
+enemy, who, while he was thine own son hath proved so wicked to thee.
+Leave off, therefore, thy unreasonable grief, and come abroad and be
+seen of thy soldiers, and return them thanks for the alacrity they
+showed in the fight; for I myself will this day persuade the people to
+leave thee, and to give the kingdom to another, if thou continuest to do
+thus; and then I shall make thee to grieve bitterly and in earnest."
+Upon Joab's speaking thus to him, he made the king leave off his sorrow,
+and brought him to the consideration of his affairs. So David changed
+his habit, and exposed himself in a manner fit to be seen by the
+multitude, and sat at the gates; whereupon all the people heard of it,
+and ran together to him, and saluted him. And this was the present state
+of David's affairs.
+
+
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER 11. How David, When He Had Recovered His Kingdom, Was Reconciled
+To Shimei, And To Ziba; And Showed A Great Affection To Barzillai; And
+How, Upon The Rise Of A Sedition, He Made Amasa Captain Of His Host, In
+Order To Pursue Seba; Which Amasa Was Slain By Joab.
+
+1. Now those Hebrews that had been With Absalom, and had retired out of
+the battle, when they were all returned home, sent messengers to every
+city to put them in mind of what benefits David had bestowed upon them,
+and of that liberty which he had procured them, by delivering them from
+many and great wars. But they complained, that whereas they had ejected
+him out of his kingdom, and committed it to another governor, which
+other governor, whom they had set up, was already dead, they did not now
+beseech David to leave off his anger at them, and to become friends with
+them, and, as he used to do, to resume the care of their affairs, and
+take the kingdom again. This was often told to David. And, this
+notwithstanding, David sent to Zadok and Abiathar the high priests, that
+they should speak to the rulers of the tribe of Judah after the manner
+following: That it would be a reproach upon them to permit the other
+tribes to choose David for their king before their tribe, "and this,"
+said he, "while you are akin to him, and of the same common blood." He
+commanded them also to say the same to Amasa the captain of their
+forces, That whereas he was his sister's son, he had not persuaded the
+multitude to restore the kingdom to David; that he might expect from him
+not only a reconciliation, for that was already granted, but that
+supreme command of the army also which Absalom had bestowed upon him.
+Accordingly the high priests, when they had discoursed with the rulers
+of the tribe, and said what the king had ordered them, persuaded Amasa
+to undertake the care of his affairs. So he persuaded that tribe to send
+immediately ambassadors to him, to beseech him to return to his own
+kingdom. The same did all the Israelites, at the like persuasion of
+Amasa.
+
+2. When the ambassadors came to him, he came to Jerusalem; and the tribe
+of Judah was the first that came to meet the king at the river Jordan.
+And Shimei, the son of Gera, came with a thousand men, which he brought
+with him out of the tribe of Benjamin; and Ziba, the freed-man of Saul,
+with his sons, fifteen in number, and with his twenty servants. All
+these, as well as the tribe of Judah, laid a bridge [of boats] over the
+river, that the king, and those that were with him, might with ease pass
+over it. Now as soon as he was come to Jordan, the tribe of Judah
+saluted him. Shimei also came upon the bridge, and took hold of his
+feet, and prayed him to forgive him what he had offended, and not to be
+too bitter against him, nor to think fit to make him the first example
+of severity under his new authority; but to consider that he had
+repented of his failure of duty, and had taken care to come first of all
+to him. While he was thus entreating the king, and moving him to
+compassion, Abishai, Joab's brother, said, "And shall not this man die
+for this, that he hath cursed that king whom God hath appointed to reign
+over us?" But David turned himself to him, and said, "Will you never
+leave off, ye sons of Zeruiah? Do not you, I pray, raise new troubles
+and seditions among us, now the former are over; for I would not have
+you ignorant that I this day begin my reign, and therefore swear to
+remit to all offenders their punishments, and not to animadvert on any
+one that has sinned. Be thou, therefore," said he, "O Shimei, of good
+courage, and do not at all fear being put to death." So he worshipped
+him, and went on before him.
+
+3. Mephibosheth also, Saul's grandson, met David, clothed in a sordid
+garment, and having his hair thick and neglected; for after David was
+fled away, he was in such grief that he had not polled his head, nor had
+he washed his clothes, as dooming himself to undergo such hardships upon
+occasion of the change-of the king's affairs. Now he had been unjustly
+calumniated to the king by Ziba, his steward. When he had saluted the
+king, and worshipped him, the king began to ask him why he did not go
+out of Jerusalem with him, and accompany him during his flight. He
+replied, that this piece of injustice was owing to Ziba; because, when
+he was ordered to get things ready for his going out with him, he took
+no care of it, but regarded him no more than if he had been a slave;
+"and, indeed, had I had my feet sound and strong, I had not deserted
+thee, for I could then have made use of them in my flight: but this is
+not all the injury that Ziba has done me, as to my duty to thee, my lord
+and master, but he hath calumniated me besides, and told lies about me
+of his own invention; but I know thy mind will not admit of such
+calumnies, but is righteously disposed, and a lover of truth, which it
+is also the will of God should prevail. For when thou wast in the
+greatest danger of suffering by my grandfather, and when, on that
+account, our whole family might justly have been destroyed, thou wast
+moderate and merciful, and didst then especially forget all those
+injuries, when, if thou hadst remembered them, thou hadst the power of
+punishing us for them; but thou hast judged me to be thy friend, and
+hast set me every day at thine own table; nor have I wanted any thing
+which one of thine own kinsmen, of greatest esteem with thee, could have
+expected." When he had said this, David resolved neither to punish
+Mephibosheth, nor to condemn Ziba, as having belied his master; but said
+to him, that as he had [before] granted all his estate to Ziba, because
+he did not come along with him, so he [now] promised to forgive him, and
+ordered that the one half of his estate should be restored to him. 20
+Whereupon Mephibosheth said, "Nay, let Ziba take all; it suffices me
+that thou hast recovered thy kingdom."
+
+4. But David desired Barzillai the Gileadite, that great and good man,
+and one that had made a plentiful provision for him at Mahanaim, and had
+conducted him as far as Jordan, to accompany him to Jerusalem, for he
+promised to treat him in his old age with all manner of respect—to take
+care of him, and provide for him. But Barzillai was so desirous to live
+at home, that he entreated him to excuse him from attendance on him; and
+said that his age was too great to enjoy the pleasures [of a court,]
+since he was fourscore years old, and was therefore making provision for
+his death and burial: so he desired him to gratify him in this request,
+and dismiss him; for he had no relish of his meat, or his drink, by
+reason of his age; and that his ears were too much shut up to hear the
+sound of pipes, or the melody of other musical instruments, such as all
+those that live with kings delight in. When he entreated for this so
+earnestly, the king said, "I dismiss thee, but thou shalt grant me thy
+son Chimham, and upon him I will bestow all sorts of good things." So
+Barzillai left his son with him, and worshipped the king, and wished him
+a prosperous conclusion of all his affairs according to his own mind,
+and then returned home; but David came to Gilgal, having about him half
+the people [of Israel], and the [whole] tribe of Judah.
+
+5. Now the principal men of the country came to Gilgal to him with a
+great multitude, and complained of the tribe of Judah, that they had
+come to him in a private manner; whereas they ought all conjointly, and
+with one and the same intention, to have given him the meeting. But the
+rulers of the tribe of Judah desired them not to be displeased, if they
+had been prevented by them; for, said they, "We are David's kinsmen, and
+on that account we the rather took care of him, and loved him, and so
+came first to him;" yet had they not, by their early coming, received
+any gifts from him, which might give them who came last any uneasiness.
+When the rulers of the tribe of Judah had said this, the rulers of the
+other tribes were not quiet, but said further, "O brethren, we cannot
+but wonder at you when you call the king your kinsman alone, whereas he
+that hath received from God the power over all of us in common ought to
+be esteemed a kinsman to us all; for which reason the whole people have
+eleven parts in him, and you but one part 21 we are also elder than you;
+wherefore you have not done justly in coming to the king in this private
+and concealed manner."
+
+6. While these rulers were thus disputing one with another, a certain
+wicked man, who took a pleasure in seditious practices, [his name was
+Sheba, the son of Bichri, of the tribe of Benjamin,] stood up in the
+midst of the multitude, and cried aloud, and spake thus to them: "We
+have no part in David, nor inheritance in the son of Jesse." And when he
+had used those words, he blew with a trumpet, and declared war against
+the king; and they all left David, and followed him; the tribe of Judah
+alone staid with him, and settled him in his royal palace at Jerusalem.
+But as for his concubines, with whom Absalom his son had accompanied,
+truly he removed them to another house, and ordered those that had the
+care of them to make a plentiful provision for them, but he came not
+near them any more. He also appointed Amasa for the captain of his
+forces, and gave him the same high office which Joab before had; and he
+commanded him to gather together, out of the tribe of Judah, as great an
+army as he could, and come to him within three days, that he might
+deliver to him his entire army, and might send him to fight against
+[Sheba] the son of Bichri. Now while Amasa was gone out, and made some
+delay in gathering the army together, and so was not yet returned, on
+the third day the king said to Joab, "It is not fit we should make any
+delay in this affair of Sheba, lest he get a numerous army about him,
+and be the occasion of greater mischief, and hurt our affairs more than
+did Absalom himself; do not thou therefore wait any longer, but take
+such forces as thou hast at hand, and that [old] body of six hundred
+men, and thy brother Abishai, with thee, and pursue after our enemy, and
+endeavor to fight him wheresoever thou canst overtake him. Make haste to
+prevent him, lest he seize upon some fenced cities, and cause us great
+labor and pains before we take him."
+
+7. So Joab resolved to make no delay, but taking with him his brother,
+and those six hundred men, and giving orders that the rest of the army
+which was at Jerusalem should follow him, he marched with great speed
+against Sheba; and when he was come to Gibeon, which is a village forty
+furlongs distant from Jerusalem, Amasa brought a great army with him,
+and met Joab. Now Joab was girded with a sword, and his breastplate on;
+and when Amasa came near him to salute him, he took particular care that
+his sword should fall out, as it were, of its own accord: so he took it
+up from the ground, and while he approached Amasa, who was then near
+him, as though he would kiss him, he took hold of Amasa's beard with his
+other hand, and he smote him in his belly when he did not foresee it,
+and slew him. This impious and altogether profane action Joab did to a
+good young man, and his kinsman, and one that had done him no injury,
+and this out of jealousy that he would obtain the chief command of the
+army, and be in equal dignity with himself about the king; and for the
+same cause it was that he killed Abner. But as to that former wicked
+action, the death of his brother Asahel, which he seemed to revenge,
+afforded him a decent pretense, and made that crime a pardonable one;
+but in this murder of Amasa there was no such covering for it. Now when
+Joab had killed this general, he pursued after Sheba, having left a man
+with the dead body, who was ordered to proclaim aloud to the army, that
+Amasa was justly slain, and deservedly punished. "But," said he, "if you
+be for the king, follow Joab his general, and Abishai, Joab's brother:"
+but because the body lay on the road, and all the multitude came running
+to it, and, as is usual with the multitude, stood wondering a great
+while at it, he that guarded it removed it thence, and carried it to a
+certain place that was very remote from the road, and there laid it, and
+covered it with his garment. When this was done, all the people followed
+Joab. Now as he pursued Sheba through all the country of Israel, one
+told him that he was in a strong city, called Abelbeth-maachah. Hereupon
+Joab went thither, and set about it with his army, and cast up a bank
+round it, and ordered his soldiers to undermine the walls, and to
+overthrow them; and since the people in the city did not admit him, he
+was greatly displeased at them.
+
+8. Now there was a woman of small account, and yet both wise and
+intelligent, who seeing her native city lying at the last extremity,
+ascended upon the wall, and, by means of the armed men, called for Joab;
+and when he came to her, she began to say, That "God ordained kings and
+generals of armies, that they might cut off the enemies of the Hebrews,
+and introduce a universal peace among them; but thou art endeavoring to
+overthrow and depopulate a metropolis of the Israelites, which hath been
+guilty of no offense." But he replied, "God continue to be merciful unto
+me: I am disposed to avoid killing any one of the people, much less
+would I destroy such a city as this; and if they will deliver me up
+Sheba, the son of Bichri, who hath rebelled against the king, I will
+leave off the siege, and withdraw the army from the place." Now as soon
+as the woman heard what Joab said, she desired him to intermit the siege
+for a little while, for that he should have the head of his enemy thrown
+out to him presently. So she went down to the citizens, and said to
+them, "Will you be so wicked as to perish miserably, with your children
+and wives, for the sake of a vile fellow, and one whom nobody knows who
+he is? And will you have him for your king instead of David, who hath
+been so great a benefactor to you, and oppose your city alone to such a
+mighty and strong army?" So she prevailed with them, and they cut off
+the head of Sheba, and threw it into Joab's army. When this was done,
+the king's general sounded a retreat, and raised the siege. And when he
+was come to Jerusalem, he was again appointed to be general of all the
+people. The king also constituted Benaiah captain of the guards, and of
+the six hundred men. He also set Adoram over the tribute, and Sabathes
+and Achilaus over the records. He made Sheva the scribe, and appointed
+Zadok and Abiathar the high priests.
+
+
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER 12. How The Hebrews Were Delivered From A Famine When The
+Gibeonites Had Caused Punishment To Be Inflicted For Those Of Them That
+Had Been Slain: As Also, What Great Actions Were Performed Against The
+Philistines By David, And The Men Of Valor About Him.
+
+1. After this, when the country was greatly afflicted with a famine,
+David besought God to have mercy on the people, and to discover to him
+what was the cause of it, and how a remedy might be found for that
+distemper. And when the prophets answered, that God would have the
+Gibeonites avenged whom Saul the king was so wicked as to betray to
+slaughter, and had not observed the oath which Joshua the general and
+the senate had sworn to them: If, therefore, said God, the king would
+permit such vengeance to be taken for those that were slain as the
+Gibeonites should desire, he promised that he would be reconciled to
+them, and free the multitude from their miseries. As soon therefore as
+the king understood that this it was which God sought, he sent for the
+Gibeonites, and asked them what it was they should have; and when they
+desired to have seven sons of Saul delivered to them to be punished, he
+delivered them up, but spared Mephibosheth the son of Jonathan. So when
+the Gibeonites had received the men, they punished them as they pleased;
+upon which God began to send rain, and to recover the earth to bring
+forth its fruits as usual, and to free it from the foregoing drought, so
+that the country of the Hebrews flourished again. A little afterward the
+king made war against the Philistines; and when he had joined battle
+with them, and put them to flight, he was left alone, as he was in
+pursuit of them; and when he was quite tired down, he was seen by one of
+the enemy, his name was Achmon, the son of Araph, he was one of the sons
+of the giants. He had a spear, the handle of which weighed three hundred
+shekels, and a breastplate of chain-work, and a sword. He turned back,
+and ran violently to slay [David] their enemy's king, for he was quite
+tired out with labor; but Abishai, Joab's brother, appeared on the
+sudden, and protected the king with his shield, as he lay down, and slew
+the enemy. Now the multitude were very uneasy at these dangers of the
+king, and that he was very near to be slain; and the rulers made him
+swear that he would no more go out with them to battle, lest he should
+come to some great misfortune by his courage and boldness, and thereby
+deprive the people of the benefits they now enjoyed by his means, and of
+those that they might hereafter enjoy by his living a long time among
+them.
+
+2. When the king heard that the Philistines were gathered together at
+the city Gazara, he sent an army against them, when Sibbechai the
+Hittite, one of David's most courageous men, behaved himself so as to
+deserve great commendation, for he slew many of those that bragged they
+were the posterity of the giants, and vaunted themselves highly on that
+account, and thereby was the occasion of victory to the Hebrews. After
+which defeat, the Philistines made war again; and when David had sent an
+army against them, Nephan his kinsman fought in a single combat with the
+stoutest of all the Philistines, and slew him, and put the rest to
+flight. Many of them also were slain in the fight. Now a little while
+after this, the Philistines pitched their camp at a city which lay not
+far off the bounds of the country of the Hebrews. They had a man who was
+six cubits tall, and had on each of his feet and hands one more toe and
+finger than men naturally have. Now the person who was sent against them
+by David out of his army was Jonathan, the son of Shimea, who fought
+this man in a single combat, and slew him; and as he was the person who
+gave the turn to the battle, he gained the greatest reputation for
+courage therein. This man also vaunted himself to be of the sons of the
+giants. But after this fight the Philistines made war no more against
+the Israelites.
+
+3. And now David being freed from wars and dangers, and enjoying for the
+future a profound peace, 22 composed songs and hymns to God of several
+sorts of metre; some of those which he made were trimeters, and some
+were pentameters. He also made instruments of music, and taught the
+Levites to sing hymns to God, both on that called the sabbath day, and
+on other festivals. Now the construction of the instruments was thus:
+The viol was an instrument of ten strings, it was played upon with a
+bow; the psaltery had twelve musical notes, and was played upon by the
+fingers; the cymbals were broad and large instruments, and were made of
+brass. And so much shall suffice to be spoken by us about these
+instruments, that the readers may not be wholly unacquainted with their
+nature.
+
+4. Now all the men that were about David were men of courage. Those that
+were most illustrious and famous of them for their actions were thirty-
+eight; of five of whom I will only relate the performances, for these
+will suffice to make manifest the virtues of the others also; for these
+were powerful enough to subdue countries, and conquer great nations.
+First, therefore, was Jessai, the son of Achimaas, who frequently leaped
+upon the troops of the enemy, and did not leave off fighting till he
+overthrew nine hundred of them. After him was Eleazar, the son of Dodo,
+who was with the king at Arasam. This man, when once the Israelites were
+under a consternation at the multitude of the Philistines, and were
+running away, stood alone, and fell upon the enemy, and slew many of
+them, till his sword clung to his hand by the blood he had shed, and
+till the Israelites, seeing the Philistines retire by his means, came
+down from the mountains and pursued them, and at that time won a
+surprising and a famous victory, while Eleazar slew the men, and the
+multitude followed and spoiled their dead bodies. The third was Sheba,
+the son of Ilus. Now this man, when, in the wars against the
+Philistines, they pitched their camp at a place called Lehi, and when
+the Hebrews were again afraid of their army, and did not stay, he stood
+still alone, as an army and a body of men; and some of them he
+overthrew, and some who were not able to abide his strength and force he
+pursued. These are the works of the hands, and of fighting, which these
+three performed. Now at the time when the king was once at Jerusalem,
+and the army of the Philistines came upon him to fight him, David went
+up to the top of the citadel, as we have already said, to inquire of God
+concerning the battle, while the enemy's camp lay in the valley that
+extends to the city Bethlehem, which is twenty furlongs distant from
+Jerusalem. Now David said to his companions, "We have excellent water in
+my own city, especially that which is in the pit near the gate,"
+wondering if any one would bring him some of it to drink; but he said
+that he would rather have it than a great deal of money. When these
+three men heard what he said, they ran away immediately, and burst
+through the midst of their enemy's camp, and came to Bethlehem; and when
+they had drawn the water, they returned again through the enemy's camp
+to the king, insomuch that the Philistines were so surprised at their
+boldness and alacrity, that they were quiet, and did nothing against
+them, as if they despised their small number. But when the water was
+brought to the king, he would not drink it, saying, that it was brought
+by the danger and the blood of men, and that it was not proper on that
+account to drink it. But he poured it out to God, and gave him thanks
+for the salvation of the men. Next to these was Abishai, Joab's brother;
+for he in one day slew six hundred. The fifth of these was Benaiah, by
+lineage a priest; for being challenged by [two] eminent men in the
+country of Moab, he overcame them by his valor, Moreover, there was a
+man, by nation an Egyptian, who was of a vast bulk, and challenged him,
+yet did he, when he was unarmed, kill him with his own spear, which he
+threw at him; for he caught him by force, and took away his weapons
+while he was alive and fighting, and slew him with his own weapons. One
+may also add this to the forementioned actions of the same man, either
+as the principal of them in alacrity, or as resembling the rest. When
+God sent a snow, there was a lion who slipped and fell into a certain
+pit, and because the pit's mouth was narrow it was evident he would
+perish, being enclosed with the snow; so when he saw no way to get out
+and save himself, he roared. When Benaiah heard the wild beast, he went
+towards him, and coming at the noise he made, he went down into the
+mouth of the pit and smote him, as he struggled, with a stake that lay
+there, and immediately slew him. The other thirty-three were like these
+in valor also.
+
+
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER 13. That When David Had Numbered the People, They Were Punished;
+and How the Divine Compassion Restrained That Punishment.
+
+1. Now king David was desirous to know how many ten thousands there were
+of the people, but forgot the commands of Moses, 23 who told them
+beforehand, that if the multitude were numbered, they should pay half a
+shekel to God for every head. Accordingly the king commanded Joab, the
+captain of his host, to go and number the whole multitude; but when he
+said there was no necessity for such a numeration, he was not persuaded
+[to countermand it], but he enjoined him to make no delay, but to go
+about the numbering of the Hebrews immediately. So Joab took with him
+the heads of the tribes, and the scribes, and went over the country of
+the Israelites, and took notice how numerous the multitude were, and
+returned to Jerusalem to the king, after nine months and twenty days;
+and he gave in to the king the number of the people, without the tribe
+of Benjamin, for he had not yet numbered that tribe, no more than the
+tribe of Levi, for the king repented of his having sinned against God.
+Now the number of the rest of the Israelites was nine hundred thousand
+men, who were able to bear arms and go to war; but the tribe of Judah,
+by itself, was four hundred thousand men.
+
+2. Now when the prophets had signified to David that God was angry at
+him, he began to entreat him, and to desire he would be merciful to him,
+and forgive his sin. But God sent Nathan the prophet to him, to propose
+to him the election of three things, that he might choose which he liked
+best: Whether he would have famine come upon the country for seven
+years, or would have a war, and be subdued three months by his enemies?
+or, whether God should send a pestilence and a distemper upon the
+Hebrews for three days? But as he was fallen to a fatal choice of great
+miseries, he was in trouble, and sorely confounded; and when the prophet
+had said that he must of necessity make his choice, and had ordered him
+to answer quickly, that he might declare what he had chosen to God, the
+king reasoned with himself, that in case he should ask for famine, he
+would appear to do it for others, and without danger to himself, since
+he had a great deal of corn hoarded up, but to the harm of others; that
+in case he should choose to be overcome [by his enemies] for three
+months, he would appear to have chosen war, because he had valiant men
+about him, and strong holds, and that therefore he feared nothing
+therefrom: so he chose that affliction which is common to kings and to
+their subjects, and in which the fear was equal on all sides; and said
+this beforehand, that it was much better to fall into the hands of God,
+than into those of his enemies.
+
+3. When the prophet had heard this, he declared it to God; who thereupon
+sent a pestilence and a mortality upon the Hebrews; nor did they die
+after one and the same manner, nor so that it was easy to know what the
+distemper was. Now the miserable disease was one indeed, but it carried
+them off by ten thousand causes and occasions, which those that were
+afflicted could not understand; for one died upon the neck of another,
+and the terrible malady seized them before they were aware, and brought
+them to their end suddenly, some giving up the ghost immediately with
+very great pains and bitter grief, and some were worn away by their
+distempers, and had nothing remaining to be buried, but as soon as ever
+they fell were entirely macerated; some were choked, and greatly
+lamented their case, as being also stricken with a sudden darkness; some
+there were who, as they were burying a relation, fell down dead, without
+finishing the rites of the funeral. Now there perished of this disease,
+which began with the morning, and lasted till the hour of dinner,
+seventy thousand. Nay, the angel stretched out his hand over Jerusalem,
+as sending this terrible judgment upon it. But David had put on
+sackcloth, and lay upon the ground, entreating God, and begging that the
+distemper might now cease, and that he would be satisfied with those
+that had already perished. And when the king looked up into the air, and
+saw the angel carried along thereby into Jerusalem, with his sword
+drawn, he said to God, that he might justly be punished, who was their
+shepherd, but that the sheep ought to be preserved, as not having sinned
+at all; and he implored God that he would send his wrath upon him, and
+upon all his family, but spare the people.
+
+4. When God heard his supplication, he caused the pestilence to cease,
+and sent Gad the prophet to him, and commanded him to go up immediately
+to the thrashing-floor of Araunah the Jebusite, and build an altar there
+to God, and offer sacrifices. When David heard that, he did not neglect
+his duty, but made haste to the place appointed him. Now Araunah was
+thrashing wheat; and when he saw the king and all his servants coming to
+him, he ran before, and came to him and worshipped him: he was by his
+lineage a Jebusite, but a particular friend of David's; and for that
+cause it was that, when he overthrew the city, he did him no harm, as we
+informed the reader a little before. Now Araunah inquired, "Wherefore is
+my lord come to his servant?" He answered, to buy of him the thrashing-
+floor, that he might therein build an altar to God, and offer a
+sacrifice. He replied, that he freely gave him both the thrashing-floor
+and the ploughs and the oxen for a burnt-offering; and he besought God
+graciously to accept his sacrifice. But the king made answer, that he
+took his generosity and magnanimity loudly, and accepted his good-will,
+but he desired him to take the price of them all, for that it was not
+just to offer a sacrifice that cost nothing. And when Araunah said he
+would do as he pleased, he bought the thrashing-floor of him for fifty
+shekels. And when he had built an altar, he performed Divine service,
+and brought a burnt-offering, and offered peace-offerings also. With
+these God was pacified, and became gracious to them again. Now it
+happened that Abraham 24came and offered his son Isaac for a burnt-
+offering at that very place; and when the youth was ready to have his
+throat cut, a ram appeared on a sudden, standing by the altar, which
+Abraham sacrificed in the stead of his son, as we have before related.
+Now when king David saw that God had heard his prayer, and had
+graciously accepted of his sacrifice, he resolved to call that entire
+place The Altar of all the People, and to build a temple to God there;
+which words he uttered very appositely to what was to be done afterward;
+for God sent the prophet to him, and told him that there should his son
+build him an altar, that son who was to take the kingdom after him.
+
+
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER 14. That David Made Great Preparations For The House Of God; And
+That, Upon Adonijah's Attempt To Gain The Kingdom, He Appointed Solomon
+To Reign.
+
+1. After the delivery of this prophecy, the king commanded the strangers
+to be numbered; and they were found to be one hundred and eighty
+thousand; of these he appointed fourscore thousand to be hewers of
+stone, and the rest of the multitude to carry the stones, and of them he
+set over the workmen three thousand and five hundred. He also prepared a
+great quantity of iron and brass for the work, with many [and those
+exceeding large] cedar trees; the Tyrians and Sidonians sending them to
+him, for he had sent to them for a supply of those trees. And he told
+his friends that these things were now prepared, that he might leave
+materials ready for the building of the temple to his son, who was to
+reign after him, and that he might not have them to seek then, when he
+was very young, and by reason of his age unskillful in such matters, but
+might have them lying by him, and so might the more readily complete the
+work.
+
+2. So David called his son Solomon, and charged him, when he had
+received the kingdom, to build a temple to God, and said, "I was willing
+to build God a temple myself, but he prohibited me, because I was
+polluted with blood and wars; but he hath foretold that Solomon, my
+youngest son, should build him a temple, and should be called by that
+name; over whom he hath promised to take the like care as a father takes
+over his son; and that he would make the country of the Hebrews happy
+under him, and that, not only in other respects, but by giving it peace
+and freedom from wars, and from internal seditions, which are the
+greatest of all blessings. Since, therefore," says he, "thou wast
+ordained king by God himself before thou wast born, endeavor to render
+thyself worthy of this his providence, as in other instances, so
+particularly in being religious, and righteous, and courageous. Keep
+thou also his commands and his laws, which he hath given us by Moses,
+and do not permit others to break them. Be zealous also to dedicate to
+God a temple, which he hath chosen to be built under thy reign; nor be
+thou affrighted by the vastness of the work, nor set about it
+timorously, for I will make all things ready before I die: and take
+notice, that there are already ten thousand talents of gold, and a
+hundred thousand talents of silver 25 collected together. I have also
+laid together brass and iron without number, and an immense quantity of
+timber and of stones. Moreover, thou hast many ten thousand stone-
+cutters and carpenters; and if thou shalt want any thing further, do
+thou add somewhat of thine own. Wherefore, if thou performest this work,
+thou wilt be acceptable to God, and have him for thy patron." David also
+further exhorted the rulers of the people to assist his son in this
+building, and to attend to the Divine service, when they should be free
+from all their misfortunes, for that they by this means should enjoy,
+instead of them, peace and a happy settlement, with which blessings God
+rewards such men as are religious and righteous. He also gave orders,
+that when the temple should be once built, they should put the ark
+therein, with the holy vessels; and he assured them that they ought to
+have had a temple long ago, if their fathers had not been negligent of
+God's commands, who had given it in charge, that when they had got the
+possession of this land, they should build him a temple. Thus did David
+discourse to the governors, and to his son.
+
+3. David was now in years, and his body, by length of time, was become
+cold, and benumbed, insomuch that he could get no heat by covering
+himself with many clothes; and when the physicians came together, they
+agreed to this advice, that a beautiful virgin, chosen out of the whole
+country, should sleep by the king's side, and that this damsel would
+communicate heat to him, and be a remedy against his numbness. Now there
+was found in the city one woman, of a superior beauty to all other
+women, [her name was Abishag,] who, sleeping with the king, did no more
+than communicate warmth to him, for he was so old that he could not know
+her as a husband knows his wife. But of this woman we shall speak more
+presently.
+
+4. Now the fourth son of David was a beautiful young man, and tall, born
+to him of Haggith his wife. He was named Adonijah, and was in his
+disposition like to Absalom; and exalted himself as hoping to be king,
+and told his friends that he ought to take the government upon him. He
+also prepared many chariots and horses, and fifty men to run before him.
+When his father saw this, he did not reprove him, nor restrain him from
+his purpose, nor did he go so far as to ask wherefore he did so. Now
+Adonijah had for his assistants Joab the captain of the army, and
+Abiathar the high priest; and the only persons that opposed him were
+Zadok the high priest, and the prophet Nathan, and Benaiah, who was
+captain of the guards, and Shimei, David's friend, with all the other
+most mighty men. Now Adonijah had prepared a supper out of the city,
+near the fountain that was in the king's paradise, and had invited all
+his brethren except Solomon, and had taken with him Joab the captain of
+the army, and: Abiathar, and the rulers of the tribe of Judah, but had
+not invited to this feast either Zadok the high priest, or Nathan the
+prophet, or Benaiah the captain of the guards, nor any of those of the
+contrary party. This matter was told by Nathan the prophet to Bathsheba,
+Solomon's mother, that Adonijah was king, and that David knew nothing of
+it; and he advised her to save herself and her son Solomon, and to go by
+herself to David, and say to him, that he had indeed sworn that Solomon
+should reign after him, but that in the mean time Adonijah had already
+taken the kingdom. He said that he, the prophet himself, would come
+after her, and when she had spoken thus to the king, would confirm what
+she had said. Accordingly Bathsheba agreed with Nathan, and went in to
+the king and worshipped him, and when she had desired leave to speak
+with him, she told him all things in the manner that Nathan had
+suggested to her; and related what a supper Adonijah had made, and who
+they were whom he had invited; Abiathar the and Joab the general, and
+David's sons, excepting Solomon and his intimate friends. She also said
+that all the people had their eyes upon him, to know whom he would
+choose for their king. She desired him also to consider how, after his
+departure, Adonijah, if he were king, would slay her and her son
+Solomon.
+
+5. Now, as Bathsheba was speaking, the keeper of the king's chambers
+told him that Nathan desired to see him. And when the king had commanded
+that he should be admitted, he came in, and asked him whether he had
+ordained Adonijah to be king, and delivered the government to him, or
+not; for that he had made a splendid supper, and invited all his sons,
+except Solomon; as also that he had invited Joab, the captain of his
+host, [and Abiathar the high priest,] who are feasting with applauses,
+and many joyful sounds of instruments, and wish that his kingdom may
+last for ever; but he hath not invited me, nor Zadok the high priest,
+nor Benaiah the captain of the guards; and it is but fit that all should
+know whether this be done by thy approbation or not. When Nathan had
+said thus, the king commanded that they should call Bathsheba to him,
+for she had gone out of the room when the prophet came. And when
+Bathsheba was come, David said, "I swear by Almighty God, that thy son
+Solomon shall certainly he king, as I formerly swore; and that he shall
+sit upon my throne, and that this very day also." So Bathsheba
+worshipped him, and wished him a long life; and the king sent for Zadok
+the high priest, and Benaiah the captain of the guards; and when they
+were come, he ordered them to take with them Nathan the prophet, and all
+the armed men about the palace, and to set his son Solomon upon the
+king's mule, and to carry him out of the city to the fountain called
+Gihon, and to anoint him there with the holy oil, and to make him king.
+This he charged Zadok the high priest, and Nathan the prophet, to do,
+and commanded them to follow Solomon through the midst of the city, and
+to sound the trumpets, and wish aloud that Solomon the king may sit upon
+the royal throne for ever, that so all the people may know that he is
+ordained king by his father. He also gave Solomon a charge concerning
+his government, to rule the whole nation of the Hebrews, and
+particularly the tribe of Judah, religiously and righteously. And when
+Benaiah had prayed to God to be favorable to Solomon, without any delay
+they set Solomon upon the mule, and brought him out of the city to the
+fountain, and anointed him with oil, and brought him into the city
+again, with acclamations and wishes that his kingdom might continue a
+long time: and when they had introduced him into the king's house, they
+set him upon the throne; whereupon all the people betook themselves to
+make merry, and to celebrate a festival, dancing and delighting
+themselves with musical pipes, till both the earth and the air echoed
+with the multitude of the instruments of music.
+
+6. Now when Adonijah and his guests perceived this noise, they were in
+disorder; and Joab the captain of the host said he was not pleased with
+these echoes, and the sound of these trumpets. And when supper was set
+before them, nobody tasted of it, but they were all very thoughtful what
+would be the matter. Then Jonathan, the son of Abiathar the high priest,
+came running to them; and when Adonijah saw the young man gladly, and
+said to him that he was a good messenger, he declared to them the whole
+matter about Solomon, and the determination of king David: hereupon both
+Adonijah and all the guests rose hastily from the feast, and every one
+fled to their own homes. Adonijah also, as afraid of the king for what
+he had done, became a supplicant to God, and took hold of the horns of
+the altar, which were prominent. It was also told Solomon that he had so
+done; and that he desired to receive assurances from him that he would
+not remember the injury he had done, and not inflict any severe
+punishment for it. Solomon answered very mildly and prudently, that he
+forgave him this his offense; but said withal, that if he were found out
+in any attempt for new innovations, that he would be the author of his
+own punishment. So he sent to him, and raised him up from the place of
+his supplication. And when he was come to the king, and had worshipped
+him, the king bid him go away to his own house, and have no suspicion of
+any harm; and desired him to show himself a worthy man, as what would
+tend to his own advantage.
+
+7. But David, being desirous of ordaining his son king of all the
+people, called together their rulers to Jerusalem, with the priests and
+the Levites; and having first numbered the Levites, he found them to be
+thirty-eight thousand, from thirty years old to fifty; out of which he
+appointed twenty-three thousand to take care of the building of the
+temple, and out of the same, six thousand to be judges of the people and
+scribes, four thousand for porters to the house of God, and as many for
+singers, to sing to the instruments which David had prepared, as we have
+said already. He divided them also into courses: and when he had
+separated the priests from them, he found of these priests twenty-four
+courses, sixteen of the house of Eleazar, and eight of that of Ithamar;
+and he ordained that one course should minister to God eight days, from
+sabbath to sabbath. And thus were the courses distributed by lot, in the
+presence of David, and Zadok and Abiathar the high priests, and of all
+the rulers; and that course which came up first was written down as the
+first, and accordingly the second, and so on to the twenty-fourth; and
+this partition hath remained to this day. He also made twenty-four parts
+of the tribe of Levi; and when they cast lots, they came up in the same
+manner for their courses of eight days. He also honored the posterity of
+Moses, and made them the keepers of the treasures of God, and of the
+donations which the kings dedicated. He also ordained that all the tribe
+of Levi, as well as the priests, should serve God night and day, as
+Moses had enjoined them.
+
+8. After this he parted the entire army into twelve parts, with their
+leaders [and captains of hundreds] and commanders. Now every part had
+twenty-four thousand, which were ordered to wait on Solomon, by thirty
+days at a time, from the first day till the last, with the captains of
+thousands and captains of hundreds. He also set rulers over every part,
+such as he knew to be good and righteous men. He set others also to take
+charge of the treasures, and of the villages, and of the fields, and of
+the beasts, whose names I do not think it necessary to mention. When
+David had ordered all these officers after the manner before mentioned,
+he called the rulers of the Hebrews, and their heads of tribes, and the
+officers over the several divisions, and those that were appointed over
+every work, and every possession; and standing upon a high pulpit, he
+said to the multitude as follows: "My brethren and my people, I would
+have you know that I intended to build a house for God, and prepared a
+large quantity of gold, and a hundred thousand talents of silver; but
+God prohibited me by the prophet Nathan, because of the wars I had on
+your account, and because my right hand was polluted with the slaughter
+of our enemies; but he commanded that my son, who was to succeed me in
+the kingdom, should build a temple for him. Now therefore, since you
+know that of the twelve sons whom Jacob our forefather had Judah was
+appointed to be king, and that I was preferred before my six brethren,
+and received the government from God, and that none of them were uneasy
+at it, so do I also desire that my sons be not seditious one against
+another, now Solomon has received the kingdom, but to bear him
+cheerfully for their lord, as knowing that God hath chosen him; for it
+is not a grievous thing to obey even a foreigner as a ruler, if it be
+God's will, but it is fit to rejoice when a brother hath obtained that
+dignity, since the rest partake of it with him. And I pray that the
+promises of God may be fulfilled; and that this happiness which he hath
+promised to bestow upon king Solomon, over all the country, may continue
+therein for all time to come. And these promises O son, will be firm,
+and come to a happy end, if thou showest thyself to be a religious and a
+righteous man, and an observer of the laws of thy country; but if not,
+expect adversity upon thy disobedience to them."
+
+9. Now when the king had said this, he left off; but gave the
+description and pattern of the building of the temple in the sight of
+them all to Solomon: of the foundations and of the chambers, inferior
+and superior; how many they were to be, and how large in height and in
+breadth; as also he determined the weight of the golden and silver
+vessels: moreover, he earnestly excited them with his words to use the
+utmost alacrity about the work; he exhorted the rulers also, and
+particularly the tribe of Levi, to assist him, both because of his
+youth, and because God had chosen him to take care of the building of
+the temple, and of the government of the kingdom. He also declared to
+them that the work would be easy, and not very laborious to them,
+because he had prepared for it many talents of gold, and more of silver,
+with timber, and a great many carpenters and stone-cutters, and a large
+quantity of emeralds, and all sorts of precious stones; and he said,
+that even now he would give of the proper goods of his own dominion two
+hundred talents, and three hundred other talents of pure gold, for the
+most holy place, and for the chariot of God, the cherubim, which are to
+stand over and cover the ark. Now when David had done speaking, there
+appeared great alacrity among the rulers, and the priests, and the
+Levites, who now contributed and made great and splendid promises for a
+future Contribution; for they undertook to bring of gold five thousand
+talents, and ten thousand drams, and of silver ten thousand talents, and
+many ten thousand talents of iron; and if any one had a precious stone
+he brought it, and bequeathed it to be put among the treasures; of which
+Jachiel, one of the posterity of Moses, had the care.
+
+10. Upon this occasion all the people rejoiced, as in particular did
+David, when he saw the zeal and forward ambition of the rulers, and the
+priests, and of all the rest; and he began to bless God with a loud
+voice, calling him the Father and Parent of the universe, and the Author
+of human and divine things, with which he had adorned Solomon, the
+patron and guardian of the Hebrew nation, and of its happiness, and of
+that kingdom which he hath given his son. Besides this, he prayed for
+happiness to all the people; and to Solomon his son, a sound and a
+righteous mind, and confirmed in all sorts of virtue; and then he
+commanded the multitude to bless God; upon which they all fell down upon
+the ground and worshipped him. They also gave thanks to David, on
+account of all the blessings which they had received ever since he had
+taken the kingdom. On the next day he presented sacrifices to God, a
+thousand bullocks, and as many lambs, which they offered for burnt-
+offerings. They also offered peace-offerings, and slew many ten thousand
+sacrifices; and the king feasted all day, together with all the people;
+and they anointed Solomon a second time with the oil, and appointed him
+to be king, and Zadok to be the high priest of the whole multitude. And
+when they had brought Solomon to the royal palace, and had set him upon
+his father's throne, they were obedient to him from that day.
+
+
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER 15. What Charge David Gave To his Son Solomon At The Approach Of
+His Death, And How Many Things He Left Him For The Building Of The
+Temple.
+
+1. A Little afterward David also fell into a distemper, by reason of his
+age; and perceiving that he was near to death, he called his son
+Solomon, and discoursed to him thus: "I am now, O my son, going to my
+grave, and to my fathers, which is the common way which all men that now
+are, or shall be hereafter, must go; from which way it is no longer
+possible to return, and to know any thing that is done in this world. On
+which account I exhort thee, while I am still alive, though already very
+near to death, in the same manner as I have formerly said in my advice
+to thee, to be righteous towards thy subjects, and religious towards
+God, that hath given thee thy kingdom; to observe his commands and his
+laws, which he hath sent us by Moses; and neither do thou out of favor
+nor flattery allow any lust or other passion to weigh with thee to
+disregard them; for if thou transgressest his laws, thou wilt lose the
+favor of God, and thou wilt turn away his providence from thee in all
+things; but if thou behave thyself so as it behooves thee, and as I
+exhort thee, thou wilt preserve our kingdom to our family, and no other
+house will bear rule over the Hebrews but we ourselves for all ages. Be
+thou also mindful of the transgressions of Joab, 26 the captain of the
+host, who hath slain two generals out of envy, and those righteous and
+good men, Abner the son of Ner, and Amasa the son of Jether; whose death
+do thou avenge as shall seem good to thee, since Joab hath been too hard
+for me, and more potent than myself, and so hath escaped punishment
+hitherto. I also commit to thee the son of Barzillai the Gileadite,
+whom, in order to gratify me, thou shalt have in great honor, and take
+great care of; for we have not done good to him first, but we only repay
+that debt which we owe to his father for what he did to me in my flight.
+There is also Shimei the son of Gera, of the tribe of Benjamin, who,
+after he had cast many reproaches upon me, when, in my flight, I was
+going to Mahanaim, met me at Jordan, and received assurances that he
+should then suffer nothing. Do thou now seek out for some just occasion,
+and punish him."
+
+2. When David had given these admonitions to his son about public
+affairs, and about his friends, and about those whom he knew to deserve
+punishment, he died, having lived seventy years, and reigned seven years
+and six months in Hebron over the tribe of Judah, and thirty-three years
+in Jerusalem over all the country. This man was of an excellent
+character, and was endowed with all virtues that were desirable in a
+king, and in one that had the preservation of so many tribes committed
+to him; for he was a man of valor in a very extraordinary degree, and
+went readily and first of all into dangers, when he was to fight for his
+subjects, as exciting the soldiers to action by his own labors, and
+fighting for them, and not by commanding them in a despotic way. He was
+also of very great abilities in understanding, and apprehension of
+present and future circumstances, when he was to manage any affairs. He
+was prudent and moderate, and kind to such as were under any calamities;
+he was righteous and humane, which are good qualities, peculiarly fit
+for kings; nor was he guilty of any offense in the exercise of so great
+an authority, but in the business of the wife of Uriah. He also left
+behind him greater wealth than any other king, either of the Hebrews or,
+of other nations, ever did.
+
+3. He was buried by his son Solomon, in Jerusalem, with great
+magnificence, and with all the other funeral pomp which kings used to be
+buried with; moreover, he had great and immense wealth buried with him,
+the vastness of which may be easily conjectured at by what I shall now
+say; for a thousand and three hundred years afterward Hyrcanus the high
+priest, when he was besieged by Antiochus, that was called the Pious,
+the son of Demetrius, and was desirous of giving him money to get him to
+raise the siege and draw off his army, and having no other method of
+compassing the money, opened one room of David's sepulcher, and took out
+three thousand talents, and gave part of that sum to Antiochus; and by
+this means caused the siege to be raised, as we have informed the reader
+elsewhere. Nay, after him, and that many years, Herod the king opened
+another room, and took away a great deal of money, and yet neither of
+them came at the coffins of the kings themselves, for their bodies were
+buried under the earth so artfully, that they did not appear to even
+those that entered into their monuments. But so much shall suffice us to
+have said concerning these matters.
+
+
+
+
+
+
+FOOTNOTES
+
+
+1 (return) [ It ought to be here noted, that Joab, Abishai, and Asahel
+were all three David's nephews, the sons of his sister Zeraiah, as 1
+Chronicles 2:16; and that Amasa was also his nephew by his other sister
+Abigail, ver. 17.]
+
+
+2 (return) [ This may be a true observation of Josephus's, that Samuel
+by command from God entailed the crown on David and his posterity; for
+no further did that entail ever reach, Solomon himself having never had
+any promise made him that his posterity should always have the right to
+it.]
+
+
+3 (return) [ These words of Josephus concerning the tribe of Issachar,
+who foreknew what was to come hereafter," are best paraphrased by the
+parallel text. 1 Chronicles 12:32, "Who had understanding of the times
+to know what Israel ought to do;" that is, who had so much knowledge in
+astronomy as to make calendars for the Israelites, that they might keep
+their festivals, and plough and sow, and gather in their harvests and
+vintage, in due season.]
+
+
+4 (return) [ What our other copies say of Mount Sion, as alone properly
+called the city of David, 2 Samuel 5:6-9, and of this its siege and
+conquest now by David, Josephus applies to the whole city Jerusalem,
+though including the citadel also; by what authority we do not now know
+perhaps, after David had united them together, or joined the citadel to
+the lower city, as sect. 2, Josephus esteemed them as one city. However,
+this notion seems to be confirmed by what the same Josephus says
+concerning David's and many other kings of Judah's sepulchers, which as
+the authors of the books of Kings and Chronicles say were in the city of
+David, so does Josephus still say they were in Jerusalem. The sepulcher
+of David seems to have been also a known place in the several days of
+Hyrcanus, of Herod, and of St. Peter, Antiq. B. XIII. ch. 8. sect. 4 B.
+XVI. ch. 8. sect. 1; Acts 2:29. Now no such royal sepulchers have been
+found about Mount Sion, but are found close by the north wall of
+Jerusalem, which I suspect, therefore, to be these very sepulchers. See
+the note on ch. 15. sect. 3. In the meantime, Josephus's explication of
+the lame, and the blind, and the maimed, as set to keep this city or
+citadel, seems to be the truth, and gives the best light to that history
+in our Bible. Mr. Ottius truly observes, [up. Hayercamp, p. 305,] that
+Josephus never mentions Mount Sion by that name, as taking it for an
+appellative, as I suppose, and not for a proper name; he still either
+styles it The Citadel, or The Upper City; nor do I see any reason for
+Mr. Ottius's evil suspicions about this procedure of Josephus.]
+
+
+5 (return) [ Some copies of Josephus have here Solyma, or Salem; and
+others Hierosolyma, or Jerusalem. The latter best agree to what Josephus
+says elsewhere, [Of the War, B. VI. ch. 10.,] that this city was called
+Solyma, or Salem, before the days of Melchisedec, but was by him called
+Hierosolyma, or Jerusalem. I rather suppose it to have been so called
+after Abraham had received that oracle Jehovah Jireh, "The Lord will
+see, or provide," Genesis 22;14. The latter word, Jireh, with a little
+alteration, prefixed to the old name Salem, Peace, will be Jerusalem;
+and since that expression, "God will see," or rather, "God will provide
+himself a lamb for a burnt-offering," ver. 8, 14, is there said to have
+been proverbial till the days of Moses, this seems to me the most
+probable derivation of that name, which will then denote that God would
+provide peace by that "Lamb of God which was to take away the sins of
+the world." However, that which is put into brackets can hardly be
+supposed the genuine words of Josephus, as Dr. Hudson well judges.]
+
+
+6 (return) [ It deserves here to be remarked, that Saul very rarely, and
+David very frequently, consulted God by Urim; and that David aimed
+always to depend, not on his own prudence or abilities but on the Divine
+direction, contrary to Saul's practice. See sect. 2, and the note on
+Antiq. B. III. ch. 8. sect. 9; and when Saul's daughter, [but David's
+wife,] Michal, laughed at David's dancing before the ark, 2 Samuel 6:16,
+&c., and here, sect. l, 2, 3, it is probable she did so, because her
+father Saul did not use to pay such a regard to the ark, to the Urim
+there inquired by, or to God's worship before it, and because she
+thought it beneath the dignity of a king to be so religious.]
+
+
+7 (return) [ Josephus seems to be partly in the right, when he observes
+here that Uzzah was no priest, [though perhaps he might be a Levite,]
+and was therefore struck dead for touching the ark, contrary to the law,
+and for which profane rashness death was the penalty by that law,
+Numbers 4:15, 20. See the like before, Antiq. B. VI. ch. 1. sect. 4. It
+is not improbable that the putting this ark in a cart, when it ought to
+have been carried by the priests or Levites, as it was presently here in
+Josephus so carried from Obededom's house to David's, might be also an
+occasion of the anger of God on that breach of his law. See Numbers
+4:15; 1 Chronicles 15:13.]
+
+
+8 (return) [ Josephus here informs us, that, according to his
+understanding of the sense of his copy of the Pentateuch, Moses had
+himself foretold the building of the temple, which yet is no where, that
+I know of, in our present copies. And that this is not a mistake set
+down by him unwarily, appears by what he observed before, on Antiq. B.
+IV. ch. 8. sect. 46, how Moses foretold that, upon the Jews' future
+disobedience, their temple should be burnt and rebuilt, and that not
+once only, but several times afterward. See also Josephus's mention of
+God's former commands to build such a temple presently, ch. 14. sect. 2,
+contrary to our other copies, or at least to our translation of the
+Hebrew, 2 Samuel 7:6, 7; 1 Chronicles 17:5, 6.]
+
+
+9 (return) [ Josephus seems, in this place, with our modern interpreters
+to confound the two distinct predictions which God made to David and to
+Nathan, concerning the building him a temple by one of David's
+posterity; the one belongeth to Solomon, the other to the Messiah; the
+distinction between which is of the greatest consequence to the
+Christian religion.]
+
+
+10 (return) [ Whether Syria Zobah, 2 Samuel 3:8; 1 Chronicles 18:3-8, be
+Sophene, as Josephus here supposes; which yet Ptolemy places beyond
+Euphrates, as Dr. Hudson observes here, whereas Zobah was on this side;
+or whether Josephus was not here guilty of a mistake in his geography; I
+cannot certainly determine.]
+
+
+11 (return) [ David's reserving only one hundred chariots for himself
+out of one thousand he had taken from Hadadezer, was most probably in
+compliance with the law of Moses, which forbade a king of Israel "to
+multiply horses to himself," Deuteronomy 17:16; one of the principal
+uses of horses in Judea at that time being for drawing their chariots.
+See Joshua 12:6; and Antiq. B. V. ch. 1. sect. 18. It deserves here to
+be remarked, that this Hadad, being a very great king, was conquered by
+David, whose posterity yet for several generations were called Benhadad,
+or the son of Hadad, till the days of Hazael, whose son Adar or Ader is
+also in our Hebrew copy [2 Kings 13:24: written Benhadad, but in
+Josephus Adad or Adar. And strange it is, that the son of Hazael, said
+to be such in the same text, and in Josephus, Antiq. B. IX. ch. 8. sect.
+7, should still be called the son of Hadad. I would, therefore, here
+correct our Hebrew copy from Josephus's, which seems to have the true
+reading, nor does the testimony of Nicolaus of Damascus, produced in
+this place by Josephus, seem to be faultless, when it says that he was
+the third of the Hadads, or second of the Benhadads, who besieged
+Samaria in the days of Ahab. He must rather have been the seventh or
+eighth, if there were ten in all of that name, as we are assured there
+were. For this testimony makes all the Hadads or Benhadads of the same
+line, and to have immediately succeeded one another; whereas Hazael was
+not of that line, nor is he called Hadad or Benhadad in any copy. And
+note, that from this Hadad, in the days of David, to the beginning of
+Hazael, were near two hundred years, according to the exactest
+chronology of Josephus.]
+
+
+12 (return) [ By this great victory over the Idameans or Edomites, the
+posterity of Esau, and by the consequent tribute paid by that nation to
+the Jews, were the prophecies delivered to Rebecca before Jacob and Esau
+were born, and by old Isaac before his death, that the elder, Esau, [or
+the Edomites,] should serve and the younger, Jacob, [or the Israelites,]
+and Jacob [or the Israelites] should be Esau's [or the Edomites'] lord,
+remarkably fulfilled. See Antiq. B. VIII. ch 7. sect. 6; Genesis 25;9,3;
+and the notes on Antiq. B. I. ch. 18. sect. 5, 6.]
+
+
+13 (return) [ That a talent of gold was about seven pounds weight, see
+the description of the temple ch. 13. Nor could Josephus well estimate
+it higher, since he here says that David wore it on his head
+perpetually.]
+
+
+14 (return) [ Whether Josephus saw the words of our copies, 2 Samuel
+12:31, and 1 Chronicles 20:3, that David put the inhabitants, or at
+least the garrison of Rabbah, and of the other Ammonite cities, which he
+besieged and took, under, or cut them with saws, and under, or with
+harrows of iron, and under, or with axes of iron, and made them pass
+through the brick-kiln, is not here directly expressed. If he saw them,
+as is most probable he did, he certainly expounded them of tormenting
+these Ammonites to death, who were none of those seven nations of Canaan
+whose wickedness had rendered them incapable of mercy; otherwise I
+should be inclinable to think that the meaning, at least as the words
+are in Samuel, might only be this: That they were made the lowest
+slaves, to work in sawing of timber or stone, in harrowing the fields,
+in hewing timber, in making and burning bricks, and the like hard
+services, but without taking away their lives. We never elsewhere, that
+I remember, meet with such methods of cruelty in putting men to death in
+all the Bible, or in any other ancient history whatsoever; nor do the
+words in Samuel seem naturally to refer to any such thing.]
+
+
+15 (return) [ Of this weight of Absalom's hair, how in twenty or thirty
+years it might well amount to two hundred shekels, or to somewhat above
+six pounds avoirdupois, see the Literal Accomplishment of Prophecies, p.
+77, 78. But a late very judicious author thinks that the LXXX. meant not
+its weight, but its value, Was twenty shekels.—Dr. Wall's Critical Notes
+on the Old Testament, upon 2 Samuel 14:26. It does not appear what was
+Josephus's opinion: he sets the text down honestly as he found it in his
+copies, only he thought that "at the end of days," when Absalom polled
+or weighed his hair, was once a week.]
+
+
+16 (return) [ This is one of the best corrections that Josephus's copy
+affords us of a text that in our ordinary copies is grossly corrupted.
+They say that this rebellion of Absalom was forty years after what went
+before, [Footnote of his reconciliation to his father,] whereas the
+series of the history shows it could not be more than four years after
+it, as here in Josephus; whose number is directly confirmed by that copy
+of the Septuagint version whence the Armenian translation was made,
+which gives us the small number of four years.]
+
+
+17 (return) [ This reflection of Josephus's, that God brought to nought
+the dangerous counsel of Ahithophel, and directly infatuated wicked
+Absalom to reject it, [which infatuation is what the Scripture styles
+the judicial hardening the hearts and blinding the eyes of men, who, by
+their former voluntary wickedness, have justly deserved to be destroyed,
+and are thereby brought to destruction,] is a very just one, and in him
+not unfrequent. Nor does Josephus ever puzzle himself, or perplex his
+readers, with subtle hypotheses as to the manner of such judicial
+infatuations by God, while the justice of them is generally so obvious.
+That peculiar manner of the Divine operations, or permissions, or the
+means God makes use of in such cases, is often impenetrable by us.
+"Secret things belong to the Lord our God; but those things that are
+revealed belong to us, and to our children for ever, that we may do all
+the words of this law," Deuteronomy 29:29. Nor have all the subtleties
+of the moderns, as far as I see, given any considerable light in this,
+and many other the like points of difficulty relating either to Divine
+or human operations.—See the notes on Antiq. B. V ch. 1. sect. 2; and
+Antiq. B. IX. ch. 4. sect. 3.]
+
+
+18 (return) [ Those that take a view of my description of the gates of
+the temple, will not be surprised at this account of David's throne,
+both here and 2 Samuel 18:21, that it was between two gates or portals.
+Gates being in cities, as well as at the temple, large open places, with
+a portal at the entrance, and another at the exit, between which
+judicial causes were heard, and public consultations taken, as is well
+known from several places of Scripture, 2 Chronicles 31:2; Psalm 9:14;
+137:5; Proverbs 1:21; 8:3, 31; 31:23, and often elsewhere.]
+
+
+19 (return) [ Since David was now in Mahanairn, and in the open place of
+that city gate, which seems still to have been built the highest of any
+part of the wall, and since our other copies say he went up to the
+chamber over the gate, 2 Samuel 18:33, I think we ought to correct our
+present reading in Josephus, and for city, should read gate, i.e.
+instead of the highest part of the city, should say the highest part of
+the gate. Accordingly we find David presently, in Josephus, as well as
+in our other copies, 2 Samuel 19:8, sitting as before, in the gate of
+the city.]
+
+
+20 (return) [ By David's disposal of half Mephibosheth's estate to Ziba,
+one would imagine that he was a good deal dissatisfied, and doubtful
+whether Mephibosheth's story were entirely true or not; nor does David
+now invite him to diet with him, as he did before, but only forgives
+him, if he had been at all guilty. Nor is this odd way of mourning that
+Mephibosheth made use of here, and 2 Samuel 19:24, wholly free from
+suspicion by hypocrisy. If Ziba neglected or refused to bring
+Mephibosheh an ass of his own, on which he might ride to David, it is
+half to suppose that so great a man as he was should not be able to
+procure some other beast for the same purpose.]
+
+
+21 (return) [ I clearly prefer Josephus's reading here, when it supposes
+eleven tribes, including Benjamin, to be on the one side, and the tribe
+of Judah alone on the other, since Benjamin, in general, had been still
+father of the house of Saul, and less firm to David hitherto, than any
+of the rest, and so cannot be supposed to be joined with Judah at this
+time, to make it double, especially when the following rebellion was
+headed by a Benjamite. See sect. 6, and 2 Samuel 20:2, 4.]
+
+
+22 (return) [ This section is a very remarkable one, and shows that, in
+the opinion of Josephus, David composed the Book of Psalms, not at
+several times before, as their present inscriptions frequently imply,
+but generally at the latter end of his life, or after his wars were
+over. Nor does Josephus, nor the authors of the known books of the Old
+and New Testament, nor the Apostolical Constitutions, seem to have
+ascribed any of them to any other author than to David himself. See
+Essay on the Old Testament, pages 174, 175. Of these metres of the
+Psalms, see the note on Antiq. B. II. ch. 16. sect. 4.]
+
+
+23 (return) [ The words of God by Moses, Exodus 30:12, sufficiently
+satisfy the reason here given by Josephus for the great plague mentioned
+in this chapter:—"When thou takest the sum of the children of Israel
+after their number, then shall they give a ransom for his soul unto the
+Lord, when thou numberest them; that there be no plague amongst them,
+when numberest them." Nor indeed could David's or the neglect of
+executing this law at this numeration of half a shekel apiece with them,
+when they came numbered. The great reason why nations are so committed
+by and with their wicked kings and governors that they almost constantly
+comply with them in their of or disobedience to the Divine laws, and
+suffer Divine laws to go into disuse or contempt, in order to kings and
+governors; and that they sub-political laws and commands of those
+governors, instead of the righteous laws of God, which all mankind ought
+ever to obey, let their kings and governors say what they please to the
+contrary; this preference of human before Divine laws seeming to me the
+principal character of idolatrous or antichristian nations. Accordingly,
+Josephus well observes, Antiq. B. IV. ch. 8. sect. 17, that it was the
+duty of the people of Israel to take care that their kings, when they
+should have them, did not exceed their proper limits of power, and prove
+ungovernable by the laws of God, which would certainly be a most
+pernicious thing to their Divine settlement. Nor do I think that
+negligence peculiar to the Jews: those nations which are called
+Christians, are sometimes indeed very solicitous to restrain their kings
+and governors from breaking the human laws of their several kingdoms,
+but without the like care for restraining them from breaking the laws of
+God. "Whether it be right in the sight of God to hearken unto men more
+than to God, judge ye," Acts 4:19. "We ought to obey God rather than
+men," ver. 29.]
+
+
+24 (return) [ What Josephus adds here is very remarkable, that this
+Mount Moriah was not only the very place where Abraham offered up Isaac
+long ago, but that God had foretold to David by a prophet, that here his
+son should build him a temple, which is not directly in any of our other
+copies, though very agreeable to what is in them, particularly in 1
+Chronicles 21:25, 28; 22:1, to which places I refer the reader.]
+
+
+25 (return) [ Of the quantity of gold and silver expended in the
+building of Solomon's temple, and whence it arose, see the description
+of ch. 13.]
+
+
+26 (return) [ David is here greatly blamed by some for recommending Joab
+and Shimei to be punished by Solomon, if he could find a proper
+occasion, after he had borne with the first a long while, and seemed to
+have pardoned the other entirely, which Solomon executed accordingly;
+yet I cannot discern any fault either in David or Solomon in these
+cases. Joab's murder of Abner and Amasa were very barbarous, and could
+not properly be forgiven either by David or Solomon; for a dispensing
+power in kings for the crime of willful murder is warranted by no law of
+God, nay, is directly against it every where; nor is it, for certain, in
+the power of men to grant such a prerogative to any of their kings;
+though Joab was so nearly related to David, and so potent in the army
+under a warlike administration, that David durst not himself put him to
+death, 2 Samuel 3:39; 19:7. Shimei's cursing the Lord's anointed, and
+this without any just cause, was the highest act of treason against God
+and his anointed king, and justly deserved death; and though David could
+forgive treason against himself, yet had he done no more in the case of
+Shimei than promised him that he would not then, on the day of his
+return and reinauguration, or upon that occasion, himself put him to
+death, 2 Samuel 19:22; and he swore to him no further, ver. 23, as the
+words are in Josephus, than that he would not then put him to death,
+which he performed; nor was Solomon under any obligation to spare such a
+traitor.]
+
+
+
+
+
+BOOK VIII. Containing The Interval Of One Hundred And Sixty-Three
+Years.—From The Death Of David To The Death Of Ahab.
+
+CHAPTER 1. How Solomon, When He Had Received The Kingdom Took Off His
+Enemies.
+
+CHAPTER 2. Concerning The Wife Of Solomon; Concerning His Wisdom And
+Riches; And Concerning What He Obtained Of Hiram For The Building Of The
+Temple.
+
+CHAPTER 3. Of The Building Of This Temple
+
+CHAPTER 4. How Solomon Removed The Ark Into The Temple How He Made
+Supplication To God, And Offered Public Sacrifices To Him.
+
+CHAPTER 5. How Solomon Built Himself A Royal Palace, Very Costly And
+Splendid; And How He Solved The Riddles Which Were Sent Him By Hiram.
+
+CHAPTER 6. How Solomon Fortified The City Of Jerusalem, And Built Great
+Cities; And How He Brought Some Of The Canaanites Into Subjection, And
+Entertained The Queen Of Egypt And Of Ethiopia.
+
+CHAPTER 7. How Solomon Grew Rich, And Fell Desperately In Love With
+Women And How God, Being Incensed At It, Raised Up Ader And Jeroboam
+Against Him. Concerning The Death Of Solomon.
+
+CHAPTER 8. How, Upon The Death Of Solomon The People Forsook His Son
+Rehoboam, And Ordained Jeroboam King Over The Ten Tribes.
+
+CHAPTER 9. How Jadon The Prophet Was Persuaded By Another Lying Prophet
+And Returned [To Bethel,] And Was Afterwards Slain By A Lion. As Also
+What Words The Wicked Prophet Made Use Of To Persuade The King, And
+Thereby Alienated His Mind From God.
+
+CHAPTER 10. Concerning Rehoboam, And How God Inflicted Punishment Upon
+Him For His Impiety By Shishak [King Of Egypt].
+
+CHAPTER 11. Concerning The Death Of A Son Of Jeroboam. How Jeroboam Was
+Beaten By Abijah Who Died A Little Afterward And Was Succeeded In His
+Kingdom By Asa. And Also How, After The Death Of Jeroboam Baasha
+Destroyed His Son Nadab And All The House Of Jeroboam.
+
+CHAPTER 12. How Zerah, King Of The Ethiopians, Was Beaten By Asa; And
+How Asa, Upon Baasha's Making War Against Him, Invited The King Of The
+Damascens To Assist Him; And How, On The Destruction Of The House Of
+Baasha Zimri Got The Kingdom As Did His Son Ahab After Him.
+
+CHAPTER 13. How Ahab When He Had Taken Jezebel To Wife Became More
+Wicked Than All The Kings That Had Been Before Him; Of The Actions Of
+The Prophet Elijah, And What Befell Naboth.
+
+CHAPTER 14. How Hadad King Of Damascus And Of Syria, Made Two
+Expeditions Against Ahab And Was Beaten.
+
+CHAPTER 15. Concerning Jehoshaphat The King Of Jerusalem And How Ahab
+Made An Expedition Against The Syrians And Was Assisted Therein By
+Jehoshaphat, But Was Himself Overcome In Battle And Perished Therein.
+
+FOOTNOTES:
+
+
+
+
+
+
+BOOK VIII. Containing The Interval Of One Hundred And Sixty-Three
+Years.—From The Death Of David To The Death Of Ahab.
+
+
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER 1. How Solomon, When He Had Received The Kingdom Took Off His
+Enemies.
+
+1. We have already treated of David, and his virtue, and of the benefits
+he was the author of to his countrymen; of his wars also and battles,
+which he managed with success, and then died an old man, in the
+foregoing book. And when Solomon his son, who was but a youth in age,
+had taken the kingdom, and whom David had declared, while he was alive,
+the lord of that people, according to God's will; when he sat upon the
+throne, the whole body of the people made joyful acclamations to him, as
+is usual at the beginning of a reign; and wished that all his affairs
+might come to a blessed conclusion; and that he might arrive at a great
+age, and at the most happy state of affairs possible.
+
+2. But Adonijah, who, while his father was living, attempted to gain
+possession of the government, came to the king's mother Bathsheba, and
+saluted her with great civility; and when she asked him, whether he came
+to her as desiring her assistance in any thing or not, and bade him tell
+her if that were the case, for that she would cheerfully afford it him;
+he began to say, that she knew herself that the kingdom was his, both on
+account of his elder age, and of the disposition of the multitude, and
+that yet it was transferred to Solomon her son, according to the will of
+God. He also said that he was contented to be a servant under him, and
+was pleased with the present settlement; but he desired her to be a
+means of obtaining a favor from his brother to him, and to persuade him
+to bestow on him in marriage Abishag, who had indeed slept by his
+father, but, because his father was too old, he did not lie with her,
+and she was still a virgin. So Bathsheba promised him to afford him her
+assistance very earnestly, and to bring this marriage about, because the
+king would be willing to gratify him in such a thing, and because she
+would press it to him very earnestly. Accordingly he went away in hopes
+of succeeding in this match. So Solomon's mother went presently to her
+son, to speak to him about what she had promised, upon Adonijah's
+supplication to her. And when her son came forward to meet her, and
+embraced her, and when he had brought her into the house where his royal
+throne was set, he sat thereon, and bid them set another throne on the
+right hand for his mother. When Bathsheba was set down, she said, "O my
+son, grant me one request that I desire of thee, and do not any thing to
+me that is disagreeable or ungrateful, which thou wilt do if thou
+deniest me." And when Solomon bid her to lay her commands upon him,
+because it was agreeable to his duty to grant her every thing she should
+ask, and complained that she did not at first begin her discourse with a
+firm expectation of obtaining what she desired, but had some suspicion
+of a denial, she entreated him to grant that his brother Adonijah might
+marry Abishag.
+
+3. But the king was greatly offended at these words, and sent away his
+mother, and said that Adonijah aimed at great things; and that he
+wondered that she did not desire him to yield up the kingdom to him, as
+to his elder brother, since she desired that he might marry Abishag; and
+that he had potent friends, Joab the captain of the host, and Abiathar
+the priest. So he called for Benaiah, the captain of the guards, and
+ordered him to slay his brother Adonijah. He also called for Abiathar
+the priest, and said to him, "I will not put thee to death because of
+those other hardships which thou hast endured with my father, and
+because of the ark which thou hast borne along with him; but I inflict
+this following punishment upon thee, because thou wast among Adonijah's
+followers, and wast of his party. Do not thou continue here, nor come
+any more into my sight, but go to thine own town, and live on thy own
+fields, and there abide all thy life; for thou hast offended so greatly,
+that it is not just that thou shouldst retain thy dignity any longer."
+For the forementioned cause, therefore, it was that the house of Ithamar
+was deprived of the sacerdotal dignity, as God had foretold to Eli, the
+grandfather of Abiathar. So it was transferred to the family of Phineas,
+to Zadok. Now those that were of the family of Phineas, but lived
+privately during the time that the high priesthood was transferred to
+the house of Ithamar, [of which family Eli was the first that received
+it,]were these that follow: Bukki, the son of Abishua the high priest;
+his son was Joatham; Joatham's son was Meraioth; Meraioth's son was
+Arophseus; Aropheus's son was Ahitub; and Ahitub's son was Zadok, who
+was first made high priest in the reign of David.
+
+4. Now when Joab the captain of the host heard of the slaughter of
+Adonijah, he was greatly afraid, for he was a greater friend to him than
+to Solomon; and suspecting, not without reason, that he was in danger,
+on account of his favor to Adonijah, he fled to the altar, and supposed
+he might procure safety thereby to himself, because of the king's piety
+towards God. But when some told the king what Joab's supposal was, he
+sent Benaiah, and commanded him to raise him up from the altar, and
+bring him to the judgment-seat, in order to make his defense. However,
+Joab said he would not leave the altar, but would die there rather than
+in another place. And when Benaiah had reported his answer to the king,
+Solomon commanded him to cut off his head there 1 and let him take that
+as a punishment for those two captains of the host whom he had wickedly
+slain, and to bury his body, that his sins might never leave his family,
+but that himself and his father, by Joab's death, might be guiltless.
+And when Benaiah had done what he was commanded to do, he was himself
+appointed to be captain of the whole army. The king also made Zadok to
+be alone the high priest, in the room of Abiathar, whom he had removed.
+
+5. But as to Shimei, Solomon commanded that he should build him a house,
+and stay at Jerusalem, and attend upon him, and should not have
+authority to go over the brook Cedron; and that if he disobeyed that
+command, death should be his punishment. He also threatened him so
+terribly, that he compelled him to take all oath that he would obey.
+Accordingly Shimei said that he had reason to thank Solomon for giving
+him such an injunction; and added an oath, that he would do as he bade
+him; and leaving his own country, he made his abode in Jerusalem. But
+three years afterwards, when he heard that two of his servants were run
+away from him, and were in Gath, he went for his servants in haste; and
+when he was come back with them, the king perceived it, and was much
+displeased that he had contemned his commands, and, what was more, had
+no regard to the oaths he had sworn to God; so he called him, and said
+to him, "Didst not thou swear never to leave me, nor to go out of this
+city to another? Thou shalt not therefore escape punishment for thy
+perjury, but I will punish thee, thou wicked wretch, both for this
+crime, and for those wherewith thou didst abuse my father when he was in
+his flight, that thou mayst know that wicked men gain nothing at last,
+although they be not punished immediately upon their unjust practices;
+but that in all the time wherein they think themselves secure, because
+they have yet suffered nothing, their punishment increases, and is
+heavier upon them, and that to a greater degree than if they had been
+punished immediately upon the commission of their crimes." So Benaiah,
+on the king's command, slew Shimei.
+
+
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER 2. Concerning The Wife Of Solomon; Concerning His Wisdom And
+Riches; And Concerning What He Obtained Of Hiram For The Building Of The
+Temple.
+
+1. Solomon having already settled himself firmly in his kingdom, and
+having brought his enemies to punishment, he married the daughter of
+Pharaoh king of Egypt, and built the walls of Jerusalem much larger and
+stronger than those that had been before, 2 and thenceforward he managed
+public affairs very peaceably. Nor was his youth any hinderance in the
+exercise of justice, or in the observation of the laws, or in the
+remembrance of what charges his father had given him at his death; but
+he discharged every duty with great accuracy, that might have been
+expected from such as are aged, and of the greatest prudence. He now
+resolved to go to Hebron, and sacrifice to God upon the brazen altar
+that was built by Moses. Accordingly he offered there burnt-offerings,
+in number a thousand; and when he had done this, he thought he had paid
+great honor to God; for as he was asleep that very night God appeared to
+him, and commanded him to ask of him some gifts which he was ready to
+give him as a reward for his piety. So Solomon asked of God what was
+most excellent, and of the greatest worth in itself, what God would
+bestow with the greatest joy, and what it was most profitable for man to
+receive; for he did not desire to have bestowed upon him either gold or
+silver, or any other riches, as a man and a youth might naturally have
+done, for these are the things that generally are esteemed by most men,
+as alone of the greatest worth, and the best gifts of God; but, said he,
+"Give me, O Lord, a sound mind, and a good understanding, whereby I may
+speak and judge the people according to truth and righteousness." With
+these petitions God was well pleased; and promised to give him all those
+things that he had not mentioned in his option, riches, glory, victory
+over his enemies; and, in the first place, understanding and wisdom, and
+this in such a degree as no other mortal man, neither kings nor ordinary
+persons, ever had. He also promised to preserve the kingdom to his
+posterity for a very long time, if he continued righteous and obedient
+to him, and imitated his father in those things wherein he excelled.
+When Solomon heard this from God, he presently leaped out of his bed;
+and when he had worshipped him, he returned to Jerusalem; and after he
+had offered great sacrifices before the tabernacle, he feasted all his
+own family.
+
+2. In these days a hard cause came before him in judgment, which it was
+very difficult to find any end of; and I think it necessary to explain
+the fact about which the contest was, that such as light upon my
+writings may know what a difficult cause Solomon was to determine, and
+those that are concerned in such matters may take this sagacity of the
+king for a pattern, that they may the more easily give sentence about
+such questions. There were two women, who were harlots in the course of
+their lives, that came to him; of whom she that seemed to be injured
+began to speak first, and said, "O king, I and this other woman dwell
+together in one room. Now it came to pass that we both bore a son at the
+same hour of the same day; and on the third day this woman overlaid her
+son, and killed it, and then took my son out of my bosom, and removed
+him to herself, and as I was asleep she laid her dead son in my arms.
+Now, when in the morning I was desirous to give the breast to the child,
+I did not find my own, but saw the woman's dead child lying by me; for I
+considered it exactly, and found it so to be. Hence it was that I
+demanded my son, and when I could not obtain him, I have recourse, my
+lord, to thy assistance; for since we were alone, and there was nobody
+there that could convict her, she cares for nothing, but perseveres in
+the stout denial of the fact." When this woman had told this her story,
+the king asked the other woman what she had to say in contradiction to
+that story. But when she denied that she had done what was charged upon
+her, and said that it was her child that was living, and that it was her
+antagonist's child that was dead, and when no one could devise what
+judgment could be given, and the whole court were blind in their
+understanding, and could not tell how to find out this riddle, the king
+alone invented the following way how to discover it. He bade them bring
+in both the dead child and the living child; and sent one of his guards,
+and commanded him to fetch a sword, and draw it, and to cut both the
+children into two pieces, that each of the women might have half the
+living and half the dead child. Hereupon all the people privately
+laughed at the king, as no more than a youth. But, in the mean time, she
+that was the real mother of the living child cried out that he should
+not do so, but deliver that child to the other woman as her own, for she
+would be satisfied with the life of the child, and with the sight of it,
+although it were esteemed the other's child; but the other woman was
+ready to see the child divided, and was desirous, moreover, that the
+first woman should be tormented. When the king understood that both
+their words proceeded from the truth of their passions, he adjudged the
+child to her that cried out to save it, for that she was the real mother
+of it; and he condemned the other as a wicked woman, who had not only
+killed her own child, but was endeavoring to see her friend's child
+destroyed also. Now the multitude looked on this determination as a
+great sign and demonstration of the king's sagacity and wisdom, and
+after that day attended to him as to one that had a divine mind.
+
+3. Now the captains of his armies, and officers appointed over the whole
+country, were these: over the lot of Ephraim was Ures; over the toparchy
+of Bethlehem was Dioclerus; Abinadab, who married Solomon's daughter,
+had the region of Dora and the sea-coast under him; the Great Plain was
+under Benaiah, the son of Achilus; he also governed all the country as
+far as Jordan; Gabaris ruled over Gilead and Gaulanitis, and had under
+him the sixty great and fenced cities [of Og]; Achinadab managed the
+affairs of all Galilee as far as Sidon, and had himself also married a
+daughter of Solomon's, whose name was Basima; Banacates had the seacoast
+about Arce; as had Shaphat Mount Tabor, and Carmel, and [the Lower]
+Galilee, as far as the river Jordan; one man was appointed over all this
+country; Shimei was intrusted with the lot of Benjamin; and Gabares had
+the country beyond Jordan, over whom there was again one governor
+appointed. Now the people of the Hebrews, and particularly the tribe of
+Judah, received a wonderful increase when they betook themselves to
+husbandry, and the cultivation of their grounds; for as they enjoyed
+peace, and were not distracted with wars and troubles, and having,
+besides, an abundant fruition of the most desirable liberty, every one
+was busy in augmenting the product of their own lands, and making them
+worth more than they had formerly been.
+
+4. The king had also other rulers, who were over the land of Syria and
+of the Philistines, which reached from the river Euphrates to Egypt, and
+these collected his tributes of the nations. Now these contributed to
+the king's table, and to his supper every day 3 thirty cori of fine
+flour, and sixty of meal; as also ten fat oxen, and twenty oxen out of
+the pastures, and a hundred fat lambs; all these were besides what were
+taken by hunting harts and buffaloes, and birds and fishes, which were
+brought to the king by foreigners day by day. Solomon had also so great
+a number of chariots, that the stalls of his horses for those chariots
+were forty thousand; and besides these he had twelve thousand horsemen,
+the one half of which waited upon the king in Jerusalem, and the rest
+were dispersed abroad, and dwelt in the royal villages; but the same
+officer who provided for the king's expenses supplied also the fodder
+for the horses, and still carried it to the place where the king abode
+at that time.
+
+5. Now the sagacity and wisdom which God had bestowed on Solomon was so
+great, that he exceeded the ancients; insomuch that he was no way
+inferior to the Egyptians, who are said to have been beyond all men in
+understanding; nay, indeed, it is evident that their sagacity was very
+much inferior to that of the king's. He also excelled and distinguished
+himself in wisdom above those who were most eminent among the Hebrews at
+that time for shrewdness; those I mean were Ethan, and Heman, and
+Chalcol, and Darda, the sons of Mahol. He also composed books of odes
+and songs a thousand and five, of parables and similitudes three
+thousand; for he spake a parable upon every sort of tree, from the
+hyssop to the cedar; and in like manner also about beasts, about all
+sorts of living creatures, whether upon the earth, or in the seas, or in
+the air; for he was not unacquainted with any of their natures, nor
+omitted inquiries about them, but described them all like a philosopher,
+and demonstrated his exquisite knowledge of their several properties.
+God also enabled him to learn that skill which expels demons, 4 which is
+a science useful and sanative to men. He composed such incantations also
+by which distempers are alleviated. And he left behind him the manner of
+using exorcisms, by which they drive away demons, so that they never
+return; and this method of cure is of great force unto this day; for I
+have seen a certain man of my own country, whose name was Eleazar,
+releasing people that were demoniacal in the presence of Vespasian, and
+his sons, and his captains, and the whole multitude of his soldiers. The
+manner of the cure was this: He put a ring that had a Foot of one of
+those sorts mentioned by Solomon to the nostrils of the demoniac, after
+which he drew out the demon through his nostrils; and when the man fell
+down immediately, he abjured him to return into him no more, making
+still mention of Solomon, and reciting the incantations which he
+composed. And when Eleazar would persuade and demonstrate to the
+spectators that he had such a power, he set a little way off a cup or
+basin full of water, and commanded the demon, as he went out of the man,
+to overturn it, and thereby to let the spectators know that he had left
+the man; and when this was done, the skill and wisdom of Solomon was
+shown very manifestly: for which reason it is, that all men may know the
+vastness of Solomon's abilities, and how he was beloved of God, and that
+the extraordinary virtues of every kind with which this king was endowed
+may not be unknown to any people under the sun for this reason, I say,
+it is that we have proceeded to speak so largely of these matters.
+
+6. Moreover Hiram, king of Tyre, when he had heard that Solomon
+succeeded to his father's kingdom, was very glad of it, for he was a
+friend of David's. So he sent ambassadors to him, and saluted him, and
+congratulated him on the present happy state of his affairs. Upon which
+Solomon sent him an epistle, the contents of which here follow:
+
+Solomon To King Hiram.
+
+"5 Know thou that my father would have built a temple to God, but was
+hindered by wars, and continual expeditions; for he did not leave off to
+overthrow his enemies till he made them all subject to tribute. But I
+give thanks to God for the peace I at present enjoy, and on that account
+I am at leisure, and design to build a house to God, for God foretold to
+my father that such a house should be built by me; wherefore I desire
+thee to send some of thy subjects with mine to Mount Lebanon to cut down
+timber, for the Sidonians are more skillful than our people in cutting
+of wood. As for wages to the hewers of wood, I will pay whatsoever price
+thou shalt determine."
+
+7. When Hiram had read this epistle, he was pleased with it; and wrote
+back this answer to Solomon.
+
+Hiram To King Solomon.
+
+"It is fit to bless God that he hath committed thy father's government
+to thee, who art a wise man, and endowed with all virtues. As for
+myself, I rejoice at the condition thou art in, and will be subservient
+to thee in all that thou sendest to me about; for when by my subjects I
+have cut down many and large trees of cedar and cypress wood, I will
+send them to sea, and will order my subjects to make floats of them, and
+to sail to what place soever of thy country thou shalt desire, and leave
+them there, after which thy subjects may carry them to Jerusalem. But do
+thou take care to procure us corn for this timber, which we stand in
+need of, because we inhabit in an island."
+
+8. The copies of these epistles remain at this day, and are preserved
+not only in our books, but among the Tyrians also; insomuch that if any
+one would know the certainty about them, he may desire of the keepers of
+the public records of Tyre to show him them, and he will find what is
+there set down to agree with what we have said. I have said so much out
+of a desire that my readers may know that we speak nothing but the
+truth, and do not compose a history out of some plausible relations,
+which deceive men and please them at the same time, nor attempt to avoid
+examination, nor desire men to believe us immediately; nor are we at
+liberty to depart from speaking truth, which is the proper commendation
+of an historian, and yet be blameless: but we insist upon no admission
+of what we say, unless we be able to manifest its truth by
+demonstration, and the strongest vouchers.
+
+9. Now king Solomon, as soon as this epistle of the king of Tyre was
+brought him, commended the readiness and good-will he declared therein,
+and repaid him in what he desired, and sent him yearly twenty thousand
+cori of wheat, and as many baths of oil: now the bath is able to contain
+seventy-two sextaries. He also sent him the same measure of wine. So the
+friendship between Hiram and Solomon hereby increased more and more; and
+they swore to continue it for ever. And the king appointed a tribute to
+be laid on all the people, of thirty thousand laborers, whose work he
+rendered easy to them by prudently dividing it among them; for he made
+ten thousand cut timber in Mount Lebanon for one month; and then to come
+home, and rest two months, until the time when the other twenty thousand
+had finished their task at the appointed time; and so afterward it came
+to pass that the first ten thousand returned to their work every fourth
+month: and it was Adoram who was over this tribute. There were also of
+the strangers who were left by David, who were to carry the stones and
+other materials, seventy thousand; and of those that cut the stones,
+eighty thousand. Of these three thousand and three hundred were rulers
+over the rest. He also enjoined them to cut out large stones for the
+foundations of the temple, and that they should fit them and unite them
+together in the mountain, and so bring them to the city. This was done
+not only by our own country workmen, but by those workmen whom Hiram
+sent also. 6
+
+
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER 3. Of The Building Of This Temple
+
+1. Solomon began to build the temple in the fourth year of his reign, on
+the second month, which the Macedonians call Artemisius, and the Hebrews
+Jur, five hundred and ninety-two years after the Exodus out of Egypt;
+but one thousand and twenty years from Abraham's coming out of
+Mesopotamia into Canaan, and after the deluge one thousand four hundred
+and forty years; and from Adam, the first man who was created, until
+Solomon built the temple, there had passed in all three thousand one
+hundred and two years. Now that year on which the temple began to be
+built was already the eleventh year of the reign of Hiram; but from the
+building of Tyre to the building of the temple, there had passed two
+hundred and forty years.
+
+2. Now, therefore, the king laid the foundations of the temple very deep
+in the ground, and the materials were strong stones, and such as would
+resist the force of time; these were to unite themselves with the earth,
+and become a basis and a sure foundation for that superstructure which
+was to be erected over it; they were to be so strong, in order to
+sustain with ease those vast superstructures and precious ornaments,
+whose own weight was to be not less than the weight of those other high
+and heavy buildings which the king designed to be very ornamental and
+magnificent. They erected its entire body, quite up to the roof, of
+white stone; its height was sixty cubits, and its length was the same,
+and its breadth twenty. There was another building erected over it,
+equal to it in its measures; so that the entire altitude of the temple
+was a hundred and twenty cubits. Its front was to the east. As to the
+porch, they built it before the temple; its length was twenty cubits,
+and it was so ordered that it might agree with the breadth of the house;
+and it had twelve cubits in latitude, and its height was raised as high
+as a hundred and twenty cubits. He also built round about the temple
+thirty small rooms, which might include the whole temple, by their
+closeness one to another, and by their number and outward position round
+it. He also made passages through them, that they might come into on
+through another. Every one of these rooms had five cubits in breadth, 7
+and the same in length, but in height twenty. Above these there were
+other rooms, and others above them, equal, both in their measures and
+number; so that these reached to a height equal to the lower part of the
+house; for the upper part had no buildings about it. The roof that was
+over the house was of cedar; and truly every one of these rooms had a
+roof of their own, that was not connected with the other rooms; but for
+the other parts, there was a covered roof common to them all, and built
+with very long beams, that passed through the rest, and through the
+whole building, that so the middle walls, being strengthened by the same
+beams of timber, might be thereby made firmer: but as for that part of
+the roof that was under the beams, it was made of the same materials,
+and was all made smooth, and had ornaments proper for roofs, and plates
+of gold nailed upon them. And as he enclosed the walls with boards of
+cedar, so he fixed on them plates of gold, which had sculptures upon
+them; so that the whole temple shined, and dazzled the eyes of such as
+entered, by the splendor of the gold that was on every side of them, Now
+the whole structure of the temple was made with great skill of polished
+stones, and those laid together so very harmoniously and smoothly, that
+there appeared to the spectators no sign of any hammer, or other
+instrument of architecture; but as if, without any use of them, the
+entire materials had naturally united themselves together, that the
+agreement of one part with another seemed rather to have been natural,
+than to have arisen from the force of tools upon them. The king also had
+a fine contrivance for an ascent to the upper room over the temple, and
+that was by steps in the thickness of its wall; for it had no large door
+on the east end, as the lower house had, but the entrances were by the
+sides, through very small doors. He also overlaid the temple, both
+within and without, with boards of cedar, that were kept close together
+by thick chains, so that this contrivance was in the nature of a support
+and a strength to the building.
+
+3. Now when the king had divided the temple into two parts, he made the
+inner house of twenty cubits [every way], to be the most secret chamber,
+but he appointed that of forty cubits to be the sanctuary; and when he
+had cut a door-place out of the wall, he put therein doors of Cedar, and
+overlaid them with a great deal of gold, that had sculptures upon it. He
+also had veils of blue, and purple, and scarlet, and the brightest and
+softest linen, with the most curious flowers wrought upon them, which
+were to be drawn before those doors. He also dedicated for the most
+secret place, whose breadth was twenty cubits, and length the same, two
+cherubims of solid gold; the height of each of them was five cubits 8
+they had each of them two wings stretched out as far as five cubits;
+wherefore Solomon set them up not far from each other, that with one
+wing they might touch the southern wall of the secret place, and with
+another the northern: their other wings, which joined to each other,
+were a covering to the ark, which was set between them; but nobody can
+tell, or even conjecture, what was the shape of these cherubims. He also
+laid the floor of the temple with plates of gold; and he added doors to
+the gate of the temple, agreeable to the measure of the height of the
+wall, but in breadth twenty cubits, and on them he glued gold plates.
+And, to say all in one word, he left no part of the temple, neither
+internal nor external, but what was covered with gold. He also had
+curtains drawn over these doors in like manner as they were drawn over
+the inner doors of the most holy place; but the porch of the temple had
+nothing of that sort.
+
+4. Now Solomon sent for an artificer out of Tyre, whose name was Hiram;
+he was by birth of the tribe of Naphtali, on the mother's side, [for she
+was of that tribe,] but his father was Ur, of the stock of the
+Israelites. This man was skillful in all sorts of work; but his chief
+skill lay in working in gold, and silver, and brass; by whom were made
+all the mechanical works about the temple, according to the will of
+Solomon. Moreover, this Hiram made two [hollow] pillars, whose outsides
+were of brass, and the thickness of the brass was four fingers' breadth,
+and the height of the pillars was eighteen cubits and their
+circumference twelve cubits; but there was cast with each of their
+chapiters lily-work that stood upon the pillar, and it was elevated five
+cubits, round about which there was net-work interwoven with small
+palms, made of brass, and covered the lily-work. To this also were hung
+two hundred pomegranates, in two rows. The one of these pillars he set
+at the entrance of the porch on the right hand, and called it Jachin 9
+and the other at the left hand, and called it Booz.
+
+5. Solomon also cast a brazen sea, whose figure was that of a
+hemisphere. This brazen vessel was called a sea for its largeness, for
+the laver was ten feet in diameter, and cast of the thickness of a palm.
+Its middle part rested on a short pillar that had ten spirals round it,
+and that pillar was ten cubits in diameter. There stood round about it
+twelve oxen, that looked to the four winds of heaven, three to each
+wind, having their hinder parts depressed, that so the hemispherical
+vessel might rest upon them, which itself was also depressed round about
+inwardly. Now this sea contained three thousand baths.
+
+6. He also made ten brazen bases for so many quadrangular lavers; the
+length of every one of these bases was five cubits, and the breadth four
+cubits, and the height six cubits. This vessel was partly turned, and
+was thus contrived: There were four small quadrangular pillars that
+stood one at each corner; these had the sides of the base fitted to them
+on each quarter; they were parted into three parts; every interval had a
+border fitted to support [the laver]; upon which was engraven, in one
+place a lion, and in another place a bull, and an eagle. The small
+pillars had the same animals engraven that were engraven on the sides.
+The whole work was elevated, and stood upon four wheels, which were also
+cast, which had also naves and felloes, and were a foot and a half in
+diameter. Any one who saw the spokes of the wheels, how exactly they
+were turned, and united to the sides of the bases, and with what harmony
+they agreed to the felloes, would wonder at them. However, their
+structure was this: Certain shoulders of hands stretched out held the
+corners above, upon which rested a short spiral pillar, that lay under
+the hollow part of the laver, resting upon the fore part of the eagle
+and the lion, which were adapted to them, insomuch that those who viewed
+them would think they were of one piece: between these were engravings
+of palm trees. This was the construction of the ten bases. He also made
+ten large round brass vessels, which were the lavers themselves, each of
+which contained forty baths; 10 for it had its height four cubits, and
+its edges were as much distant from each other. He also placed these
+lavers upon the ten bases that were called Mechonoth; and he set five of
+the lavers on the left side of the temple 11 which was that side towards
+the north wind, and as many on the right side, towards the south, but
+looking towards the east; the same [eastern] way he also set the sea.
+Now he appointed the sea to be for washing the hands and the feet of the
+priests, when they entered into the temple and were to ascend the altar,
+but the lavers to cleanse the entrails of the beasts that were to be
+burnt-offerings, with their feet also.
+
+7. He also made a brazen altar, whose length was twenty cubits, and its
+breadth the same, and its height ten, for the burnt-offerings. He also
+made all its vessels of brass, the pots, and the shovels, and the
+basons; and besides these, the snuffers and the tongs, and all its other
+vessels, he made of brass, and such brass as was in splendor and beauty
+like gold. The king also dedicated a great number of tables, but one
+that was large and made of gold, upon which they set the loaves of God;
+and he made ten thousand more that resembled them, but were done after
+another manner, upon which lay the vials and the cups; those of gold
+were twenty thousand, those of silver were forty thousand. He also made
+ten thousand candlesticks, according to the command of Moses, one of
+which he dedicated for the temple, that it might burn in the day time,
+according to the law; and one table with loaves upon it, on the north
+side of the temple, over against the candlestick; for this he set on the
+south side, but the golden altar stood between them. All these vessels
+were contained in that part of the holy house, which was forty cubits
+long, and were before the veil of that most secret place wherein the ark
+was to be set.
+
+8. The king also made pouring vessels, in number eighty thousand, and a
+hundred thousand golden vials, and twice as many silver vials: of golden
+dishes, in order therein to offer kneaded fine flour at the altar, there
+were eighty thousand, and twice as many of silver. Of large basons also,
+wherein they mixed fine flour with oil, sixty thousand of gold, and
+twice as many of silver. Of the measures like those which Moses called
+the Hin and the Assaron, [a tenth deal,] there were twenty thousand of
+gold, and twice as many of silver. The golden censers, in which they
+carried the incense to the altar, were twenty thousand; the other
+censers, in which they carried fire from the great altar to the little
+altar, within the temple, were fifty thousand. The sacerdotal garments
+which belonged to the high priest, with the long robes, and the oracle,
+and the precious stones, were a thousand. But the crown upon which Moses
+wrote [the name of God] was only one, and hath remained to this very
+day. He also made ten thousand sacerdotal garments of fine linen, with
+purple girdles for every priest; and two hundred thousand trumpets,
+according to the command of Moses; also two hundred thousand garments of
+fine linen for the singers, that were Levites. And he made musical
+instruments, and such as were invented for singing of hymns, called
+Nablee and Cindree, [psalteries and harps,] which were made of electrum,
+[the finest brass,] forty thousand.
+
+9. Solomon made all these things for the honor of God, with great
+variety and magnificence, sparing no cost, but using all possible
+liberality in adorning the temple; and these things he dedicated to the
+treasures of God. He also placed a partition round about the temple,
+which in our tongue we call Gison, but it is called Thrigcos by the
+Greeks, and he raised it up to the height of three cubits; and it was
+for the exclusion of the multitude from coming into the temple, and
+showing that it was a place that was free and open only for the priests.
+He also built beyond this court a temple, whose figure was that of a
+quadrangle, and erected for it great and broad cloisters; this was
+entered into by very high gates, each of which had its front exposed to
+one of the [four] winds, and were shut by golden doors. Into this temple
+all the people entered that were distinguished from the rest by being
+pure and observant of the laws. But he made that temple which was beyond
+this a wonderful one indeed, and such as exceeds all description in
+words; nay, if I may so say, is hardly believed upon sight; for when he
+had filled up great valleys with earth, which, on account of their
+immense depth, could not be looked on, when you bended down to see them,
+without pain, and had elevated the ground four hundred cubits, he made
+it to be on a level with the top of the mountain, on which the temple
+was built, and by this means the outmost temple, which was exposed to
+the air, was even with the temple itself. He encompassed this also with
+a building of a double row of cloisters, which stood on high upon
+pillars of native stone, while the roofs were of cedar, and were
+polished in a manner proper for such high roofs; but he made all the
+doors of this temple of silver. 12
+
+
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER 4. How Solomon Removed The Ark Into The Temple How He Made
+Supplication To God, And Offered Public Sacrifices To Him.
+
+1. When king Solomon had finished these works, these large and beautiful
+buildings, and had laid up his donations in the temple, and all this in
+the interval of seven years, and had given a demonstration of his riches
+and alacrity therein, insomuch that any one who saw it would have
+thought it must have been an immense time ere it could have been
+finished; and would be surprised that so much should be finished in so
+short a time; short, I mean, if compared with the greatness of the work:
+he also wrote to the rulers and elders of the Hebrews, and ordered all
+the people to gather themselves together to Jerusalem, both to see the
+temple which he had built, and to remove the ark of God into it; and
+when this invitation of the whole body of the people to come to
+Jerusalem was every where carried abroad, it was the seventh month
+before they came together; which month is by our countrymen called
+Thisri, but by the Macedonians Hyperberetoets. The feast of tabernacles
+happened to fall at the same time, which was celebrated by the Hebrews
+as a most holy and most eminent feast. So they carried the ark and the
+tabernacle which Moses had pitched, and all the vessels that were for
+ministration, to the sacrifices of God, and removed them to the temple.
+13 The king himself, and all the people and the Levites, went before,
+rendering the ground moist with sacrifices, and drink-offerings, and the
+blood of a great number of oblations, and burning an immense quantity of
+incense, and this till the very air itself every where round about was
+so full of these odors, that it met, in a most agreeable manner, persons
+at a great distance, and was an indication of God's presence; and, as
+men's opinion was, of his habitation with them in this newly built and
+consecrated place, for they did not grow weary, either of singing hymns
+or of dancing, until they came to the temple; and in this manner did
+they carry the ark. But when they should transfer it into the most
+secret place, the rest of the multitude went away, and only those
+priests that carried it set it between the two cherubims, which
+embracing it with their wings, [for so were they framed by the
+artificer,] they covered it, as under a tent, or a cupola. Now the ark
+contained nothing else but those two tables of stone that preserved the
+ten commandments, which God spake to Moses in Mount Sinai, and which
+were engraved upon them; but they set the candlestick, and the table,
+and the golden altar in the temple, before the most secret place, in the
+very same places wherein they stood till that time in the tabernacle. So
+they offered up the daily sacrifices; but for the brazen altar, Solomon
+set it before the temple, over against the door, that when the door was
+opened, it might be exposed to sight, and the sacred solemnities, and
+the richness of the sacrifices, might be thence seen; and all the rest
+of the vessels they gathered together, and put them within the temple.
+
+2. Now as soon as the priests had put all things in order about the ark,
+and were gone out, there came down a thick cloud, and stood there, and
+spread itself, after a gentle manner, into the temple; such a cloud it
+was as was diffused and temperate, not such a rough one as we see full
+of rain in the winter season. This cloud so darkened the place, that one
+priest could not discern another, but it afforded to the minds of all a
+visible image and glorious appearance of God's having descended into
+this temple, and of his having gladly pitched his tabernacle therein. So
+these men were intent upon this thought. But Solomon rose up, [for he
+was sitting before,] and used such words to God as he thought agreeable
+to the Divine nature to receive, and fit for him to give; for he said,
+"Thou hast an eternal house, O Lord, and such a one as thou hast created
+for thyself out of thine own works; we know it to be the heaven, and the
+air, and the earth, and the sea, which thou pervadest, nor art thou
+contained within their limits. I have indeed built this temple to thee,
+and thy name, that from thence, when we sacrifice, and perform sacred
+operations, we may send our prayers up into the air, and may constantly
+believe that thou art present, and art not remote from what is thine
+own; for neither when thou seest all things, and hearest all things, nor
+now, when it pleases thee to dwell here, dost thou leave the care of all
+men, but rather thou art very near to them all, but especially thou art
+present to those that address themselves to thee, whether by night or by
+day." When he had thus solemnly addressed himself to God, he converted
+his discourse to the multitude, and strongly represented the power and
+providence of God to them;—how he had shown all things that were come to
+pass to David his father, as many of those things had already come to
+pass, and the rest would certainly come to pass hereafter; and how he
+had given him his name, and told to David what he should be called
+before he was born; and foretold, that when he should be king after his
+father's death, he should build him a temple, which since they saw
+accomplished, according to his prediction, he required them to bless
+God, and by believing him, from the sight of what they had seen
+accomplished, never to despair of any thing that he had promised for the
+future, in order to their happiness, or suspect that it would not come
+to pass.
+
+3. When the king had thus discoursed to the multitude, he looked again
+towards the temple, and lifting up his right hand to the multitude, he
+said, "It is not possible by what men can do to return sufficient thanks
+to God for his benefits bestowed upon them, for the Deity stands in need
+of nothing, and is above any such requital; but so far as we have been
+made superior, O Lord, to other animals by thee, it becomes us to bless
+thy Majesty, and it is necessary for us to return thee thanks for what
+thou hast bestowed upon our house, and on the Hebrew people; for with
+what other instrument can we better appease thee when thou art angry at
+us, or more properly preserve thy favor, than with our voice? which, as
+we have it from the air, so do we know that by that air it ascends
+upwards [towards thee]. I therefore ought myself to return thee thanks
+thereby, in the first place, concerning my father, whom thou hast raised
+from obscurity unto so great joy; and, in the next place, concerning
+myself, since thou hast performed all that thou hast promised unto this
+very day. And I beseech thee for the time to come to afford us
+whatsoever thou, O God, hast power to bestow on such as thou dost
+esteem; and to augment our house for all ages, as thou hast promised to
+David my father to do, both in his lifetime and at his death, that our
+kingdom shall continue, and that his posterity should successively
+receive it to ten thousand generations. Do not thou therefore fail to
+give us these blessings, and to bestow on my children that virtue in
+which thou delightest. And besides all this, I humbly beseech thee that
+thou wilt let some portion of thy Spirit come down and inhabit in this
+temple, that thou mayst appear to be with us upon earth. As to thyself,
+the entire heavens, and the immensity of the things that are therein,
+are but a small habitation for thee, much more is this poor temple so;
+but I entreat thee to keep it as thine own house, from being destroyed
+by our enemies for ever, and to take care of it as thine own possession:
+but if this people be found to have sinned, and be thereupon afflicted
+by thee with any plague, because of their sin, as with dearth or
+pestilence, or any other affliction which thou usest to inflict on those
+that transgress any of thy holy laws, and if they fly all of them to
+this temple, beseeching thee, and begging of time to deliver them, then
+do thou hear their prayers, as being within thine house, and have mercy
+upon them, and deliver them from their afflictions. Nay, moreover, this
+help is what I implore of thee, not for the Hebrews only, when they are
+in distress, but when any shall come hither from any ends of the world
+whatsoever, and shall return from their sins and implore thy pardon, do
+thou then pardon them, and hear their prayer. For hereby all shall learn
+that thou thyself wast pleased with the building of this house for thee;
+and that we are not ourselves of an unsociable nature, nor behave
+ourselves like enemies to such as are not of our own people; but are
+willing that thy assistance should be communicated by thee to all men in
+common, and that they may have the enjoyment of thy benefits bestowed
+upon them."
+
+4. When Solomon had said this, and had cast himself upon the ground, and
+worshipped a long time, he rose up, and brought sacrifices to the altar;
+and when he had filled it with unblemished victims, he most evidently
+discovered that God had with pleasure accepted of all that he had
+sacrificed to him, for there came a fire running out of the air, and
+rushed with violence upon the altar, in the sight of all, and caught
+hold of and consumed the sacrifices. Now when this Divine appearance was
+seen, the people supposed it to be a demonstration of God's abode in the
+temple, and were pleased with it, and fell down upon the ground and
+worshipped. Upon which the king began to bless God, and exhorted the
+multitude to do the same, as now having sufficient indications of God's
+favorable disposition to them; and to pray that they might always have
+the like indications from him, and that he would preserve in them a mind
+pure from all wickedness, in righteousness and religious worship, and
+that they might continue in the observation of those precepts which God
+had given them by Moses, because by that means the Hebrew nation would
+be happy, and indeed the most blessed of all nations among all mankind.
+He exhorted them also to be mindful, that by what methods they had
+attained their present good things, by the same they must preserve them
+sure to themselves, and make them greater and more than they were at
+present; for that it was not sufficient for them to suppose they had
+received them on account of their piety and righteousness, but that they
+had no other way of preserving them for the time to come; for that it is
+not so great a thing for men to acquire somewhat which they want, as to
+preserve what they have acquired, and to be guilty of no sin whereby it
+may be hurt.
+
+5. So when the king had spoken thus to the multitude, he dissolved the
+congregation, but not till he had completed his oblations, both for
+himself and for the Hebrews, insomuch that he sacrificed twenty and two
+thousand oxen, and a hundred and twenty thousand sheep; for then it was
+that the temple did first of all taste of the victims, and all the
+Hebrews, with their wives and children, feasted therein: nay, besides
+this, the king then observed splendidly and magnificently the feast
+which is called the Feast of Tabernacles, before the temple, for twice
+seven days; and he then feasted together with all the people.
+
+6. When all these solemnities were abundantly satisfied, and nothing was
+omitted that concerned the Divine worship, the king dismissed them; and
+they every one went to their own homes, giving thanks to the king for
+the care he had taken of them, and the works he had done for them; and
+praying to God to preserve Solomon to be their king for a long time.
+They also took their journey home with rejoicing, and making merry, and
+singing hymns to God. And indeed the pleasure they enjoyed took away the
+sense of the pains they all underwent in their journey home. So when
+they had brought the ark into the temple, and had seen its greatness,
+and how fine it was, and had been partakers of the many sacrifices that
+had been offered, and of the festivals that had been solemnized, they
+every one returned to their own cities. But a dream that appeared to the
+king in his sleep informed him that God had heard his prayers; and that
+he would not only preserve the temple, but would always abide in it;
+that is, in case his posterity and the whole multitude would be
+righteous. And for himself, it said, that if he continued according to
+the admonitions of his father, he would advance him to an immense degree
+of dignity and happiness, and that then his posterity should be kings of
+that country, of the tribe of Judah, for ever; but that still, if he
+should be found a betrayer of the ordinances of the law, and forget
+them, and turn away to the worship of strange gods, he would cut him off
+by the roots, and would neither suffer any remainder of his family to
+continue, nor would overlook the people of Israel, or preserve them any
+longer from afflictions, but would utterly destroy them with ten
+thousand wars and misfortunes; would cast them out of the land which he
+had given their fathers, and make them sojourners in strange lands; and
+deliver that temple which was now built to be burnt and spoiled by their
+enemies, and that city to be utterly overthrown by the hands of their
+enemies; and make their miseries deserve to be a proverb, and such as
+should very hardly be credited for their stupendous magnitude, till
+their neighbors, when they should hear of them, should wonder at their
+calamities, and very earnestly inquire for the occasion, why the
+Hebrews, who had been so far advanced by God to such glory and wealth,
+should be then so hated by him? and that the answer that should be made
+by the remainder of the people should be, by confessing their sins, and
+their transgression of the laws of their country. Accordingly we have it
+transmitted to us in writing, that thus did God speak to Solomon in his
+sleep.
+
+
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER 5. How Solomon Built Himself A Royal Palace, Very Costly And
+Splendid; And How He Solved The Riddles Which Were Sent Him By Hiram.
+
+1. After the building of the temple, which, as we have before said, was
+finished in seven years, the king laid the foundation of his palace,
+which he did not finish under thirteen years, for he was not equally
+zealous in the building of this palace as he had been about the temple;
+for as to that, though it was a great work, and required wonderful and
+surprising application, yet God, for whom it was made, so far co-
+operated therewith, that it was finished in the forementioned number of
+years: but the palace, which was a building much inferior in dignity to
+the temple, both on account that its materials had not been so long
+beforehand gotten ready, nor had been so zealously prepared, and on
+account that this was only a habitation for kings, and not for God, it
+was longer in finishing. However, this building was raised so
+magnificently, as suited the happy state of the Hebrews, and of the king
+thereof. But it is necessary that I describe the entire structure and
+disposition of the parts, that so those that light upon this book may
+thereby make a conjecture, and, as it were, have a prospect of its
+magnitude.
+
+2. This house was a large and curious building, and was supported by
+many pillars, which Solomon built to contain a multitnde for hearing
+causes, and taking cognizance of suits. It was sufficiently capacious to
+contain a great body of men, who would come together to have their
+causes determined. It was a hundred cubits long, and fifty broad, and
+thirty high, supported by quadrangular pillars, which were all of cedar;
+but its roof was according to the Corinthian order, 14 with folding
+doors, and their adjoining pillars of equal magnitude, each fluted with
+three cavities; which building as at once firm, and very ornamental.
+There was also another house so ordered, that its entire breadth was
+placed in the middle; it was quadrangular, and its breadth was thirty
+cubits, having a temple over against it, raised upon massy pillars; in
+which temple there was a large and very glorious room, wherein the king
+sat in judgment. To this was joined another house that was built for his
+queen. There were other smaller edifices for diet, and for sleep, after
+public matters were over; and these were all floored with boards of
+cedar. Some of these Solomon built with stones of ten cubits, and
+wainscoted the walls with other stones that were sawed, and were of
+great value, such as are dug out of the earth for the ornaments of
+temples, and to make fine prospects in royal palaces, and which make the
+mines whence they are dug famous. Now the contexture of the curious
+workmanship of these stones was in three rows, but the fourth row would
+make one admire its sculptures, whereby were represented trees, and all
+sorts of plants; with the shades that arose from their branches, and
+leaves that hung down from them. Those trees and plants covered the
+stone that was beneath them, and their leaves were wrought so prodigious
+thin and subtile, that you would think they were in motion; but the
+other part up to the roof, was plastered over, and, as it were,
+embroidered with colors and pictures. He, moreover, built other edifices
+for pleasure; as also very long cloisters, and those situate in an
+agreeable place of the palace; and among them a most glorious dining
+room, for feastings and compotations, and full of gold, and such other
+furniture as so fine a room ought to have for the conveniency of the
+guests, and where all the vessels were made of gold. Now it is very hard
+to reckon up the magnitude and the variety of the royal apartments; how
+many rooms there were of the largest sort, how many of a bigness
+inferior to those, and how many that were subterraneous and invisible;
+the curiosity of those that enjoyed the fresh air; and the groves for
+the most delightful prospect, for the avoiding the heat, and covering of
+their bodies. And, to say all in brief, Solomon made the whole building
+entirely of white stone, and cedar wood, and gold, and silver. He also
+adorned the roofs and walls with stones set in gold, and beautified them
+thereby in the same manner as he had beautified the temple of God with
+the like stones. He also made himself a throne of prodigious bigness, of
+ivory, constructed as a seat of justice, and having six steps to it; on
+every one of which stood, on each end of the step two lions, two other
+lions standing above also; but at the sitting place of the throne hands
+came out and received the king; and when he sat backward, he rested on
+half a bullock, that looked towards his back; but still all was fastened
+together with gold.
+
+3. When Solomon had completed all this in twenty years' time, because
+Hiram king of Tyre had contributed a great deal of gold, and more silver
+to these buildings, as also cedar wood and pine wood, he also rewarded
+Hiram with rich presents; corn he sent him also year by year, and wine
+and oil, which were the principal things that he stood in need of,
+because he inhabited an island, as we have already said. And besides
+these, he granted him certain cities of Galilee, twenty in number, that
+lay not far from Tyre; which, when Hiram went to, and viewed, and did
+not like the gift, he sent word to Solomon that he did not want such
+cities as they were; and after that time these cities were called the
+land of Cabul; which name, if it be interpreted according to the
+language of the Phoenicians, denotes what does not please. Moreover, the
+king of Tyre sent sophisms and enigmatical sayings to Solomon, and
+desired he would solve them, and free them from the ambiguity that was
+in them. Now so sagacious and understanding was Solomon, that none of
+these problems were too hard for him; but he conquered them all by his
+reasonings, and discovered their hidden meaning, and brought it to
+light. Menander also, one who translated the Tyrian archives out of the
+dialect of the Phoenicians into the Greek language, makes mention of
+these two kings, where he says thus: "When Abibalus was dead, his son
+Hiram received the kingdom from him, who, when he had lived fifty-three
+years, reigned thirty-four. He raised a bank in the large place, and
+dedicated the golden pillar which is in Jupiter's temple. He also went
+and cut down materials of timber out of the mountain called Libanus, for
+the roof of temples; and when he had pulled down the ancient temples, he
+both built the temple of Hercules and that of Astarte; and he first set
+up the temple of Hercules in the month Peritius; he also made an
+expedition against the Euchii, or Titii, who did not pay their tribute,
+and when he had subdued them to himself he returned. Under this king
+there was Abdemon, a very youth in age, who always conquered the
+difficult problems which Solomon, king of Jerusalem, commanded him to
+explain. Dius also makes mention of him, where he says thus: 'When
+Abibalus was dead, his son Hiram reigned. He raised the eastern parts of
+the city higher, and made the city itself larger. He also joined the
+temple of Jupiter, which before stood by itself, to the city, by raising
+a bank in the middle between them; and he adorned it with donations of
+gold. Moreover, he went up to Mount Libanus, and cut down materials of
+wood for the building of the temples.' He says also, that Solomon, who
+was then king of Jerusalem, sent riddles to Hiram, and desired to
+receive the like from him, but that he who could not solve them should
+pay money to them that did solve them, and that Hiram accepted the
+conditions; and when he was not able to solve the riddles proposed by
+Solomon, he paid a great deal of money for his fine; but that he
+afterward did solve the proposed riddles by means of Abdemon, a man of
+Tyre; and that Hiram proposed other riddles, which, when Solomon could
+not solve, he paid back a great deal of money to Hiram." This it is
+which Dius wrote.
+
+
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER 6. How Solomon Fortified The City Of Jerusalem, And Built Great
+Cities; And How He Brought Some Of The Canaanites Into Subjection, And
+Entertained The Queen Of Egypt And Of Ethiopia.
+
+1. Now when the king saw that the walls of Jerusalem stood in need of
+being better secured, and made stronger, [for he thought the wails that
+encompassed Jerusalem ought to correspond to the dignity of the city,]
+he both repaired them, and made them higher, with great towers upon
+them; he also built cities which might be counted among the strongest,
+Hazor and Megiddo, and the third Gezer, which had indeed belonged to the
+Philistines; but Pharaoh, the king of Egypt, had made an expedition
+against it, and besieged it, and taken it by force; and when he had
+slain all its inhabitants, he utterly overthrew it, and gave it as a
+present to his daughter, who had been married to Solomon; for which
+reason the king rebuilt it, as a city that was naturally strong, and
+might be useful in wars, and the mutations of affairs that sometimes
+happen. Moreover, he built two other cities not far from it, Beth-horon
+was the name of one of them, and Baalath of the other. He also built
+other cities that lay conveniently for these, in order to the enjoyment
+of pleasures and delicacies in them, such as were naturally of a good
+temperature of the air, and agreeable for fruits ripe in their proper
+seasons, and well watered with springs. Nay, Solomon went as far as the
+desert above Syria, and possessed himself of it, and built there a very
+great city, which was distant two days' journey from Upper Syria, and
+one day's journey from Euphrates, and six long days' journey from
+Babylon the Great. Now the reason why this city lay so remote from the
+parts of Syria that are inhabited is this, that below there is no water
+to be had, and that it is in that place only that there are springs and
+pits of water. When he had therefore built this city, and encompassed it
+with very strong walls, he gave it the name of Tadmor, and that is the
+name it is still called by at this day among the Syrians, but the Greeks
+name it Palmyra.
+
+2. Now Solomon the king was at this time engaged in building these
+cities. But if any inquire why all the kings of Egypt from Menes, who
+built Memphis, and was many years earlier than our forefather Abraham,
+until Solomon, where the interval was more than one thousand three
+hundred years, were called Pharaohs, and took it from one Pharaoh that
+lived after the kings of that interval, I think it necessary to inform
+them of it, and this in order to cure their ignorance, and to make the
+occasion of that name manifest. Pharaoh, in the Egyptian tongue,
+signifies a king 15 but I suppose they made use of other names from
+their childhood; but when they were made kings, they changed them into
+the name which in their own tongue denoted their authority; for thus it
+was also that the kings of Alexandria, who were called formerly by other
+names, when they took the kingdom, were named Ptolemies, from their
+first king. The Roman emperors also were from their nativity called by
+other names, but are styled Cæsars, their empire and their dignity
+imposing that name upon them, and not suffering them to continue in
+those names which their fathers gave them. I suppose also that Herodotus
+of Halicarnassus, when he said there were three hundred and thirty kings
+of Egypt after Menes, who built Memphis, did therefore not tell us their
+names, because they were in common called Pharaohs; for when after their
+death there was a queen reigned, he calls her by her name Nicaule, as
+thereby declaring, that while the kings were of the male line, and so
+admitted of the same nature, while a woman did not admit the same, he
+did therefore set down that her name, which she could not naturally
+have. As for myself, I have discovered from our own books, that after
+Pharaoh, the father-in-law of Solomon, no other king of Egypt did any
+longer use that name; and that it was after that time when the forenamed
+queen of Egypt and Ethiopia came to Solomon, concerning whom we shall
+inform the reader presently; but I have now made mention of these
+things, that I may prove that our books and those of the Egyptians agree
+together in many things.
+
+3. But king Solomon subdued to himself the remnant of the Canaanites
+that had not before submitted to him; those I mean that dwelt in Mount
+Lebanon, and as far as the city Hamath; and ordered them to pay tribute.
+He also chose out of them every year such as were to serve him in the
+meanest offices, and to do his domestic works, and to follow husbandry;
+for none of the Hebrews were servants [in such low employments]: nor was
+it reasonable, that when God had brought so many nations under their
+power, they should depress their own people to such mean offices of
+life, rather than those nations; while all the Israelites were concerned
+in warlike affairs, and were in armor; and were set over the chariots
+and the horses, rather than leading the life of slaves. He appointed
+also five hundred and fifty rulers over those Canaanites who were
+reduced to such domestic slavery, who received the entire care of them
+from the king, and instructed them in those labors and operations
+wherein he wanted their assistance.
+
+4. Moreover, the king built many ships in the Egyptian Bay of the Red
+Sea, in a certain place called Ezion-geber: it is now called Berenice,
+and is not far from the city Eloth. This country belonged formerly to
+the Jews, and became useful for shipping from the donations of Hiram
+king of Tyre; for he sent a sufficient number of men thither for pilots,
+and such as were skillful in navigation, to whom Solomon gave this
+command: That they should go along with his own stewards to the land
+that was of old called Ophir, but now the Aurea Chersonesus, which
+belongs to India, to fetch him gold. And when they had gathered four
+hundred talents together, they returned to the king again.
+
+5. There was then a woman queen of Egypt and Ethiopia; 16 she was
+inquisitive into philosophy, and one that on other accounts also was to
+be admired. When this queen heard of the virtue and prudence of Solomon,
+she had a great mind to see him; and the reports that went every day
+abroad induced her to come to him, she being desirous to be satisfied by
+her own experience, and not by a bare hearing; [for reports thus heard
+are likely enough to comply with a false opinion, while they wholly
+depend on the credit of the relators;] so she resolved to come to him,
+and that especially in order to have a trial of his wisdom, while she
+proposed questions of very great difficulty, and entreated that he would
+solve their hidden meaning. Accordingly she came to Jerusalem with great
+splendor and rich furniture; for she brought with her camels laden with
+gold, with several sorts of sweet spices, and with precious stones. Now,
+upon the king's kind reception of her, he both showed a great desire to
+please her, and easily comprehending in his mind the meaning of the
+curious questions she propounded to him, he resolved them sooner than
+any body could have expected. So she was amazed at the wisdom of
+Solomon, and discovered that it was more excellent upon trial than what
+she had heard by report beforehand; and especially she was surprised at
+the fineness and largeness of his royal palace, and not less so at the
+good order of the apartments, for she observed that the king had therein
+shown great wisdom; but she was beyond measure astonished at the house
+which was called the Forest of Lebanon, as also at the magnificence of
+his daily table, and the circumstances of its preparation and
+ministration, with the apparel of his servants that waited, and the
+skillful and decent management of their attendance: nor was she less
+affected with those daily sacrifices which were offered to God, and the
+careful management which the priests and Levites used about them. When
+she saw this done every day, she was in the greatest admiration
+imaginable, insomuch that she was not able to contain the surprise she
+was in, but openly confessed how wonderfully she was affected; for she
+proceeded to discourse with the king, and thereby owned that she was
+overcome with admiration at the things before related; and said, "All
+things indeed, O king, that came to our knowledge by report, came with
+uncertainty as to our belief of them; but as to those good things that
+to thee appertain, both such as thou thyself possessest, I mean wisdom
+and prudence, and the happiness thou hast from thy kingdom, certainly
+the same that came to us was no falsity; it was not only a true report,
+but it related thy happiness after a much lower manner than I now see it
+to be before my eyes. For as for the report, it only attempted to
+persuade our hearing, but did not so make known the dignity of the
+things themselves as does the sight of them, and being present among
+them. I indeed, who did not believe what was reported, by reason of the
+multitude and grandeur of the things I inquired about, do see them to be
+much more numerous than they were reported to be. Accordingly I esteem
+the Hebrew people, as well as thy servants and friends, to be happy, who
+enjoy thy presence and hear thy wisdom every day continually. One would
+therefore bless God, who hath so loved this country, and those that
+inhabit therein, as to make thee king over them."
+
+6. Now when the queen had thus demonstrated in words how deeply the king
+had affected her, her disposition was known by certain presents, for she
+gave him twenty talents of gold, and an immense quantity of spices and
+precious stones. (They say also that we possess the root of that balsam
+which our country still bears by this woman's gift.) 17 Solomon also
+repaid her with many good things, and principally by bestowing upon her
+what she chose of her own inclination, for there was nothing that she
+desired which he denied her; and as he was very generous and liberal in
+his own temper, so did he show the greatness of his soul in bestowing on
+her what she herself desired of him. So when this queen of Ethiopia had
+obtained what we have already given an account of, and had again
+communicated to the king what she brought with her, she returned to her
+own kingdom.
+
+
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER 7. How Solomon Grew Rich, And Fell Desperately In Love With
+Women And How God, Being Incensed At It, Raised Up Ader And Jeroboam
+Against Him. Concerning The Death Of Solomon.
+
+1. About the same time there were brought to the king from the Aurea
+Chersonesus, a country so called, precious stones, and pine trees, and
+these trees he made use of for supporting the temple and the palace, as
+also for the materials of musical instruments, the harps and the
+psalteries, that the Levites might make use of them in their hymns to
+God. The wood which was brought to him at this time was larger and finer
+than any that had ever been brought before; but let no one imagine that
+these pine trees were like those which are now so named, and which take
+that their denomination from the merchants, who so call them, that they
+may procure them to be admired by those that purchase them; for those we
+speak of were to the sight like the wood of the fig tree, but were
+whiter, and more shining. Now we have said thus much, that nobody may be
+ignorant of the difference between these sorts of wood, nor unacquainted
+with the nature of the genuine pine tree; and we thought it both a
+seasonable and humane thing, when we mentioned it, and the uses the king
+made of it, to explain this difference so far as we have done.
+
+2. Now the weight of gold that was brought him was six hundred and
+sixty-six talents, not including in that sum what was brought by the
+merchants, nor what the toparchs and kings of Arabia gave him in
+presents. He also cast two hundred targets of gold, each of them
+weighing six hundred shekels. He also made three hundred shields, every
+one weighing three pounds of gold, and he had them carried and put into
+that house which was called The Forest of Lebanon. He also made cups of
+gold, and of [precious] stones, for the entertainment of his guests, and
+had them adorned in the most artificial manner; and he contrived that
+all his other furniture of vessels should be of gold, for there was
+nothing then to be sold or bought for silver; for the king had many
+ships which lay upon the sea of Tarsus, these he commanded to carry out
+all sorts of merchandise unto the remotest nations, by the sale of which
+silver and gold were brought to the king, and a great quantity of ivory,
+and Ethiopians, and apes; and they finished their voyage, going and
+returning, in three years' time.
+
+3. Accordingly there went a great fame all around the neighboring
+countries, which proclaimed the virtue and wisdom of Solomon, insomuch
+that all the kings every where were desirous to see him, as not giving
+credit to what was reported, on account of its being almost incredible:
+they also demonstrated the regard they had for him by the presents they
+made him; for they sent him vessels of gold, and silver, and purple
+garments, and many sorts of spices, and horses, and chariots, and as
+many mules for his carriages as they could find proper to please the
+king's eyes, by their strength and beauty. This addition that he made to
+those chariots and horses which he had before from those that were sent
+him, augmented the number of his chariots by above four hundred, for he
+had a thousand before, and augmented the number of his horses by two
+thousand, for he had twenty thousand before. These horses also were so
+much exercised, in order to their making a fine appearance, and running
+swiftly, that no others could, upon the comparison, appear either finer
+or swifter; but they were at once the most beautiful of all others, and
+their swiftness was incomparable also. Their riders also were a further
+ornament to them, being, in the first place, young men in the most
+delightful flower of their age, and being eminent for their largeness,
+and far taller than other men. They had also very long heads of hair
+hanging down, and were clothed in garments of Tyrian purple. They had
+also dust of gold every day sprinkled on their hair, so that their heads
+sparkled with the reflection of the sun-beams from the gold. The king
+himself rode upon a chariot in the midst of these men, who were still in
+armor, and had their bows fitted to them. He had on a white garment, and
+used to take his progress out of the city in the morning. There was a
+certain place about fifty furlongs distant from Jerusalem, which is
+called Etham, very pleasant it is in fine gardens, and abounding in
+rivulets of water; 18 thither did he use to go out in the morning,
+sitting on high [in his chariot.]
+
+4. Now Solomon had a divine sagacity in all things, and was very
+diligent and studious to have things done after an elegant manner; so he
+did not neglect the care of the ways, but he laid a causeway of black
+stone along the roads that led to Jerusalem, which was the royal city,
+both to render them easy for travelers, and to manifest the grandeur of
+his riches and government. He also parted his chariots, and set them in
+a regular order, that a certain number of them should be in every city,
+still keeping a few about him; and those cities he called the cities of
+his chariots. And the king made silver as plentiful in Jerusalem as
+stones in the street; and so multiplied cedar trees in the plains of
+Judea, which did not grow there before, that they were like the
+multitude of common sycamore trees. He also ordained the Egyptian
+merchants that brought him their merchandise to sell him a chariot, with
+a pair of horses, for six hundred drachmae of silver, and he sent them
+to the kings of Syria, and to those kings that were beyond Euphrates.
+
+5. But although Solomon was become the most glorious of kings, and the
+best beloved by God, and had exceeded in wisdom and riches those that
+had been rulers of the Hebrews before him, yet did not he persevere in
+this happy state till he died. Nay, he forsook the observation of the
+laws of his fathers, and came to an end no way suitable to our foregoing
+history of him. He grew mad in his love of women, and laid no restraint
+on himself in his lusts; nor was he satisfied with the women of his
+country alone, but he married many wives out of foreign nations;
+Sidontans, and Tyrians, and Ammonites, and Edomites; and he transgressed
+the laws of Moses, which forbade Jews to marry any but those that were
+of their own people. He also began to worship their gods, which he did
+in order to the gratification of his wives, and out of his affection for
+them. This very thing our legislator suspected, and so admonished us
+beforehand, that we should not marry women of other countries, lest we
+should be entangled with foreign customs, and apostatize from our own;
+lest we should leave off to honor our own God, and should worship their
+gods. But Solomon was Gllen headlong into unreasonable pleasures, and
+regarded not those admonitions; for when he had married seven hundred
+wives, 19 the daughters of princes and of eminent persons, and three
+hundred concubines, and those besides the king of Egypt's daughter, he
+soon was governed by them, till he came to imitate their practices. He
+was forced to give them this demonstration of his kindness and affection
+to them, to live according to the laws of their countries. And as he
+grew into years, and his reason became weaker by length of time, it was
+not sufficient to recall to his mind the institutions of his own
+country; so he still more and more contemned his own God, and continued
+to regard the gods that his marriages had introduced nay, before this
+happened, he sinned, and fell into an error about the observation of the
+laws, when he made the images of brazen oxen that supported the brazen
+sea, 20 and the images of lions about his own throne; for these he made,
+although it was not agreeable to piety so to do; and this he did,
+notwithstanding that he had his father as a most excellent and domestic
+pattern of virtue, and knew what a glorious character he had left behind
+him, because of his piety towards God. Nor did he imitate David,
+although God had twice appeared to him in his sleep, and exhorted him to
+imitate his father. So he died ingloriously. There came therefore a
+prophet to him, who was sent by God, and told him that his wicked
+actions were not concealed from God; and threatened him that he should
+not long rejoice in what he had done; that, indeed, the kingdom should
+not be taken from him while he was alive, because God had promised to
+his father David that he would make him his successor, but that he would
+take care that this should befall his son when he was dead; not that he
+would withdraw all the people from him, but that he would give ten
+tribes to a servant of his, and leave only two tribes to David's
+grandson for his sake, because he loved God, and for the sake of the
+city of Jerusalem, wherein he should have a temple.
+
+6. When Solomon heard this he was grieved, and greatly confounded, upon
+this change of almost all that happiness which had made him to be
+admired, into so bad a state; nor had there much time passed after the
+prophet had foretold what was coming before God raised up an enemy
+against him, whose name was Ader, who took the following occasion of his
+enmity to him. He was a child of the stock of the Edomites, and of the
+blood royal; and when Joab, the captain of David's host, laid waste the
+land of Edom, and destroyed all that were men grown, and able to bear
+arms, for six months' time, this Hadad fled away, and came to Pharaoh
+the king of Egypt, who received him kindly, and assigned him a house to
+dwell in, and a country to supply him with food; and when he was grown
+up he loved him exceedingly, insomuch that he gave him his wife's
+sister, whose name was Tahpenes, to wife, by whom he had a son; who was
+brought up with the king's children. When Hadad heard in Egypt that both
+David and Joab were dead, he came to Pharaoh, and desired that he would
+permit him to go to his own country; upon which the king asked what it
+was that he wanted, and what hardship he had met with, that he was so
+desirous to leave him. And when he was often troublesome to him, and
+entreated him to dismiss him, he did not then do it; but at the time
+when Solomon's affairs began to grow worse, on account of his
+forementioned transgressions 21 and God's anger against him for the
+same, Hadad, by Pharaoh's permission, came to Edom; and when he was not
+able to make the people forsake Solomon, for it was kept under by many
+garrisons, and an innovation was not to be made with safety, he removed
+thence, and came into Syria; there he lighted upon one Rezon, who had
+run away from Hadadezer, king of Zobah, his master, and was become a
+robber in that country, and joined friendship with him, who had already
+a band of robbers about him. So he went up, and seized upon that part of
+Syria, and was made king thereof. He also made incursions into the land
+of Israel, and did it no small mischief, and spoiled it, and that in the
+lifetime of Solomon. And this was the calamity which the Hebrews
+suffered by Hadad.
+
+7. There was also one of Solomon's own nation that made an attempt
+against him, Jeroboam the son of Nebat, who had an expectation of
+rising, from a prophecy that had been made to him long before. He was
+left a child by his father, and brought up by his mother; and when
+Solomon saw that he was of an active and bold disposition, he made him
+the curator of the walls which he built round about Jerusalem; and he
+took such care of those works, that the king approved of his behavior,
+and gave him, as a reward for the same, the charge of the tribe of
+Joseph. And when about that time Jeroboam was once going out of
+Jerusalem, a prophet of the city Shilo, whose name was Ahijah, met him
+and saluted him; and when he had taken him a little aside to a place out
+of the way, where there was not one other person present, he rent the
+garment he had on into twelve pieces, and bid Jeroboam take ten of them;
+and told him beforehand, that "this is the will of God; he will part the
+dominion of Solomon, and give one tribe, with that which is next it, to
+his son, because of the promise made to David for his succession, and
+will have ten tribes to thee, because Solomon hath sinned against him,
+and delivered up himself to women, and to their gods. Seeing therefore
+thou knowest the cause for which God hath changed his mind, and is
+alienated from Solomon, be thou...."
+
+8. So Jeroboam was elevated by these words of the prophet; and being a
+young man, 22 of a warm temper, and ambitious of greatness, he could not
+be quiet; and when he had so great a charge in the government, and
+called to mind what had been revealed to him by Ahijah, he endeavored to
+persuade the people to forsake Solomon, to make a disturbance, and to
+bring the government over to himself. But when Solomon understood his
+intention and treachery, he sought to catch him and kill him; but
+Jeroboam was informed of it beforehand, and fled to Shishak, the king of
+Egypt, and there abode till the death of Solomon; by which means he
+gained these two advantages to suffer no harm from Solomon, and to be
+preserved for the kingdom. So Solomon died when he was already an old
+man, having reigned eighty years, and lived ninety-four. He was buried
+in Jerusalem, having been superior to all other kings in happiness, and
+riches, and wisdom, excepting that when he was growing into years he was
+deluded by women, and transgressed the law; concerning which
+transgressions, and the miseries which befell the Hebrews thereby, I
+think proper to discourse at another opportunity.
+
+
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER 8. How, Upon The Death Of Solomon The People Forsook His Son
+Rehoboam, And Ordained Jeroboam King Over The Ten Tribes.
+
+1. Now when Solomon was dead, and his son Rehoboam [who was born of an
+Ammonite wife; whose name was Naamah] had succeeded him in the kingdom,
+the rulers of the multitude sent immediately into Egypt, and called back
+Jeroboam; and when he was come to them, to the city Shethem, Rehoboam
+came to it also, for he had resolved to declare himself king to the
+Israelites while they were there gathered together. So the rulers of the
+people, as well as Jeroboam, came to him, and besought him, and said
+that he ought to relax, and to be gentler than his father, in the
+servitude he had imposed on them, because they had borne a heavy yoke,
+and that then they should be better affected to him, and be well
+contented to serve him under his moderate government, and should do it
+more out of love than fear. But Rehoboam told them they should come to
+him again in three days' time, when he would give an answer to their
+request. This delay gave occasion to a present suspicion, since he had
+not given them a favorable answer to their mind immediately; for they
+thought that he should have given them a humane answer off-hand,
+especially since he was but young. However, they thought that this
+consultation about it, and that he did not presently give them a denial,
+afforded them some good hope of success.
+
+2. Rehoboam now called his father's friends, and advised with them what
+sort of answer he ought to give to the multitude; upon which they gave
+him the advice which became friends, and those that knew the temper of
+such a multitude. They advised him to speak in a way more popular than
+suited the grandeur of a king, because he would thereby oblige them to
+submit to him with goodwill, it being most agreeable to subjects that
+their kings should be almost upon the level with them. But Rehoboam
+rejected this so good, and in general so profitable, advice, [it was
+such, at least, at that time when he was to be made king,] God himself,
+I suppose, causing what was most advantageous to be condemned by him. So
+he called for the young men who were brought up with him, and told them
+what advice the elders had given him, and bade them speak what they
+thought he ought to do. They advised him to give the following answer to
+the people [for neither their youth nor God himself suffered them to
+discern what was best]: That his little finger should be thicker than
+his father's loins; and if they had met with hard usage from his father,
+they should experience much rougher treatment from him; and if his
+father had chastised them with whips, they must expect that he would do
+it with scorpions. 23 The king was pleased with this advice, and thought
+it agreeable to the dignity of his government to give them such an
+answer. Accordingly, when the multitude was come together to hear his
+answer on the third day, all the people were in great expectation, and
+very intent to hear what the king would say to them, and supposed they
+should hear somewhat of a kind nature; but he passed by his friends, and
+answered as the young men had given him counsel. Now this was done
+according to the will of God, that what Ahijah had foretold might come
+to pass.
+
+3. By these words the people were struck as it were by an iron hammer,
+and were so grieved at the words, as if they had already felt the
+effects of them; and they had great indignation at the king; and all
+cried out aloud, and said, "We will have no longer any relation to David
+or his posterity after this day." And they said further, "We only leave
+to Rehoboam the temple which his father built;" and they threatened to
+forsake him. Nay, they were so bitter, and retained their wrath so long,
+that when he sent Adoram, which was over the tribute, that he might
+pacify them, and render them milder, and persuade them to forgive him,
+if he had said any thing that was rash or grievous to them in his youth,
+they would not hear it, but threw stones at him, and killed him. When
+Rehoboam saw this, he thought himself aimed at by those stones with
+which they had killed his servant, and feared lest he should undergo the
+last of punishments in earnest; so he got immediately into his chariot,
+and fled to Jerusalem, where the tribe of Judah and that of Benjamin
+ordained him king; but the rest of the multitude forsook the sons of
+David from that day, and appointed Jeroboam to be the ruler of their
+public affairs. Upon this Rehoboam, Solomon's son, assembled a great
+congregation of those two tribes that submitted to him, and was ready to
+take a hundred and eighty thousand chosen men out of the army, to make
+an expedition against Jeroboam and his people, that he might force them
+by war to be his servants; but he was forbidden of God by the prophet
+[Shemaiah] to go to war, for that it was not just that brethren of the
+same country should fight one against another. He also said that this
+defection of the multitude was according to the purpose of God. So he
+did not proceed in this expedition. And now I will relate first the
+actions of Jeroboam the king of Israel, after which we will relate what
+are therewith connected, the actions of Rehoboam, the king of the two
+tribes; by this means we shall preserve the good order of the history
+entire.
+
+4. When therefore Jeroboam had built him a palace in the city Shechem,
+he dwelt there. He also built him another at Penuel, a city so called.
+And now the feast of tabernacles was approaching in a little time,
+Jeroboam considered, that if he should permit the multitude to go to
+worship God at Jerusalem, and there to celebrate the festival, they
+would probably repent of what they had done, and be enticed by the
+temple, and by the worship of God there performed, and would leave him,
+and return to their first kings; and if so, he should run the risk of
+losing his own life; so he invented this contrivance; He made two golden
+heifers, and built two little temples for them, the one in the city
+Bethel, and the other in Dan, which last was at the fountains of the
+Lesser Jordan 24 and he put the heifers into both the little temples, in
+the forementioned cities. And when he had called those ten tribes
+together over whom he ruled, he made a speech to the people in these
+words: "I suppose, my countrymen, that you know this, that every place
+hath God in it; nor is there any one determinate place in which he is,
+but he every where hears and sees those that worship him; on which
+account I do not think it right for you to go so long a journey to
+Jerusalem, which is an enemy's city, to worship him. It was a man that
+built the temple: I have also made two golden heifers, dedicated to the
+same God; and the one of them I have consecrated in the city Bethel, and
+the other in Dan, to the end that those of you that dwell nearest those
+cities may go to them, and worship God there; and I will ordain for you
+certain priests and Levites from among yourselves, that you may have no
+want of the tribe of Levi, or of the sons of Aaron; but let him that is
+desirous among you of being a priest, bring to God a bullock and a ram,
+which they say Aaron the first priest brought also." When Jeroboam had
+said this, he deluded the people, and made them to revolt from the
+worship of their forefathers, and to transgress their laws. This was the
+beginning of miseries to the Hebrews, and the cause why they were
+overcome in war by foreigners, and so fell into captivity. But we shall
+relate those things in their proper places hereafter.
+
+5. When the feast [of tabernacles] was just approaching, Jeroboam was
+desirous to celebrate it himself in Bethel, as did the two tribes
+celebrate it in Jerusalem. Accordingly he built an altar before the
+heifer, and undertook to be high priest himself. So he went up to the
+altar, with his own priests about him; but when he was going to offer
+the sacrifices and the burnt-offerings, in the sight of all the people,
+a prophet, whose name was Jadon, was sent by God, and came to him from
+Jerusalem, who stood in the midst of the multitude, and in the 'hearing
+of' the king, and directing his discourse to the altar, said thus: "God
+foretells that there shall be a certain man of the family of David,
+Josiah by name, who shall slay upon thee those false priests that shall
+live at that time, and upon thee shall burn the bones of those deceivers
+of the people, those impostors' and wicked wretches. However, that this
+people may believe that these things shall so come to pass, I foretell a
+sign to them that shall also come to pass. This altar shall be broken to
+pieces immediately, and all the fat of the sacrifices that is upon it
+shall be poured upon the ground." When the prophet had said this,
+Jeroboam fell into a passion, and stretched out his hand, and bid them
+lay hold of him; but that hand which he stretched out was enfeebled, and
+he was not able to pull it in again to him, for it was become withered,
+and hung down, as if it were a dead hand. The altar also was broken to
+pieces, and all that was upon it was poured out, as the prophet had
+foretold should come to pass. So the king understood that he was a man
+of veracity, and had a Divine foreknowledge; and entreated him to pray
+to God that he would restore his right hand. Accordingly the prophet did
+pray to God to grant him that request. So the king, having his hand
+recovered to its natural state, rejoiced at it, and invited the prophet
+to sup with him; but Jadon said that he could not endure to come into
+his house, nor to taste of bread or water in this city, for that was a
+thing God had forbidden him to do; as also to go back by the same way
+which he came, but he said he was to return by another way. So the king
+wondered at the abstinence of the man, but was himself in fear, as
+suspecting a change of his affairs for the worse, from what had been
+said to him.
+
+
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER 9. How Jadon The Prophet Was Persuaded By Another Lying Prophet
+And Returned [To Bethel,] And Was Afterwards Slain By A Lion. As Also
+What Words The Wicked Prophet Made Use Of To Persuade The King, And
+Thereby Alienated His Mind From God.
+
+1. Now there was a certain wicked man in that city, who was a false
+prophet, whom Jeroboam had in great esteem, but was deceived by him and
+his flattering words. This man was bedrid, by reason or the infirmities
+of old age: however, he was informed by his sons concerning the prophet
+that was come from Jerusalem, and concerning the signs done by him; and
+how, when Jeroboam's right hand had been enfeebled, at the prophet's
+prayer he had it revived again. Whereupon he was afraid that this
+stranger and prophet should be in better esteem with the king than
+himself, and obtain greater honor from him: and he gave orders to his
+sons to saddle his ass presently, and make all ready that he might go
+out. Accordingly they made haste to do what they were commanded, and he
+got upon the ass and followed after the prophet; and when he had
+overtaken him, as he was resting himself under a very large oak tree
+that was thick and shady, he at first saluted him, but presently he
+complained of him, because he had not come into his house, and partaken
+of his hospitality. And when the other said that God had forbidden him
+to taste of any one's provision in that city, he replied, that "for
+certain God had not forbidden that I should set food before thee, for I
+am a prophet as thou art, and worship God in the same manner that thou
+dost; and I am now come as sent by him, in order to bring thee into my
+house, and make thee my guest." Now Jadon gave credit to this lying
+prophet, and returned back with him. But when they were at dinner, and
+merry together, God appeared to Jadon, and said that he should suffer
+punishment for transgressing his commands,—and he told him what that
+punishment should be for he said that he should meet with a lion as he
+was going on his way, by which lion he should be torn in pieces, and be
+deprived of burial in the sepulchers of his fathers; which things came
+to pass, as I suppose, according to the will of God, that so Jeroboam
+might not give heed to the words of Jadon as of one that had been
+convicted of lying. However, as Jadon was again going to Jerusalem, a
+lion assaulted him, and pulled him off the beast he rode on, and slew
+him; yet did he not at all hurt the ass, but sat by him, and kept him,
+as also the prophet's body. This continued till some travelers that saw
+it came and told it in the city to the false prophet, who sent his sons,
+and brought the body unto the city, and made a funeral for him at great
+expense. He also charged his sons to bury himself with him and said that
+all which he had foretold against that city, and the altar, and priests,
+and false prophets, would prove true; and that if he were buried with
+him, he should receive no injurious treatment after his death, the bones
+not being then to be distinguished asunder. But now, when he had
+performed those funeral rites to the prophet, and had given that charge
+to his sons, as he was a wicked and an impious man, he goes to Jeroboam,
+and says to him, "And wherefore is it now that thou art disturbed at the
+words of this silly fellow?" And when the king had related to him what
+had happened about the altar, and about his own hand, and gave him the
+names of divine man, and an excellent prophet, he endeavored by a wicked
+trick to weaken that his opinion; and by using plausible words
+concerning what had happened, he aimed to injure the truth that was in
+them; for he attempted to persuade him that his hand was enfeebled by
+the labor it had undergone in supporting the sacrifices, and that upon
+its resting awhile it returned to its former nature again; and that as
+to the altar, it was but new, and had borne abundance of sacrifices, and
+those large ones too, and was accordingly broken to pieces, and fallen
+down by the weight of what had been laid upon it. He also informed him
+of the death of him that had foretold those things, and how he perished;
+[whence he concluded that] he had not any thing in him of a prophet, nor
+spake any thing like one. When he had thus spoken, he persuaded the
+king, and entirely alienated his mind from God, and from doing works
+that were righteous and holy, and encouraged him to go on in his impious
+practices 25 and accordingly he was to that degree injurious to God, and
+so great a transgressor, that he sought for nothing else every day but
+how he might be guilty of some new instances of wickedness, and such as
+should be more detestable than what he had been so insolent as to do
+before. And so much shall at present suffice to have said concerning
+Jeroboam.
+
+
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER 10. Concerning Rehoboam, And How God Inflicted Punishment Upon
+Him For His Impiety By Shishak [King Of Egypt].
+
+1. Now Rehoboam, the son of Solomon, who, as we said before, was king of
+the two tribes, built strong and large cities, Bethlehem, and Etare, and
+Tekoa, and Bethzur, and Shoco, and Adullam, and Ipan, and Maresha, and
+Ziph, and Adorlam, and Lachlsh, and Azekah, and Zorah, and Aijalon, and
+Hebron; these he built first of all in the tribe of Judah. He also built
+other large cities in the tribe of Benjamin, and walled them about, and
+put garrisons in them all, and captains, and a great deal of corn, and
+wine, and oil, and he furnished every one of them plentifully with other
+provisions that were necessary for sustenance; moreover, he put therein
+shields and spears for many ten thousand men. The priests also that were
+in all Israel, and the Levites, and if there were any of the multitude
+that were good and righteous men, they gathered themselves together to
+him, having left their own cities, that they might worship God in
+Jerusalem; for they were not willing to be forced to worship the heifers
+which Jeroboam had made; and they augmented the kingdom of Rehoboam for
+three years. And after he had married a woman of his own kindred, and
+had by her three children born to him, he married also another of his
+own kindred, who was daughter of Absalom by Tamar, whose name was
+Maachah, and by her he had a son, whom he named Abijah. He had moreover
+many other children by other wives, but he loved Maachah above them all.
+Now he had eighteen legitimate wives, and thirty concubines; and he had
+born to him twenty-eight sons and threescore daughters; but he appointed
+Abijah, whom he had by Maachah, to be his successor in the kingdom, and
+intrusted him already with the treasures and the strongest cities.
+
+2. Now I cannot but think that the greatness of a kingdom, and its
+change into prosperity, often become the occasion of mischief and of
+transgression to men; for when Rehoboam saw that his kingdom was so much
+increased, he went out of the right way unto unrighteous and irreligious
+practices, and he despised the worship of God, till the people
+themselves imitated his wicked actions: for so it usually happens, that
+the manners of subjects are corrupted at the same time with those of
+their governors, which subjects then lay aside their own sober way of
+living, as a reproof of their governors' intemperate courses, and follow
+their wickedness as if it were virtue; for it is not possible to show
+that men approve of the actions of their kings, unless they do the same
+actions with them. Agreeable whereto it now happened to the subjects of
+Rehoboam; for when he was grown impious, and a transgressor himself,
+they endeavored not to offend him by resolving still to be righteous.
+But God sent Shishak, king of Egypt, to punish them for their unjust
+behavior towards him, concerning whom Herodotus was mistaken, and
+applied his actions to Sesostris; for this Shishak, 26 in the fifth year
+of the reign of Rehoboam, made an expedition [into Judea] with many ten
+thousand men; for he had one thousand two hundred chariots in number
+that followed him, and threescore thousand horsemen, and four hundred
+thousand footmen. These he brought with him, and they were the greatest
+part of them Libyans and Ethiopians. Now therefore when he fell upon the
+country of the Hebrews, he took the strongest cities of Rehoboam's
+kingdom without fighting; and when he had put garrisons in them, he came
+last of all to Jerusalem.
+
+3. Now when Rehoboam, and the multitude with him, were shut up in
+Jerusalem by the means of the army of Shishak, and when they besought
+God to give them victory and deliverance, they could not persuade God to
+be on their side. But Shemaiah the prophet told them, that God
+threatened to forsake them, as they had themselves forsaken his worship.
+When they heard this, they were immediately in a consternation of mind;
+and seeing no way of deliverance, they all earnestly set themselves to
+confess that God might justly overlook them, since they had been guilty
+of impiety towards him, and had let his laws lie in confusion. So when
+God saw them in that disposition, and that they acknowledge their sins,
+he told the prophet that he would not destroy them, but that he would,
+however, make them servants to the Egyptians, that they may learn
+whether they will suffer less by serving men or God. So when Shishak had
+taken the city without fighting, because Rehoboam was afraid, and
+received him into it, yet did not Shishak stand to the covenants he had
+made, but he spoiled the temple, and emptied the treasures of God, and
+those of the king, and carried off innumerable ten thousands of gold and
+silver, and left nothing at all behind him. He also took away the
+bucklers of gold, and the shields, which Solomon the king had made; nay,
+he did not leave the golden quivers which David had taken from the king
+of Zobah, and had dedicated to God; and when he had thus done, he
+returned to his own kingdom. Now Herodotus of Halicarnassus mentions
+this expedition, having only mistaken the king's name; and [in saying
+that] he made war upon many other nations also, and brought Syria of
+Palestine into subjection, and took the men that were therein prisoners
+without fighting. Now it is manifest that he intended to declare that
+our nation was subdued by him; for he saith that he left behind him
+pillars in the land of those that delivered themselves up to him without
+fighting, and engraved upon them the secret parts of women. Now our king
+Rehoboam delivered up our city without fighting. He says withal 27 that
+the Ethiopians learned to circumcise their privy parts from the
+Egyptians, with this addition, that the Phoenicians and Syrians that
+live in Palestine confess that they learned it of the Egyptians. Yet it
+is evident that no other of the Syrians that live in Palestine, besides
+us alone, are circumcised. But as to such matters, let every one speak
+what is agreeable to his own opinion.
+
+4. When Shishak was gone away, king Rehoboam made bucklers and shields
+of brass, instead of those of gold, and delivered the same number of
+them to the keepers of the king's palace. So, instead of warlike
+expeditions, and that glory which results from those public actions, he
+reigned in great quietness, though not without fear, as being always an
+enemy to Jeroboam, and he died when he had lived fifty-seven years, and
+reigned seventeen. He was in his disposition a proud and a foolish man,
+and lost [part of his] dominions by not hearkening to his father's
+friends. He was buried in Jerusalem, in the sepulchers of the kings; and
+his son Abijah succeeded him in the kingdom, and this in the eighteenth
+year of Jeroboam's reign over the ten tribes; and this was the
+conclusion of these affairs. It must be now our business to relate the
+affairs of Jeroboam, and how he ended his life; for he ceased not nor
+rested to be injurious to God, but every day raised up altars upon high
+mountains, and went on making priests out of the multitude.
+
+
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER 11. Concerning The Death Of A Son Of Jeroboam. How Jeroboam Was
+Beaten By Abijah Who Died A Little Afterward And Was Succeeded In His
+Kingdom By Asa. And Also How, After The Death Of Jeroboam Baasha
+Destroyed His Son Nadab And All The House Of Jeroboam.
+
+1. However, God was in no long time ready to return Jeroboam's wicked
+actions, and the punishment they deserved, upon his own head, and upon
+the heads of all his house. And whereas a son of his lay sick at that
+time, who was called Abijah, he enjoined his wife to lay aside her
+robes, and to take the garments belonging to a private person, and to go
+to Abijah the prophet, for that he was a wonderful man in foretelling
+futurities, it having been he who told me that I should be king. He also
+enjoined her, when she came to him, to inquire concerning the child, as
+if she were a stranger, whether he should escape this distemper. So she
+did as her husband bade her, and changed her habit, and came to the city
+Shiloh, for there did Ahijah live. And as she was going into his house,
+his eyes being then dim with age, God appeared to him, and informed him
+of two things; that the wife of Jeroboam was come to him, and what
+answer he should make to her inquiry. Accordingly, as the woman was
+coming into the house like a private person and a stranger, he cried
+out, "Come in, O thou wife of Jeroboam! Why concealest thou thyself?
+Thou art not concealed from God, who hath appeared to me, and informed
+me that thou wast coming, and hath given me in command what I shall say
+to thee." So he said that she should go away to her husband, and speak
+to him thus: "Since I made thee a great man when thou wast little, or
+rather wast nothing, and rent the kingdom from the house of David, and
+gave it to thee, and thou hast been unmindful of these benefits, hast
+left off my worship, hast made thee molten gods and honored them, I will
+in like manner cast thee down again, and will destroy all thy house, and
+make them food for the dogs and the fowls; for a certain king is rising
+up, by appointment, over all this people, who shall leave none of the
+family of Jeroboam remaining. The multitude also shall themselves
+partake of the same punishment, and shall be cast out of this good land,
+and shall be scattered into the places beyond Euphrates, because they
+have followed the wicked practices of their king, and have worshipped
+the gods that he made, and forsaken my sacrifices. But do thou, O woman,
+make haste back to thy husband, and tell him this message; but thou
+shalt then find thy son dead, for as thou enterest the city he shall
+depart this life; yet shall he be buried with the lamentation of all the
+multitude, and honored with a general mourning, for he was the only
+person of goodness of Jeroboam's family." When the prophet had foretold
+these events, the woman went hastily away with a disordered mind, and
+greatly grieved at the death of the forenamed child. So she was in
+lamentation as she went along the road, and mourned for the death of her
+son, that was just at hand. She was indeed in a miserable condition at
+the unavoidable misery of his death, and went apace, but in
+circumstances very unfortunate, because of her son: for the greater
+haste she made, she would the sooner see her son dead, yet was she
+forced to make such haste on account of her husband. Accordingly, when
+she was come back, she found that the child had given up the ghost, as
+the prophet had said; and she related all the circumstances to the king.
+
+2. Yet did not Jeroboam lay any of these things to heart, but he brought
+together a very numerous army, and made a warlike expedition against
+Abijah, the son of Rehoboam, who had succeeded his father in the kingdom
+of the two tribes; for he despised him because of his age. But when he
+heard of the expedition of Jeroboam, he was not affrighted at it, but
+proved of a courageous temper of mind, superior both to his youth and to
+the hopes of his enemy; so he chose him an army out of the two tribes,
+and met Jeroboam at a place called Mount Zemaraim, and pitched his camp
+near the other, and prepared everything necessary for the fight. His
+army consisted of four hundred thousand, but the army of Jeroboam was
+double to it. Now as the armies stood in array, ready for action and
+dangers, and were just going to fight, Abijah stood upon an elevated
+place, and beckoning with his hand, he desired the multitude and
+Jeroboam himself to hear first with silence what he had to say. And when
+silence was made, he began to speak, and told them,—"God had consented
+that David and his posterity should be their rulers for all time to
+come, and this you yourselves are not unacquainted with; but I cannot
+but wonder how you should forsake my father, and join yourselves to his
+servant Jeroboam, and are now here with him to fight against those who,
+by God's own determination, are to reign, and to deprive them of that
+dominion which they have still retained; for as to the greater part of
+it, Jeroboam is unjustly in possession of it. However, I do not suppose
+he will enjoy it any longer; but when he hath suffered that punishment
+which God thinks due to him for what is past, he will leave off the
+transgressions he hath been guilty of, and the injuries he hath offered
+to him, and which he hath still continued to offer and hath persuaded
+you to do the same: yet when you were not any further unjustly treated
+by my father, than that he did not speak to you so as to please you, and
+this only in compliance with the advice of wicked men, you in anger
+forsook him, as you pretended, but, in reality, you withdrew yourselves
+from God, and from his laws, although it had been right for you to have
+forgiven a man that was young in age, and not used to govern people, not
+only some disagreeable words, but if his youth and unskilfulness in
+affairs had led him into some unfortunate actions, and that for the sake
+of his father Solomon, and the benefits you received from him; for men
+ought to excuse the sins of posterity on account of the benefactions of
+parent; but you considered nothing of all this then, neither do you
+consider it now, but come with so great an army against us. And what is
+it you depend upon for victory? Is it upon these golden heifers, and the
+altars that you have on high places, which are demonstrations of your
+impiety, and not of religious worship? Or is it the exceeding multitude
+of your army which gives you such good hopes? Yet certainly there is no
+strength at all in an army of many ten thousands, when the war is
+unjust; for we ought to place our surest hopes of success against our
+enemies in righteousness alone, and in piety towards God; which hope we
+justly have, since we have kept the laws from the beginning, and have
+worshipped our own God, who was not made by hands out of corruptible
+matter; nor was he formed by a wicked king, in order to deceive the
+multitude; but who is his own workmanship, 28 and the beginning and end
+of all things. I therefore give you counsel even now to repent, and to
+take better advice, and to leave off the prosecution of the war; to call
+to mind the laws of your country, and to reflect what it hath been that
+hath advanced you to so happy a state as you are now in."
+
+3. This was the speech which Abijah made to the multitude. But while he
+was still speaking Jeroboam sent some of his soldiers privately to
+encompass Abijab round about, on certain parts of the camp that were not
+taken notice of; and when he was thus within the compass of the enemy,
+his army was affrighted, and their courage failed them; but Abijah
+encouraged them, and exhorted them to place their hopes on God, for that
+he was not encompassed by the enemy. So they all at once implored the
+Divine assistance, while the priests sounded with the trumpet, and they
+made a shout, and fell upon their enemies, and God brake the courage and
+cast down the force of their enemies, and made Ahijah's army superior to
+them; for God vouchsafed to grant them a wonderful and very famous
+victory; and such a slaughter was now made of Jeroboam's army 29 as is
+never recorded to have happened in any other war, whether it were of the
+Greeks or of the Barbarians, for they overthrew [and slew] five hundred
+thousand of their enemies, and they took their strongest cities by
+force, and spoiled them; and besides those, they did the same to Bethel
+and her towns, and Jeshanah and her towns. And after this defeat
+Jeroboam never recovered himself during the life of Abijah, who yet did
+not long survive, for he reigned but three years, and was buried in
+Jerusalem in the sepulchers of his forefathers. He left behind him
+twenty-two sons, and sixteen daughters; and he had also those children
+by fourteen wives; and Asa his son succeeded in the kingdom; and the
+young man's mother was Michaiah. Under his reign the country of the
+Israelites enjoyed peace for ten years.
+
+4. And so far concerning Abijah, the son of Rehoboam, the son of
+Solomon, as his history hath come down to us. But Jeroboam, the king of
+the ten tribes, died when he had governed them two and twenty years;
+whose son Nadab succeeded him, in the second year of the reign of Asa.
+Now Jeroboam's son governed two years, and resembled his father in
+impiety and wickedness. In these two years he made an expedition against
+Gibbethon, a city of the Philistines, and continued the siege in order
+to take it; but he was conspired against while he was there by a friend
+of his, whose name was Baasha, the son of Ahijah, and was slain; which
+Baasha took the kingdom after the other's death, and destroyed the whole
+house of Jeroboam. It also came to pass, according as God had foretold,
+that some of Jeroboam's kindred that died in the city were torn to
+pieces and devoured by dogs, and that others of them that died in the
+fields were torn and devoured by the fowls. So the house of Jeroboam
+suffered the just punishment of his impiety, and of his wicked actions.
+
+
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER 12. How Zerah, King Of The Ethiopians, Was Beaten By Asa; And
+How Asa, Upon Baasha's Making War Against Him, Invited The King Of The
+Damascens To Assist Him; And How, On The Destruction Of The House Of
+Baasha Zimri Got The Kingdom As Did His Son Ahab After Him.
+
+1. Now Asa, the king of Jerusalem, was of an excellent character, and
+had a regard to God, and neither did nor designed any thing but what had
+relation to the observation of the laws. He made a reformation of his
+kingdom, and cut off whatsoever was wicked therein, and purified it from
+every impurity. Now he had an army of chosen men that were armed with
+targets and spears; out of the tribe of Judah three hundred thousand;
+and out of the tribe of Benjamin, that bore shields and drew bows, two
+hundred and fifty thousand. But when he had already reigned ten years,
+Zerah, king of Ethiopia, 30 made an expedition against him, with a great
+army, of nine hundred thousand footmen, and one hundred thousand
+horsemen, and three hundred chariots, and came as far as Mareshah, a
+city that belonged to the tribe of Judah. Now when Zerah had passed so
+far with his own army, Asa met him, and put his army in array over
+against him, in a valley called Zephathah, not far from the city; and
+when he saw the multitude of the Ethiopians, he cried out, and besought
+God to give him the victory, and that he might kill many ten thousands
+of the enemy: "For," said he, 31 "I depend on nothing else but that
+assistance which I expect from thee, which is able to make the fewer
+superior to the more numerous, and the weaker to the stronger; and
+thence it is alone that I venture to meet Zerah, and fight him."
+
+2. While Asa was saying this, God gave him a signal of victory, and
+joining battle cheerfully on account of what God had foretold about it,
+he slew a great many of the Ethiopians; and when he had put them to
+flight, he pursued them to the country of Gerar; and when they left off
+killing their enemies, they betook themselves to spoiling them, [for the
+city Gerar was already taken,] and to spoiling their camp, so that they
+carried off much gold, and much silver, and a great deal of [other]
+prey, and camels, and great cattle, and flocks of sheep. Accordingly,
+when Asa and his army had obtained such a victory, and such wealth from
+God, they returned to Jerusalem. Now as they were coming, a prophet,
+whose name was Azariah, met them on the road, and bade them stop their
+journey a little; and began to say to them thus: That the reason why
+they had obtained this victory from God was this, that they had showed
+themselves righteous and religious men, and had done every thing
+according to the will of God; that therefore, he said, if they
+persevered therein, God would grant that they should always overcome
+their enemies, and live happily; but that if they left off his worship,
+all things shall fall out on the contrary; and a time should come,
+wherein no true prophet shall be left in your whole multitude, nor a
+priest who shall deliver you a true answer from the oracle; but your
+cities shall be overthrown, and your nation scattered over the whole
+earth, and live the life of strangers and wanderers. So he advised them,
+while they had time, to be good, and not to deprive themselves of the
+favor of God. When the king and the people heard this, they rejoiced;
+and all in common, and every one in particular, took great care to
+behave themselves righteously. The king also sent some to take care that
+those in the country should observe the laws also.
+
+3. And this was the state of Asa, king of the two tribes. I now return
+to Baasha, the king of the multitude of the Israelites, who slew Nadab,
+the son of Jeroboam, and retained the government. He dwelt in the city
+Tirzah, having made that his habitation, and reigned twenty-four years.
+He became more wicked and impious than Jeroboam or his son. He did a
+great deal of mischief to the multitude, and was injurious to God, who
+sent the prophet Jehu, and told him beforehand that his whole family
+should be destroyed, and that he would bring the same miseries on his
+house which had brought that of Jeroboam to ruin; because when he had
+been made king by him, he had not requited his kindness, by governing
+the multitude righteously and religiously; which things, in the first
+place, tended to their own happiness, and, in the next place, were
+pleasing to God: that he had imitated this very wicked king Jeroboam;
+and although that man's soul had perished, yet did he express to the
+life his wickedness; and he said that he should therefore justly
+experience the like calamity with him, since he had been guilty of the
+like wickedness. But Baasha, though he heard beforehand what miseries
+would befall him and his whole family for their insolent behavior, yet
+did not he leave off his wicked practices for the time to come, nor did
+he care to appear other than worse and worse till he died; nor did he
+then repent of his past actions, nor endeavor to obtain pardon of God
+for them, but did as those do who have rewards proposed to them, when
+they have once in earnest set about their work, they do not leave off
+their labors; for thus did Baasha, when the prophet foretold to him what
+would come to pass, grow worse, as if what were threatened, the
+perdition of his family, and the destruction of his house, [which are
+really among the greatest of evils,] were good things; and, as if he
+were a combatant for wickedness, he every day took more and more pains
+for it: and at last he took his army and assaulted a certain
+considerable city called Ramah, which was forty furlongs distant from
+Jerusalem; and when he had taken it, he fortified it, having determined
+beforehand to leave a garrison in it, that they might thence make
+excursions, and do mischief to the kingdom of Asa.
+
+4. Whereupon Asa was afraid of the attempts the enemy might make upon
+him; and considering with himself how many mischiefs this army that was
+left in Ramah might do to the country over which he reigned, he sent
+ambassadors to the king of the Damascenes, with gold and silver,
+desiring his assistance, and putting him in mind that we have had a
+friendship together from the times of our forefathers. So he gladly
+received that sum of money, and made a league with him, and broke the
+friendship he had with Baasha, and sent the commanders of his own forces
+unto the cities that were under Baasha's dominion, and ordered them to
+do them mischief. So they went and burnt some of them, and spoiled
+others; Ijon, and Dan, and Abelmain 32 and many others. Now when the
+king of Israel heard this, he left off building and fortifying Ramah,
+and returned presently to assist his own people under the distresses
+they were in; but Asa made use of the materials that were prepared for
+building that city, for building in the same place two strong cities,
+the one of which was called Geba, and the other Mizpah; so that after
+this Baasha had no leisure to make expeditions against Asa, for he was
+prevented by death, and was buried in the city Tirzah; and Elah his son
+took the kingdom, who, when he had reigned two years, died, being
+treacherously slain by Zimri, the captain of half his army; for when he
+was at Arza, his steward's house, he persuaded some of the horsemen that
+were under him to assault Elah, and by that means he slew him when he
+was without his armed men and his captains, for they were all busied in
+the siege of Gibbethon, a city of the Philistines.
+
+5. When Zimri, the captain of the army, had killed Elah, he took the
+kingdom himself, and, according to Jehu's prophecy, slew all the house
+of Baasha; for it came to pass that Baasha's house utterly perished, on
+account of his impiety, in the same manner as we have already described
+the destruction of the house of Jeroboam. But the army that was
+besieging Gibbethon, when they heard what had befallen the king, and
+that when Zimri had killed him, he had gained the kingdom, they made
+Omri their general king, who drew off his army from Gibbethon, and came
+to Tirzah, where the royal palace was, and assaulted the city, and took
+it by force. But when Zimri saw that the city had none to defend it, he
+fled into the inmost part of the palace, and set it on fire, and burnt
+himself with it, when he had reigned only seven days. Upon which the
+people of Israel were presently divided, and part of them would have
+Tibni to be king, and part Omri; but when those that were for Omri's
+ruling had beaten Tibni, Omri reigned over all the multitude. Now it was
+in the thirtieth year of the reign of Asa that Omri reigned for twelve
+years; six of these years he reigned in the city Tirzah, and the rest in
+the city called Semareon, but named by the Greeks Samaria; but he
+himself called it Semareon, from Semer, who sold him the mountain
+whereon he built it. Now Omri was no way different from those kings that
+reigned before him, but that he grew worse than they, for they all
+sought how they might turn the people away from God by their daily
+wicked practices; and on that account it was that God made one of them
+to be slain by another, and that no one person of their families should
+remain. This Omri also died in Samaria and Ahab his son succeeded him.
+
+6. Now by these events we may learn what concern God hath for the
+affairs of mankind, and how he loves good men, and hates the wicked, and
+destroys them root and branch; for many of these kings of Israel, they
+and their families, were miserably destroyed, and taken away one by
+another, in a short time, for their transgression and wickedness; but
+Asa, who was king of Jerusalem, and of the two tribes, attained, by
+God's blessing, a long and a blessed old age, for his piety and
+righteousness, and died happily, when he had reigned forty and one
+years; and when he was dead, his son Jehoshaphat succeeded him in the
+government. He was born of Asa's wife Azubah. And all men allowed that
+he followed the works of David his forefather, and this both in courage
+and piety; but we are not obliged now to speak any more of the affairs
+of this king.
+
+
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER 13. How Ahab When He Had Taken Jezebel To Wife Became More
+Wicked Than All The Kings That Had Been Before Him; Of The Actions Of
+The Prophet Elijah, And What Befell Naboth.
+
+1. Now Ahab the king of Israel dwelt in Samaria, and held the government
+for twenty-two years; and made no alteration in the conduct of the kings
+that were his predecessors, but only in such things as were of his own
+invention for the worse, and in his most gross wickedness. He imitated
+them in their wicked courses, and in their injurious behavior towards
+God, and more especially he imitated the transgression of Jeroboam; for
+he worshipped the heifers that he had made; and he contrived other
+absurd objects of worship besides those heifers: he also took to wife
+the daughter of Ethbaal, king of the Tyrians and Sidonians, whose name
+was Jezebel, of whom he learned to worship her own gods. This woman was
+active and bold, and fell into so great a degree of impurity and
+madness, that she built a temple to the god of the Tyrians, Which they
+call Belus, and planted a grove of all sorts of trees; she also
+appointed priests and false prophets to this god. The king also himself
+had many such about him, and so exceeded in madness and wickedness all
+[the kings] that went before him.
+
+2. There was now a prophet of God Almighty, of Thesbon, a country in
+Gilead, that came to Ahab, and said to him, that God foretold he would
+not send rain nor dew in those years upon the country but when he should
+appear. And when he had confirmed this by an oath, he departed into the
+southern parts, and made his abode by a brook, out of which he had water
+to drink; for as for his food, ravens brought it to him every day: but
+when that river was dried up for want of rain, he came to Zarephath, a
+city not far from Sidon and Tyre, for it lay between them, and this at
+the command of God, for [God told him] that he should there find a woman
+who was a widow that should give him sustenance. So when he was not far
+off the city, he saw a woman that labored with her own hands, gathering
+of sticks: so God informed him that this was the woman who was to give
+him sustenance. So he came and saluted her, and desired her to bring him
+some water to drink; but as she was going so to do, he called to her,
+and would have her to bring him a loaf of bread also; whereupon she
+affirmed upon oath that she had at home nothing more than one handful of
+meal, and a little oil, and that she was going to gather some sticks,
+that she might knead it, and make bread for herself and her son; after
+which, she said, they must perish, and be consumed by the famine, for
+they had nothing for themselves any longer. Hereupon he said, "Go on
+with good courage, and hope for better things; and first of all make me
+a little cake, and bring it to me, for I foretell to thee that this
+vessel of meal and this cruse of oil shall not fail until God send
+rain." When the prophet had said this, she came to him, and made him the
+before-named cake; of which she had part for herself, and gave the rest
+to her son, and to the prophet also; nor did any thing of this fall
+until the drought ceased. Now Menander mentions this drought in his
+account of the acts of Ethbaal, king of the Tyrians; where he says thus:
+"Under him there was a want of rain from the month Hyperberetmus till
+the month Hyperberetmus of the year following; but when he made
+supplications, there came great thunders. This Ethbaal built the city
+Botrys in Phoenicia, and the city Auza in Libya." By these words he
+designed the want of rain that was in the days of Ahab, for at that time
+it was that Ethbaal also reigned over the Tyrians, as Menander informs
+us.
+
+3. Now this woman, of whom we spake before, that sustained the prophet,
+when her son was fallen into a distemper till he gave up the ghost, and
+appeared to be dead, came to the prophet weeping, and beating her
+breasts with her hands, and sending out such expressions as her passions
+dictated to her, and complained to him that he had come to her to
+reproach her for her sins, and that on this account it was that her son
+was dead. But he bid her be of good cheer, and deliver her son to him,
+for that he would deliver him again to her alive. So when she had
+delivered her son up to him, he carried him into an upper room, where he
+himself lodged, and laid him down upon the bed, and cried unto God, and
+said, that God had not done well, in rewarding the woman who had
+entertained him and sustained him, by taking away her son; and he prayed
+that he would send again the soul of the child into him, and bring him
+to life again. Accordingly God took pity on the mother, and was willing
+to gratify the prophet, that he might not seem to have come to her to do
+her a mischief, and the child, beyond all expectation, came to life
+again. So the mother returned the prophet thanks, and said she was then
+clearly satisfied that God did converse with him.
+
+4. After a little while Elijah came to king Ahab, according to God's
+will, to inform him that rain was coming. Now the famine had seized upon
+the whole country, and there was a great want of what was necessary for
+sustenance, insomuch that it was after the recovery of the widow's son
+of Sarepta, God sent not only men that wanted it, but the earth itself
+also, which did not produce enough for the horse and the other beasts of
+what was useful for them to feed on, by reason of the drought. So the
+king called for Obadiah, who was steward over his cattle, and said to
+him, that he would have him go to the fountains of water, and to the
+brooks, that if any herbs could be found for them, they might mow it
+down, and reserve it for the beasts. And when he had sent persons all
+over the habitable earth 33 to discover the prophet Elijah, and they
+could not find him, he bade Obadiah accompany him. So it was resolved
+they should make a progress, and divide the ways between them; and
+Obadiah took one road, and the king another. Now it happened that the
+same time when queen Jezebel slew the prophets, that this Obadiah had
+hidden a hundred prophets, and had fed them with nothing but bread and
+water. But when Obadiah was alone, and absent from the king, the prophet
+Elijah met him; and Obadiah asked him who he was; and when he had
+learned it from him, he worshipped him. Elijah then bid him go to the
+king, and tell him that I am here ready to wait on him. But Obadiah
+replied, "What evil have I done to thee, that thou sendest me to one who
+seeketh to kill thee, and hath sought over all the earth for thee? Or
+was he so ignorant as not to know that the king had left no place
+untouched unto which he had not sent persons to bring him back, in
+order, if they could take him, to have him put to death?" For he told
+him he was afraid lest God should appear to him again, and he should go
+away into another place; and that when the king should send him for
+Elijah, and he should miss of him, and not be able to find him any where
+upon earth, he should be put to death. He desired him therefore to take
+care of his preservation; and told him how diligently he had provided
+for those of his own profession, and had saved a hundred prophets, when
+Jezebel slew the rest of them, and had kept them concealed, and that
+they had been sustained by him. But Elijah bade him fear nothing, but go
+to the king; and he assured him upon oath that he would certainly show
+himself to Ahab that very day.
+
+5. So when Obadiah had informed the king that Elijah was there, Ahab met
+him, and asked him, in anger, if he were the man that afflicted the
+people of the Hebrews, and was the occasion of the drought they lay
+under? But Elijah, without any flattery, said that he was himself the
+man, he and his house, which brought such sad afflictions upon them, and
+that by introducing strange gods into their country, and worshipping
+them, and by leaving their own, who was the only true God, and having no
+manner of regard to him. However, he bade him go his way, and gather
+together all the people to him to Mount Carmel, with his own prophets,
+and those of his wife, telling him how many there were of them, as also
+the prophets of the groves, about four hundred in number. And as all the
+men whom Ahab sent for ran away to the forenamed mountain, the prophet
+Elijah stood in the midst of them, and said, "How long will you live
+thus in uncertainty of mind and opinion?" He also exhorted them, that in
+case they esteemed their own country God to be the true and the only
+God, they would follow him and his commandments; but in case they
+esteemed him to be nothing, but had an opinion of the strange gods, and
+that they ought to worship them, his counsel was, that they should
+follow them. And when the multitude made no answer to what he said,
+Elijah desired that, for a trial of the power of the strange gods, and
+of their own God, he, who was his only prophet, while they had four
+hundred, might take a heifer and kill it as a sacrifice, and lay it upon
+pieces of wood, and not kindle any fire, and that they should do the
+same things, and call upon their own gods to set the wood on fire; for
+if that were done, they would thence learn the nature of the true God.
+This proposal pleased the people. So Elijah bade the prophets to choose
+out a heifer first, and kill it, and to call on their gods. But when
+there appeared no effect of the prayer or invocation of the prophets
+upon their sacrifice, Elijah derided them, and bade them call upon their
+gods with a loud voice, for they might either be on a journey, or
+asleep; and when these prophets had done so from morning till noon, and
+cut themselves with swords and lances, 34 according to the customs of
+their country, and he was about to offer his sacrifice, he bade [the
+prophets] go away, but bade [the people] come near and observe what he
+did, lest he should privately hide fire among the pieces of wood. So,
+upon the approach of the multitude, he took twelve stones, one for each
+tribe of the people of the Hebrews, and built an altar with them, and
+dug a very deep trench; and when he had laid the pieces of wood upon the
+altar, and upon them had laid the pieces of the sacrifices, he ordered
+them to fill four barrels with the water of the fountain, and to pour it
+upon the altar, till it ran over it, and till the trench was filled with
+the water poured into it. When he had done this, he began to pray to
+God, and to invocate him to make manifest his power to a people that had
+already been in an error a long time; upon which words a fire came on a
+sudden from heaven in the sight of the multitude, and fell upon the
+altar, and consumed the sacrifice, till the very water was set on fire,
+and the place was become dry.
+
+6. Now when the Israelites saw this, they fell down upon the ground, and
+worshipped one God, and called him The great and the only true God; but
+they called the others mere names, framed by the evil and vile opinions
+of men. So they caught their prophets, and, at the command of Elijah,
+slew them. Elijah also said to the king, that he should go to dinner
+without any further concern, for that in a little time he would see God
+send them rain. Accordingly Ahab went his way. But Elijah went up to the
+highest top of Mount Carmel, and sat down upon the ground, and leaned
+his head upon his knees, and bade his servant go up to a certain
+elevated place, and look towards the sea, and when he should see a cloud
+rising any where, he should give him notice of it, for till that time
+the air had been clear. When the Servant had gone up, and had said many
+times that he saw nothing, at the seventh time of his going up, he said
+that he saw a small black thing in the sky, not larger than a man's
+foot. When Elijah heard that, he sent to Ahab, and desired him to go
+away to the city before the rain came down. So he came to the city
+Jezreel; and in a little time the air was all obscured, and covered with
+clouds, and a vehement storm of wind came upon the earth, and with it a
+great deal of rain; and the prophet was under a Divine fury, and ran
+along with the king's chariot unto Jezreel a city of Izar 35
+[Issaachar].
+
+7. When Jezebel, the wife of Ahab, understood what signs Elijah had
+wrought, and how he had slain her prophets, she was angry, and sent
+messengers to him, and by them threatened to kill him, as he had
+destroyed her prophets. At this Elijah was affrighted, and fled to the
+city called Beersheba, which is situate at the utmost limits of the
+country belonging to the tribe of Judah, towards the land of Edom; and
+there he left his servant, and went away into the desert. He prayed also
+that he might die, for that he was not better than his fathers, nor need
+he be very desirous to live, when they were dead; and he lay and slept
+under a certain tree; and when somebody awakened him, and he was risen
+up, he found food set by him and water: so when he had eaten, and
+recovered his strength by that his food, he came to that mountain which
+is called Sinai, where it is related that Moses received his laws from
+God; and finding there a certain hollow cave, he entered into it, and
+continued to make his abode in it. But when a certain voice came to him,
+but from whence he knew not, and asked him, why he was come thither, and
+had left the city? he said, that because he had slain the prophets of
+the foreign gods, and had persuaded the people that he alone whom they
+had worshipped from the beginning was God, he was sought for by the
+king's wife to be punished for so doing. And when he had heard another
+voice, telling him that he should come out the next day into the open
+air, and should thereby know what he was to do, he came out of the cave
+the next day accordingly, When he both heard an earthquake, and saw the
+bright splendor of a fire; and after a silence made, a Divine voice
+exhorted him not to be disturbed with the circumstances he was in, for
+that none of his enemies should have power over him. The voice also
+commanded him to return home, and to ordain Jehu, the son of Nimshi, to
+be king over their own multitude; and Hazael, of Damascus, to be over
+the Syrians; and Elisha, of the city Abel, to be a prophet in his stead;
+and that of the impious multitude, some should be slain by Hazael, and
+others by Jehu. So Elijah, upon hearing this charge, returned into the
+land of the Hebrews. And when he found Elisha, the son of Shaphat,
+ploughing, and certain others with him, driving twelve yoke of oxen, he
+came to him, and cast his own garment upon him; upon which Elisha began
+to prophesy presently, and leaving his oxen, he followed Elijah. And
+when he desired leave to salute his parents, Elijah gave him leave so to
+do; and when he had taken his leave of them, he followed him, and became
+the disciple and the servant of Elijah all the days of his life. And
+thus have I despatched the affairs in which this prophet was concerned.
+
+8. Now there was one Naboth, of the city Izar, [Jezreel,] who had a
+field adjoining to that of the king: the king would have persuaded him
+to sell him that his field, which lay so near to his own lands, at what
+price he pleased, that he might join them together, and make them one
+farm; and if he would not accept of money for it, he gave him leave to
+choose any of his other fields in its stead. But Naboth said he would
+not do so, but would keep the possession of that land of his own, which
+he had by inheritance from his father. Upon this the king was grieved,
+as if he had received an injury, when he could not get another man's
+possession, and he would neither wash himself, nor take any food: and
+when Jezebel asked him what it was that troubled him, and why he would
+neither wash himself, nor eat either dinner or supper, he related to her
+the perverseness of Naboth, and how, when he had made use of gentle
+words to him, and such as were beneath the royal authority, he had been
+affronted, and had not obtained what he desired. However, she persuaded
+him not to be cast down at this accident, but to leave off his grief,
+and return to the usual care of his body, for that she would take care
+to have Naboth punished; and she immediately sent letters to the rulers
+of the Israelites [Jezreelites] in Ahab's name, and commanded them to
+fast and to assemble a congregation, and to set Naboth at the head of
+them, because he was of an illustrious family, and to have three bold
+men ready to bear witness that he had blasphemed God and the king, and
+then to stone him, and slay him in that manner. Accordingly, when Naboth
+had been thus testified against, as the queen had written to them, that
+he had blasphemed against God and Ahab the king, she desired him to take
+possession of Naboth's vineyard on free cost. So Ahab was glad at what
+had been done, and rose up immediately from the bed whereon he lay to go
+to see Naboth's vineyard; but God had great indignation at it, and sent
+Elijah the prophet to the field of Naboth, to speak to Ahab, and to say
+to him, that he had slain the true owner of that field unjustly. And as
+soon as he came to him, and the king had said that he might do with him
+what he pleased, [for he thought it a reproach to him to be thus caught
+in his sin,] Elijah said, that in that very place in which the dead body
+of Naboth was eaten by dogs both his own blood and that of his wife's
+should be shed, and that all his family should perish, because he had
+been so insolently wicked, and had slain a citizen unjustly, and
+contrary to the laws of his country. Hereupon Ahab began to be sorry for
+the things he had done, and to repent of them; and he put on sackcloth,
+and went barefoot 36 and would not touch any food; he also confessed his
+sins, and endeavored thus to appease God. But God said to the prophet,
+that while Ahab was living he would put off the punishment of his
+family, because he repented of those insolent crimes he had been guilty
+of, but that still he would fulfill his threatening under Ahab's son;
+which message the prophet delivered to the king.
+
+
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER 14. How Hadad King Of Damascus And Of Syria, Made Two
+Expeditions Against Ahab And Was Beaten.
+
+1. When the affairs of Ahab were thus, at that very time the son of
+Hadad, [Benhadad,] who was king of the Syrians and of Damascus, got
+together an army out of all his country, and procured thirty-two kings
+beyond Euphrates to be his auxiliaries: so he made an expedition against
+Ahab; but because Ahab's army was not like that of Benhadad, he did not
+set it in array to fight him, but having shut up every thing that was in
+the country in the strongest cities he had, he abode in Samaria himself,
+for the walls about it were very strong, and it appeared to be not
+easily to be taken in other respects also. So the king of Syria took his
+army with him, and came to Samaria, and placed his army round about the
+city, and besieged it. He also sent a herald to Ahab, and desired he
+would admit the ambassadors he would send him, by whom he would let him
+know his pleasure. So, upon the king of Israel's permission for him to
+send, those ambassador's came, and by their king's command spake thus:
+That Ahab's riches, and his children, and his wives were Benhadad's, and
+if he would make an agreement, and give him leave to take as much of
+what he had as he pleased, he would withdraw his army, and leave off the
+siege. Upon this Ahab bade the ambassadors to go back, and tell their
+king, that both he himself and all that he hath are his possessions. And
+when these ambassadors had told this to Benhadad, he sent them to him
+again, and desired, since he confessed that all he had was his, that he
+would admit those servants of his which he should send the next day; and
+he commanded him to deliver to those whom he should send whatsoever,
+upon their searching his palace, and the houses of his friends and
+kindred, they should find to be excellent in its kind, but that what did
+not please them they should leave to him. At this second embassage of
+the king of Syria, Ahab was surprised, and gathered together the
+multitude to a congregation, and told them that, for himself, he was
+ready, for their safety and peace, to give up his own wives and children
+to the enemy, and to yield to him all his own possessions, for that was
+what the Syrian king required at his first embassage; but that now he
+desires to send his servants to search all their houses, and in them to
+leave nothing that is excellent in its kind, seeking an occasion of
+fighting against him, "as knowing that I would not spare what is mine
+own for your sakes, but taking a handle from the disagreeable terms he
+offers concerning you to bring a war upon us; however, I will do what
+you shall resolve is fit to be done." But the multitude advised him to
+hearken to none of his proposals, but to despise him, and be in
+readiness to fight him. Accordingly, when he had given the ambassadors
+this answer to be reported, that he still continued in the mind to
+comply with what terms he at first desired, for the safety of the
+citizens; but as for his second desires, he cannot submit to them,—he
+dismissed them.
+
+2. Now when Benhadad heard this, he had indignation, and sent
+ambassadors to Ahab the third time, and threatened that his army would
+raise a bank higher than those walls, in confidence of whose strength he
+despised him, and that by only each man of his army taking a handful of
+earth; hereby making a show of the great number of his army, and aiming
+to affright him. Ahab answered, that he ought not to vaunt himself when
+he had only put on his armor, but when he should have conquered his
+enemies in the battle. So the ambassadors came back, and found the king
+at supper with his thirty-two kings, and informed him of Ahab's answer;
+who then immediately gave order for proceeding thus: To make lines round
+the city, and raise a bulwark, and to prosecute the siege all manner of
+ways. Now, as this was doing, Ahab was in a great agony, and all his
+people with him; but he took courage, and was freed from his fears, upon
+a certain prophet coming to him, and saying to him, that God had
+promised to subdue so many ten thousands of his enemies under him. And
+when he inquired by whose means the victory was to be obtained, he said,
+"By the sons of the princes; but under thy conduct as their leader, by
+reason of their unskilfulness [in war]." Upon which he called for the
+sons of the princes, and found them to be two hundred and thirty-two
+persons. So when he was informed that the king of Syria had betaken
+himself to feasting and repose, he opened the gates, and sent out the
+princes' sons. Now when the sentinels told Benhadad of it, he sent some
+to meet them, and commanded them, that if these men were come out for
+fighting, they should bind them, and bring them to him; and that if they
+came out peaceably, they should do the same. Now Ahab had another army
+ready within the walls, but the sons of the princes fell upon the out-
+guard, and slew many of them, and pursued the rest of them to the camp;
+and when the king of Israel saw that these had the upper hand, he sent
+out all the rest of his army, which, falling suddenly upon the Syrians,
+beat them, for they did not think they would have come out; on which
+account it was that they assaulted them when they were naked 37 and
+drunk, insomuch that they left all their armor behind them when they
+fled out of the camp, and the king himself escaped with difficulty, by
+fleeing away on horseback. But Ahab went a great way in pursuit of the
+Syrians; and when he had spoiled their camp, which contained a great
+deal of wealth, and moreover a large quantity of gold and silver, he
+took Benhadad's chariots and horses, and returned to the city; but as
+the prophet told him he ought to have his army ready, because the Syrian
+king would make another expedition against him the next year, Ahab was
+busy in making provision for it accordingly.
+
+3. Now Benhadad, when he had saved himself, and as much of his army as
+he could, out of the battle, he consulted with his friends how he might
+make another expedition against the Israelites. Now those friends
+advised him not to fight with them on the hills, because their God was
+potent in such places, and thence it had come to pass that they had very
+lately been beaten; but they said, that if they joined battle with them
+in the plain, they should beat them. They also gave him this further
+advice, to send home those kings whom he had brought as his auxiliaries,
+but to retain their army, and to set captains over it instead of the
+kings, and to raise an army out of their country, and let them be in the
+place of the former who perished in the battle, together with horses and
+chariots. So he judged their counsel to be good, and acted according to
+it in the management of the army.
+
+4. At the beginning of the spring, Benhadad took his army with him, and
+led it against the Hebrews; and when he was come to a certain city which
+was called Aphek, he pitched his camp in the great plain. Ahab also went
+to meet him with his army, and pitched his camp over against him,
+although his army was a very small one, if it were compared with the
+enemy's; but the prophet came again to him, and told him, that God would
+give him the victory, that he might demonstrate his own power to be, not
+only on the mountains, but on the plains also; which it seems was
+contrary to the opinion of the Syrians. So they lay quiet in their camp
+seven days; but on the last of those days, when the enemies came out of
+their camp, and put themselves in array in order to fight, Ahab also
+brought out his own army; and when the battle was joined, and they
+fought valiantly, he put the enemy to flight, and pursued them, and
+pressed upon them, and slew them; nay, they were destroyed by their own
+chariots, and by one another; nor could any more than a few of them
+escape to their own city Aphek, who were also killed by the walls
+falling upon them, being in number twenty-seven thousand. 38 Now there
+were slain in this battle a hundred thousand more; but Benhadad, the
+king of the Syrians, fled away, with certain others of his most faithful
+servants, and hid himself in a cellar under ground; and when these told
+him that the kings of Israel were humane and merciful men, and that they
+might make use of the usual manner of supplication, and obtain
+deliverance from Ahab, in case he would give them leave to go to him, he
+gave them leave accordingly. So they came to Ahab, clothed in sackcloth,
+with ropes about their heads, (for this was the ancient manner of
+supplication among the Syrians,) 39 and said, that Benhadad desired he
+would save him, and that he would ever be a servant to him for that
+favor. Ahab replied he was glad that he was alive, and not hurt in the
+battle; and he further promised him the same honor and kindness that a
+man would show to his brother. So they received assurances upon oath
+from him, that when he came to him he should receive no harm from him,
+and then went and brought him out of the cellar wherein he was hid, and
+brought him to Ahab as he sat in his chariot. So Benhadad worshipped
+him; and Ahab gave him his hand, and made him come up to him into his
+chariot, and kissed him, and bid him be of good cheer, and not to expect
+that any mischief should be done to him. So Benhadad returned him
+thanks, and professed that he also would remember his kindness to him
+all the days of his life; and promised he would restore those cities of
+the Israelites which the former kings had taken from them, and grant
+that he should have leave to come to Damascus, as his forefathers had to
+come to Samaria. So they confirmed their covenant by oaths, and Ahab
+made him many presents, and sent him back to his own kingdom. And this
+was the conclusion of the war that Benhadad made against Ahab and the
+Israelites.
+
+5. But a certain prophet, whose name was Micaiah, 40 came to one of the
+Israelites, and bid him smite him on the head, for by so doing he would
+please God; but when he would not do so, he foretold to him, that since
+he disobeyed the commands of God, he should meet with a lion, and be
+destroyed by him. When that sad accident had befallen the man, the
+prophet came again to another, and gave him the same injunction; so he
+smote him, and wounded his skull; upon which he bound up his head, and
+came to the king, and told him that he had been a soldier of his, and
+had the custody of one of the prisoners committed to him by an officer,
+and that the prisoner being run away, he was in danger of losing his own
+life by the means of that officer, who had threatened him, that if the
+prisoner escaped he would kill him. And when Ahab had said that he would
+justly die, he took off the binding about his head, and was known by the
+king to be Micaiah the prophet, who made use of this artifice as a
+prelude to his following words; for he said that God would punish him
+who had suffered Benhadad, a blasphemer against him, to escape
+punishment; and that he would so bring it about, that he should die by
+the other's means 41 and his people by the other's army. Upon which Ahab
+was very angry at the prophet, and gave commandment that he should be
+put in prison, and there kept; but for himself, he was in confusion at
+the words of Micaiah, and returned to his own house.
+
+
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER 15. Concerning Jehoshaphat The King Of Jerusalem And How Ahab
+Made An Expedition Against The Syrians And Was Assisted Therein By
+Jehoshaphat, But Was Himself Overcome In Battle And Perished Therein.
+
+1. And these were the circumstances in which Ahab was. But I now return
+to Jehoshaphat, the king of Jerusalem, who, when he had augmented his
+kingdom, had set garrisons in the cities of the countries belonging to
+his subjects, and had put such garrisons no less into those cities which
+were taken out of the tribe of Ephraim by his grandfather Abijah, when
+Jeroboam reigned over the ten tribes [than he did into the other]. But
+then he had God favorable and assisting to him, as being both righteous
+and religious, and seeking to do somewhat every day that should be
+agreeable and acceptable to God. The kings also that were round about
+him honored him with the presents they made him, till the riches that he
+had acquired were immensely great, and the glory he had gained was of a
+most exalted nature.
+
+2. Now, in the third year of this reign, he called together the rulers
+of the country, and the priests, and commanded them to go round the
+land, and teach all the people that were under him, city by city, the
+laws of Moses, and to keep them, and to be diligent in the worship of
+God. With this the whole multitude was so pleased, that they were not so
+eagerly set upon or affected with any thing so much as the observation
+of the laws. The neighboring nations also continued to love Jehoshaphat,
+and to be at peace with him. The Philistines paid their appointed
+tribute, and the Arabians supplied him every year with three hundred and
+sixty lambs, and as many kids of the goats. He also fortified the great
+cities, which were many in number, and of great consequence. He prepared
+also a mighty army of soldiers and weapons against their enemies. Now
+the army of men that wore their armor, was three hundred thousand of the
+tribe of Judah, of whom Adnah was the chief; but John was chief of two
+hundred thousand. The same man was chief of the tribe of Benjamin, and
+had two hundred thousand archers under him. There was another chief,
+whose name was Jehozabad, who had a hundred and fourscore thousand armed
+men. This multitude was distributed to be ready for the king's service,
+besides those whom he sent to the best fortified cities.
+
+3. Jehoshaphat took for his son Jehoram to wife the daughter of Ahab,
+the king of the ten tribes, whose name was Athaliah. And when, after
+some time, he went to Samaria, Ahab received him courteously, and
+treated the army that followed him in a splendid manner, with great
+plenty of corn and wine, and of slain beasts; and desired that he would
+join with him in his war against the king of Syria, that he might
+recover from him the city Ramoth, in Gilead; for though it had belonged
+to his father, yet had the king of Syria's father taken it away from
+him; and upon Jehoshaphat's promise to afford him his assistance, [for
+indeed his army was not inferior to the other,] and his sending for his
+army from Jerusalem to Samaria, the two kings went out of the city, and
+each of them sat on his own throne, and each gave their orders to their
+several armies. Now Jehoshaphat bid them call some of the prophets, if
+there were any there, and inquire of them concerning this expedition
+against the king of Syria, whether they would give them counsel to make
+that expedition at this time, for there was peace at that time between
+Ahab and the king of Syria, which had lasted three years, from the time
+he had taken him captive till that day.
+
+4. So Ahab called his own prophets, being in number about four hundred,
+and bid them inquire of God whether he would grant him the victory, if
+he made an expedition against Benhadad, and enable him to overthrow that
+city, for whose sake it was that he was going to war. Now these prophets
+gave their counsel for making this expedition, and said that he would
+beat the king of Syria, and, as formerly, would reduce him under his
+power. But Jehoshaphat, understanding by their words that they were
+false prophets, asked Ahab whether there were not some other prophet,
+and he belonging to the true God, that we may have surer information
+concerning futurities. Hereupon Ahab said there was indeed such a one,
+but that he hated him, as having prophesied evil to him, and having
+foretold that he should be overcome and slain by the king of Syria, and
+that for this cause he had him now in prison, and that his name was
+Micaiah, the son of Imlah. But upon Jehoshaphat's desire that he might
+be produced, Ahab sent a eunuch, who brought Micaiah to him. Now the
+eunuch had informed him by the way, that all the other prophets had
+foretold that the king should gain the victory; but he said, that it was
+not lawful for him to lie against God, but that he must speak what he
+should say to him about the king, whatsoever it were. When he came to
+Ahab, and he had adjured him upon oath to speak the truth to him, he
+said that God had shown to him the Israelites running away, and pursued
+by the Syrians, and dispersed upon the mountains by them, as flocks of
+sheep are dispersed when their shepherd is slain. He said further, that
+God signified to him, that those Israelites should return in peace to
+their own home, and that he only should fall in the battle. When Micaiah
+had thus spoken, Ahab said to Jehoshaphat, "I told thee a little while
+ago the disposition of the man with regard to me, and that he uses to
+prophesy evil to me." Upon which Micaiah replied, that he ought to hear
+all, whatsoever it be, that God foretells; and that in particular, they
+were false prophets that encouraged him to make this war in hope of
+victory, whereas he must fight and be killed. Whereupon the king was in
+suspense with himself: but Zedekiah, one of those false prophets, came
+near, and exhorted him not to hearken to Micaiah, for he did not at all
+speak truth; as a demonstration of which he instanced in what Elijah had
+said, who was a better prophet in foretelling futurities than Micaiah 42
+for he foretold that the dogs should lick his blood in the city of
+Jezreel, in the field of Naboth, as they licked the blood of Naboth, who
+by his means was there stoned to death by the multitude; that therefore
+it was plain that this Micaiah was a liar, as contradicting a greater
+prophet than himself, and saying that he should be slain at three days'
+journey distance: "and [said he] you shall soon know whether he be a
+true prophet, and hath the power of the Divine Spirit; for I will smite
+him, and let him then hurt my hand, as Jadon caused the hand of Jeroboam
+the king to wither when he would have caught him; for I suppose thou
+hast certainly heard of that accident." So when, upon his smiting
+Micaiah, no harm happened to him, Ahab took courage, and readily led his
+army against the king of Syria; for, as I suppose, fate was too hard for
+him, and made him believe that the false prophets spake truer than the
+true one, that it might take an occasion of bringing him to his end.
+However, Zedekiah made horns of iron, and said to Ahab, that God made
+those horns signals, that by them he should overthrow all Syria. But
+Micaiah replied, that Zedekiah, in a few days, should go from one secret
+chamber to another to hide himself, that he might escape the punishment
+of his lying. Then did the king give orders that they should take
+Micaiah away, and guard him to Amon, the governor of the city, and to
+give him nothing but bread and water.
+
+5. Then did Ahab, and Jehoshaphat the king of Jerusalem, take their
+forces, and marched to Ramoth a city of Gilead; and when the king of
+Syria heard of this expedition, he brought out his army to oppose them,
+and pitched his camp not far from Ramoth. Now Ahab and Jehoshaphat had
+agreed that Ahab should lay aside his royal robes, but that the king of
+Jerusalem should put on his [Ahab's] proper habit, and stand before the
+army, in order to disprove, by this artifice, what Micaiah had foretold.
+43 But Ahab's fate found him out without his robes; for Benhadad, the
+king of Assyria, had charged his army, by the means of their commanders,
+to kill nobody else but only the king of Israel. So when the Syrians,
+upon their joining battle with the Israelites, saw Jehoshaphat stand
+before the army, and conjectured that he was Ahab, they fell violently
+upon him, and encompassed him round; but when they were near, and knew
+that it was not he, they all returned back; and while the fight lasted
+from the morning till late in the evening, and the Syrians were
+conquerors, they killed nobody, as their king had commanded them. And
+when they sought to kill Ahab alone, but could not find him, there was a
+young nobleman belonging to king Benhadad, whose name was Naaman; he
+drew his bow against the enemy, and wounded the king through his
+breastplate, in his lungs. Upon this Ahab resolved not to make his
+mischance known to his army, lest they should run away; but he bid the
+driver of his chariot to turn it back, and carry him out of the battle,
+because he was sorely and mortally wounded. However, he sat in his
+chariot and endured the pain till sunset, and then he fainted away and
+died.
+
+6. And now the Syrian army, upon the coming on of the night, retired to
+their camp; and when the herald belonging to the camp gave notice that
+Ahab was dead, they returned home; and they took the dead body of Ahab
+to Samaria, and buried it there; but when they had washed his chariot in
+the fountain of Jezreel, which was bloody with the dead body of the
+king, they acknowledged that the prophecy of Elijah was true, for the
+dogs licked his blood, and the harlots continued afterwards to wash
+themselves in that fountain; but still he died at Ramoth, as Micaiah had
+foretold. And as what things were foretold should happen to Ahab by the
+two prophets came to pass, we ought thence to have high notions of God,
+and every where to honor and worship him, and never to suppose that what
+is pleasant and agreeable is worthy of belief before what is true, and
+to esteem nothing more advantageous than the gift of prophecy 44 and
+that foreknowledge of future events which is derived from it, since God
+shows men thereby what we ought to avoid. We may also guess, from what
+happened to this king, and have reason to consider the power of fate;
+that there is no way of avoiding it, even when we know it. It creeps
+upon human souls, and flatters them with pleasing hopes, till it leads
+them about to the place where it will be too hard for them. Accordingly
+Ahab appears to have been deceived thereby, till he disbelieved those
+that foretold his defeat; but, by giving credit to such as foretold what
+was grateful to him, was slain; and his son Ahaziah succeeded him.
+
+
+
+
+
+
+FOOTNOTES:
+
+
+1 (return) [ This execution upon Joab, as a murderer, by slaying him,
+even when he had taken sanctuary at God's altar, is perfectly agreeable
+to the law of Moses, which enjoins, that "if a man come presumptuously
+upon his neighbor to slay him with guile, thou shalt take him from mine
+altar that he die," Exodus 21:14.]
+
+
+2 (return) [ This building of the walls of Jerusalem, soon after David's
+death, illustrates the conclusion of the 51st Psalm, where David prays,
+"Build thou the walls of Jerusalem;" they being, it seems, unfinished or
+imperfect at that time. See ch. 6. sect. 1; and ch. 1. sect. 7; also 1
+Kings 9:15.]
+
+
+3 (return) [ It may not be amiss to compare the daily furniture of king
+Solomon's table, here set down, and 1 Kings 4;22, 23, with the like
+daily furniture of Nehemiah the governor's table, after the Jews were
+come back from Babylon; and to remember withal, that Nehemiah was now
+building the walls of Jerusalem, and maintained, more than usual, above
+a hundred and fifty considerable men every day, and that, because the
+nation was then very poor, at his own charges also, without laying any
+burden upon the people at all. "Now that which was prepared for me daily
+was one ox and six choice sheep; also fowls were prepared for me, and
+once in ten days store of all sorts of wine; and yet for all this
+required not the bread of the governor, because the bondage was heavy
+upon this people," Nehemiah 5:18: see the whole context, ver. 14-19. Nor
+did the governor's usual allowance of forty shekels of silver a-day,
+ver. 15, amount to 45 a day, nor to 1800 a-year. Nor does it indeed
+appear that, under the judges, or under Samuel the prophet, there was
+any such public allowance to those governors at all. Those great charges
+upon the public for maintaining courts came in with kings, as God
+foretold they would, 1 Samuel 8:11-18.
+
+
+4 (return) [ Some pretended fragments of these books of conjuration of
+Solomon are still extant in Fabricius's Cod. Pseudepigr. Vet. Test. page
+1054, though I entirely differ from Josephus in this his supposal, that
+such books and arts of Solomon were parts of that wisdom which was
+imparted to him by God in his younger days; they must rather have
+belonged to such profane but curious arts as we find mentioned Acts
+19:13-20, and had been derived from the idolatry and superstition of his
+heathen wives and concubines in his old age, when he had forsaken God,
+and God had forsaken him, and given him up to demoniacal delusions. Nor
+does Josephus's strange account of the root Baara [Of the War, B. VIII.
+ch. 6. sect. 3: seem to be other than that of its magical use in such
+conjurations. As for the following history, it confirms what Christ
+says, Matthew 12;27 "If I by Beelzebub cast out demons, by whom do your
+Sons cast them out?"]
+
+
+5 (return) [ These epistles of Solomon and Hiram are those in 1 Kings
+5:3-9, and, as enlarged, in 2 Chronicles 2:3-16, but here given us by
+Josephus in his own words.]
+
+
+6 (return) [ What Josephus here puts into his copy of Hiram's epistle to
+Solomon, and repeats afterwards, ch. 5. sect. 3, that Tyre was now an
+island, is not in any of the three other copies, viz. that of the Kings,
+Chronicles, or Eusebius; nor is it any other, I suppose, than his own
+conjectural paraphrase; for when I, many years ago, inquired into this
+matter, I found the state of this famous city, and of the island
+whereupon it stood, to have been very different at different times. The
+result of my inquiries in this matter, with the addition of some later
+improvements, stands thus: That the best testimonies hereto relating,
+imply, that Paketyrus, or Oldest Tyre, was no other than that most
+ancient smaller fort or city Tyre, situated on the continent, and
+mentioned in Joshua 19:29, out of which the Canaanite or Phoenician
+inhabitants were driven into a large island, that lay not far off in the
+sea, by Joshua: that this island was then joined to the continent at the
+present remains of Paketyrus, by a neck of land over against Solomon's
+cisterns, still so called; and the city's fresh water, probably, was
+carried along in pipes by that neck of land; and that this island was
+therefore, in strictness, no other than a peninsula, having villages in
+its fields, Ezekiel 26:6, and a wall about it, Amos 1:10, and the city
+was not of so great reputation as Sitlon for some ages: that it was
+attacked both by sea and land by Salmanasser, as Josephus informs us,
+Antiq. B. IX. ch. 14. sect. 2, and afterwards came to be the metropolis
+of Phoenicia; and was afterwards taken and destroyed by Nebuchadnezzar,
+according to the numerous Scripture prophecies thereto relating, Isaiah
+23.; Jeremiah 25:22; 27:3; 47:4; Ezekiel 26., 27., 28.: that seventy
+years after that destruction by Nebuchadnezzar, this city was in some
+measure revived and rebuilt, Isaiah 23:17, 18, but that, as the prophet
+Ezekiel had foretold, chap. 26:3-5, 14; 27: 34, the sea arose higher
+than before, till at last it over flowed, not only the neck of land, but
+the main island or peninsula itself, and destroyed that old and famous
+city for ever: that, however, there still remained an adjoining smaller
+island, once connected to Old Tyre itself by Hiram, which was afterwards
+inhabited; to which Alexander the Great, with incredible pains, raised a
+new bank or causeway: and that it plainly appears from Ifaundreh, a most
+authentic eye-witness, that the old large and famous city, on the
+original large island, is now laid so generally under water, that scarce
+more than forty acres of it, or rather of that adjoining small island
+remain at this day; so that, perhaps, not above a hundredth part of the
+first island and city is now above water. This was foretold in the same
+prophecies of Ezekiel; and according to them, as Mr. Maundrell
+distinctly observes, these poor remains of Old Tyre are now "become like
+the top of a rock, a place for the spreading of nets in the midst of the
+sea."]
+
+
+7 (return) [ Of the temple of Solomon here described by Josephus, in
+this and the following sections of this chapter, see my description of
+the temples belonging to this work, ch. 13, These small rooms, or side
+chambers, seem to have been, by Josephus's description, no less than
+twenty cubits high a piece, otherwise there must have been a large
+interval between one and the other that was over it; and this with
+double floors, the one of six cubits distance from the floor beneath it,
+as 1 Kings 6:5]
+
+
+8 (return) [ Josephus says here that the cherubims were of solid gold,
+and only five cubits high, while our Hebrew copies [1 Kings 6;23, 28:
+say they were of the olive tree, and the LXXX. of the cypress tree, and
+only overlaid with gold; and both agree they were ten cubits high. I
+suppose the number here is falsely transcribed, and that Josephus wrote
+ten cubits also.]
+
+
+9 (return) [ As for these two famous pillars, Jachin and Booz, their
+height could be no more than eighteen cubits, as here, and 1 Kings 7:15;
+2 Kings 25:17; Jeremiah 3:21; those thirty-five cubits in 2 Chronicles
+3:15, being contrary to all the rules of architecture in the world.]
+
+
+10 (return) [ The round or cylindrical lavers of four cubits in
+diameter, and four in height, both in our copies, 1 Kings 7:38, 39, and
+here in Josephus, must have contained a great deal more than these forty
+baths, which are always assigned them. Where the error lies is hard to
+say: perhaps Josephus honestly followed his copies here, though they had
+been corrupted, and he was not able to restore the true reading. In the
+mean time, the forty baths are probably the true quantity contained in
+each laver, since they went upon wheels, and were to be drawn by the
+Levites about the courts of the priests for the washings they were
+designed for; and had they held much more, they would have been too
+heavy to have been so drawn.]
+
+
+11 (return) [ Here Josephus gives us a key to his own language, of right
+and left hand in the tabernacle and temple; that by the right hand he
+means what is against our left, when we suppose ourselves going up from
+the east gate of the courts towards the tabernacle or temple themselves,
+and so vice versa; whence it follows, that the pillar Jachin, on the
+right hand of the temple was on the south, against our left hand; and
+Booz on the north, against our right hand. Of the golden plate on the
+high priest's forehead that was in being in the days of Josephus, and a
+century or two at least later, seethe note on Antiq. B. III. ch. 7.
+sect. 6.]
+
+
+12 (return) [ When Josephus here says that the floor of the outmost
+temple or court of the Gentiles was with vast labor raised to be even,
+or of equal height, with the floor of the inner, or court of the
+priests, he must mean this in a gross estimation only; for he and all
+others agree, that the inner temple, or court of the priests, was a few
+cubits more elevated than the middle court, the court of Israel, and
+that much more was the court of the priests elevated several cubits
+above that outmost court, since the court of Israel was lower than the
+one and higher than the other. The Septuagint say that "they prepared
+timber and stones to build the temple for three years," 1 Kings 5:18;
+and although neither our present Hebrew copy, nor Josephus, directly
+name that number of years, yet do they both say the building itself did
+not begin till Solomon's fourth year; and both speak of the preparation
+of materials beforehand, 1 Kings v. 18; Antiq. B. VIII. ch. 5. sect. 1.
+There is no reason, therefore, to alter the Septuagint's number; but we
+are to suppose three years to have been the just time of the
+preparation, as I have done in my computation of the expense in building
+that temple.]
+
+
+13 (return) [ This solemn removal of the ark from Mount Sion to Mount
+Moriah, at the distance of almost three quarters of a mile, confutes
+that notion of the modern Jews, and followed by many Christians also, as
+if those two were after a sort one and the same mountain, for which
+there is, I think, very little foundation.]
+
+
+14 (return) [ This mention of the Corinthian ornaments of architecture
+in Solomon's palace by Josephus seems to be here set down by way of
+prophecy although it appears to me that the Grecian and Roman most
+ancient orders of architecture were taken from Solomon's temple, as from
+their original patterns, yet it is not so clear that the last and most
+ornamental order of the Corinthian was so ancient, although what the
+same Josephus says, [Of the War, B. V. ch. 5. sect. 3,] that one of the
+gates of Herod's temple was built according to the rules of this
+Corinthian order, is no way improbable, that order being, without
+dispute, much older than the reign of Herod. However, upon some trial, I
+confess I have not hitherto been able fully to understand the structure
+of this palace of Solomon, either as described in our Bibles, or even
+with the additional help of this description here by Josephus; only the
+reader may easily observe with me, that the measures of this first
+building in Josephus, a hundred cubits long, and fifty cubits broad, are
+the very same with the area of the cart of the tabernacle of Moses, and
+just hall' an Egyptian orout, or acre.]
+
+
+15 (return) [ This signification of the name Pharaoh appears to be true.
+But what Josephus adds presently, that no king of Egypt was called
+Pharaoh after Solomon's father-in-law, does hardly agree to our copies,
+which have long afterwards the names of Pharaoh Neehob, and Pharaoh
+Hophrah, 2 Kings 23:29; Jeremiah 44:30, besides the frequent mention of
+that name Pharaoh in the prophets. However, Josephus himself, in his own
+speech to the Jews, Of the War, B. V. ch. 9. sect. 4, speaks of Neehao,
+who was also called Pharaoh, as the name of that king of Egypt with whom
+Abraham was concerned; of which name Neehao yet we have elsewhere no
+mention till the days of Josiah, but only of Pharaoh. And, indeed, it
+must be conceded, that here, and sect. 5, we have more mistakes made by
+Josephus, and those relating to the kings of Egypt, and to that queen of
+Egypt and Ethiopia, whom he supposes to have come to see Solomon, than
+almost any where else in all his Antiquities.]
+
+
+16 (return) [ That this queen of Sheba was a queen of Sabea in South
+Arabia, and not of Egypt and Ethiopia, as Josephus here asserts, is, I
+suppose, now generally agreed. And since Sabea is well known to be a
+country near the sea in the south of Arabia Felix, which lay south from
+Judea also; and since our Savior calls this queen, "the queen of the
+south," and says, "she came from the utmost parts of the earth," Matthew
+12:42; Luke 11:31, which descriptions agree better to this Arabia than
+to Egypt and Ethiopia; there is little occasion for doubting in this
+matter.]
+
+
+17 (return) [ Some blame Josephus for supposing that the balsam tree
+might be first brought out of Arabia, or Egypt, or Ethiopia, into Judea,
+by this queen of Sheba, since several have said that of old no country
+bore this precious balsam but Judea; yet it is not only false that this
+balsam was peculiar to Judea but both Egypt and Arabia, and particularly
+Sabea; had it; which last was that very country whence Josephus, if
+understood not of Ethiopia, but of Arabia, intimates this queen might
+bring it first into Judea. Nor are we to suppose that the queen of
+Sabaea could well omit such a present as this balsam tree would be
+esteemed by Solomon, in case it were then almost peculiar to her own
+country. Nor is the mention of balm or balsam, as carried by merchants,
+and sent as a present out of Judea by Jacob, to the governor of Egypt,
+Genesis 37:25; 43:11, to be alleged to the contrary, since what we there
+render balm or balsam, denotes rather that turpentine which we now call
+turpentine of Chio, or Cyprus, the juice of the turpentine tree, than
+this precious balm. This last is also the same word that we elsewhere
+render by the same mistake balm of Gilead; it should be rendered, the
+turpentine of Gilead, Jeremiah 8:22.]
+
+
+18 (return) [ Whether these fine gardens and rivulets of Etham, about
+six miles from Jerusalem, whither Solomon rode so often in state, be not
+those alluded to, Ecclesiastes 2:5, 6, where he says, "He made him
+gardens and orchards, and planted trees in them of all kinds of fruits:
+he made him pools of water, to water the wood that bringeth forth
+trees;" and to the finest part whereof he seems to allude, when, in the
+Canticles, he compares his spouse to a garden "enclosed," to a "spring
+shut up," to a "fountain sealed," ch. 4. 12 [part of which from rains
+are still extant, as Mr. Matmdrell informs us, page 87, 88]; cannot now
+be certainly determined, but may very probably be conjectured. But
+whether this Etham has any relation to those rivers of Etham, which
+Providence once dried up in a miraculous manner, Psalm 74:15, in the
+Septuagint, I cannot say.]
+
+
+19 (return) [ These seven hundred wives, or the daughters of great men,
+and the three hundred concubines, the daughters of the ignoble, make one
+thousand in all; and are, I suppose, those very one thousand women
+intimated elsewhere by Solomon himself, when he speaks of his not having
+found one [good] woman among that very number, Ecclesiastes 7:28.]
+
+
+20 (return) [ Josephus is here certainly too severe upon Solomon, who,
+in making the cherubims, and these twelve brazen oxen, seems to have
+done no more than imitate the patterns left him by David, which were all
+given David by Divine inspiration. See my description of the temples,
+ch. 10. And although God gave no direction for the lions that adorned
+his throne, yet does not Solomon seem therein to have broken any law of
+Moses; for although the Pharisees and latter Rabbins have extended the
+second commandment, to forbid the very making of any image, though
+without any intention to have it worshipped, yet do not I suppose that
+Solomon so understood it, nor that it ought to be so understood. The
+making any other altar for worship but that at the tabernacle was
+equally forbidden by Moses, Antiq. B. IV. ch. 8. sect. 5; yet did not
+the two tribes and a half offend when they made an altar for a memorial
+only, Joshua 22; Antiq. B. V. ch. 1. sect. 26, 27.]
+
+
+21 (return) [ Since the beginning of Solomon's evil life and adversity
+was the time when Hadad or Ader, who was born at least twenty or thirty
+years before Solomon came to the crown, in the days of David, began to
+give him disturbance, this implies that Solomon's evil life began early,
+and continued very long, which the multitude of his wives and concubines
+does imply also; I suppose when he was not fifty years of age.]
+
+
+22 (return) [ This youth of Jeroboam, when Solomon built the walls of
+righteous and keep the laws, because he hath proposed to thee the
+greatest of all rewards for thy piety, and the honor thou shalt pay to
+God, namely, to be as greatly exalted as thou knowest David to have
+been." Jerusalem, not very long after he had finished his twenty years
+building of the temple and his own palace, or not very long after the
+twenty-fourth of his reign, 1 Kings 9:24; 2 Chronicles 8:11, and his
+youth here still mentioned, when Solomon's wickedness was become
+intolerable, fully confirm my former observation, that such his
+wickedness began early, and continued very long. See Ecclus. 47:14.]
+
+
+23 (return) [ That by scorpions is not here meant that small animal so
+called, which was never used in corrections, but either a shrub, furze
+bush, or else some terrible sort of whip of the like nature see Hudson's
+and Spanheim's notes here.]
+
+
+24 (return) [ Whether these "fountains of the Lesser Jordan" were near a
+place called Dan, and the fountains of the Greater near a place called
+Jor, before their conjunction; or whether there was only one fountain,
+arising at the lake Phiala, at first sinking under ground, and then
+arising near the mountain Paneum, and thence running through the lake
+Scmochonitis to the Sea of Galilee, and so far called the Lesser Jordan;
+is hardly certain, even in Josephus himself, though the latter account
+be the most probable. However, the northern idolatrous calf, set up by
+Jeroboam, was where Little Jordan fell into Great Jordan, near a place
+called Daphnae, as Josephus elsewhere informs us, Of the War, B. IV. ch.
+1. sect. 1: see the note there.]
+
+
+25 (return) [ How much a larger and better copy Josephus had in this
+remarkable history of the true prophet of Judea, and his concern with
+Jeroboam, and with the false prophet of Bethel, than our other copies
+have, is evident at first sight. The prophet's very name, Jadon, or, as
+the Constitutions call him, Adonias, is wanting in our other copies; and
+it is there, with no little absurdity, said that God revealed Jadon the
+true prophet's death, not to himself as here, but to the false prophet.
+Whether the particular account of the arguments made use of, after all,
+by the false prophet against his own belief and his own conscience, in
+order to persuade Jeroboam to persevere in his idolatry and wickedness,
+than which more plausible could not be invented, was intimated in
+Josephus's copy, or in some other ancient book, cannot now be
+determined; our other copies say not one word of it.]
+
+
+26 (return) [ That this Shishak was not the same person with the famous
+Sesostris, as some have very lately, in contradiction to all antiquity,
+supposed, and that our Josephus did not take him to be the same, as they
+pretend, but that Sesostris was many centuries earlier than Shishak, see
+Authent. Records, part II. page 1024.]
+
+
+27 (return) [ Herodotus, as here quoted by Josephus, and as this passage
+still stands in his present copies, B. II. ch. 14., affirms, that "the
+Phoenicians and Syrians in Palestine [which last are generally supposed
+to denote the Jews] owned their receiving circumcision from the
+Egyptians;" whereas it is abundantly evident that the Jews received
+their circumcision from the patriarch Abraham, Genesis 17:9-14; John
+7:22, 23, as I conclude the Egyptian priests themselves did also. It is
+not therefore very unlikely that Herodotus, because the Jews had lived
+long in Egypt, and came out of it circumcised, did thereupon think they
+had learned that circumcision in Egypt, and had it not broke. Manetho,
+the famous Egyptian chronologer and historian, who knew the history of
+his own country much better than Herodotus, complains frequently of his
+mistakes about their affairs, as does Josephus more than once in this
+chapter. Nor indeed does Herodotus seem at all acquainted with the
+affairs of the Jews; for as he never names them, so little or nothing of
+what he says about them, their country, or maritime cities, two of which
+he alone mentions, Cadytus and Jenysus, proves true; nor indeed do there
+appear to have ever been any such cities on their coast.]
+
+
+28 (return) [ This is a strange expression in Josephus, that God is his
+own workmanship, or that he made himself, contrary to common sense and
+to catholic Christianity; perhaps he only means that he was not made by
+one, but was unoriginated.]
+
+
+29 (return) [ By this terrible and perfectly unparalleled slaughter of
+five hundred thousand men of the newly idolatrous and rebellious ten
+tribes, God's high displeasure and indignation against that idolatry and
+rebellion fully appeared; the remainder were thereby seriously cautioned
+not to persist in them, and a kind of balance or equilibrium was made
+between the ten and the two tribes for the time to come; while otherwise
+the perpetually idolatrous and rebellious ten tribes would naturally
+have been too powerful for the two tribes, which were pretty frequently
+free both from such idolatry and rebellion; nor is there any reason to
+doubt of the truth of the prodigious number upmost: signal an occasion.]
+
+
+30 (return) [ The reader is to remember that Cush is not Ethiopia, but
+Arabia. See Bochart, B. IV. ch. 2.]
+
+
+31 (return) [ Here is a very great error in our Hebrew copy in this
+place, 2 Chronicles 15:3-6, as applying what follows to times past, and
+not to times future; whence that text is quite misapplied by Sir Isaac
+Newton.]
+
+
+32 (return) [ This Abelmain, or, in Josephus's copy, Abellane, that
+belonged to the land of Israel, and bordered on the country of Damascus,
+is supposed, both by Hudson and Spanheim, to be the same with Abel, or
+Ahila, whence came Abilene. This may be that city so denominated from
+Abel the righteous, there buried, concerning the shedding of whose blood
+within the compass of the land of Israel, I understand our Savior's
+words about the fatal war and overthrow of Judea by Titus and his Roman
+army; "That upon you may come all the righteous blood shed upon the
+land, from the blood of righteous Abel to the blood of Zacharias son of
+Barnchins, whom ye slew between the temple and the altar. Verily, I say
+unto you, all these things shall come upon this generation," Matthew
+23;35, 36; Luke 11:51.]
+
+
+33 (return) [ Josephus, in his present copies, says, that a little while
+rain upon the earth; whereas, in our other copies, it is after many
+days, 1 Kings 18:1. Several years are also intimated there, and in
+Josephus, sect. 2, as belonging to this drought and famine; nay, we have
+the express mention of the third year, which I suppose was reckoned from
+the recovery of the widow's son, and the ceasing of this drought in
+Phmuiela [Footnote which, as Menander informs us here, lasted one whole
+year]; and both our Savior and St. James affirm, that this drought
+lasted in all three years and six months, as their copies of the Old
+Testament then informed them, Luke 4:25; James 5:17. Josephus here seems
+to mean, that this drought affected all the habitable earth, and
+presently all the earth, as our Savior says it was upon all the earth,
+Luke 4:25. They who restrain these expressions to the land of Judea
+alone, go without sufficient authority or examples.]
+
+
+34 (return) [ Mr. Spanheim takes notice here, that in the worship of
+Mithra [the god of the Persians] the priests cut themselves in the same
+manner as did these priests in their invocation of Baal [the god of the
+Phoenicians].]
+
+
+35 (return) [ For Izar we may here read [with Hudson and Cocceius]
+Isachar, i.e of the tribe of Isachar, for to that tribe did Jezreel
+belong; and presently at the beginning of sect. 8, as also ch. 15. sect.
+4, we may read for Iar, with one MS. nearly, and the Scripture, Jezreel,
+for that was the city meant in the history of Naboth.]
+
+
+36 (return) [ "The Jews weep to this day," [says Jerome, here cited by
+Reland,] "and roll themselves upon sackcloth, in ashes, barefoot, upon
+such occasions." To which Spanheim adds, "that after the same manner
+Bernice, when his life was in danger, stood at the tribunal of Florus
+barefoot." Of the War, B. II. ch. 15. sect. 1. See the like of David, 2
+Samuel 15:30; Antiq. B. VII. ch. 9. sect. 2.]
+
+
+37 (return) [ Mr. Reland notes here very truly, that the word naked does
+not always signify entirely naked, but sometimes without men's usual
+armor, without heir usual robes or upper garments; as when Virgil bids
+the husbandman plough naked, and sow naked; when Josephus says [Antiq.
+B. IV. ch. 3. sect. 2: that God had given the Jews the security of armor
+when they were naked; and when he here says that Ahab fell on the
+Syrians when they were naked and drunk; when [Antiq. B. XI. ch. 5. sect.
+8: he says that Nehemiah commanded those Jews that were building the
+walls of Jerusalem to take care to have their armor on upon occasion,
+that the enemy might not fall upon them naked. I may add, that the case
+seems to be the same in the Scripture, when it says that Saul lay down
+naked among the prophets, 1 Samuel 19:24; when it says that Isaiah
+walked naked and barefoot, Isaiah 20:2, 3; and when it says that Peter,
+before he girt his fisher's coat to him, was naked, John 21:7. What is
+said of David also gives light to this, who was reproached by Michal for
+"dancing before the ark, and uncovering himself in the eyes of his
+handmaids, as one of the vain fellows shamelessly uncovereth himself," 2
+Samuel 6:14, 20; yet it is there expressly said [ver. 14: that "David
+was girded with a linen ephod," i.e. he had laid aside his robes of
+state, and put on the sacerdotal, Levitical, or sacred garments, proper
+for such a solemnity.]
+
+
+38 (return) [ Josephus's number, two myriads and seven thousand, agrees
+here with that in our other copies, as those that were slain by the
+falling down of the walls of Aphek; but I suspected at first that this
+number in Josephus's present copies could not be his original number,
+because he calls them "oligoi," a few, which could hardly be said of so
+many as twenty-seven thousand, and because of the improbability of the
+fall of a particular wall killing so many; yet when I consider
+Josephus's next words, how the rest which were slain in the battle were
+"ten other myriads," that twenty-seven thousand are but a few in
+comparison of a hundred thousand, and that it was not "a wall," as in
+our English version, but "the walls" or "the entire walls" of the city
+that fell down, as in all the originals, I lay aside that suspicion, and
+firmly believe that Josephus himself hath, with the rest, given us the
+just number, twenty-seven thousand.]
+
+
+39 (return) [ This manner of supplication for men's lives among the
+Syrians, with ropes or halters about their heads or necks, is, I
+suppose, no strange thing in later ages, even in our own country.]
+
+
+40 (return) [ It is here remarkable, that in Josephus's copy this
+prophet, whose severe denunciation of a disobedient person's slaughter
+by a lion had lately come to pass, was no other than Micaiah, the son of
+Imlah, who, as he now denounced God's judgment on disobedient Ahab,
+seems directly to have been that very prophet whom the same Ahab, in 1
+Kings 22:8, 18, complains of, "as one whom he hated, because he did not
+prophesy good concerning him, but evil," and who in that chapter openly
+repeats his denunciations against him; all which came to pass
+accordingly; nor is there any reason to doubt but this and the former
+were the very same prophet.]
+
+
+41 (return) [ What is most remarkable in this history, and in many
+histories on other occasions in the Old Testament, is this, that during
+the Jewish theocracy God acted entirely as the supreme King of Israel,
+and the supreme General of their armies, and always expected that the
+Israelites should be in such absolute subjection to him, their supreme
+and heavenly King, and General of their armies, as subjects and soldiers
+are to their earthly kings and generals, and that usually without
+knowing the particular reasons of their injunctions.]
+
+
+42 (return) [ These reasonings of Zedekiah the false prophet, in order
+to persuade Ahab not to believe Micaiah the true prophet, are plausible;
+but being omitted in our other copies, we cannot now tell whence
+Josephus had them, whether from his own temple copy, from some other
+original author, or from certain ancient notes. That some such plausible
+objection was now raised against Micaiah is very likely, otherwise
+Jehoshaphat, who used to disbelieve all such false prophets, could never
+have been induced to accompany Ahab in these desperate circumstances.]
+
+
+43 (return) [ This reading of Josephus, that Jehoshaphat put on not his
+own, but Ahab's robes, in order to appear to be Ahab, while Ahab was
+without any robes at all, and hoped thereby to escape his own evil fate,
+and disprove Micaiah's prophecy against him, is exceeding probable. It
+gives great light also to this whole history; and shows, that although
+Ahab hoped Jehoshaphat would be mistaken for him, and run the only risk
+of being slain in the battle, yet he was entirely disappointed, while
+still the escape of the good man Jehoshaphat, and the slaughter of the
+bad man Ahab, demonstrated the great distinction that Divine providence
+made betwixt them.]
+
+
+44 (return) [ We have here a very wise reflection of Josephus about
+Divine Providence, and what is derived from it, prophecy, and the
+inevitable certainty of its accomplishment; and that when wicked men
+think they take proper methods to elude what is denounced against them,
+and to escape the Divine judgments thereby threatened them, without
+repentance, they are ever by Providence infatuated to bring about their
+own destruction, and thereby withal to demonstrate the perfect veracity
+of that God whose predictions they in vain endeavored to elude.]
+
+
+
+
+
+
+BOOK IX. Containing The Interval Of One Hundred And Fifty-Seven
+Years.—From The Death Of Ahab To The Captivity Of The Ten Tribes.
+
+
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER 1. Concerning Jehoshaphat Again; How He Constituted Judges And,
+By God's Assistance Overcame His Enemies.
+
+1. When Jehoshaphat the king was come to Jerusalem, from the assistance
+he had afforded Ahab, the king of Israel, when he fought with Benhadad,
+king of Syria, the prophet Jehu met him, and accused him for assisting
+Ahab, a man both impious and wicked; and said to him, that God was
+displeased with him for so doing, but that he delivered him from the
+enemy, notwithstanding he had sinned, because of his own proper
+disposition, which was good. Whereupon the king betook himself to
+thanksgivings and sacrifices to God; after which he presently went over
+all that country which he ruled round about, and taught the people, as
+well the laws which God gave them by Moses, as that religious worship
+that was due to him. He also constituted judges in every one of the
+cities of his kingdom; and charged them to have regard to nothing so
+much in judging the multitude as to do justice, and not to be moved by
+bribes, nor by the dignity of men eminent for either their riches or
+their high birth, but to distribute justice equally to all, as knowing
+that God is conscious of every secret action of theirs. When he had
+himself instructed them thus, and gone over every city of the two
+tribes, he returned to Jerusalem. He there also constituted judges out
+of the priests and the Levites, and principal persons of the multitude,
+and admonished them to pass all their sentences with care and justice 1
+And that if any of the people of his country had differences of great
+consequence, they should send them out of the other cities to these
+judges, who would be obliged to give righteous sentences concerning such
+causes; and this with the greater care, because it is proper that the
+sentences which are given in that city wherein the temple of God is, and
+wherein the king dwells, be given with great care and the utmost
+justice. Now he set over them Amariah the priest, and Zebadiah, [both]
+of the tribe of Judah; and after this manner it was that the king
+ordered these affairs.
+
+2. About the same time the Moabites and Ammonites made an expedition
+against Jehoshaphat, and took with them a great body of Arabians, and
+pitched their camp at Engedi, a city that is situate at the lake
+Asphaltiris, and distant three hundred furlongs from Jerusalem. In that
+place grows the best kind of palm trees, and the opobalsamum. 2 Now
+Jehoshaphat heard that the enemies had passed over the lake, and had
+made an irruption into that country which belonged to his kingdom; at
+which news he was affrighted, and called the people of Jerusalem to a
+congregation in the temple, and standing over against the temple itself,
+he called upon God to afford him power and strength, so as to inflict
+punishment on those that made this expedition against them [for that
+those who built this his temple had prayed, that he would protect that
+city, and take vengeance on those that were so bold as to come against
+it]; for they are come to take from us that land which thou hast given
+us for a possession. When he had prayed thus, he fell into tears; and
+the whole multitude, together with their wives and children, made their
+supplications also: upon which a certain prophet, Jahaziel by name, came
+into the midst of the assembly, and cried out, and spake both to the
+multitude and to the king, that God heard their prayers, and promised to
+fight against their enemies. He also gave order that the king should
+draw his forces out the next day, for that he should find them between
+Jerusalem and the ascent of Engedi, at a place called The Eminence, and
+that he should not fight against them, but only stand still, and see how
+God would fight against them. When the prophet had said this, both the
+king and the multitude fell upon their faces, and gave thanks to God,
+and worshipped him; and the Levites continued singing hymns to God with
+their instruments of music.
+
+3. As soon as it was day, and the king was come into that wilderness
+which is under the city of Tekoa, he said to the multitude, "that they
+ought to give credit to what the prophet had said, and not to set
+themselves in array for fighting; but to set the priests with their
+trumpets, and the Levites with the singers of hymns, to give thanks to
+God, as having already delivered our country from our enemies." This
+opinion of the king pleased [the people], and they did what he advised
+them to do. So God caused a terror and a commotion to arise among the
+Ammonites, who thought one another to be enemies, and slew one another,
+insomuch that not one man out of so great an army escaped; and when
+Jehoshaphat looked upon that valley wherein their enemies had been
+encamped, and saw it full of dead men, he rejoiced at so surprising an
+event, as was this assistance of God, while he himself by his own power,
+and without their labor, had given them the victory. He also gave his
+army leave to take the prey of the enemy's camp, and to spoil their dead
+bodies; and indeed so they did for three days together, till they were
+weary, so great was the number of the slain; and on the fourth day, all
+the people were gathered together unto a certain hollow place or valley,
+and blessed God for his power and assistance, from which the place had
+this name given it, the Valley of [Berachah, or] Blessing.
+
+4. And when the king had brought his army back to Jerusalem, he betook
+himself to celebrate festivals, and offer sacrifices, and this for many
+days. And indeed, after this destruction of their enemies, and when it
+came to the ears of the foreign nations, they were all greatly
+affrighted, as supposing that God would openly fight for him hereafter.
+So Jehoshaphat from that time lived in great glory and splendor, on
+account of his righteousness and his piety towards God. He was also in
+friendship with Ahab's son, who was king of Israel; and he joined with
+him in the building of ships that were to sail to Pontus, and the
+traffic cities of Thrace 3 but he failed of his gains, for the ships
+were destroyed by being so great [and unwieldy]; on which account he was
+no longer concerned about shipping. And this is the history of
+Jehoshaphat, the king of Jerusalem.
+
+
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER 2. Concerning Ahaziah; The King Of Israel; And Again Concerning
+The Prophet Elijah.
+
+1. And now Ahaziah, the son of Ahab, reigned over Israel, and made his
+abode in Samaria. He was a wicked man, and in all respects like to both
+his parents and to Jeroboam, who first of all transgressed, and began to
+deceive the people. In the second year of his reign, the king of Moab
+fell off from his obedience, and left off paying those tributes which he
+before paid to his father Ahab. Now it happened that Ahaziah, as he was
+coming down from the top of his house, fell down from it, and in his
+sickness sent to the Fly, which was the god of Ekron, for that was this
+god's name, to inquire about his recovery 4 but the God of the Hebrews
+appeared to Elijah the prophet, and commanded him to go and meet the
+messengers that were sent, and to ask them, whether the people of Israel
+had not a God of their own, that the king sent to a foreign god to
+inquire about his recovery? and to bid them return and tell the king
+that he would not escape this disease. And when Elijah had performed
+what God had commanded him, and the messengers had heard what he said,
+they returned to the king immediately; and when the king wondered how
+they could return so soon, and asked them the reason of it, they said
+that a certain man met them, and forbade them to go on any farther; but
+to return and tell thee, from the command of the God of Israel, that
+this disease will have a bad end. And when the king bid them describe
+the man that said this to them, they replied that he was a hairy man,
+and was girt about with a girdle of leather. So the king understood by
+this that the man who was described by the messengers was Elijah;
+whereupon he sent a captain to him, with fifty soldiers, and commanded
+them to bring Elijah to him; and when the captain that was sent found
+Elijah sitting upon the top of a hill, he commanded him to come down,
+and to come to the king, for so had he enjoined; but that in case he
+refused, they would carry him by force. Elijah said to him, "That you
+may have a trial whether I be a true prophet, I will pray that fire may
+fall from heaven, and destroy both the soldiers and yourself." 5 So he
+prayed, and a whirlwind of fire fell [from heaven], and destroyed the
+captain, and those that were with him. And when the king was informed of
+the destruction of these men, he was very angry, and sent another
+captain with the like number of armed men that were sent before. And
+when this captain also threatened the prophet, that unless he came down
+of his own accord, he would take him and carry him away, upon his prayer
+against him, the fire [from heaven] slew this captain as well the other.
+And when, upon inquiry, the king was informed of what happened to him,
+he sent out a third captain. But when this captain, who was a wise man,
+and of a mild disposition, came to the place where Elijah happened to
+be, and spake civilly to him; and said that he knew that it was without
+his own consent, and only in submission to the king's command that he
+came to him; and that those that came before did not come willingly, but
+on the same account;—he therefore desired him to have pity on those
+armed men that were with him, and that he would come down and follow him
+to the king. So Elijah accepted of his discreet words and courteous
+behavior, and came down and followed him. And when he came to the king,
+he prophesied to him and told him that God said, "Since thou hast
+despised him as not being God, and so unable to foretell the truth about
+thy distemper, but hast sent to the god of Ekron to inquire of him what
+will be the end of this thy distemper, know this, that thou shalt die."
+
+2. Accordingly the king in a very little time died, as Elijah had
+foretold; but Jehoram his brother succeeded him in the kingdom, for he
+died without children: but for this Jehoram, he was like his father Ahab
+in wickedness, and reigned twelve years, indulging himself in all sorts
+of wickedness and impiety towards God, for, leaving off his worship, he
+worshipped foreign gods; but in other respects he was an active man. Now
+at this time it was that Elijah disappeared from among men, and no one
+knows of his death to this very day; but he left behind him his disciple
+Elisha, as we have formerly declared. And indeed, as to Elijah, and as
+to Enoch, who was before the deluge, it is written in the sacred books
+that they disappeared, but so that nobody knew that they died.
+
+
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER 3. How Joram And Jehoshaphat Made An Expedition Against The
+Moabites; As Also Concerning The Wonders Of Elisha; And The Death Of
+Jehoshaphat.
+
+1. When Joram had taken upon him the kingdom, he determined to make an
+expedition against the king of Moab, whose name was Mesha; for, as we
+told you before, he was departed from his obedience to his brother
+[Ahaziah], while he paid to his father Ahab two hundred thousand sheep,
+with their fleeces of wool. When therefore he had gathered his own army
+together, he sent also to Jehoshaphat, and entreated him, that since he
+had from the beginning been a friend to his father, he would assist him
+in the war that he was entering into against the Moabites, who had
+departed from their obedience, who not only himself promised to assist
+him, but would also oblige the king of Edom, who was under his
+authority, to make the same expedition also. When Joram had received
+these assurances of assistance from Jehoshaphat, he took his army with
+him, and came to Jerusalem; and when he had been sumptuously entertained
+by the king of Jerusalem, it was resolved upon by them to take their
+march against their enemies through the wilderness of Edom. And when
+they had taken a compass of seven days' journey, they were in distress
+for want of water for the cattle, and for the army, from the mistake of
+their roads by the guides that conducted them, insomuch that they were
+all in an agony, especially Joram; and cried to God, by reason of their
+sorrow, and [desired to know] what wickedness had been committed by them
+that induced him to deliver three kings together, without fighting, unto
+the king of Moab. But Jehoshaphat, who was a righteous man, encouraged
+him, and bade him send to the camp, and know whether any prophet of God
+was come along with them, that we might by him learn from God what we
+should do. And when one of the servants of Joram said that he had seen
+there Elisha, the son of Shaphat, the disciple of Elijah, the three
+kings went to him, at the entreaty of Jehoshaphat; and when they were
+come at the prophet's tent, which tent was pitched out of the camp, they
+asked him what would become of the army? and Joram was particularly very
+pressing with him about it. And when he replied to him, that he should
+not trouble him, but go to his father's and mother's prophets, for they
+[to be sure] were true prophets, he still desired him to prophesy, and
+to save them. So he swore by God that he would not answer him, unless it
+were on account of Jehoshaphat, who was a holy and righteous man; and
+when, at his desire, they brought him a man that could play on the
+psaltery, the Divine Spirit came upon him as the music played, and he
+commanded them to dig many trenches in the valley; for, said he, "though
+there appear neither cloud, nor wind, nor storm of rain, ye shall see
+this river full of water, till the army and the cattle be saved for you
+by drinking of it. Nor will this be all the favor that you shall receive
+from God, but you shall also overcome your enemies, and take the best
+and strongest cities of the Moabites, and you shall cut down their fruit
+trees, 6 and lay waste their country, and stop up their fountains and
+rivers."
+
+2. When the prophet had said this, the next day, before the sun-rising,
+a great torrent ran strongly; for God had caused it to rain very
+plentifully at the distance of three days' journey into Edom, so that
+the army and the cattle found water to drink in abundance. But when the
+Moabites heard that the three kings were coming upon them, and made
+their approach through the wilderness, the king of Moab gathered his
+army together presently, and commanded them to pitch their camp upon the
+mountains, that when the enemies should attempt to enter their country,
+they might not be concealed from them. But when at the rising of the sun
+they saw the water in the torrent, for it was not far from the land of
+Moab, and that it was of the color of blood, for at such a time the
+water especially looks red, by the shining of the sun upon it, they
+formed a false notion of the state of their enemies, as if they had
+slain one another for thirst; and that the river ran with their blood.
+However, supposing that this was the case, they desired their king would
+send them out to spoil their enemies; whereupon they all went in haste,
+as to an advantage already gained, and came to the enemy's camp, as
+supposing them destroyed already. But their hope deceived them; for as
+their enemies stood round about them, some of them were cut to pieces,
+and others of them were dispersed, and fled to their own country. And
+when the kings fell into the land of Moab, they overthrew the cities
+that were in it, and spoiled their fields, and marred them, filling them
+with stones out of the brooks, and cut down the best of their trees, and
+stopped up their fountains of water, and overthrew their walls to their
+foundations. But the king of Moab, when he was pursued, endured a siege;
+and seeing his city in danger of being overthrown by force, made a
+sally, and went out with seven hundred men, in order to break through
+the enemy's camp with his horsemen, on that side where the watch seemed
+to be kept most negligently; and when, upon trial, he could not get
+away, for he lighted upon a place that was carefully watched, he
+returned into the city, and did a thing that showed despair and the
+utmost distress; for he took his eldest son, who was to reign after him,
+and lifting him up upon the wall, that he might be visible to all the
+enemies, he offered him as a whole burnt-offering to God, whom, when the
+kings saw, they commiserated the distress that was the occasion of it,
+and were so affected, in way of humanity and pity, that they raised the
+siege, and every one returned to his own house. So Jehoshaphat came to
+Jerusalem, and continued in peace there, and outlived this expedition
+but a little time, and then died, having lived in all sixty years, and
+of them reigned twenty-five. He was buried in a magnificent manner in
+Jerusalem, for he had imitated the actions of David.
+
+
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER 4. Jehoram Succeeds Jehoshaphat; How Joram, His Namesake, King
+Of Israel, Fought With The Syrians; And What Wonders Were Done By The
+Prophet Elisha.
+
+1. Jehoshapat had a good number of children; but he appointed his eldest
+son Jehoram to be his successor, who had the same name with his mother's
+brother, that was king of Israel, and the son of Ahab. Now when the king
+of Israel was come out of the land of Moab to Samaria, he had with him
+Elisha the prophet, whose acts I have a mind to go over particularly,
+for they were illustrious, and worthy to be related, as we have them set
+down in the sacred books.
+
+2. For they say that the widow of Obadiah 7 Ahab's steward, came to him,
+and said, that he was not ignorant how her husband had preserved the
+prophets that were to be slain by Jezebel, the wife of Ahab; for she
+said that he hid a hundred of them, and had borrowed money for their
+maintenance, and that, after her husband's death, she and her children
+were carried away to be made slaves by the creditors; and she desired of
+him to have mercy upon her on account of what her husband did, and
+afford her some assistance. And when he asked her what she had in the
+house, she said, "Nothing but a very small quantity of oil in a cruse."
+So the prophet bid her go away, and borrow a great many empty vessels of
+her neighbors, and when she had shut her chamber door, to pour the oil
+into them all; for that God would fill them full. And when the woman had
+done what she was commanded to do, and bade her children bring every one
+of the vessels, and all were filled, and not one left empty, she came to
+the prophet, and told him that they were all full; upon which he advised
+her to go away, and sell the oil, and pay the creditors what was owing
+them, for that there would be some surplus of the price of the oil,
+which she might make use of for the maintenance of her children. And
+thus did Elisha discharge the woman's debts, and free her from the
+vexation of her creditors.
+
+3. Elisha also sent a hasty message to Joram, 8 and exhorted him to take
+care of that place, for that therein were some Syrians lying in ambush
+to kill him. So the king did as the prophet exhorted him, and avoided
+his going a hunting. And when Benhadad missed of the success of his
+lying in ambush, he was wroth with his own servants, as if they had
+betrayed his ambushment to Joram; and he sent for them, and said they
+were the betrayers of his secret counsels; and he threatened that he
+would put them to death, since such their practice was evident, because
+he had intrusted this secret to none but them, and yet it was made known
+to his enemy. And one that was present said that he should not mistake
+himself, nor suspect that they had discovered to his enemy his sending
+men to kill him, but that he ought to know that it was Elisha the
+prophet who discovered all to him, and laid open all his counsels. So he
+gave order that they should send some to learn in what city Elisha
+dwelt. Accordingly those that were sent brought word that he was in
+Dothan; wherefore Benhadad sent to that city a great army, with horses
+and chariots, to take Elisha: so they encompassed the city round about
+by night, and kept him therein confined; but when the prophet's servant
+in the morning perceived this, and that his enemies sought to take
+Elisha, he came running, and crying out after a disordered manner to
+him, and told him of it; but he encouraged him, and bid him not be
+afraid, and to despise the enemy, and trust in the assistance of God,
+and was himself without fear; and he besought God to make manifest to
+his servant his power and presence, so far as was possible, in order to
+the inspiring him with hope and courage. Accordingly God heard the
+prayer of the prophet, and made the servant see a multitude of chariots
+and horses encompassing Elisha, till he laid aside his fear, and his
+courage revived at the sight of what he supposed was come to their
+assistance. After this Elisha did further entreat God, that he would dim
+the eyes of their enemies, and cast a mist before them, whereby they
+might not discern him. When this was done, he went into the midst of his
+enemies, and asked them who it was that they came to seek; and when they
+replied, "The prophet Elisha," he promised he would deliver him to them,
+if they would follow him to the city where he was. So these men were so
+darkened by God in their sight and in their mind, that they followed him
+very diligently; and when Elisha had brought them to Samaria, he ordered
+Joram the king to shut the gates, and to place his own army round about
+them; and prayed to God to clear the eyes of these their enemies, and
+take the mist from before them. Accordingly, when they were freed from
+the obscurity they had been in, they saw themselves in the midst of
+their enemies; and as the Syrians were strangely amazed and distressed,
+as was but reasonable, at an action so Divine and surprising, and as
+king Joram asked the prophet if he would give him leave to shoot at
+them, Elisha forbade him so to do; and said, that "it is just to kill
+those that are taken in battle, but that these men had done the country
+no harm, but, without knowing it, were come thither by the Divine
+Power:"—so that his counsel was to treat them in a hospitable manner at
+his table, and then send them away without hurting them. 9 Wherefore
+Joram obeyed the prophet; and when he had feasted the Syrians in a
+splendid and magnificent manner, he let them go to Benhadad their king.
+
+4. Now when these men were come back, and had showed Benhadad how
+strange an accident had befallen them, and what an appearance and power
+they had experienced of the God of Israel, he wondered at it, as also at
+that prophet with whom God was so evidently present; so he determined to
+make no more secret attempts upon the king of Israel, out of fear of
+Elisha, but resolved to make open war with them, as supposing he could
+be too hard for his enemies by the multitude of his army and power. So
+he made an expedition with a great army against Joram, who, not thinking
+himself a match for him, shut himself up in Samaria, and depended on the
+strength of its walls; but Benhadad supposed he should take the city, if
+not by his engines of war, yet that he should overcome the Samaritans by
+famine, and the want of necessaries, and brought his army upon them, and
+besieged the city; and the plenty of necessaries was brought so low with
+Joram, that from the extremity of want an ass's head was sold in Samaria
+for fourscore pieces of silver, and the Hebrews bought a sextary of
+dore's dung, instead of salt, for five pieces of silver. Now Joram was
+in fear lest somebody should betray the city to the enemy, by reason of
+the famine, and went every day round the walls and the guards to see
+whether any such were concealed among them; and by being thus seen, and
+taking such care, he deprived them of the opportunity of contriving any
+such thing; and if they had a mind to do it, he, by this means,
+prevented them: but upon a certain woman's crying out, "Have pity on me,
+my lord," while he thought that she was about to ask for somewhat to
+eat, he imprecated God's curse upon her, and said he had neither
+thrashing-floor nor wine-press, whence he might give her any thing at
+her petition. Upon which she said she did not desire his aid in any such
+thing, nor trouble him about food, but desired that he would do her
+justice as to another woman. And when he bade her say on, and let him
+know what she desired, she said she had made an agreement with the other
+woman who was her neighbor and her friend, that because the famine and
+want was intolerable, they should kill their children, each of them
+having a son of their own, "and we will live upon them ourselves for two
+days, the one day upon one son, and the other day upon the other; and,"
+said she, "I have killed my son the first day, and we lived upon my son
+yesterday; but this other woman will not do the same thing, but hath
+broken her agreement, and hath hid her son." This story mightily grieved
+Joram when he heard it; so he rent his garment, and cried out with a
+loud voice, and conceived great wrath against Elisha the prophet, and
+set himself eagerly to have him slain, because he did not pray to God to
+provide them some exit and way of escape out of the miseries with which
+they were surrounded; and sent one away immediately to cut off his head,
+who made haste to kill the prophet. But Elisha was not unacquainted with
+the wrath of the king against him; for as he sat in his house by
+himself, with none but his disciples about him, he told them that Joram,
+10 who was the son of a murderer, had sent one to take away his head;
+"but," said he, "when he that is commanded to do this comes, take care
+that you do not let him come in, but press the door against him, and
+hold him fast there, for the king himself will follow him, and come to
+me, having altered his mind." Accordingly, they did as they were bidden,
+when he that was sent by the king to kill Elisha came. But Joram
+repented of his wrath against the prophet; and for fear he that was
+commanded to kill him should have done it before he came, he made haste
+to hinder his slaughter, and to save the prophet: and when he came to
+him, he accused him that he did not pray to God for their deliverance
+from the miseries they now lay under, but saw them so sadly destroyed by
+them. Hereupon Elisha promised, that the very next day, at the very same
+hour in which the king came to him, they should have great plenty of
+food, and that two seahs of barley should be sold in the market for a
+shekel, and a seah of fine flour should be sold for a shekel. This
+prediction made Joram, and those that were present, very joyful, for
+they did not scruple believing what the prophet said, on account of the
+experience they had of the truth of his former predictions; and the
+expectation of plenty made the want they were in that day, with the
+uneasiness that accompanied it, appear a light thing to them: but the
+captain of the third band, who was a friend of the king, and on whose
+hand the king leaned, said, "Thou talkest of incredible things, O
+prophet! for as it is impossible for God to pour down torrents of
+barley, or fine flour, out of heaven, so is it impossible that what thou
+sayest should come to pass." To which the prophet made this reply," Thou
+shalt see these things come to pass, but thou shalt not be in the least
+a partaker of them."
+
+5. Now what Elisha had thus foretold came to pass in the manner
+following: There was a law at Samaria 11 that those that had the
+leprosy, and whose bodies were not cleansed from it, should abide
+without the city: and there were four men that on this account abode
+before the gates, while nobody gave them any food, by reason of the
+extremity of the famine; and as they were prohibited from entering into
+the city by the law, and they considered that if they were permitted to
+enter, they should miserably perish by the famine; as also, that if they
+staid where they were, they should suffer in the same manner,—they
+resolved to deliver themselves up to the enemy, that in case they should
+spare them, they should live; but if they should be killed, that would
+be an easy death. So when they had confirmed this their resolution, they
+came by night to the enemy's camp. Now God had begun to affright and
+disturb the Syrians, and to bring the noise of chariots and armor to
+their ears, as though an army were coming upon them, and had made them
+suspect that it was coming nearer and nearer to them In short, they were
+in such a dread of this army, that they left their tents, and ran
+together to Benhadad, and said that Joram the king of Israel had hired
+for auxiliaries both the king of Egypt and the king of the Islands, and
+led them against them for they heard the noise of them as they were
+coming. And Benhadad believed what they said [for there came the same
+noise to his ears as well as it did to theirs]; so they fell into a
+mighty disorder and tumult, and left their horses and beasts in their
+camp, with immense riches also, and betook themselves to flight. And
+those lepers who had departed from Samaria, and were gone to the camp of
+the Syrians, of whom we made mention a little before, when they were in
+the camp, saw nothing but great quietness and silence: accordingly they
+entered into it, and went hastily into one of their tents; and when they
+saw nobody there, they eat and drank, and carried garments, and a great
+quantity of gold, and hid it out of the camp; after which they went into
+another tent, and carried off what was in it, as they did at the former,
+and this did they for several times, without the least interruption from
+any body. So they gathered thereby that the enemies were departed;
+whereupon they reproached themselves that they did not inform Joram and
+the citizens of it. So they came to the walls of Samaria, and called
+aloud to the watchmen, and told them in what state the enemies were, as
+did these tell the king's guards, by whose means Joram came to know of
+it; who then sent for his friends, and the captains of his host, and
+said to them, that he suspected that this departure of the king of Syria
+was by way of ambush and treachery, and that, "out of despair of ruining
+you by famine, when you imagine them to be fled away, you may come out
+of the city to spoil their camp, and he may then fall upon you on a
+sudden, and may both kill you, and take the city without fighting;
+whence it is that I exhort you to guard the city carefully, and by no
+means to go out of it, or proudly to despise your enemies, as though
+they were really gone away." And when a certain person said that he did
+very well and wisely to admit such a suspicion, but that he still
+advised him to send a couple of horsemen to search all the country as
+far as Jordan, that "if they were seized by an ambush of the enemy, they
+might be a security to your army, that they may not go out as if they
+suspected nothing, nor undergo the like misfortune; and," said he,
+"those horsemen may be numbered among those that have died by the
+famine, supposing they be caught and destroyed by the enemy." So the
+king was pleased with this opinion, and sent such as might search out
+the truth, who performed their journey over a road that was without any
+enemies, but found it full of provisions, and of weapons, that they had
+therefore thrown away, and left behind them, in order to their being
+light and expeditious in their flight. When the king heard this, he sent
+out the multitude to take the spoils of the camp; which gains of theirs
+were not of things of small value, but they took a great quantity of
+gold, and a great quantity of silver, and flocks of all kinds of cattle.
+They also possessed themselves of [so many] ten thousand measures of
+wheat and barley, as they never in the least dreamed of; and were not
+only freed from their former miseries, but had such plenty, that two
+seahs of barley were bought for a shekel, and a seah of fine flour for a
+shekel, according to the prophecy of Elisha. Now a seah is equal to an
+Italian modius and a half. The captain of the third band was the only
+man that received no benefit by this plenty; for as he was appointed by
+the king to oversee the gate, that he might prevent the too great crowd
+of the multitude, and they might not endanger one another to perish, by
+treading on one another in the press, he suffered himself in that very
+way, and died in that very manner, as Elisha had foretold such his
+death, when he alone of them all disbelieved what he said concerning
+that plenty of provisions which they should soon have.
+
+6. Hereupon, when Benhadad, the king of Syria, had escaped to Damascus,
+and understood that it was God himself that cast all his army into this
+fear and disorder, and that it did not arise from the invasion of
+enemies, he was mightily cast down at his having God so greatly for his
+enemy, and fell into a distemper. Now it happened that Elisha the
+prophet, at that time, was gone out of his own country to Damascus, of
+which Benhadad was informed: he sent Hazael, the most faithful of all
+his servants, to meet him, and to carry him presents, and bade him
+inquire of him about his distemper, and whether he should escape the
+danger that it threatened. So Hazael came to Elisha with forty camels,
+that carried the best and most precious fruits that the country of
+Damascus afforded, as well as those which the king's palace supplied. He
+saluted him kindly, and said that he was sent to him by king Benhadad,
+and brought presents with him, in order to inquire concerning his
+distemper, whether he should recover from it or not. Whereupon the
+prophet bid him tell the king no melancholy news; but still he said he
+would die. So the king's servant was troubled to hear it; and Elisha
+wept also, and his tears ran down plenteously at his foresight of what
+miseries his people would undergo after the death of Benhadad. And when
+Hazael asked him what was the occasion of this confusion he was in, he
+said that he wept out of his commiseration for the multitude of the
+Israelites, and what terrible miseries they will suffer by thee; "for
+thou wilt slay the strongest of them, and wilt burn their strongest
+cities, and wilt destroy their children, and dash them against the
+stones, and wilt rip up their women with child." And when Hazael said,
+"How can it be that I should have power enough to do such things?" the
+prophet replied, that God had informed him that he should be king of
+Syria. So when Hazael was come to Benhadad, he told him good news
+concerning his distemper 12 but on the next day he spread a wet cloth,
+in the nature of a net, over him, and strangled him, and took his
+dominion. He was an active man, and had the good-will of the Syrians,
+and of the people of Damascus, to a great degree; by whom both Benhadad
+himself, and Hazael, who ruled after him, are honored to this day as
+gods, by reason of their benefactions, and their building them temples
+by which they adorned the city of the Damascenes. They also every day do
+with great pomp pay their worship to these kings, 13 and value
+themselves upon their antiquity; nor do they know that these kings are
+much later than they imagine, and that they are not yet eleven hundred
+years old. Now when Joram, the king of Israel, heard that Benhadad was
+dead, he recovered out of the terror and dread he had been in on his
+account, and was very glad to live in peace.
+
+
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER 5. Concerning The Wickedness Of Jehoram King Of Jerusalem; His
+Defeat And Death.
+
+1. Now Jehoram the king of Jerusalem, for we have said before that he
+had the same name with the king of Israel, as soon as he had taken the
+government upon him, betook himself to the slaughter of his brethren,
+and his father's friends, who were governors under him, and thence made
+a beginning and a demonstration of his wickedness; nor was he at all
+better than those kings of Israel who at first transgressed against the
+laws of their country, and of the Hebrews, and against God's worship.
+And it was Athaliah, the daughter of Ahab, whom he had married, who
+taught him to be a bad man in other respects, and also to worship
+foreign gods. Now God would not quite root out this family, because of
+the promise he had made to David. However, Jehoram did not leave off the
+introduction of new sorts of customs to the propagation of impiety, and
+to the ruin of the customs of his own country. And when the Edomites
+about that time had revolted from him, and slain their former king, who
+was in subjection to his father, and had set up one of their own
+choosing, Jehoram fell upon the land of Edom, with the horsemen that
+were about him, and the chariots, by night, and destroyed those that lay
+near to his own kingdom, but did not proceed further. However, this
+expedition did him no service, for they all revolted from him, with
+those that dwelt in the country of Libnah. He was indeed so mad as to
+compel the people to go up to the high places of the mountains, and
+worship foreign gods.
+
+2. As he was doing this, and had entirely cast his own country laws out
+of his mind, there was brought him an epistle from Elijah the prophet 14
+which declared that God would execute great judgments upon him, because
+he had not imitated his own fathers, but had followed the wicked courses
+of the kings of Israel; and had compelled the tribe of Judah, and the
+citizens of Jerusalem, to leave the holy worship of their own God, and
+to worship idols, as Ahab had compelled the Israelites to do, and
+because he had slain his brethren, and the men that were good and
+righteous. And the prophet gave him notice in this epistle what
+punishment he should undergo for these crimes, namely, the destruction
+of his people, with the corruption of the king's own wives and children;
+and that he should himself die of a distemper in his bowels, with long
+torments, those his bowels falling out by the violence of the inward
+rottenness of the parts, insomuch that, though he see his own misery, he
+shall not be able at all to help himself, but shall die in that manner.
+This it was which Elijah denounced to him in that epistle.
+
+3. It was not long after this that an army of those Arabians that lived
+near to Ethiopia, and of the Philistines, fell upon the kingdom of
+Jehoram, and spoiled the country and the king's house. Moreover, they
+slew his sons and his wives: one only of his sons was left him, who
+escaped the enemy; his name was Ahaziah; after which calamity, he
+himself fell into that disease which was foretold by the prophet, and
+lasted a great while, [for God inflicted this punishment upon him in his
+belly, out of his wrath against him,] and so he died miserably, and saw
+his own bowels fall out. The people also abused his dead body; I suppose
+it was because they thought that such his death came upon him by the
+wrath of God, and that therefore he was not worthy to partake of such a
+funeral as became kings. Accordingly, they neither buried him in the
+sepulchers of his fathers, nor vouchsafed him any honors, but buried him
+like a private man, and this when he had lived forty years, and reigned
+eight. And the people of Jerusalem delivered the government to his son
+Ahaziah.
+
+
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER 6. How Jehu Was Anointed King, And Slew Both Joram And Ahaziah;
+As Also What He Did For The Punishment Of The Wicked.
+
+1. Now Joram, the king of Israel, after the death of Benhadad, hoped
+that he might now take Ramoth, a city of Gilead, from the Syrians.
+Accordingly he made an expedition against it, with a great army; but as
+he was besieging it, an arrow was shot at him by one of the Syrians, but
+the wound was not mortal. So he returned to have his wound healed in
+Jezreel, but left his whole army in Ramoth, and Jehu, the son of Nimshi,
+for their general; for he had already taken the city by force; and he
+proposed, after he was healed, to make war with the Syrians; but Elisha
+the prophet sent one of his disciples to Ramoth, and gave him holy oil
+to anoint Jehu, and to tell him that God had chosen him to be their
+king. He also sent him to say other things to him, and bid him to take
+his journey as if he fled, that when he came away he might escape the
+knowledge of all men. So when he was come to the city, he found Jehu
+sitting in the midst of the captains of the army, as Elisha had foretold
+he should find him. So he came up to him, and said that he desired to
+speak with him about certain matters; and when he was arisen, and had
+followed him into an inward chamber, the young man took the oil, and
+poured it on his head, and said that God ordained him to be king, in
+order to his destroying the house of Ahab, and that he might revenge the
+blood of the prophets that were unjustly slain by Jezebel, that so their
+house might utterly perish, as those of Jeroboam the son of Nebat, and
+of Baasha, had perished for their wickedness, and no seed might remain
+of Ahab's family. So when he had said this, he went away hastily out of
+the chamber, and endeavored not to be seen by any of the army.
+
+2. But Jehu came out, and went to the place where he before sat with the
+captains; and when they asked him, and desired him to tell them,
+wherefore it was that this young man came to him, and added withal that
+he was mad, he replied,—"You guess right, for the words he spake were
+the words of a madman;" and when they were eager about the matter, and
+desired he would tell them, he answered, that God had said he had chosen
+him to be king over the multitude. When he had said this, every one of
+them put off his garment, 15 and strewed it under him, and blew with
+trumpets, and gave notice that Jehu was king. So when he had gotten the
+army together, he was preparing to set out immediately against Joram, at
+the city Jezreel, in which city, as we said before, he was healing of
+the wound which he had received in the siege of Ramoth. It happened also
+that Ahaziah, king of Jerusalem, was now come to Joram, for he was his
+sister's son, as we have said already, to see how he did after his
+wound, and this upon account of their kindred; but as Jehu was desirous
+to fall upon Joram, and those with him, on the sudden, he desired that
+none of the soldiers might run away and tell to Joram what had happened,
+for that this would be an evident demonstration of their kindness to
+him, and would show that their real inclinations were to make him king.
+
+3. So they were pleased with what he did, and guarded the roads, lest
+somebody should privately tell the thing to those that were at Jezreel.
+Now Jehu took his choice horsemen, and sat upon his chariot, and went on
+for Jezreel; and when he was come near, the watchman whom Joram had set
+there to spy out such as came to the city, saw Jehu marching on, and
+told Joram that he saw a troop of horsemen marching on. Upon which he
+immediately gave orders, that one of his horsemen should be sent out to
+meet them, and to know who it was that was coming. So when the horseman
+came up to Jehu, he asked him in what condition the army was, for that
+the king wanted to know it; but Jehu bid him not at all to meddle with
+such matters, but to follow him. When the watchman saw this, he told
+Joram that the horseman had mingled himself among the company, and came
+along with them. And when the king had sent a second messenger, Jehu
+commanded him to do as the former did; and as soon as the watchman told
+this also to Joram, he at last got upon his chariot himself, together
+with Ahaziah, the king of Jerusalem; for, as we said before, he was
+there to see how Joram did, after he had been wounded, as being his
+relation. So he went out to meet Jehu, who marched slowly, 16 and in
+good order; and when Joram met him in the field of Naboth, he asked him
+if all things were well in the camp; but Jehu reproached him bitterly,
+and ventured to call his mother a witch and a harlot. Upon this the
+king, fearing what he intended, and suspecting he had no good meaning,
+turned his chariot about as soon as he could, and said to Ahaziah, "We
+are fought against by deceit and treachery." But Jehu drew his bow, and
+smote him, the arrow going through his heart: so Joram fell down
+immediately on his knee, and gave up the ghost. Jehu also gave orders to
+Bidkar, the captain of the third part of his army, to cast the dead body
+of Joram into the field of Naboth, putting him in mind of the prophecy
+which Elijah prophesied to Ahab his father, when he had slain Naboth,
+that both he and his family should perish in that place; for that as
+they sat behind Ahab's chariot, they heard the prophet say so, and that
+it was now come to pass according to his prophecy. Upon the fall of
+Joram, Ahaziah was afraid of his own life, and turned his chariot into
+another road, supposing he should not be seen by Jehu; but he followed
+after him, and overtook him at a certain acclivity, and drew his bow,
+and wounded him; so he left his chariot, and got upon his horse, and
+fled from Jehu to Megiddo; and though he was under cure, in a little
+time he died of that wound, and was carried to Jerusalem, and buried
+there, after he had reigned one year, and had proved a wicked man, and
+worse than his father.
+
+4. Now when Jehu was come to Jezreel, Jezebel adorned herself and stood
+upon a tower, and said, he was a fine servant that had killed his
+master! And when he looked up to her, he asked who she was, and
+commanded her to come down to him. At last he ordered the eunuchs to
+throw her down from the tower; and being thrown down, she be-sprinkled
+the wall with her blood, and was trodden upon by the horses, and so
+died. When this was done, Jehu came to the palace with his friends, and
+took some refreshment after his journey, both with other things, and by
+eating a meal. He also bid his servants to take up Jezebel and bury her,
+because of the nobility of her blood, for she was descended from kings;
+but those that were appointed to bury her found nothing else remaining
+but the extreme parts of her body, for all the rest were eaten by dogs.
+When Jehu heard this, he admired the prophecy of Elijah, for he foretold
+that she should perish in this manner at Jezreel.
+
+5. Now Ahab had seventy sons brought up in Samaria. So Jehu sent two
+epistles, the one to them that brought up the children, the other to the
+rulers of Samaria, which said, that they should set up the most valiant
+of Ahab's sons for king, for that they had abundance of chariots, and
+horses, and armor, and a great army, and fenced cities, and that by so
+doing they might avenge the murder of Ahab. This he wrote to try the
+intentions of those of Samaria. Now when the rulers, and those that had
+brought up the children, had read the letter, they were afraid; and
+considering that they were not at all able to oppose him, who had
+already subdued two very great kings, they returned him this answer:
+That they owned him for their lord, and would do whatsoever he bade
+them. So he wrote back to them such a reply as enjoined them to obey
+what he gave order for, and to cut off the heads of Ahab's sons, and
+send them to him. Accordingly the rulers sent for those that brought up
+the sons of Ahab, and commanded them to slay them, to cut off their
+heads, and send them to Jehu. So they did whatsoever they were
+commanded, without omitting any thing at all, and put them up in wicker
+baskets, and sent them to Jezreel. And when Jehu, as he was at supper
+with his friends, was informed that the heads of Ahab's' sons were
+brought, he ordered them to make two heaps of them, one before each of
+the gates; and in the morning he went out to take a view of them, and
+when he saw them, he began to say to the people that were present, that
+he did himself make an expedition against his master [Joram], and slew
+him, but that it was not he that slew all these; and he desired them to
+take notice, that as to Ahab's family, all things had come to pass
+according to God's prophecy, and his house was perished, according as
+Elijah had foretold. And when he had further destroyed all the kindred
+of Ahab that were found in Jezreel, he went to Samaria; and as he was
+upon the road, he met the relations of Ahaziah king of Jerusalem, and
+asked them whither they were going? they replied, that they came to
+salute Joram, and their own king Ahaziah, for they knew not that he had
+slain them both. So Jehu gave orders that they should catch these, and
+kill them, being in number forty-two persons.
+
+6. After these, there met him a good and a righteous man, whose name was
+Jehonadab, and who had been his friend of old. He saluted Jehu, and
+began to commend him, because he had done every thing according to the
+will of God, in extirpating the house of Ahab. So Jehu desired him to
+come up into his chariot, and make his entry with him into Samaria; and
+told him that he would not spare one wicked man, but would punish the
+false prophets, and false priests, and those that deceived the
+multitude, and persuaded them to leave the worship of God Almighty, and
+to worship foreign gods; and that it was a most excellent and most
+pleasing sight to a good and a righteous man to see the wicked punished.
+So Jehonadab was persuaded by these arguments, and came up into Jehu's
+chariot, and came to Samaria. And Jehu sought out for all Ahab's
+kindred, and slew them. And being desirous that none of the false
+prophets, nor the priests of Ahab's god, might escape punishment, he
+caught them deceitfully by this wile; for he gathered all the people
+together, and said that he would worship twice as many gods as Ahab
+worshipped, and desired that his priests, and prophets, and servants
+might be present, because he would offer costly and great sacrifices to
+Ahab's god; and that if any of his priests were wanting, they should be
+punished with death. Now Ahab's god was called Baal; and when he had
+appointed a day on which he would offer those sacrifices, he sent
+messengers through all the country of the Israelites, that they might
+bring the priests of Baal to him. So Jehu commanded to give all the
+priests vestments; and when they had received them, he went into the
+house [of Baal], with his friend Jehonadab, and gave orders to make
+search whether there were not any foreigner or stranger among them, for
+he would have no one of a different religion to mix among their sacred
+offices. And when they said that there was no stranger there, and they
+were beginning their sacrifices, he set fourscore men without, they
+being such of his soldiers as he knew to be most faithful to him, and
+bid them slay the prophets, and now vindicate the laws of their country,
+which had been a long time in disesteem. He also threatened, that if any
+one of them escaped, their own lives should go for them. So they slew
+them all with the sword, and burnt the house of Baal, and by that means
+purged Samaria of foreign customs [idolatrous worship]. Now this Baal
+was the god of the Tyrians; and Ahab, in order to gratify his father-in-
+law, Ethbaal, who was the king of Tyre and Sidon, built a temple for him
+in Samaria, and appointed him prophets, and worshipped him with all
+sorts of worship, although, when this god was demolished, Jehu permitted
+the Israelites to worship the golden heifers. However, because he had
+done thus, and taken care to punish the wicked, God foretold by his
+prophet that his sons should reign over Israel for four generations. And
+in this condition was Jehu at this time.
+
+
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER 7. How Athaliah Reigned Over Jerusalem For Five [Six] Years When
+Jehoiada The High Priest Slew Her And Made Jehoash, The Son Of Ahaziah,
+King.
+
+1. Now when Athaliah, the daughter of Ahab, heard of the death of her
+brother Joram, and of her son Ahaziah, and of the royal family, she
+endeavored that none of the house of David might be left alive, but that
+the whole family might be exterminated, that no king might arise out of
+it afterward; and, as she thought, she had actually done it; but one of
+Ahaziah's sons was preserved, who escaped death after the manner
+following: Ahaziah had a sister by the same father, whose name was
+Jehosheba, and she was married to the high priest Jehoiada. She went
+into the king's palace, and found Jehoash, for that was the little
+child's name, who was not above a year old, among those that were slain,
+but concealed with his nurse; so she took him with her into a secret
+bed-chamber, and shut him up there, and she and her husband Jehoiada
+brought him up privately in the temple six years, during which time
+Athaliah reigned over Jerusalem and the two tribes.
+
+2. Now, on the Seventh year, Jehoiada communicated the matter to certain
+of the captains of hundreds, five in number, and persuaded them to be
+assisting to what attempts he was making against Athaliah, and to join
+with him in asserting the kingdom to the child. He also received such
+oaths from them as are proper to secure those that assist one another
+from the fear of discovery; and he was then of good hope that they
+should depose Athaliah. Now those men whom Jehoiada the priest had taken
+to be his partners went into all the country, and gathered together the
+priests and the Levites, and the heads of the tribes out of it, and came
+and brought them to Jerusalem to the high priest. So he demanded the
+security of an oath of them, to keep private whatsoever he should
+discover to them, which required both their silence and their
+assistance. So when they had taken the oath, and had thereby made it
+safe for him to speak, he produced the child that he had brought up of
+the family of David, and said to them, "This is your king, of that house
+which you know God hath foretold should reign over you for all time to
+come. I exhort you therefore that one-third part of you guard him in the
+temple, and that a fourth part keep watch at all the gates of the
+temple, and that the next part of you keep guard at the gate which opens
+and leads to the king's palace, and let the rest of the multitude be
+unarmed in the temple, and let no armed person go into the temple, but
+the priest only." He also gave them this order besides, "That a part of
+the priests and the Levites should be about the king himself, and be a
+guard to him, with their drawn swords, and to kill that man immediately,
+whoever he be, that should be so bold as to enter armed into the temple;
+and bid them be afraid of nobody, but persevere in guarding the king."
+So these men obeyed what the high priest advised them to, and declared
+the reality of their resolution by their actions. Jehoiada also opened
+that armory which David had made in the temple, and distributed to the
+captains of hundreds, as also to the priests and Levites, all the spears
+and quivers, and what kind of weapons soever it contained, and set them
+armed in a circle round about the temple, so as to touch one another's
+hands, and by that means excluding those from entering that ought not to
+enter. So they brought the child into the midst of them, and put on him
+the royal crown, and Jehoiada anointed him with the oil, and made him
+king; and the multitude rejoiced, and made a noise, and cried, "God save
+the king!"
+
+3. When Athaliah unexpectedly heard the tumult and the acclamations, she
+was greatly disturbed in her mind, and suddenly issued out of the royal
+palace with her own army; and when she was come to the temple, the
+priests received her; but as for those that stood round about the
+temple, as they were ordered by the high priest to do, they hindered the
+armed inert that followed her from going in. But when Athaliah saw the
+child standing upon a pillar, with the royal crown upon his head, she
+rent her clothes, and cried out vehemently, and commanded [her guards]
+to kill him that had laid snares for her, and endeavored to deprive her
+of the government. But Jehoiada called for the captains of hundreds, and
+commanded them to bring Athaliah to the valley of Cedron, and slay her
+there, for he would not have the temple defiled with the punishments of
+this pernicious woman; and he gave order, that if any one came near to
+help her, he should be slain also; wherefore those that had the charge
+of her slaughter took hold of her, and led her to the gate of the king's
+mules, and slew her there.
+
+4. Now as soon as what concerned Athaliah was by this stratagem, after
+this manner, despatched, Jehoiada called together the people and the
+armed men into the temple, and made them take an oath that they would be
+obedient to the king, and take care of his safety, and of the safety of
+his government; after which he obliged the king to give security [upon
+oath] that he would worship God, and not transgress the laws of Moses.
+They then ran to the house of Baal, which Athaliah and her husband
+Jehoram had built, to the dishonor of the God of their fathers, and to
+the honor of Ahab, and demolished it, and slew Mattan, that had his
+priesthood. But Jehoiada intrusted the care and custody of the temple to
+the priests and Levites, according to the appointment of king David, and
+enjoined them to bring their regular burnt-offerings twice a day, and to
+offer incense according to the law. He also ordained some of the
+Levites, with the porters, to be a guard to the temple, that no one that
+was defiled might come there.
+
+5. And when Jehoiada had set these things in order, he, with the
+captains of hundreds, and the rulers, and all the people, took Jehoash
+out of the temple into the king's palace; and when he had set him upon
+the king's throne, the people shouted for joy, and betook themselves to
+feasting, and kept a festival for many days; but the city was quiet upon
+the death of Athaliah. Now Jehoash was seven years old when he took the
+kingdom. His mother's name was Zibiah, of the city Beersheba. And all
+the time that Jehoiada lived Jehoash was careful that the laws should be
+kept, and very zealous in the worship of God; and when he was of age, he
+married two wives, who were given to him by the high priest, by whom
+were born to him both sons and daughters. And thus much shall suffice to
+have related concerning king Jehoash, how he escaped the treachery of
+Athaliah, and how he received the kingdom.
+
+
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER 8. Hazael Makes An Expedition Against The People Of Israel And
+The Inhabitants Of Jerusalem. Jehu Dies, And Jehoahaz Succeeds In The
+Government. Jehoash The King Of Jerusalem At First Is Careful About The
+Worship Of God But Afterwards Becomes Impious And Commands Zechariah To
+Be Stoned. When Jehoash [King Of Judah] Was Dead, Amaziah Succeeds Him
+In The Kingdom.
+
+1. Now Hazael, king of Syria, fought against the Israelites and their
+king Jehu, and spoiled the eastern parts of the country beyond Jordan,
+which belonged to the Reubenites and Gadites, and to [the half tribe of]
+Manassites; as also Gilead and Bashan, burning, and spoiling, and
+offering violence to all that he laid his hands on, and this without
+impeachment from Jehu, who made no haste to defend the country when it
+was under this distress; nay, he was become a contemner of religion, and
+a despiser of holiness, and of the laws, and died when he had reigned
+over the Israelites twenty-seven years. He was buried in Samaria, and
+left Jehoahaz his son his successor in the government.
+
+2. Now Jehoash, king of Jerusalem, had an inclination to repair the
+temple of God; so he called Jehoiada, and bid him send the Levites and
+priests through all the country, to require half a shekel of silver for
+every head, towards the rebuilding and repairing of the temple, which
+was brought to decay by Jehoram, and Athaliah and her sons. But the high
+priest did not do this, as concluding that no one would willingly pay
+that money; but in the twenty-third year of Jehoash's reign, when the
+king sent for him and the Levites, and complained that they had not
+obeyed what he enjoined them, and still commanded them to take care of
+the rebuilding the temple, he used this stratagem for collecting the
+money, with which the multitude was pleased. He made a wooden chest, and
+closed it up fast on all sides, but opened one hole in it; he then set
+it in the temple beside the altar, and desired every one to cast into
+it, through the hole, what he pleased, for the repair of the temple.
+This contrivance was acceptable to the people, and they strove one with
+another, and brought in jointly large quantities of silver and gold; and
+when the scribe and the priest that were over the treasuries had emptied
+the chest, and counted the money in the king's presence, they then set
+it in its former place, and thus did they every day. But when the
+multitude appeared to have cast in as much as was wanted, the high
+priest Jehoiada, and king Joash, sent to hire masons and carpenters, and
+to buy large pieces of timber, and of the most curious sort; and when
+they had repaired the temple, they made use of the remaining gold and
+silver, which was not a little, for bowls, and basons, and cups, and
+other vessels, and they went on to make the altar every day fat with
+sacrifices of great value. And these things were taken suitable care of
+as long as Jehoiada lived.
+
+3. But as soon as he was dead [which was when he had lived one hundred
+and thirty years, having been a righteous, and in every respect a very
+good man, and was buried in the king's sepulchers at Jerusalem, because
+he had recovered the kingdom to the family of David] king Jehoash
+betrayed his [want of] care about God. The principal men of the people
+were corrupted also together with him, and offended against their duty,
+and what their constitution determined to be most for their good.
+Hereupon God was displeased with the change that was made on the king,
+and on the rest of the people, and sent prophets to testify to them what
+their actions were, and to bring them to leave off their wickedness; but
+they had gotten such a strong affection and so violent an inclination to
+it, that neither could the examples of those that had offered affronts
+to the laws, and had been so severely punished, they and their entire
+families, nor could the fear of what the prophets now foretold, bring
+them to repentance, and turn them back from their course of
+transgression to their former duty. But the king commanded that
+Zechariah, the son of the high priest Jehoiada, should be stoned to
+death in the temple, and forgot the kindnesses he had received from his
+father; for when God had appointed him to prophesy, he stood in the
+midst of the multitude, and gave this counsel to them and to the king:
+That they should act righteously; and foretold to them, that if they
+would not hearken to his admonitions, they should suffer a heavy
+punishment. But as Zechariah was ready to die, he appealed to God as a
+witness of what he suffered for the good counsel he had given them, and
+how he perished after a most severe and violent manner for the good
+deeds his father had done to Jehoash.
+
+4. However, it was not long before the king suffered punishment for his
+transgression; for when Hazael, king of Syria, made an irruption into
+his country, and when he had overthrown Gath, and spoiled it, he made an
+expedition against Jerusalem; upon which Jehoash was afraid, and emptied
+all the treasures of God and of the kings [before him], and took down
+the gifts that had been dedicated [in the temple], and sent them to the
+king of Syria, and procured so much by them, that he was not besieged,
+nor his kingdom quite endangered; but Hazael was induced by the
+greatness of the sum of money not to bring his army against Jerusalem;
+yet Jehoash fell into a severe distemper, and was set upon by his
+friends, in order to revenge the death of Zechariah, the son of
+Jehoiada. These laid snares for the king, and slew him. He was indeed
+buried in Jerusalem, but not in the royal sepulchers of his forefathers,
+because of his impiety. He lived forty-seven years, and Amaziah his son
+succeeded him in the kingdom.
+
+5. In the one and twentieth year of the reign of Jehoash, Jehoahaz, the
+son of Jehu, took the government of the Israelites in Samaria, and held
+it seventeen years. He did not [properly] imitate his father, but was
+guilty of as wicked practices as those that first had God in contempt:
+but the king of Syria brought him low, and by an expedition against him
+did so greatly reduce his forces, that there remained no more of so
+great an army than ten thousand armed men, and fifty horsemen. He also
+took away from him his great cities, and many of them also, and
+destroyed his army. And these were the things that the people of Israel
+suffered, according to the prophecy of Elisha, when he foretold that
+Hazael should kill his master, and reign over the Syrians and Damscenes.
+But when Jehoahaz was under such unavoidable miseries, he had recourse
+to prayer and supplication to God, and besought him to deliver him out
+of the hands of Hazael, and not overlook him, and give him up into his
+hands. Accordingly God accepted of his repentance instead of virtue; and
+being desirous rather to admonish those that might repent, and not to
+determine that they should be utterly destroyed, he granted him
+deliverance from war and dangers. So the country having obtained peace,
+returned again to its former condition, and flourished as before.
+
+6. Now after the death of Jehoahaz, his son Joash took the kingdom, in
+the thirty-seventh year of Jehoash, the king of the tribe of Judah. This
+Joash then took the kingdom of Israel in Samaria, for he had the same
+name with the king of Jerusalem, and he retained the kingdom sixteen
+years. He was a good man, 17 and in his disposition was not at all like
+his father. Now at this time it was that when Elisha the prophet, who
+was already very old, and was now fallen into a disease, the king of
+Israel came to visit him; and when he found him very near death, he
+began to weep in his sight, and lament, to call him his father, and his
+weapons, because it was by his means that he never made use of his
+weapons against his enemies, but that he overcame his own adversaries by
+his prophecies, without fighting; and that he was now departing this
+life, and leaving him to the Syrians, that were already armed, and to
+other enemies of his that were under their power; so he said it was not
+safe for him to live any longer, but that it would be well for him to
+hasten to his end, and depart out of this life with him. As the king was
+thus bemoaning himself, Elisha comforted him, and bid the king bend a
+bow that was brought him; and when the king had fitted the bow for
+shooting, Elisha took hold of his hands and bid him shoot; and when he
+had shot three arrows, and then left off, Elisha said, "If thou hadst
+shot more arrows, thou hadst cut the kingdom of Syria up by the roots;
+but since thou hast been satisfied with shooting three times only, thou
+shalt fight and beat the Syrians no more times than three, that thou
+mayst recover that country which they cut off from thy kingdom in the
+reign of thy father." So when the king had heard that, he departed; and
+a little while after the prophet died. He was a man celebrated for
+righteousness, and in eminent favor with God. He also performed
+wonderful and surprising works by prophecy, and such as were gloriously
+preserved in memory by the Hebrews. He also obtained a magnificent
+funeral, such a one indeed as it was fit a person so beloved of God
+should have. It also happened, that at that time certain robbers cast a
+man whom they had slain into Elisha's grave, and upon his dead body
+coming close to Elisha's body, it revived again. And thus far have we
+enlarged about the actions of Elisha the prophet, both such as he did
+while he was alive, and how he had a Divine power after his death also.
+
+7. Now, upon the death of Hazael, the king of Syria, that kingdom came
+to Adad his son, with whom Joash, king of Israel, made war; and when he
+had beaten him in three battles, he took from him all that country, and
+all those cities and villages, which his father Hazael had taken from
+the kingdom of Israel, which came to pass, however, according to the
+prophecy of Elisha. But when Joash happened to die, he was buried in
+Samaria, and the government devolved on his son Jeroboam.
+
+
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER 9. How Amaziah Made An Expedition Against The Edomites And
+Amalekites And Conquered Them; But When He Afterwards Made War Against
+Joash, He Was Beaten And Not Long After Was Slain, And Uzziah Succeeded
+In The Government.
+
+1. Now, in the second year of the reign of Joash over Israel, Amaziah
+reigned over the tribe of Judah in Jerusalem. His mother's name was
+Jehoaddan, who was born at Jerusalem. He was exceeding careful of doing
+what was right, and this when he was very young; but when he came to the
+management of affairs, and to the government, he resolved that he ought
+first of all to avenge his father Je-hoash, and to punish those his
+friends that had laid violent hands upon him: so he seized upon them
+all, and put them to death; yet did he execute no severity on their
+children, but acted therein according to the laws of Moses, who did not
+think it just to punish children for the sins of their fathers. After
+this he chose him an army out of the tribe of Judah and Benjamin, of
+such as were in the flower of their age, and about twenty years old; and
+when he had collected about three hundred thousand of them together, he
+set captains of hundreds over them. He also sent to the king of Israel,
+and hired a hundred thousand of his soldiers for a hundred talents of
+silver, for he had resolved to make an expedition against the nations of
+the Amalekites, and Edomites, and Gebalites: but as he was preparing for
+his expedition, and ready to go out to the war, a prophet gave him
+counsel to dismiss the army of the Israelites, because they were bad
+men, and because God foretold that he should be beaten, if he made use
+of them as auxiliaries; but that he should overcome his enemies, though
+he had but a few soldiers, when it so pleased God. And when the king
+grudged at his having already paid the hire of the Israelites, the
+prophet exhorted him to do what God would have him, because he should
+thereby obtain much wealth from God. So he dismissed them, and said that
+he still freely gave them their pay, and went himself with his own army,
+and made war with the nations before mentioned; and when he had beaten
+them in battle, he slew of them ten thousand, and took as many prisoners
+alive, whom he brought to the great rock which is in Arabia, and threw
+them down from it headlong. He also brought away a great deal of prey
+and vast riches from those nations. But while Amaziah was engaged in
+this expedition, those Israelites whom he had hired, and then dismissed,
+were very uneasy at it, and taking their dismission for an affront, [as
+supposing that this would not have been done to them but out of
+contempt,] they fell upon his kingdom, and proceeded to spoil the
+country as far as Beth- horon, and took much cattle, and slew three
+thousand men.
+
+2. Now upon the victory which Amaziah had gotten, and the great acts he
+had done, he was puffed up, and began to overlook God, who had given him
+the victory, and proceeded to worship the gods he had brought out of the
+country of the Amalekites. So a prophet came to him, and said, that he
+wondered how he could esteem these to be gods, who had been of no
+advantage to their own people who paid them honors, nor had delivered
+them from his hands, but had overlooked the destruction of many of them,
+and had suffered themselves to be carried captive, for that they had
+been carried to Jerusalem in the same manner as any one might have taken
+some of the enemy alive, and led them thither. This reproof provoked the
+king to anger, and he commanded the prophet to hold his peace, and
+threatened to punish him if he meddled with his conduct. So he replied,
+that he should indeed hold his peace; but foretold withal, that God
+would not overlook his attempts for innovation. But Amaziah was not able
+to contain himself under that prosperity which God had given him,
+although he had affronted God thereupon; but in a vein of insolence he
+wrote to Joash, the king of Israel, and commanded that he and all his
+people should be obedient to him, as they had formerly been obedient to
+his progenitors, David and Solomon; and he let him know, that if he
+would not be so wise as to do what he commanded him, he must fight for
+his dominion. To which message Joash returned this answer in writing:
+"King Joash to king Amaziah. There was a vastly tall cypress tree in
+Mount Lebanon, as also a thistle; this thistle sent to the cypress tree
+to give the cypress tree's daughter in marriage to the thistle's son;
+but as the thistle was saying this, there came a wild beast, and trod
+down the thistle: and this may be a lesson to thee, not to be so
+ambitious, and to have a care, lest upon thy good success in the fight
+against the Amalekites thou growest so proud, as to bring dangers upon
+thyself and upon thy kingdom."
+
+3. When Amaziah had read this letter, he was more eager upon this
+expedition, which, I suppose, was by the impulse of God, that he might
+be punished for his offense against him. But as soon as he led out his
+army against Joash, and they were going to join battle with him, there
+came such a fear and consternation upon the army of Amaziah, as God,
+when he is displeased, sends upon men, and discomfited them, even before
+they came to a close fight. Now it happened, that as they were scattered
+about by the terror that was upon them, Amaziah was left alone, and was
+taken prisoner by the enemy; whereupon Joash threatened to kill him,
+unless he would persuade the people of Jerusalem to open their gates to
+him, and receive him and his army into the city. Accordingly Amaziah was
+so distressed, and in such fear of his life, that he made his enemy to
+be received into the city. So Joash over threw a part of the wall, of
+the length of four hundred cubits, and drove his chariot through the
+breach into Jerusalem, and led Amaziah captive along with him; by which
+means he became master of Jerusalem, and took away the treasures of God,
+and carried off all the gold and silver that was in the king's palace,
+and then freed the king from captivity, and returned to Samaria. Now
+these things happened to the people of Jerusalem in the fourteenth year
+of the reign of Amaziah, who after this had a conspiracy made against
+him by his friends, and fled to the city Lachish, and was there slain by
+the conspirators, who sent men thither to kill him. So they took up his
+dead body, and carried it to Jerusalem, and made a royal funeral for
+him. This was the end of the life of Amaziah, because of his innovations
+in religion, and his contempt of God, when he had lived fifty-four
+years, and had reigned twenty-nine. He was succeeded by his son, whose
+name was Uzziah.
+
+
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER 10. Concerning Jeroboam King Of Israel And Jonah The Prophet;
+And How After The Death Of Jeroboam His Son Zachariah Took The
+Government. How Uzziah, King Of Jerusalem, Subdued The Nations That Were
+Round About Him; And What Befell Him When He Attempted To Offer Incense
+To God.
+
+1. In the fifteenth year of the reign of Amaziah, Jeroboam the son of
+Joash reigned over Israel in Samaria forty years. This king was guilty
+of contumely against God, 18 and became very wicked in worshipping of
+idols, and in many undertakings that were absurd and foreign. He was
+also the cause of ten thousand misfortunes to the people of Israel. Now
+one Jonah, a prophet, foretold to him that he should make war with the
+Syrians, and conquer their army, and enlarge the bounds of his kingdom
+on the northern parts to the city Hamath, and on the southern to the
+lake Asphaltitis; for the bounds of the Canaanites originally were
+these, as Joshua their general had determined them. So Jeroboam made an
+expedition against the Syrians, and overran all their country, as Jonah
+had foretold.
+
+2. Now I cannot but think it necessary for me, who have promised to give
+an accurate account of our affairs, to describe the actions of this
+prophet, so far as I have found them written down in the Hebrew books.
+Jonah had been commanded by God to go to the kingdom of Nineveh; and
+when he was there, to publish it in that city, how it should lose the
+dominion it had over the nations. But he went not, out of fear; nay, he
+ran away from God to the city of Joppa, and finding a ship there, he
+went into it, and sailed to Tarsus, in Cilicia 19 and upon the rise of a
+most terrible storm, which was so great that the ship was in danger of
+sinking, the mariners, the master, and the pilot himself, made prayers
+and vows, in case they escaped the sea: but Jonah lay still and covered
+[in the ship,] without imitating any thing that the others did; but as
+the waves grew greater, and the sea became more violent by the winds,
+they suspected, as is usual in such cases, that some one of the persons
+that sailed with them was the occasion of this storm, and agreed to
+discover by lot 20 which of them it was. When they had cast lots, 21 the
+lot fell upon the prophet; and when they asked him whence he came, and
+what he had done? he replied, that he was a Hebrew by nation, and a
+prophet of Almighty God; and he persuaded them to cast him into the sea,
+if they would escape the danger they were in, for that he was the
+occasion of the storm which was upon them. Now at the first they durst
+not do so, as esteeming it a wicked thing to cast a man who was a
+stranger, and who had committed his life to them, into such manifest
+perdition; but at last, when their misfortune overbore them, and the
+ship was just going to be drowned, and when they were animated to do it
+by the prophet himself, and by the fear concerning their own safety,
+they cast him into the sea; upon which the sea became calm. It is also
+reported that Jonah was swallowed down by a whale, and that when he had
+been there three days, and as many nights, he was vomited out upon the
+Euxine Sea, and this alive, and without any hurt upon his body; and
+there, on his prayer to God, he obtained pardon for his sins, and went
+to the city Nineveh, where he stood so as to be heard, and preached,
+that in a very little time they should lose the dominion of Asia. And
+when he had published this, he returned. Now I have given this account
+about him as I found it written [in our books.]
+
+3. When Jeroboam the king had passed his life in great happiness, and
+had ruled forty years, he died, and was buried in Samaria, and his son
+Zachariah took the kingdom. After the same manner did Uzziah, the son of
+Amaziah, begin to reign over the two tribes in Jerusalem, in the
+fourteenth year of the reign of Jeroboam. He was born of Jecoliah, his
+mother, who was a citizen of Jerusalem. He was a good man, and by nature
+righteous and magnanimous, and very laborious in taking care of the
+affairs of his kingdom. He made an expedition also against the
+Philistines, and overcame them in battle, and took the cities of Gath
+and Jabneh, and brake down their walls; after which expedition he
+assaulted those Arabs that adjoined to Egypt. He also built a city upon
+the Red Sea, and put a garrison into it. He, after this, overthrew the
+Ammonites, and appointed that they should pay tribute. He also overcame
+all the countries as far as the bounds of Egypt, and then began to take
+care of Jerusalem itself for the rest of his life; for he rebuilt and
+repaired all those parts of the wall which had either fallen down by
+length of time, or by the carelessness of the kings, his predecessors,
+as well as all that part which had been thrown down by the king of
+Israel, when he took his father Amaziah prisoner, and entered with him
+into the city. Moreover, he built a great many towers, of one hundred
+and fifty cubits high, and built walled towns in desert places, and put
+garrisons into them, and dug many channels for conveyance of water. He
+had also many beasts for labor, and an immense number of cattle; for his
+country was fit for pasturage. He was also given to husbandry, and took
+care to cultivate the ground, and planted it with all sorts of plants,
+and sowed it with all sorts of seeds. He had also about him an army
+composed of chosen men, in number three hundred and seventy thousand,
+who were governed by general officers and captains of thousands, who
+were men of valor, and of unconquerable strength, in number two
+thousand. He also divided his whole army into bands, and armed them,
+giving every one a sword, with brazen bucklers and breastplates, with
+bows and slings; and besides these, he made for them many engines of war
+for besieging of cities, such as cast stones and darts, with grapplers,
+and other instruments of that sort.
+
+4. While Uzziah was in this state, and making preparation [for
+futurity], he was corrupted in his mind by pride, and became insolent,
+and this on account of that abundance which he had of things that will
+soon perish, and despised that power which is of eternal duration [which
+consisted in piety towards God, and in the observation of the laws]; so
+he fell by occasion of the good success of his affairs, and was carried
+headlong into those sins of his father, which the splendor of that
+prosperity he enjoyed, and the glorious actions he had done, led him
+into, while he was not able to govern himself well about them.
+Accordingly, when a remarkable day was come, and a general festival was
+to be celebrated, he put on the holy garment, and went into the temple
+to offer incense to God upon the golden altar, which he was prohibited
+to do by Azariah the high priest, who had fourscore priests with him,
+and who told him that it was not lawful for him to offer sacrifice, and
+that "none besides the posterity of Aaron were permitted so to do." And
+when they cried out that he must go out of the temple, and not
+transgress against God, he was wroth at them, and threatened to kill
+them, unless they would hold their peace. In the mean time a great
+earthquake shook the ground and a rent was made in the temple, and the
+bright rays of the sun shone through it, and fell upon the king's face,
+insomuch that the leprosy seized upon him immediately. And before the
+city, at a place called Eroge, half the mountain broke off from the rest
+on the west, and rolled itself four furlongs, and stood still at the
+east mountain, till the roads, as well as the king's gardens, were
+spoiled by the obstruction. Now, as soon as the priests saw that the
+king's face was infected with the leprosy, they told him of the calamity
+he was under, and commanded that he should go out of the city as a
+polluted person. Hereupon he was so confounded at the sad distemper, and
+sensible that he was not at liberty to contradict, that he did as he was
+commanded, and underwent this miserable and terrible punishment for an
+intention beyond what befitted a man to have, and for that impiety
+against God which was implied therein. So he abode out of the city for
+some time, and lived a private life, while his son Jotham took the
+government; after which he died with grief and anxiety at what had
+happened to him, when he had lived sixty-eight years, and reigned of
+them fifty-two; and was buried by himself in his own gardens.
+
+
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER 11. How Zachariah Shallum, Menahem Pekahiah And Pekah Took The
+Government Over The Israelites; And How Pul And Tiglath-Pileser Made An
+Expedition Against The Israelites. How Jotham, The Son Of Uzziah Reigned
+Over The Tribe Of Judah; And What Things Nahum Prophesied Against The
+Assyrians.
+
+1. Now when Zachariah, the son of Jeroboam, had reigned six months over
+Israel, he was slain by the treachery of a certain friend of his, whose
+name was Shallum, the son of Jabesh, who took the kingdom afterward, but
+kept it no longer than thirty days; for Menahem, the general of his
+army, who was at that time in the city Tirzah, and heard of what had
+befallen Zachariah, removed thereupon with all his forces to Samaria,
+and joining battle with Shallum, slew him; and when he had made himself
+king, he went thence, and came to the city Tiphsah; but the citizens
+that were in it shut their gates, and barred them against the king, and
+would not admit him: but in order to be avenged on them, he burnt the
+country round about it, and took the city by force, upon a siege; and
+being very much displeased at what the inhabitants of Tiphsah had done,
+he slew them all, and spared not so much as the infants, without
+omitting the utmost instances of cruelty and barbarity; for he used such
+severity upon his own countrymen, as would not be pardonable with regard
+to strangers who had been conquered by him. And after this manner it was
+that this Menahem 22 continued to reign with cruelty and barbarity for
+ten years. But when Pul, king of Assyria, had made an expedition against
+him, he did not think meet to fight or engage in battle with the
+Assyrians, but he persuaded him to accept of a thousand talents of
+silver, and to go away, and so put an end to the war. This sum the
+multitude collected for Menahem, by exacting fifty drachmae as poll-
+money for every head; 23 after which he died, and was buried in Samaria,
+and left his son Pekahiah his successor in the kingdom, who followed the
+barbarity of his father, and so ruled but two years only, after which he
+was slain with his friends at a feast, by the treachery of one Pekah,
+the general of his horse, and the son of Remaliah, who laid snares for
+him. Now this Pekah held the government twenty years, and proved a
+wicked man and a transgressor. But the king of Assyria, whose name was
+Tiglath-Pileser, when he had made an expedition against the Israelites,
+and had overrun all the land of Gilead, and the region beyond Jordan,
+and the adjoining country, which is called Galilee, and Kadesh, and
+Hazor, he made the inhabitants prisoners, and transplanted them into his
+own kingdom. And so much shall suffice to have related here concerning
+the king of Assyria.
+
+2. Now Jotham the son of Uzziah reigned over the tribe of Judah in
+Jerusalem, being a citizen thereof by his mother, whose name was
+Jerusha. This king was not defective in any virtue, but was religious
+towards God, and righteous towards men, and careful of the good of the
+city [for what part soever wanted to be repaired or adorned he
+magnificently repaired and adorned them]. He also took care of the
+foundations of the cloisters in the temple, and repaired the walls that
+were fallen down, and built very great towers, and such as were almost
+impregnable; and if any thing else in his kingdom had been neglected, he
+took great care of it. He also made an expedition against the Ammonites,
+and overcame them in battle, and ordered them to pay tribute, a hundred
+talents, and ten thousand cori of wheat, and as many of barley, every
+year, and so augmented his kingdom, that his enemies could not despise
+it, and his own people lived happily.
+
+3. Now there was at that time a prophet, whose name was Nahum, who spake
+after this manner concerning the overthrow of the Assyrians and of
+Nineveh: "Nineveh shall be a pool of water in motion so shall all her
+people be troubled, and tossed, and go away by flight, while they say
+one to another, Stand, stand still, seize their gold and silver, for
+there shall be no one to wish them well, for they will rather save their
+lives than their money; for a terrible contention shall possess them one
+with another, and lamentation, and loosing of the members, and their
+countenances shall be perfectly black with fear. And there will be the
+den of the lions, and the mother of the young lions! God says to thee,
+Nineveh, that they shall deface thee, and the lion shall no longer go
+out from thee to give laws to the world." And indeed this prophet
+prophesied many other things besides these concerning Nineveh, which I
+do not think necessary to repeat, and I here omit them, that I may not
+appear troublesome to my readers; all which thing happened about Nineveh
+a hundred and fifteen years afterward: so this may suffice to have
+spoken of these matters.
+
+
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER 12. How Upon The Death Of Jotham, Ahaz Reigned In His Stead;
+Against Whom Rezin, King Of Syria And Pekah King Of Israel, Made War;
+And How Tiglath-Pileser, King Of Assyria Came To The Assistance Of Ahaz,
+And Laid Syria Waste And Removing The Damascenes Into Media Placed Other
+Nations In Their Room.
+
+1. Now Jotham died when he had lived forty-one years, and of them
+reigned sixteen, and was buried in the sepulchers of the kings; and the
+kingdom came to his son Ahaz, who proved most impious towards God, and a
+transgressor of the laws of his country. He imitated the kings of
+Israel, and reared altars in Jerusalem, and offered sacrifices upon them
+to idols; to which also he offered his own son as a burnt-offering,
+according to the practices of the Canaanites. His other actions were
+also of the same sort. Now as he was going on in this mad course, Rezin,
+the king of Syria and Damascus, and Pekah, the king of Israel, who were
+now at amity one with another, made war with him; and when they had
+driven him into Jerusalem, they besieged that city a long while, making
+but a small progress, on account of the strength of its walls; and when
+the king of Syria had taken the city Elath, upon the Red Sea, and had
+slain the inhabitants, he peopled it with Syrians; and when he had slain
+those in the [other] garrisons, and the Jews in their neighborhood, and
+had driven away much prey, he returned with his army back to Damascus.
+Now when the king of Jerusalem knew that the Syrians were returned home,
+he, supposing himself a match for the king of Israel, drew out his army
+against him, and joining battle with him was beaten; and this happened
+because God was angry with him, on account of his many and great
+enormities. Accordingly there were slain by the Israelites one hundred
+and twenty thousand of his men that day, whose general, Amaziah by name,
+slew Zechariah the king's son, in his conflict with Ahaz, as well as the
+governor of the kingdom, whose name was Azricam. He also carried
+Elkanah, the general of the troops of the tribe of Judah, into
+captivity. They also carried the women and children of the tribe of
+Benjamin captives; and when they had gotten a great deal of prey, they
+returned to Samaria.
+
+2. Now there was one Obed, who was a prophet at that time in Samaria; he
+met the army before the city walls, and with a loud voice told them that
+they had gotten the victory not by their own strength, but by reason of
+the anger God had against king Ahaz. And he complained that they were
+not satisfied with the good success they had had against him, but were
+so bold as to make captives out of their kinsmen the tribes of Judah and
+Benjamin. He also gave them counsel to let them go home without doing
+them any harm, for that if they did not obey God herein, they should be
+punished. So the people of Israel came together to their assembly, and
+considered of these matters, when a man whose name was Berechiah, and
+who was one of chief reputation in the government, stood up, and the
+others with him, and said, "We will not suffer the citizens to bring
+these prisoners into the city, lest we be all destroyed by God; we have
+sins enough of our own that we have committed against him, as the
+prophets assure us; nor ought we therefore to introduce the practice of
+new crimes." When the soldiers heard that, they permitted them to do
+what they thought best. So the forenamed men took the captives, and let
+them go, and took care of them, and gave them provisions, and sent them
+to their own country, without doing them any harm. However, these four
+went along with them, and conducted them as far as Jericho, which is not
+far from Jerusalem, and returned to Samaria.
+
+3. Hereupon king Ahaz, having been so thoroughly beaten by the
+Israelites, sent to Tiglath-Pileser, king of the Assyrians, and sued for
+assistance from him in his war against the Israelites, and Syrians, and
+Damascenes, with a promise to send him much money; he sent him also
+great presents at the same time. Now this king, upon the reception of
+those ambassadors, came to assist Ahaz, and made war upon the Syrians,
+and laid their country waste, and took Damascus by force, and slew Rezin
+their king, and transplanted the people of Damascus into the Upper
+Media, and brought a colony of Assyrians, and planted them in Damascus.
+He also afflicted the land of Israel, and took many captives out of it.
+While he was doing thus with the Syrians, king Ahaz took all the gold
+that was in the king's treasures, and the silver, and what was in the
+temple of God, and what precious gifts were there, and he carried them
+with him, and came to Damascus, and gave it to the king of Assyria,
+according to his agreement. So he confessed that he owed him thanks for
+all he had done for him, and returned to Jerusalem. Now this king was so
+sottish and thoughtless of what was for his own good, that he would not
+leave off worshipping the Syrian gods when he was beaten by them, but he
+went on in worshipping them, as though they would procure him the
+victory; and when he was beaten again, he began to honor the gods of the
+Assyrians; and he seemed more desirous to honor any other gods than his
+own paternal and true God, whose anger was the cause of his defeat; nay,
+he proceeded to such a degree of despite and contempt [of God's
+worship], that he shut up the temple entirely, and forbade them to bring
+in the appointed sacrifices, and took away the gifts that had been given
+to it. And when he had offered these indignities to God, he died, having
+lived thirty-six years, and of them reigned sixteen; and he left his son
+Hezekiah for his successor.
+
+
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER 13. How Pekah Died By The Treachery Of Hoshea Who Was A Little
+After Subdued By Shalmaneser; And How Hezekiah Reigned Instead Of Ahaz;
+And What Actions Of Piety And Justice He Did.
+
+1. About the same time Pekah, the king of Israel, died by the treachery
+of a friend of his, whose name was Hoshea, who retained the kingdom nine
+years' time, but was a wicked man, and a despiser of the Divine worship;
+and Shalmaneser, the king of Assyria, made an expedition against him,
+and overcame him, [which must have been because he had not God favorable
+nor assistant to him,] and brought him to submission, and ordered him to
+pay an appointed tribute. Now, in the fourth year of the reign of
+Hoshea, Hezekiah, the son of Ahaz, began to reign in Jerusalem; and his
+mother's name was Abijah, a citizen of Jerusalem. His nature was good,
+and righteous, and religious; for when he came to the kingdom, he
+thought that nothing was prior, or more necessary, or more advantageous
+to himself, and to his subjects, than to worship God. Accordingly, he
+called the people together, and the priests, and the Levites, and made a
+speech to them, and said, "You are not ignorant how, by the sins of my
+father, who transgressed that sacred honor which was due to God, you
+have had experience of many and great miseries, while you were corrupted
+in your mind by him, and were induced to worship those which he supposed
+to be gods; I exhort you, therefore, who have learned by sad experience
+how dangerous a thing impiety is, to put that immediately out of your
+memory, and to purify yourselves from your former pollutions, and to
+open the temple to these priests and Levites who are here convened, and
+to cleanse it with the accustomed sacrifices, and to recover all to the
+ancient honor which our fathers paid to it; for by this means we may
+render God favorable, and he will remit the anger he hath had to us."
+
+2. When the king had said this, the priests opened the temple; and when
+they had set in order the vessels of God, and east out what was impure,
+they laid the accustomed sacrifices upon the altar. The king also sent
+to the country that was under him, and called the people to Jerusalem to
+celebrate the feast of unleavened bread, for it had been intermitted a
+long time, on account of the wickedness of the forementioned kings. He
+also sent to the Israelites, and exhorted them to leave off their
+present way of living, and return to their ancient practices, and to
+worship God, for that he gave them leave to come to Jerusalem, and to
+celebrate, all in one body, the feast of unleavened bread; and this he
+said was by way of invitation only, and to be done of their own good-
+will, and for their own advantage, and not out of obedience to him,
+because it would make them happy. But the Israelites, upon the coming of
+the ambassadors, and upon their laying before them what they had in
+charge from their own king, were so far from complying therewith, that
+they laughed the ambassadors to scorn, and mocked them as fools: as also
+they affronted the prophets, which gave them the same exhortations, and
+foretold what they would suffer if they did not return to the worship of
+God, insomuch that at length they caught them, and slew them; nor did
+this degree of transgressing suffice them, but they had more wicked
+contrivances than what have been described: nor did they leave off,
+before God, as a punishment for their impiety, brought them under their
+enemies: but of that more hereafter. However, many there were of the
+tribe of Manasseh, and of Zebulon, and of Issachar, who were obedient to
+what the prophets exhorted them to do, and returned to the worship of
+God. Now all these came running to Jerusalem, to Hezekiah, that they
+might worship God [there].
+
+3. When these men were come, king Hezekiah went up into the temple, with
+the rulers and all the people, and offered for himself seven bulls, and
+as many rams, with seven lambs, and as many kids of the goats. The king
+also himself, and the rulers, laid their hands on the heads of the
+sacrifices, and permitted the priests to complete the sacred offices
+about them. So they both slew the sacrifices, and burnt the burnt-
+offerings, while the Levites stood round about them, with their musical
+instruments, and sang hymns to God, and played on their psalteries, as
+they were instructed by David to do, and this while the rest of the
+priests returned the music, and sounded the trumpets which they had in
+their hands; and when this was done, the king and the multitude threw
+themselves down upon their face, and worshipped God. He also sacrificed
+seventy bulls, one hundred rams, and two hundred lambs. He also granted
+the multitude sacrifices to feast upon, six hundred oxen, and three
+thousand other cattle; and the priests performed all things according to
+the law. Now the king was so pleased herewith, that he feasted with the
+people, and returned thanks to God; but as the feast of unleavened bread
+was now come, when they had offered that sacrifice which is called the
+passover, they after that offered other sacrifices for seven days. When
+the king had bestowed on the multitude, besides what they sanctified of
+themselves, two thousand bulls, and seven thousand other cattle, the
+same thing was done by the rulers; for they gave them a thousand bulls,
+and a thousand and forty other cattle. Nor had this festival been so
+well observed from the days of king Solomon, as it was now first
+observed with great splendor and magnificence; and when the festival was
+ended, they went out into the country and purged it, and cleansed the
+city of all the pollution of the idols. The king also gave order that
+the daily sacrifices should be offered, at his own charges, and
+according to the law; and appointed that the tithes and the first-fruits
+should be given by the multitude to the priests and Levites, that they
+might constantly attend upon Divine service, and never be taken off from
+the worship of God. Accordingly, the multitude brought together all
+sorts of their fruits to the priests and the Levites. The king also made
+garners and receptacles for these fruits, and distributed them to every
+one of the priests and Levites, and to their children and wives; and
+thus did they return to their old form of Divine worship. Now when the
+king had settled these matters after the manner already described, he
+made war upon the Philistines, and beat them, and possessed himself of
+all the enemy's cities, from Gaza to Gath; but the king of Assyria sent
+to him, and threatened to overturn all his dominions, unless he would
+pay him the tribute which his father paid him formerly; but king
+Hezekiah was not concerned at his threatenings, but depended on his
+piety towards God, and upon Isaiah the prophet, by whom he inquired and
+accurately knew all future events. And thus much shall suffice for the
+present concerning this king Hezekiah.
+
+
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER 14. How Shalmaneser Took Samaria By Force And How He
+Transplanted The Ten Tribes Into Media, And Brought The Nation Of The
+Cutheans Into Their Country [In Their Room].
+
+1. When Shalmaneser, the king of Assyria, had it told him, that [Hoshea]
+the king of Israel had sent privately to So, the king of Egypt, desiring
+his assistance against him, he was very angry, and made an expedition
+against Samaria, in the seventh year of the reign of Hoshea; but when he
+was not admitted [into the city] by the king, 24 he besieged Samaria
+three years, and took it by force in the ninth year of the reign of
+Hoshea, and in the seventh year of Hezekiah, king of Jerusalem, and
+quite demolished the government of the Israelites, and transplanted all
+the people into Media and Persia among whom he took king Hoshea alive;
+and when he had removed these people out of this their land he
+transplanted other nations out of Cuthah, a place so called, [for there
+is [still] a river of that name in Persia,] into Samaria, and into the
+country of the Israelites. So the ten tribes of the Israelites were
+removed out of Judea nine hundred and forty-seven years after their
+forefathers were come out of the land of Egypt, and possessed themselves
+of the country, but eight hundred years after Joshua had been their
+leader, and, as I have already observed, two hundred and forty years,
+seven months, and seven days after they had revolted from Rehoboam, the
+grandson of David, and had given the kingdom to Jeroboam. And such a
+conclusion overtook the Israelites, when they had transgressed the laws,
+and would not hearken to the prophets, who foretold that this calamity
+would come upon them, if they would not leave off their evil doings.
+What gave birth to these evil doings, was that sedition which they
+raised against Rehoboam, the grandson of David, when they set up
+Jeroboam his servant to be their king, when, by sinning against God, and
+bringing them to imitate his bad example, made God to be their enemy,
+while Jeroboam underwent that punishment which he justly deserved.
+
+2. And now the king of Assyria invaded all Syria and Phoenicia in a
+hostile manner. The name of this king is also set down in the archives
+of Tyre, for he made an expedition against Tyre in the reign of Eluleus;
+and Menander attests to it, who, when he wrote his Chronology, and
+translated the archives of Tyre into the Greek language, gives us the
+following history: "One whose name was Eluleus reigned thirty-six years;
+this king, upon the revolt of the Citteans, sailed to them, and reduced
+them again to a submission. Against these did the king of Assyria send
+an army, and in a hostile manner overrun all Phoenicia, but soon made
+peace with them all, and returned back; but Sidon, and Ace, and
+Palsetyrus revolted; and many other cities there were which delivered
+themselves up to the king of Assyria. Accordingly, when the Tyrians
+would not submit to him, the king returned, and fell upon them again,
+while the Phoenicians had furnished him with threescore ships, and eight
+hundred men to row them; and when the Tyrians had come upon them in
+twelve ships, and the enemy's ships were dispersed, they took five
+hundred men prisoners, and the reputation of all the citizens of Tyre
+was thereby increased; but the king of Assyria returned, and placed
+guards at their rivers and aqueducts, who should hinder the Tyrians from
+drawing water. This continued for five years; and still the Tyrians bore
+the siege, and drank of the water they had out of the wells they dug."
+And this is what is written in the Tyrian archives concerning
+Shalmaneser, the king of Assyria.
+
+3. But now the Cutheans, who removed into Samaria, [for that is the name
+they have been called by to this time, because they were brought out of
+the country called Cuthah, which is a country of Persia, and there is a
+river of the same name in it,] each of them, according to their nations,
+which were in number five, brought their own gods into Samaria, and by
+worshipping them, as was the custom of their own countries, they
+provoked Almighty God to be angry and displeased at them, for a plague
+seized upon them, by which they were destroyed; and when they found no
+cure for their miseries, they learned by the oracle that they ought to
+worship Almighty God, as the method for their deliverance. So they sent
+ambassadors to the king of Assyria, and desired him to send them some of
+those priests of the Israelites whom he had taken captive. And when he
+thereupon sent them, and the people were by them taught the laws, and
+the holy worship of God, they worshipped him in a respectful manner, and
+the plague ceased immediately; and indeed they continue to make use of
+the very same customs to this very time, and are called in the Hebrew
+tongue Cutlans, but in the Greek tongue Samaritans. And when they see
+the Jews in prosperity, they pretend that they are changed, and allied
+to them, and call them kinsmen, as though they were derived from Joseph,
+and had by that means an original alliance with them; but when they see
+them falling into a low condition, they say they are no way related to
+them, and that the Jews have no right to expect any kindness or marks of
+kindred from them, but they declare that they are sojourners, that come
+from other countries. But of these we shall have a more seasonable
+opportunity to discourse hereafter.
+
+
+
+
+
+
+FOOTNOTES
+
+
+1 (return) [ These judges constituted by Jehoshaphat were a kind of
+Jerusalem Sanhedrim, out of the priests, the Levites, and the principal
+of the people, both here and 2 Chronicles 19:8; much like the old
+Christian judicatures of the bishop, the presbyters, the deacons, and
+the people.]
+
+
+2 (return) [ Concerning this precious balsam, see the note on Atiq. B.
+VIII. ch. 6. sect. 6.]
+
+
+3 (return) [ What are here Pontus and Thrace, as the places whither
+Jehoshaphat's fleet sailed, are in our other copies Ophir and Tarshish,
+and the place whence it sailed is in them Eziongeber, which lay on the
+Red Sea, whence it was impossible for any ships to sail to Pontus or
+Thrace; so that Josephus's copy differed from our other copies, as is
+further plain from his own words, which render what we read, that "the
+ships were broken at Eziongeber, from their unwieldy greatness." But so
+far we may conclude, that Josephus thought one Ophir to be some where in
+the Mediterranean, and not in the South Sea, though perhaps there might
+be another Ophir in that South Sea also, and that fleets might then sail
+both from Phoenicia and from the Red Sea to fetch the gold of Ophir.]
+
+
+4 (return) [ This god of flies seems to have been so called, as was the
+like god among the Greeks, from his supposed power over flies, in
+driving them away from the flesh of their sacrifices, which otherwise
+would have been very troublesome to them.]
+
+
+5 (return) [ It is commonly esteemed a very cruel action of Elijah, when
+he called for fire from heaven, and consumed no fewer than two captains
+and a hundred soldiers, and this for no other crime than obeying the
+orders of their king, in attempting to seize him; and it is owned by our
+Savior, that it was an instance of greater severity than the spirit of
+the New Testament allows, Luke 9:54. But then we must consider that it
+is not unlikely that these captains and soldiers believed that they were
+sent to fetch the prophet, that he might be put to death for foretelling
+the death of the king, and this while they knew him to be the prophet of
+the true God, the supreme King of Israel, [for they were still under the
+theocracy,] which was no less than impiety, rebellion, and treason, in
+the highest degree: nor would the command of a subaltern, or inferior
+captain, contradicting the commands of the general, when the captain and
+the soldiers both knew it to be so, as I suppose, justify or excuse such
+gross rebellion and disobedience in soldiers at this day. Accordingly,
+when Saul commanded his guards to slay Ahimelech and the priests at Nob,
+they knew it to be an unlawful command, and would not obey it, 1 Samuel
+22:17. From which cases both officers and soldiers may learn, that the
+commands of their leaders or kings cannot justify or excuse them in
+doing what is wicked in the sight of God, or in fighting in an unjust
+cause, when they know it so to be.]
+
+
+6 (return) [ This practice of cutting down, or plucking up by the roots,
+the fruit trees was forbidden, even in ordinary wars, by the law of
+Moses, Deuteronomy 20:19, 20, and only allowed by God in this particular
+case, when the Moabites were to be punished and cut off in an
+extraordinary manner for their wickedness See Jeremiah 48:11-13, and
+many the like prophecies against them. Nothing could therefore justify
+this practice but a particular commission from God by his prophet, as in
+the present case, which was ever a sufficient warrant for breaking any
+such ritual or ceremonial law whatsoever.]
+
+
+7 (return) [ That this woman who cried to Elisha, and who in our Bible
+is styled "the wife of one of the sons of the prophets," 2 Kings 4:1,
+was no other than the widow of Obadiah, the good steward of Ahab, is
+confirmed by the Chaldee paraphrast, and by the Rabbins and others. Nor
+is that unlikely which Josephus here adds, that these debts were
+contracted by her husband for the support of those "hundred of the
+Lord's prophets, whom he maintained by fifty in a cave," in the days of
+Ahab and Jezebel, 1 Kings 18:4; which circumstance rendered it highly
+fit that the prophet Elisha should provide her a remedy, and enable her
+to redeem herself and her sons from the fear of that slavery which
+insolvent debtors were liable to by the law of Moses, Leviticus 25:39;
+Matthew 18:25; which he did accordingly, with God's help, at the expense
+of a miracle.]
+
+
+8 (return) [ Dr. Hudson, with very good reason, suspects that there is
+no small defect in our present copies of Josephus, just before the
+beginning of this section, and that chiefly as to that distinct account
+which he had given us reason to expect in the first section, and to
+which he seems to refer, ch. 8. sect. 6. concerning the glorious
+miracles which Elisha wrought, which indeed in our Bibles are not a few,
+2 Kings 6-9., but of which we have several omitted in Josephus's present
+copies. One of those histories, omitted at present, was evidently in his
+Bible, I mean that of the curing of Nanman's leprosy, 2 Kings 5.; for he
+plainly alludes to it, B. III. ch. 11. sect. 4, where he observes, that
+"there were lepers in many nations who yet have been in honor, and not
+only free from reproach and avoidance, but who have been great captains
+of armies, and been intrusted with high offices in the commonwealth, and
+have had the privilege of entering into holy places and temples." But
+what makes me most regret the want of that history in our present copies
+of Josephus is this, that we have here, as it is commonly understood,
+one of the greatest difficulties in all the Bible, that in 2 Kings 5:18,
+19, where Naaman, after he had been miraculously cured by a prophet of
+the true God, and had thereupon promised [ver. 17: that "he would
+henceforth offer neither burnt-offering nor sacrifice unto other gods,
+but unto the Lord," adds, "In this thing the Lord pardon thy servant,
+that when my master goeth into the house of Rimnu to worship there, and
+he leaneth on my hands, and I bow myself in the house of Rimmort; when I
+bow down myself in the house of Rimmort, the Lord pardon thy servant in
+this thing. And Elisha said, Go in peace." This looks like a prophet's
+permission for being partaker in idolatry itself, out of compliance with
+an idolatrous court.]
+
+
+9 (return) [ Upon occasion of this stratagem of Elisha, in Josephus, we
+may take notice, that although Josephus was one of the greatest lovers
+of truth in the world, yet in a just war he seems to have had no manner
+of scruple upon him by all such stratagems possible to deceive public
+enemies. See this Josephus's account of Jeremiah's imposition on the
+great men of the Jews in somewhat like case, Antiq. B. X. ch. 7. sect.
+6; 2 Samuel 16:16, &c.]
+
+
+10 (return) [ This son of a murderer was Joram, the son of Ahab, which
+Ahab slew, or permitted his wife Jezebel to slay, the Lord's prophets,
+and Naboth, 1 Kings 18:4; 21:19; and he is here called by this name, I
+suppose, because he had now also himself sent an officer to murder him;
+yet is Josephus's account of Joram's coming himself at last as repenting
+of his intended cruelty, much more probable than that in our copies, 2
+Kings 6:33, which rather implies the contrary.]
+
+
+11 (return) [ This law of the Jews, for the exclusion of lepers out of
+the camp in the wilderness, and out of the cities in Judea, is a known
+one, Leviticus 13:46; Numbers 5:14.]
+
+
+12 (return) [ Since Elijah did not live to anoint Hazael king of Syria
+himself, as he was empowered to do, 1 Kings 19:15, it was most probably
+now done, in his name, by his servant and successor Elisha. Nor does it
+seem to me otherwise but that Benhadad immediately recovered of his
+disease, as the prophet foretold; and that Hazael, upon his being
+anointed to succeed him though he ought to have staid till he died by
+the course of nature, or some other way of Divine punishment, as did
+David for many years in the like case, was too impatient, and the very
+next day smothered or strangled him, in order to come directly to the
+succession.]
+
+
+13 (return) [ What Mr. Le Clerc pretends here, that it is more probable
+that Hazael and his son were worshipped by the Syrians and people of
+Damascus till the days of Josephus, than Benhadad and Hazael, because
+under Benhadad they had greatly suffered, and because it is almost
+incredible that both a king and that king's murderer should be
+worshipped by the same Syrians, is of little force against those
+records, out of which Josephus drew this history, especially when it is
+likely that they thought Benhadad died of the distemper he labored
+under, and not by Hazael's treachery. Besides, the reason that Josephus
+gives for this adoration, that these two kings had been great
+benefactors to the inhabitants of Damascus, and had built them temples,
+is too remote from the political suspicions of Le Clerc; nor ought such
+weak suspicions to be deemed of any force against authentic testimonies
+of antiquity.]
+
+
+14 (return) [ This epistle, in some copies of Josephus, is said to come
+to Jotare from Elijah, with this addition," for he was yet upon earth,"
+which could not be true of Elijah, who, as all agree, was gone from the
+earth about four years before, and could only be true of Elisha; nor
+perhaps is there any more mystery here, than that the name of Elijah has
+very anciently crept into the text instead of Elisha, by the copiers,
+there being nothing in any copy of that epistle peculiar to Elijah.]
+
+
+15 (return) [ Spanheim here notes, that this putting off men's garments,
+and strewing them under a king, was an Eastern custom, which he had
+elsewhere explained.]
+
+
+16 (return) [ Our copies say that this "driving of the chariots was like
+the driving of Jehu the son of Nimshi; for he driveth furiously," 2
+Kings 9:20; whereas Josephus's copy, as he understood it, was this,
+that, on the contrary, Jehu marched slowly, and in good order. Nor can
+it be denied, that since there was interval enough for king Joram to
+send out two horsemen, one after another, to Jehu, and at length to go
+out with king Ahaziah to meet him, and all this after he was come within
+sight of the watchman, and before he was come to Jezreel, the
+probability is greatly on the side of Josephus's copy or
+interpretation.]
+
+
+17 (return) [ This character of Joash, the son of Jehoahaz, that "he was
+a good man, and in his disposition not at all like to his father," seems
+a direct contradiction to our ordinary copies, which say [2 Kings 13:11]
+that "he did evil in the sight of the Lord; and that he departed not
+from all the sins of Jeroboam, the son of Nebat, who made Israel to sin:
+he walked therein." Which copies are here the truest it is hard
+positively to determine. If Josephus's be true, this Joash is the single
+instance of a good king over the ten tribes; if the other be true, we
+have not one such example. The account that follows, in all copies, of
+Elisha the prophet's concern for him, and his concern for Elisha,
+greatly favors Josephus's copies, and supposes this king to have been
+then a good man, and no idolater, with whom God's prophets used not to
+be so familiar. Upon the whole, since it appears, even by Josephus's own
+account, that Amaziah, the good king of Judah, while he was a good king,
+was forbidden to make use of the hundred thousand auxiliaries he had
+hired of this Joash, the king of Israel, as if he and they were then
+idolaters, 2 Chronicles 25:6-9, it is most likely that these different
+characters of Joash suited the different parts of his reign, and that,
+according to our common copies, he was at first a wicked king, and
+afterwards was reclaimed, and became a good one, according to Josephus.]
+
+
+18 (return) [ What I have above noted concerning Jehoash, seems to me to
+have been true also concerning his son Jeroboam II., viz. that although
+he began wickedly, as Josephus agrees with our other copies, and, as he
+adds, "was the cause of a vast number of misfortunes to the Israelites"
+in those his first years, [the particulars of which are unhappily
+wanting both in Josephus and in all our copies,] so does it seem to me
+that he was afterwards reclaimed, and became a good king, and so was
+encouraged by the prophet Jonah, and had great successes afterward, when
+"God had saved the Israelites by the hand of Jeroboam, the son of
+Joash," 2 Kings 14:27; which encouragement by Jonah, and great
+successes, are equally observable in Josephus, and in the other copies.]
+
+
+19 (return) [ When Jonah is said in our Bibles to have gone to Tarshish,
+Jonah 1:3, Josephus understood it that he went to Tarsus in Cilicia, or
+to the Mediterranean Sea, upon which Tarsus lay; so that he does not
+appear to have read the text, 1 Kings 22:48, as our copies do, that
+ships of Tarshish could lie at Ezion-geber, upon the Red Sea. But as to
+Josephus's assertion, that Jonah's fish was carried by the strength of
+the current, upon a nean, it is by no means an improbable determination
+in Josephus.]
+
+
+20 (return) [ This ancient piece of religion, of supposing there was
+great sin where there was great misery, and of casting lots to discover
+great sinners, not only among the Israelites, but among these heathen
+mariners, seems a remarkable remains of the ancient tradition which
+prevailed of old over all mankind, that Providence used to interpose
+visibly in all human affairs, and storm, as far as the Euxine Sea, it is
+no way impossible; and since the storm might have driven the ship, while
+Jonah was in it never to bring, or at least not long to continue,
+notorious judge, near to that Euxine Sea, and since in three more days,
+while but for notorious sins, which the most ancient Book of he was in
+the fish's belly, that current might bring him to the Job shows to have
+been the state of mankind for about the Assyrian coast, and since withal
+that coast could bring him former three thousand years of the world,
+till the days of Job nearer to Nineveh than could any coast of the
+Mediterranian and Moses.]
+
+
+21 (return) [ This account of an earthquake at Jerusalem at the very
+same time when Uzziah usurped the priest's office, and went into the
+sanctuary to burn incense, and of the consequences of the earthquake, is
+entirely wanting in our other copies, though it be exceeding like to a
+prophecy of Jeremiah, now in Zechariah 14:4, 5; in which prophecy
+mention is made of "fleeing from that earthquake, as they fled from this
+earthquake in the days of Uzziah king of Judah;" so that there seems to
+have been some considerable resemblance between these historical and
+prophetical earthquakes.]
+
+
+22 (return) [ Dr. Wall, in his critical notes on 2 Kings 15:20,
+observes, "that when this Menahem is said to have exacted the money of
+Israel of all the mighty men of wealth, of each man fifty shekels of
+silver, to give Pul, the king of Assyria, a thousand talents, this is
+the first public money raised by any [Israelite] king by tax on the
+people; that they used before to raise it out of the treasures of the
+house of the Lord, or of their own house; that it was a poll-money on
+the rich men, [and them only,] to raise oe353,000, or, as others count a
+talent, oe400,000, at the rate of oe6 or oe7 per head; and that God
+commanded, by Ezekiel, ch. 45:8; 46:18, that no such thing should be
+done [at the Jews' restoration], but the king should have land of his
+own."]
+
+
+23 (return) [ This passage is taken out of the prophet Nahum, ch. 2:8-
+13, and is the principal, or rather the only, one that is given us
+almost verbatim, but a little abridged, in all Josephus's known
+writings: by which quotation we learn what he himself always asserts,
+viz. that he made use of the Hebrew original and not of the Greek
+version]; as also we learn, that his Hebrew copy considerably differed
+from ours. See all three texts particularly set down and compared
+together in the Essay on the Old Testament, page 187.]
+
+
+24 (return) [ This siege of Samaria, though not given a particular
+account of, either in our Hebrew or Greek Bibles, or in Josephus, was so
+very long, no less than three years, that it was no way improbable but
+that parents, and particularly mothers, might therein be reduced to eat
+their own children, as the law of Moses had threatened upon their
+disobedience, Leviticus 26;29; Deuteronomy 28:53-57; and as was
+accomplished in the other shorter sieges of both the capital cities,
+Jerusalem and Samaria; the former mentioned Jeremiah 19:9; Antiq. B. IX.
+ch. 4. sect. 4, and the latter, 2 Kings 6:26-29.]
+
+
+
+
+
+
+BOOK X. Containing The Interval Of One Hundred And Eighty-Two Years And
+A Half.—From The Captivity Of The Ten Tribes To The First Year Of Cyrus.
+
+
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER 1. How Sennacherib Made An Expedition Against Hezekiah; What
+Threatenings Rabshakeh Made To Hezekiah When Sennacherib Was Gone
+Against The Egyptians; How Isaiah The Prophet Encouraged Him; How
+Sennacherib Having Failed Of Success In Egypt, Returned Thence To
+Jerusalem; And How Upon His Finding His Army Destroyed, He Returned
+Home; And What Befell Him A Little Afterward.
+
+1. It was now the fourteenth year of the government of Hezekiah, king of
+the two tribes, when the king of Assyria, whose name was Sennacherib,
+made an expedition against him with a great army, and took all the
+cities of the tribes of Judah and Benjamin by force; and when he was
+ready to bring his army against Jerusalem, Hezekiah sent ambassadors to
+him beforehand, and promised to submit, and pay what tribute he should
+appoint. Hereupon Sennacherib, when he heard of what offers the
+ambassadors made, resolved not to proceed in the war, but to accept of
+the proposals that were made him; and if he might receive three hundred
+talents of silver, and thirty talents of gold, he promised that he would
+depart in a friendly manner; and he gave security upon oath to the
+ambassadors that he would then do him no harm, but go away as he came.
+So Hezekiah submitted, and emptied his treasures, and sent the money, as
+supposing he should be freed from his enemy, and from any further
+distress about his kingdom. Accordingly, the Assyrian king took it, and
+yet had no regard to what he had promised; but while he himself went to
+the war against the Egyptians and Ethiopians, he left his general
+Rabshakeh, and two other of his principal commanders, with great forces,
+to destroy Jerusalem. The names of the two other commanders were Tartan
+and Rabsaris.
+
+2. Now as soon as they were come before the walls, they pitched their
+camp, and sent messengers to Hezekiah, and desired that they might speak
+with him; but he did not himself come out to them for fear, but he sent
+three of his most intimate friends; the name of one was Eliakim, who was
+over the kingdom, and Shebna, and Joah the recorder. So these men came
+out, and stood over against the commanders of the Assyrian army; and
+when Rabshakeh saw them, he bid them go and speak to Hezekiah in the
+manner following: That Sennacherib, the great king, 1 desires to know of
+him, on whom it is that he relies and depends, in flying from his lord,
+and will not hear him, nor admit his army into the city? Is it on
+account of the Egyptians, and in hopes that his army would be beaten by
+them? Whereupon he lets him know, that if this be what he expects, he is
+a foolish man, and like one who leans on a broken reed; while such a one
+will not only fall down, but will have his hand pierced and hurt by it.
+That he ought to know he makes this expedition against him by the will
+of God, who hath granted this favor to him, that he shall overthrow the
+kingdom of Israel, and that in the very same manner he shall destroy
+those that are his subjects also. When Rabshakeh had made this speech in
+the Hebrew tongue, for he was skillful in that language, Eliakim was
+afraid lest the multitude that heard him should be disturbed; so he
+desired him to speak in the Syrian tongue. But the general,
+understanding what he meant, and perceiving the fear that he was in, he
+made his answer with a greater and a louder voice, but in the Hebrew
+tongue; and said, that "since they all heard what were the king's
+commands, they would consult their own advantage in delivering up
+themselves to us; for it is plain the both you and your king dissuade
+the people from submitting by vain hopes, and so induce them to resist;
+but if you be courageous, and think to drive our forces away, I am ready
+to deliver to you two thousand of these horses that are with me for your
+use, if you can set as many horsemen on their backs, and show your
+strength; but what you have not you cannot produce. Why therefore do you
+delay to deliver up yourselves to a superior force, who can take you
+without your consent? although it will be safer for you to deliver
+yourselves up voluntarily, while a forcible capture, when you are
+beaten, must appear more dangerous, and will bring further calamities
+upon you."
+
+3. When the people, as well as the ambassadors, heard what the Assyrian
+commander said, they related it to Hezekiah, who thereupon put off his
+royal apparel, and clothed himself with sackcloth, and took the habit of
+a mourner, and, after the manner of his country, he fell upon his face,
+and besought God, and entreated him to assist them, now they had no
+other hope of relief. He also sent some of his friends, and some of the
+priests, to the prophet Isaiah, and desired that he would pray to God,
+and offer sacrifices for their common deliverance, and so put up
+supplications to him, that he would have indignation at the expectations
+of their enemies, and have mercy upon his people. And when the prophet
+had done accordingly, an oracle came from God to him, and encouraged the
+king and his friends that were about him; and foretold that their
+enemies should be beaten without fighting, and should go away in an
+ignominious manner, and not with that insolence which they now show, for
+that God would take care that they should be destroyed. He also foretold
+that Sennacherib, the king of Assyria, should fail of his purpose
+against Egypt, and that when he came home he should perish by the sword.
+
+4. About the same time also the king of Assyria wrote an epistle to
+Hezekiah, in which he said he was a foolish man, in supposing that he
+should escape from being his servant, since he had already brought under
+many and great nations; and he threatened, that when he took him, he
+would utterly destroy him, unless he now opened the gates, and willingly
+received his army into Jerusalem. When he read this epistle, he despised
+it, on account of the trust that he had in God; but he rolled up the
+epistle, and laid it up within the temple. And as he made his further
+prayers to God for the city, and for the preservation of all the people,
+the prophet Isaiah said that God had heard his prayer, and that he
+should not be besieged at this time by the king of Assyria 2 that for
+the future he might be secure of not being at all disturbed by him; and
+that the people might go on peaceably, and without fear, with their
+husbandry and other affairs. But after a little while the king of
+Assyria, when he had failed of his treacherous designs against the
+Egyptians, returned home without success, on the following occasion: He
+spent a long time in the siege of Pelusium; and when the banks that he
+had raised over against the walls were of a great height, and when he
+was ready to make an immediate assault upon them, but heard that
+Tirhaka, king of the Ethiopians, was coming and bringing great forces to
+aid the Egyptians, and was resolved to march through the desert, and so
+to fall directly upon the Assyrians, this king Sennacherib was disturbed
+at the news, and, as I said before, left Pelusium, and returned back
+without success. Now concerning this Sennacherib, Herodotus also says,
+in the second book of his histories, how "this king came against the
+Egyptian king, who was the priest of Vulcan; and that as he was
+besieging Pelusium, he broke up the siege on the following occasion:
+This Egyptian priest prayed to God, and God heard his prayer, and sent a
+judgment upon the Arabian king." But in this Herodotus was mistaken,
+when he called this king not king of the Assyrians, but of the Arabians;
+for he saith that "a multitude of mice gnawed to pieces in one night
+both the bows and the rest of the armor of the Assyrians, and that it
+was on that account that the king, when he had no bows left, drew off
+his army from Pelusium." And Herodotus does indeed give us this history;
+nay, and Berosus, who wrote of the affairs of Chaldea, makes mention of
+this king Sennacherib, and that he ruled over the Assyrians, and that he
+made an expedition against all Asia and Egypt; and says thus:
+
+5. "Now when Sennacherib was returning from his Egyptian war to
+Jerusalem, he found his army under Rabshakeh his general in danger [by a
+plague], for God had sent a pestilential distemper upon his army; and on
+the very first night of the siege, a hundred fourscore and five
+thousand, with their captains and generals, were destroyed. So the king
+was in a great dread and in a terrible agony at this calamity; and being
+in great fear for his whole army, he fled with the rest of his forces to
+his own kingdom, and to his city Nineveh; and when he had abode there a
+little while, he was treacherously assaulted, and died by the hands of
+his elder sons, 3 Adrammelech and Seraser, and was slain in his own
+temple, which was called Araske. Now these sons of his were driven away
+on account of the murder of their father by the citizens, and went into
+Armenia, while Assarachoddas took the kingdom of Sennacherib." And this
+proved to be the conclusion of this Assyrian expedition against the
+people of Jerusalem.
+
+
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER 2. How Hezekiah Was Sick, And Ready To Die; And How God Bestowed
+Upon Him Fifteen Years Longer Life, [And Secured That Promise] By The
+Going Back Of The Shadow Ten Degrees.
+
+1. Now king Hezekiah being thus delivered, after a surprising manner,
+from the dread he was in, offered thank-offerings to God, with all his
+people, because nothing else had destroyed some of their enemies, and
+made the rest so fearful of undergoing the same fate that they departed
+from Jerusalem, but that Divine assistance. Yet, while he was very
+zealous and diligent about the worship of God, did he soon afterwards
+fall into a severe distemper, insomuch that the physicians despaired of
+him, and expected no good issue of his sickness, as neither did his
+friends: and besides the distemper 4 itself, there was a very melancholy
+circumstance that disordered the king, which was the consideration that
+he was childless, and was going to die, and leave his house and his
+government without a successor of his own body; so he was troubled at
+the thoughts of this his condition, and lamented himself, and entreated
+of God that he would prolong his life for a little while till he had
+some children, and not suffer him to depart this life before he was
+become a father. Hereupon God had mercy upon him, and accepted of his
+supplication, because the trouble he was under at his supposed death was
+not because he was soon to leave the advantages he enjoyed in the
+kingdom, nor did he on that account pray that he might have a longer
+life afforded him, but in order to have sons, that might receive the
+government after him. And God sent Isaiah the prophet, and commanded him
+to inform Hezekiah, that within three days' time he should get clear of
+his distemper, and should survive it fifteen years, and that he should
+have children also. Now, upon the prophet's saying this, as God had
+commanded him, he could hardly believe it, both on account of the
+distemper he was under, which was very sore, and by reason of the
+surprising nature of what was told him; so he desired that Isaiah would
+give him some sign or wonder, that he might believe him in what he had
+said, and be sensible that he came from God; for things that are beyond
+expectation, and greater than our hopes, are made credible by actions of
+the like nature. And when Isaiah had asked him what sign he desired to
+be exhibited, he desired that he would make the shadow of the sun, which
+he had already made to go down ten steps [or degrees] in his house, to
+return again to the same place, 5 and to make it as it was before. And
+when the prophet prayed to God to exhibit this sign to the king, he saw
+what he desired to see, and was freed from his distemper, and went up to
+the temple, where he worshipped God, and made vows to him.
+
+2. At this time it was that the dominion of the Assyrians was overthrown
+by the Medes; 6 but of these things I shall treat elsewhere. But the
+king of Babylon, whose name was Baladan, sent ambassadors to Hezekiah,
+with presents, and desired he would be his ally and his friend. So he
+received the ambassadors gladly, and made them a feast, and showed them
+his treasures, and his armory, and the other wealth he was possessed of,
+in precious stones and in gold, and gave them presents to be carried to
+Baladan, and sent them back to him. Upon which the prophet Isaiah came
+to him, and inquired of him whence those ambassadors came; to which he
+replied, that they came from Babylon, from the king; and that he had
+showed them all he had, that by the sight of his riches and forces he
+might thereby guess at [the plenty he was in], and be able to inform the
+king of it. But the prophet rejoined, and said, "Know thou, that, after
+a little while, these riches of thine shall be carried away to Babylon,
+and thy posterity shall be made eunuchs there, and lose their manhood,
+and be servants to the king of Babylon; for that God foretold such
+things would come to pass." Upon which words Hezekiah was troubled, and
+said that he was himself unwilling that his nation should fall into such
+calamities; yet since it is not possible to alter what God had
+determined, he prayed that there might be peace while he lived. Berosus
+also makes mention of this Baladan, king of Babylon. Now as to this
+prophet [Isaiah], he was by the confession of all, a divine and
+wonderful man in speaking truth; and out of the assurance that he had
+never written what was false, he wrote down all his prophecies, and left
+them behind him in books, that their accomplishment might be judged of
+from the events by posterity: nor did this prophet do so alone, but the
+others, which were twelve in number, did the same. And whatsoever is
+done among us, Whether it be good, or whether it be bad, comes to pass
+according to their prophecies; but of every one of these we shall speak
+hereafter.
+
+
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER 3. How Manasseh Reigned After Hezekiah; And How When He Was In
+Captivity He Returned To God And Was Restored To His Kingdom And Left It
+To [His Son] Amon.
+
+1. When king Hezekiah had survived the interval of time already
+mentioned, and had dwelt all that time in peace, he died, having
+completed fifty-four years of his life, and reigned twenty-nine. But
+when his son Manasseh, whose mother's name was Hephzibah, of Jerusalem,
+had taken the kingdom, he departed from the conduct of his father, and
+fell into a course of life quite contrary thereto, and showed himself in
+his manners most wicked in all respects, and omitted no sort of impiety,
+but imitated those transgressions of the Israelites, by the commission
+of which against God they had been destroyed; for he was so hardy as to
+defile the temple of God, and the city, and the whole country; for, by
+setting out from a contempt of God, he barbarously slew all the
+righteous men that were among the Hebrews; nor would he spare the
+prophets, for he every day slew some of them, till Jerusalem was
+overflown with blood. So God was angry at these proceedings, and sent
+prophets to the king, and to the multitude, by whom he threatened the
+very same calamities to them which their brethren the Israelites, upon
+the like affronts offered to God, were now under. But these men would
+not believe their words, by which belief they might have reaped the
+advantage of escaping all those miseries; yet did they in earnest learn
+that what the prophets had told them was true.
+
+2. And when they persevered in the same course of life, God raised up
+war against them from the king of Babylon and Chaldea, who sent an army
+against Judea, and laid waste the country; and caught king Manasseh by
+treachery, and ordered him to be brought to him, and had him under his
+power to inflict what punishment he pleased upon him. But then it was
+that Manasseh perceived what a miserable condition he was in, and
+esteeming himself the cause of all, he besought God to render his enemy
+humane and merciful to him. Accordingly, God heard his prayer, and
+granted him what he prayed for. So Manasseh was released by the king of
+Babylon, and escaped the danger he was in; and when he was come to
+Jerusalem, he endeavored, if it were possible, to cast out of his memory
+those his former sins against God, of which he now repented, and to
+apply himself to a very religious life. He sanctified the temple, and
+purged the city, and for the remainder of his days he was intent on
+nothing but to return his thanks to God for his deliverance, and to
+preserve him propitious to him all his life long. He also instructed the
+multitude to do the same, as having very nearly experienced what a
+calamity he was fallen into by a contrary conduct. He also rebuilt the
+altar, and offered the legal sacrifices, as Moses commanded. And when he
+had re-established what concerned the Divine worship, as it ought to be,
+he took care of the security of Jerusalem: he did not only repair the
+old walls with great diligence, but added another wall to the former. He
+also built very lofty towers, and the garrisoned places before the city
+he strengthened, not only in other respects, but with provisions of all
+sorts that they wanted. And indeed, when he had changed his former
+course, he so led his life for the time to come, that from the time of
+his return to piety towards God he was deemed a happy man, and a pattern
+for imitation. When therefore he had lived sixty-seven years, he
+departed this life, having reigned fifty-five years, and was buried in
+his own garden; and the kingdom came to his son Amon, whose mother's
+name was Meshulemeth, of the city of Jotbath.
+
+
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER 4. How Amon Reigned Instead Of Manasseh; And After Amon Reigned
+Josiah; He Was Both Righteous And Religious. As Also Concerning Huldah
+The Prophetess.
+
+1. This Amon imitated those works of his father which he insolently did
+when he was young: so he had a conspiracy made against him by his own
+servants, and was slain in his own house, when he had lived twenty-four
+years, and of them had reigned two. But the multitude punished those
+that slew Amon, and buried him with his father, and gave the kingdom to
+his son Josiah, who was eight years old. His mother was of the city of
+Boscath, and her name was Jedidah. He was of a most excellent
+disposition, and naturally virtuous, and followed the actions of king
+David, as a pattern and a rule to him in the whole conduct of his life.
+And when he was twelve years old, he gave demonstrations of his
+religious and righteous behavior; for he brought the people to a sober
+way of living, and exhorted them to leave off the opinion they had of
+their idols, because they were not gods, but to worship their own God.
+And by repeating on the actions of his progenitors, he prudently
+corrected what they did wrong, like a very elderly man, and like one
+abundantly able to understand what was fit to be done; and what he found
+they had well done, he observed all the country over, and imitated the
+same. And thus he acted in following the wisdom and sagacity of his own
+nature, and in compliance with the advice and instruction of the elders;
+for by following the laws it was that he succeeded so well in the order
+of his government, and in piety with regard to the Divine worship. And
+this happened because the transgressions of the former kings were seen
+no more, but quite vanished away; for the king went about the city, and
+the whole country, and cut down the groves which were devoted to strange
+gods, and overthrew their altars; and if there were any gifts dedicated
+to them by his forefathers, he made them ignominious, and plucked them
+down; and by this means he brought the people back from their opinion
+about them to the worship of God. He also offered his accustomed
+sacrifices and burnt- offerings upon the altar. Moreover, he ordained
+certain judges and overseers, that they might order the matters to them
+severally belonging, and have regard to justice above all things, and
+distribute it with the same concern they would have about their own
+soul. He also sent over all the country, and desired such as pleased to
+bring gold and silver for the repairs of the temple, according to every
+one's inclinations and abilities. And when the money was brought in, he
+made one Maaseiah the governor of the city, and Shaphan the scribe, and
+Joab the recorder, and Eliakim the high priest, curators of the temple,
+and of the charges contributed thereto; who made no delay, nor put the
+work off at all, but prepared architects, and whatsoever was proper for
+those repairs, and set closely about the work. So the temple was
+repaired by this means, and became a public demonstration of the king's
+piety.
+
+2. But when he was now in the eighteenth year of his reign, he sent to
+Eliakim the high priest, and gave order, that out of what money was
+overplus, he should cast cups, and dishes, and vials, for ministration
+[in the temple]; and besides, that they should bring all the gold or
+silver which was among the treasures, and expend that also in making
+cups and the like vessels. But as the high priest was bringing out the
+gold, he lighted upon the holy books of Moses that were laid up in the
+temple; and when he had brought them out, he gave them to Shaphan the
+scribe, who, when he had read them, came to the king, and informed him
+that all was finished which he had ordered to be done. He also read over
+the books to him, who, when he had heard them read, rent his garment,
+and called for Eliakim the high priest, and for [Shaphan] the scribe,
+and for certain [other] of his most particular friends, and sent them to
+Huldah the prophetess, the wife of Shallum, [which Shallum was a man of
+dignity, and of an eminent family,] and bid them go to her, and say that
+[he desired] she would appease God, and endeavor to render him
+propitious to them, for that there was cause to fear, lest, upon the
+transgression of the laws of Moses by their forefathers, they should be
+in peril of going into captivity, and of being cast out of their own
+country; lest they should be in want of all things, and so end their
+days miserably. When the prophetess had heard this from the messengers
+that were sent to her by the king, she bid them go back to the king, and
+say that "God had already given sentence against them, to destroy the
+people, and cast them out of their country, and deprive them of all the
+happiness they enjoyed;" which sentence none could set aside by any
+prayers of theirs, since it was passed on account of their
+transgressions of the laws, and of their not having repented in so long
+a time, while the prophets had exhorted them to amend, and had foretold
+the punishment that would ensue on their impious practices; which
+threatening God would certainly execute upon them, that they might be
+persuaded that he is God, and had not deceived them in any respect as to
+what he had denounced by his prophets; that yet, because Josiah was a
+righteous man, he would at present delay those calamities, but that
+after his death he would send on the multitude what miseries he had
+determined for them.
+
+3. So these messengers, upon this prophecy of the woman, came and told
+it to the king; whereupon he sent to the people every where, and ordered
+that the priests and the Levites should come together to Jerusalem; and
+commanded that those of every age should be present also. And when they
+had gathered together, he first read to them the holy books; after which
+he stood upon a pulpit, in the midst of the multitude, and obliged them
+to make a covenant, with an oath, that they would worship God, and keep
+the laws of Moses. Accordingly, they gave their assent willingly, and
+undertook to do what the king had recommended to them. So they
+immediately offered sacrifices, and that after an acceptable manner, and
+besought God to be gracious and merciful to them. He also enjoined the
+high priest, that if there remained in the temple any vessel that was
+dedicated to idols, or to foreign gods, they should cast it out. So when
+a great number of such vessels were got together, he burnt them, and
+scattered their ashes abroad, and slew the priests of the idols that
+were not of the family of Aaron.
+
+4. And when he had done thus in Jerusalem, he came into the country, and
+utterly destroyed what buildings had been made therein by king Jeroboam,
+in honor of strange gods; and he burnt the bones of the false prophets
+upon that altar which Jeroboam first built; and, as the prophet [Jadon],
+who came to Jeroboam when he was offering sacrifice, and when all the
+people heard him, foretold what would come to pass, viz. that a certain
+man of the house of David, Josiah by name, should do what is here
+mentioned. And it happened that those predictions took effect after
+three hundred and sixty-one years.
+
+5. After these things, Josiah went also to such other Israelites as had
+escaped captivity and slavery under the Assyrians, and persuaded them to
+desist from their impious practices, and to leave off the honors they
+paid to strange gods, but to worship rightly their own Almighty God, and
+adhere to him. He also searched the houses, and the villages, and the
+cities, out of a suspicion that somebody might have one idol or other in
+private; nay, indeed, he took away the chariots [of the sun] that were
+set up in his royal palace, 7 which his predecessors had framed, and
+what thing soever there was besides which they worshipped as a god. And
+when he had thus purged all the country, he called the people to
+Jerusalem, and there celebrated the feast of unleavened bread, and that
+called the passover. He also gave the people for paschal sacrifices,
+young kids of the goats, and lambs, thirty thousand, and three thousand
+oxen for burnt-offerings. The principal of the priests also gave to the
+priests against the passover two thousand and six hundred lambs; the
+principal of the Levites also gave to the Levites five thousand lambs,
+and five hundred oxen, by which means there was great plenty of
+sacrifices; and they offered those sacrifices according to the laws of
+Moses, while every priest explained the matter, and ministered to the
+multitude. And indeed there had been no other festival thus celebrated
+by the Hebrews from the times of Samuel the prophet; and the plenty of
+sacrifices now was the occasion that all things were performed according
+to the laws, and according to the custom of their forefathers. So when
+Josiah had after this lived in peace, nay, in riches and reputation
+also, among all men, he ended his life in the manner following.
+
+
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER 5. How Josiah Fought With Neco [King Of Egypt.] And Was Wounded
+And Died In A Little Time Afterward; As Also How Neco Carried Jehoahaz,
+Who Had Been Made King Into Egypt And Delivered The Kingdom To
+Jehoiakim; And [Lastly] Concerning Jeremiah And Ezekiel.
+
+1. Now Neco, king of Egypt, raised an army, and marched to the river
+Euphrates, in order to fight with the Medes and Babylonians, who had
+overthrown the dominion of the Assyrians, 8 for he had a desire to reign
+over Asia. Now when he was come to the city Mendes, which belonged to
+the kingdom of Josiah, he brought an army to hinder him from passing
+through his own country, in his expedition against the Medes. Now Neco
+sent a herald to Josiah, and told him that he did not make this
+expedition against him, but was making haste to Euphrates; and desired
+that he would not provoke him to fight against him, because he
+obstructed his march to the place whither he had resolved to go. But
+Josiah did not admit of this advice of Neco, but put himself into a
+posture to hinder him from his intended march. I suppose it was fate
+that pushed him on this conduct, that it might take an occasion against
+him; for as he was setting his army in array, 9 and rode about in his
+chariot, from one wing of his army to another, one of the Egyptians shot
+an arrow at him, and put an end to his eagerness of fighting; for being
+sorely wounded, he command a retreat to be sounded for his army, and
+returned to Jerusalem, and died of that wound; and was magnificently
+buried in the sepulcher of his fathers, when he had lived thirty-nine
+years, and of them had reigned thirty-one. But all the people mourned
+greatly for him, lamenting and grieving on his account many days; and
+Jeremiah the prophet composed an elegy to lament him, 10 which is extant
+till this time also. Moreover, this prophet denounced beforehand the sad
+calamities that were coming upon the city. He also left behind him in
+writing a description of that destruction of our nation which has lately
+happened in our days, and the taking of Babylon; nor was he the only
+prophet who delivered such predictions beforehand to the multitude, but
+so did Ezekiel also, who was the first person that wrote, and left
+behind him in writing two books concerning these events. Now these two
+prophets were priests by birth, but of them Jeremiah dwelt in Jerusalem,
+from the thirteenth year of the reign of Josiah, until the city and
+temple were utterly destroyed. However, as to what befell this prophet,
+we will relate it in its proper place.
+
+2. Upon the death of Josiah, which we have already mentioned, his son,
+Jehoahaz by name, took the kingdom, being about twenty-three years old.
+He reigned in Jerusalem; and his mother was Hamutal, of the city Libhah.
+He was an impious man, and impure in his course of life; but as the king
+of Egypt returned from the battle, he sent for Jehoahaz to come to him,
+to the city called Hamath 11 which belongs to Syria; and when he was
+come, he put him in bands, and delivered the kingdom to a brother of
+his, by the father's side, whose name was Eliakim, and changed his name
+to Jehoiakim and laid a tribute upon the land of a hundred talents of
+silver, and a talent of gold; and this sum of money Jehoiakim paid by
+way of tribute; but Neco carried away Jehoahaz into Egypt, where he died
+when he had reigned three months and ten days. Now Jehoiakim's mother
+was called Zebudah, of the city Rumah. He was of a wicked disposition,
+and ready to do mischief; nor was he either religious towards God, or
+good-natured towards men.
+
+
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER 6. How Nebuchadnezzar, When He Had Conquered The King Of Egypt
+Made An Expedition Against The Jews, And Slew Jehoiakim, And Made
+Jehoiachin His Son King.
+
+1. Now in the fourth year of the reign of Jehoiakim, one whose name was
+Nebuchadnezzar took the government over the Babylonians, who at the same
+time went up with a great army to the city Carchemish, which was at
+Euphrates, upon a resolution he had taken to fight with Neco king of
+Egypt, under whom all Syria then was. And when Neco understood the
+intention of the king of Babylon, and that this expedition was made
+against him, he did not despise his attempt, but made haste with a great
+band of men to Euphrates to defend himself from Nebuchadnezzar; and when
+they had joined battle, he was beaten, and lost many ten thousands [of
+his soldiers] in the battle. So the king of Babylon passed over
+Euphrates, and took all Syria, as far as Pelusium, excepting Judea. But
+when Nebuchadnezzar had already reigned four years, which was the eighth
+of Jehoiakim's government over the Hebrews, the king of Babylon made an
+expedition with mighty forces against the Jews, and required tribute of
+Jehoiakim, and threatened upon his refusal to make war against him. He
+was affrighted at his threatening, and bought his peace with money, and
+brought the tribute he was ordered to bring for three years.
+
+2. But on the third year, upon hearing that the king of the Babylonians
+made an expedition against the Egyptians, he did not pay his tribute;
+yet was he disappointed of his hope, for the Egyptians durst not fight
+at this time. And indeed the prophet Jeremiah foretold every day, how
+vainly they relied on their hopes from Egypt, and how the city would be
+overthrown by the king of Babylon, and Jehoiakim the king would be
+subdued by him. But what he thus spake proved to be of no advantage to
+them, because there were none that should escape; for both the multitude
+and the rulers, when they heard him, had no concern about what they
+heard; but being displeased at what was said, as if the prophet were a
+diviner against the king, they accused Jeremiah, and bringing him before
+the court, they required that a sentence and a punishment might be given
+against him. Now all the rest gave their votes for his condemnation, but
+the elders refused, who prudently sent away the prophet from the court
+of [the prison], and persuaded the rest to do Jeremiah no harm; for they
+said that he was not the only person who foretold what would come to the
+city, but that Micah signified the same before him, as well as many
+others, none of which suffered any thing of the kings that then reigned,
+but were honored as the prophets of God. So they mollified the multitude
+with these words, and delivered Jeremiah from the punishment to which he
+was condemned. Now when this prophet had written all his prophecies, and
+the people were fasting, and assembled at the temple, on the ninth month
+of the fifth year of Jehoiakim, he read the book he had composed of his
+predictions of what was to befall the city, and the temple, and the
+multitude. And when the rulers heard of it, they took the book from him,
+and bid him and Baruch the scribe to go their ways, lest they should be
+discovered by one or other; but they carried the book, and gave it to
+the king; so he gave order, in the presence of his friends, that his
+scribe should take it, and read it. When the king heard what it
+contained, he was angry, and tore it, and cast it into the fire, where
+it was consumed. He also commanded that they should seek for Jeremiah,
+and Baruch the scribe, and bring them to him, that they might be
+punished. However, they escaped his anger.
+
+3. Now, a little time afterwards, the king of Babylon made an expedition
+against Jehoiakim, whom he received [into the city], and this out of
+fear of the foregoing predictions of this prophet, as supposing he
+should suffer nothing that was terrible, because he neither shut the
+gates, nor fought against him; yet when he was come into the city, he
+did not observe the covenants he had made, but he slew such as were in
+the flower of their age, and such as were of the greatest dignity,
+together with their king Jehoiakim, whom he commanded to be thrown
+before the walls, without any burial; and made his son Jehoiachin king
+of the country, and of the city: he also took the principal persons in
+dignity for captives, three thousand in number, and led them away to
+Babylon; among which was the prophet Ezekiel, who was then but young.
+And this was the end of king Jehoiakim, when he had lived thirty-six
+years, and of them reigned eleven. But Jehoiachin succeeded him in the
+kingdom, whose mother's name was Nehushta; she was a citizen of
+Jerusalem. He reigned three months and ten days.
+
+
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER 7. That The King Of Babylon Repented Of Making Jehoiachin King,
+And Took Him Away To Babylon And Delivered The Kingdom To Zedekiah. This
+King Would Not Believe What Was Predicted By Jeremiah And Ezekiel But
+Joined Himself To The Egyptians; Who When They Came Into Judea, Were
+Vanquished By The King Of Babylon; As Also What Befell Jeremiah.
+
+1. But a terror seized on the king of Babylon, who had given the kingdom
+to Jehoiachin, and that immediately; he was afraid that he should bear
+him a grudge, because of his killing his father, and thereupon should
+make the country revolt from him; wherefore he sent an army, and
+besieged Jehoiachin in Jerusalem; but because he was of a gentle and
+just disposition, he did not desire to see the city endangered on his
+account, but he took his mother and kindred, and delivered them to the
+commanders sent by the king of Babylon, and accepted of their oaths,
+that neither should they suffer any harm, nor the city; which agreement
+they did not observe for a single year, for the king of Babylon did not
+keep it, but gave orders to his generals to take all that were in the
+city captives, both the youth and the handicraftsmen, and bring them
+bound to him; their number was ten thousand eight hundred and thirty-
+two; as also Jehoiachin, and his mother and friends. And when these were
+brought to him, he kept them in custody, and appointed Jehoiachin's
+uncle, Zedekiah, to be king; and made him take an oath, that he would
+certainly keep the kingdom for him, and make no innovation, nor have any
+league of friendship with the Egyptians.
+
+2. Now Zedekiah was twenty and one year's old when he took the
+government; and had the same mother with his brother Jehoiakim, but was
+a despiser of justice and of his duty, for truly those of the same age
+with him were wicked about him, and the whole multitude did what unjust
+and insolent things they pleased; for which reason the prophet Jeremiah
+came often to him, and protested to him, and insisted, that he must
+leave off his impieties and transgressions, and take care of what was
+right, and neither give ear to the rulers, [among whom were wicked men,]
+nor give credit to their false prophets, who deluded them, as if the
+king of Babylon would make no more war against them, and as if the
+Egyptians would make war against him, and conquer him, since what they
+said was not true, and the events would not prove such [as they
+expected]. Now as to Zedekiah himself, while he heard the prophet speak,
+he believed him, and agreed to every thing as true, and supposed it was
+for his advantage; but then his friends perverted him, and dissuaded him
+from what the prophet advised, and obliged him to do what they pleased.
+Ezekiel also foretold in Babylon what calamities were coming upon the
+people, which when he heard, he sent accounts of them unto Jerusalem.
+But Zedekiah did not believe their prophecies, for the reason following:
+It happened that the two prophets agreed with one another in what they
+said as in all other things, that the city should be taken, and Zedekiah
+himself should be taken captive; but Ezekiel disagreed with him, and
+said that Zedekiah should not see Babylon, while Jeremiah said to him,
+that the king of Babylon should carry him away thither in bonds....
+
+3. Now when Zedekiah had preserved the league of mutual assistance he
+had made with the Babylonians for eight years, he brake it, and revolted
+to the Egyptians, in hopes, by their assistance, of overcoming the
+Babylonians. When the king of Babylon knew this, he made war against
+him: he laid his country waste, and took his fortified towns, and came
+to the city Jerusalem itself to besiege it. But when the king of Egypt
+heard what circumstances Zedekiah his ally was in, he took a great army
+with him, and came into Judea, as if he would raise the siege; upon
+which the king of Babylon departed from Jerusalem, and met the
+Egyptians, and joined battle with them, and beat them; and when he had
+put them to flight, he pursued them, and drove them out of all Syria.
+Now as soon as the king of Babylon was departed from Jerusalem, the
+false prophets deceived Zedekiah, and said that the king of Babylon
+would not any more make war against him or his people, nor remove them
+out of their own country into Babylon; and that those then in captivity
+would return, with all those vessels of the temple of which the king of
+Babylon had despoiled that temple. But Jeremiah came among them, and
+prophesied what contradicted those predictions, and what proved to be
+true, that they did ill, and deluded the king; that the Egyptians would
+be of no advantage to them, but that the king of Babylon would renew the
+war against Jerusalem, and besiege it again, and would destroy the
+people by famine, and carry away those that remained into captivity, and
+would take away what they had as spoils, and would carry off those
+riches that were in the temple; nay, that, besides this, he would burn
+it, and utterly overthrow the city, and that they should serve him and
+his posterity seventy years; that then the Persians and the Medes should
+put an end to their servitude, and overthrow the Babylonians; "and that
+we shall be dismissed, and return to this land, and rebuild the temple,
+and restore Jerusalem." When Jeremiah said this, the greater part
+believed him; but the rulers, and those that were wicked, despised him,
+as one disordered in his senses. Now he had resolved to go elsewhere, to
+his own country, which was called Anathoth, and was twenty furlongs
+distant from Jerusalem; 12 and as he was going, one of the rulers met
+him, and seized upon him, and accused him falsely, as though he were
+going as a deserter to the Babylonians; but Jeremiah said that he
+accused him falsely, and added, that he was only going to his own
+country; but the other would not believe him, but seized upon him, and
+led him away to the rulers, and laid an accusation against him, under
+whom he endured all sorts of torments and tortures, and was reserved to
+be punished; and this was the condition he was in for some time, while
+he suffered what I have already described unjustly.
+
+4. Now in the ninth year of the reign of Zedekiah, on the tenth day of
+the tenth month, the king of Babylon made a second expedition against
+Jerusalem, and lay before it eighteen months, and besieged it with the
+utmost application. There came upon them also two of the greatest
+calamities at the same time that Jerusalem was besieged, a famine and a
+pestilential distemper, and made great havoc of them. And though the
+prophet Jeremiah was in prison, he did not rest, but cried out, and
+proclaimed aloud, and exhorted the multitude to open their gates, and
+admit the king of Babylon, for that if they did so, they should be
+preserved, and their whole families; but if they did not so, they should
+be destroyed; and he foretold, that if any one staid in the city, he
+should certainly perish by one of these ways,—either be consumed by the
+famine, or slain by the enemy's sword; but that if he would flee to the
+enemy, he should escape death. Yet did not these rulers who heard
+believe him, even when they were in the midst of their sore calamities;
+but they came to the king, and in their anger informed him what Jeremiah
+had said, and accused him, and complained of the prophet as of a madman,
+and one that disheartened their minds, and by the denunciation of
+miseries weakened the alacrity of the multitude, who were otherwise
+ready to expose themselves to dangers for him, and for their country,
+while he, in a way of threatening, warned them to flee to the enemy, and
+told them that the city should certainly be taken, and be utterly
+destroyed.
+
+5. But for the king himself, he was not at all irritated against
+Jeremiah, such was his gentle and righteous disposition; yet, that he
+might not be engaged in a quarrel with those rulers at such a time, by
+opposing what they intended, he let them do with the prophet whatsoever
+they would; whereupon, when the king had granted them such a permission,
+they presently came into the prison, and took him, and let him down with
+a cord into a pit full of mire, that he might be suffocated, and die of
+himself. So he stood up to the neck in the mire which was all about him,
+and so continued; but there was one of the king's servants, who was in
+esteem with him, an Ethiopian by descent, who told the king what a state
+the prophet was in, and said that his friends and his rulers had done
+evil in putting the prophet into the mire, and by that means contriving
+against him that he should suffer a death more bitter than that by his
+bonds only. When the king heard this, he repented of his having
+delivered up the prophet to the rulers, and bid the Ethiopian take
+thirty men of the king's guards, and cords with them, and whatsoever
+else they understood to be necessary for the prophet's preservation, and
+to draw him up immediately. So the Ethiopian took the men he was ordered
+to take, and drew up the prophet out of the mire, and left him at
+liberty [in the prison].
+
+6. But when the king had sent to call him privately, and inquired what
+he could say to him from God, which might be suitable to his present
+circumstances, and desired him to inform him of it, Jeremiah replied,
+that he had somewhat to say; but he said withal, he should not be
+believed, nor, if he admonished them, should be hearkened to; "for,"
+said he, "thy friends have determined to destroy me, as though I had
+been guilty of some wickedness; and where are now those men who deceived
+us, and said that the king of Babylon would not come and fight against
+us any more? but I am afraid now to speak the truth, lest thou shouldst
+condemn me to die." And when the king had assured him upon oath, that he
+would neither himself put him to death, nor deliver him up to the
+rulers, he became bold upon that assurance that was given him, and gave
+him this advice: That he should deliver the city up to the Babylonians;
+and he said that it was God who prophesied this by him, that [he must do
+so] if he would be preserved, and escape out of the danger he was in,
+and that then neither should the city fall to the ground, nor should the
+temple be burned; but that [if he disobeyed] he would be the cause of
+these miseries coming upon the citizens, and of the calamity that would
+befall his whole house. When the king heard this, he said that he would
+willingly do what he persuaded him to, and what he declared would be to
+his advantage, but that he was afraid of those of his own country that
+had fallen away to the Babylonians, lest he should be accused by them to
+the king of Babylon, and be punished. But the prophet encouraged him,
+and said he had no cause to fear such punishment, for that he should not
+have the experience of any misfortune, if he would deliver all up to the
+Babylonians, neither himself, nor his children, nor his wives, and that
+the temple should then continue unhurt. So when Jeremiah had said this,
+the king let him go, and charged him to betray what they had resolved on
+to none of the citizens, nor to tell any of these matters to any of the
+rulers, if they should have learned that he had been sent for, and
+should inquire of him what it was that he was sent for, and what he had
+said to him; but to pretend to them that he besought him that he might
+not be kept in bonds and in prison. And indeed he said so to them; for
+they came to the prophet, and asked him what advice it was that he came
+to give the king relating to them. And thus I have finished what
+concerns this matter.
+
+
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER 8. How The King Of Babylon Took Jerusalem And Burnt The Temple
+And Removed The People Of Jerusalem And Zedekiah To Babylon. As Also,
+Who They Were That Had Succeeded In The High Priesthood Under The Kings.
+
+1. Now the king of Babylon was very intent and earnest upon the siege of
+Jerusalem; and he erected towers upon great banks of earth, and from
+them repelled those that stood upon the walls; he also made a great
+number of such banks round about the whole city, whose height was equal
+to those walls. However, those that were within bore the siege with
+courage and alacrity, for they were not discouraged, either by the
+famine, or by the pestilential distemper, but were of cheerful minds in
+the prosecution of the war, although those miseries within oppressed
+them also, and they did not suffer themselves to be terrified, either by
+the contrivances of the enemy, or by their engines of war, but contrived
+still different engines to oppose all the other withal, till indeed
+there seemed to be an entire struggle between the Babylonians and the
+people of Jerusalem, which had the greater sagacity and skill; the
+former party supposing they should be thereby too hard for the other,
+for the destruction of the city; the latter placing their hopes of
+deliverance in nothing else but in persevering in such inventions in
+opposition to the other, as might demonstrate the enemy's engines were
+useless to them. And this siege they endured for eighteen months, until
+they were destroyed by the famine, and by the darts which the enemy
+threw at them from the towers.
+
+2. Now the city was taken on the ninth day of the fourth month, in the
+eleventh year of the reign of Zedekiah. They were indeed only generals
+of the king of Babylon, to whom Nebuchadnezzar committed the care of the
+siege, for he abode himself in the city of Riblah. The names of these
+generals who ravaged and subdued Jerusalem, if any one desire to know
+them, were these: Nergal Sharezer, Samgar Nebo, Rabsaris, Sorsechim, and
+Rabmag. And when the city was taken about midnight, and the enemy's
+generals were entered into the temple, and when Zedekiah was sensible of
+it, he took his wives, and his children, and his captains, and his
+friends, and with them fled out of the city, through the fortified
+ditch, and through the desert; and when certain of the deserters had
+informed the Babylonians of this, at break of day, they made haste to
+pursue after Zedekiah, and overtook him not far from Jericho, and
+encompassed him about. But for those friends and captains of Zedekiah
+who had fled out of the city with him, when they saw their enemies near
+them, they left him, and dispersed themselves, some one way, and some
+another, and every one resolved to save himself; so the enemy took
+Zedekiah alive, when he was deserted by all but a few, with his children
+and his wives, and brought him to the king. When he was come,
+Nebuchadnezzar began to call him a wicked wretch, and a covenant-
+breaker, and one that had forgotten his former words, when he promised
+to keep the country for him. He also reproached him for his ingratitude,
+that when he had received the kingdom from him, who had taken it from
+Jehoiachin, and given it to him, he had made use of the power he gave
+him against him that gave it; "but," said he, "God is great, who hated
+that conduct of thine, and hath brought thee under us." And when he had
+used these words to Zedekiah, he commanded his sons and his friends to
+be slain, while Zedekiah and the rest of the captains looked on; after
+which he put out the eyes of Zedekiah, and bound him, and carried him to
+Babylon. And these things happened to him, 13 as Jeremiah and Ezekiel
+had foretold to him, that he should be caught, and brought before the
+king of Babylon, and should speak to him face to face, and should see
+his eyes with his own eyes; and thus far did Jeremiah prophesy. But he
+was also made blind, and brought to Babylon, but did not see it,
+according to the prediction of Ezekiel.
+
+3. We have said thus much, because it was sufficient to show the nature
+of God to such as are ignorant of it, that it is various, and acts many
+different ways, and that all events happen after a regular manner, in
+their proper season, and that it foretells what must come to pass. It is
+also sufficient to show the ignorance and incredulity of men, whereby
+they are not permitted to foresee any thing that is future, and are,
+without any guard, exposed to calamities, so that it is impossible for
+them to avoid the experience of those calamities.
+
+4. And after this manner have the kings of David's race ended their
+lives, being in number twenty-one, until the last king, who all together
+reigned five hundred and fourteen years, and six months, and ten days;
+of whom Saul, who was their first king, retained the government twenty
+years, though he was not of the same tribe with the rest.
+
+5. And now it was that the king of Babylon sent Nebuzaradan, the general
+of his army, to Jerusalem, to pillage the temple, who had it also in
+command to burn it and the royal palace, and to lay the city even with
+the ground, and to transplant the people into Babylon. Accordingly, he
+came to Jerusalem in the eleventh year of king Zedekiah, and pillaged
+the temple, and carried out the vessels of God, both gold and silver,
+and particularly that large laver which Solomon dedicated, as also the
+pillars of brass, and their chapiters, with the golden tables and the
+candlesticks; and when he had carried these off, he set fire to the
+temple in the fifth month, the first day of the month, in the eleventh
+year of the reign of Zedekiah, and in the eighteenth year of
+Nebuchadnezzar: he also burnt the palace, and overthrew the city. Now
+the temple was burnt four hundred and seventy years, six months, and ten
+days after it was built. It was then one thousand and sixty-two years,
+six months, and ten days from the departure out of Egypt; and from the
+deluge to the destruction of the temple, the whole interval was one
+thousand nine hundred and fifty-seven years, six months, and ten days;
+but from the generation of Adam, until this befell the temple, there
+were three thousand five hundred and thirteen years, six months, and ten
+days; so great was the number of years hereto belonging. And what
+actions were done during these years we have particularly related. But
+the general of the Babylonian king now overthrew the city to the very
+foundations, and removed all the people, and took for prisoners the high
+priest Seraiah, and Zephaniah the priest that was next to him, and the
+rulers that guarded the temple, who were three in number, and the eunuch
+who was over the armed men, and seven friends of Zedekiah, and his
+scribe, and sixty other rulers; all which, together with the vessels
+which they had pillaged, he carried to the king of Babylon to Riblah, a
+city of Syria. So the king commanded the heads of the high priest and of
+the rulers to be cut off there; but he himself led all the captives and
+Zedekiah to Babylon. He also led Josedek the high priest away bound. He
+was the son of Seraiah the high priest, whom the king of Babylon had
+slain in Riblah, a city of Syria, as we just now related.
+
+6. And now, because we have enumerated the succession of the kings, and
+who they were, and how long they reigned, I think it necessary to set
+down the names of the high priests, and who they were that succeeded one
+another in the high priesthood under the Kings. The first high priest
+then at the temple which Solomon built was Zadok; after him his son
+Achimas received that dignity; after Achimas was Azarias; his son was
+Joram, and Joram's son was Isus; after him was Axioramus; his son was
+Phidens, and Phideas's son was Sudeas, and Sudeas's son was Juelus, and
+Juelus's son was Jotham, and Jotham's son was Urias, and Urias's son was
+Nerias, and Nerias's son was Odeas, and his son was Sallumus, and
+Sallumus's son was Elcias, and his son [was Azarias, and his son] was
+Sareas, 14 and his son was Josedec, who was carried captive to Babylon.
+All these received the high priesthood by succession, the sons from
+their father.
+
+7. When the king was come to Babylon, he kept Zedekiah in prison until
+he died, and buried him magnificently, and dedicated the vessels he had
+pillaged out of the temple of Jerusalem to his own gods, and planted the
+people in the country of Babylon, but freed the high priest from his
+bonds.
+
+
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER 9. How Nebuzaradan Set Gedaliah Over The Jews That Were Left In
+Judea Which Gedaliah Was A Little Afterward Slain By Ishmael; And How
+Johanan After Ishmael Was Driven Away Went Down Into Egypt With The
+People Which People Nebuchadnezzar When He Made An Expedition Against
+The Egyptians Took Captive And Brought Them Away To Babylon.
+
+1. Now the general of the army, Nebuzaradan, when he had carried the
+people of the Jews into captivity, left the poor, and those that had
+deserted, in the country, and made one, whose name was Gedaliah, the son
+of Ahikam, a person of a noble family, their governor; which Gedaliah
+was of a gentle and righteous disposition. He also commanded them that
+they should cultivate the ground, and pay an appointed tribute to the
+king. He also took Jeremiah the prophet out of prison, and would have
+persuaded him to go along with him to Babylon, for that he had been
+enjoined by the king to supply him with whatsoever he wanted; and if he
+did not like to do so, he desired him to inform him where he resolved to
+dwell, that he might signify the same to the king. But the prophet had
+no mind to follow him, nor to dwell any where else, but would gladly
+live in the ruins of his country, and in the miserable remains of it.
+When the general understood what his purpose was, he enjoined Gedaliah,
+whom he left behind, to take all possible care of him, and to supply him
+with whatsoever he wanted. So when he had given him rich presents, he
+dismissed him. Accordingly, Jeremiah abode in a city of that country,
+which was called Mispah; and desired of Nebuzaradan that he would set at
+liberty his disciple Baruch, the son of Neriah, one of a very eminent
+family, and exceeding skillful in the language of his country.
+
+2. When Nebuzaradan had done thus, he made haste to Babylon. But as to
+those that fled away during the siege of Jerusalem, and had been
+scattered over the country, when they heard that the Babylonians were
+gone away, and had left a remnant in the land of Jerusalem, and those
+such as were to cultivate the same, they came together from all parts to
+Gedaliah to Mispah. Now the rulers that were over them were Johanan, the
+son of Kareah, and Jezaniah, and Seraiah, and others beside them. Now
+there was of the royal family one Ishmael, a wicked man, and very
+crafty, who, during the siege of Jerusalem, fled to Baalis, the king of
+the Ammonites, and abode with him during that time; and Gedaliah
+persuaded them, now they were there, to stay with him, and to have no
+fear of the Babylonians, for that if they would cultivate the country,
+they should suffer no harm. This he assured them of by oath; and said
+that they should have him for their patron, and that if any disturbance
+should arise, they should find him ready to defend them. He also advised
+them to dwell in any city, as every one of them pleased; and that they
+would send men along with his own servants, and rebuild their houses
+upon the old foundations, and dwell there; and he admonished them
+beforehand, that they should make preparation, while the season lasted,
+of corn, and wine, and oil, that they might have whereon to feed during
+the winter. When he had thus discoursed to them, he dismissed them, that
+every one might dwell in what place of the country he pleased.
+
+3. Now when this report was spread abroad as far as the nations that
+bordered on Judea, that Gedaliah kindly entertained those that came to
+him, after they had fled away, upon this [only] condition, that they
+should pay tribute to the king of Babylon, they also came readily to
+Gedaliah, and inhabited the country. And when Johanan, and the rulers
+that were with him, observed the country, and the humanity of Gedaliah,
+they were exceedingly in love with him, and told him that Baalis, the
+king of the Ammonites, had sent Ishmael to kill him by treachery, and
+secretly, that he might have the dominion over the Israelites, as being
+of the royal family; and they said that he might deliver himself from
+this treacherous design, if he would give them leave to slay Ishmael,
+and nobody should know it, for they told him they were afraid that, when
+he was killed by the other, the entire ruin of the remaining strength of
+the Israelites would ensue. But he professed that he did not believe
+what they said, when they told him of such a treacherous design, in a
+man that had been well treated by him; because it was not probable that
+one who, under such a want of all things, had failed of nothing that was
+necessary for him, should be found so wicked and ungrateful towards his
+benefactor, that when it would be an instance of wickedness in him not
+to save him, had he been treacherously assaulted by others, to endeavor,
+and that earnestly, to kill him with his own hands: that, however, if he
+ought to suppose this information to be true, it was better for himself
+to be slain by the other, than to destroy a man who fled to him for
+refuge, and intrusted his own safety to him, and committed himself to
+his disposal.
+
+4. So Johanan, and the rulers that were with him, not being able to
+persuade Gedaliah, went away. But after the interval of thirty days was
+over, Ishmael came again to Gedaliah, to the city Mispah, and ten men
+with him; and when he had feasted Ishmael, and those that were with him,
+in a splendid manner at his table, and had given them presents, he
+became disordered in drink, while he endeavored to be very merry with
+them; and when Ishmael saw him in that case, and that he was drowned in
+his cups to the degree of insensibility, and fallen asleep, he rose up
+on a sudden, with his ten friends, and slew Gedaliah, and those that
+were with him at the feast; and when he had slain them, he went out by
+night, and slew all the Jews that were in the city, and those soldiers
+also which were left therein by the Babylonians. But the next day
+fourscore men came out of the country with presents to Gedaliah, none of
+them knowing what had befallen him; when Ishmael saw them, he invited
+them in to Gedaliah, and when they were come in, he shut up the court,
+and slew them, and cast their dead bodies down into a certain deep pit,
+that they might not be seen; but of these fourscore men Ishmael spared
+those that entreated him not to kill them, till they had delivered up to
+him what riches they had concealed in the fields, consisting of their
+furniture, and garments, and corn: but he took captive the people that
+were in Mispah, with their wives and children; among whom were the
+daughters of king Zedekiah, whom Nebuzaradan, the general of the army of
+Babylon, had left with Gedaliah. And when he had done this, he came to
+the king of the Ammonites.
+
+5. But when Johanan and the rulers with him heard of what was done at
+Mispah by Ishmael, and of the death of Gedaliah, they had indignation at
+it, and every one of them took his own armed men, and came suddenly to
+fight with Ishmael, and overtook him at the fountain in Hebron. And when
+those that were carried away captives by Ishmael saw Johanan and the
+rulers, they were very glad, and looked upon them as coming to their
+assistance; so they left him that had carried them captives, and came
+over to Johanan: then Ishmael, with eight men, fled to the king of the
+Ammonites; but Johanan took those whom he had rescued out of the hands
+of Ishmael, and the eunuchs, and their wives and children, and came to a
+certain place called Mandra, and there they abode that day, for they had
+determined to remove from thence and go into Egypt, out of fear, lest
+the Babylonians should slay them, in case they continued in the country,
+and that out of anger at the slaughter of Gedaliah, who had been by them
+set over it for governor.
+
+6. Now while they were under this deliberation, Johanan, the son of
+Kareah, and the rulers that were with him, came to Jeremiah the prophet,
+and desired that he would pray to God, that because they were at an
+utter loss about what they ought to do, he would discover it to them,
+and they sware that they would do whatsoever Jeremiah should say to
+them. And when the prophet said he would be their intercessor with God,
+it came to pass, that after ten days God appeared to him, and said that
+he should inform Johanan, and the other rulers, and all the people, that
+he would be with them while they continued in that country, and take
+care of them, and keep them from being hurt by the Babylonians, of whom
+they were afraid; but that he would desert them if they went into Egypt,
+and, out of this wrath against them, would inflict the same punishments
+upon them which they knew their brethren had already endured. So when
+the prophet had informed Johanan and the people that God had foretold
+these things, he was not believed, when he said that God commanded them
+to continue in the country; but they imagined that he said so to gratify
+Baruch, his own disciple, and belied God, and that he persuaded them to
+stay there, that they might be destroyed by the Babylonians.
+Accordingly, both the people and Johanan disobeyed the counsel of God,
+which he gave them by the prophet, and removed into Egypt, and carried
+Jeremiah and Barnch along with him.
+
+7. And when they were there, God signified to the prophet that the king
+of Babylon was about making an expedition against the Egyptians, and
+commanded him to foretell to the people that Egypt should be taken, and
+the king of Babylon should slay some of them and, should take others
+captive, and bring them to Babylon; which things came to pass
+accordingly; for on the fifth year after the destruction of Jerusalem,
+which was the twenty-third of the reign of Nebuchadnezzar, he made an
+expedition against Celesyria; and when he had possessed himself of it,
+he made war against the Ammonites and Moabites; and when he had brought
+all these nations under subjection, he fell upon Egypt, in order to
+overthrow it; and he slew the king that then reigned 15 and set up
+another; and he took those Jews that were there captives, and led them
+away to Babylon. And such was the end of the nation of the Hebrews, as
+it hath been delivered down to us, it having twice gone beyond
+Euphrates; for the people of the ten tribes were carried out of Samaria
+by the Assyrians, in the days of king Hoshea; after which the people of
+the two tribes that remained after Jerusalem was taken [were carried
+away] by Nebuchadnezzar, the king of Babylon and Chaldea. Now as to
+Shalmanezer, he removed the Israelites out of their country, and placed
+therein the nation of the Cutheans, who had formerly belonged to the
+inner parts of Persia and Media, but were then called Samaritans, by
+taking the name of the country to which they were removed; but the king
+of Babylon, who brought out the two tribes, 16 placed no other nation in
+their country, by which means all Judea and Jerusalem, and the temple,
+continued to be a desert for seventy years; but the entire interval of
+time which passed from the captivity of the Israelites, to the carrying
+away of the two tribes, proved to be a hundred and thirty years, six
+months, and ten days.
+
+
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER 10. Concerning Daniel And What Befell Him At Babylon.
+
+1. But now Nebuchadnezzar, king of Babylon, took some of the most noble
+of the Jews that were children, and the kinsmen of Zedekiah their king,
+such as were remarkable for the beauty of their bodies, and the
+comeliness of their countenances, and delivered them into the hands of
+tutors, and to the improvement to be made by them. He also made some of
+them to be eunuchs; which course he took also with those of other
+nations whom he had taken in the flower of their age, and afforded them
+their diet from his own table, and had them instructed in the institutes
+of the country, and taught the learning of the Chaldeans; and they had
+now exercised themselves sufficiently in that wisdom which he had
+ordered they should apply themselves to. Now among these there were four
+of the family of Zedekiah, of most excellent dispositions, one of whom
+was called Daniel, another was called Ananias, another Misael, and the
+fourth Azarias; and the king of Babylon changed their names, and
+commanded that they should make use of other names. Daniel he called
+Baltasar; Ananias, Shadrach; Misael, Meshach; and Azarias, Abednego.
+These the king had in esteem, and continued to love, because of the very
+excellent temper they were of, and because of their application to
+learning, and the profess they had made in wisdom.
+
+2. Now Daniel and his kinsmen had resolved to use a severe diet, and to
+abstain from those kinds of food which came from the king's table, and
+entirely to forbear to eat of all living creatures. So he came to
+Ashpenaz, who was that eunuch to whom the care of them was committed, 17
+and desired him to take and spend what was brought for them from the
+king, but to give them pulse and dates for their food, and any thing
+else, besides the flesh of living creatures, that he pleased, for that
+their inclinations were to that sort of food, and that they despised the
+other. He replied, that he was ready to serve them in what they desired,
+but he suspected that they would be discovered by the king, from their
+meagre bodies, and the alteration of their countenances, because it
+could not be avoided but their bodies and colors must be changed with
+their diet, especially while they would be clearly discovered by the
+finer appearance of the other children, who would fare better, and thus
+they should bring him into danger, and occasion him to be punished; yet
+did they persuade Arioch, who was thus fearful, to give them what food
+they desired for ten days, by way of trial; and in case the habit of
+their bodies were not altered, to go on in the same way, as expecting
+that they should not be hurt thereby afterwards; but if he saw them look
+meagre, and worse than the rest, he should reduce them to their former
+diet. Now when it appeared that they were so far from becoming worse by
+the use of this food, that they grew plumper and fuller in body than the
+rest, insomuch that he thought those who fed on what came from the
+king's table seemed less plump and full, while those that were with
+Daniel looked as if they had lived in plenty, and in all sorts of
+luxury. Arioch, from that time, securely took himself what the king sent
+every day from his supper, according to custom, to the children, but
+gave them the forementioned diet, while they had their souls in some
+measure more pure, and less burdened, and so fitter for learning, and
+had their bodies in better tune for hard labor; for they neither had the
+former oppressed and heavy with variety of meats, nor were the other
+effeminate on the same account; so they readily understood all the
+learning that was among the Hebrews, and among the Chaldeans, as
+especially did Daniel, who being already sufficiently skillful in
+wisdom, was very busy about the interpretation of dreams; and God
+manifested himself to him.
+
+3. Now two years after the destruction of Egypt, king Nebuchadnezzar saw
+a wonderful dream, the accomplishment of which God showed him in his
+sleep; but when he arose out of his bed, he forgot the accomplishment.
+So he sent for the Chaldeans and magicians, and the prophets, and told
+them that he had seen a dream, and informed them that he had forgotten
+the accomplishment of what he had seen, and he enjoined them to tell him
+both what the dream was, and what was its signification; and they said
+that this was a thing impossible to be discovered by men; but they
+promised him, that if he would explain to them what dream he had seen,
+they would tell him its signification. Hereupon he threatened to put
+them to death, unless they told him his dream; and he gave command to
+have them all put to death, since they confessed they could not do what
+they were commanded to do. Now when Daniel heard that the king had given
+a command, that all the wise men should be put to death, and that among
+them himself and his three kinsmen were in danger, he went to Arioch,
+who was captain of the king's guards, and desired to know of him what
+was the reason why the king had given command that all the wise men, and
+Chaldeans, and magicians should be slain. So when he had learned that
+the king had had a dream, and had forgotten it, and that when they were
+enjoined to inform the king of it, they had said they could not do it,
+and had thereby provoked him to anger, he desired of Arioch that he
+would go in to the king, and desire respite for the magicians for one
+night, and to put off their slaughter so long, for that he hoped within
+that time to obtain, by prayer to God, the knowledge of the dream.
+Accordingly, Arioch informed the king of what Daniel desired. So the
+king bid them delay the slaughter of the magicians till he knew what
+Daniel's promise would come to; but the young man retired to his own
+house, with his kinsmen, and besought God that whole night to discover
+the dream, and thereby deliver the magicians and Chaldeans, with whom
+they were themselves to perish, from the king's anger, by enabling him
+to declare his vision, and to make manifest what the king had seen the
+night before in his sleep, but had forgotten it. Accordingly, God, out
+of pity to those that were in danger, and out of regard to the wisdom of
+Daniel, made known to him the dream and its interpretation, that so the
+king might understand by him its signification also. When Daniel had
+obtained this knowledge from God, he arose very joyful, and told it his
+brethren, and made them glad, and to hope well that they should now
+preserve their lives, of which they despaired before, and had their
+minds full of nothing but the thoughts of dying. So when he had with
+them returned thanks to God, who had commiserated their youth, when it
+was day he came to Arioch, and desired him to bring him to the king,
+because he would discover to him that dream which he had seen the night
+before.
+
+4. When Daniel was come in to the king, he excused himself first, that
+he did not pretend to be wiser than the other Chaldeans and magicians,
+when, upon their entire inability to discover his dream, he was
+undertaking to inform him of it; for this was not by his own skill, or
+on account of his having better cultivated his understanding than the
+rest; but he said, "God hath had pity upon us, when we were in danger of
+death, and when I prayed for the life of myself, and of those of my own
+nation, hath made manifest to me both the dream, and the interpretation
+thereof; for I was not less concerned for thy glory than for the sorrow
+that we were by thee condemned to die, while thou didst so unjustly
+command men, both good and excellent in themselves, to be put to death,
+when thou enjoinedst them to do what was entirely above the reach of
+human wisdom, and requiredst of them what was only the work of God.
+Wherefore, as thou in thy sleep wast solicitous concerning those that
+should succeed thee in the government of the whole world, God was
+desirous to show thee all those that should reign after thee, and to
+that end exhibited to thee the following dream: Thou seemedst to see a
+great image standing before thee, the head of which proved to be of
+gold, the shoulders and arms of silver, and the belly and the thighs of
+brass, but the legs and the feet of iron; after which thou sawest a
+stone broken off from a mountain, which fell upon the image, and threw
+it down, and brake it to pieces, and did not permit any part of it to
+remain whole; but the gold, the silver, the brass, and the iron, became
+smaller than meal, which, upon the blast of a violent wind, was by force
+carried away, and scattered abroad, but the stone did increase to such a
+degree, that the whole earth beneath it seemed to be filled therewith.
+This is the dream which thou sawest, and its interpretation is as
+follows: The head of gold denotes thee, and the kings of Babylon that
+have been before thee; but the two hands and arms signify this, that
+your government shall be dissolved by two kings; but another king that
+shall come from the west, armed with brass, shall destroy that
+government; and another government, that shall be like unto iron, shall
+put an end to the power of the former, and shall have dominion over all
+the earth, on account of the nature of iron, which is stronger than that
+of gold, of silver, and of brass." Daniel did also declare the meaning
+of the stone to the king 18 but I do not think proper to relate it,
+since I have only undertaken to describe things past or things present,
+but not things that are future; yet if any one be so very desirous of
+knowing truth, as not to wave such points of curiosity, and cannot curb
+his inclination for understanding the uncertainties of futurity, and
+whether they will happen or not, let him be diligent in reading the book
+of Daniel, which he will find among the sacred writings.
+
+5. When Nebuchadnezzar heard this, and recollected his dream, he was
+astonished at the nature of Daniel, and fell upon his knee; and saluted
+Daniel in the manner that men worship God, and gave command that he
+should be sacrificed to as a god. And this was not all, for he also
+imposed the name, of his own god upon him, [Baltasar,] and made him and
+his kinsmen rulers of his whole kingdom; which kinsmen of his happened
+to fall into great danger by the envy and malice [of their enemies]; for
+they offended the king upon the occasion following: he made an image of
+gold, whose height was sixty cubits, and its breadth six cubits, and set
+it in the great plain of Babylon; and when he was going to dedicate the
+image, he invited the principal men out of all the earth that was under
+his dominions, and commanded them, in the first place, that when they
+should hear the sound of the trumpet, they should then fall down and
+worship the image; and he threatened, that those who did not so, should
+be cast into a fiery furnace. When therefore all the rest, upon the
+hearing of the sound of the trumpet, worshipped the image, they relate
+that Daniel's kinsmen did not do it, because they would not transgress
+the laws of their country. So these men were convicted, and cast
+immediately into the fire, but were saved by Divine Providence, and
+after a surprising manner escaped death, for the fire did not touch
+them; and I suppose that it touched them not, as if it reasoned with
+itself, that they were cast into it without any fault of theirs, and
+that therefore it was too weak to burn the young men when they were in
+it. This was done by the power of God, who made their bodies so far
+superior to the fire, that it could not consume them. This it was which
+recommended them to the king as righteous men, and men beloved of God,
+on which account they continued in great esteem with him.
+
+6. A little after this the king saw in his sleep again another vision;
+how he should fall from his dominion, and feed among the wild beasts,
+and that when he halt lived in this manner in the desert for seven
+years, 19 he should recover his dominion again. When he had seen this
+dream, he called the magicians together again, and inquired of them
+about it, and desired them to tell him what it signified; but when none
+of them could find out the meaning of the dream, nor discover it to the
+king, Daniel was the only person that explained it; and as he foretold,
+so it came to pass; for after he had continued in the wilderness the
+forementioned interval of time, while no one durst attempt to seize his
+kingdom during those seven years, he prayed to God that he might recover
+his kingdom, and he returned to it. But let no one blame me for writing
+down every thing of this nature, as I find it in our ancient books; for
+as to that matter, I have plainly assured those that think me defective
+in any such point, or complain of my management, and have told them in
+the beginning of this history, that I intended to do no more than
+translate the Hebrew books into the Greek language, and promised them to
+explain those facts, without adding any thing to them of my own, or
+taking any thing away from there.
+
+
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER 11. Concerning Nebuchadnezzar And His Successors And How Their
+Government Was Dissolved By The Persians; And What Things Befell Daniel
+In Media; And What Prophecies He Delivered There.
+
+1. Now when king Nebuchadnezzar had reigned forty-three years, 20 he
+ended his life. He was an active man, and more fortunate than the kings
+that were before him. Now Berosus makes mention of his actions in the
+third book of his Chaldaic History, where he says thus: "When his father
+Nebuchodonosor [Nabopollassar] heard that the governor whom he had set
+over Egypt, and the places about Coelesyria and Phoenicia, had revolted
+from him, while he was not himself able any longer to undergo the
+hardships [of war], he committed to his son Nebuchadnezzar, who was
+still but a youth, some parts of his army, and sent them against him. So
+when Nebuchadnezzar had given battle, and fought with the rebel, he beat
+him, and reduced the country from under his subjection, and made it a
+branch of his own kingdom; but about that time it happened that his
+father Nebuchodonosor [Nabopollassar] fell ill, and ended his life in
+the city Babylon, when he had reigned twenty-one years; 21 and when he
+was made sensible, as he was in a little time, that his father
+Nebuchodonosor [Nabopollassar] was dead, and having settled the affairs
+of Egypt, and the other countries, as also those that concerned the
+captive Jews, and Phoenicians, and Syrians, and those of the Egyptian
+nations; and having committed the conveyance of them to Babylon to
+certain of his friends, together with the gross of his army, and the
+rest of their ammunition and provisions, he went himself hastily,
+accompanied with a few others, over the desert, and came to Babylon. So
+he took upon him the management of public affairs, and of the kingdom
+which had been kept for him by one that was the principal of the
+Chaldeans, and he received the entire dominions of his father, and
+appointed, that when the captives came, they should be placed as
+colonies, in the most proper places of Babylonia; but then he adorned
+the temple of Belus, and the rest of the temples, in a magnificent
+manner, with the spoils he had taken in the war. He also added another
+city to that which was there of old, and rebuilt it, that such as would
+besiege it hereafter might no more turn the course of the river, and
+thereby attack the city itself. He therefore built three walls round
+about the inner city, and three others about that which was the outer,
+and this he did with burnt brick. And after he had, after a becoming
+manner, walled the city, and adorned its gates gloriously, he built
+another palace before his father's palace, but so that they joined to
+it; to describe whose vast height and immense riches it would perhaps be
+too much for me to attempt; yet as large and lofty as they were, they
+were completed in fifteen days. 22 He also erected elevated places for
+walking, of stone, and made it resemble mountains, and built it so that
+it might be planted with all sorts of trees. He also erected what was
+called a pensile paradise, because his wife was desirous to have things
+like her own country, she having been bred up in the palaces of Media."
+Megasthenes also, in his fourth book of his Accounts of India, makes
+mention of these things, and thereby endeavors to show that this king
+[Nebuchadnezzar] exceeded Hercules in fortitude, and in the greatness of
+his actions; for he saith that he conquered a great part of Libya and
+Iberia. Diocles also, in the second book of his Accounts of Persia,
+mentions this king; as does Philostrates in his Accounts both of India
+and of Phoenicia, say, that this king besieged Tyre thirteen years,
+while at the same time Ethbaal reigned at Tyre. These are all the
+histories that I have met with concerning this king.
+
+2. But now, after the death of Nebuchadnezzar, Evil-Merodach his son
+succeeded in the kingdom, who immediately set Jeconiah at liberty, and
+esteemed him among his most intimate friends. He also gave him many
+presents, and made him honorable above the rest of the kings that were
+in Babylon; for his father had not kept his faith with Jeconiah, when he
+voluntarily delivered up himself to him, with his wives and children,
+and his whole kindred, for the sake of his country, that it might not be
+taken by siege, and utterly destroyed, as we said before. When Evil-
+Merodach was dead, after a reign of eighteen years, Niglissar his son
+took the government, and retained it forty years, and then ended his
+life; and after him the succession in the kingdom came to his son
+Labosordacus, who continued in it in all but nine months; and when he
+was dead, it came to Baltasar, 23 who by the Babylonians was called
+Naboandelus; against him did Cyrus, the king of Persia, and Darius, the
+king of Media, make war; and when he was besieged in Babylon, there
+happened a wonderful and prodigious vision. He was sat down at supper in
+a large room, and there were a great many vessels of silver, such as
+were made for royal entertainments, and he had with him his concubines
+and his friends; whereupon he came to a resolution, and commanded that
+those vessels of God which Nebuchadnezzar had plundered out of
+Jerusalem, and had not made use of, but had put them into his own
+temple, should be brought out of that temple. He also grew so haughty as
+to proceed to use them in the midst of his cups, drinking out of them,
+and blaspheming against God. In the mean time, he saw a hand proceed out
+of the wall, and writing upon the wall certain syllables; at which
+sight, being disturbed, he called the magicians and Chaldeans together,
+and all that sort of men that are among these barbarians, and were able
+to interpret signs and dreams, that they might explain the writing to
+him. But when the magicians said they could discover nothing, nor did
+understand it, the king was in great disorder of mind, and under great
+trouble at this surprising accident; so he caused it to be proclaimed
+through all the country, and promised, that to him who could explain the
+writing, and give the signification couched therein, he would give him a
+golden chain for his neck, and leave to wear a purple garment, as did
+the kings of Chaldea, and would bestow on him the third part of his own
+dominions. When this proclamation was made, the magicians ran together
+more earnestly, and were very ambitious to find out the importance of
+the writing, but still hesitated about it as much as before. Now when
+the king's grandmother saw him cast down at this accident, 24 she began
+to encourage him, and to say, that there was a certain captive who came
+from Judea, a Jew by birth, but brought away thence by Nebuchadnezzar
+when he had destroyed Jerusalem, whose name was Daniel, a wise man, and
+one of great sagacity in finding out what was impossible for others to
+discover, and what was known to God alone, who brought to light and
+answered such questions to Nebuchadnezzar as no one else was able to
+answer when they were consulted. She therefore desired that he would
+send for him, and inquire of him concerning the writing, and to condemn
+the unskilfulness of those that could not find their meaning, and this,
+although what God signified thereby should be of a melancholy nature.
+
+3. When Baltasar heard this, he called for Daniel; and when he had
+discoursed to him what he had learned concerning him and his wisdom, and
+how a Divine Spirit was with him, and that he alone was fully capable of
+finding out what others would never have thought of, he desired him to
+declare to him what this writing meant; that if he did so, he would give
+him leave to wear purple, and to put a chain of gold about his neck, and
+would bestow on him the third part of his dominion, as an honorary
+reward for his wisdom, that thereby he might become illustrious to those
+who saw him, and who inquired upon what occasion he obtained such
+honors. But Daniel desired that he would keep his gifts to himself; for
+what is the effect of wisdom and of Divine revelation admits of no
+gifts, and bestows its advantages on petitioners freely; but that still
+he would explain the writing to him; which denoted that he should soon
+die, and this because he had not learnt to honor God, and not to admit
+things above human nature, by what punishments his progenitor had
+undergone for the injuries he had offered to God; and because he had
+quite forgotten how Nebuchadnezzar was removed to feed among wild beasts
+for his impieties, and did not recover his former life among men and his
+kingdom, but upon God's mercy to him, after many supplications and
+prayers; who did thereupon praise God all the days of his life, as one
+of almighty power, and who takes care of mankind. [He also put him in
+mind] how he had greatly blasphemed against God, and had made use of his
+vessels amongst his concubines; that therefore God saw this, and was
+angry with him, and declared by this writing beforehand what a sad
+conclusion of his life he should come to. And he explained the writing
+thus: "MANEH. This, if it be expounded in the Greek language, may
+signify a Number, because God hath numbered so long a time for thy life,
+and for thy government, and that there remains but a small portion.
+THEKEL This signifies a weight, and means that God hath weighed thy
+kingdom in a balance, and finds it going down already.—PHARES. This
+also, in the Greek tongue, denotes a fragment. God will therefore break
+thy kingdom in pieces, and divide it among the Medes and Persians."
+
+4. When Daniel had told the king that the writing upon the wall
+signified these events, Baltasar was in great sorrow and affliction, as
+was to be expected, when the interpretation was so heavy upon him.
+However, he did not refuse what he had promised Daniel, although he were
+become a foreteller of misfortunes to him, but bestowed it all upon him;
+as reasoning thus, that what he was to reward was peculiar to himself,
+and to fate, and did not belong to the prophet, but that it was the part
+of a good and a just man to give what he had promised, although the
+events were of a melancholy nature. Accordingly, the king determined so
+to do. Now, after a little while, both himself and the city were taken
+by Cyrus, the king of Persia, who fought against him; for it was
+Baltasar, under whom Babylon was taken, when he had reigned seventeen
+years. And this is the end of the posterity of king Nebuchadnezzar, as
+history informs us; but when Babylon was taken by Darius, and when he,
+with his kinsman Cyrus, had put an end to the dominion of the
+Babylonians, he was sixty-two years old. He was the son of Astyages, and
+had another name among the Greeks. Moreover, he took Daniel the prophet,
+and carried him with him into Media, and honored him very greatly, and
+kept him with him; for he was one of the three presidents whom he set
+over his three hundred and sixty provinces, for into so many did Darius
+part them.
+
+5. However, while Daniel was in so great dignity, and in so great favor
+with Darius, and was alone intrusted with every thing by him, a having
+somewhat divine in him, he was envied by the rest; for those that see
+others in greater honor than themselves with kings envy them; and when
+those that were grieved at the great favor Daniel was in with Darius
+sought for an occasion against him, he afforded them no occasion at all,
+for he was above all the temptations of money, and despised bribery, and
+esteemed it a very base thing to take any thing by way of reward, even
+when it might be justly given him; he afforded those that envied him not
+the least handle for an accusation. So when they could find nothing for
+which they might calumniate him to the king, nothing that was shameful
+or reproachful, and thereby deprive him of the honor he was in with him,
+they sought for some other method whereby they might destroy him. When
+therefore they saw that Daniel prayed to God three times a day, they
+thought they had gotten an occasion by which they might ruin him; so
+they came to Darius and told him that the princes and governors had
+thought proper to allow the multitude a relaxation for thirty days, that
+no one might offer a petition or prayer either to himself or to the
+gods, but that, "he who shall transgress this decree shall be east into
+the den of lions, and there perish."
+
+6. Whereupon the king, not being acquainted with their wicked design,
+nor suspecting that it was a contrivance of theirs against Daniel, said
+he was pleased with this decree of theirs, and he promised to confirm
+what they desired; he also published an edict to promulgate to the
+people that decree which the princes had made. Accordingly, all the rest
+took care not to transgress those injunctions, and rested in quiet; but
+Daniel had no regard to them, but, as he was wont, he stood and prayed
+to God in the sight of them all; but the princes having met with the
+occasion they so earnestly sought to find against Daniel, came presently
+to the king, and accused him, that Daniel was the only person that
+transgressed the decree, while not one of the rest durst pray to their
+gods. This discovery they made, not because of his impiety, but because
+they had watched him, and observed him out of envy; for supposing that
+Darius did thus out of a greater kindness to him than they expected, and
+that he was ready to grant him pardon for this contempt of his
+injunctions, and envying this very pardon to Daniel, they did not become
+more honorable to him, but desired he might be cast into the den of
+lions according to the law. So Darius, hoping that God would deliver
+him, and that he would undergo nothing that was terrible by the wild
+beasts, bid him bear this accident cheerfully. And when he was cast into
+the den, he put his seal to the stone that lay upon the mouth of the
+den, and went his way, but he passed all the night without food and
+without sleep, being in great distress for Daniel; but when it was day,
+he got up, and came to the den, and found the seal entire, which he had
+left the stone sealed withal; he also opened the seal, and cried out,
+and called to Daniel, and asked him if he were alive. And as soon as he
+heard the king's voice, and said that he had suffered no harm, the king
+gave order that he should be drawn up out of the den. Now when his
+enemies saw that Daniel had suffered nothing which was terrible, they
+would not own that he was preserved by God, and by his providence; but
+they said that the lions had been filled full with food, and on that
+account it was, as they supposed, that the lions would not touch Daniel,
+nor come to him; and this they alleged to the king. But the king, out of
+an abhorrence of their wickedness, gave order that they should throw in
+a great deal of flesh to the lions; and when they had filled themselves,
+he gave further order that Daniel's enemies should be cast into the den,
+that he might learn whether the lions, now they were full, would touch
+them or not. And it appeared plain to Darius, after the princes had been
+cast to the wild beasts, that it was God who preserved Daniel 25 for the
+lions spared none of them, but tore them all to pieces, as if they had
+been very hungry, and wanted food. I suppose therefore it was not their
+hunger, which had been a little before satisfied with abundance of
+flesh, but the wickedness of these men, that provoked them [to destroy
+the princes]; for if it so please God, that wickedness might, by even
+those irrational creatures, be esteemed a plain foundation for their
+punishment.
+
+7. When therefore those that had intended thus to destroy Daniel by
+treachery were themselves destroyed, king Darius sent [letters] over all
+the country, and praised that God whom Daniel worshipped, and said that
+he was the only true God, and had all power. He had also Daniel in very
+great esteem, and made him the principal of his friends. Now when Daniel
+was become so illustrious and famous, on account of the opinion men had
+that he was beloved of God, he built a tower at Ecbatana, in Media: it
+was a most elegant building, and wonderfully made, and it is still
+remaining, and preserved to this day; and to such as see it, it appears
+to have been lately built, and to have been no older than that very day
+when any one looks upon it, it is so fresh 26 flourishing, and
+beautiful, and no way grown old in so long time; for buildings suffer
+the same as men do, they grow old as well as they, and by numbers of
+years their strength is dissolved, and their beauty withered. Now they
+bury the kings of Media, of Persia, and Parthia in this tower to this
+day, and he who was entrusted with the care of it was a Jewish priest;
+which thing is also observed to this day. But it is fit to give an
+account of what this man did, which is most admirable to hear, for he
+was so happy as to have strange revelations made to him, and those as to
+one of the greatest of the prophets, insomuch, that while he was alive
+he had the esteem and applause both of the kings and of the multitude;
+and now he is dead, he retains a remembrance that will never fail, for
+the several books that he wrote and left behind him are still read by us
+till this time; and from them we believe that Daniel conversed with God;
+for he did not only prophesy of future events, as did the other
+prophets, but he also determined the time of their accomplishment. And
+while prophets used to foretell misfortunes, and on that account were
+disagreeable both to the kings and to the multitude, Daniel was to them
+a prophet of good things, and this to such a degree, that by the
+agreeable nature of his predictions, he procured the goodwill of all
+men; and by the accomplishment of them, he procured the belief of their
+truth, and the opinion of [a sort of] divinity for himself, among the
+multitude. He also wrote and left behind him what made manifest the
+accuracy and undeniable veracity of his predictions; for he saith, that
+when he was in Susa, the metropolis of Persia, and went out into the
+field with his companions, there was, on the sudden, a motion and
+concussion of the earth, and that he was left alone by himself, his
+friends fleeing away from him, and that he was disturbed, and fell on
+his face, and on his two hands, and that a certain person touched him,
+and, at the same time, bid him rise, and see what would befall his
+countrymen after many generations. He also related, that when he stood
+up, he was shown a great ram, with many horns growing out of his head,
+and that the last was higher than the rest: that after this he looked to
+the west, and saw a he-goat carried through the air from that quarter;
+that he rushed upon the ram with violence, and smote him twice with his
+horns, and overthrew him to the ground, and trampled upon him: that
+afterward he saw a very great horn growing out of the head of the he-
+goat, and that when it was broken off, four horns grew up that were
+exposed to each of the four winds, and he wrote that out of them arose
+another lesser horn, which, as he said, waxed great; and that God showed
+to him that it should fight against his nation, and take their city by
+force, and bring the temple worship to confusion, and forbid the
+sacrifices to be offered for one thousand two hundred and ninety-six
+days. Daniel wrote that he saw these visions in the Plain of Susa; and
+he hath informed us that God interpreted the appearance of this vision
+after the following manner: He said that the ram signified the kingdoms
+of the Medes and Persians, and the horns those kings that were to reign
+in them; and that the last horn signified the last king, and that he
+should exceed all the kings in riches and glory: that the he-goat
+signified that one should come and reign from the Greeks, who should
+twice fight with the Persian, and overcome him in battle, and should
+receive his entire dominion: that by the great horn which sprang out of
+the forehead of the he-goat was meant the first king; and that the
+springing up of four horns upon its falling off, and the conversion of
+every one of them to the four quarters of the earth, signified the
+successors that should arise after the death of the first king, and the
+partition of the kingdom among them, and that they should be neither his
+children, nor of his kindred, that should reign over the habitable earth
+for many years; and that from among them there should arise a certain
+king that should overcome our nation and their laws, and should take
+away their political government, and should spoil the temple, and forbid
+the sacrifices to be offered for three years' time. And indeed it so
+came to pass, that our nation suffered these things under Antiochus
+Epiphanes, according to Daniel's vision, and what he wrote many years
+before they came to pass. In the very same manner Daniel also wrote
+concerning the Roman government, and that our country should be made
+desolate by them. All these things did this man leave in writing, as God
+had showed them to him, insomuch that such as read his prophecies, and
+see how they have been fulfilled, would wonder at the honor wherewith
+God honored Daniel; and may thence discover how the Epicureans are in an
+error, who cast Providence out of human life, and do not believe that
+God takes care of the affairs of the world, nor that the universe is
+governed and continued in being by that blessed and immortal nature, but
+say that the world is carried along of its own accord, without a ruler
+and a curator; which, were it destitute of a guide to conduct it, as
+they imagine, it would be like ships without pilots, which we see
+drowned by the winds, or like chariots without drivers, which are
+overturned; so would the world be dashed to pieces by its being carried
+without a Providence, and so perish, and come to nought. So that, by the
+forementioned predictions of Daniel, those men seem to me very much to
+err from the truth, who determine that God exercises no providence over
+human affairs; for if that were the case, that the world went on by
+mechanical necessity, we should not see that all things would come to
+pass according to his prophecy. Now as to myself, I have so described
+these matters as I have found them and read them; but if any one is
+inclined to another opinion about them, let him enjoy his different
+sentiments without any blame from me.
+
+
+
+
+
+
+FOOTNOTES
+
+
+1 (return) [ This title of great king, both in our Bibles, 2 Kings
+18:19; Isaiah 36:4, and here in Josephus, is the very same that
+Herodotus gives this Sennacherib, as Spanheim takes notice on this
+place.]
+
+
+2 (return) [ What Josephus says here, how Isaiah the prophet assured
+Hezekiah that "at this time he should not be besieged by the king of
+Assyria; that for the future he might be secure of being not at all
+disturbed by him; and that [afterward] the people might go on peaceably,
+and without fear, with their husbandry and other affairs," is more
+distinct in our other copies, both of the Kings and of Isaiah, and
+deserves very great consideration. The words are these: "This shall be a
+sign unto thee, Ye shall eat this year such as groweth of itself, and
+the second year that which springeth of the same; and in the third year
+sow ye, and reap, and plant vineyards, and eat the fruit thereof," 2
+Kings 19:29; Isaiah 37:30; which seem to me plainly to design a Sabbatic
+year, a year of jubilee next after it, and the succeeding usual labors
+and fruits of them on the third and following years.]
+
+
+3 (return) [ That this terrible calamity of the slaughter of the 185,000
+Assyrians is here delivered in the words of Berosus the Chaldean, and
+that it was certainly and frequently foretold by the Jewish prophets,
+and that it was certainly and undeniably accomplished, see Authent. Rec.
+part II. p. 858. We are here to take notice, that these two sons of
+Sennacherib, that ran away into Armenia, became the heads of two famous
+families there, the Arzerunii and the Genunii; of which see the
+particular histories in Moses Chorenensis, p. 60.]
+
+
+4 (return) [ Josephus, and all our copies, place the sickness of
+Hezekiah after the destruction of Sennacherib's army, because it appears
+to have been after his first assault, as he was going into Arabia and
+Egypt, where he pushed his conquests as far as they would go, and in
+order to despatch his story altogether; yet does no copy but this of
+Josephus say it was after that destruction, but only that it happened in
+those days, or about that time of Hezekiah's life. Nor will the fifteen
+years' prolongation of his life after his sickness, allow that sickness
+to have been later than the former part of the fifteenth year of his
+reign, since chronology does not allow him in all above twenty-nine
+years and a few months; whereas the first assault of Sennacherib was on
+the fourteenth year of Hezekiah, but the destruction of Sennacherib's
+army was not till his eighteenth year.]
+
+
+5 (return) [ As to this regress of the shadow, either upon a sun-dial,
+or the steps of the royal palace built by Ahaz, whether it were
+physically done by the real miraculous revolution of the earth in its
+diurnal motion backward from east to west for a while, and its return
+again to its old natural revolution from west to east; or whether it
+were not apparent only, and performed by an aerial phosphorus, which
+imitated the sun's motion backward, while a cloud hid the real sun;
+cannot now be determined. Philosophers and astronomers will naturally
+incline to the latter hypothesis. However, it must be noted, that
+Josephus seems to have understood it otherwise than we generally do,
+that the shadow was accelerated as much at first forward as it was made
+to go backward afterward, and so the day was neither longer nor shorter
+than usual; which, it must be confessed agrees best of all to astronomy,
+whose eclipses, older than the time were observed at the same times of
+the day as if this miracle had never happened. After all, this wonderful
+signal was not, it seems, peculiar to Judea, but either seen, or at
+least heard of, at Babylon also, as appears by 2 Chronicles 32:31, where
+we learn that the Babylonian ambassadors were sent to Hezekiah, among
+other things, to inquire of the wonder that was done in the land.]
+
+
+6 (return) [ This expression of Josephus, that the Medes, upon this
+destruction of the Assyrian army, "overthrew" the Assyrian empire, seems
+to be too strong; for although they immediately cast off the Assrian
+yoke, and set up Deioces, a king of their own, yet it was some time
+before the Medes and Babylonians overthrew Nineveh, and some generations
+ere the Medes and Persians under Cyaxares and Cyrus overthrew the
+Assyrian or Babylonian empire, and took Babylon.]
+
+
+7 (return) [ It is hard to reconcile the account in the Second Book of
+Kings [Footnote ch. 23:11: with this account in Josephus, and to
+translate this passage truly in Josephus, whose copies are supposed to
+be here imperfect. However, the general sense of both seems to be this:
+That there were certain chariots, with their horses, dedicated to the
+idol of the sun, or to Moloch; which idol might be carried about in
+procession, and worshipped by the people; which chariots were now "taken
+away," as Josephus says, or, as the Book of Kings says, "burnt with
+fire, by Josiah."]
+
+
+8 (return) [ This is a remarkable passage of chronology in Josephus,
+that about the latter end of the reign of Josiah, the Medes and
+Babylonians overthrew the empire of the Assyrians; or, in the words of
+Tobit's continuator, that "before Tobias died, he heard of the
+destruction of Nineveh, which was taken by Nebuchodonosor the
+Babylonian, and Assuerus the Mede," Tob. 14:15. See Dean Prideaux's
+Connexion, at the year 612.]
+
+
+9 (return) [ This battle is justly esteemed the very same that Herodotus
+[B. II. sect. 156: mentions, when he says, that "Necao joined battle
+with the Syrians [or Jews] at Magdolum, [Megiddo,] and beat them," as
+Dr. Hudson here observes.]
+
+
+10 (return) [ Whether Josephus, from 2 Chronicles 35:25, here means the
+book of the Lamentations of Jeremiah, still extant, which chiefly
+belongs to the destruction of Jerusalem under Nebuchadnezzar, or to any
+other like melancholy poem now lost, but extant in the days of Josephus,
+belonging peculiarly to Josiah, cannot now be determined.]
+
+
+11 (return) [ This ancient city Hamath, which is joined with Arpad, or
+Aradus, and with Damascus, 2 Kings 18:34; Isaiah 36:19; Jeremiah 49:23,
+cities of Syria and Phoenicia, near the borders of Judea, was also
+itself evidently near the same borders, though long ago utterly
+destroyed.]
+
+
+12 (return) [ Josephus says here that Jeremiah prophesied not only of
+the return of the Jews from the Babylonian captivity, and this under the
+Persians and Medes, as in our other copies; but of cause they did not
+both say the same thing as to this circumstance, he disbelieved what
+they both appeared to agree in, and condemned them as not speaking truth
+therein, although all the things foretold him did come to pass according
+to their prophecies, as we shall show upon a fitter opportunity their
+rebuilding the temple, and even the city Jerusalem, which do not appear
+in our copies under his name. See the note on Antiq. B. XI. ch. 1. sect.
+3.]
+
+
+13 (return) [ This observation of Josephus about the seeming
+disagreement of Jeremiah, ch. 32:4, and 34:3, and Ezekiel 12:13, but
+real agreement at last, concerning the fate of Zedekiah, is very true
+and very remarkable. See ch. 7. sect. 2. Nor is it at all unlikely that
+the courtiers and false prophets might make use of this seeming
+contradiction to dissuade Zedekiah from believing either of those
+prophets, as Josephus here intimates he was dissuaded thereby.]
+
+
+14 (return) [ I have here inserted in brackets this high priest Azarias,
+though he be omitted in all Josephus's copies, out of the Jewish
+chronicle, Seder Olam, of how little authority soever I generally esteem
+such late Rabbinical historians, because we know from Josephus himself,
+that the number of the high priests belonging to this interval was
+eighteen, Antiq. B. XX. ch. 10., whereas his copies have here but
+seventeen. Of this character of Baruch, the son of Neriah, and the
+genuineness of his book, that stands now in our Apocrypha, and that it
+is really a canonical book, and an appendix to Jeremiah, see Authent.
+Rec. Part I. p. 1—11.]
+
+
+15 (return) [ Herodotus says, this king of Egypt [Pharaoh Hophra, or
+Apries] was slain by the Egyptians, as Jeremiah foretold his slaughter
+by his enemies, Jeremiah 44:29, 30, and that as a sign of the
+destruction of Egypt [by Nebuchadnezzar]. Josephus says, this king was
+slain by Nebuchadnezzar himself.]
+
+
+16 (return) [ We see here that Judea was left in a manner desolate after
+the captivity of the two tribes and was not I with foreign colonies,
+perhaps as an indication of Providence that the Jews were to repeople it
+without opposition themselves. I also esteem the latter and present
+desolate condition of the same country, without being repeopled by
+foreign colonies, to be a like indication, that the same Jews are
+hereafter to repeople it again themselves, at their so long expected
+future restoration.]
+
+
+17 (return) [ That Daniel was made one of these eunuchs of which Isaiah
+prophesied, Isaiah 39:7, and the three children his companions also,
+seems to me plain, both here in Josephus, and in our copies of Daniel,
+Daniel 1:3, 6-11, 18, although it must be granted that some married
+persons, that had children, were sometimes called eunuchs, in a general
+acceptation for courtiers, on account that so many of the ancient
+courtiers were real eunuchs. See Genesis 39:1.]
+
+
+18 (return) [ Of this most remarkable passage in Josephus concerning the
+"stone cut out of the mountain, and destroying the image," which he
+would not explain, but intimated to be a prophecy of futurity, and
+probably not safe for him to explain, as belonging to the destruction of
+the Roman empire by Jesus Christ, the true Messiah of the Jews, take the
+words of Hayercamp, ch. 10. sect. 4: "Nor is this to be wondered at,
+that he would not now meddle with things future, for he had no mind to
+provoke the Romans, by speaking of the destruction of that city which
+they called the Eternal City."]
+
+
+19 (return) [ Since Josephus here explains the seven prophetic times
+which were to pass over Nebuchadnezzar [Daniel 4:16: to be seven years,
+we thence learn how he most probably must have understood those other
+parallel phrases, of "a time, times, and a half," Antiq. B. VII. ch.
+25., of so many prophetic years also, though he withal lets us know, by
+his hint at the interpretation of the seventy weeks, as belonging to the
+fourth monarchy, and the destruction of Jerusalem by the Romans in the
+days of Josephus, ch. 2. sect. 7, that he did not think those years to
+be bare years, but rather days for years; by which reckoning, and by
+which alone, could seventy weeks, or four hundred and ninety days, reach
+to the age of Josephus. But as to the truth of those seven years'
+banishment of Nebuchadnezzar from men, and his living so long among the
+beasts, the very small remains we have any where else of this
+Nebuchadnezzar prevent our expectation of any other full account of it.
+So far we knew by Ptolemy's canon, a contemporary record, as well as by
+Josephus presently, that he reigned in all forty-three years, that is,
+eight years after we meet with any account of his actions; one of the
+last of which was the thirteen years' siege of Tyre, Antiq. B. XI. ch.
+11., where yet the Old Latin has but three years and ten months: yet
+were his actions before so remarkable, both in sacred and profane
+authors, that a vacuity of eight years at the least, at the latter end
+of his reign, must be allowed to agree very well with Daniel's accounts;
+that after a seven years' brutal life, he might return to his reason,
+and to the exercise of his royal authority, for one whole year at least
+before his death.]
+
+
+20 (return) [ These forty-three years for the duration of the reign of
+Nebuchadnezzar are, as I have just now observed, the very same number in
+Ptolemy's canon. Moses Chorenensis does also confirm this captivity of
+the Jews under Nebuchadnezzar, and adds, what is very remarkable, that
+sale of those Jews that were carried by him into captivity got away into
+Armenia, and raised the great family of the Bagratide there.]
+
+
+21 (return) [ These twenty-one years here ascribed to one named
+Naboulassar, in the first book against Apion, or to Nabopollassar, the
+father of the great Nebuchadnezzar, are also the very same with those
+given him in Ptolemy's canon. And note here, that what Dr. Prideaux
+says, at the year, that Nebuchadnezzar must have been a common name of
+other kings of Babylon, besides the great Nebuchadnezzar himself is a
+groundless mistake of some modern chronologers rely, and destitute of
+all proper original authority.]
+
+
+22 (return) [ These fifteen days for finishing such vast buildings at
+Babylon, in Josephus's copy of Berosus, would seem too absurd to be
+supposed to be the true number, were it not for the same testimony
+extant also in the first book against Apion, sect. 19, with the same
+number. It thence indeed appears that Josephus's copy of Berosus had
+this small number, but that it is the true number I still doubt.
+Josephus assures us, that the walls of so much a smaller city as
+Jerusalem were two years and four months in building by Nehemiah, who
+yet hastened the work all he could, Antiq. B. XI. ch. 5. sect. 8. I
+should think one hundred and fifteen days, or a year and fifteen days,
+much more proportionable to so great a work.]
+
+
+23 (return) [ It is here remarkable that Josephus, without the knowledge
+of Ptolemy's canon, should call the same king whom he himself here [Bar.
+i. 11, and Daniel 5:1, 2, 9, 12, 22, 29, 39: styles Beltazar, or
+Belshazzar, from the Babylonian god Bel, Naboandelus also; and in the
+first book against Apion, sect. 19, vol. iii., from the same citation
+out of Berosus, Nabonnedon, from the Babylonian god Nabo or Nebo. This
+last is not remote from the original pronunciation itself in Ptolemy's
+canon, Nabonadius; for both the place of this king in that canon, as the
+last of the Assyrian or Babylonian kings, and the number of years of his
+reign, seventeen, the same in both demonstrate that it is one and the
+same king that is meant by them all. It is also worth noting, that
+Josephus knew that Darius, the partner of Cyrus, was the son of
+Astyages, and was called by another name among the Greeks, though it
+does not appear he knew what that name was, as having never seen the
+best history of this period, which is Xenophon's. But then what
+Josephus's present copies say presently, sect. 4, that it was only
+within no long time after the hand-writing on the wall that Baltasar was
+slain, does not so well agree with our copies of Daniel, which say it
+was the same night, Daniel 5:30.]
+
+
+24 (return) [ This grandmother, or mother of Baltasar, the queen dowager
+of Babylon, [for she is distinguished from his queen, Daniel 5:10, 13,]
+seems to have been the famous Nitocris, who fortified Babylon against
+the Medes and Persians, and, in all probability governed under Baltasar,
+who seems to be a weak and effeminate prince.]
+
+
+25 (return) [ It is no way improbable that Daniel's enemies might
+suggest this reason to the king why the lions did not meddle with him
+and that they might suspect the king's kindness to Daniel had procured
+these lions to be so filled beforehand, and that thence it was that he
+encouraged Daniel to submit to this experiment, in hopes of coming off
+safe; and that this was the true reason of making so terrible an
+experiment upon those his enemies, and all their families, Daniel 6:21,
+though our other copies do not directly take notice of it.]
+
+
+26 (return) [ What Josephus here says, that the stones of the sepulchers
+of the kings of Persia at this tower, or those perhaps of the same sort
+that are now commonly called the ruins of Persepolis, continued so
+entire and unaltered in his days, as if they were lately put there, "I
+[says Reland] here can show to be true, as to those stones of the
+Persian mansoleum, which Com. Brunius brake off and gave me." He
+ascribed this to the hardness of the stones, which scarcely yields to
+iron tools, and proves frequently too hard for cutting by the chisel,
+but oftentimes breaks it to pieces.]
+
+
+
+
+
+
+BOOK XI. Containing The Interval Of Two Hundred And Fifty-Three Years
+And Five Months.—From The First Of Cyrus To The Death Of Alexander The
+Great.
+
+
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER 1. How Cyrus, King Of The Persians, Delivered The Jews Out Of
+Babylon And Suffered Them To Return To Their Own Country And To Build
+Their Temple, For Which Work He Gave Them Money.
+
+1. In the first year of the reign of Cyrus 1 which was the seventieth
+from the day that our people were removed out of their own land into
+Babylon, God commiserated the captivity and calamity of these poor
+people, according as he had foretold to them by Jeremiah the prophet,
+before the destruction of the city, that after they had served
+Nebuchadnezzar and his posterity, and after they had undergone that
+servitude seventy years, he would restore them again to the land of
+their fathers, and they should build their temple, and enjoy their
+ancient prosperity. And these things God did afford them; for he stirred
+up the mind of Cyrus, and made him write this throughout all Asia: "Thus
+saith Cyrus the king: Since God Almighty hath appointed me to be king of
+the habitable earth, I believe that he is that God which the nation of
+the Israelites worship; for indeed he foretold my name by the prophets,
+and that I should build him a house at Jerusalem, in the country of
+Judea."
+
+2. This was known to Cyrus by his reading the book which Isaiah left
+behind him of his prophecies; for this prophet said that God had spoken
+thus to him in a secret vision: "My will is, that Cyrus, whom I have
+appointed to be king over many and great nations, send back my people to
+their own land, and build my temple." This was foretold by Isaiah one
+hundred and forty years before the temple was demolished. Accordingly,
+when Cyrus read this, and admired the Divine power, an earnest desire
+and ambition seized upon him to fulfill what was so written; so he
+called for the most eminent Jews that were in Babylon, and said to them,
+that he gave them leave to go back to their own country, and to rebuild
+their city Jerusalem, 2 and the temple of God, for that he would be
+their assistant, and that he would write to the rulers and governors
+that were in the neighborhood of their country of Judea, that they
+should contribute to them gold and silver for the building of the
+temple, and besides that, beasts for their sacrifices.
+
+3. When Cyrus had said this to the Israelites, the rulers of the two
+tribes of Judah and Benjamin, with the Levites and priests, went in
+haste to Jerusalem; yet did many of them stay at Babylon, as not willing
+to leave their possessions; and when they were come thither, all the
+king's friends assisted them, and brought in, for the building of the
+temple, some gold, and some silver, and some a great many cattle and
+horses. So they performed their vows to God, and offered the sacrifices
+that had been accustomed of old time; I mean this upon the rebuilding of
+their city, and the revival of the ancient practices relating to their
+worship. Cyrus also sent back to them the vessels of God which king
+Nebuchadnezzar had pillaged out of the temple, and had carried to
+Babylon. So he committed these things to Mithridates, the treasurer, to
+be sent away, with an order to give them to Sanabassar, that he might
+keep them till the temple was built; and when it was finished, he might
+deliver them to the priests and rulers of the multitude, in order to
+their being restored to the temple. Cyrus also sent an epistle to the
+governors that were in Syria, the contents whereof here follow:
+
+"King Cyrus To Sisinnes And Sathrabuzanes Sendeth Greeting.
+
+"I have given leave to as many of the Jews that dwell in my country as
+please to return to their own country, and to rebuild their city, and to
+build the temple of God at Jerusalem on the same place where it was
+before. I have also sent my treasurer Mithridates, and Zorobabel, the
+governor of the Jews, that they may lay the foundations of the temple,
+and may build it sixty cubits high, and of the same latitude, making
+three edifices of polished stones, and one of the wood of the country,
+and the same order extends to the altar whereon they offer sacrifices to
+God. I require also that the expenses for these things may be given out
+of my revenues. Moreover, I have also sent the vessels which king
+Nebuchadnezzar pillaged out of the temple, and have given them to
+Mithridates the treasurer, and to Zorobabel the governor of the Jews,
+that they may have them carried to Jerusalem, and may restore them to
+the temple of God. Now their number is as follows: Fifty chargers of
+gold, and five hundred of silver; forty Thericlean cups of gold, and
+five hundred of silver; fifty basons of gold, and five hundred of
+silver; thirty vessels for pouring [the drink-offerings], and three
+hundred of silver; thirty vials of gold, and two thousand four hundred
+of silver; with a thousand other large vessels. 3 I permit them to have
+the same honor which they were used to have from their forefathers, as
+also for their small cattle, and for wine and oil, two hundred and five
+thousand and five hundred drachmae; and for wheat flour, twenty thousand
+and five hundred artabae; and I give order that these expenses shall be
+given them out of the tributes due from Samaria. The priests shall also
+offer these sacrifices according to the laws of Moses in Jerusalem; and
+when they offer them, they shall pray to God for the preservation of the
+king and of his family, that the kingdom of Persia may continue. But my
+will is, that those who disobey these injunctions, and make them void,
+shall be hung upon a cross, and their substance brought into the king's
+treasury." And such was the import of this epistle. Now the number of
+those that came out of captivity to Jerusalem, were forty-two thousand
+four hundred and sixty-two.
+
+
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER 2. How Upon The Death Of Cyrus The Jews Were Hindered In
+Building Of The Temple By The Cutheans, And The Neighboring Governors;
+And How Cambyses Entirely Forbade The Jews To Do Any Such Thing.
+
+1. When the foundations of the temple were laying, and when the Jews
+were very zealous about building it, the neighboring nations, and
+especially the Cutheans, whom Shalmanezer, king of Assyria, had brought
+out of Persia and Media, and had planted in Samaria, when he carried the
+people of Israel captives, besought the governors, and those that had
+the care of such affairs, that they would interrupt the Jews, both in
+the rebuilding of their city, and in the building of their temple. Now
+as these men were corrupted by them with money, they sold the Cutheans
+their interest for rendering this building a slow and a careless work,
+for Cyrus, who was busy about other wars, knew nothing of all this; and
+it so happened, that when he had led his army against the Massagetae, he
+ended his life. 4 But when Cambyses, the son of Cyrus, had taken the
+kingdom, the governors in Syria, and Phoenicia, and in the countries of
+Ammon, and Moab, and Samaria, wrote an epistle to Cambyses; whose
+contents were as follow: "To our lord Cambyses. We thy servants,
+Rathumus the historiographer, and Semellius the scribe, and the rest
+that are thy judges in Syria and Phoenicia, send greeting. It is fit, O
+king, that thou shouldst know that those Jews which were carried to
+Babylon are come into our country, and are building that rebellious and
+wicked city, and its market-places, and setting up its walls, and
+raising up the temple; know therefore, that when these things are
+finished, they will not be willing to pay tribute, nor will they submit
+to thy commands, but will resist kings, and will choose rather to rule
+over others than be ruled over themselves. We therefore thought it
+proper to write to thee, O king, while the works about the temple are
+going on so fast, and not to overlook this matter, that thou mayst
+search into the books of thy fathers, for thou wilt find in them that
+the Jews have been rebels, and enemies to kings, as hath their city been
+also, which, for that reason, hath been till now laid waste. We thought
+proper also to inform thee of this matter, because thou mayst otherwise
+perhaps be ignorant of it, that if this city be once inhabited and be
+entirely encompassed with walls, thou wilt be excluded from thy passage
+to Celesyria and Phoenicia."
+
+2. When Cambyses had read the epistle, being naturally wicked, he was
+irritated at what they told him, and wrote back to them as follows:
+"Cambyses the king, to Rathumus the historiographer, to Beeltethmus, to
+Semellius the scribe, and the rest that are in commission, and dwelling
+in Samaria and Phoenicia, after this manner: I have read the epistle
+that was sent from you; and I gave order that the books of my
+forefathers should be searched into, and it is there found that this
+city hath always been an enemy to kings, and its inhabitants have raised
+seditions and wars. We also are sensible that their kings have been
+powerful and tyrannical, and have exacted tribute of Celesyria and
+Phoenicia. Wherefore I gave order, that the Jews shall not be permitted
+to build that city, lest such mischief as they used to bring upon kings
+be greatly augmented." When this epistle was read, Rathumus, and
+Semellius the scribe, and their associates, got suddenly on horseback,
+and made haste to Jerusalem; they also brought a great company with
+them, and forbade the Jews to build the city and the temple.
+Accordingly, these works were hindered from going on till the second
+year of the reign of Darius, for nine years more; for Cambyses reigned
+six years, and within that time overthrew Egypt, and when he was come
+back, he died at Damascus.
+
+
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER 3. How After The Death Of Cambyses And The Slaughter Of The Magi
+But Under The Reign Of Darius, Zorobabel Was Superior To The Rest In The
+Solution Of Problems And Thereby Obtained This Favor Of The King, That
+The Temple Should Be Built.
+
+1. After the slaughter of the Magi, who, upon the death of Cambyses,
+attained the government of the Persians for a year, those families which
+were called the seven families of the Persians appointed Darius, the son
+of Hystaspes, to be their king. Now he, while he was a private man, had
+made a vow to God, that if he came to be king, he would send all the
+vessels of God that were in Babylon to the temple at Jerusalem. Now it
+so fell out, that about this time Zorobabel, who had been made governor
+of the Jews that had been in captivity, came to Darius, from Jerusalem;
+for there had been an old friendship between him and the king. He was
+also, with two others, thought worthy to be guard of the king's body;
+and obtained that honor which he hoped for.
+
+2. Now, in the first year of the king's reign, Darius feasted those that
+were about him, and those born in his house, with the rulers of the
+Medes, and princes of the Persians, and the toparchs of India and
+Ethiopia, and the generals of the armies of his hundred and twenty-seven
+provinces. But when they had eaten and drunk to satiety, and abundantly,
+they every one departed to go to bed at their own houses, and Darius the
+king went to bed; but after he had rested a little part of the night, he
+awaked, and not being able to sleep any more, he fell into conversation
+with the three guards of his body, and promised, that to him who should
+make an oration about points that he should inquire of, such as should
+be most agreeable to truth, and to the dictates of wisdom, he would
+grant it as a reward of his victory, to put on a purple garment, and to
+drink in cups of gold, and to sleep upon gold, and to have a chariot
+with bridles of gold, and a head tire of fine linen, and a chain of gold
+about his neck, and to sit next to himself, on account of his wisdom;
+"and," says he, "he shall be called my cousin." Now when he had promised
+to give them these gifts, he asked the first of them, "Whether wine was
+not the strongest?"—the second, "Whether kings were not such?"—and the
+third, "Whether women were not such? or whether truth was not the
+strongest of all?" When he had proposed that they should make their
+inquiries about these problems, he went to rest; but in the morning he
+sent for his great men, his princes, and toparchs of Persia and Media,
+and set himself down in the place where he used to give audience, and
+bid each of the guards of his body to declare what they thought proper
+concerning the proposed questions, in the hearing of them all.
+
+3. Accordingly, the first of them began to speak of the strength of
+wine, and demonstrated it thus: "When," said he, "I am to give my
+opinion of wine, O you men, I find that it exceeds every thing, by the
+following indications: It deceives the mind of those that drink it, and
+reduces that of the king to the same state with that of the orphan, and
+he who stands in need of a tutor; and erects that of the slave to the
+boldness of him that is free; and that of the needy becomes like that of
+the rich man, for it changes and renews the souls of men when it gets
+into them; and it quenches the sorrow of those that are under
+calamities, and makes men forget the debts they owe to others, and makes
+them think themselves to be of all men the richest; it makes them talk
+of no small things, but of talents, and such other names as become
+wealthy men only; nay more, it makes them insensible of their
+commanders, and of their kings, and takes away the remembrance of their
+friends and companions, for it arms men even against those that are
+dearest to them, and makes them appear the greatest strangers to them;
+and when they are become sober, and they have slept out their wine in
+the night, they arise without knowing any thing they have done in their
+cups. I take these for signs of power, and by them discover that wine is
+the strongest and most insuperable of all things."
+
+4. As soon as the first had given the forementioned demonstrations of
+the strength of wine, he left off; and the next to him began to speak
+about the strength of a king, and demonstrated that it was the strongest
+of all, and more powerful than any thing else that appears to have any
+force or wisdom. He began his demonstration after the following manner;
+and said, "They are men who govern all things; they force the earth and
+the sea to become profitable to them in what they desire, and over these
+men do kings rule, and over them they have authority. Now those who rule
+over that animal which is of all the strongest and most powerful, must
+needs deserve to be esteemed insuperable in power and force. For
+example, when these kings command their subjects to make wars, and
+undergo dangers, they are hearkened to; and when they send them against
+their enemies, their power is so great that they are obeyed. They
+command men to level mountains, and to pull down walls and towers; nay,
+when they are commanded to be killed and to kill, they submit to it,
+that they may not appear to transgress the king's commands; and when
+they have conquered, they bring what they have gained in the war to the
+king. Those also who are not soldiers, but cultivate the ground, and
+plough it, and when, after they have endured the labor and all the
+inconveniences of such works of husbandry, they have reaped and gathered
+in their fruits, they bring tributes to the king; and whatsoever it is
+which the king says or commands, it is done of necessity, and that
+without any delay, while he in the mean time is satiated with all sorts
+of food and pleasures, and sleeps in quiet. He is guarded by such as
+watch, and such as are, as it were, fixed down to the place through
+fear; for no one dares leave him, even when he is asleep, nor does any
+one go away and take care of his own affairs; but he esteems this one
+thing the only work of necessity, to guard the king, and accordingly to
+this he wholly addicts himself. How then can it be otherwise, but that
+it must appear that the king exceeds all in strength, while so great a
+multitude obeys his injunctions?"
+
+5. Now when this man had held his peace, the third of them, who was
+Zorobabel, began to instruct them about women, and about truth, who said
+thus: "Wine is strong, as is the king also, whom all men obey, but women
+are superior to them in power; for it was a woman that brought the king
+into the world; and for those that plant the vines and make the wine,
+they are women who bear them, and bring them up: nor indeed is there any
+thing which we do not receive from them; for these women weave garments
+for us, and our household affairs are by their means taken care of, and
+preserved in safety; nor can we live separate from women. And when we
+have gotten a great deal of gold and silver, and any other thing that is
+of great value, and deserving regard, and see a beautiful woman, we
+leave all these things, and with open mouth fix our eyes upon her
+countenance, and are willing to forsake what we have, that we may enjoy
+her beauty, and procure it to ourselves. We also leave father, and
+mother, and the earth that nourishes us, and frequently forget our
+dearest friends, for the sake of women; nay, we are so hardy as to lay
+down our lives for them. But what will chiefly make you take notice of
+the strength of women is this that follows: Do not we take pains, and
+endure a great deal of trouble, and that both by land and sea, and when
+we have procured somewhat as the fruit of our labors, do not we bring
+them to the women, as to our mistresses, and bestow them upon them? Nay,
+I once saw the king, who is lord of so many people, smitten on the face
+by Apame, the daughter of Rabsases Themasius, his concubine, and his
+diadem taken away from him, and put upon her own head, while he bore it
+patiently; and when she smiled he smiled, and when she was angry he was
+sad; and according to the change of her passions, he flattered his wife,
+and drew her to reconciliation by the great humiliation of himself to
+her, if at any time he saw her displeased at him."
+
+6. And when the princes and rulers looked one upon another, he began to
+speak about truth; and he said, "I have already demonstrated how
+powerful women are; but both these women themselves, and the king
+himself, are weaker than truth; for although the earth be large, and the
+heaven high, and the course of the sun swift, yet are all these moved
+according to the will of God, who is true and righteous, for which cause
+we also ought to esteem truth to be the strongest of all things, and
+that what is unrighteous is of no force against it. Moreover, all things
+else that have any strength are mortal and short-lived, but truth is a
+thing that is immortal and eternal. It affords us not indeed such a
+beauty as will wither away by time, nor such riches as may be taken away
+by fortune, but righteous rules and laws. It distinguishes them from
+injustice, and puts what is unrighteous to rebuke." 5
+
+7. So when Zorobabel had left off his discourse about truth, and the
+multitude had cried out aloud that he had spoken the most wisely, and
+that it was truth alone that had immutable strength, and such as never
+would wax old, the king commanded that he should ask for somewhat over
+and above what he had promised, for that he would give it him because of
+his wisdom, and that prudence wherein he exceeded the rest; "and thou
+shalt sit with me," said the king, "and shalt be called my cousin." When
+he had said this, Zorobabel put him in mind of the vow he had made in
+case he should ever have the kingdom. Now this vow was, "to rebuild
+Jerusalem, and to build therein the temple of God; as also to restore
+the vessels which Nebuchadnezzar had pillaged, and carried to Babylon.
+And this," said he, "is that request which thou now permittest me to
+make, on account that I have been judged to be wise and understanding."
+
+8. So the king was pleased with what he had said, and arose and kissed
+him; and wrote to the toparchs and governors, and enjoined them to
+conduct Zorobabel and those that were going with him to build the
+temple. He also sent letters to those rulers that were in Syria and
+Phoenicia to cut down and carry cedar trees from Lebanon to Jerusalem,
+and to assist him in building the city. He also wrote to them, that all
+the captives who should go to Judea should be free; and he prohibited
+his deputies and governors to lay any king's taxes upon the Jews; he
+also permitted that they should have all that land which they could
+possess themselves of without tributes. He also enjoined the Idumeans
+and Samaritans, and the inhabitants of Celesyria, to restore those
+villages which they had taken from the Jews; and that, besides all this,
+fifty talents should be given them for the building of the temple. He
+also permitted them to offer their appointed sacrifices, and that
+whatsoever the high priest and the priests wanted, and those sacred
+garments wherein they used to worship God, should be made at his own
+charges; and that the musical instruments which the Levites used in
+singing hymns to God should be given them. Moreover, he charged them,
+that portions of land should be given to those that guarded the city and
+the temple, as also a determinate sum of money every year for their
+maintenance; and withal he sent the vessels. And all that Cyrus intended
+to do before him relating to the restoration of Jerusalem, Darius also
+ordained should be done accordingly.
+
+9. Now when Zorobabel had obtained these grants from the king, he went
+out of the palace, and looking up to heaven, he began to return thanks
+to God for the wisdom he had given him, and the victory he had gained
+thereby, even in the presence of Darius himself; for, said he, "I had
+not been thought worthy of these advantages, O Lord, unless thou hadst
+been favorable to me." When therefore he had returned these thanks to
+God for the present circumstances he was in, and had prayed to him to
+afford him the like favor for the time to come, he came to Babylon, and
+brought the good news to his countrymen of what grants he had procured
+for them from the king; who, when they heard the same, gave thanks also
+to God that he restored the land of their forefathers to them again. So
+they betook themselves to drinking and eating, and for seven days they
+continued feasting, and kept a festival, for the rebuilding and
+restoration of their country: after this they chose themselves rulers,
+who should go up to Jerusalem, out of the tribes of their forefathers,
+with their wives, and children, and cattle, who traveled to Jerusalem
+with joy and pleasure, under the conduct of those whom Darius sent along
+with them, and making a noise with songs, and pipes, and cymbals. The
+rest of the Jewish multitude also besides accompanied them with
+rejoicing.
+
+10. And thus did these men go, a certain and determinate number out of
+every family, though I do not think it proper to recite particularly the
+names of those families, that I may not take off the mind of my readers
+from the connexion of the historical facts, and make it hard for them to
+follow the coherence of my narrations; but the sum of those that went
+up, above the age of twelve years, of the tribes of Judah and Benjamin,
+was four hundred and sixty-two myriads and eight thousand 6 the Levites
+were seventy-four; the number of the women and children mixed together
+was forty thousand seven hundred and forty-two; and besides these, there
+were singers of the Levites one hundred and twenty-eight, and porters
+one hundred and ten, and of the sacred ministers three hundred and
+ninety-two; there were also others besides these, who said they were of
+the Israelites, but were not able to show their genealogies, six hundred
+and sixty-two: some there were also who were expelled out of the number
+and honor of the priests, as having married wives whose genealogies they
+could not produce, nor were they found in the genealogies of the Levites
+and priests; they were about five hundred and twenty-five: the multitude
+also of servants that followed those that went up to Jerusalem were
+seven thousand three hundred and thirty-seven; the singing men and
+singing women were two hundred and forty-five; the camels were four
+hundred and thirty-five; the beasts used to the yoke were five thousand
+five hundred and twenty-five; and the governors of all this multitude
+thus numbered were Zorobabel, the son of Salathiel, of the posterity of
+David, and of the tribe of Judah; and Jeshua, the son of Josedek the
+high priest; and besides these there were Mordecai and Serebeus, who
+were distinguished from the multitude, and were rulers, who also
+contributed a hundred pounds of gold, and five thousand of silver. By
+this means therefore the priests and the Levites, and a certain part of
+the entire people of the Jews that were in Babylon, came and dwelt in
+Jerusalem; but the rest of the multitude returned every one to their own
+countries.
+
+
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER 4. How The Temple Was Built While The Cutheans Endeavored In
+Vain To Obstruct The Work.
+
+1. Now in the seventh month after they were departed out of Babylon,
+both Jeshua the high priest, and Zorobabel the governor, sent messengers
+every way round about, and gathered those that were in the country
+together to Jerusalem universally, who came very gladly thither. He then
+built the altar on the same place it had formerly been built, that they
+might offer the appointed sacrifices upon it to God, according to the
+laws of Moses. But while they did this, they did not please the
+neighboring nations, who all of them bare an ill-will to them. They also
+celebrated the feast of tabernacles at that time, as the legislator had
+ordained concerning it; and after they offered sacrifices, and what were
+called the daily sacrifices, and the oblations proper for the Sabbaths,
+and for all the holy festivals. Those also that had made vows performed
+them, and offered their sacrifices from the first day of the seventh
+month. They also began to build the temple, and gave a great deal of
+money to the masons and to the carpenters, and what was necessary for
+the maintenance of the workmen. The Sidonians also were very willing and
+ready to bring the cedar trees from Libanus, to bind them together, and
+to make a united float of them, and to bring them to the port of Joppa,
+for that was what Cyrus had commanded at first, and what was now done at
+the command of Darius.
+
+2. In the second year of their coming to Jerusalem, as the Jews were
+there in the second month, the building of the temple went on apace; and
+when they had laid its foundations on the first day of the second month
+of that second year, they set, as overseers of the work, such Levites as
+were full twenty years old; and Jeshua and his sons and brethren, and
+Codmiel the brother of Judas, the son of Aminadab, with his sons; and
+the temple, by the great diligence of those that had the care of it, was
+finished sooner than any one would have expected. And when the temple
+was finished, the priests, adorned with their accustomed garments, stood
+with their trumpets, while the Levites, and the sons of Asaph, stood and
+sung hymns to God, according as David first of all appointed them to
+bless God. Now the priests and Levites, and the elder part of the
+families, recollecting with themselves how much greater and more
+sumptuous the old temple had been, seeing that now made how much
+inferior it was, on account of their poverty, to that which had been
+built of old, considered with themselves how much their happy state was
+sunk below what it had been of old, as well as their temple. Hereupon
+they were disconsolate, and not able to contain their grief, and
+proceeded so far as to lament and shed tears on those accounts; but the
+people in general were contented with their present condition; and
+because they were allowed to build them a temple, they desired no more,
+and neither regarded nor remembered, nor indeed at all tormented
+themselves with the comparison of that and the former temple, as if this
+were below their expectations; but the wailing of the old men and of the
+priests, on account of the deficiency of this temple, in their opinion,
+if compared with that which had been demolished, overcame the sounds of
+the trumpets and the rejoicing of the people.
+
+3. But when the Samaritans, who were still enemies to the tribes of
+Judah and Benjamin, heard the sound of the trumpets, they came running
+together, and desired to know what was the occasion of this tumult; and
+when they perceived that it was from the Jews, who had been carried
+captive to Babylon, and were rebuilding their temple, they came to
+Zorobabel and to Jeshua, and to the heads of the families, and desired
+that they would give them leave to build the temple with them, and to be
+partners with them in building it; for they said, "We worship their God,
+and especially pray to him, and are desirous of their religious
+settlement, and this ever since Shalmanezer, the king of Assyria,
+transplanted us out of Cuthah and Media to this place." When they said
+thus, Zorobabel and Jeshua the high priest, and the heads of the
+families of the Israelites, replied to them, that it was impossible for
+them to permit them to be their partners, whilst they [only] had been
+appointed to build that temple at first by Cyrus, and now by Darius,
+although it was indeed lawful for them to come and worship there if they
+pleased, and that they could allow them nothing but that in common with
+them, which was common to them with all other men, to come to their
+temple and worship God there.
+
+4. When the Cuthearts heard this, for the Samaritans have that
+appellation, they had indignation at it, and persuaded the nations of
+Syria to desire of the governors, in the same manner as they had done
+formerly in the days of Cyrus, and again in the days of Cambyses
+afterwards, to put a stop to the building of the temple, and to endeavor
+to delay and protract the Jews in their zeal about it. Now at this time
+Sisinnes, the governor of Syria and Phoenicia, and Sathrabuzanes, with
+certain others, came up to Jerusalem, and asked the rulers of the Jews,
+by whose grant it was that they built the temple in this manner, since
+it was more like to a citadel than a temple? and for what reason it was
+that they built cloisters and walls, and those strong ones too, about
+the city? To which Zorobabel and Jeshua the high priest replied, that
+they were the servants of God Almighty; that this temple was built for
+him by a king of theirs, that lived in great prosperity, and one that
+exceeded all men in virtue; and that it continued a long time, but that
+because of their fathers' impiety towards God, Nebuchadnezzar, king of
+the Babylonians and of the Chaldeans, took their city by force, and
+destroyed it, and pillaged the temple, and burnt it down, and
+transplanted the people whom he had made captives, and removed them to
+Babylon; that Cyrus, who, after him, was king of Babylonia and Persia,
+wrote to them to build the temple, and committed the gifts and vessels,
+and whatsoever Nebuchadnezzar had carried out of it, to Zorobabel, and
+Mithridates the treasurer; and gave order to have them carried to
+Jerusalem, and to have them restored to their own temple, when it was
+built; for he had sent to them to have that done speedily, and commanded
+Sanabassar to go up to Jerusalem, and to take care of the building of
+the temple; who, upon receiving that epistle from Cyrus, came, and
+immediately laid its foundations; "and although it hath been in building
+from that time to this, it hath not yet been finished, by reason of the
+malignity of our enemies. If therefore you have a mind, and think it
+proper, write this account to Darius, that when he hath consulted the
+records of the kings, he may find that we have told you nothing that is
+false about this matter."
+
+5. When Zorobabel and the high priest had made this answer, Sisinnes,
+and those that were with him, did not resolve to hinder the building,
+until they had informed king Darius of all this. So they immediately
+wrote to him about these affairs; but as the Jews were now under terror,
+and afraid lest the king should change his resolutions as to the
+building of Jerusalem and of the temple, there were two prophets at that
+time among them, Haggai and Zechariah, who encouraged them, and bid them
+be of good cheer, and to suspect no discouragement from the Persians,
+for that God foretold this to them. So, in dependence on those prophets,
+they applied themselves earnestly to building, and did not intermit one
+day.
+
+6. Now Darius, when the Samaritans had written to him, and in their
+epistle had accused the Jews, how they fortified the city, and built the
+temple more like to a citadel than to a temple; and said, that their
+doings were not expedient for the king's affairs; and besides, they
+showed the epistle of Cambyses, wherein he forbade them to build the
+temple: and when Darius thereby understood that the restoration of
+Jerusalem was not expedient for his affairs, and when he had read the
+epistle that was brought him from Sisinnes, and those that were with
+him, he gave order that what concerned these matters should be sought
+for among the royal records. Whereupon a book was found at Ecbatana, in
+the tower that was in Media, wherein was written as follows: "Cyrus the
+king, in the first year of his reign, commanded that the temple should
+be built in Jerusalem; and the altar in height threescore cubits, and
+its breadth of the same, with three edifices of polished stone, and one
+edifice of stone of their own country; and he ordained that the expenses
+of it should be paid out of the king's revenue. He also commanded that
+the vessels which Nebuchadnezzar had pillaged [out of the temple], and
+had carried to Babylon, should be restored to the people of Jerusalem;
+and that the care of these things should belong to Sanabassar, the
+governor and president of Syria and Phoenicia, and his associates, that
+they may not meddle with that place, but may permit the servants of God,
+the Jews and their rulers, to build the temple. He also ordained that
+they should assist them in the work; and that they should pay to the
+Jews, out of the tribute of the country where they were governors, on
+account of the sacrifices, bulls, and rams, and lambs, and kids of the
+goats, and fine flour, and oil, and wine, and all other things that the
+priests should suggest to them; and that they should pray for the
+preservation of the king, and of the Persians; and that for such as
+transgressed any of these orders thus sent to them, he commanded that
+they should be caught, and hung upon a cross, and their substance
+confiscated to the king's use. He also prayed to God against them, that
+if any one attempted to hinder the building of the temple, God would
+strike him dead, and thereby restrain his wickedness."
+
+7. When Darius had found this book among the records of Cyrus, he wrote
+an answer to Sisinnes and his associates, whose contents were these:
+"King Darius to Sisinnes the governor, and to Sathrabuzanes, sendeth
+greeting. Having found a copy of this epistle among the records of
+Cyrus, I have sent it you; and I will that all things be done as is
+therein written. Fare ye well." So when Sisinnes, and those that were
+with him, understood the intention of the king, they resolved to follow
+his directions entirely for the time to come. So they forwarded the
+sacred works, and assisted the elders of the Jews, and the princes of
+the Sanhedrim; and the structure of the temple was with great diligence
+brought to a conclusion, by the prophecies of Haggai and Zechariah,
+according to God's commands, and by the injunctions of Cyrus and Darius
+the kings. Now the temple was built in seven years' time. And in the
+ninth year of the reign of Darius, on the twenty-third day of the
+twelfth month, which is by us called Adar, but by the Macedonians
+Dystrus, the priests, and Levites, and the other multitude of the
+Israelites, offered sacrifices, as the renovation of their former
+prosperity after their captivity, and because they had now the temple
+rebuilt, a hundred bulls, two hundred rains, four hundred lambs, and
+twelve kids of the goats, according to the number of their tribes, [for
+so many are the tribes of the Israelites,] and this last for the sins of
+every tribe. The priests also and the Levites set the porters at every
+gate, according to the laws of Moses. The Jews also built the cloisters
+of the inner temple that were round about the temple itself.
+
+8. And as the feast of unleavened bread was at hand, in the first month,
+which, according to the Macedonians, is called Xanthicus, but according
+to us Nisan, all the people ran together out of the villages to the
+city, and celebrated the festival, having purified themselves, with
+their wives and children, according to the law of their country; and
+they offered the sacrifice which was called the Passover, on the
+fourteenth day of the same month, and feasted seven days, and spared for
+no cost, but offered whole burnt-offerings to God, and performed
+sacrifices of thanksgiving, because God had led them again to the land
+of their fathers, and to the laws thereto belonging, and had rendered
+the mind of the king of Persia favorable to them. So these men offered
+the largest sacrifices on these accounts, and used great magnificence in
+the worship of God, and dwelt in Jerusalem, and made use of a form of
+government that was aristocratical, but mixed with an oligarchy, for the
+high priests were at the head of their affairs, until the posterity of
+the Asamoneans set up kingly government; for before their captivity, and
+the dissolution of their polity, they at first had kingly government
+from Saul and David for five hundred and thirty- two years, six months,
+and ten days; but before those kings, such rulers governed them as were
+called judges and monarchs. Under this form of government they continued
+for more than five hundred years after the death of Moses, and of Joshua
+their commander. And this is the account I had to give of the Jews who
+had been carried into captivity, but were delivered from it in the times
+of Cyrus and Darius.
+
+9. 7 But the Samaritans, being evil and enviously disposed to the Jews,
+wrought them many mischiefs, by reliance on their riches, and by their
+pretense that they were allied to the Persians, on account that thence
+they came; and whatsoever it was that they were enjoined to pay the Jews
+by the king's order out of their tributes for the sacrifices, they would
+not pay it. They had also the governors favorable to them, and assisting
+them for that purpose; nor did they spare to hurt them, either by
+themselves or by others, as far as they were able. So the Jews
+determined to send an embassage to king Darius, in favor of the people
+of Jerusalem, and in order to accuse the Samaritans. The ambassadors
+were Zorobabel, and four others of the rulers; and as soon as the king
+knew from the ambassadors the accusations and complaints they brought
+against the Samaritans, he gave them an epistle to be carried to the
+governors and council of Samaria; the contents of which epistle were
+these: "King Darius to Tanganas and Sambabas, the governors of the
+Sainaritans, to Sadraces and Bobelo, and the rest of their fellow
+servants that are in Samaria: Zorobabel, Ananias, and Mordecai, the
+ambassadors of the Jews, complain of you, that you obstruct them in the
+building of the temple, and do not supply them with the expenses which I
+commanded you to do for the offering their sacrifices. My will therefore
+is this, That upon the reading of this epistle, you supply them with
+whatsoever they want for their sacrifices, and that out of the royal
+treasury, of the tributes of Samaria, as the priest shall desire, that
+they may not leave off offering their daily sacrifices, nor praying to
+God for me and the Persians." And these were the contents of that
+epistle.
+
+
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER 5. How Xerxes The Son Of Darius Was Well Disposed To The Jews;
+As Also Concerning Esdras And Nehemiah.
+
+1. Upon the death of Darius, Xerxes his son took the kingdom, who, as he
+inherited his father's kingdom, so did he inherit his piety towards God,
+and honor of him; for he did all things suitably to his father relating
+to Divine worship, and he was exceeding friendly to the Jews. Now about
+this time a son of Jeshua, whose name was Joacim, was the high priest.
+Moreover, there was now in Babylon a righteous man, and one that enjoyed
+a great reputation among the multitude. He was the principal priest of
+the people, and his name was Esdras. He was very skillful in the laws of
+Moses, and was well acquainted with king Xerxes. He had determined to go
+up to Jerusalem, and to take with him some of those Jews that were in
+Babylon; and he desired that the king would give him an epistle to the
+governors of Syria, by which they might know who he was. Accordingly,
+the king wrote the following epistle to those governors: "Xerxes, king
+of kings, to Esdras the priest, and reader of the Divine law, greeting.
+I think it agreeable to that love which I bear to mankind, to permit
+those of the Jewish nation that are so disposed, as well as those of the
+priests and Levites that are in our kingdom, to go together to
+Jerusalem. Accordingly, I have given command for that purpose; and let
+every one that hath a mind go, according as it hath seemed good to me,
+and to my seven counselors, and this in order to their review of the
+affairs of Judea, to see whether they be agreeable to the law of God.
+Let them also take with them those presents which I and my friends have
+vowed, with all that silver and gold that is found in the country of the
+Babylonians, as dedicated to God, and let all this be carried to
+Jerusalem to God for sacrifices. Let it also be lawful for thee and thy
+brethren to make as many vessels of silver and gold as thou pleasest.
+Thou shalt also dedicate those holy vessels which have been given thee,
+and as many more as thou hast a mind to make, and shall take the
+expenses out of the king's treasury. I have, moreover, written to the
+treasurers of Syria and Phoenicia, that they take care of those affairs
+that Esdras the priest, and reader of the laws of God, is sent about.
+And that God may not be at all angry with me, or with my children, I
+grant all that is necessary for sacrifices to God, according to the law,
+as far as a hundred cori of wheat. And I enjoin you not to lay any
+treacherous imposition, or any tributes, upon their priests or Levites,
+or sacred singers, or porters, or sacred servants, or scribes of the
+temple. And do thou, O Esdras, appoint judges according to the wisdom
+[given thee] of God, and those such as understand the law, that they may
+judge in all Syria and Phoenicia; and do thou instruct those also which
+are ignorant of it, that if any one of thy countrymen transgress the law
+of God, or that of the king, he may be punished, as not transgressing it
+out of ignorance, but as one that knows it indeed, but boldly despises
+and contemns it; and such may be punished by death, or by paying fines.
+Farewell."
+
+2. When Esdras had received this epistle, he was very joyful, and began
+to worship God, and confessed that he had been the cause of the king's
+great favor to him, and that for the same reason he gave all the thanks
+to God. So he read the epistle at Babylon to those Jews that were there;
+but he kept the epistle itself, and sent a copy of it to all those of
+his own nation that were in Media. And when these Jews had understood
+what piety the king had towards God, and what kindness he had for
+Esdras, they were all greatly pleased; nay, many of them took their
+effects with them, and came to Babylon, as very desirous of going down
+to Jerusalem; but then the entire body of the people of Israel remained
+in that country; wherefore there are but two tribes in Asia and Europe
+subject to the Iomans, while the ten tribes are beyond Euphrates till
+now, and are an immense multitude, and not to be estimated by numbers.
+Now there came a great number of priests, and Levites, and porters, and
+sacred singers, and sacred servants to Esdras. So he gathered those that
+were in the captivity together beyond Euphrates, and staid there three
+days, and ordained a fast for them, that they might make their prayers
+to God for their preservation, that they might suffer no misfortunes by
+the way, either from their enemies, or from any other ill accident; for
+Esdras had said beforehand that he had told the king how God would
+preserve them, and so he had not thought fit to request that he would
+send horsemen to conduct them. So when they had finished their prayers,
+they removed from Euphrates on the twelfth day of the first month of the
+seventh year of the reign of Xerxes, and they came to Jerusalem on the
+fifth month of the same year. Now Esdras presented the sacred money to
+the treasurers, who were of the family of the priests, of silver six
+hundred and fifty talents, vessels of silver one hundred talents,
+vessels of gold twenty talents, vessels of brass, that was more precious
+than gold, 8 twelve talents by weight; for these Presents had been made
+by the king and his counselors, and by all the Israelites that staid at
+Babylon. So when Esdras had delivered these things to the priests, he
+gave to God, as the appointed sacrifices of whole burnt-offerings,
+twelve bulls on account of the common preservation of the people, ninety
+rams, seventy-two lambs, and twelve kids of the goats, for the remission
+of sins. He also delivered the king's epistle to the king's officers,
+and to the governors of Celesyria and Phoenicia; and as they were under
+a necessity of doing what was enjoined by him, they honored our nation,
+and were assistant to them in all their necessities.
+
+3. Now these things were truly done under the conduct of Esdras; and he
+succeeded in them, because God esteemed him worthy of the success of his
+conduct, on account of his goodness and righteousness. But some time
+afterward there came some persons to him, and brought an accusation
+against certain of the multitude, and of the priests and Levites, who
+had transgressed their settlement, and dissolved the laws of their
+country, by marrying strange wives, and had brought the family of the
+priests into confusion. These persons desired him to support the laws,
+lest God should take up a general anger against them all, and reduce
+them to a calamitous condition again. Hereupon he rent his garment
+immediately, out of grief, and pulled off the hair of his head and
+beard, and cast himself upon the ground, because this crime had reached
+the principal men among the people; and considering that if he should
+enjoin them to cast out their wives, and the children they had by them,
+he should not be hearkened to, he continued lying upon the ground.
+However, all the better sort came running to him, who also themselves
+wept, and partook of the grief he was under for what had been done. So
+Esdras rose up from the ground, and stretched out his hands towards
+heaven, and said that he was ashamed to look towards it, because of the
+sins which the people had committed, while they had cast out of their
+memories what their fathers had undergone on account of their
+wickedness; and he besought God, who had saved a seed and a remnant out
+of the calamity and captivity they had been in, and had restored them
+again to Jerusalem, and to their own land, and had obliged the kings of
+Persia to have compassion on them, that he would also forgive them their
+sins they had now committed, which, though they deserved death, yet, was
+it agreeable to the mercy of God, to remit even to these the punishment
+due to them.
+
+4. After Esdras had said this, he left off praying; and when all those
+that came to him with their wives and children were under lamentation,
+one whose name was Jechonias, a principal man in Jerusalem, came to him,
+and said that they had sinned in marrying strange wives; and he
+persuaded him to adjure them all to cast those wives out, and the
+children born of them, and that those should be punished who would not
+obey the law. So Esdras hearkened to this advice, and made the heads of
+the priests, and of the Levites, and of the Israelites, swear that they
+would put away those wives and children, according to the advice of
+Jechonias. And when he had received their oaths, he went in haste out of
+the temple into the chamber of Johanan, the son of Eliasib, and as he
+had hitherto tasted nothing at all for grief, so he abode there that
+day. And when proclamation was made, that all those of the captivity
+should gather themselves together to Jerusalem, and those that did not
+meet there in two or three days should be banished from the multitude,
+and that their substance should b appropriated to the uses of the
+temple, according to the sentence of the elders, those that were of the
+tribes of Judah and Benjamin came together in three days, viz. on the
+twentieth day of the ninth month, which, according to the Hebrews, is
+called Tebeth, and according to the Macedonians, Apelleius. Now as they
+were sitting in the upper room of the temple, where the elders also were
+present, but were uneasy because of the cold, Esdras stood up and
+accused them, and told them that they had sinned in marrying wives that
+were not of their own nation; but that now they would do a thing both
+pleasing to God, and advantageous to themselves, if they would put those
+wives away. Accordingly, they all cried out that they would do so. That,
+however, the multitude was great, and that the season of the year was
+winter, and that this work would require more than one or two days. "Let
+their rulers, therefore, [said they,] and those that have married
+strange wives, come hither at a proper time, while the elders of every
+place, that are in common to estimate the number of those that have thus
+married, are to be there also." Accordingly, this was resolved on by
+them, and they began the inquiry after those that had married strange
+wives on the first day of the tenth month, and continued the inquiry to
+the first day of the next month, and found a great many of the posterity
+of Jeshua the high priest, and of the priests and Levites, and
+Israelites, who had a greater regard to the observation of the law than
+to their natural affection, 9 and immediately cast out their wives, and
+the children which were born of them. And in order to appease God, they
+offered sacrifices, and slew rams, as oblations to him; but it does not
+seem to me to be necessary to set down the names of these men. So when
+Esdras had reformed this sin about the marriages of the forementioned
+persons, he reduced that practice to purity, so that it continued in
+that state for the time to come.
+
+5. Now when they kept the feast of tabernacles in the seventh month 10
+and almost all the people were come together to it, they went up to the
+open part of the temple, to the gate which looked eastward, and desired
+of Esdras that the laws of Moses might be read to them. Accordingly, he
+stood in the midst of the multitude and read them; and this he did from
+morning to noon. Now, by hearing the laws read to them, they were
+instructed to be righteous men for the present and for the future; but
+as for their past offenses, they were displeased at themselves, and
+proceeded to shed tears on their account, as considering with themselves
+that if they had kept the law, they had endured none of these miseries
+which they had experienced. But when Esdras saw them in that
+disposition, he bade them go home, and not weep, for that it was a
+festival, and that they ought not to weep thereon, for that it was not
+lawful so to do. 11 He exhorted them rather to proceed immediately to
+feasting, and to do what was suitable to a feast, and what was agreeable
+to a day of joy; but to let their repentance and sorrow for their former
+sins be a security and a guard to them, that they fell no more into the
+like offenses. So upon Esdras's exhortation they began to feast; and
+when they had so done for eight days, in their tabernacles, they
+departed to their own homes, singing hymns to God, and returning thanks
+to Esdras for his reformation of what corruptions had been introduced
+into their settlement. So it came to pass, that after he had obtained
+this reputation among the people, he died an old man, and was buried in
+a magnificent manner at Jerusalem. About the same time it happened also
+that Joacim, the high priest, died; and his son Eliasib succeeded in the
+high priesthood. 6. Now there was one of those Jews that had been
+carried captive who was cup-bearer to king Xerxes; his name was
+Nehemiah. As this man was walking before Susa, the metropolis of the
+Persians, he heard some strangers that were entering the city, after a
+long journey, speaking to one another in the Hebrew tongue; so he went
+to them, and asked them whence they came. And when their answer was,
+that they came from Judea, he began to inquire of them again in what
+state the multitude was, and in what condition Jerusalem was; and when
+they replied that they were in a bad state 12 for that their walls were
+thrown down to the ground, and that the neighboring nations did a great
+deal of mischief to the Jews, while in the day time they overran the
+country, and pillaged it, and in the night did them mischief, insomuch
+that not a few were led away captive out of the country, and out of
+Jerusalem itself, and that the roads were in the day time found full of
+dead men. Hereupon Nehemiah shed tears, out of commiseration of the
+calamities of his countrymen; and, looking up to heaven, he said, "How
+long, O Lord, wilt thou overlook our nation, while it suffers so great
+miseries, and while we are made the prey and spoil of all men?" And
+while he staid at the gate, and lamented thus, one told him that the
+king was going to sit down to supper; so he made haste, and went as he
+was, without wishing himself, to minister to the king in his office of
+cup-bearer. But as the king was very pleasant after supper, and more
+cheerful than usual, he cast his eyes on Nehemiah, and seeing him look
+sad, he asked him why he was sad. Whereupon he prayed to God to give him
+favor, and afford him the power of persuading by his words, and said,
+"How can I, O king, appear otherwise than thus, and not be in trouble,
+while I hear that the walls of Jerusalem, the city where are the
+sepulchers of my fathers, are thrown down to the ground, and that its
+gates are consumed by fire? But do thou grant me the favor to go and
+build its wall, and to finish the building of the temple." Accordingly,
+the king gave him a signal that he freely granted him what he asked; and
+told him that he should carry an epistle to the governors, that they
+might pay him due honor, and afford him whatsoever assistance he wanted,
+and as he pleased. "Leave off thy sorrow then," said the king, "and be
+cheerful in the performance of thy office hereafter." So Nehemiah
+worshipped God, and gave the king thanks for his promise, and cleared up
+his sad and cloudy countenance, by the pleasure he had from the king's
+promises. Accordingly, the king called for him the next day, and gave
+him an epistle to be carried to Adeus, the governor of Syria, and
+Phoenicia, and Samaria; wherein he sent to him to pay due honor to
+Nehemiah, and to supply him with what he wanted for his building.
+
+7. Now when he was come to Babylon, and had taken with him many of his
+countrymen, who voluntarily followed him, he came to Jerusalem in the
+twenty and fifth year of the reign of Xerxes. And when he had shown the
+epistles to God 13 he gave them to Adeus, and to the other governors. He
+also called together all the people to Jerusalem, and stood in the midst
+of the temple, and made the following speech to them: "You know, O Jews,
+that God hath kept our fathers, Abraham, and Isaac, and Jacob, in mind
+continually, and for the sake of their righteousness hath not left off
+the care of you. Indeed he hath assisted me in gaining this authority of
+the king to raise up our wall, and finish what is wanting of the temple.
+I desire you, therefore who well know the ill-will our neighboring
+nations bear to us, and that when once they are made sensible that we
+are in earnest about building, they will come upon us, and contrive many
+ways of obstructing our works, that you will, in the first place, put
+your trust in God, as in him that will assist us against their hatred,
+and to intermit building neither night nor day, but to use all
+diligence, and to hasten on the work, now we have this especial
+opportunity for it." When he had said this, he gave order that the
+rulers should measure the wall, and part the work of it among the
+people, according to their villages and cities, as every one's ability
+should require. And when he had added this promise, that he himself,
+with his servants, would assist them, he dissolved the assembly. So the
+Jews prepared for the work: that is the name they are called by from the
+day that they came up from Babylon, which is taken from the tribe of
+Judah, which came first to these places, and thence both they and the
+country gained that appellation.
+
+8. But now when the Ammonites, and Moabites, and Samaritans, and all
+that inhabited Celesyria, heard that the building went on apace, they
+took it heinously, and proceeded to lay snares for them, and to hinder
+their intentions. They also slew many of the Jews, and sought how they
+might destroy Nehemiah himself, by hiring some of the foreigners to kill
+him. They also put the Jews in fear, and disturbed them, and spread
+abroad rumors, as if many nations were ready to make an expedition
+against them, by which means they were harassed, and had almost left off
+the building. But none of these things could deter Nehemiah from being
+diligent about the work; he only set a number of men about him as a
+guard to his body, and so unweariedly persevered therein, and was
+insensible of any trouble, out of his desire to perfect this work. And
+thus did he attentively, and with great forecast, take care of his own
+safety; not that he feared death, but of this persuasion, that if he
+were dead, the walls for his citizens would never be raised. He also
+gave orders that the builders should keep their ranks, and have their
+armor on while they were building. Accordingly, the mason had his sword
+on, as well as he that brought the materials for building. He also
+appointed that their shields should lie very near them; and he placed
+trumpeters at every five hundred feet, and charged them, that if their
+enemies appeared, they should give notice of it to the people, that they
+might fight in their armor, and their enemies might not fall upon them
+naked. He also went about the compass of the city by night, being never
+discouraged, neither about the work itself, nor about his own diet and
+sleep, for he made no use of those things for his pleasure, but out of
+necessity. And this trouble he underwent for two years and four months;
+14 for in so long a time was the wall built, in the twenty-eighth year
+of the reign of Xerxes, in the ninth month. Now when the walls were
+finished, Nehemiah and the multitude offered sacrifices to God for the
+building of them, and they continued in feasting eight days. However,
+when the nations which dwelt in Syria heard that the building of the
+wall was finished, they had indignation at it. But when Nehemiah saw
+that the city was thin of people, he exhorted the priests and the
+Levites that they would leave the country, and remove themselves to the
+city, and there continue; and he built them houses at his own expenses;
+and he commanded that part of the people which were employed in
+cultivating the land to bring the tithes of their fruits to Jerusalem,
+that the priests and Levites having whereof they might live perpetually,
+might not leave the Divine worship; who willingly hearkened to the
+constitutions of Nehemiah, by which means the city Jerusalem came to be
+fuller of people than it was before. So when Nehemiah had done many
+other excellent things, and things worthy of commendation, in a glorious
+manner, he came to a great age, and then died. He was a man of a good
+and righteous disposition, and very ambitious to make his own nation
+happy; and he hath left the walls of Jerusalem as an eternal monument
+for himself. Now this was done in the days of Xerxes.
+
+
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER 6. Concerning Esther And Mordecai And Haman; And How In The
+Reign Of Artaxerxes The Whole Nation Of The Jews Was In Danger Of
+Perishing.
+
+1. After the death of Xerxes, the kingdom came to be transferred to his
+son Cyrus, whom the Greeks called Artaxerxes. When this man had obtained
+the government over the Persians, the whole nation of the Jews, 15 with
+their wives and children, were in danger of perishing; the occasion
+whereof we shall declare in a little time; for it is proper, in the
+first place, to explain somewhat relating to this king, and how he came
+to marry a Jewish wife, who was herself of the royal family also, and
+who is related to have saved our nation; for when Artaxerxes had taken
+the kingdom, and had set governors over the hundred twenty and seven
+provinces, from India even unto Ethiopia, in the third year of his
+reign, he made a costly feast for his friends, and for the nations of
+Persia, and for their governors, such a one as was proper for a king to
+make, when he had a mind to make a public demonstration of his riches,
+and this for a hundred and fourscore days; after which he made a feast
+for other nations, and for their ambassadors, at Shushan, for seven
+days. Now this feast was ordered after the manner following: He caused a
+tent to be pitched, which was supported by pillars of gold and silver,
+with curtains of linen and purple spread over them, that it might afford
+room for many ten thousands to sit down. The cups with which the waiters
+ministered were of gold, and adorned with precious stones, for pleasure
+and for sight. He also gave order to the servants that they should not
+force them to drink, by bringing them wine continually, as is the
+practice of the Persians, but to permit every one of the guests to enjoy
+himself according to his own inclination. Moreover, he sent messengers
+through the country, and gave order that they should have a remission of
+their labors, and should keep a festival many days, on account of his
+kingdom. In like manner did Vashti the queen gather her guests together,
+and made them a feast in the palace. Now the king was desirous to show
+her, who exceeded all other women in beauty, to those that feasted with
+him, and he sent some to command her to come to his feast. But she, out
+of regard to the laws of the Persians, which forbid the wives to be seen
+by strangers, did not go to the king 16 and though he oftentimes sent
+the eunuchs to her, she did nevertheless stay away, and refused to come,
+till the king was so much irritated, that he brake up the entertainment,
+and rose up, and called for those seven who had the interpretation of
+the laws committed to them, and accused his wife, and said that he had
+been affronted by her, because that when she was frequently called by
+him to his feast, she did not obey him once. He therefore gave order
+that they should inform him what could be done by the law against her.
+So one of them, whose name was Memucan, said that this affront was
+offered not to him alone, but to all the Persians, who were in danger of
+leading their lives very ill with their wives, if they must be thus
+despised by them; for that none of their wives would have any reverence
+for their husbands, if they, "had such an example of arrogance in the
+queen towards thee, who rulest over all." Accordingly, he exhorted him
+to punish her, who had been guilty of so great an affront to him, after
+a severe manner; and when he had so done, to publish to the nations what
+had been decreed about the queen. So the resolution was to put Vashti
+away, and to give her dignity to another woman.
+
+2. But the king having been fond of her, did not well bear a separation,
+and yet by the law he could not admit of a reconciliation; so he was
+under trouble, as not having it in his power to do what he desired to
+do. But when his friends saw him so uneasy, they advised him to cast the
+memory of his wife, and his love for her, out of his mind, but to send
+abroad over all the habitable earth, and to search out for comely
+virgins, and to take her whom he should best like for his wife, because
+his passion for his former wife would be quenched by the introduction of
+another, and the kindness he had for Vashti would be withdrawn from her,
+and be placed on her that was with him. Accordingly, he was persuaded to
+follow this advice, and gave order to certain persons to choose out of
+the virgins that were in his kingdom those that were esteemed the most
+comely. So when a great number of these virgins were gathered together,
+there was found a damsel in Babylon, whose parents were both dead, and
+she was brought up with her uncle Mordecai, for that was her uncle's
+name. This uncle was of the tribe of Benjamin, and was one of the
+principal persons among the Jews. Now it proved that this damsel, whose
+name was Esther, was the most beautiful of all the rest, and that the
+grace of her countenance drew the eyes of the spectators principally
+upon her. So she was committed to one of the eunuchs to take the care of
+her; and she was very exactly provided with sweet odors, in great
+plenty, and with costly ointments, such as her body required to be
+anointed withal; and this was used for six months by the virgins, who
+were in number four hundred. And when the eunuch thought the virgins had
+been sufficiently purified, in the fore-mentioned time, and were now fit
+to go to the king's bed, he sent one to be with the king every day. So
+when he had accompanied with her, he sent her back to the eunuch; and
+when Esther had come to him, he was pleased with her, and fell in love
+with the damsel, and married her, and made her his lawful wife, and kept
+a wedding feast for her on the twelfth month of the seventh year of his
+reign, which was called Adar. He also sent angari, as they are called,
+or messengers, unto every nation, and gave orders that they should keep
+a feast for his marriage, while he himself treated the Persians and the
+Medes, and the principal men of the nations, for a whole month, on
+account of this his marriage. Accordingly, Esther came to his royal
+palace, and he set a diadem on her head. And thus was Esther married,
+without making known to the king what nation she was derived from. Her
+uncle also removed from Babylon to Shushan, and dwelt there, being every
+day about the palace, and inquiring how the damsel did, for he loved her
+as though she had been his own daughter.
+
+3. Now the king had made a law, 17 that none of his own people should
+approach him unless he were called, when he sat upon his throne and men,
+with axes in their hands, stood round about his throne, in order to
+punish such as approached to him without being called. However, the king
+sat with a golden scepter in his hand, which he held out when he had a
+mind to save any one of those that approached to him without being
+called, and he who touched it was free from danger. But of this matter
+we have discoursed sufficiently.
+
+4. Some time after this [two eunuchs], Bigthan and Teresh, plotted
+against the king; and Barnabazus, the servant of one of the eunuchs,
+being by birth a Jew, was acquainted with their conspiracy, and
+discovered it to the queen's uncle; and Mordecai, by the means of
+Esther, made the conspirators known to the king. This troubled the king;
+but he discovered the truth, and hanged the eunuchs upon a cross, while
+at that time he gave no reward to Mordecai, who had been the occasion of
+his preservation. He only bid the scribes to set down his name in the
+records, and bid him stay in the palace, as an intimate friend of the
+king.
+
+5. Now there was one Haman, the son of Amedatha, by birth an Amalekite,
+that used to go in to the king; and the foreigners and Persians
+worshipped him, as Artaxerxes had commanded that such honor should be
+paid to him; but Mordecai was so wise, and so observant of his own
+country's laws, that he would not worship the man 18 When Haman observed
+this, he inquired whence he came; and when he understood that he was a
+Jew, he had indignation at him, and said within himself, that whereas
+the Persians, who were free men, worshipped him, this man, who was no
+better than a slave, does not vouchsafe to do so. And when he desired to
+punish Mordecai, he thought it too small a thing to request of the king
+that he alone might be punished; he rather determined to abolish the
+whole nation, for he was naturally an enemy to the Jews, because the
+nation of the Amalekites, of which he was; had been destroyed by them.
+Accordingly he came to the king, and accused them, saying, "There is a
+certain wicked nation, and it is dispersed over all the habitable earth
+that was under his dominion; a nation separate from others, unsociable,
+neither admitting the same sort of Divine worship that others do, nor
+using laws like to the laws of others, at enmity with thy people, and
+with all men, both in their manners and practices. Now, if thou wilt be
+a benefactor to thy subjects, thou wilt give order to destroy them
+utterly, and not leave the least remains of them, nor preserve any of
+them, either for slaves or for captives." But that the king might not be
+damnified by the loss of the tributes which the Jews paid him, Haman
+promised to give him out of his own estate forty thousand talents
+whensoever he pleased; and he said he would pay this money very
+willingly, that the kingdom might be freed from such a misfortune.
+
+6. When Haman had made this petition, the king both forgave him the
+money, and granted him the men, to do what he would with them. So Haman,
+having gained what he desired, sent out immediately a decree, as from
+the king, to all nations, the contents whereof were these: "Artaxerxes,
+the great king, to the rulers of the hundred twenty and seven provinces,
+from India to Ethiopia, sends this writing. Whereas I have governed many
+nations, and obtained the dominions of all the habitable earth,
+according to my desire, and have not been obliged to do any thing that
+is insolent or cruel to my subjects by such my power, but have showed
+myself mild and gentle, by taking care of their peace and good order,
+and have sought how they might enjoy those blessings for all time to
+come. And whereas I have been kindly informed by Haman, who, on account
+of his prudence and justice, is the first in my esteem, and in dignity,
+and only second to myself, for his fidelity and constant good-will to
+me, that there is an ill-natured nation intermixed with all mankind,
+that is averse to our laws, and not subject to kings, and of a different
+conduct of life from others, that hateth monarchy, and of a disposition
+that is pernicious to our affairs, I give order that all these men, of
+whom Haman our second father hath informed us, be destroyed, with their
+wives and children, and that none of them be spared, and that none
+prefer pity to them before obedience to this decree. And this I will to
+be executed on the fourteenth day of the twelfth month of this present
+year, that so when all that have enmity to us are destroyed, and this in
+one day, we may be allowed to lead the rest of our lives in peace
+hereafter." Now when this decree was brought to the cities, and to the
+country, all were ready for the destruction and entire abolishment of
+the Jews, against the day before mentioned; and they were very hasty
+about it at Shushan, in particular. Accordingly, the king and Haman
+spent their time in feasting together with good cheer and wine, but the
+city was in disorder.
+
+7. Now when Mordecai was informed of what was done, he rent his clothes,
+and put on sackcloth, and sprinkled ashes upon his head, and went about
+the city, crying out, that "a nation that had been injurious to no man
+was to be destroyed." And he went on saying thus as far as to the king's
+palace, and there he stood, for it was not lawful for him to go into it
+in that habit. The same thing was done by all the Jews that were in the
+several cities wherein this decree was published, with lamentation and
+mourning, on account of the calamities denounced against them. But as
+soon as certain persons had told the queen that Mordecai stood before
+the court in a mourning habit, she was disturbed at this report, and
+sent out such as should change his garments; but when he could not be
+induced to put off his sackcloth, because the sad occasion that forced
+him to put it on was not yet ceased, she called the eunuch Acratheus,
+for he was then present, and sent him to Mordecai, in order to know of
+him what sad accident had befallen him, for which he was in mourning,
+and would not put off the habit he had put on at her desire. Then did
+Mordecai inform the eunuch of the occasion of his mourning, and of the
+decree which was sent by the king into all the country, and of the
+promise of money whereby Haman brought the destruction of their nation.
+He also gave him a copy of what was proclaimed at Shushan, to be carried
+to Esther; and he charged her to petition the king about this matter,
+and not to think it a dishonorable thing in her to put on a humble
+habit, for the safety of her nation, wherein she might deprecate the
+ruin of the Jews, who were in danger of it; for that Haman, whose
+dignity was only inferior to that of the king, had accused the Jews, and
+had irritated the king against them. When she was informed of this, she
+sent to Mordecai again, and told him that she was not called by the
+king, and that he who goes in to him without being called, is to be
+slain, unless when he is willing to save any one, he holds out his
+golden scepter to him; but that to whomsoever he does so, although he go
+in without being called, that person is so far from being slain, that he
+obtains pardon, and is entirely preserved. Now when the eunuch carried
+this message from Esther to Mordecai, he bade him also tell her that she
+must not only provide for her own preservation, but for the common
+preservation of her nation, for that if she now neglected this
+opportunity, there would certainly arise help to them from God some
+other way, but she and her father's house would be destroyed by those
+whom she now despised. But Esther sent the very same eunuch back to
+Mordecai [to desire him] to go to Shushan, and to gather the Jews that
+were there together to a congregation, and to fast and abstain from all
+sorts of food, on her account, and [to let him know that] she with her
+maidens would do the same: and then she promised that she would go to
+the king, though it were against the law, and that if she must die for
+it, she would not refuse it.
+
+8. Accordingly, Mordecai did as Esther had enjoined him, and made the
+people fast; and he besought God, together with them, not to overlook
+his nation, particularly at this time, when it was going to be
+destroyed; but that, as he had often before provided for them, and
+forgiven, when they had sinned, so he would now deliver them from that
+destruction which was denounced against them; for although it was not
+all the nation that had offended, yet must they so ingloriously be
+slain, and that he was himself the occasion of the wrath of Haman,
+"Because," said he, "I did not worship him, nor could I endure to pay
+that honor to him which I used to pay to thee, O Lord; for upon that his
+anger hath he contrived this present mischief against those that have
+not transgressed thy laws." The same supplications did the multitude put
+up, and entreated that God would provide for their deliverance, and free
+the Israelites that were in all the earth from this calamity which was
+now coming upon them, for they had it before their eyes, and expected
+its coming. Accordingly, Esther made supplication to God after the
+manner of her country, by casting herself down upon the earth, and
+putting on her mourning garments, and bidding farewell to meat and
+drink, and all delicacies, for three days' time; and she entreated God
+to have mercy upon her, and make her words appear persuasive to the
+king, and render her countenance more beautiful than it was before, that
+both by her words and beauty she might succeed, for the averting of the
+king's anger, in case he were at all irritated against her, and for the
+consolation of those of her own country, now they were in the utmost
+danger of perishing; as also that he would excite a hatred in the king
+against the enemies of the Jews, and those that had contrived their
+future destruction, if they proved to be contemned by him.
+
+9. When Esther had used this supplication for three days, she put off
+those garments, and changed her habit, and adorned herself as became a
+queen, and took two of her handmaids with her, the one of which
+supported her, as she gently leaned upon her, and the other followed
+after, and lifted up her large train [which swept along the ground] with
+the extremities of her fingers. And thus she came to the king, having a
+blushing redness in her countenance, with a pleasant agreeableness in
+her behavior; yet did she go in to him with fear; and as soon as she was
+come over against him, as he was sitting on his throne, in his royal
+apparel, which was a garment interwoven with gold and precious stones,
+which made him seem to her more terrible, especially when he looked at
+her somewhat severely, and with a countenance on fire with anger, her
+joints failed her immediately, out of the dread she was in, and she fell
+down sideways in a swoon: but the king changed his mind, which happened,
+as I suppose, by the will of God, and was concerned for his wife, lest
+her fear should bring some very ill thing upon her, and he leaped from
+his throne, and took her in his arms, and recovered her, by embracing
+her, and speaking comfortably to her, and exhorting her to be of good
+cheer, and not to suspect any thing that was sad on account of her
+coming to him without being called, because that law was made for
+subjects, but that she, who was a queen, as well as he a king, might be
+entirely secure; and as he said this, he put the scepter into her hand,
+and laid his rod upon her neck, on account of the law; and so freed her
+from her fear. And after she had recovered herself by these
+encouragements, she said, "My lord, it is not easy for me, on the
+sudden, to say what hath happened, for as soon as I saw thee to be
+great, and comely, and terrible, my spirit departed from me, and I had
+no soul left in me." And while it was with difficulty, and in a low
+voice, that she could say thus much, the king was in a great agony and
+disorder, and encouraged Esther to be of good cheer, and to expect
+better fortune, since he was ready, if occasion should require it, to
+grant her the half of his kingdom. Accordingly, Esther desired that he
+and his friend Haman would come to her to a banquet, for she said she
+had prepared a supper for him. He consented to it; and when they were
+there, as they were drinking, he bid Esther to let him know what she
+desired; for that she should not be disappointed though she should
+desire the half of his kingdom. But she put off the discovery of her
+petition till the next day, if he would come again, together with Haman,
+to her banquet.
+
+10. Now when the king had promised so to do, Haman went away very glad,
+because he alone had the honor of supping with the king at Esther's
+banquet, and because no one else partook of the same honor with kings
+but himself; yet when he saw Mordecai in the court, he was very much
+displeased, for he paid him no manner of respect when he saw him. So he
+went home and called for his wife Zeresh, and his friends, and when they
+were come, he showed them what honor he enjoyed not only from the king,
+but from the queen also, for as he alone had that day supped with her,
+together with the king, so was he also invited again for the next day;
+"yet," said he, "am I not pleased to see Mordecai the Jew in the court."
+Hereupon his wife Zeresh advised him to give order that a gallows should
+be made fifty cubits high, and that in the morning he should ask it of
+the king that Mordecai might be hanged thereon. So he commended her
+advice, and gave order to his servants to prepare the gallows, and to
+place it in the court, for the punishment of Mordecai thereon, which was
+accordingly prepared. But God laughed to scorn the wicked expectations
+of Haman; and as he knew what the event would be, he was delighted at
+it, for that night he took away the king's sleep; and as the king was
+not willing to lose the time of his lying awake, but to spend it in
+something that might be of advantage to his kingdom, he commanded the
+scribe to bring him the chronicles of the former kings, and the records
+of his own actions; and when he had brought them, and was reading them,
+one was found to have received a country on account of his excellent
+management on a certain occasion, and the name of the country was set
+down; another was found to have had a present made him on account of his
+fidelity: then the scribe came to Bigthan and Teresh, the eunuchs that
+had made a conspiracy against the king, which Mordecai had discovered;
+and when the scribe said no more but that, and was going on to another
+history, the king stopped him, and inquired "whether it was not added
+that Mordecai had a reward given him?" and when he said there was no
+such addition, he bade him leave off; and he inquired of those that were
+appointed for that purpose, what hour of the night it was; and when he
+was informed that it was already day, he gave order, that if they found
+any one of his friends already come, and standing before the court, they
+should tell him. Now it happened that Haman was found there, for he was
+come sooner than ordinary to petition the king to have Mordecai put to
+death; and when the servants said that Haman was before the court, he
+bid them call him in; and when he was come in, he said, "Because I know
+that thou art my only fast friend, I desire thee to give me advice how I
+may honor one that I greatly love, and that after a manner suitable to
+my magnificence." Now Haman reasoned with himself, that what opinion he
+should give it would be for himself, since it was he alone who was
+beloved by the king: so he gave that advice which he thought of all
+other the best; for he said, "If thou wouldst truly honor a man whom
+thou sayest thou dost love, give order that he may ride on horseback,
+with the same garment on which thou wearest, and with a gold chain about
+his neck, and let one of thy intimate friends go before him, and
+proclaim through the whole city, that whosoever the king honoreth
+obtaineth this mark of his honor." This was the advice which Haman gave,
+out of a supposal that such a reward would come to himself. Hereupon the
+king was pleased with the advice, and said, "Go thou therefore, for thou
+hast the horse, the garment, and the chain, ask for Mordecai the Jew,
+and give him those things, and go before his horse and proclaim
+accordingly; for thou art," said he, "my intimate friend, and hast given
+me good advice; be thou then the minister of what thou hast advised me
+to. This shall be his reward from us, for preserving my life." When he
+heard this order, which was entirely unexpected, he was confounded in
+his mind, and knew not what to do. However, he went out and led the
+horse, and took the purple garment, and the golden chain for the neck,
+and finding Mordecai before the court, clothed in sackcloth, he bid him
+put that garment off, and put the purple garment on. But Mordecai, not
+knowing the truth of the matter, but thinking that it was done in
+mockery, said, "O thou wretch, the vilest of all mankind, dost thou thus
+laugh at our calamities?" But when he was satisfied that the king
+bestowed this honor upon him, for the deliverance he had procured him
+when he convicted the eunuchs who had conspired against him, he put on
+that purple garment which the king always wore, and put the chain about
+his neck, and got on horseback, and went round the city, while Haman
+went before and proclaimed, "This shall be the reward which the king
+will bestow on every one whom he loves, and esteems worthy of honor."
+And when they had gone round the city, Mordecai went in to the king; but
+Haman went home, out of shame, and informed his wife and friends of what
+had happened, and this with tears; who said, that he would never be able
+to be revenged of Mordecai, for that God was with him.
+
+11. Now while these men were thus talking one to another, Esther's
+eunuchs hastened Haman away to come to supper; but one of the eunuchs,
+named Sabuchadas, saw the gallows that was fixed in Haman's house, and
+inquired of one of his servants for what purpose they had prepared it.
+So he knew that it was for the queen's uncle, because Haman was about to
+petition the king that he might be punished; but at present he held his
+peace. Now when the king, with Haman, were at the banquet, he desired
+the queen to tell him what gifts she desired to obtain, and assured her
+that she should have whatsoever she had a mind to. She then lamented the
+danger her people were in; and said that "she and her nation were given
+up to be destroyed, and that she, on that account, made this her
+petition; that she would not have troubled him if he had only given
+order that they should be sold into bitter servitude, for such a
+misfortune would not have been intolerable; but she desired that they
+might be delivered from such destruction." And when the king inquired of
+her whom was the author of this misery to them, she then openly accused
+Haman, and convicted him, that he had been the wicked instrument of
+this, and had formed this plot against them. When the king was hereupon
+in disorder, and was gone hastily out of the banquet into the gardens,
+Haman began to intercede with Esther, and to beseech her to forgive him,
+as to what he had offended, for he perceived that he was in a very bad
+case. And as he had fallen upon the queen's bed, and was making
+supplication to her, the king came in, and being still more provoked at
+what he saw, "O thou wretch," said he, "thou vilest of mankind, dost
+thou aim to force in wife?" And when Haman was astonished at this, and
+not able to speak one word more, Sabuchadas the eunuch came in and
+accused Haman, and said, He found a gallows at his house, prepared for
+Mordecai; for that the servant told him so much upon his inquiry, when
+he was sent to him to call him to supper. He said further, that the
+gallows was fifty cubits high: which, when the king heard, he determined
+that Haman should be punished after no other manner than that which had
+been devised by him against Mordecai; so he gave order immediately that
+he should be hung upon those gallows, and be put to death after that
+manner. And from hence I cannot forbear to admire God, and to learn
+hence his wisdom and his justice, not only in punishing the wickedness
+of Haman, but in so disposing it, that he should undergo the very same
+punishment which he had contrived for another; as also because thereby
+he teaches others this lesson, that what mischiefs any one prepares
+against another, he, without knowing of it, first contrives it against
+himself.
+
+12. Wherefore Haman, who had immoderately abused the honor he had from
+the king, was destroyed after this manner, and the king granted his
+estate to the queen. He also called for Mordecai, [for Esther had
+informed him that she was akin to him,] and gave that ring to Mordecai
+which he had before given to Haman. The queen also gave Haman's estate
+to Mordecai; and prayed the king to deliver the nation of the Jews from
+the fear of death, and showed him what had been written over all the
+country by Haman the son of Ammedatha; for that if her country were
+destroyed, and her countrymen were to perish, she could not bear to live
+herself any longer. So the king promised her that he would not do any
+thing that should be disagreeable to her, nor contradict what she
+desired; but he bid her write what she pleased about the Jews, in the
+king's name, and seal it with his seal, and send it to all his kingdom,
+for that those who read epistles whose authority is secured by having
+the king's seal to them, would no way contradict what was written
+therein. So he commanded the king's scribes to be sent for, and to write
+to the nations, on the Jews' behalf, and to his lieutenants and
+governors, that were over his hundred twenty and seven provinces, from
+India to Ethiopia. Now the contents of this epistle were these: "The
+great king Artaxerxes to our rulers, and those that are our faithful
+subjects, sendeth greeting. 19 Many men there are who, on account of the
+greatness of the benefits bestowed on them, and because of the honor
+which they have obtained from the wonderful kind treatment of those that
+bestowed it, are not only injurious to their inferiors, but do not
+scruple to do evil to those that have been their benefactors, as if they
+would take away gratitude from among men, and by their insolent abuse of
+such benefits as they never expected, they turn the abundance they have
+against those that are the authors of it, and suppose they shall lie
+concealed from God in that case, and avoid that vengeance which comes
+from him. Some of these men, when they have had the management of
+affairs committed to them by their friends, and bearing private malice
+of their own against some others, by deceiving those that have the
+power, persuade them to be angry at such as have done them no harm, till
+they are in danger of perishing, and this by laying accusations and
+calumnies: nor is this state of things to be discovered by ancient
+examples, or such as we have learned by report only, but by some
+examples of such impudent attempts under our own eyes; so that it is not
+fit to attend any longer to calumnies and accusations, nor to the
+persuasions of others, but to determine what any one knows of himself to
+have been really done, and to punish what justly deserves it, and to
+grant favors to such as are innocent. This hath been the case of Haman,
+the son of Ammedatha, by birth an Amalekite, and alien from the blood of
+the Persians, who, when he was hospitably entertained by us, and partook
+of that kindness which we bear to all men to so great a degree, as to be
+called my father, and to be all along worshipped, and to have honor paid
+him by all in the second rank after the royal honor due to ourselves, he
+could not bear his good fortune, nor govern the magnitude of his
+prosperity with sound reason; nay, he made a conspiracy against me and
+my life, who gave him his authority, by endeavoring to take away
+Mordecai, my benefactor, and my savior, and by basely and treacherously
+requiring to have Esther, the partner of my life, and of my dominion,
+brought to destruction; for he contrived by this means to deprive me of
+my faithful friends, and transfer the government to others: 20 but since
+I perceived that these Jews, that were by this pernicious fellow devoted
+to destruction, were not wicked men, but conducted their lives after the
+best manner, and were men dedicated to the worship of that God who hath
+preserved the kingdom to me and to my ancestors, I do not only free them
+from the punishment which the former epistle, which was sent by Haman,
+ordered to be inflicted on them, to which if you refuse obedience, you
+shall do well; but I will that they have all honor paid to them.
+Accordingly, I have hanged up the man that contrived such things against
+them, with his family, before the gates of Shushan; that punishment
+being sent upon him by God, who seeth all things. And I give you in
+charge, that you publicly propose a copy of this epistle through all my
+kingdom, that the Jews may be permitted peaceably to use their own laws,
+and that you assist them, that at the same season whereto their
+miserable estate did belong, they may defend themselves the very same
+day from unjust violence, the thirteenth day of the twelfth month, which
+is Adar; for God hath made that day a day of salvation instead of a day
+of destruction to them; and may it be a good day to those that wish us
+well, and a memorial of the punishment of the conspirators against us:
+and I will that you take notice, that every city, and every nation, that
+shall disobey any thing that is contained in this epistle, shall be
+destroyed by fire and sword. However, let this epistle be published
+through all the country that is under our obedience, and let all the
+Jews, by all means, be ready against the day before mentioned, that they
+may avenge themselves upon their enemies."
+
+13. Accordingly, the horsemen who carried the epistles proceeded on the
+ways which they were to go with speed: but as for Mordecai, as soon as
+he had assumed the royal garment, and the crown of gold, and had put the
+chain about his neck, he went forth in a public procession; and when the
+Jews who were at Shushan saw him in so great honor with the king, they
+thought his good fortune was common to themselves also, and joy and a
+beam of salvation encompassed the Jews, both those that were in the
+cities, and those that were in the countries, upon the publication of
+the king's letters, insomuch that many even of other nations circumcised
+their foreskin for fear of the Jews, that they might procure safety to
+themselves thereby; for on the thirteenth day of the twelfth month,
+which according to the Hebrews is called Adar, but according to the
+Macedonians, Dystrus, those that carried the king's epistle gave them
+notice, that the same day wherein their danger was to have been, on that
+very day should they destroy their enemies. But now the rulers of the
+provinces, and the tyrants, and the kings, and the scribes, had the Jews
+in esteem; for the fear they were in of Mordecai forced them to act with
+discretion. Now when the royal decree was come to all the country that
+was subject to the king, it fell out that the Jews at Shushan slew five
+hundred of their enemies; and when the king had told Esther the number
+of those that were slain in that city, but did not well know what had
+been done in the provinces, he asked her whether she would have any
+thing further done against them, for that it should be done accordingly:
+upon which she desired that the Jews might be permitted to treat their
+remaining enemies in the same manner the next day; as also that they
+might hang the ten sons of Haman upon the gallows. So the king permitted
+the Jews so to do, as desirous not to contradict Esther. So they
+gathered themselves together again on the fourteenth day of the month
+Dystrus, and slew about three hundred of their enemies, but touched
+nothing of what riches they had. Now there were slain by the Jews that
+were in the country, and in the other cities, seventy-five thousand of
+their enemies, and these were slain on the thirteenth day of the month,
+and the next day they kept as a festival. In like manner the Jews that
+were in Shushan gathered themselves together, and feasted on the
+fourteenth day, and that which followed it; whence it is that even now
+all the Jews that are in the habitable earth keep these days festival,
+and send portions to one another. Mordecai also wrote to the Jews that
+lived in the kingdom of Artaxerxes to observe these days, and celebrate
+them as festivals, and to deliver them down to posterity, that this
+festival might continue for all time to come, and that it might never be
+buried in oblivion; for since they were about to be destroyed on these
+days by Haman, they would do a right thing, upon escaping the danger in
+them, and on them inflicting punishment on their enemies, to observe
+those days, and give thanks to God on them; for which cause the Jews
+still keep the forementioned days, and call them days of Phurim (or
+Purim.) 21 And Mordecai became a great and illustrious person with the
+king, and assisted him in the government of the people. He also lived
+with the queen; so that the affairs of the Jews were, by their means,
+better than they could ever have hoped for. And this was the state of
+the Jews under the reign of Artaxerxes.
+
+
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER 7. How John Slew His Brother Jesus In The Temple; And How
+Bagoses Offered Many Injuries To The Jews; And What Sanballat Did.
+
+1. When Eliashib the high priest was dead, his son Judas succeeded in
+the high priesthood; and when he was dead, his son John took that
+dignity; on whose account it was also that Bagoses, the general of
+another Artaxerxes's army, 22 polluted the temple, and imposed tributes
+on the Jews, that out of the public stock, before they offered the daily
+sacrifices, they should pay for every lamb fifty shekels. Now Jesus was
+the brother of John, and was a friend of Bagoses, who had promised to
+procure him the high priesthood. In confidence of whose support, Jesus
+quarreled with John in the temple, and so provoked his brother, that in
+his anger his brother slew him. Now it was a horrible thing for John,
+when he was high priest, to perpetrate so great a crime, and so much the
+more horrible, that there never was so cruel and impious a thing done,
+neither by the Greeks nor Barbarians. However, God did not neglect its
+punishment, but the people were on that very account enslaved, and the
+temple was polluted by the Persians. Now when Bagoses, the general of
+Artaxerxes's army, knew that John, the high priest of the Jews, had
+slain his own brother Jesus in the temple, he came upon the Jews
+immediately, and began in anger to say to them, "Have you had the
+impudence to perpetrate a murder in your temple?" And as he was aiming
+to go into the temple, they forbade him so to do; but he said to them,
+"Am not I purer than he that was slain in the temple?" And when he had
+said these words, he went into the temple. Accordingly, Bagoses made use
+of this pretense, and punished the Jews seven years for the murder of
+Jesus.
+
+2. Now when John had departed this life, his son Jaddua succeeded in the
+high priesthood. He had a brother, whose name was Manasseh. Now there
+was one Sanballat, who was sent by Darius, the last king [of Persia],
+into Samaria. He was a Cutheam by birth; of which stock were the
+Samaritans also. This man knew that the city Jerusalem was a famous
+city, and that their kings had given a great deal of trouble to the
+Assyrians, and the people of Celesyria; so that he willingly gave his
+daughter, whose name was Nicaso, in marriage to Manasseh, as thinking
+this alliance by marriage would be a pledge and security that the nation
+of the Jews should continue their good-will to him.
+
+
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER 8. Concerning Sanballat And Manasseh, And The Temple Which They
+Built On Mount Gerizzim; As Also How Alexander Made His Entry Into The
+City Jerusalem, And What Benefits He Bestowed On The Jews.
+
+1. About this time it was that Philip, king of Macedon, was
+treacherously assaulted and slain at Egae by Pausanias, the son of
+Cerastes, who was derived from the family of Oreste, and his son
+Alexander succeeded him in the kingdom; who, passing over the
+Hellespont, overcame the generals of Darius's army in a battle fought at
+Granicum. So he marched over Lydia, and subdued Ionia, and overran
+Caria, and fell upon the places of Pamphylia, as has been related
+elsewhere.
+
+2. But the elders of Jerusalem being very uneasy that the brother of
+Jaddua the high priest, though married to a foreigner, should be a
+partner with him in the high priesthood, quarreled with him; for they
+esteemed this man's marriage a step to such as should be desirous of
+transgressing about the marriage of [strange] wives, and that this would
+be the beginning of a mutual society with foreigners, although the
+offense of some about marriages, and their having married wives that
+were not of their own country, had been an occasion of their former
+captivity, and of the miseries they then underwent; so they commanded
+Manasseh to divorce his wife, or not to approach the altar, the high
+priest himself joining with the people in their indignation against his
+brother, and driving him away from the altar. Whereupon Manasseh came to
+his father-in-law, Sanballat, and told him, that although he loved his
+daughter Nicaso, yet was he not willing to be deprived of his sacerdotal
+dignity on her account, which was the principal dignity in their nation,
+and always continued in the same family. And then Sanballat promised him
+not only to preserve to him the honor of his priesthood, but to procure
+for him the power and dignity of a high priest, and would make him
+governor of all the places he himself now ruled, if he would keep his
+daughter for his wife. He also told him further, that he would build him
+a temple like that at Jerusalem, upon Mount Gerizzini, which is the
+highest of all the mountains that are in Samaria; and he promised that
+he would do this with the approbation of Darius the king. Manasseh was
+elevated with these promises, and staid with Sanballat, upon a supposal
+that he should gain a high priesthood, as bestowed on him by Darius, for
+it happened that Sanballat was then in years. But there was now a great
+disturbance among the people of Jerusalem, because many of those priests
+and Levites were entangled in such matches; for they all revolted to
+Manasseh, and Sanballat afforded them money, and divided among them land
+for tillage, and habitations also, and all this in order every way to
+gratify his son-in-law.
+
+3. About this time it was that Darius heard how Alexander had passed
+over the Hellespont, and had beaten his lieutenants in the battle at
+Granicum, and was proceeding further; whereupon he gathered together an
+army of horse and foot, and determined that he would meet the
+Macedonians before they should assault and conquer all Asia. So he
+passed over the river Euphrates, and came over Taurus, the Cilician
+mountain, and at Issus of Cilicia he waited for the enemy, as ready
+there to give him battle. Upon which Sanballat was glad that Darius was
+come down; and told Manasseh that he would suddenly perform his promises
+to him, and this as soon as ever Darius should come back, after he had
+beaten his enemies; for not he only, but all those that were in Asia
+also, were persuaded that the Macedonians would not so much as come to a
+battle with the Persians, on account of their multitude. But the event
+proved otherwise than they expected; for the king joined battle with the
+Macedonians, and was beaten, and lost a great part of his army. His
+mother also, and his wife and children, were taken captives, and he fled
+into Persia. So Alexander came into Syria, and took Damascus; and when
+he had obtained Sidon, he besieged Tyre, when he sent an epistle to the
+Jewish high priest, to send him some auxiliaries, and to supply his army
+with provisions; and that what presents he formerly sent to Darius, he
+would now send to him, and choose the friendship of the Macedonians, and
+that he should never repent of so doing. But the high priest answered
+the messengers, that he had given his oath to Darius not to bear arms
+against him; and he said that he would not transgress this while Darius
+was in the land of the living. Upon hearing this answer, Alexander was
+very angry; and though he determined not to leave Tyre, which was just
+ready to be taken, yet as soon as he had taken it, he threatened that he
+would make an expedition against the Jewish high priest, and through him
+teach all men to whom they must keep their oaths. So when he had, with a
+good deal of pains during the siege, taken Tyre, and had settled its
+affairs, he came to the city of Gaza, and besieged both the city and him
+that was governor of the garrison, whose name was Babemeses.
+
+4. But Sanballat thought he had now gotten a proper opportunity to make
+his attempt, so he renounced Darius, and taking with him seven thousand
+of his own subjects, he came to Alexander; and finding him beginning the
+siege of Tyre, he said to him, that he delivered up to him these men,
+who came out of places under his dominion, and did gladly accept of him
+for his lord instead of Darius. So when Alexander had received him
+kindly, Sanballat thereupon took courage, and spake to him about his
+present affair. He told him that he had a son-in-law, Manasseh, who was
+brother to the high priest Jaddua; and that there were many others of
+his own nation, now with him, that were desirous to have a temple in the
+places subject to him; that it would be for the king's advantage to have
+the strength of the Jews divided into two parts, lest when the nation is
+of one mind, and united, upon any attempt for innovation, it prove
+troublesome to kings, as it had formerly proved to the kings of Assyria.
+Whereupon Alexander gave Sanballat leave so to do, who used the utmost
+diligence, and built the temple, and made Manasseh the priest, and
+deemed it a great reward that his daughter's children should have that
+dignity; but when the seven months of the siege of Tyre were over, and
+the two months of the siege of Gaza, Sanballat died. Now Alexander, when
+he had taken Gaza, made haste to go up to Jerusalem; and Jaddua the high
+priest, when he heard that, was in an agony, and under terror, as not
+knowing how he should meet the Macedonians, since the king was
+displeased at his foregoing disobedience. He therefore ordained that the
+people should make supplications, and should join with him in offering
+sacrifice to God, whom he besought to protect that nation, and to
+deliver them from the perils that were coming upon them; whereupon God
+warned him in a dream, which came upon him after he had offered
+sacrifice, that he should take courage, and adorn the city, and open the
+gates; that the rest should appear in white garments, but that he and
+the priests should meet the king in the habits proper to their order,
+without the dread of any ill consequences, which the providence of God
+would prevent. Upon which, when he rose from his sleep, he greatly
+rejoiced, and declared to all the warning he had received from God.
+According to which dream he acted entirely, and so waited for the coming
+of the king.
+
+5. And when he understood that he was not far from the city, he went out
+in procession, with the priests and the multitude of the citizens. The
+procession was venerable, and the manner of it different from that of
+other nations. It reached to a place called Sapha, which name,
+translated into Greek, signifies a prospect, for you have thence a
+prospect both of Jerusalem and of the temple. And when the Phoenicians
+and the Chaldeans that followed him thought they should have liberty to
+plunder the city, and torment the high priest to death, which the king's
+displeasure fairly promised them, the very reverse of it happened; for
+Alexander, when he saw the multitude at a distance, in white garments,
+while the priests stood clothed with fine linen, and the high priest in
+purple and scarlet clothing, with his mitre on his head, having the
+golden plate whereon the name of God was engraved, he approached by
+himself, and adored that name, and first saluted the high priest. The
+Jews also did all together, with one voice, salute Alexander, and
+encompass him about; whereupon the kings of Syria and the rest were
+surprised at what Alexander had done, and supposed him disordered in his
+mind. However, Parmenio alone went up to him, and asked him how it came
+to pass that, when all others adored him, he should adore the high
+priest of the Jews? To whom he replied, "I did not adore him, but that
+God who hath honored him with his high priesthood; for I saw this very
+person in a dream, in this very habit, when I was at Dios in Macedonia,
+who, when I was considering with myself how I might obtain the dominion
+of Asia, exhorted me to make no delay, but boldly to pass over the sea
+thither, for that he would conduct my army, and would give me the
+dominion over the Persians; whence it is that, having seen no other in
+that habit, and now seeing this person in it, and remembering that
+vision, and the exhortation which I had in my dream, I believe that I
+bring this army under the Divine conduct, and shall therewith conquer
+Darius, and destroy the power of the Persians, and that all things will
+succeed according to what is in my own mind." And when he had said this
+to Parmenio, and had given the high priest his right hand, the priests
+ran along by him, and he came into the city. And when he went up into
+the temple, he offered sacrifice to God, according to the high priest's
+direction, and magnificently treated both the high priest and the
+priests. And when the Book of Daniel was showed him 23 wherein Daniel
+declared that one of the Greeks should destroy the empire of the
+Persians, he supposed that himself was the person intended. And as he
+was then glad, he dismissed the multitude for the present; but the next
+day he called them to him, and bid them ask what favors they pleased of
+him; whereupon the high priest desired that they might enjoy the laws of
+their forefathers, and might pay no tribute on the seventh year. He
+granted all they desired. And when they entreated him that he would
+permit the Jews in Babylon and Media to enjoy their own laws also, he
+willingly promised to do hereafter what they desired. And when he said
+to the multitude, that if any of them would enlist themselves in his
+army, on this condition, that they should continue under the laws of
+their forefathers, and live according to them, he was willing to take
+them with him, many were ready to accompany him in his wars.
+
+6. So when Alexander had thus settled matters at Jerusalem, he led his
+army into the neighboring cities; and when all the inhabitants to whom
+he came received him with great kindness, the Samaritans, who had then
+Shechem for their metropolis, [a city situate at Mount Gerizzim, and
+inhabited by apostates of the Jewish nation,] seeing that Alexander had
+so greatly honored the Jews, determined to profess themselves Jews; for
+such is the disposition of the Samaritans, as we have already elsewhere
+declared, that when the Jews are in adversity, they deny that they are
+of kin to them, and then they confess the truth; but when they perceive
+that some good fortune hath befallen them, they immediately pretend to
+have communion with them, saying that they belong to them, and derive
+their genealogy from the posterity of Joseph, Ephraim, and Manasseh.
+Accordingly, they made their address to the king with splendor, and
+showed great alacrity in meeting him at a little distance from
+Jerusalem. And when Alexander had commended them, the Shechemites
+approached to him, taking with them the troops that Sanballat had sent
+him, and they desired that he would come to their city, and do honor to
+their temple also; to whom he promised, that when he returned he would
+come to them. And when they petitioned that he would remit the tribute
+of the seventh year to them, because they did but sow thereon, he asked
+who they were that made such a petition; and when they said that they
+were Hebrews, but had the name of Sidonians, living at Shechem, he asked
+them again whether they were Jews; and when they said they were not
+Jews, "It was to the Jews," said he, "that I granted that privilege;
+however, when I return, and am thoroughly informed by you of this
+matter, I will do what I shall think proper." And in this manner he took
+leave of the Shechemites; but ordered that the troops of Sanballat
+should follow him into Egypt, because there he designed to give them
+lands, which he did a little after in Thebais, when he ordered them to
+guard that country.
+
+7. Now when Alexander was dead, the government was parted among his
+successors, but the temple upon Mount Gerizzim remained. And if any one
+were accused by those of Jerusalem of having eaten things common or of
+having broken the sabbath, or of any other crime of the like nature, he
+fled away to the Shechemites, and said that he was accused unjustly.
+About this time it was that Jaddua the high priest died, and Onias his
+son took the high priesthood. This was the state of the affairs of the
+people of Jerusalem at this time.
+
+
+
+
+
+
+FOOTNOTES:
+
+
+1 (return) [ This Cyrus is called God's shepherd by Xenophon, as well as
+by Isaiah, Isaiah 44:28; as also it is said of him by the same prophet,
+that "I will make a man more precious than fine gold, even a man than
+the golden wedge of Ophir," Isaiah 13:12, which character makes
+Xenophon's most excellent history of him very credible.]
+
+
+2 (return) [ This leave to build Jerusalem, sect. 3, and this epistle of
+Cyrus to Sisinnes and Sathrabuzanes, to the same purpose, are most
+unfortunately omitted in all our copies but this best and completest
+copy of Josephus; and by such omission the famous prophecy of Isaiah,
+Isaiah 44:28, where we are informed that God said of or to Cyrus, "He is
+my shepherd, and shall perform all my pleasure; even saying to
+Jerusalem, Thou shalt be built, and to the temple, Thy foundation shall
+be laid," could not hitherto be demonstrated from the sacred history to
+have been completely fulfilled, I mean as to that part of it which
+concerned his giving leave or commission for rebuilding the city
+Jerusalem as distinct from the temple, whose rebuilding is alone
+permitted or directed in the decree of Cyrus in all our copies.]
+
+
+3 (return) [ Of the true number of golden and silver vessels here and
+elsewhere belonging to the temple of Solomon, see the description of the
+temples, chap. 13.]
+
+
+4 (return) [ Josephus here follows Herodotus, and those that related how
+Cyrus made war with the Scythians and Massagets, near the Caspian Sea,
+and perished in it; while Xenophon's account, which appears never to
+have been seen by Josephus, that Cyrus died in peace in his own country
+of Persia, is attested to by the writers of the affairs of Alexander the
+Great, when they agree that he found Cyrus's sepulcher at Pasargadae,
+near Persepolis. This account of Xenophon is also confirmed by the
+circumstances of Cambyses, upon his succession to Cyrus, who, instead of
+a war to avenge his father's death upon the Scythians and Massagets, and
+to prevent those nations from overrunning his northern provinces, which
+would have been the natural consequence of his father's ill success and
+death there, went immediately to an Egyptian war, long ago begun by
+Cyrus, according to Xenophon, p. 644, and conquered that kingdom; nor is
+there, that I ever heard of, the least mention in the reign of Cambyses
+of any war against the Scythians and Massagets that he was ever engaged
+in all his life.]
+
+
+5 (return) [ The reader is to note, that although the speeches or papers
+of these three of the king's guard are much the same, in our Third Book
+of Esdras, ch. 3. and 4., as they are here in Josephus, yet that the
+introduction of them is entirely different, while in our Esdras the
+whole is related as the contrivance of the three of the king's guards
+themselves; and even the mighty rewards are spoken of as proposed by
+themselves, and the speeches are related to have been delivered by
+themselves to the king in writing, while all is contrary in Josephus. I
+need not say whose account is the most probable, the matters speak for
+themselves; and there can be no doubt but Josephus's history is here to
+be very much preferred before the other. Nor indeed does it seem to me
+at all unlikely that the whole was a contrivance of king Darius's own,
+in order to be decently and inoffensively put in mind by Zorobabel of
+fulfilling his old vow for the rebuilding of Jerusalem and the temple,
+and the restoration of the worship of the "one true God" there. Nor does
+the full meaning of Zorobabel, when he cries out, 3 Esd. 4. 41],
+"Blessed be the God of truth;" and here, "God is true and righteous;" or
+even of all the people, 3 Esd. 4. 41, "Great is truth, and mighty above
+all things;" seem to me much different from this, "There is but one true
+God, the God of Israel." To which doctrine, such as Cyrus and Darius;
+etc., the Jews' great patrons, seem not to have been very averse, though
+the entire idolatry of their kingdoms made them generally conceal it.]
+
+
+6 (return) [ This strange reading in Josephus's present copies of four
+millions instead of forty thousand, is one of the grossest errors that
+is in them, and ought to be corrected from Ezra 2:61; 1 Esd. 5:40; and
+Nehemiah 7:66, who all agree the general sum was but about forty-two
+thousand three hundred and sixty. It is also very plain that Josephus
+thought, that when Esdras afterwards brought up another company out of
+Babylon and Persia, in the days of Xerxes, they were also, as well as
+these, out of the two tribes, and out of them only, and were in all no
+more than "a seed" and "a remnant," while an "immense number" of the ten
+tribes never returned, but, as he believed, continued then beyond
+Euphrates, ch. 5. sect. 2, 3; of which multitude, the Jews beyond
+Euphrates, he speaks frequently elsewhere, though, by the way, he never
+takes them to be idolaters, but looks on them still as observers of the
+laws of Moses. The "certain part" of the people that now came up from
+Babylon, at the end of this chapter, imply the same smaller number of
+Jews that now came up, and will no way agree with the four millions.]
+
+
+7 (return) [ The history contained in this section is entirely wanting
+in all our other copies, both of Ezra and Esdras.]
+
+
+8 (return) [ Dr. Hudson takes notice here, that this kind of brass or
+copper, or rather mixture of gold and brass or copper, was called
+aurichalcum, and that this was of old esteemed the most precious of all
+metals.]
+
+
+9 (return) [ This procedure of Esdras, and of the best part of the
+Jewish nation, after their return from the Babylonish captivity, of
+reducing the Jewish marriages, once for all, to the strictness of the
+law of Moses, without any regard to the greatness of those who had
+broken it, and without regard to that natural affection or compassion
+for their heathen wives, and their children by them, which made it so
+hard for Esdras to correct it, deserves greatly to be observed and
+imitated in all attempts for reformation among Christians, the contrary
+conduct having ever been the bane of true religion, both among Jews and
+Christians, while political views, or human passions, or prudential
+motives, are suffered to take place instead of the Divine laws, and so
+the blessing of God is forfeited, and the church still suffered to
+continue corrupt from one generation to another. See ch. 8. sect. 2.]
+
+
+10 (return) [ This Jewish feast of tabernacles was imitated in several
+heathen solemnities, as Spanheim here observes and proves. He also
+further observes presently, what great regard many heathens had to the
+monuments of their forefathers, as Nehemiah had here, sect. 6.]
+
+
+11 (return) [ This rule of Esdras, not to fast on a festival day, is
+quoted in the Apostolical Constitutions, B. V., as obtaining among
+Christians also.]
+
+
+12 (return) [ This miserable condition of the Jews, and their capital,
+must have been after the death of Esdras, their former governor, and
+before Nehemiah came with his commission to build the walls of
+Jerusalem. Nor is that at all disagreeable to these histories in
+Josephus, since Esdras came on the seventh, and Nehemiah not till the
+twenty-fifth of Xerxes, at the interval of eighteen years.]
+
+
+13 (return) [ This showing king Xerxes's epistles to God, or laying them
+open before God in the temple, is very like the laying open the epistles
+of Sennacherib before him also by Hezekiah, 2 Kings 19:14; Isaiah 37:14,
+although this last was for a memorial, to put him in mind of the
+enemies, in order to move the Divine compassion, and the present as a
+token of gratitude for mercies already received, as Hayercamp well
+observes on this place.]
+
+
+14 (return) [ It may not be very improper to remark here, with what an
+unusual accuracy Josephus determines these years of Xerxes, in which the
+walls of Jerusalem were built, viz. that Nehemiah came with his
+commission in the twenty-fifth of Xerxes, that the walls were two years
+and four months in building, and that they were finished on the twenty-
+eighth of Xerxes, sect. 7, 8. It may also be remarked further, that
+Josephus hardly ever mentions more than one infallible astronomical
+character, I mean an eclipse of the moon, and this a little before the
+death of Herod the Great, Antiq. B. XVII. ch. 6. sect. 4. Now on these
+two chronological characters in great measure depend some of the most
+important points belonging to Christianity, viz. the explication of
+Daniel's seventy weeks, and the duration of our Savior's ministry, and
+the time of his death, in correspondence to those seventy weeks. See the
+Supplement to the Lit. Accorap. of Proph. p. 72.]
+
+
+15 (return) [ Since some skeptical persons are willing to discard this
+Book of Esther as no true history; and even our learned and judicious
+Dr. Wall, in his late posthumous Critical Notes upon all the other
+Hebrew books of the Old Testament, gives none upon the Canticles, or
+upon Esther, and seems thereby to give up this book, as well as he gives
+up the Canticles, as indefensible; I shall venture to say, that almost
+all the objections against this Book of Esther are gone at once, if, as
+we certainly ought to do, and as Dean Prideaux has justly done, we place
+this history under Artsxerxes Longimanus, as do both the Septuagint
+interpretation and Josephus. The learned Dr. Lee, in his posthumous
+Dissertation on the Second Book of Esdras, p. 25, also says, that "the
+truth of this history is demonstrated by the feast of Purlin, kept up
+from that time to this very day. And this surprising providential
+revolution in favor of a captive people, thereby constantly
+commemorated, standeth even upon a firmer basis than that there ever was
+such a man as king Alexander [the Great] in the world, of whose reign
+there is no such abiding monument at this day to be found any where. Nor
+will they, I dare say, who quarrel at this or any other of the sacred
+histories, find it a very easy matter to reconcile the different
+accounts which were given by historians of the affairs of this king, or
+to confirm any one fact of his whatever with the same evidence which is
+here given for the principal fact in this sacred book, or even so much
+as to prove the existence of such a person, of whom so great things are
+related, but upon granting this Book of Esther, or sixth of Esdras, [as
+it is placed in some of the most ancient copies of the Vulgate,] to be a
+most true and certain history," etc.]
+
+
+16 (return) [ If the Chaldee paraphrast be in the right, that Artaxerxes
+intended to show Vashti to his guests naked, it is no wonder at all that
+she would not submit to such an indignity; but still if it were not so
+gross as that, yet it might, in the king's cups, be done in a way so
+indecent, as the Persian laws would not then bear, no more than the
+common laws of modesty. And that the king had some such design seems not
+improbable, for otherwise the principal of these royal guests could be
+no strangers to the queen, nor unapprized of her beauty, so far as
+decency admitted. However, since Providence was now paving the way for
+the introduction of a Jewess into the king's affections, in order to
+bring about one of the most wonderful deliverances which the Jewish or
+any other nation ever had, we need not be further solicitous about the
+motives by which the king was induced to divorce Vashti, and marry
+Esther.]
+
+
+17 (return) [ Herodotus says that this law [against any one's coming
+uncalled to the kings of Persia when they were sitting on their thrones]
+was first enacted by Deioces [i.e. by him who first withdrew the Medes
+from the dominion of the Assyrians, and himself first reigned over
+them]. Thus also, lays Spanheim, stood guards, with their axes, about
+the throne of Tenus, or Tenudus, that the offender might by them be
+punished immediately.]
+
+
+18 (return) [ Whether this adoration required of Mordecai to Haman were
+by him deemed too like the adoration due only to God, as Josephus seems
+here to think, as well as the Septuagint interpreters also, by their
+translation of Esther 13:12-14, or whether he thought he ought to pay no
+sort of adoration to an Amalekite, which nation had been such great
+sinners as to have been universally devoted to destruction by God
+himself, Exodus 17:14-16; 1 Samuel 15:18, or whether both causes
+concurred, cannot now, I doubt, be certainly determined.]
+
+
+19 (return) [ The true reason why king Artaxerxes did not here properly
+revoke his former barbarous decree for the universal slaughter of the
+Jews, but only empowered and encouraged the Jews to fight for their
+lives, and to kill their enemies, if they attempted their destruction,
+seems to have been that old law of the Medes and Persians, not yet laid
+aside, that whatever decree was signed both by the king and his lords
+could not be changed, but remained unalterable, Daniel 6:7-9, 12, 15,
+17; Esther 1:19; 8:8. And Haman having engrossed the royal favor might
+perhaps have himself signed this decree for the Jews' slaughter instead
+of the ancient lords, and so might have rendered it by their rules
+irrevocable.]
+
+
+20 (return) [ These words give an intimation as if Artaxerxes suspected
+a deeper design in Haman than openly appeared, viz. that knowing the
+Jews would be faithful to him, and that he could never transfer the
+crown to his own family, who was an Agagite, Esther 3:1, 10, or of the
+posterity of Agag, the old king of the Amalekites, 1 Samuel 15:8, 32,
+33, while they were alive, and spread over all his dominions, he
+therefore endeavored to destroy them. Nor is it to me improbable that
+those seventy-five thousand eight hundred of the Jews' enemies which
+were soon destroyed by the Jews, on the permission of the king, which
+must be on some great occasion, were Amalekites, their old and
+hereditary enemies, Exodus 17:14, 15; and that thereby was fulfilled
+Balaam's prophecy, "Amalek was the first of the nations, but his latter
+end shall be, that he perish for ever" Numbers 24:20.]
+
+
+21 (return) [ Take here part of Reland's note on this disputed passage:
+"In Josephus's copies these Hebrew words, 'days of Purim,' or 'lots,' as
+in the Greek copies of Esther, ch. 9:26, 28-32, is read 'days of
+Phurim,' or 'days of protection,' but ought to be read' days of Parira,'
+as in the Hebrew; than which creation," says he, "nothing is more
+certain." And had we any assurance that Josephus's copy mentioned the
+"casting of lots," as our other copies do, Esther 3:7, I should fully
+agree with Reland; but, as it now stands, it seems to me by no means
+certain. As to this whole Book of Esther in the present Hebrew copy, it
+is so very imperfect, in a case where the providence of God was so very
+remarkable, and the Septuagint and Josephus have so much of religion,
+that it has not so much as the name of God once in it; and it is hard to
+say who made that epitome which the Masorites have given us for the
+genuine book itself; no religious Jews could well be the authors of it,
+whose education obliged them to have a constant regard to God, and
+whatsoever related to his worship; nor do we know that there ever was so
+imperfect a copy of it in the world till after the days of Barchochab,
+in the second century.]
+
+
+22 (return) [ Concerning this other Artaxerxes, called Muemon, and the
+Persian affliction and captivity of the Jews under him, occasioned by
+the murder of the high priest's brother in the holy house itself, see
+Authent. Rec. at large, p. 49. And if any wonder why Josephus wholly
+omits the rest of the kings of Persia after Artaxerxes Mnemon, till he
+came to their last king Darius, who was conquered by Alexander the
+Great, I shall give them Vossius's and Dr. Hudson's answer, though in my
+own words, viz. that Josephus did not do ill in admitting those kings of
+Persia with whom the Jews had no concern, because he was giving the
+history of the Jews, and not of the Persians [which is a sufficient
+reason also why he entirely omits the history and the Book of Job, as
+not particularly relating to that nation]. He justly therefore returns
+to the Jewish affairs after the death of Longimanus, without any
+intention of Darius II. before Artaxerxes Mnemon, or of Ochus or Arogus,
+as the Canon of Ptolemy names them, after him. Nor had he probably
+mentioned this other Artaxerxes, unless Bagoses, one of the governors
+and commanders under him, had occasioned the pollution of the Jewish
+temple, and had greatly distressed the Jews upon that pollution.]
+
+
+23 (return) [ The place showed Alexander might be Daniel 7:6; 8:3-8,
+20—22; 11:3; some or all of them very plain predictions of Alexander's
+conquests and successors.]
+
+
+
+
+
+
+BOOK XII. Containing The Interval Of A Hundred And Seventy Years.—From
+The Death Of Alexander The Great To The Death Of Judas Maccabeus.
+
+
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER 1. How Ptolemy The Son Of Lagus Took Jerusalem And Judea By
+Deceit And Treachery, And Carried Many Thence, And Planted Them In
+Egypt.
+
+1. Now when Alexander, king of Macedon, had put an end to the dominion
+of the Persians, and had settled the affairs in Judea after the
+forementioned manner, he ended his life. And as his government fell
+among many, Antigonus obtained Asia, Seleucus Babylon; and of the other
+nations which were there, Lysimachus governed the Hellespont, and
+Cassander possessed Macedonia; as did Ptolemy the son of Lagus seize
+upon Egypt. And while these princes ambitiously strove one against
+another, every one for his own principality, it came to pass that there
+were continual wars, and those lasting wars too; and the cities were
+sufferers, and lost a great many of their inhabitants in these times of
+distress, insomuch that all Syria, by the means of Ptolemy the son of
+Lagus, underwent the reverse of that denomination of Savior, which he
+then had. He also seized upon Jerusalem, and for that end made use of
+deceit and treachery; for as he came into the city on a sabbath day, as
+if he would offer sacrifices 1 he, without any trouble, gained the city,
+while the Jews did not oppose him, for they did not suspect him to be
+their enemy; and he gained it thus, because they were free from
+suspicion of him, and because on that day they were at rest and
+quietness; and when he had gained it, he ruled over it in a cruel
+manner. Nay, Agatharchides of Cnidus, who wrote the acts of Alexander's
+successors, reproaches us with superstition, as if we, by it, had lost
+our liberty; where he says thus: "There is a nation called the nation of
+the Jews, who inhabit a city strong and great, named Jerusalem. These
+men took no care, but let it come into the hands of Ptolemy, as not
+willing to take arms, and thereby they submitted to be under a hard
+master, by reason of their unseasonable superstition." This is what
+Agatharchides relates of our nation. But when Ptolemy had taken a great
+many captives, both from the mountainous parts of Judea, and from the
+places about Jerusalem and Samaria, and the places near Mount Gerizzim,
+he led them all into Egypt, 2 and settled them there. And as he knew
+that the people of Jerusalem were most faithful in the observation of
+oaths and covenants; and this from the answer they made to Alexander,
+when he sent an embassage to them, after he had beaten Darius in battle;
+so he distributed many of them into garrisons, and at Alexandria gave
+them equal privileges of citizens with the Macedonians themselves; and
+required of them to take their oaths, that they would keep their
+fidelity to the posterity of those who committed these places to their
+care. Nay, there were not a few other Jews who, of their own accord,
+went into Egypt, as invited by the goodness of the soil, and by the
+liberality of Ptolemy. However, there were disorders among their
+posterity, with relation to the Samaritans, on account of their
+resolution to preserve that conduct of life which was delivered to them
+by their forefathers, and they thereupon contended one with another,
+while those of Jerusalem said that their temple was holy, and resolved
+to send their sacrifices thither; but the Samaritans were resolved that
+they should be sent to Mount Gerizzim.
+
+
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER 2. How Ptolemy Philadelphus Procured The Laws Of The Jews To Be
+Translated Into The Greek Tongue And Set Many Captives Free, And
+Dedicated Many Gifts To God.
+
+1. When Alexander had reigned twelve years, and after him Ptolemy Soter
+forty years, Philadelphus then took the kingdom of Egypt, and held it
+forty years within one. He procured the law to be interpreted, and set
+free those that were come from Jerusalem into Egypt, and were in slavery
+there, who were a hundred and twenty thousand. The occasion was this:
+Demetrius Phalerius, who was library keeper to the king, was now
+endeavoring, if it were possible, to gather together all the books that
+were in the habitable earth, and buying whatsoever was any where
+valuable, or agreeable to the king's inclination, [who was very
+earnestly set upon collecting of books,] to which inclination of his
+Demetrius was zealously subservient. And when once Ptolemy asked him how
+many ten thousands of books he had collected, he replied, that he had
+already about twenty times ten thousand; but that, in a little time, he
+should have fifty times ten thousand. But he said he had been informed
+that there were many books of laws among the Jews worthy of inquiring
+after, and worthy of the king's library, but which, being written in
+characters and in a dialect of their own, will cause no small pains in
+getting them translated into the Greek tongue; 3 that the character in
+which they are written seems to be like to that which is the proper
+character of the Syrians, and that its sound, when pronounced, is like
+theirs also; and that this sound appears to be peculiar to themselves.
+Wherefore he said that nothing hindered why they might not get those
+books to be translated also; for while nothing is wanting that is
+necessary for that purpose, we may have their books also in this
+library. So the king thought that Demetrius was very zealous to procure
+him abundance of books, and that he suggested what was exceeding proper
+for him to do; and therefore he wrote to the Jewish high priest, that he
+should act accordingly.
+
+2. Now there was one Aristeus, who was among the king's most intimate
+friends, and on account of his modesty very acceptable to him. This
+Aristeus resolved frequently, and that before now, to petition the king
+that he would set all the captive Jews in his kingdom free; and he
+thought this to be a convenient opportunity for the making that
+petition. So he discoursed, in the first place, with the captains of the
+king's guards, Sosibius of Tarentum, and Andreas, and persuaded them to
+assist him in what he was going to intercede with the king for.
+Accordingly Aristeus embraced the same opinion with those that have been
+before mentioned, and went to the king, and made the following speech to
+him: "It is not fit for us, O king, to overlook things hastily, or to
+deceive ourselves, but to lay the truth open. For since we have
+determined not only to get the laws of the Jews transcribed, but
+interpreted also, for thy satisfaction, by what means can we do this,
+while so many of the Jews are now slaves in thy kingdom? Do thou then
+what will be agreeable to thy magnanimity, and to thy good nature: free
+them from the miserable condition they are in, because that God, who
+supporteth thy kingdom, was the author of their laws as I have learned
+by particular inquiry; for both these people, and we also, worship the
+same God the framer of all things. We call him, and that truly, by the
+name of GREEK, [or life, or Jupiter,] because he breathes life into all
+men. Wherefore do thou restore these men to their own country, and this
+do to the honor of God, because these men pay a peculiarly excellent
+worship to him. And know this further, that though I be not of kin to
+them by birth, nor one of the same country with them, yet do I desire
+these favors to be done them, since all men are the workmanship of God;
+and I am sensible that he is well-pleased with those that do good. I do
+therefore put up this petition to thee, to do good to them."
+
+3. When Aristeus was saying thus, the king looked upon him with a
+cheerful and joyful countenance, and said, "How many ten thousands dost
+thou suppose there are of such as want to be made free?" To which
+Andreas replied, as he stood by, and said, "A few more than ten times
+ten thousand." The king made answer, "And is this a small gift that thou
+askest, Aristeus?" But Sosibius, and the rest that stood by, said that
+he ought to offer such a thank-offering as was worthy of his greatness
+of soul, to that God who had given him his kingdom. With this answer he
+was much pleased; and gave order, that when they paid the soldiers their
+wages, they should lay down [a hundred and] twenty drachmas 4 for every
+one of the slaves? And he promised to publish a magnificent decree,
+about what they requested, which should confirm what Aristeus had
+proposed, and especially what God willed should be done; whereby he said
+he would not only set those free who had been led away captive by his
+father and his army, but those who were in this kingdom before, and
+those also, if any such there were, who had been brought away since. And
+when they said that their redemption money would amount to above four
+hundred talents, he granted it. A copy of which decree I have determined
+to preserve, that the magnanimity of this king may be made known. Its
+contents were as follows: "Let all those who were soldiers under our
+father, and who, when they overran Syria and Phoenicia, and laid waste
+Judea, took the Jews captives, and made them slaves, and brought them
+into our cities, and into this country, and then sold them; as also all
+those that were in my kingdom before them, and if there be any that have
+been lately brought thither,—be made free by those that possess them;
+and let them accept of [a hundred and] twenty drachmas for every slave.
+And let the soldiers receive this redemption money with their pay, but
+the rest out of the king's treasury: for I suppose that they were made
+captives without our father's consent, and against equity; and that
+their country was harassed by the insolence of the soldiers, and that,
+by removing them into Egypt, the soldiers have made a great profit by
+them. Out of regard therefore to justice, and out of pity to those that
+have been tyrannized over, contrary to equity, I enjoin those that have
+such Jews in their service to set them at liberty, upon the receipt of
+the before-mentioned sum; and that no one use any deceit about them, but
+obey what is here commanded. And I will that they give in their names
+within three days after the publication of this edict, to such as are
+appointed to execute the same, and to produce the slaves before them
+also, for I think it will be for the advantage of my affairs. And let
+every one that will inform against those that do not obey this decree,
+and I will that their estates be confiscated into the king's treasury."
+When this decree was read to the king, it at first contained the rest
+that is here inserted, and omitted only those Jews that had formerly
+been brought, and those brought afterwards, which had not been
+distinctly mentioned; so he added these clauses out of his humanity, and
+with great generosity. He also gave order that the payment, which was
+likely to be done in a hurry, should be divided among the king's
+ministers, and among the officers of his treasury. When this was over,
+what the king had decreed was quickly brought to a conclusion; and this
+in no more than seven days' time, the number of the talents paid for the
+captives being above four hundred and sixty, and this, because their
+masters required the [hundred and] twenty drachmas for the children
+also, the king having, in effect, commanded that these should be paid
+for, when he said in his decree, that they should receive the
+forementioned sum for every slave.
+
+4. Now when this had been done after so magnificent a manner, according
+to the king's inclinations, he gave order to Demetrius to give him in
+writing his sentiments concerning the transcribing of the Jewish books;
+for no part of the administration is done rashly by these kings, but all
+things are managed with great circumspection. On which account I have
+subjoined a copy of these epistles, and set down the multitude of the
+vessels sent as gifts [to Jerusalem], and the construction of every one,
+that the exactness of the artificers' workmanship, as it appeared to
+those that saw them, and which workman made every vessel, may be made
+manifest, and this on account of the excellency of the vessels
+themselves. Now the copy of the epistle was to this purpose: "Demetrius
+to the great king. When thou, O king, gavest me a charge concerning the
+collection of books that were wanting to fill your library, and
+concerning the care that ought to be taken about such as are imperfect,
+I have used the utmost diligence about those matters. And I let you
+know, that we want the books of the Jewish legislation, with some
+others; for they are written in the Hebrew characters, and being in the
+language of that nation, are to us unknown. It hath also happened to
+them, that they have been transcribed more carelessly than they ought to
+have been, because they have not had hitherto royal care taken about
+them. Now it is necessary that thou shouldst have accurate copies of
+them. And indeed this legislation is full of hidden wisdom, and entirely
+blameless, as being the legislation of God; for which cause it is, as
+Hecateus of Abdera says, that the poets and historians make no mention
+of it, nor of those men who lead their lives according to it, since it
+is a holy law, and ought not to be published by profane mouths. If then
+it please thee, O king, thou mayst write to the high priest of the Jews,
+to send six of the elders out of every tribe, and those such as are most
+skillful of the laws, that by their means we may learn the clear and
+agreeing sense of these books, and may obtain an accurate interpretation
+of their contents, and so may have such a collection of these as may be
+suitable to thy desire."
+
+5. When this epistle was sent to the king, he commanded that an epistle
+should be drawn up for Eleazar, the Jewish high priest, concerning these
+matters; and that they should inform him of the release of the Jews that
+had been in slavery among them. He also sent fifty talents of gold for
+the making of large basons, and vials, and cups, and an immense quantity
+of precious stones. He also gave order to those who had the custody of
+the chest that contained those stones, to give the artificers leave to
+choose out what sorts of them they pleased. He withal appointed, that a
+hundred talents in money should be sent to the temple for sacrifices,
+and for other uses. Now I will give a description of these vessels, and
+the manner of their construction, but not till after I have set down a
+copy of the epistle which was written to Eleazar the high priest, who
+had obtained that dignity on the occasion following: When Onias the high
+priest was dead, his son Simon became his successor. He was called Simon
+the Just 5 because of both his piety towards God, and his kind
+disposition to those of his own nation. When he was dead, and had left a
+young son, who was called Onias, Simon's brother Eleazar, of whom we are
+speaking, took the high priesthood; and he it was to whom Ptolemy wrote,
+and that in the manner following: "King Ptolemy to Eleazar the high
+priest, sendeth greeting. There are many Jews who now dwell in my
+kingdom, whom the Persians, when they were in power, carried captives.
+These were honored by my father; some of them he placed in the army, and
+gave them greater pay than ordinary; to others of them, when they came
+with him into Egypt, he committed his garrisons, and the guarding of
+them, that they might be a terror to the Egyptians. And when I had taken
+the government, I treated all men with humanity, and especially those
+that are thy fellow citizens, of whom I have set free above a hundred
+thousand that were slaves, and paid the price of their redemption to
+their masters out of my own revenues; and those that are of a fit age, I
+have admitted into them number of my soldiers. And for such as are
+capable of being faithful to me, and proper for my court, I have put
+them in such a post, as thinking this [kindness done to them] to be a
+very great and an acceptable gift, which I devote to God for his
+providence over me. And as I am desirous to do what will be grateful to
+these, and to all the other Jews in the habitable earth, I have
+determined to procure an interpretation of your law, and to have it
+translated out of Hebrew into Greek, and to be deposited in my library.
+Thou wilt therefore do well to choose out and send to me men of a good
+character, who are now elders in age, and six in number out of every
+tribe. These, by their age, must be skillful in the laws, and of
+abilities to make an accurate interpretation of them; and when this
+shall be finished, I shall think that I have done a work glorious to
+myself. And I have sent to thee Andreas, the captain of my guard, and
+Aristeus, men whom I have in very great esteem; by whom I have sent
+those first-fruits which I have dedicated to the temple, and to the
+sacrifices, and to other uses, to the value of a hundred talents. And if
+thou wilt send to us, to let us know what thou wouldst have further,
+thou wilt do a thing acceptable to me."
+
+6. When this epistle of the king was brought to Eleazar, he wrote an
+answer to it with all the respect possible: "Eleazar the high priest to
+king Ptolemy, sendeth greeting. If thou and thy queen Arsinoe, 6 and thy
+children, be well, we are entirely satisfied. When we received thy
+epistle, we greatly rejoiced at thy intentions; and when the multitude
+were gathered together, we read it to them, and thereby made them
+sensible of the piety thou hast towards God. We also showed them the
+twenty vials of gold, and thirty of silver, and the five large basons,
+and the table for the shew-bread; as also the hundred talents for the
+sacrifices, and for the making what shall be needful at the temple;
+which things Andreas and Aristeus, those most honored friends of thine,
+have brought us; and truly they are persons of an excellent character,
+and of great learning, and worthy of thy virtue. Know then that we will
+gratify thee in what is for thy advantage, though we do what we used not
+to do before; for we ought to make a return for the numerous acts of
+kindness which thou hast done to our countrymen. We immediately,
+therefore, offered sacrifices for thee and thy sister, with thy children
+and friends; and the multitude made prayers, that thy affairs may be to
+thy mind, and that thy kingdom may be preserved in peace, and that the
+translation of our law may come to the conclusion thou desirest, and be
+for thy advantage. We have also chosen six elders out of every tribe,
+whom we have sent, and the law with them. It will be thy part, out of
+thy piety and justice, to send back the law, when it hath been
+translated, and to return those to us that bring it in safety.
+Farewell."
+
+7. This was the reply which the high priest made. But it does not seem
+to me to be necessary to set down the names of the seventy [two] elders
+who were sent by Eleazar, and carried the law, which yet were subjoined
+at the end of the epistle. However, I thought it not improper to give an
+account of those very valuable and artificially contrived vessels which
+the king sent to God, that all may see how great a regard the king had
+for God; for the king allowed a vast deal of expenses for these vessels,
+and came often to the workmen, and viewed their works, and suffered
+nothing of carelessness or negligence to be any damage to their
+operations. And I will relate how rich they were as well as I am able,
+although perhaps the nature of this history may not require such a
+description; but I imagine I shall thereby recommend the elegant taste
+and magnanimity of this king to those that read this history.
+
+8. And first I will describe what belongs to the table. It was indeed in
+the king's mind to make this table vastly large in its dimensions; but
+then he gave orders that they should learn what was the magnitude of the
+table which was already at Jerusalem, and how large it was, and whether
+there was a possibility of making one larger than it. And when he was
+informed how large that was which was already there, and that nothing
+hindered but a larger might be made, he said that he was willing to have
+one made that should be five times as large as the present table; but
+his fear was, that it might be then useless in their sacred
+ministrations by its too great largeness; for he desired that the gifts
+he presented them should not only be there for show, but should be
+useful also in their sacred ministrations. According to which reasoning,
+that the former table was made of so moderate a size for use, and not
+for want of gold, he resolved that he would not exceed the former table
+in largeness; but would make it exceed it in the variety and elegancy of
+its materials. And as he was sagacious in observing the nature of all
+things, and in having a just notion of what was new and surprising, and
+where there was no sculptures, he would invent such as were proper by
+his own skill, and would show them to the workmen, he commanded that
+such sculptures should now be made, and that those which were delineated
+should be most accurately formed by a constant regard to their
+delineation.
+
+9. When therefore the workmen had undertaken to make the table, they
+framed it in length two cubits [and a half], in breadth one cubit, and
+in height one cubit and a half; and the entire structure of the work was
+of gold. They withal made a crown of a hand-breadth round it, with wave-
+work wreathed about it, and with an engraving which imitated a cord, and
+was admirably turned on its three parts; for as they were of a
+triangular figure, every angle had the same disposition of its
+sculptures, that when you turned them about, the very same form of them
+was turned about without any variation. Now that part of the crown-work
+that was enclosed under the table had its sculptures very beautiful; but
+that part which went round on the outside was more elaborately adorned
+with most beautiful ornaments, because it was exposed to sight, and to
+the view of the spectators; for which reason it was that both those
+sides which were extant above the rest were acute, and none of the
+angles, which we before told you were three, appeared less than another,
+when the table was turned about. Now into the cordwork thus turned were
+precious stones inserted, in rows parallel one to the other, enclosed in
+golden buttons, which had ouches in them; but the parts which were on
+the side of the crown, and were exposed to the sight, were adorned with
+a row of oval figures obliquely placed, of the most excellent sort of
+precious stones, which imitated rods laid close, and encompassed the
+table round about. But under these oval figures, thus engraven, the
+workmen had put a crown all round it, where the nature of all sorts of
+fruit was represented, insomuch that the bunches of grapes hung up. And
+when they had made the stones to represent all the kinds of fruit before
+mentioned, and that each in its proper color, they made them fast with
+gold round the whole table. The like disposition of the oval figures,
+and of the engraved rods, was framed under the crown, that the table
+might on each side show the same appearance of variety and elegancy of
+its ornaments; so that neither the position of the wave-work nor of the
+crown might be different, although the table were turned on the other
+side, but that the prospect of the same artificial contrivances might be
+extended as far as the feet; for there was made a plate of gold four
+fingers broad, through the entire breadth of the table, into which they
+inserted the feet, and then fastened them to the table by buttons and
+button-holes, at the place where the crown was situate, that so on what
+side soever of the table one should stand, it might exhibit the very
+same view of the exquisite workmanship, and of the vast expenses
+bestowed upon it: but upon the table itself they engraved a meander,
+inserting into it very valuable stones in the middle like stars, of
+various colors; the carbuncle and the emerald, each of which sent out
+agreeable rays of light to the spectators; with such stones of other
+sorts also as were most curious and best esteemed, as being most
+precious in their kind. Hard by this meander a texture of net-work ran
+round it, the middle of which appeared like a rhombus, into which were
+inserted rock-crystal and amber, which, by the great resemblance of the
+appearance they made, gave wonderful delight to those that saw them. The
+chapiters of the feet imitated the first buddings of lilies, while their
+leaves were bent and laid under the table, but so that the chives were
+seen standing upright within them. Their bases were made of a carbuncle;
+and the place at the bottom, which rested on that carbuncle, was one
+palm deep, and eight fingers in breadth. Now they had engraven upon it
+with a very fine tool, and with a great deal of pains, a branch of ivy
+and tendrils of the vine, sending forth clusters of grapes, that you
+would guess they were nowise different from real tendrils; for they were
+so very thin, and so very far extended at their extremities, that they
+were moved with the wind, and made one believe that they were the
+product of nature, and not the representation of art. They also made the
+entire workmanship of the table appear to be threefold, while the joints
+of the several parts were so united together as to be invisible, and the
+places where they joined could not be distinguished. Now the thickness
+of the table was not less than half a cubit. So that this gift, by the
+king's great generosity, by the great value of the materials, and the
+variety of its exquisite structure, and the artificer's skill in
+imitating nature with graying tools, was at length brought to
+perfection, while the king was very desirous, that though in largeness
+it were not to be different from that which was already dedicated to
+God, yet that in exquisite workmanship, and the novelty of the
+contrivances, and in the splendor of its construction, it should far
+exceed it, and be more illustrious than that was.
+
+10. Now of the cisterns of gold there were two, whose sculpture was of
+scale-work, from its basis to its belt-like circle, with various sorts
+of stones enchased in the spiral circles. Next to which there was upon
+it a meander of a cubit in height; it was composed of stones of all
+sorts of colors. And next to this was the rod-work engraven; and next to
+that was a rhombus in a texture of net-work, drawn out to the brim of
+the basin, while small shields, made of stones, beautiful in their kind,
+and of four fingers' depth, filled up the middle parts. About the top of
+the basin were wreathed the leaves of lilies, and of the convolvulus,
+and the tendrils of vines in a circular manner. And this was the
+construction of the two cisterns of gold, each containing two firkins.
+But those which were of silver were much more bright and splendid than
+looking-glasses, and you might in them see the images that fell upon
+them more plainly than in the other. The king also ordered thirty vials;
+those of which the parts that were of gold, and filled up with precious
+stones, were shadowed over with the leaves of ivy and of vines,
+artificially engraven. And these were the vessels that were after an
+extraordinary manner brought to this perfection, partly by the skill of
+the workmen, who were admirable in such fine work, but much more by the
+diligence and generosity of the king, who not only supplied the
+artificers abundantly, and with great generosity, with what they wanted,
+but he forbade public audiences for the time, and came and stood by the
+workmen, and saw the whole operation. And this was the cause why the
+workmen were so accurate in their performance, because they had regard
+to the king, and to his great concern about the vessels, and so the more
+indefatigably kept close to the work.
+
+11. And these were what gifts were sent by Ptolemy to Jerusalem, and
+dedicated to God there. But when Eleazar the high priest had devoted
+them to God, and had paid due respect to those that brought them, and
+had given them presents to be carried to the king, he dismissed them.
+And when they were come to Alexandria, and Ptolemy heard that they were
+come, and that the seventy elders were come also, he presently sent for
+Andreas and Aristens, his ambassadors, who came to him, and delivered
+him the epistle which they brought him from the high priest, and made
+answer to all the questions he put to them by word of mouth. He then
+made haste to meet the elders that came from Jerusalem for the
+interpretation of the laws; and he gave command, that every body who
+came on other occasions should be sent away, which was a thing
+surprising, and what he did not use to do; for those that were drawn
+thither upon such occasions used to come to him on the fifth day, but
+ambassadors at the month's end. But when he had sent those away, he
+waited for these that were sent by Eleazar; but as the old men came in
+with the presents, which the high priest had given them to bring to the
+king, and with the membranes, upon which they had their laws written in
+golden letters 7 he put questions to them concerning those books; and
+when they had taken off the covers wherein they were wrapt up, they
+showed him the membranes. So the king stood admiring the thinness of
+those membranes, and the exactness of the junctures, which could not be
+perceived; [so exactly were they connected one with another;] and this
+he did for a considerable time. He then said that he returned them
+thanks for coming to him, and still greater thanks to him that sent
+them; and, above all, to that God whose laws they appeared to be. Then
+did the elders, and those that were present with them, cry out with one
+voice, and wished all happiness to the king. Upon which he fell into
+tears by the violence of the pleasure he had, it being natural to men to
+afford the same indications in great joy that they do under sorrows. And
+when he had bid them deliver the books to those that were appointed to
+receive them, he saluted the men, and said that it was but just to
+discourse, in the first place, of the errand they were sent about, and
+then to address himself to themselves. He promised, however, that he
+would make this day on which they came to him remarkable and eminent
+every year through the whole course of his life; for their coming to
+him, and the victory which he gained over Antigonus by sea, proved to be
+on the very same day. He also gave orders that they should sup with him;
+and gave it in charge that they should have excellent lodgings provided
+for them in the upper part of the city.
+
+12. Now he that was appointed to take care of the reception of
+strangers, Nicanor by name, called for Dorotheus, whose duty it was to
+make provision for them, and bid him prepare for every one of them what
+should be requisite for their diet and way of living; which thing was
+ordered by the king after this manner: he took care that those that
+belonged to every city, which did not use the same way of living, that
+all things should be prepared for them according to the custom of those
+that came to him, that, being feasted according to the usual method of
+their own way of living, they might be the better pleased, and might not
+be uneasy at any thing done to them from which they were naturally
+averse. And this was now done in the case of these men by Dorotheus, who
+was put into this office because of his great skill in such matters
+belonging to common life; for he took care of all such matters as
+concerned the reception of strangers, and appointed them double seats
+for them to sit on, according as the king had commanded him to do; for
+he had commanded that half of their seats should be set at his right
+hand, and the other half behind his table, and took care that no respect
+should be omitted that could be shown them. And when they were thus set
+down, he bid Dorotheus to minister to all those that were come to him
+from Judea, after the manner they used to be ministered to; for which
+cause he sent away their sacred heralds, and those that slew the
+sacrifices, and the rest that used to say grace; but called to one of
+those that were come to him, whose name was Eleazar, who was a priest,
+and desired him to say grace; 8 who then stood in the midst of them, and
+prayed, that all prosperity might attend the king, and those that were
+his subjects. Upon which an acclamation was made by the whole company,
+with joy and a great noise; and when that was over, they fell to eating
+their supper, and to the enjoyment of what was set before them. And at a
+little interval afterward, when the king thought a sufficient time had
+been interposed, he began to talk philosophically to them, and he asked
+every one of them a philosophical question 9 and such a one as might
+give light in those inquiries; and when they had explained all the
+problems that had been proposed by the king about every point, he was
+well-pleased with their answers. This took up the twelve days in which
+they were treated; and he that pleases may learn the particular
+questions in that book of Aristeus, which he wrote on this very
+occasion.
+
+13. And while not the king only, but the philosopher Menedemus also,
+admired them, and said that all things were governed by Providence, and
+that it was probable that thence it was that such force or beauty was
+discovered in these men's words, they then left off asking any more such
+questions. But the king said that he had gained very great advantages by
+their coming, for that he had received this profit from them, that he
+had learned how he ought to rule his subjects. And he gave order that
+they should have every one three talents given them, and that those that
+were to conduct them to their lodging should do it. Accordingly, when
+three days were over, Demetrius took them, and went over the causeway
+seven furlongs long: it was a bank in the sea to an island. And when
+they had gone over the bridge, he proceeded to the northern parts, and
+showed them where they should meet, which was in a house that was built
+near the shore, and was a quiet place, and fit for their discoursing
+together about their work. When he had brought them thither, he
+entreated them [now they had all things about them which they wanted for
+the interpretation of their law] that they would suffer nothing to
+interrupt them in their work. Accordingly, they made an accurate
+interpretation, with great zeal and great pains, and this they continued
+to do till the ninth hour of the day; after which time they relaxed, and
+took care of their body, while their food was provided for them in great
+plenty: besides, Dorotheus, at the king's command, brought them a great
+deal of what was provided for the king himself. But in the morning they
+came to the court and saluted Ptolemy, and then went away to their
+former place, where, when they had washed their hands, 10 and purified
+themselves, they betook themselves to the interpretation of the laws.
+Now when the law was transcribed, and the labor of interpretation was
+over, which came to its conclusion in seventy-two days, Demetrius
+gathered all the Jews together to the place where the laws were
+translated, and where the interpreters were, and read them over. The
+multitude did also approve of those elders that were the interpreters of
+the law. They withal commended Demetrius for his proposal, as the
+inventor of what was greatly for their happiness; and they desired that
+he would give leave to their rulers also to read the law. Moreover, they
+all, both the priest and the ancientest of the elders, and the principal
+men of their commonwealth, made it their request, that since the
+interpretation was happily finished, it might continue in the state it
+now was, and might not be altered. And when they all commended that
+determination of theirs, they enjoined, that if any one observed either
+any thing superfluous, or any thing omitted, that he would take a view
+of it again, and have it laid before them, and corrected; which was a
+wise action of theirs, that when the thing was judged to have been well
+done, it might continue for ever.
+
+14. So the king rejoiced when he saw that his design of this nature was
+brought to perfection, to so great advantage; and he was chiefly
+delighted with hearing the Laws read to him; and was astonished at the
+deep meaning and wisdom of the legislator. And he began to discourse
+with Demetrius, "How it came to pass, that when this legislation was so
+wonderful, no one, either of the poets or of the historians, had made
+mention of it." Demetrius made answer, "that no one durst be so bold as
+to touch upon the description of these laws, because they were Divine
+and venerable, and because some that had attempted it were afflicted by
+God." He also told him, that "Theopompus was desirous of writing
+somewhat about them, but was thereupon disturbed in his mind for above
+thirty days' time; and upon some intermission of his distemper, he
+appeased God [by prayer], as suspecting that his madness proceeded from
+that cause." Nay, indeed, he further saw in a dream, that his distemper
+befell him while he indulged too great a curiosity about Divine matters,
+and was desirous of publishing them among common men; but when he left
+off that attempt, he recovered his understanding again. Moreover, he
+informed him of Theodectes, the tragic poet, concerning whom it was
+reported, that when in a certain dramatic representation he was desirous
+to make mention of things that were contained in the sacred books, he
+was afflicted with a darkness in his eyes; and that upon his being
+conscious of the occasion of his distemper, and appeasing God [by
+prayer], he was freed from that affliction.
+
+15. And when the king had received these books from Demetrius, as we
+have said already, he adored them, and gave order that great care should
+be taken of them, that they might remain uncorrupted. He also desired
+that the interpreters would come often to him out of Judea, and that
+both on account of the respects that he would pay them, and on account
+of the presents he would make them; for he said it was now but just to
+send them away, although if, of their own accord, they would come to him
+hereafter, they should obtain all that their own wisdom might justly
+require, and what his generosity was able to give them. So he then sent
+them away, and gave to every one of them three garments of the best
+sort, and two talents of gold, and a cup of the value of one talent, and
+the furniture of the room wherein they were feasted. And these were the
+things he presented to them. But by them he sent to Eleazar the high
+priest ten beds, with feet of silver, and the furniture to them
+belonging, and a cup of the value of thirty talents; and besides these,
+ten garments, and purple, and a very beautiful crown, and a hundred
+pieces of the finest woven linen; as also vials and dishes, and vessels
+for pouring, and two golden cisterns to be dedicated to God. He also
+desired him, by an epistle, that he would give these interpreters leave,
+if any of them were desirous of coming to him, because he highly valued
+a conversation with men of such learning, and should be very willing to
+lay out his wealth upon such men. And this was what came to the Jews,
+and was much to their glory and honor, from Ptolemy Philadelphus.
+
+
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER 3. How The Kings Of Asia Honored The Nation Of The Jews And Made
+Them Citizens Of Those Cities Which They Built.
+
+1. The Jews also obtained honors from the kings of Asia when they became
+their auxiliaries; for Seleucus Nicator made them citizens in those
+cities which he built in Asia, and in the lower Syria, and in the
+metropolis itself, Antioch; and gave them privileges equal to those of
+the Macedonians and Greeks, who were the inhabitants, insomuch that
+these privileges continue to this very day: an argument for which you
+have in this, that whereas the Jews do not make use of oil prepared by
+foreigners, 11 they receive a certain sum of money from the proper
+officers belonging to their exercises as the value of that oil; which
+money, when the people of Antioch would have deprived them of, in the
+last war, Mucianus, who was then president of Syria, preserved it to
+them. And when the people of Alexandria and of Antioch did after that,
+at the time that Vespasian and Titus his son governed the habitable
+earth, pray that these privileges of citizens might be taken away, they
+did not obtain their request in which behavior any one may discern the
+equity and generosity of the Romans, 12 especially of Vespasian and
+Titus, who, although they had been at a great deal of pains in the war
+against the Jews, and were exasperated against them, because they did
+not deliver up their weapons to them, but continued the war to the very
+last, yet did not they take away any of their forementioned privileges
+belonging to them as citizens, but restrained their anger, and overcame
+the prayers of the Alexandrians and Antiochians, who were a very
+powerful people, insomuch that they did not yield to them, neither out
+of their favor to these people, nor out of their old grudge at those
+whose wicked opposition they had subdued in the war; nor would they
+alter any of the ancient favors granted to the Jews, but said, that
+those who had borne arms against them, and fought them, had suffered
+punishment already, and that it was not just to deprive those that had
+not offended of the privileges they enjoyed.
+
+2. We also know that Marcus Agrippa was of the like disposition towards
+the Jews: for when the people of Ionia were very angry at them, and
+besought Agrippa that they, and they only, might have those privileges
+of citizens which Antiochus, the grandson of Seleucus, [who by the
+Greeks was called The God,] had bestowed on them, and desired that, if
+the Jews were to be joint-partakers with them, they might be obliged to
+worship the gods they themselves worshipped: but when these matters were
+brought to the trial, the Jews prevailed, and obtained leave to make use
+of their own customs, and this under the patronage of Nicolaus of
+Damascus; for Agrippa gave sentence that he could not innovate. And if
+any one hath a mind to know this matter accurately, let him peruse the
+hundred and twenty-third and hundred and twenty-fourth books of the
+history of this Nicolaus. Now as to this determination of Agrippa, it is
+not so much to be admired, for at that time our nation had not made war
+against the Romans. But one may well be astonished at the generosity of
+Vespasian and Titus, that after so great wars and contests which they
+had from us, they should use such moderation. But I will now return to
+that part of my history whence I made the present digression.
+
+3. Now it happened that in the reign of Antiochus the Great, who ruled
+over all Asia, that the Jews, as well as the inhabitants of Celesyria,
+suffered greatly, and their land was sorely harassed; for while he was
+at war with Ptolemy Philopater, and with his son, who was called
+Epiphanes, it fell out that these nations were equally sufferers, both
+when he was beaten, and when he beat the others: so that they were very
+like to a ship in a storm, which is tossed by the waves on both sides;
+and just thus were they in their situation in the middle between
+Antiochus's prosperity and its change to adversity. But at length, when
+Antiochus had beaten Ptolemy, he seized upon Judea; and when Philopater
+was dead, his son sent out a great army under Scopas, the general of his
+forces, against the inhabitants of Celesyria, who took many of their
+cities, and in particular our nation; which when he fell upon them, went
+over to him. Yet was it not long afterward when Antiochus overcame
+Scopas, in a battle fought at the fountains of Jordan, and destroyed a
+great part of his army. But afterward, when Antiochus subdued those
+cities of Celesyria which Scopas had gotten into his possession, and
+Samaria with them, the Jews, of their own accord, went over to him, and
+received him into the city [Jerusalem], and gave plentiful provision to
+all his army, and to his elephants, and readily assisted him when he
+besieged the garrison which was in the citadel of Jerusalem. Wherefore
+Antiochus thought it but just to requite the Jews' diligence and zeal in
+his service. So he wrote to the generals of his armies, and to his
+friends, and gave testimony to the good behavior of the Jews towards
+him, and informed them what rewards he had resolved to bestow on them
+for that their behavior. I will set down presently the epistles
+themselves which he wrote to the generals concerning them, but will
+first produce the testimony of Polybius of Megalopolis; for thus does he
+speak, in the sixteenth book of his history: "Now Scopas, the general of
+Ptolemy's army, went in haste to the superior parts of the country, and
+in the winter time overthrew the nation of the Jews?" He also saith, in
+the same book, that "when Seopas was conquered by Antiochus, Antiochus
+received Batanea, and Samaria, and Abila, and Gadara; and that, a while
+afterwards, there came in to him those Jews that inhabited near that
+temple which was called Jerusalem; concerning which, although I have
+more to say, and particularly concerning the presence of God about that
+temple, yet do I put off that history till another opportunity." This it
+is which Polybius relates. But we will return to the series of the
+history, when we have first produced the epistles of king Antiochus.
+
+King Antiochus To Ptolemy, Sendeth Greeting.
+
+"Since the Jews, upon our first entrance on their country, demonstrated
+their friendship towards us, and when we came to their city [Jerusalem],
+received us in a splendid manner, and came to meet us with their senate,
+and gave abundance of provisions to our soldiers, and to the elephants,
+and joined with us in ejecting the garrison of the Egyptians that were
+in the citadel, we have thought fit to reward them, and to retrieve the
+condition of their city, which hath been greatly depopulated by such
+accidents as have befallen its inhabitants, and to bring those that have
+been scattered abroad back to the city. And, in the first place, we have
+determined, on account of their piety towards God, to bestow on them, as
+a pension, for their sacrifices of animals that are fit for sacrifice,
+for wine, and oil, and frankincense, the value of twenty thousand pieces
+of silver, and [six] sacred artabrae of fine flour, with one thousand
+four hundred and sixty medimni of wheat, and three hundred and seventy-
+five medimni of salt. And these payments I would have fully paid them,
+as I have sent orders to you. I would also have the work about the
+temple finished, and the cloisters, and if there be any thing else that
+ought to be rebuilt. And for the materials of wood, let it be brought
+them out of Judea itself and out of the other countries, and out of
+Libanus tax free; and the same I would have observed as to those other
+materials which will be necessary, in order to render the temple more
+glorious; and let all of that nation live according to the laws of their
+own country; and let the senate, and the priests, and the scribes of the
+temple, and the sacred singers, be discharged from poll-money and the
+crown tax and other taxes also. And that the city may the sooner recover
+its inhabitants, I grant a discharge from taxes for three years to its
+present inhabitants, and to such as shall come to it, until the month
+Hyperheretus. We also discharge them for the future from a third part of
+their taxes, that the losses they have sustained may be repaired. And
+all those citizens that have been carried away, and are become slaves,
+we grant them and their children their freedom, and give order that
+their substance be restored to them."
+
+4. And these were the contents of this epistle. He also published a
+decree through all his kingdom in honor of the temple, which contained
+what follows: "It shall be lawful for no foreigner to come within the
+limits of the temple round about; which thing is forbidden also to the
+Jews, unless to those who, according to their own custom, have purified
+themselves. Nor let any flesh of horses, or of mules, or of asses, he
+brought into the city, whether they be wild or tame; nor that of
+leopards, or foxes, or hares; and, in general, that of any animal which
+is forbidden for the Jews to eat. Nor let their skins be brought into
+it; nor let any such animal be bred up in the city. Let them only be
+permitted to use the sacrifices derived from their forefathers, with
+which they have been obliged to make acceptable atonements to God. And
+he that transgresseth any of these orders, let him pay to the priests
+three thousand drachmae of silver." Moreover, this Antiochus bare
+testimony to our piety and fidelity, in an epistle of his, written when
+he was informed of a sedition in Phrygia and Lydia, at which time he was
+in the superior provinces, wherein he commanded Zenxis, the general of
+his forces, and his most intimate friend, to send some of our nation out
+of Babylon into Phrygia. The epistle was this:
+
+King Antiochus To Zeuxis His Father, Sendeth Greeting.
+
+"If you are in health, it is well. I also am in health. Having been
+informed that a sedition is arisen in Lydia and Phrygia, I thought that
+matter required great care; and upon advising with my friends what was
+fit to be done, it hath been thought proper to remove two thousand
+families of Jews, with their effects, out of Mesopotamia and Babylon,
+unto the castles and places that lie most convenient; for I am persuaded
+that they will be well-disposed guardians of our possessions, because of
+their piety towards God, and because I know that my predecessors have
+borne witness to them, that they are faithful, and with alacrity do what
+they are desired to do. I will, therefore, though it be a laborious
+work, that thou remove these Jews, under a promise, that they shall be
+permitted to use their own laws. And when thou shalt have brought them
+to the places forementioned, thou shalt give everyone of their families
+a place for building their houses, and a portion of the land for their
+husbandry, and for the plantation of their vines; and thou shalt
+discharge them from paying taxes of the fruits of the earth for ten
+years; and let them have a proper quantity of wheat for the maintenance
+of their servants, until they receive bread corn out of the earth; also
+let a sufficient share be given to such as minister to them in the
+necessaries of life, that by enjoying the effects of our humanity, they
+may show themselves the more willing and ready about our affairs. Take
+care likewise of that nation, as far as thou art able, that they may not
+have any disturbance given them by any one." Now these testimonials
+which I have produced are sufficient to declare the friendship that
+Antiochus the Great bare to the Jews.
+
+
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER 4. How Antiochus Made A League With Ptolemy And How Onias
+Provoked Ptolemy Euergetes To Anger; And How Joseph Brought All Things
+Right Again, And Entered Into Friendship With Him; And What Other Things
+Were Done By Joseph, And His Son Hyrcanus.
+
+1. After this Antiochus made a friendship and league with Ptolemy, and
+gave him his daughter Cleopatra to wife, and yielded up to him
+Celesyria, and Samaria, and Judea, and Phoenicia, by way of dowry. And
+upon the division of the taxes between the two kings, all the principal
+men framed the taxes of their several countries, and collecting the sum
+that was settled for them, paid the same to the [two] kings. Now at this
+time the Samaritans were in a flourishing condition, and much distressed
+the Jews, cutting off parts of their land, and carrying off slaves. This
+happened when Onias was high priest; for after Eleazar's death, his
+uncle Manasseh took the priesthood, and after he had ended his life,
+Onias received that dignity. He was the son of Simon, who was called The
+Just: which Simon was the brother of Eleazar, as I said before. This
+Onias was one of a little soul, and a great lover of money; and for that
+reason, because he did not pay that tax of twenty talents of silver,
+which his forefathers paid to these things out of their own estates, he
+provoked king Ptolemy Euergetes to anger, who was the father of
+Philopater. Euergetes sent an ambassador to Jerusalem, and complained
+that Onias did not pay his taxes, and threatened, that if he did not
+receive them, he would seize upon their land, and send soldiers to live
+upon it. When the Jews heard this message of the king, they were
+confounded; but so sordidly covetous was Onias, that nothing of things
+nature made him ashamed.
+
+2. There was now one Joseph, young in age, but of great reputation among
+the people of Jerusalem, for gravity, prudence, and justice. His
+father's name was Tobias; and his mother was the sister of Onias the
+high priest, who informed him of the coming of the ambassador; for he
+was then sojourning at a village named Phicol, 13 where he was born.
+Hereupon he came to the city [Jerusalem], and reproved Onias for not
+taking care of the preservation of his countrymen, but bringing the
+nation into dangers, by not paying this money. For which preservation of
+them, he told him he had received the authority over them, and had been
+made high priest; but that, in case he was so great a lover of money, as
+to endure to see his country in danger on that account, and his
+countrymen suffer the greatest damages, he advised him to go to the
+king, and petition him to remit either the whole or a part of the sum
+demanded. Onias's answer was this: That he did not care for his
+authority, and that he was ready, if the thing were practicable, to lay
+down his high priesthood; and that he would not go to the king, because
+he troubled not himself at all about such matters. Joseph then asked him
+if he would not give him leave to go ambassador on behalf of the nation.
+He replied, that he would give him leave. Upon which Joseph went up into
+the temple, and called the multitude together to a congregation, and
+exhorted them not to be disturbed nor affrighted, because of his uncle
+Onias's carelessness, but desired them to be at rest, and not terrify
+themselves with fear about it; for he promised them that he would be
+their ambassador to the king, and persuade him that they had done him no
+wrong. And when the multitude heard this, they returned thanks to
+Joseph. So he went down from the temple, and treated Ptolemy's
+ambassador in a hospitable manner. He also presented him with rich
+gifts, and feasted him magnificently for many days, and then sent him to
+the king before him, and told him that he would soon follow him; for he
+was now more willing to go to the king, by the encouragement of the
+ambassador, who earnestly persuaded him to come into Egypt, and promised
+him that he would take care that he should obtain every thing that he
+desired of Ptolemy; for he was highly pleased with his frank and liberal
+temper, and with the gravity of his deportment.
+
+3. When Ptolemy's ambassador was come into Egypt, he told the king of
+the thoughtless temper of Onias; and informed him of the goodness of the
+disposition of Joseph; and that he was coming to him to excuse the
+multitude, as not having done him any harm, for that he was their
+patron. In short, he was so very large in his encomiums upon the young
+man, that he disposed both the king and his wife Cleopatra to have a
+kindness for him before he came. So Joseph sent to his friends at
+Samaria, and borrowed money of them, and got ready what was necessary
+for his journey, garments and cups, and beasts for burden, which
+amounted to about twenty thousand drachmae, and went to Alexandria. Now
+it happened that at this time all the principal men and rulers went up
+out of the cities of Syria and Phoenicia, to bid for their taxes; for
+every year the king sold them to the men of the greatest power in every
+city. So these men saw Joseph journeying on the way, and laughed at him
+for his poverty and meanness. But when he came to Alexandria, and heard
+that king Ptolemy was at Memphis, he went up thither to meet with him;
+which happened as the king was sitting in his chariot, with his wife,
+and with his friend Athenion, who was the very person who had been
+ambassador at Jerusalem, and had been entertained by Joseph. As soon
+therefore as Athenion saw him, he presently made him known to the king,
+how good and generous a young man he was. So Ptolemy saluted him first,
+and desired him to come up into his chariot; and as Joseph sat there, he
+began to complain of the management of Onias: to which he answered,
+"Forgive him, on account of his age; for thou canst not certainly be
+unacquainted with this, that old men and infants have their minds
+exactly alike; but thou shalt have from us, who are young men, every
+thing thou desirest, and shalt have no cause to complain." With this
+good humor and pleasantry of the young man, the king was so delighted,
+that he began already, as though he had had long experience of him, to
+have a still greater affection for him, insomuch that he bade him take
+his diet in the king's palace, and be a guest at his own table every
+day. But when the king was come to Alexandria, the principal men of
+Syria saw him sitting with the king, and were much offended at it.
+
+4. And when the day came on which the king was to let the taxes of the
+cities to farm, and those that were the principal men of dignity in
+their several countries were to bid for them, the sum of the taxes
+together, of Celesyria, and Phoenicia, and Judea, with Samaria, [as they
+were bidden for,] came to eight thousand talents. Hereupon Joseph
+accused the bidders, as having agreed together to estimate the value of
+the taxes at too low a rate; and he promised that he would himself give
+twice as much for them: but for those who did not pay, he would send the
+king home their whole substance; for this privilege was sold together
+with the taxes themselves. The king was pleased to hear that offer; and
+because it augmented his revenues, he said he would confirm the sale of
+the taxes to him. But when he asked him this question, Whether he had
+any sureties that would be bound for the payment of the money? he
+answered very pleasantly, "I will give such security, and those of
+persons good and responsible, and which you shall have no reason to
+distrust." And when he bid him name them who they were, he replied, "I
+give thee no other persons, O king, for my sureties, than thyself, and
+this thy wife; and you shall be security for both parties." So Ptolemy
+laughed at the proposal, and granted him the farming of the taxes
+without any sureties. This procedure was a sore grief to those that came
+from the cities into Egypt, who were utterly disappointed; and they
+returned every one to their own country with shame.
+
+5. But Joseph took with him two thousand foot soldiers from the king,
+for he desired he might have some assistance, in order to force such as
+were refractory in the cities to pay. And borrowing of the king's
+friends at Alexandria five hundred talents, he made haste back into
+Syria. And when he was at Askelon, and demanded the taxes of the people
+of Askelon, they refused to pay any thing, and affronted him also; upon
+which he seized upon about twenty of the principal men, and slew them,
+and gathered what they had together, and sent it all to the king, and
+informed him what he had done. Ptolemy admired the prudent conduct of
+the man, and commended him for what he had done, and gave him leave to
+do as he pleased. When the Syrians heard of this, they were astonished;
+and having before them a sad example in the men of Askelon that were
+slain, they opened their gates, and willingly admitted Joseph, and paid
+their taxes. And when the inhabitants of Scythopolis attempted to
+affront him, and would not pay him those taxes which they formerly used
+to pay, without disputing about them, he slew also the principal men of
+that city, and sent their effects to the king. By this means he gathered
+great wealth together, and made vast gains by this farming of the taxes;
+and he made use of what estate he had thus gotten, in order to support
+his authority, as thinking it a piece of prudence to keep what had been
+the occasion and foundation of his present good fortune; and this he did
+by the assistance of what he was already possessed of, for he privately
+sent many presents to the king, and to Cleopatra, and to their friends,
+and to all that were powerful about the court, and thereby purchased
+their good-will to himself.
+
+6. This good fortune he enjoyed for twenty-two years, and was become the
+father of seven sons by one wife; he had also another son, whose name
+was Hyrcanus, by his brother Solymius's daughter, whom he married on the
+following occasion. He once came to Alexandria with his brother, who had
+along with him a daughter already marriageable, in order to give her in
+wedlock to some of the Jews of chief dignity there. He then supped with
+the king, and falling in love with an actress that was of great beauty,
+and came into the room where they feasted, he told his brother of it,
+and entreated him, because a Jew is forbidden by their law to come near
+to a foreigner, to conceal his offense; and to be kind and subservient
+to him, and to give him an opportunity of fulfilling his desires. Upon
+which his brother willingly entertained the proposal of serving him, and
+adorned his own daughter, and brought her to him by night, and put her
+into his bed. And Joseph, being disordered with drink, knew not who she
+was, and so lay with his brother's daughter; and this did he many times,
+and loved her exceedingly; and said to his brother, that he loved this
+actress so well, that he should run the hazard of his life [if he must
+part with her], and yet probably the king would not give him leave [to
+take her with him]. But his brother bid him be in no concern about that
+matter, and told him he might enjoy her whom he loved without any
+danger, and might have her for his wife; and opened the truth of the
+matter to him, and assured him that he chose rather to have his own
+daughter abused, than to overlook him, and see him come to [public]
+disgrace. So Joseph commended him for this his brotherly love, and
+married his daughter; and by her begat a son, whose name was Hyrcanus,
+as we said before. And when this his youngest son showed, at thirteen
+years old, a mind that was both courageous and wise, and was greatly
+envied by his brethren, as being of a genius much above them, and such a
+one as they might well envy, Joseph had once a mind to know which of his
+sons had the best disposition to virtue; and when he sent them severally
+to those that had then the best reputation for instructing youth, the
+rest of his children, by reason of their sloth and unwillingness to take
+pains, returned to him foolish and unlearned. After them he sent out the
+youngest, Hyrcanus, and gave him three hundred yoke of oxen, and bid him
+go two days' journey into the wilderness, and sow the land there, and
+yet kept back privately the yokes of the oxen that coupled them
+together. When Hyrcanus came to the place, and found he had no yokes
+with him, he condemned the drivers of the oxen, who advised him to send
+some to his father, to bring them some yokes; but he thinking that he
+ought not to lose his time while they should be sent to bring him the
+yokes, he invented a kind of stratagem, and what suited an age older
+than his own; for he slew ten yoke of the oxen, and distributed their
+flesh among the laborers, and cut their hides into several pieces, and
+made him yokes, and yoked the oxen together with them; by which means he
+sowed as much land as his father had appointed him to sow, and returned
+to him. And when he was come back, his father was mightily pleased with
+his sagacity, and commended the sharpness of his understanding, and his
+boldness in what he did. And he still loved him the more, as if he were
+his only genuine son, while his brethren were much troubled at it.
+
+7. But when one told him that Ptolemy had a son just born, and that all
+the principal men of Syria, and the other countries subject to him, were
+to keep a festival, on account of the child's birthday, and went away in
+haste with great retinues to Alexandria, he was himself indeed hindered
+from going by old age; but he made trial of his sons, whether any of
+them would be willing to go to the king. And when the elder sons excused
+themselves from going, and said they were not courtiers good enough for
+such conversation, and advised him to send their brother Hyrcanus, he
+gladly hearkened to that advice, and called Hyrcanus, and asked him
+whether he would go to the king, and whether it was agreeable to him to
+go or not. And upon his promise that he would go, and his saying that he
+should not want much money for his journey, because he would live
+moderately, and that ten thousand drachmas would be sufficient, he was
+pleased with his son's prudence. After a little while, the son advised
+his father not to send his presents to the king from thence, but to give
+him a letter to his steward at Alexandria, that he might furnish him
+with money, for purchasing what should be most excellent and most
+precious. So he thinking that the expense of ten talents would be enough
+for presents to be made the king, and commending his son, as giving him
+good advice, wrote to Arion his steward, that managed all his money
+matters at Alexandria; which money was not less than three thousand
+talents on his account, for Joseph sent the money he received in Syria
+to Alexandria. And when the day appointed for the payment of the taxes
+to the king came, he wrote to Arion to pay them. So when the son had
+asked his father for a letter to the steward, and had received it, he
+made haste to Alexandria. And when he was gone, his brethren wrote to
+all the king's friends, that they should destroy him.
+
+8. But when he was come to Alexandria, he delivered his letter to Arion,
+who asked him how many talents he would have [hoping he would ask for no
+more than ten, or a little more]; he said he wanted a thousand talents.
+At which the steward was angry, and rebuked him, as one that intended to
+live extravagantly; and he let him know how his father had gathered
+together his estate by painstaking, and resisting his inclinations, and
+wished him to imitate the example of his father: he assured him withal,
+that he would give him but ten talents, and that for a present to the
+king also. The son was irritated at this, and threw Arion into prison.
+But when Arion's wife had informed Cleopatra of this, with her entreaty,
+that she would rebuke the child for what he had done, [for Arion was in
+great esteem with her,] Cleopatra informed the king of it. And Ptolemy
+sent for Hyrcanus, and told him that he wondered, when he was sent to
+him by his father, that he had not yet come into his presence, but had
+laid the steward in prison. And he gave order, therefore, that he should
+come to him, and give an account of the reason of what he had done. And
+they report that the answer he made to the king's messenger was this:
+That "there was a law of his that forbade a child that was born to taste
+of the sacrifice, before he had been at the temple and sacrificed to
+God. According to which way of reasoning he did not himself come to him
+in expectation of the present he was to make to him, as to one who had
+been his father's benefactor; and that he had punished the slave for
+disobeying his commands, for that it mattered not Whether a master was
+little or great: so that unless we punish such as these, thou thyself
+mayst also expect to be despised by thy subjects." Upon hearing this his
+answer he fell a laughing, and wondered at the great soul of the child.
+
+9. When Arion was apprized that this was the king's disposition, and
+that he had no way to help himself, he gave the child a thousand
+talents, and was let out of prison. So after three days were over,
+Hyrcanus came and saluted the king and queen. They saw him with
+pleasure, and feasted him in an obliging manner, out of the respect they
+bare to his father. So he came to the merchants privately, and bought a
+hundred boys, that had learning, and were in the flower of their ages,
+each at a talent apiece; as also he bought a hundred maidens, each at
+the same price as the other. And when he was invited to feast with the
+king among the principal men in the country, he sat down the lowest of
+them all, because he was little regarded, as a child in age still; and
+this by those who placed every one according to their dignity. Now when
+all those that sat with him had laid the bones Of the several parts on a
+heap before Hyrcanus, [for they had themselves taken away the flesh
+belonging to them,] till the table where he sat was filled full with
+them, Trypho, who was the king's jester, and was appointed for jokes and
+laughter at festivals, was now asked by the guests that sat at the table
+[to expose him to laughter]. So he stood by the king, and said, "Dost
+thou not see, my lord, the bones that lie by Hyrcanus? by this
+similitude thou mayst conjecture that his father made all Syria as bare
+as he hath made these bones." And the king laughing at what Trypho said,
+and asking of Hyrcanus, How he came to have so many bones before him? he
+replied, "Very rightfully, my lord; for they are dogs that eat the flesh
+and the bones together, as these thy guests have done, [looking in the
+mean time at those guests,] for there is nothing before them; but they
+are men that eat the flesh, and cast away the hones, as I, who am also a
+man, have now done." Upon which the king admired at his answer, which
+was so wisely made; and bid them all make an acclamation, as a mark of
+their approbation of his jest, which was truly a facetious one. On the
+next day Hyrcanus went to every one of the king's friends, and of the
+men powerful at court, and saluted them; but still inquired of the
+servants what present they would make the king on his son's birthday;
+and when some said that they would give twelve talents, and that others
+of greater dignity would every one give according to the quantity of
+their riches, he pretended to every one of them to be grieved that he
+was not able to bring so large a present; for that he had no more than
+five talents. And when the servants heard what he said, they told their
+masters; and they rejoiced in the prospect that Joseph would be
+disapproved, and would make the king angry, by the smallness of his
+present. When the day came, the others, even those that brought the
+most, offered the king not above twenty talents; but Hyrcanus gave to
+every one of the hundred boys and hundred maidens that he had bought a
+talent apiece, for them to carry, and introduced them, the boys to the
+king, and the maidens to Cleopatra; every body wondering at the
+unexpected richness of the presents, even the king and queen themselves.
+He also presented those that attended about the king with gifts to the
+value of a great number of talents, that he might escape the danger he
+was in from them; for to these it was that Hyrcanus's brethren had
+written to destroy him. Now Ptolemy admired at the young man's
+magnanimity, and commanded him to ask what gift he pleased. But he
+desired nothing else to be done for him by the king than to write to his
+father and brethren about him. So when the king had paid him very great
+respects, and had given him very large gifts, and had written to his
+father and his brethren, and all his commanders and officers, about him,
+he sent him away. But when his brethren heard that Hyrcanus had received
+such favors from the king, and was returning home with great honor, they
+went out to meet him, and to destroy him, and that with the privity of
+their father; for he was angry at him for the [large] sum of money that
+he bestowed for presents, and so had no concern for his preservation.
+However, Joseph concealed the anger he had at his son, out of fear of
+the king. And when Hyrcanus's brethren came to fight him, he slew many
+others of those that were with them, as also two of his brethren
+themselves; but the rest of them escaped to Jerusalem to their father.
+But when Hyrcanus came to the city, where nobody would receive him, he
+was afraid for himself, and retired beyond the river Jordan, and there
+abode, but obliging the barbarians to pay their taxes.
+
+10. At this time Seleucus, who was called Soter, reigned over Asia,
+being the son of Antiochus the Great. And [now] Hyrcanus's father,
+Joseph, died. He was a good man, and of great magnanimity; and brought
+the Jews out of a state of poverty and meanness, to one that was more
+splendid. He retained the farm of the taxes of Syria, and Phoenicia, and
+Samaria twenty-two years. His uncle also, Onias, died [about this time],
+and left the high priesthood to his son Simeon. And when he was dead,
+Onias his son succeeded him in that dignity. To him it was that Areus,
+king of the Lacedemonians, sent an embassage, with an epistle; the copy
+whereof here follows:
+
+"Areus, King Of The Lacedemonians, To Onias, Sendeth Greeting.
+
+"We have met with a certain writing, whereby we have discovered that
+both the Jews and the Lacedemonians are of one stock, and are derived
+from the kindred of Abraham 14 It is but just therefore that you, who
+are our brethren, should send to us about any of your concerns as you
+please. We will also do the same thing, and esteem your concerns as our
+own, and will look upon our concerns as in common with yours. Demoteles,
+who brings you this letter, will bring your answer back to us. This
+letter is four-square; and the seal is an eagle, with a dragon in his
+claws."
+
+11. And these were the contents of the epistle which was sent from the
+king of the Lacedemonians. But, upon the death of Joseph, the people
+grew seditious, on account of his sons. For whereas the elders made war
+against Hyrcanus, who was the youngest of Joseph's sons, the multitude
+was divided, but the greater part joined with the elders in this war; as
+did Simon the high priest, by reason he was of kin to them. However,
+Hyrcanus determined not to return to Jerusalem any more, but seated
+himself beyond Jordan, and was at perpetual war with the Arabians, and
+slew many of them, and took many of them captives. He also erected a
+strong castle, and built it entirely of white stone to the very roof,
+and had animals of a prodigious magnitude engraven upon it. He also drew
+round it a great and deep canal of water. He also made caves of many
+furlongs in length, by hollowing a rock that was over against him; and
+then he made large rooms in it, some for feasting, and some for sleeping
+and living in. He introduced also a vast quantity of waters which ran
+along it, and which were very delightful and ornamental in the court.
+But still he made the entrances at the mouth of the caves so narrow,
+that no more than one person could enter by them at once. And the reason
+why he built them after that manner was a good one; it was for his own
+preservation, lest he should be besieged by his brethren, and run the
+hazard of being caught by them. Moreover, he built courts of greater
+magnitude than ordinary, which he adorned with vastly large gardens. And
+when he had brought the place to this state, he named it Tyre. This
+place is between Arabia and Judea, beyond Jordan, not far from the
+country of Heshbon. And he ruled over those parts for seven years, even
+all the time that Seleucus was king of Syria. But when he was dead, his
+brother Antiochus, who was called Epiphanes, took the kingdom. Ptolemy
+also, the king of Egypt, died, who was besides called Epiphanes. He left
+two sons, and both young in age; the elder of which was called
+Philometer, and the youngest Physcon. As for Hyrcanus, when he saw that
+Antiochus had a great army, and feared lest he should be caught by him,
+and brought to punishment for what he had done to the Arabians, he ended
+his life, and slew himself with his own hand; while Antiochus seized
+upon all his substance.
+
+
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER 5. How, Upon The Quarrels One Against Another About The High
+Priesthood Antiochus Made An Expedition Against Jerusalem, Took The City
+And Pillaged The Temples. And Distressed The Jews' As Also How Many Of
+The Jews Forsook The Laws Of Their Country; And How The Samaritans
+Followed The Customs Of The Greeks And Named Their Temple At Mount
+Gerizzim The Temple Of Jupiter Hellenius.
+
+1. About this time, upon the death of Onias the high priest, they gave
+the high priesthood to Jesus his brother; for that son which Onias left
+[or Onias IV.] was yet but an infant; and, in its proper place, we will
+inform the reader of all the circumstances that befell this child. But
+this Jesus, who was the brother of Onias, was deprived of the high
+priesthood by the king, who was angry with him, and gave it to his
+younger brother, whose name also was Onias; for Simon had these three
+sons, to each of which the priesthood came, as we have already informed
+the reader. This Jesus changed his name to Jason, but Onias was called
+Menelaus. Now as the former high priest, Jesus, raised a sedition
+against Menelaus, who was ordained after him, the multitude were divided
+between them both. And the sons of Tobias took the part of Menelaus, but
+the greater part of the people assisted Jason; and by that means
+Menelaus and the sons of Tobias were distressed, and retired to
+Antiochus, and informed him that they were desirous to leave the laws of
+their country, and the Jewish way of living according to them, and to
+follow the king's laws, and the Grecian way of living. Wherefore they
+desired his permission to build them a Gymnasium at Jerusalem. 15 And
+when he had given them leave, they also hid the circumcision of their
+genitals, that even when they were naked they might appear to be Greeks.
+Accordingly, they left off all the customs that belonged to their own
+country, and imitated the practices of the other nations.
+
+2. Now Antiochus, upon the agreeable situation of the affairs of his
+kingdom, resolved to make an expedition against Egypt, both because he
+had a desire to gain it, and because he contemned the son of Ptolemy, as
+now weak, and not yet of abilities to manage affairs of such
+consequence; so he came with great forces to Pelusium, and circumvented
+Ptolemy Philometor by treachery, and seized upon Egypt. He then came to
+the places about Memphis; and when he had taken them, he made haste to
+Alexandria, in hopes of taking it by siege, and of subduing Ptolemy, who
+reigned there. But he was driven not only from Alexandria, but out of
+all Egypt, by the declaration of the Romans, who charged him to let that
+country alone; according as I have elsewhere formerly declared. I will
+now give a particular account of what concerns this king, how he subdued
+Judea and the temple; for in my former work I mentioned those things
+very briefly, and have therefore now thought it necessary to go over
+that history again, and that with great accuracy.
+
+3. King Antiochus returning out of Egypt 16 for fear of the Romans, made
+an expedition against the city Jerusalem; and when he was there, in the
+hundred and forty-third year of the kingdom of the Seleucidse, he took
+the city without fighting, those of his own party opening the gates to
+him. And when he had gotten possession of Jerusalem, he slew many of the
+opposite party; and when he had plundered it of a great deal of money,
+he returned to Antioch.
+
+4. Now it came to pass, after two years, in the hundred forty and fifth
+year, on the twenty-fifth day of that month which is by us called
+Chasleu, and by the Macedonians Apelleus, in the hundred and fifty-third
+olympiad, that the king came up to Jerusalem, and, pretending peace, he
+got possession of the city by treachery; at which time he spared not so
+much as those that admitted him into it, on account of the riches that
+lay in the temple; but, led by his covetous inclination, [for he saw
+there was in it a great deal of gold, and many ornaments that had been
+dedicated to it of very great value,] and in order to plunder its
+wealth, he ventured to break the league he had made. So he left the
+temple bare, and took away the golden candlesticks, and the golden altar
+[of incense], and table [of shew-bread], and the altar [of burnt-
+offering]; and did not abstain from even the veils, which were made of
+fine linen and scarlet. He also emptied it of its secret treasures, and
+left nothing at all remaining; and by this means cast the Jews into
+great lamentation, for he forbade them to offer those daily sacrifices
+which they used to offer to God, according to the law. And when he had
+pillaged the whole city, some of the inhabitants he slew, and some he
+carried captive, together with their wives and children, so that the
+multitude of those captives that were taken alive amounted to about ten
+thousand. He also burnt down the finest buildings; and when he had
+overthrown the city walls, he built a citadel in the lower part of the
+city, 17 for the place was high, and overlooked the temple; on which
+account he fortified it with high walls and towers, and put into it a
+garrison of Macedonians. However, in that citadel dwelt the impious and
+wicked part of the [Jewish] multitude, from whom it proved that the
+citizens suffered many and sore calamities. And when the king had built
+an idol altar upon God's altar, he slew swine upon it, and so offered a
+sacrifice neither according to the law, nor the Jewish religious worship
+in that country. He also compelled them to forsake the worship which
+they paid their own God, and to adore those whom he took to be gods; and
+made them build temples, and raise idol altars in every city and
+village, and offer swine upon them every day. He also commanded them not
+to circumcise their sons, and threatened to punish any that should be
+found to have transgressed his injunction. He also appointed overseers,
+who should compel them to do what he commanded. And indeed many Jews
+there were who complied with the king's commands, either voluntarily, or
+out of fear of the penalty that was denounced. But the best men, and
+those of the noblest souls, did not regard him, but did pay a greater
+respect to the customs of their country than concern as to the
+punishment which he threatened to the disobedient; on which account they
+every day underwent great miseries and bitter torments; for they were
+whipped with rods, and their bodies were torn to pieces, and were
+crucified, while they were still alive, and breathed. They also
+strangled those women and their sons whom they had circumcised, as the
+king had appointed, hanging their sons about their necks as they were
+upon the crosses. And if there were any sacred book of the law found, it
+was destroyed, and those with whom they were found miserably perished
+also.
+
+5. When the Samaritans saw the Jews under these sufferings, they no
+longer confessed that they were of their kindred, nor that the temple on
+Mount Gerizzim belonged to Almighty God. This was according to their
+nature, as we have already shown. And they now said that they were a
+colony of Medes and Persians; and indeed they were a colony of theirs.
+So they sent ambassadors to Antiochus, and an epistle, whose contents
+are these: "To king Antiochus the god, Epiphanes, a memorial from the
+Sidonians, who live at Shechem. Our forefathers, upon certain frequent
+plagues, and as following a certain ancient superstition, had a custom
+of observing that day which by the Jews is called the Sabbath. 18 And
+when they had erected a temple at the mountain called Gerrizzim, though
+without a name, they offered upon it the proper sacrifices. Now, upon
+the just treatment of these wicked Jews, those that manage their
+affairs, supposing that we were of kin to them, and practiced as they
+do, make us liable to the same accusations, although we be originally
+Sidonians, as is evident from the public records. We therefore beseech
+thee, our benefactor and Savior, to give order to Apollonius, the
+governor of this part of the country, and to Nicanor, the procurator of
+thy affairs, to give us no disturbance, nor to lay to our charge what
+the Jews are accused for, since we are aliens from their nation, and
+from their customs; but let our temple, which at present hath no name at
+all be named the Temple of Jupiter Hellenius. If this were once done, we
+should be no longer disturbed, but should be more intent on our own
+occupation with quietness, and so bring in a greater revenue to thee."
+When the Samaritans had petitioned for this, the king sent them back the
+following answer, in an epistle: "King Antiochus to Nicanor. The
+Sidonians, who live at Shechem, have sent me the memorial enclosed. When
+therefore we were advising with our friends about it, the messengers
+sent by them represented to us that they are no way concerned with
+accusations which belong to the Jews, but choose to live after the
+customs of the Greeks. Accordingly, we declare them free from such
+accusations, and order that, agreeable to their petition, their temple
+be named the Temple of Jupiter Hellenius." He also sent the like epistle
+to Apollonius, the governor of that part of the country, in the forty-
+sixth year, and the eighteenth day of the month Hecatorabeom.
+
+
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER 6. How, Upon Antiochus's Prohibition To The Jews To Make Use Of
+The Laws Of Their Country Mattathias, The Son Of Asamoneus, Alone
+Despised The King, And Overcame The Generals Of Antiochus's Army; As
+Also Concerning The Death Of Mattathias, And The Succession Of Judas.
+
+1. Now at this time there was one whose name was Mattathias, who dwelt
+at Modin, the son of John, the son of Simeon, the son of Asamoneus, a
+priest of the order of Joarib, and a citizen of Jerusalem. He had five
+sons; John, who was called Gaddis, and Simon, who was called Matthes,
+and Judas, who was called Maccabeus, 19 and Eleazar, who was called
+Auran, and Jonathan, who was called Apphus. Now this Mattathias lamented
+to his children the sad state of their affairs, and the ravage made in
+the city, and the plundering of the temple, and the calamities the
+multitude were under; and he told them that it was better for them to
+die for the laws of their country, than to live so ingloriously as they
+then did.
+
+2. But when those that were appointed by the king were come to Modin,
+that they might compel the Jews to do what they were commanded, and to
+enjoin those that were there to offer sacrifice, as the king had
+commanded, they desired that Mattathias, a person of the greatest
+character among them, both on other accounts, and particularly on
+account of such a numerous and so deserving a family of children, would
+begin the sacrifice, because his fellow citizens would follow his
+example, and because such a procedure would make him honored by the
+king. But Mattathias said he would not do it; and that if all the other
+nations would obey the commands of Antiochus, either out of fear, or to
+please him, yet would not he nor his sons leave the religious worship of
+their country. But as soon as he had ended his speech, there came one of
+the Jews into the midst of them, and sacrificed, as Antiochus had
+commanded. At which Mattathias had great indignation, and ran upon him
+violently, with his sons, who had swords with them, and slew both the
+man himself that sacrificed, and Apelles the king's general, who
+compelled them to sacrifice, with a few of his soldiers. He also
+overthrew the idol altar, and cried out, "If," said he, "any one be
+zealous for the laws of his country, and for the worship of God, let him
+follow me." And when he had said this, he made haste into the desert
+with his sons, and left all his substance in the village. Many others
+did the same also, and fled with their children and wives into the
+desert, and dwelt in caves. But when the king's generals heard this,
+they took all the forces they then had in the citadel at Jerusalem, and
+pursued the Jews into the desert; and when they had overtaken them, they
+in the first place endeavored to persuade them to repent, and to choose
+what was most for their advantage, and not put them to the necessity of
+using them according to the law of war. But when they would not comply
+with their persuasions, but continued to be of a different mind, they
+fought against them on the sabbath day, and they burnt them as they were
+in the caves, without resistance, and without so much as stopping up the
+entrances of the caves. And they avoided to defend themselves on that
+day, because they were not willing to break in upon the honor they owed
+the sabbath, even in such distresses; for our law requires that we rest
+upon that day. There were about a thousand, with their wives and
+children, who were smothered and died in these caves; but many of those
+that escaped joined themselves to Mattathias, and appointed him to be
+their ruler, who taught them to fight, even on the sabbath day; and told
+them that unless they would do so, they would become their own enemies,
+by observing the law [so rigorously], while their adversaries would
+still assault them on this day, and they would not then defend
+themselves, and that nothing could then hinder but they must all perish
+without fighting. This speech persuaded them. And this rule continues
+among us to this day, that if there be a necessity, we may fight on
+sabbath days. So Mattathias got a great army about him, and overthrew
+their idol altars, and slew those that broke the laws, even all that he
+could get under his power; for many of them were dispersed among the
+nations round about them for fear of him. He also commanded that those
+boys which were not yet circumcised should be circumcised now; and he
+drove those away that were appointed to hinder such their circumcision.
+
+3. But when he had ruled one year, and was fallen into a distemper, he
+called for his sons, and set them round about him, and said, "O my sons,
+I am going the way of all the earth; and I recommend to you my
+resolution, and beseech you not to be negligent in keeping it, but to be
+mindful of the desires of him who begat you, and brought you up, and to
+preserve the customs of your country, and to recover your ancient form
+of government, which is in danger of being overturned, and not to be
+carried away with those that, either by their own inclination, or out of
+necessity, betray it, but to become such sons as are worthy of me; to be
+above all force and necessity, and so to dispose your souls, as to be
+ready, when it shall be necessary, to die for your laws; as sensible of
+this, by just reasoning, that if God see that you are so disposed he
+will not overlook you, but will have a great value for your virtue, and
+will restore to you again what you have lost, and will return to you
+that freedom in which you shall live quietly, and enjoy your own
+customs. Your bodies are mortal, and subject to fate; but they receive a
+sort of immortality, by the remembrance of what actions they have done.
+And I would have you so in love with this immortality, that you may
+pursue after glory, and that, when you have undergone the greatest
+difficulties, you may not scruple, for such things, to lose your lives.
+I exhort you, especially, to agree one with another; and in what
+excellency any one of you exceeds another, to yield to him so far, and
+by that means to reap the advantage of every one's own virtues. Do you
+then esteem Simon as your father, because he is a man of extraordinary
+prudence, and be governed by him in what counsels be gives you. Take
+Maccabeus for the general of your army, because of his courage and
+strength, for he will avenge your nation, and will bring vengeance on
+your enemies. Admit among you the righteous and religious, and augment
+their power."
+
+4. When Mattathias had thus discoursed to his sons, and had prayed to
+God to be their assistant, and to recover to the people their former
+constitution, he died a little afterward, and was buried at Modin; all
+the people making great lamentation for him. Whereupon his son Judas
+took upon him the administration of public affairs, in the hundred forty
+and sixth year; and thus, by the ready assistance of his brethren, and
+of others, Judas cast their enemies out of the country, and put those of
+their own country to death who had transgressed its laws, and purified
+the land of all the pollutions that were in it.
+
+
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER 7. How Judas Overthrew The Forces Of Apollonius And Seron And
+Killed The Generals Of Their Armies Themselves; And How When, A Little
+While Afterwards Lysias And Gorgias Were Beaten He Went Up To Jerusalem
+And Purified The Temple.
+
+1. When Apollonius, the general of the Samaritan forces, heard this, he
+took his army, and made haste to go against Judas, who met him, and
+joined battle with him, and beat him, and slew many of his men, and
+among them Apollonius himself, their general, whose sword being that
+which he happened then to wear, he seized upon, and kept for himself;
+but he wounded more than he slew, and took a great deal of prey from the
+enemy's camp, and went his way. But when Seron, who was general of the
+army of Celesyria, heard that many had joined themselves to Judas, and
+that he had about him an army sufficient for fighting, and for making
+war, he determined to make an expedition against him, as thinking it
+became him to endeavor to punish those that transgressed the king's
+injunctions. He then got together an army, as large as he was able, and
+joined to it the runagate and wicked Jews, and came against Judas. He
+came as far as Bethhoron, a village of Judea, and there pitched his
+camp; upon which Judas met him; and when he intended to give him battle,
+he saw that his soldiers were backward to fight, because their number
+was small, and because they wanted food, for they were fasting, he
+encouraged them, and said to them, that victory and conquest of enemies
+are not derived from the multitude in armies, but in the exercise of
+piety towards God; and that they had the plainest instances in their
+forefathers, who, by their righteousness, exerting themselves on behalf
+of their own laws, and their own children, had frequently conquered many
+ten thousands,—for innocence is the strongest army. By this speech he
+induced his men to condemn the multitude of the enemy, and to fall upon
+Seron. And upon joining battle with him, he beat the Syrians; and when
+their general fell among the rest, they all ran away with speed, as
+thinking that to be their best way of escaping. So he pursued them unto
+the plain, and slew about eight hundred of the enemy; but the rest
+escaped to the region which lay near to the sea.
+
+2. When king Antiochus heard of these things, he was very angry at what
+had happened; so he got together all his own army, with many
+mercenaries, whom he had hired from the islands, and took them with him,
+and prepared to break into Judea about the beginning of the spring. But
+when, upon his mustering his soldiers, he perceived that his treasures
+were deficient, and there was a want of money in them, for all the taxes
+were not paid, by reason of the seditions there had been among the
+nations he having been so magnanimous and so liberal, that what he had
+was not sufficient for him, he therefore resolved first to go into
+Persia, and collect the taxes of that country. Hereupon he left one
+whose name was Lysias, who was in great repute with him governor of the
+kingdom, as far as the bounds of Egypt, and of the Lower Asia, and
+reaching from the river Euphrates, and committed to him a certain part
+of his forces, and of his elephants, and charged him to bring up his son
+Antiochus with all possible care, until he came back; and that he should
+conquer Judea, and take its inhabitants for slaves, and utterly destroy
+Jerusalem, and abolish the whole nation. And when king Antiochus had
+given these things in charge to Lysias, he went into Persia; and in the
+hundred and forty-seventh year he passed over Euphrates, and went to the
+superior provinces.
+
+3. Upon this Lysias chose Ptolemy, the son of Dorymenes, and Nicanor,
+and Gorgias, very potent men among the king's friends, and delivered to
+them forty thousand foot soldiers, and seven thousand horsemen, and sent
+them against Judea, who came as far as the city Emmaus, and pitched
+their camp in the plain country. There came also to them auxiliaries out
+of Syria, and the country round about; as also many of the runagate
+Jews. And besides these came some merchants to buy those that should be
+carried captives, [having bonds with them to bind those that should be
+made prisoners,] with that silver and gold which they were to pay for
+their price. And when Judas saw their camp, and how numerous their
+enemies were, he persuaded his own soldiers to be of good courage, and
+exhorted them to place their hopes of victory in God, and to make
+supplication to him, according to the custom of their country, clothed
+in sackcloth; and to show what was their usual habit of supplication in
+the greatest dangers, and thereby to prevail with God to grant you the
+victory over your enemies. So he set them in their ancient order of
+battle used by their forefathers, under their captains of thousands, and
+other officers, and dismissed such as were newly married, as well as
+those that had newly gained possessions, that they might not fight in a
+cowardly manner, out of an inordinate love of life, in order to enjoy
+those blessings. When he had thus disposed his soldiers, he encouraged
+them to fight by the following speech, which he made to them: "O my
+fellow soldiers, no other time remains more opportune than the present
+for courage and contempt of dangers; for if you now fight manfully, you
+may recover your liberty, which, as it is a thing of itself agreeable to
+all men, so it proves to be to us much more desirable, by its affording
+us the liberty of worshipping God. Since therefore you are in such
+circumstances at present, you must either recover that liberty, and so
+regain a happy and blessed way of living, which is that according to our
+laws, and the customs of our country, or to submit to the most
+opprobrious sufferings; nor will any seed of your nation remain if you
+be beat in this battle. Fight therefore manfully; and suppose that you
+must die, though you do not fight; but believe, that besides such
+glorious rewards as those of the liberty of your country, of your laws,
+of your religion, you shall then obtain everlasting glory. Prepare
+yourselves, therefore, and put yourselves into such an agreeable
+posture, that you may be ready to fight with the enemy as soon as it is
+day tomorrow morning."
+
+4. And this was the speech which Judas made to encourage them. But when
+the enemy sent Gorgias, with five thousand foot and one thousand horse,
+that he might fall upon Judas by night, and had for that purpose certain
+of the runagate Jews as guides, the son of Mattathias perceived it, and
+resolved to fall upon those enemies that were in their camp, now their
+forces were divided. When they had therefore supped in good time, and
+had left many fires in their camp, he marched all night to those enemies
+that were at Emmaus. So that when Gorgias found no enemy in their camp,
+but suspected that they were retired, and had hidden themselves among
+the mountains, he resolved to go and seek them wheresoever they were.
+But about break of day Judas appeared to those enemies that were at
+Emmaus, with only three thousand men, and those ill armed, by reason of
+their poverty; and when he saw the enemy very well and skillfully
+fortified in their camp, he encouraged the Jews, and told them that they
+ought to fight, though it were with their naked bodies, for that God had
+sometimes of old given such men strength, and that against such as were
+more in number, and were armed also, out of regard to their great
+courage. So he commanded the trumpeters to sound for the battle; and by
+thus falling upon the enemies when they did not expect it, and thereby
+astonishing and disturbing their minds, he slew many of those that
+resisted him, and went on pursuing the rest as far as Gadara, and the
+plains of Idumea, and Ashdod, and Jamnia; and of these there fell about
+three thousand. Yet did Judas exhort his soldiers not to be too desirous
+of the spoils, for that still they must have a contest and battle with
+Gorgias, and the forces that were with him; but that when they had once
+overcome them, then they might securely plunder the camp, because they
+were the only enemies remaining, and they expected no others. And just
+as he was speaking to his soldiers, Gorgias's men looked down into that
+army which they left in their camp, and saw that it was overthrown, and
+the camp burnt; for the smoke that arose from it showed them, even when
+they were a great way off, what had happened. When therefore those that
+were with Gorgias understood that things were in this posture, and
+perceived that those that were with Judas were ready to fight them, they
+also were affrighted, and put to flight; but then Judas, as though he
+had already beaten Gorgias's soldiers without fighting, returned and
+seized on the spoils. He took a great quantity of gold, and silver, and
+purple, and blue, and then returned home with joy, and singing hymns to
+God for their good success; for this victory greatly contributed to the
+recovery of their liberty.
+
+5. Hereupon Lysias was confounded at the defeat of the army which he had
+sent, and the next year he got together sixty thousand chosen men. He
+also took five thousand horsemen, and fell upon Judea; and he went up to
+the hill country of Bethsur, a village of Judea, and pitched his camp
+there, where Judas met him with ten thousand men; and when he saw the
+great number of his enemies, he prayed to God that he would assist him,
+and joined battle with the first of the enemy that appeared, and beat
+them, and slew about five thousand of them, and thereby became terrible
+to the rest of them. Nay, indeed, Lysias observing the great spirit of
+the Jews, how they were prepared to die rather than lose their liberty,
+and being afraid of their desperate way of fighting, as if it were real
+strength, he took the rest of the army back with him, and returned to
+Antioch, where he listed foreigners into the service, and prepared to
+fall upon Judea with a greater army.
+
+6. When therefore the generals of Antiochus's armies had been beaten so
+often, Judas assembled the people together, and told them, that after
+these many victories which God had given them, they ought to go up to
+Jerusalem, and purify the temple, and offer the appointed sacrifices.
+But as soon as he, with the whole multitude, was come to Jerusalem, and
+found the temple deserted, and its gates burnt down, and plants growing
+in the temple of their own accord, on account of its desertion, he and
+those that were with him began to lament, and were quite confounded at
+the sight of the temple; so he chose out some of his soldiers, and gave
+them order to fight against those guards that were in the citadel, until
+he should have purified the temple. When therefore he had carefully
+purged it, and had brought in new vessels, the candlestick, the table
+[of shew-bread], and the altar [of incense], which were made of gold, he
+hung up the veils at the gates, and added doors to them. He also took
+down the altar [of burnt-offering], and built a new one of stones that
+he gathered together, and not of such as were hewn with iron tools. So
+on the five and twentieth day of the month Casleu, which the Macedonians
+call Apeliens, they lighted the lamps that were on the candlestick, and
+offered incense upon the altar [of incense], and laid the loaves upon
+the table [of shew-bread], and offered burnt-offerings upon the new
+altar [of burnt-offering]. Now it so fell out, that these things were
+done on the very same day on which their Divine worship had fallen off,
+and was reduced to a profane and common use, after three years' time;
+for so it was, that the temple was made desolate by Antiochus, and so
+continued for three years. This desolation happened to the temple in the
+hundred forty and fifth year, on the twenty-fifth day of the month
+Apeliens, and on the hundred fifty and third olympiad: but it was
+dedicated anew, on the same day, the twenty-fifth of the month Apeliens,
+on the hundred and forty-eighth year, and on the hundred and fifty-
+fourth olympiad. And this desolation came to pass according to the
+prophecy of Daniel, which was given four hundred and eight years before;
+for he declared that the Macedonians would dissolve that worship [for
+some time].
+
+7. Now Judas celebrated the festival of the restoration of the
+sacrifices of the temple for eight days, and omitted no sort of
+pleasures thereon; but he feasted them upon very rich and splendid
+sacrifices; and he honored God, and delighted them by hymns and psalms.
+Nay, they were so very glad at the revival of their customs, when, after
+a long time of intermission, they unexpectedly had regained the freedom
+of their worship, that they made it a law for their posterity, that they
+should keep a festival, on account of the restoration of their temple
+worship, for eight days. And from that time to this we celebrate this
+festival, and call it Lights. I suppose the reason was, because this
+liberty beyond our hopes appeared to us; and that thence was the name
+given to that festival. Judas also rebuilt the walls round about the
+city, and reared towers of great height against the incursions of
+enemies, and set guards therein. He also fortified the city Bethsura,
+that it might serve as a citadel against any distresses that might come
+from our enemies.
+
+
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER 8. How Judas Subdued The Nations Round About; And How Simon Beat
+The People Of Tyre And Ptolemais; And How Judas Overcame Timotheus, And
+Forced Him To Fly Away, And Did Many Other Things After Joseph And
+Azarias Had Been Beaten.
+
+1. When these things were over, the nations round about the Jews were
+very uneasy at the revival of their power, and rose up together, and
+destroyed many of them, as gaining advantage over them by laying snares
+for them, and making secret conspiracies against them. Judas made
+perpetual expeditions against these men, and endeavored to restrain them
+from those incursions, and to prevent the mischiefs they did to the
+Jews. So he fell upon the Idumeans, the posterity of Esau, at
+Acrabattene, and slew a great many of them, and took their spoils. He
+also shut up the sons of Bean, that laid wait for the Jews; and he sat
+down about them, and besieged them, and burnt their towers, and
+destroyed the men [that were in them]. After this he went thence in
+haste against the Ammonites, who had a great and a numerous army, of
+which Timotheus was the commander. And when he had subdued them, he
+seized on the city Jazer, and took their wives and their children
+captives, and burnt the city, and then returned into Judea. But when the
+neighboring nations understood that he was returned, they got together
+in great numbers in the land of Gilead, and came against those Jews that
+were at their borders, who then fled to the garrison of Dathema; and
+sent to Judas, to inform him that Timotheus was endeavoring to take the
+place whither they were fled. And as these epistles were reading, there
+came other messengers out of Galilee, who informed him that the
+inhabitants of Ptolemais, and of Tyre and Sidon, and strangers of
+Galilee, were gotten together.
+
+2. Accordingly Judas, upon considering what was fit to be done, with
+relation to the necessity both these cases required, gave order that
+Simon his brother should take three thousand chosen men, and go to the
+assistance of the Jews in Galilee, while he and another of his brothers,
+Jonathan, made haste into the land of Gilead, with eight thousand
+soldiers. And he left Joseph, the son of Zacharias, and Azarias, to be
+over the rest of the forces; and charged them to keep Judea very
+carefully, and to fight no battles with any persons whomsoever until his
+return. Accordingly, Simon went into Galilee, and fought the enemy, and
+put them to flight, and pursued them to the very gates of Ptolemais, and
+slew about three thousand of them, and took the spoils of those that
+were slain, and those Jews whom they had made captives, with their
+baggage, and then returned home.
+
+3. Now as for Judas Maccabeus, and his brother Jonathan, they passed
+over the river Jordan; and when they had gone three days journey, they
+lighted upon the Nabateans, who came to meet them peaceably, and who
+told them how the affairs of those in the land of Gilead stood; and how
+many of them were in distress, and driven into garrisons, and into the
+cities of Galilee; and exhorted him to make haste to go against the
+foreigners, and to endeavor to save his own countrymen out of their
+hands. To this exhortation Judas hearkened, and returned to the
+wilderness; and in the first place fell upon the inhabitants of Bosor,
+and took the city, and beat the inhabitants, and destroyed all the
+males, and all that were able to fight, and burnt the city. Nor did he
+stop even when night came on, but he journeyed in it to the garrison
+where the Jews happened to be then shut up, and where Timotheus lay
+round the place with his army. And Judas came upon the city in the
+morning; and when he found that the enemy were making an assault upon
+the walls, and that some of them brought ladders, on which they might
+get upon those walls, and that others brought engines [to batter them],
+he bid the trumpeter to sound his trumpet, and he encouraged his
+soldiers cheerfully to undergo dangers for the sake of their brethren
+and kindred; he also parted his army into three bodies, and fell upon
+the backs of their enemies. But when Timotheus's men perceived that it
+was Maccabeus that was upon them, of both whose courage and good success
+in war they had formerly had sufficient experience, they were put to
+flight; but Judas followed them with his army, and slew about eight
+thousand of them. He then turned aside to a city of the foreigners
+called Malle, and took it, and slew all the males, and burnt the city
+itself. He then removed from thence, and overthrew Casphom and Bosor,
+and many other cities of the land of Gilead.
+
+4. But not long after this, Timotheus prepared a great army, and took
+many others as auxiliaries; and induced some of the Arabians, by the
+promise of rewards, to go with him in this expedition, and came with his
+army beyond the brook, over against the city Raphon; and he encouraged
+his soldiers, if it came to a battle with the Jews, to fight
+courageously, and to hinder their passing over the brook; for he said to
+them beforehand, that "if they come over it, we shall be beaten." And
+when Judas heard that Timotheus prepared himself to fight, he took all
+his own army, and went in haste against Timotheus his enemy; and when he
+had passed over the brook, he fell upon his enemies, and some of them
+met him, whom he slew, and others of them he so terrified, that he
+compelled them to throw down their arms and fly; and some of them
+escaped, but some of them fled to what was called the Temple of Camaim,
+and hoped thereby to preserve themselves; but Judas took the city, and
+slew them, and burnt the temple, and so used several ways of destroying
+his enemies.
+
+5. When he had done this, he gathered the Jews together, with their
+children and wives, and the substance that belonged to them, and was
+going to bring them back into Judea; but as soon as he was come to a
+certain city, whose name was Ephron, that lay upon the road, [and it was
+not possible for him to go any other way, so he was not willing to go
+back again,] he then sent to the inhabitants, and desired that they
+would open their gates, and permit them to go on their way through the
+city; for they had stopped up the gates with stones, and cut off their
+passage through it. And when the inhabitants of Ephron would not agree
+to this proposal, he encouraged those that were with him, and
+encompassed the city round, and besieged it, and, lying round it by day
+and night, took the city, and slew every male in it, and burnt it all
+down, and so obtained a way through it; and the multitude of those that
+were slain was so great, that they went over the dead bodies. So they
+came over Jordan, and arrived at the great plain, over against which is
+situate the city Bethshah, which is called by the Greeks Scythopolis. 20
+And going away hastily from thence, they came into Judea, singing psalms
+and hymns as they went, and indulging such tokens of mirth as are usual
+in triumphs upon victory. They also offered thank-offerings, both for
+their good success, and for the preservation of their army, for not one
+of the Jews was slain in these battles.21
+
+6. But as to Joseph, the son of Zacharias, and Azarias, whom Judas left
+generals [of the rest of his forces] at the same time when Simon was in
+Galilee, fighting against the people of Ptolemais, and Judas himself,
+and his brother Jonathan, were in the land of Gilead, did these men also
+affect the glory of being courageous generals in war, in order whereto
+they took the army that was under their command, and came to Jamnia.
+There Gorgias, the general of the forces of Jamnia, met them; and upon
+joining battle with him, they lost two thousand of their army, 22 and
+fled away, and were pursued to the very borders of Judea. And this
+misfortune befell them by their disobedience to what injunctions Judas
+had given them, not to fight with any one before his return. For besides
+the rest of Judas's sagacious counsels, one may well wonder at this
+concerning the misfortune that befell the forces commanded by Joseph and
+Azarias, which he understood would happen, if they broke any of the
+injunctions he had given them. But Judas and his brethren did not leave
+off fighting with the Idumeans, but pressed upon them on all sides, and
+took from them the city of Hebron, and demolished all its
+fortifications, and set all its towers on fire, and burnt the country of
+the foreigners, and the city Marissa. They came also to Ashdod, and took
+it, and laid it waste, and took away a great deal of the spoils and prey
+that were in it, and returned to Judea.
+
+
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER 9. Concerning The Death Of Antiochus Epiphane. How Antiochus
+Eupator Fought Against Juda And Besieged Him In The Temple And
+Afterwards Made Peace With Him And Departed; Of Alcimus And Onias.
+
+1. About this time it was that king Antiochus, as he was going over the
+upper countries, heard that there was a very rich city in Persia, called
+Elymais; and therein a very rich temple of Diana, and that it was full
+of all sorts of donations dedicated to it; as also weapons and
+breastplates, which, upon inquiry, he found had been left there by
+Alexander, the son of Philip, king of Macedonia. And being incited by
+these motives, he went in haste to Elymais, and assaulted it, and
+besieged it. But as those that were in it were not terrified at his
+assault, nor at his siege, but opposed him very courageously, he was
+beaten off his hopes; for they drove him away from the city, and went
+out and pursued after him, insomuch that he fled away as far as Babylon,
+and lost a great many of his army. And when he was grieving for this
+disappointment, some persons told him of the defeat of his commanders
+whom he had left behind him to fight against Judea, and what strength
+the Jews had already gotten. When this concern about these affairs was
+added to the former, he was confounded, and by the anxiety he was in
+fell into a distemper, which, as it lasted a great while, and as his
+pains increased upon him, so he at length perceived he should die in a
+little time; so he called his friends to him, and told them that his
+distemper was severe upon him; and confessed withal, that this calamity
+was sent upon him for the miseries he had brought upon the Jewish
+nation, while he plundered their temple, and contemned their God; and
+when he had said this, he gave up the ghost. Whence one may wonder at
+Polybius of Megalopolis, who, though otherwise a good man, yet saith
+that "Antiochus died because he had a purpose to plunder the temple of
+Diana in Persia;" for the purposing to do a thing, 23 but not actually
+doing it, is not worthy of punishment. But if Polybius could think that
+Antiochus thus lost his life on that account, it is much more probable
+that this king died on account of his sacrilegious plundering of the
+temple at Jerusalem. But we will not contend about this matter with
+those who may think that the cause assigned by this Polybius of
+Megalopolis is nearer the truth than that assigned by us.
+
+2. However, Antiochus, before he died, called for Philip, who was one of
+his companions, and made him the guardian of his kingdom; and gave him
+his diadem, and his garment, and his ring, and charged him to carry
+them, and deliver them to his son Antiochus; and desired him to take
+care of his education, and to preserve the kingdom for him. 24 This
+Antiochus died in the hundred forty and ninth year; but it was Lysias
+that declared his death to the multitude, and appointed his son
+Antiochus to be king, [of whom at present he had the care,] and called
+him Eupator.
+
+3. At this time it was that the garrison in the citadel of Jerusalem,
+with the Jewish runagates, did a great deal of harm to the Jews; for the
+soldiers that were in that garrison rushed out upon the sudden, and
+destroyed such as were going up to the temple in order to offer their
+sacrifices, for this citadel adjoined to and overlooked the temple. When
+these misfortunes had often happened to them, Judas resolved to destroy
+that garrison; whereupon he got all the people together, and vigorously
+besieged those that were in the citadel. This was in the hundred and
+fiftieth year of the dominion of the Seleucidse. So he made engines of
+war, and erected bulwarks, and very zealously pressed on to take the
+citadel. But there were not a few of the runagates who were in the place
+that went out by night into the country, and got together some other
+wicked men like themselves, and went to Antiochus the king, and desired
+of him that he would not suffer them to be neglected, under the great
+hardships that lay upon them from those of their own nation; and this
+because their sufferings were occasioned on his father's account, while
+they left the religious worship of their fathers, and preferred that
+which he had commanded them to follow: that there was danger lest the
+citadel, and those appointed to garrison it by the king, should be taken
+by Judas, and those that were with him, unless he would send them
+succors. When Antiochus, who was but a child, heard this, he was angry,
+and sent for his captains and his friends, and gave order that they
+should get an army of mercenaries together, with such men also of his
+own kingdom as were of an age fit for war. Accordingly, an army was
+collected of about a hundred thousand footmen, and twenty thousand
+horsemen, and thirty-two elephants.
+
+4. So the king took this army, and marched hastily out of Antioch, with
+Lysias, who had the command of the whole, and came to Idumea, and thence
+went up to the city Bethsura, a city that was strong, and not to be
+taken without great difficulty. He set about this city, and besieged it.
+And while the inhabitants of Bethsura courageously opposed him, and
+sallied out upon him, and burnt his engines of war, a great deal of time
+was spent in the siege. But when Judas heard of the king's coming, he
+raised the siege of the citadel, and met the king, and pitched his camp
+in certain straits, at a place called Bethzachriah, at the distance of
+seventy furlongs from the enemy; but the king soon drew his forces from
+Bethsura, and brought them to those straits. And as soon as it was day,
+he put his men in battle-array, and made his elephants follow one
+another through the narrow passes, because they could not be set
+sideways by one another. Now round about every elephant there were a
+thousand footmen, and five hundred horsemen. The elephants also had high
+towers [upon their backs], and archers [in them]. And he also made the
+rest of his army to go up the mountains, and put his friends before the
+rest; and gave orders for the army to shout aloud, and so he attacked
+the enemy. He also exposed to sight their golden and brazen shields, so
+that a glorious splendor was sent from them; and when they shouted the
+mountains echoed again. When Judas saw this, he was not terrified, but
+received the enemy with great courage, and slew about six hundred of the
+first ranks. But when his brother Eleazar, whom they called Auran, saw
+the tallest of all the elephants armed with royal breastplates, and
+supposed that the king was upon him, he attacked him with great
+quickness and bravery. He also slew many of those that were about the
+elephant, and scattered the rest, and then went under the belly of the
+elephant, and smote him, and slew him; so the elephant fell upon
+Eleazar, and by his weight crushed him to death. And thus did this man
+come to his end, when he had first courageously destroyed many of his
+enemies.
+
+5. But Judas, seeing the strength of the enemy, retired to Jerusalem,
+and prepared to endure a siege. As for Antiochus, he sent part of his
+army to Bethsura, to besiege it, and with the rest of his army he came
+against Jerusalem; but the inhabitants of Bethsura were terrified at his
+strength; and seeing that their provisions grew scarce, they delivered
+themselves up on the security of oaths that they should suffer no hard
+treatment from the king. And when Antiochus had thus taken the city, he
+did them no other harm than sending them out naked. He also placed a
+garrison of his own in the city. But as for the temple of Jerusalem, he
+lay at its siege a long time, while they within bravely defended it; for
+what engines soever the king set against them, they set other engines
+again to oppose them. But then their provisions failed them; what fruits
+of the ground they had laid up were spent and the land being not
+ploughed that year, continued unsowed, because it was the seventh year,
+on which, by our laws, we are obliged to let it lay uncultivated. And
+withal, so many of the besieged ran away for want of necessaries, that
+but a few only were left in the temple.
+
+6. And these happened to be the circumstances of such as were besieged
+in the temple. But then, because Lysias, the general of the army, and
+Antiochus the king, were informed that Philip was coming upon them out
+of Persia, and was endeavoring to get the management of public affairs
+to himself, they came into these sentiments, to leave the siege, and to
+make haste to go against Philip; yet did they resolve not to let this be
+known to the soldiers or to the officers: but the king commanded Lysias
+to speak openly to the soldiers and the officers, without saying a word
+about the business of Philip; and to intimate to them that the siege
+would be very long; that the place was very strong; that they were
+already in want of provisions; that many affairs of the kingdom wanted
+regulation; and that it was much better to make a league with the
+besieged, and to become friends to their whole nation, by permitting
+them to observe the laws of their fathers, while they broke out into
+this war only because they were deprived of them, and so to depart home.
+When Lysias had discoursed thus to them, both the army and the officers
+were pleased with this resolution.
+
+7. Accordingly the king sent to Judas, and to those that were besieged
+with them, and promised to give them peace, and to permit them to make
+use of, and live according to, the laws of their fathers; and they
+gladly received his proposals; and when they had gained security upon
+oath for their performance, they went out of the temple. But when
+Antiochus came into it, and saw how strong the place was, he broke his
+oaths, and ordered his army that was there to pluck down the walls to
+the ground; and when he had so done, he returned to Antioch. He also
+carried with him Onias the high priest, who was also called Menelaus;
+for Lysias advised the king to slay Menelaus, if he would have the Jews
+be quiet, and cause him no further disturbance, for that this man was
+the origin of all the mischief the Jews had done them, by persuading his
+father to compel the Jews to leave the religion of their fathers. So the
+king sent Menelaus to Berea, a city of Syria, and there had him put to
+death, when he had been high priest ten years. He had been a wicked and
+an impious man; and, in order to get the government to himself, had
+compelled his nation to transgress their own laws. After the death of
+Menelaus, Alcimus, who was also called Jacimus, was made high priest.
+But when king Antiochus found that Philip had already possessed himself
+of the government, he made war against him, and subdued him, and took
+him, and slew him. Now as to Onias, the son of the high priest, who, as
+we before informed you, was left a child when his father died, when he
+saw that the king had slain his uncle Menelaus, and given the high
+priesthood to Alcimus, who was not of the high priest stock, but was
+induced by Lysias to translate that dignity from his family to another
+house, he fled to Ptolemy, king of Egypt; and when he found he was in
+great esteem with him, and with his wife Cleopatra, he desired and
+obtained a place in the Nomus of Heliopolis, wherein he built a temple
+like to that at Jerusalem; of which therefore we shall hereafter give an
+account, in a place more proper for it.
+
+
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER 10. How Bacchides, The General Of Demetrius's Army, Made An
+Expedition Against Judea, And Returned Without Success; And How Nicanor
+Was Sent A Little Afterward Against Judas And Perished, Together With
+His Army; As Also Concerning The Death Of Alcimus And The Succession Of
+Judas.
+
+1. About the same time Demetrius, the son of Seleucus, fled away from
+Rome, and took Tripoli, a city of Syria, and set the diadem on his own
+head. He also gathered certain mercenary soldiers together, and entered
+into his kingdom, and was joyfully received by all, who delivered
+themselves up to him. And when they had taken Autiochus the king, and
+Lysias, they brought them to him alive; both which were immediately put
+to death by the command of Demetrius, when Antiochus had reigned two
+years, as we have already elsewhere related. But there were now many of
+the wicked Jewish runagates that came together to him, and with them
+Alcimus the high priest, who accused the whole nation, and particularly
+Judas and his brethren; and said that they had slain all his friends,
+and that those in his kingdom that were of his party, and waited for his
+return, were by them put to death; that these men had ejected them out
+of their own country, and caused them to be sojourners in a foreign
+land; and they desired that he would send some one of his own friends,
+and know from him what mischief Judas's party had done.
+
+2. At this Demetrius was very angry, and sent Bacchides, a friend of
+Antiochus Epiphanes, 25 a good man, and one that had been intrusted with
+all Mesopotamia, and gave him an army, and committed Alcimus the high
+priest to his care; and gave him charge to slay Judas, and those that
+were with him. So Bacchides made haste, and went out of Antioch with his
+army; and when he was come into Judea, he sent to Judas and his
+brethren, to discourse with them about a league of friendship and peace,
+for he had a mind to take him by treachery. But Judas did not give
+credit to him, for he saw that he came with so great an army as men do
+not bring when they come to make peace, but to make war. However, some
+of the people acquiesced in what Bacchides caused to be proclaimed; and
+supposing they should undergo no considerable harm from Alcimus, who was
+their countryman, they went over to them; and when they had received
+oaths from both of them, that neither they themselves, nor those of the
+same sentiments, should come to any harm, they intrusted themselves with
+them. But Bacchides troubled not himself about the oaths he had taken,
+but slew threescore of them, although, by not keeping his faith with
+those that first went over, he deterred all the rest, who had intentions
+to go over to him, from doing it. But as he was gone out of Jerusalem,
+and was at the village called Bethzetho, he sent out, and caught many of
+the deserters, and some of the people also, and slew them all; and
+enjoined all that lived in the country to submit to Alcimus. So he left
+him there, with some part of the army, that he might have wherewith to
+keep the country in obedience and returned to Antioch to king Demetrius.
+
+3. But Alcimus was desirous to have the dominion more firmly assured to
+him; and understanding that, if he could bring it about that the
+multitude should be his friends, he should govern with greater security,
+he spake kind words to them all, and discoursed to each of them after an
+agreeable and pleasant manner; by which means he quickly had a great
+body of men and an army about him, although the greater part of them
+were of the wicked, and the deserters. With these, whom he used as his
+servants and soldiers, he went all over the country, and slew all that
+he could find of Judas's party. But when Judas saw that Alcimus was
+already become great, and had destroyed many of the good and holy men of
+the country, he also went all over the country, and destroyed those that
+were of the other party. But when Alcimus saw that he was not able to
+oppose Judas, nor was equal to him in strength, he resolved to apply
+himself to king Demetrius for his assistance; so he came to Antioch, and
+irritated him against Judas, and accused him, alleging that he had
+undergone a great many miseries by his means, and that he would do more
+mischief unless he were prevented, and brought to punishment, which must
+be done by sending a powerful force against him.
+
+4. So Demetrius, being already of opinion that it would be a thing
+pernicious to his own affairs to overlook Judas, now he was becoming so
+great, sent against him Nicanor, the most kind and most faithful of all
+his friends; for he it was who fled away with him from the city of Rome.
+He also gave him as many forces as he thought sufficient for him to
+conquer Judas withal, and bid him not to spare the nation at all. When
+Nicanor was come to Jerusalem, he did not resolve to fight Judas
+immediately, but judged it better to get him into his power by
+treachery; so he sent him a message of peace, and said there was no
+manner of necessity for them to fight and hazard themselves; and that he
+would give him his oath that he would do him no harm, for that he only
+came with some friends, in order to let him know what king Demetrius's
+intentions were, and what opinion he had of their nation. When Nicanor
+had delivered this message, Judas and his brethren complied with him,
+and suspecting no deceit, they gave him assurances of friendship, and
+received Nicanor and his army; but while he was saluting Judas, and they
+were talking together, he gave a certain signal to his own soldiers,
+upon which they were to seize upon Judas; but he perceived the
+treachery, and ran back to his own soldiers, and fled away with them. So
+upon this discovery of his purpose, and of the snares laid for Judas,
+Nicanor determined to make open war with him, and gathered his army
+together, and prepared for fighting him; and upon joining battle with
+him at a certain village called Capharsalama, he beat Judas, 26 and
+forced him to fly to that citadel which was at Jerusalem.
+
+5. And when Nicanor came down from the citadel unto the temple, some of
+the priests and elders met him, and saluted him; and showed him the
+sacrifices which they offered to God for the king: upon which he
+blasphemed, and threatened them, that unless the people would deliver up
+Judas to him, upon his return he would pull down their temple. And when
+he had thus threatened them, he departed from Jerusalem. But the priests
+fell into tears out of grief at what he had said, and besought God to
+deliver them from their enemies But now for Nicanor, when he was gone
+out of Jerusalem, and was at a certain village called Bethoron, he there
+pitched his camp, another army out of Syria having joined him. And Judas
+pitched his camp at Adasa, another village, which was thirty furlongs
+distant from Bethoron, having no more than one thousand soldiers. And
+when he had encouraged them not to be dismayed at the multitude of their
+enemies, nor to regard how many they were against whom they were going
+to fight, but to consider who they themselves were, and for what great
+rewards they hazarded themselves, and to attack the enemy courageously,
+he led them out to fight, and joining battle with Nicanor, which proved
+to be a severe one, he overcame the enemy, and slew many of them; and at
+last Nicanor himself, as he was fighting gloriously, fell:—upon whose
+fall the army did not stay; but when they had lost their general, they
+were put to flight, and threw down their arms. Judas also pursued them
+and slew them, and gave notice by the sound of the trumpets to the
+neighboring villages that he had conquered the enemy; which, when the
+inhabitants heard, they put on their armor hastily, and met their
+enemies in the face as they were running away, and slew them, insomuch
+that not one of them escaped out of this battle, who were in number nine
+thousand This victory happened to fall on the thirteenth day of that
+month which by the Jews is called Adar and by the Macedonians Dystrus;
+and the Jews thereon celebrate this victory every year, and esteem it as
+a festival day. After which the Jewish nation were, for a while, free
+from wars, and enjoyed peace; but afterward they returned into their
+former state of wars and hazards.
+
+6. But now as the high priest Alcimus, was resolving to pull down the
+wall of the sanctuary, which had been there of old time, and had been
+built by the holy prophets, he was smitten suddenly by God, and fell
+down. 27 This stroke made him fall down speechless upon the ground; and
+undergoing torments for many days, he at length died, when he had been
+high priest four years. And when he was dead, the people bestowed the
+high priesthood on Judas; who hearing of the power of the Romans, and
+that they had conquered in war Galatia, and Iberia, and Carthage, and
+Libya; and that, besides these, they had subdued Greece, and their
+kings, Perseus, and Philip, and Antiochus the Great also; he resolved to
+enter into a league of friendship with them. He therefore sent to Rome
+some of his friends, Eupolemus the son of John, and Jason the son of
+Eleazar, and by them desired the Romans that they would assist them, and
+be their friends, and would write to Demetrius that he would not fight
+against the Jews. So the senate received the ambassadors that came from
+Judas to Rome, and discoursed with them about the errand on which they
+came, and then granted them a league of assistance. They also made a
+decree concerning it, and sent a copy of it into Judea. It was also laid
+up in the capitol, and engraven in brass. The decree itself was this:
+"The decree of the senate concerning a league of assistance and
+friendship with the nation of the Jews. It shall not be lawful for any
+that are subject to the Romans to make war with the nation of the Jews,
+nor to assist those that do so, either by sending them corn, or ships,
+or money; and if any attack be made upon the Jews, the Romans shall
+assist them, as far as they are able; and again, if any attack be made
+upon the Romans, the Jews shall assist them. And if the Jews have a mind
+to add to, or to take away any thing from, this league of assistance,
+that shall be done with the common consent of the Romans. And whatsoever
+addition shall thus be made, it shall be of force." This decree was
+written by Eupolemus the son of John, and by Jason the son of Eleazar,
+28 when Judas was high priest of the nation, and Simon his brother was
+general of the army. And this was the first league that the Romans made
+with the Jews, and was managed after this manner.
+
+
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER 11. That Bacchides Was Again Sent Out Against Judas; And How
+Judas Fell As He Was Courageously Fighting.
+
+1. But when Demetrius was informed of the death of Nicanor, and of the
+destruction of the army that was with him, he sent Bacchides again with
+an army into Judea, who marched out of Antioch, and came into Judea, and
+pitched his camp at Arbela, a city of Galilee; and having besieged and
+taken those that were there in caves, [for many of the people fled into
+such places,] he removed, and made all the haste he could to Jerusalem.
+And when he had learned that Judas had pitched his camp at a certain
+village whose name was Bethzetho, he led his army against him: they were
+twenty thousand foot-men, and two thousand horsemen. Now Judas had no
+more soldiers than one thousand. 29 When these saw the multitude of
+Bacchides's men, they were afraid, and left their camp, and fled all
+away, excepting eight hundred. Now when Judas was deserted by his own
+soldiers, and the enemy pressed upon him, and gave him no time to gather
+his army together, he was disposed to fight with Bacchides's army,
+though he had but eight hundred men with him; so he exhorted these men
+to undergo the danger courageously, and encouraged them to attack the
+enemy. And when they said they were not a body sufficient to fight so
+great an army, and advised that they should retire now, and save
+themselves and that when he had gathered his own men together, then he
+should fall upon the enemy afterwards, his answer was this: "Let not the
+sun ever see such a thing, that I should show my back to the enemy and
+although this be the time that will bring me to my end, and I must die
+in this battle, I will rather stand to it courageously, and bear
+whatsoever comes upon me, than by now running away bring reproach upon
+my former great actions, or tarnish their glory." This was the speech he
+made to those that remained with him, whereby he encouraged them to
+attack the enemy.
+
+2. But Bacchldes drew his army out of their camp, and put them in array
+for the battle. He set the horsemen on both the wings, and the light
+soldiers and the archers he placed before the whole army, but he was
+himself on the right wing. And when he had thus put his army in order of
+battle, and was going to join battle with the enemy, he commanded the
+trumpeter to give a signal of battle, and the army to make a shout, and
+to fall on the enemy. And when Judas had done the same, he joined battle
+with them; and as both sides fought valiantly, and the battle continued
+till sun-set, Judas saw that Bacehides and the strongest part of the
+army was in the right wing, and thereupon took the most courageous men
+with him, and ran upon that part of the army, and fell upon those that
+were there, and broke their ranks, and drove them into the middle, and
+forced them to run away, and pursued them as far as to a mountain called
+Aza: but when those of the left wing saw that the right wing was put to
+flight, they encompassed Judas, and pursued him, and came behind him,
+and took him into the middle of their army; so being not able to fly,
+but encompassed round about with enemies, he stood still, and he and
+those that were with him fought; and when he had slain a great many of
+those that came against him, he at last was himself wounded, and fell
+and gave up the ghost, and died in a way like to his former famous
+actions. When Judas was dead, those that were with him had no one whom
+they could regard [as their commander]; but when they saw themselves
+deprived of such a general, they fled. But Simon and Jonathan, Judas's
+brethren, received his dead body by a treaty from the enemy, and carried
+it to the village of Modin, where their father had been buried, and
+there buried him; while the multitude lamented him many days, and
+performed the usual solemn rites of a funeral to him. And this was the
+end that Judas came to. He had been a man of valor and a great warrior,
+and mindful of the commands of their father Matrathins; and had
+undergone all difficulties, both in doing and suffering, for the liberty
+of his countrymen. And when his character was so excellent [while he was
+alive], he left behind him a glorious reputation and memorial, by
+gaining freedom for his nation, and delivering them from slavery under
+the Macedonians. And when he had retained the high priesthood three
+years, he died.
+
+
+
+
+
+
+FOOTNOTES
+
+
+1 (return) [ Here Josephus uses the very word koinopltagia, "eating
+things common," for "eating things unclean;" as does our New Testament,
+Acts 10:14, 15, 28; 11:8, 9; Romans 14:14.]
+
+
+2 (return) [ The great number of these Jews and Samaritans that were
+formerly carried into Egypt by Alexander, and now by Ptolemy the son of
+Lagus, appear afterwards in the vast multitude who as we shall see
+presently, were soon ransomed by Philadelphus, and by him made free,
+before he sent for the seventy-two interpreters; in the many garrisons
+and other soldiers of that nation in Egypt; in the famous settlement of
+Jews, and the number of their synagogues at Alexandria, long afterward;
+and in the vehement contention between the Jews and Samatitans under
+Philometer, about the place appointed for public worship in the law of
+Moses, whether at the Jewish temple of Jerusalem, or at the Samaritan
+temple of Gerizzim; of all which our author treats hereafter. And as to
+the Samaritans carried into Egypt under the same princes, Scaliger
+supposes that those who have a great synagogue at Cairo, as also those
+whom the Arabic geographer speaks of as having seized on an island in
+the Red Sea, are remains of them at this very day, as the notes here
+inform us.]
+
+
+3 (return) [ Of the translation of the other parts of the Old Testament
+by seventy Egyptian Jews, in the reigns of Ptolemy the son of Lagus, and
+Philadelphus; as also of the translation of the Pentateuch by seventy-
+two Jerusalem Jews, in the seventh year of Philadelphus at Alexandria,
+as given us an account of by Aristeus, and thence by Philo and Josephus,
+with a vindication of Aristeus's history; see the Appendix to Lit.
+Accorap. of Proph. at large, p. 117—152.]
+
+
+4 (return) [ Although this number one hundred and twenty drachmeae [of
+Alexandria, or sixty Jewish shekels] be here three times repeated, and
+that in all Josephus's copies, Greek and Latin; yet since all the copies
+of Aristeus, whence Josephus took his relation, have this sum several
+times, and still as no more than twenty drachmae, or ten Jewish shekels;
+and since the sum of the talents, to be set down presently, which is
+little above four hundred and sixty, for somewhat more than one hundred
+thousand slaves, and is nearly the same in Josephus and Aristeus, does
+better agree to twenty than to one hundred and twenty drachmae; and
+since the value of a slave of old was at the utmost but thirty shekels,
+or sixty drachmae; see Exodus 21:32; while in the present circumstances
+of these Jewish slaves, and those so very numerous, Philadelphus would
+rather redeem them at a cheaper than at a dearer rate;—there is great
+reason to prefer here Aristeus's copies before Josephus's.]
+
+
+5 (return) [ We have a very great encomium of this Simon the Just, the
+son of Onias, in the fiftieth chapter of the Ecclesiasticus, through the
+whole chapter. Nor is it improper to consult that chapter itself upon
+this occasion.]
+
+
+6 (return) [ When we have here and presently mention made of
+Philadelphus's queen and sister Arsinoe, we are to remember, with
+Spanheim, that Arsinoe was both his sister and his wife, according to
+the old custom of Persia, and of Egypt at this very time; nay, of the
+Assyrians long afterwards. See Antiq. B. XX. ch. 2. sect. 1. Whence we
+have, upon the coins of Philadelphus, this known inscription, "The
+divine brother and sister."]
+
+
+7 (return) [ The Talmudists say, that it is not lawful to write the law
+in letters of gold, contrary to this certain and very ancient example.
+See Hudson's and Reland's notes here.]
+
+
+8 (return) [ This is the most ancient example I have met with of a
+grace, or short prayer, or thanksgiving before meat; which, as it is
+used to be said by a heathen priest, was now said by Eleazar, a Jewish
+priest, who was one of these seventy-two interpreters. The next example
+I have met with, is that of the Essenes, [Of the War, B. II. ch. 8.
+sect. 5,] both before and after it; those of our Savior before it, Mark
+8:6; John 6:11, 23; and St. Paul, Acts 27:35; and a form of such a grace
+or prayer for Christians, at the end of the fifth book of the
+Apostolical Constitutions, which seems to have been intended for both
+times, both before and after meat.]
+
+
+9 (return) [ They were rather political questions and answers, tending
+to the good and religious government of mankind.]
+
+
+10 (return) [ This purification of the interpreters, by washing in the
+sea, before they prayed to God every morning, and before they set about
+translating, may be compared with the like practice of Peter the
+apostle, in the Recognitions of Clement, B. IV. ch. 3., and B. V. ch.
+36., and with the places of the Proseuchre, or of prayer, which were
+sometimes built near the sea or rivers also; of which matter see Antiq.
+B. XIV. ch. 10. sect. 9,3; Acts 16:13. 16.]
+
+
+11 (return) [ The use of oil was much greater, and the donatives of it
+much more valuable, in Judea, and the neighboring countries, than it is
+amongst us. It was also, in the days of Josephus, thought unlawful for
+Jews to make use of any oil that was prepared by heathens, perhaps on
+account of some superstitions intermixed with its preparation by those
+heathens. When therefore the heathens were to make them a donative of
+oil,: they paid them money instead of it. See Of the War, B. II. ch. 21.
+sect. 2; the Life of Josephus, sect. 13; and Hudson's note on the place
+before us.]
+
+
+12 (return) [ This, and the like great and just characters, of the
+justice, and equity, and generosity of the old Romans, both to the Jews
+and other conquered nations, affords us a very good reason why Almighty
+God, upon the rejection of the Jews for their wickedness, chose them for
+his people, and first established Christianity in that empire; of which
+matter see Josephus here, sect. 2; as also Antiq. B. XIV. ch. 10. sect.
+22, 23; B. XVI. ch. 2. sect. 4.]
+
+
+13 (return) [ The name of this place, Phicol, is the very same with that
+of the chief captain of Abimelech's host, in the days of Abraham,
+Genesis 21:22, and might possibly be the place of that Phicol's nativity
+or abode, for it seems to have been in the south part of Palestine, as
+that was.]
+
+
+14 (return) [ Whence it comes that these Lacedemonians declare
+themselves here to be of kin to the Jews, as derived from the same
+ancestor, Abraham, I cannot tell, unless, as Grotius supposes, they were
+derived from Dores, that came of the Pelasgi. These are by Herodotus
+called Barbarians, and perhaps were derived from the Syrians and
+Arabians, the posterity of Abraham by Keturah. See Antiq. B. XIV. ch.
+10. sect. 22; and Of the War, B. I. ch. 26. sect. l; and Grot. on 1
+Macc. 12:7. We may further observe from the Recognitions of Clement,
+that Eliezer, of Damascus, the servant of Abraham, Genesis 15:2; 24.,
+was of old by some taken for his son. So that if the Lacedemonians were
+sprung from him, they might think themselves to be of the posterity of
+Abraham, as well as the Jews, who were sprung from Isaac. And perhaps
+this Eliezer of Damascus is that very Damascus whom Trogus Pompeius, as
+abridged by Justin, makes the founder of the Jewish nation itself,
+though he afterwards blunders, and makes Azelus, Adores, Abraham, and
+Israel kings of Judea, and successors to this Damascus. It may not be
+improper to observe further, that Moses Chorenensis, in his history of
+the Armenians, informs us, that the nation of the Parthians was also
+derived from Abraham by Keturah and her children.]
+
+
+15 (return) [ This word" Gymnasium" properly denotes a place where the
+exercises were performed naked, which because it would naturally
+distinguish circumcised Jews from uncircumcised Gentiles, these Jewish
+apostates endeavored to appear uncircumcised, by means of a surgical
+operation, hinted at by St. Paul, 1 Corinthians 7:18, and described by
+Celsus, B. VII. ch. 25., as Dr. Hudson here informs us.]
+
+
+16 (return) [ Hereabout Josephus begins to follow the First Book of the
+Maccabees, a most excellent and most authentic history; and accordingly
+it is here, with great fidelity and exactness, abridged by him; between
+whose present copies there seem to be fewer variations than in any other
+sacred Hebrew book of the Old Testament whatsoever, [for this book also
+was originally written in Hebrew,] which is very natural, because it was
+written so much nearer to the times of Josephus than the rest were.]
+
+
+17 (return) [ This citadel, of which we have such frequent mention in
+the following history, both in the Maccabees and Josephus, seems to have
+been a castle built on a hill, lower than Mount Zion, though upon its
+skirts, and higher than Mount Moriah, but between them both; which hill
+the enemies of the Jews now got possession of, and built on it this
+citadel, and fortified it, till a good while afterwards the Jews
+regained it, demolished it, and leveled the hill itself with the common
+ground, that their enemies might no more recover it, and might thence
+overlook the temple itself, and do them such mischief as they had long
+undergone from it, Antiq. B. XIII. ch. 6. sect. 6.]
+
+
+18 (return) [ This allegation of the Samaritans is remarkable, that
+though they were not Jews, yet did they, from ancient times, observe the
+Sabbath day, and, as they elsewhere pretend, the Sabbatic year also,
+Antiq. B. XI. ch. 8. sect. 6.]
+
+
+19 (return) [ That this appellation of Maccabee was not first of all
+given to Judas Maccabeus, nor was derived from any initial letters of
+the Hebrew words on his banner, "Mi Kamoka Be Elire, Jehovah?" ["Who is
+like unto thee among the gods, O Jehovah?"] Exodus 15:11 as the modern
+Rabbins vainly pretend, see Authent. Rec. Part I. p. 205, 206. Only we
+may note, by the way, that the original name of these Maccabees, and
+their posterity, was Asamoneans; which was derived from Asamoneus, the
+great-grandfather of Mattathias, as Josephus here informs us.]
+
+
+20 (return) [ The reason why Bethshah was called Scythopolis is well
+known from Herodotus, B. I. p. 105, and Syncellus, p. 214, that the
+Scythians, when they overran Asia, in the days of Josiah, seized on this
+city, and kept it as long as they continued in Asia, from which time it
+retained the name of Scythopolis, or the City of the Scythians.]
+
+
+21 (return) [ This most providential preservation of all the religious
+Jews in this expedition, which was according to the will of God, is
+observable often among God's people, the Jews; and somewhat very like it
+in the changes of the four monarchies, which were also providential. See
+Prideaux at the years 331, 333, and 334.]
+
+
+22 (return) [ Here is another great instance of Providence, that when,
+even at the very time that Simon, and Judas, and Jonathan were so
+miraculously preserved and blessed, in the just defense of their laws
+and religion, these other generals of the Jews, who went to fight for
+honor in a vain-glorious way, and without any commission from God, or
+the family he had raised up to deliver them, were miserably disappointed
+and defeated. See 1 Macc. 5:61, 62.]
+
+
+23 (return) [ Since St. Paul, a Pharisee, confesses that he had not
+known concupiscence, or desires, to be sinful, had not the tenth
+commandment said, "Thou shalt not covet," Romans 7:7, the case seems to
+have been much the same with our Josephus, who was of the same sect,
+that he had not a deep sense of the greatness of any sins that proceeded
+no further than the intention. However, since Josephus speaks here
+properly of the punishment of death, which is not intended by any law,
+either of God or man, for the bare intention, his words need not to be
+strained to mean, that sins intended, but not executed, were no sins at
+all.]
+
+
+24 (return) [ No wonder that Josephus here describes Antiochus Eupator
+as young, and wanting tuition, when he came to the crown, since Appian
+informs us [Footnote Syriac. p. 177: that he was then but nine years
+old.]
+
+
+25 (return) [ It is no way probable that Josephus would call Bacchidoa,
+that bitter and bloody enemy of the Jews, as our present copies have it,
+a man good, or kind, and gentle, What the author of the First Book of
+Maccabees, whom Josephus here follows, instead of that character, says
+of him, is, that he was a great man in the kingdom, and faithful to his
+king; which was very probably Josephus's meaning also.]
+
+
+26 (return) [ Josephus's copies must have been corrupted when they here
+give victory to Nicanor, contrary to the words following, which imply
+that he who was beaten fled into the citadel, which for certain belonged
+to the city of David, or to Mount Zion, and was in the possession of
+Nicanor's garrison, and not of Judas's. As also it is contrary to the
+express words of Josephus's original author, 1 Macc. 7:32, who says that
+Nicanor lost about five thousand men, and fled to the city of David.]
+
+
+27 (return) [ This account of the miserable death of Alcimus, or Jac-
+mus, the wicked high priest, [the first that was not of the family of
+the high priests, and made by a vile heathen, Lysias,] before the death
+of Judas, and of Judas's succession to him as high priest, both here,
+and at the conclusion of this book, directly contradicts 1 Macc. 9:54-
+57, which places his death after the death of Judas, and says not a
+syllable of the high priesthood of Judas. How well the Roman histories
+agree to this account of the conquests and powerful condition of the
+Romans at this time, see the notes in Havercamp's edition; only that the
+number of the senators of Rome was then just three hundred and twenty,
+is, I think, only known from 1 Macc. 8:15.]
+
+
+28 (return) [ This subscription is wanting 1 Macc. 8:17, 29, and must be
+the words of Josephus, who by mistake thought, as we have just now seen,
+that Judas was at this time high priest, and accordingly then reckoned
+his brother Jonathan to be the general of the army, which yet he seems
+not to have been till after the death of Judas.]
+
+
+29 (return) [ That this copy of Josephus, as he wrote it, had here not
+one thousand, but three thousand, with 1 Macc 9:5, is very plain,
+because though the main part ran away at first, even in Josephus, as
+well as in 1 Macc. 9:6, yet, as there, so here, eight hundred are said
+to have remained with Judas, which would be absurd, if the whole number
+had been no more than one thousand.]
+
+
+
+
+
+
+BOOK XIII. Containing The Interval Of Eighty-Two Years.—From The Death
+Of Judas Maccabeus To The Death Of Queen Alexandra.
+
+
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER 1. How Jonathan Took The Government After His Brother Judas; And
+How He, Together With His Brother Simon, Waged War Against Bacchides.
+
+1. By what means the nation of the Jews recovered their freedom when
+they had been brought into slavery by the Macedonians, and what
+struggles, and how great battles, Judas, the general of their army, ran
+through, till he was slain as he was fighting for them, hath been
+related in the foregoing book; but after he was dead, all the wicked,
+and those that transgressed the laws of their forefathers, sprang up
+again in Judea, and grew upon them, and distressed them on every side. A
+famine also assisted their wickedness, and afflicted the country, till
+not a few, who by reason of their want of necessaries, and because they
+were not able to bear up against the miseries that both the famine and
+their enemies brought upon them, deserted their country, and went to the
+Macedonians. And now Bacchides gathered those Jews together who had
+apostatized from the accustomed way of living of their forefathers, and
+chose to live like their neighbors, and committed the care of the
+country to them, who also caught the friends of Judas, and those of his
+party, and delivered them up to Bacchides, who when he had, in the first
+place, tortured and tormented them at his pleasure, he, by that means,
+at length killed them. And when this calamity of the Jews was become so
+great, as they had never had experience of the like since their return
+out of Babylon, those that remained of the companions of Judas, seeing
+that the nation was ready to be destroyed after a miserable manner, came
+to his brother Jonathan, and desired him that he would imitate his
+brother, and that care which he took of his countrymen, for whose
+liberty in general he died also; and that he would not permit the nation
+to be without a governor, especially in those destructive circumstances
+wherein it now was. And where Jonathan said that he was ready to die for
+them, and esteemed no inferior to his brother, he was appointed to be
+the general of the Jewish army.
+
+2. When Bacchides heard this, and was afraid that Jonathan might be very
+troublesome to the king and the Macedonians, as Judas had been before
+him, he sought how he might slay him by treachery. But this intention of
+his was not unknown to Jonathan, nor to his brother Simon; but when
+these two were apprized of it, they took all their companions, and
+presently fled into that wilderness which was nearest to the city; and
+when they were come to a lake called Asphar, they abode there. But when
+Bacchides was sensible that they were in a low state, and were in that
+place, he hasted to fall upon them with all his forces, and pitching his
+camp beyond Jordan, he recruited his army. But when Jonathan knew that
+Bacchides Was coming upon him, he sent his brother John, who was also
+called Gaddis, to the Nabatean Arabs, that he might lodge his baggage
+with them until the battle with Bacchides should be over, for they were
+the Jews' friends. And the sons of Ambri laid an ambush for John from
+the city Medaba, and seized upon him, and upon those that were with him,
+and plundered all that they had with them. They also slew John, and all
+his companions. However, they were sufficiently punished for what they
+now did by John's brethren, as we shall relate presently.
+
+3. But when Bacchides knew that Jonathan had pitched his camp among the
+lakes of Jordan, he observed when their sabbath day came, and then
+assaulted him, [as supposing that he would not fight because of the law
+for resting on that day]: but he exhorted his companions [to fight]; and
+told them that their lives were at stake, since they were encompassed by
+the river, and by their enemies, and had no way to escape, for that
+their enemies pressed upon them from before, and the river was behind
+them. So after he had prayed to God to give them the victory, he joined
+battle with the enemy, of whom he overthrew many; and as he saw
+Bacchides coming up boldly to him, he stretched out his right hand to
+smite him; but the other foreseeing and avoiding the stroke, Jonathan
+with his companions leaped into the river, and swam over it, and by that
+means escaped beyond Jordan while the enemies did not pass over that
+river; but Bacchides returned presently to the citadel at Jerusalem,
+having lost about two thousand of his army. He also fortified many
+cities of Judea, whose walls had been demolished; Jericho, and Emmaus,
+and Betboron, and Bethel, and Tinma, and Pharatho, and Tecoa, and
+Gazara, and built towers in every one of these cities, and encompassed
+them with strong walls, that were very large also, and put garrisons
+into them, that they might issue out of them, and do mischief to the
+Jews. He also fortified the citadel at Jerusalem more than all the rest.
+Moreover, he took the sons of the principal Jews as pledges, and shut
+them up in the citadel, and in that manner guarded it.
+
+4. About the same time one came to Jonathan, and to his brother Simon,
+and told them that the sons of Ambri were celebrating a marriage, and
+bringing the bride from the city Gabatha, who was the daughter of one of
+the illustrious men among the Arabians, and that the damsel was to be
+conducted with pomp, and splendor, and much riches: so Jonathan and
+Simon thinking this appeared to be the fittest time for them to avenge
+the death of their brother, and that they had forces sufficient for
+receiving satisfaction from them for his death, they made haste to
+Medaba, and lay in wait among the mountains for the coming of their
+enemies; and as soon as they saw them conducting the virgin, and her
+bridegroom, and such a great company of their friends with them as was
+to be expected at this wedding, they sallied out of their ambush, and
+slew them all, and took their ornaments, and all the prey that then
+followed them, and so returned, and received this satisfaction for their
+brother John from the sons of Ambri; for as well those sons themselves,
+as their friends, and wives, and children that followed them, perished,
+being in number about four hundred.
+
+5. However, Simon and Jonathan returned to the lakes of the river, and
+abode there. But Bacchides, when he had secured all Judea with his
+garrisons, returned to the king; and then it was that the affairs of
+Judea were quiet for two years. But when the deserters and the wicked
+saw that Jonathan and those that were with him lived in the country very
+quietly, by reason of the peace, they sent to king Demetrius, and
+excited him to send Bacchides to seize upon Jonathan, which they said
+was to be done without any trouble, and in one night's time; and that if
+they fell upon them before they were aware, they might slay them all. So
+the king sent Bacchides, who, when he was come into Judea, wrote to all
+his friends, both Jews and auxiliaries, that they should seize upon
+Jonathan, and bring him to him; and when, upon all their endeavors, they
+were not able to seize upon Jonathan, for he was sensible of the snares
+they laid for him, and very carefully guarded against them, Bacchides
+was angry at these deserters, as having imposed upon him, and upon the
+king, and slew fifty of their leaders: whereupon Jonathan, with his
+brother, and those that were with him, retired to Bethagla, a village
+that lay in the wilderness, out of his fear of Bacchides. He also built
+towers in it, and encompassed it with walls, and took care that it
+should be safely guarded. Upon the hearing of which Bacchides led his
+own army along with him, and besides took his Jewish auxiliaries, and
+came against Jonathan, and made an assault upon his fortifications, and
+besieged him many days; but Jonathan did not abate of his courage at the
+zeal Bacchides used in the siege, but courageously opposed him. And
+while he left his brother Simon in the city to fight with Bacchides, he
+went privately out himself into the country, and got a great body of men
+together of his own party, and fell upon Bacchides's camp in the night
+time, and destroyed a great many of them. His brother Simon knew also of
+this his falling upon them, because he perceived that the enemies were
+slain by him; so he sallied out upon them, and burnt the engines which
+the Macedonians used, and made a great slaughter of them. And when
+Bacchides saw himself encompassed with enemies, and some of them before
+and some behind him, he fell into despair and trouble of mind, as
+confounded at the unexpected ill success of this siege. However, he
+vented his displeasure at these misfortunes upon those deserters who
+sent for him from the king, as having deluded him. So he had a mind to
+finish this siege after a decent manner, if it were possible for him so
+to do, and then to return home.
+
+6. When Jonathan understood these his intentions, he sent ambassadors to
+him about a league of friendship and mutual assistance, and that they
+might restore those they had taken captive on both sides. So Bacchides
+thought this a pretty decent way of retiring home, and made a league of
+friendship with Jonathan, when they sware that they would not any more
+make war one against another. Accordingly, he restored the captives, and
+took his own men with him, and returned to the king at Antioch; and
+after this his departure, he never came into Judea again. Then did
+Jonathan take the opportunity of this quiet state of things, and went
+and lived in the city Michmash; and there governed the multitude, and
+punished the wicked and ungodly, and by that means purged the nation of
+them.
+
+
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER 2. How Alexander [Bala] In His War With Demetrius, Granted
+Jonathan Many Advantages And Appointed Him To Be High Priest And
+Persuaded Him To Assist Him Although Demetrius Promised Him Greater
+Advantages On The Other Side. Concerning The Death
+
+Of Demetrius.
+
+1. Now in the hundred and sixtieth year, it fell out that Alexander, the
+son of Antiochus Epiphanes, 1 came up into Syria, and took Ptolemais the
+soldiers within having betrayed it to him; for they were at enmity with
+Demetrius, on account of his insolence and difficulty of access; for he
+shut himself up in a palace of his that had four towers which he had
+built himself, not far from Antioch and admitted nobody. He was withal
+slothful and negligent about the public affairs, whereby the hatred of
+his subjects was the more kindled against him, as we have elsewhere
+already related. When therefore Demetrius heard that Alexander was in
+Ptolemais, he took his whole army, and led it against him; he also sent
+ambassadors to Jonathan about a league of mutual assistance and
+friendship, for he resolved to be beforehand with Alexander, lest the
+other should treat with him first, and gain assistance from him; and
+this he did out of the fear he had lest Jonathan should remember how ill
+Demetrius had formerly treated him, and should join with him in this war
+against him. He therefore gave orders that Jonathan should be allowed to
+raise an army, and should get armor made, and should receive back those
+hostages of the Jewish nation whom Baechides had shut up in the citadel
+of Jerusalem. When this good fortune had befallen Jonathan, by the
+concession of Demetrius, he came to Jerusalem, and read the king's
+letter in the audience of the people, and of those that kept the
+citadel. When these were read, these wicked men and deserters, who were
+in the citadel, were greatly afraid, upon the king's permission to
+Jonathan to raise an army, and to receive back the hostages. So he
+delivered every one of them to his own parents. And thus did Jonathan
+make his abode at Jerusalem, renewing the city to a better state, and
+reforming the buildings as he pleased; for he gave orders that the walls
+of the city should be rebuilt with square stones, that it might be more
+secure from their enemies. And when those that kept the garrisons that
+were in Judea saw this, they all left them, and fled to Antioch,
+excepting those that were in the city Bethsura, and those that were in
+the citadel of Jerusalem, for the greater part of these was of the
+wicked Jews and deserters, and on that account these did not deliver up
+their garrisons.
+
+2. When Alexander knew what promises Demetrius had made Jonathan, and
+withal knew his courage, and what great things he had done when he
+fought the Macedonians, and besides what hardships he had undergone by
+the means of Demetrius, and of Bacchides, the general of Demetrius's
+army, he told his friends that he could not at present find any one else
+that might afford him better assistance than Jonathan, who was both
+courageous against his enemies, and had a particular hatred against
+Demetrius, as having both suffered many hard things from him, and acted
+many hard things against him. If therefore they were of opinion that
+they should make him their friend against Demetrius, it was more for
+their advantage to invite him to assist them now than at another time.
+It being therefore determined by him and his friends to send to
+Jonathan, he wrote to him this epistle: "King Alexander to his brother
+Jonathan, sendeth greeting. We have long ago heard of thy courage and
+thy fidelity, and for that reason have sent to thee, to make with thee a
+league of friendship and mutual assistance. We therefore do ordain thee
+this day the high priest of the Jews, and that thou beest called my
+friend. I have also sent thee, as presents, a purple robe and a golden
+crown, and desire that, now thou art by us honored, thou wilt in like
+manner respect us also."
+
+3. When Jonathan had received this letter, he put on the pontifical robe
+at the time of the feast of tabernacles, 2 four years after the death of
+his brother Judas, for at that time no high priest had been made. So he
+raised great forces, and had abundance of armor got ready. This greatly
+grieved Demetrius when he heard of it, and made him blame himself for
+his slowness, that he had not prevented Alexander, and got the good-will
+of Jonathan, but had given him time so to do. However, he also himself
+wrote a letter to Jonathan, and to the people, the contents whereof are
+these: "King Demetrius to Jonathan, and to the nation of the Jews,
+sendeth greeting. Since you have preserved your friendship for us, and
+when you have been tempted by our enemies, you have not joined
+yourselves to them, I both commend you for this your fidelity, and
+exhort you to continue in the same disposition, for which you shall be
+repaid, and receive rewards from us; for I will free you from the
+greatest part of the tributes and taxes which you formerly paid to the
+kings my predecessors, and to myself; and I do now set you free from
+those tributes which you have ever paid; and besides, I forgive you the
+tax upon salt, and the value of the crowns which you used to offer to me
+3 and instead of the third part of the fruits [of the field], and the
+half of the fruits of the trees, I relinquish my part of them from this
+day: and as to the poll-money, which ought to be given me for every head
+of the inhabitants of Judea, and of the three toparchies that adjoin to
+Judea, Samaria, and Galilee, and Peres, that I relinquish to you for
+this time, and for all time to come. I will also that the city of
+Jerusalem be holy and inviolable, and free from the tithe, and from the
+taxes, unto its utmost bounds. And I so far recede from my title to the
+citadel, as to permit Jonathan your high priest to possess it, that he
+may place such a garrison in it as he approves of for fidelity and good-
+will to himself, that they may keep it for us. I also make free all
+those Jews who have been made captives and slaves in my kingdom. I also
+give order that the beasts of the Jews be not pressed for our service;
+and let their sabbaths, and all their festivals, and three days before
+each of them, be free from any imposition. In the same manner, I set
+free the Jews that are inhabitants of my kingdom, and order that no
+injury be done them. I also give leave to such of them as are willing to
+list themselves in my army, that they may do it, and those as far as
+thirty thousand; which Jewish soldiers, wheresoever they go, shall have
+the same pay that my own army hath; and some of them I will place in my
+garrisons, and some as guards about mine own body, and as rulers over
+those that are in my court. I give them leave also to use the laws of
+their forefathers, and to observe them; and I will that they have power
+over the three toparchies that are added to Judea; and it shall be in
+the power of the high priest to take care that no one Jew shall have any
+other temple for worship but only that at Jerusalem. I bequeath also,
+out of my own revenues, yearly, for the expenses about the sacrifices,
+one hundred and fifty thousand [drachmae]; and what money is to spare, I
+will that it shall be your own. I also release to you those ten thousand
+drachmae which the kings received from the temple, because they
+appertain to the priests that minister in that temple. And whosoever
+shall fly to the temple at Jerusalem, or to the places thereto
+belonging, or who owe the king money, or are there on any other account,
+let them be set free, and let their goods be in safety. I also give you
+leave to repair and rebuild your temple, and that all be done at my
+expenses. I also allow you to build the walls of your city, and to erect
+high towers, and that they be erected at my charge. And if there be any
+fortified town that would be convenient for the Jewish country to have
+very strong, let it be so built at my expenses."
+
+4. This was what Demetrius promised and granted to the Jews by this
+letter. But king Alexander raised a great army of mercenary soldiers,
+and of those that deserted to him out of Syria, and made an expedition
+against Demetrius. And when it was come to a battle, the left wing of
+Demetrius put those who opposed them to flight, and pursued them a great
+way, and slew many of them, and spoiled their camp; but the right wing,
+where Demetrius happened to be, was beaten; and as for all the rest,
+they ran away. But Demetrius fought courageously, and slew a great many
+of the enemy; but as he was in the pursuit of the rest, his horse
+carried him into a deep bog, where it was hard to get out, and there it
+happened, that upon his horse's falling down, he could not escape being
+killed; for when his enemies saw what had befallen him, they returned
+back, and encompassed Demetrius round, and they all threw their darts at
+him; but he, being now on foot, fought bravely. But at length he
+received so many wounds, that he was not able to bear up any longer, but
+fell. And this is the end that Demetrius came to, when he had reigned
+eleven years, 4 as we have elsewhere related.
+
+
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER 3. The Friendship That Was Between Onias And Ptolemy Philometor;
+And How Onias Built A Temple In Egypt Like To That At Jerusalem.
+
+1. But then the son of Onias the high priest, who was of the same name
+with his father, and who fled to king Ptolemy, who was called
+Philometor, lived now at Alexandria, as we have said already. When this
+Onias saw that Judea was oppressed by the Macedonians and their kings,
+out of a desire to purchase to himself a memorial and eternal fame he
+resolved to send to king Ptolemy and queen Cleopatra, to ask leave of
+them that he might build a temple in Egypt like to that at Jerusalem,
+and might ordain Levites and priests out of their own stock. The chief
+reason why he was desirous so to do, was, that he relied upon the
+prophet Isaiah, who lived above six hundred years before, and foretold
+that there certainly was to be a temple built to Almighty God in Egypt
+by a man that was a Jew. Onias was elevated with this prediction, and
+wrote the following epistle to Ptolemy and Cleopatra: "Having done many
+and great things for you in the affairs of the war, by the assistance of
+God, and that in Celesyria and Phoenicia, I came at length with the Jews
+to Leontopolis, and to other places of your nation, where I found that
+the greatest part of your people had temples in an improper manner, and
+that on this account they bare ill-will one against another, which
+happens to the Egyptians by reason of the multitude of their temples,
+and the difference of opinions about Divine worship. Now I found a very
+fit place in a castle that hath its name from the country Diana; this
+place is full of materials of several sorts, and replenished with sacred
+animals; I desire therefore that you will grant me leave to purge this
+holy place, which belongs to no master, and is fallen down, and to build
+there a temple to Almighty God, after the pattern of that in Jerusalem,
+and of the same dimensions, that may be for the benefit of thyself, and
+thy wife and children, that those Jews which dwell in Egypt may have a
+place whither they may come and meet together in mutual harmony one with
+another, and he subservient to thy advantages; for the prophet Isaiah
+foretold that, 'there should be an altar in Egypt to the Lord God;'" 5
+and many other such things did he prophesy relating to that place.
+
+2. And this was what Onias wrote to king Ptolemy. Now any one may
+observe his piety, and that of his sister and wife Cleopatra, by that
+epistle which they wrote in answer to it; for they laid the blame and
+the transgression of the law upon the head of Onias. And this was their
+reply: "King Ptolemy and queen Cleopatra to Onias, send greeting. We
+have read thy petition, wherein thou desirest leave to be given thee to
+purge that temple which is fallen down at Leontopolis, in the Nomus of
+Heliopolis, and which is named from the country Bubastis; on which
+account we cannot but wonder that it should be pleasing to God to have a
+temple erected in a place so unclean, and so full of sacred animals. But
+since thou sayest that Isaiah the prophet foretold this long ago, we
+give thee leave to do it, if it may be done according to your law, and
+so that we may not appear to have at all offended God herein."
+
+3. So Onias took the place, and built a temple, and an altar to God,
+like indeed to that in Jerusalem, but smaller and poorer. I do not think
+it proper for me now to describe its dimensions or its vessels, which
+have been already described in my seventh book of the Wars of the Jews.
+However, Onias found other Jews like to himself, together with priests
+and Levites, that there performed Divine service. But we have said
+enough about this temple.
+
+4. Now it came to pass that the Alexandrian Jews, and those Samaritans
+who paid their worship to the temple that was built in the days of
+Alexander at Mount Gerizzim, did now make a sedition one against
+another, and disputed about their temples before Ptolemy himself; the
+Jews saying that, according to the laws of Moses, the temple was to be
+built at Jerusalem; and the Samaritans saying that it was to be built at
+Gerizzim. They desired therefore the king to sit with his friends, and
+hear the debates about these matters, and punish those with death who
+were baffled. Now Sabbeus and Theodosius managed the argument for the
+Samaritans, and Andronicus, the son of Messalamus, for the people of
+Jerusalem; and they took an oath by God and the king to make their
+demonstrations according to the law; and they desired of Ptolemy, that
+whomsoever he should find that transgressed what they had sworn to, he
+would put him to death. Accordingly, the king took several of his
+friends into the council, and sat down, in order to hear what the
+pleaders said. Now the Jews that were at Alexandria were in great
+concern for those men, whose lot it was to contend for the temple at
+Jerusalem; for they took it very ill that any should take away the
+reputation of that temple, which was so ancient and so celebrated all
+over the habitable earth. Now when Sabbeus and Theodosius had given
+leave to Andronicus to speak first, he began to demonstrate out of the
+law, and out of the successions of the high priests, how they every one
+in succession from his father had received that dignity, and ruled over
+the temple; and how all the kings of Asia had honored that temple with
+their donations, and with the most splendid gifts dedicated thereto. But
+as for that at Gerizzm, he made no account of it, and regarded it as if
+it had never had a being. By this speech, and other arguments,
+Andronicus persuaded the king to determine that the temple at Jerusalem
+was built according to the laws of Moses, 6 and to put Sabbeus and
+Theodosius to death. And these were the events that befell the Jews at
+Alexandria in the days of Ptolemy Philometor.
+
+
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER 4. How Alexander Honored Jonathan After An Extraordinary Manner;
+And How Demetrius, The Son Of Demetrius, Overcame Alexander And Made A
+League Of Friendship With Jonathan.
+
+1. Demetrius being thus slain in battle, as we have above related,
+Alexander took the kingdom of Syria; and wrote to Ptolemy Philometor,
+and desired his daughter in marriage; and said it was but just that he
+should be joined an affinity to one that had now received the
+principality of his forefathers, and had been promoted to it by God's
+providence, and had conquered Demetrius, and that was on other accounts
+not unworthy of being related to him. Ptolemy received this proposal of
+marriage gladly; and wrote him an answer, saluting him on account of his
+having received the principality of his forefathers; and promising him
+that he would give him his daughter in marriage; and assured him that he
+was coming to meet him at Ptolemais, and desired that he would there
+meet him, for that he would accompany her from Egypt so far, and would
+there marry his child to him. When Ptolemy had written thus, he came
+suddenly to Ptolemais, and brought his daughter Cleopatra along with
+him; and as he found Alexander there before him, as he desired him to
+come, he gave him his child in marriage, and for her portion gave her as
+much silver and gold as became such a king to give.
+
+2. When the wedding was over, Alexander wrote to Jonathan the high
+priest, and desired him to come to Ptolemais. So when he came to these
+kings, and had made them magnificent presents, he was honored by them
+both. Alexander compelled him also to put off his own garment, and to
+take a purple garment, and made him sit with him in his throne; and
+commanded his captains that they should go with him into the middle of
+the city, and proclaim, that it was not permitted to any one to speak
+against him, or to give him any disturbance. And when the captains had
+thus done, those that were prepared to accuse Jonathan, and who bore him
+ill-will, when they saw the honor that was done him by proclamation, and
+that by the king's order, ran away, and were afraid lest some mischief
+should befall them. Nay, king Alexander was so very kind to Jonathan,
+that he set him down as the principal of his friends.
+
+3. But then, upon the hundred and sixty-fifth year, Demetrius, the son
+of Demetrius, came from Crete with a great number of mercenary soldiers,
+which Lasthenes, the Cretian, brought him, and sailed to Cilicia. This
+thing cast Alexander into great concern and disorder when he heard it;
+so he made haste immediately out of Phoenicia, and came to Antioch, that
+he might put matters in a safe posture there before Demetrius should
+come. He also left Apollonius Daus 7 governor of Celesyria, who coming
+to Jamnia with a great army, sent to Jonathan the high priest, and told
+him that it was not right that he alone should live at rest, and with
+authority, and not be subject to the king; that this thing had made him
+a reproach among all men, that he had not yet made him subject to the
+king. "Do not thou therefore deceive thyself, and sit still among the
+mountains, and pretend to have forces with thee; but if thou hast any
+dependence on thy strength, come down into the plain, and let our armies
+be compared together, and the event of the battle will demonstrate which
+of us is the most courageous. However, take notice, that the most
+valiant men of every city are in my army, and that these are the very
+men who have always beaten thy progenitors; but let us have the battle
+in such a place of the country where we may fight with weapons, and not
+with stones, and where there may be no place whither those that are
+beaten may fly."
+
+4. With this Jonathan was irritated; and choosing himself out ten
+thousand of his soldiers, he went out of Jerusalem in haste, with his
+brother Simon, and came to Joppa, and pitched his camp on the outside of
+the city, because the people of Joppa had shut their gates against him,
+for they had a garrison in the city put there by Apollonius. But when
+Jonathan was preparing to besiege them, they were afraid he would take
+them by force, and so they opened the gates to him. But Apollonius, when
+he heard that Joppa was taken by Jonathan, took three thousand horsemen,
+and eight thousand footmen and came to Ashdod; and removing thence, he
+made his journey silently and slowly, and going up to Joppa, he made as
+if he was retiring from the place, and so drew Jonathan into the plain,
+as valuing himself highly upon his horsemen, and having his hopes of
+victory principally in them. However, Jonathan sallied out, and pursued
+Apollonius to Ashdod; but as soon as Apollonius perceived that his enemy
+was in the plain, he came back and gave him battle. But Apollonius had
+laid a thousand horsemen in ambush in a valley, that they might be seen
+by their enemies as behind them; which when Jonathan perceived, he was
+under no consternation, but ordering his army to stand in a square
+battle-array, he gave them a charge to fall on the enemy on both sides,
+and set them to face those that attacked them both before and behind;
+and while the fight lasted till the evening, he gave part of his forces
+to his brother Simon, and ordered him to attack the enemies; but for
+himself, he charged those that were with him to cover themselves with
+their armor, and receive the darts of the horsemen, who did as they were
+commanded; so that the enemy's horsemen, while they threw their darts
+till they had no more left, did them no harm, for the darts that were
+thrown did not enter into their bodies, being thrown upon the shields
+that were united and conjoined together, the closeness of which easily
+overcame the force of the darts, and they flew about without any effect.
+But when the enemy grew remiss in throwing their darts from morning till
+late at night, Simon perceived their weariness, and fell upon the body
+of men before him; and because his soldiers showed great alacrity, he
+put the enemy to flight. And when the horsemen saw that the footmen ran
+away, neither did they stay themselves, but they being very weary, by
+the duration of the fight till the evening, and their hope from the
+footmen being quite gone, they basely ran away, and in great confusion
+also, till they were separated one from another, and scattered over all
+the plain. Upon which Jonathan pursued them as far as Ashdod, and slew a
+great many of them, and compelled the rest, in despair of escaping, to
+fly to the temple of Dagon, which was at Ashdod; but Jonathan took the
+city on the first onset, and burnt it, and the villages about it; nor
+did he abstain from the temple of Dagon itself, but burnt it also, and
+destroyed those that had fled to it. Now the entire multitude of the
+enemies that fell in the battle, and were consumed in the temple, were
+eight thousand. When Jonathan therefore had overcome so great an army,
+he removed from Ashdod, and came to Askelon; and when he had pitched his
+camp without the city, the people of Askelon came out and met him,
+bringing him hospitable presents, and honoring him; so he accepted of
+their kind intentions, and returned thence to Jerusalem with a great
+deal of prey, which he brought thence when he conquered his enemies. But
+when Alexander heard that Apollonius, the general of his army, was
+beaten, he pretended to be glad of it, because he had fought with
+Jonathan his friend and ally against his directions. Accordingly, he
+sent to Jonathan, and gave testimony to his worth; and gave him honorary
+rewards, as a golden button, 8 which it is the custom to give the king's
+kinsmen, and allowed him Ekron and its toparchy for his own inheritance.
+
+5. About this time it was that king Ptolemy, who was called Philometor,
+led an army, part by the sea, and part by land, and came to Syria, to
+the assistance of Alexander, who was his son-in-law; and accordingly all
+the cities received him willingly, as Alexander had commanded them to
+do, and conducted him as far as Ashdod; where they all made loud
+complaints about the temple of Dagon, which was burnt, and accused
+Jonathan of having laid it waste, and destroyed the country adjoining
+with fire, and slain a great number of them. Ptolemy heard these
+accusations, but said nothing. Jonathan also went to meet Ptolemy as far
+as Joppa, and obtained from him hospitable presents, and those glorious
+in their kinds, with all the marks of honor; and when he had conducted
+him as far as the river called Eleutherus, he returned again to
+Jerusalem.
+
+6. But as Ptolemy was at Ptolemais, he was very near to a most
+unexpected destruction; for a treacherous design was laid for his life
+by Alexander, by the means of Ammonius, who was his friend; and as the
+treachery was very plain, Ptolemy wrote to Alexander, and required of
+him that he should bring Ammonius to condign punishment, informing him
+what snares had been laid for him by Ammonius, and desiring that he
+might be accordingly punished for it. But when Alexander did not comply
+with his demands, he perceived that it was he himself who laid the
+design, and was very angry at him. Alexander had also formerly been on
+very ill terms with the people of Antioch, for they had suffered very
+much by his means; yet did Ammonius at length undergo the punishment his
+insolent crimes had deserved, for he was killed in an opprobrious
+manner, like a woman, while he endeavored to conceal himself in a
+feminine habit, as we have elsewhere related.
+
+7. Hereupon Ptolemy blamed himself for having given his daughter in
+marriage to Alexander, and for the league he had made with him to assist
+him against Demetrius; so he dissolved his relation to him, and took his
+daughter away from him, and immediately sent to Demetrius, and offered
+to make a league of mutual assistance and friendship with him, and
+agreed with him to give him his daughter in marriage, and to restore him
+to the principality of his fathers. Demetrius was well pleased with this
+embassage, and accepted of his assistance, and of the marriage of his
+daughter. But Ptolemy had still one more hard task to do, and that was
+to persuade the people of Antioch to receive Demetrius, because they
+were greatly displeased at him, on account of the injuries his father
+Demetrius had done them; yet did he bring this about; for as the people
+of Antioch hated Alexander on Ammonius's account, as we have shown
+already, they were easily prevailed with to cast him out of Antioch;
+who, thus expelled out of Antioch, came into Cilicia. Ptolemy came then
+to Antioch, and was made king by its inhabitants, and by the army; so
+that he was forced to put on two diadems, the one of Asia, the other of
+Egypt: but being naturally a good and a righteous man, and not desirous
+of what belonged to others, and besides these dispositions, being also a
+wise man in reasoning about futurities, he determined to avoid the envy
+of the Romans; so he called the people of Antioch together to an
+assembly, and persuaded them to receive Demetrius; and assured them that
+he would not be mindful of what they did to his father in case he should
+be now obliged by them; and he undertook that he would himself be a good
+monitor and governor to him, and promised that he would not permit him
+to attempt any bad actions; but that, for his own part, he was contented
+with the kingdom of Egypt. By which discourse he persuaded the people of
+Antioch to receive Demetrius.
+
+8. But now Alexander made haste with a numerous and great army, and came
+out of Cilicia into Syria, and burnt the country belonging to Antioch,
+and pillaged it; whereupon Ptolemy, and his son-in-law Demetrius,
+brought their army against him, [for he had already given him his
+daughter in marriage,] and beat Alexander, and put him to flight; and
+accordingly he fled into Arabia. Now it happened in the time of the
+battle that Ptolemy' horse, upon hearing the noise of an elephant, cast
+him off his back, and threw him on the ground; upon the sight of which
+accident, his enemies fell upon him, and gave him many wounds upon his
+head, and brought him into danger of death; for when his guards caught
+him up, he was so very ill, that for four days' time he was not able
+either to understand or to speak. However, Zabdiel, a prince among the
+Arabians, cut off Alexander's head, and sent it to Ptolemy, who
+recovering of his wounds, and returning to his understanding, on the
+fifth day, heard at once a most agreeable hearing, and saw a most
+agreeable sight, which were the death and the head of Alexander; yet a
+little after this his joy for the death of Alexander, with which he was
+so greatly satisfied, he also departed this life. Now Alexander, who was
+called Balas, reigned over Asia five years, as we have elsewhere
+related.
+
+9. But when Demetrius, who was styled Nicator, 9 had taken the kingdom,
+he was so wicked as to treat Ptolemy's soldiers very hardly, neither
+remembering the league of mutual assistance that was between them, nor
+that he was his son-in-law and kinsman, by Cleopatra's marriage to him;
+so the soldiers fled from his wicked treatment to Alexandria; but
+Demetrius kept his elephants. But Jonathan the high priest levied an
+army out of all Judea, and attacked the citadel at Jerusalem, and
+besieged it. It was held by a garrison of Macedonians, and by some of
+those wicked men who had deserted the customs of their forefathers.
+These men at first despised the attempts of Jonathan for taking the
+place, as depending on its strength; but some of those wicked men went
+out by night, and came to Demetrius, and informed him that the citadel
+was besieged; who was irritated with what he heard, and took his army,
+and came from Antioch, against Jonathan. And when he was at Antioch, he
+wrote to him, and commanded him to come to him quickly to Ptolemais:
+upon which Jonathan did not intermit the siege of the citadel, but took
+with him the elders of the people, and the priests, and carried with him
+gold, and silver, and garments, and a great number of presents of
+friendship, and came to Demetrius, and presented him with them, and
+thereby pacified the king's anger. So he was honored by him, and
+received from him the confirmation of his high priesthood, as he had
+possessed it by the grants of the kings his predecessors. And when the
+Jewish deserters accused him, Demetrius was so far from giving credit to
+them, that when he petitioned him that he would demand no more than
+three hundred talents for the tribute of all Judea, and the three
+toparchies of Samaria, and Perea, and Galilee, he complied with the
+proposal, and gave him a letter confirming all those grants; whose
+contents were as follows: "King Demetrius to Jonathan his brother, and
+to the nation of the Jews, sendeth greeting. We have sent you a copy of
+that epistle which we have written to Lasthones our kinsman, that you
+may know its contents. 'King Demetrus to Lasthenes our father, sendeth
+greeting. I have determined to return thanks, and to show favor to the
+nation of the Jews, which hath observed the rules of justice in our
+concerns. Accordingly, I remit to them the three prefectures, Apherims,
+and Lydda, and Ramatha, which have been added to Judea out of Samaria,
+with their appurtenances; as also what the kings my predecessors
+received from those that offered sacrifices in Jerusalem, and what are
+due from the fruits of the earth, and of the trees, and what else
+belongs to us; with the salt-pits, and the crowns that used to be
+presented to us. Nor shall they be compelled to pay any of those taxes
+from this time to all futurity. Take care therefore that a copy of this
+epistle be taken, and given to Jonathan, and be set up in an eminent
+place of their holy temple.'" And these were the contents of this
+writing. And now when Demetrius saw that there was peace every where,
+and that there was no danger, nor fear of war, he disbanded the greatest
+part of his army, and diminished their pay, and even retained in pay no
+others than such foreigners as came up with him from Crete, and from the
+other islands. However, this procured him ill-will and hatred from the
+soldiers; on whom he bestowed nothing from this time, while the kings
+before him used to pay them in time of peace as they did before, that
+they might have their good-will, and that they might be very ready to
+undergo the difficulties of war, if any occasion should require it.
+
+
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER 5. How Trypho After He Had Beaten Demetrius Delivered The
+Kingdom To Antiochus The Son Of Alexander, And Gained Jonathan For His
+Assistant; And Concerning The Actions And Embassies Of Jonathan.
+
+1. Now there was a certain commander of Alexander's forces, an Apanemian
+by birth, whose name was Diodotus, and was also called Trypho, took
+notice the ill-will of the soldiers bare to Demetrius, and went to
+Malchus the Arabian, who brought up Antiochus, the son of Alexander, and
+told him what ill-will the army bare Demetrius, and persuaded him to
+give him Antiochus, because he would make him king, and recover to him
+the kingdom of his father. Malchus at the first opposed him in this
+attempt, because he could not believe him; but when Trypho lay hard at
+him for a long time, he over-persuaded him to comply with Trypho's
+intentions and entreaties. And this was the state Trypho was now in.
+
+2. But Jonathan the high priest, being desirous to get clear of those
+that were in the citadel of Jerusalem, and of the Jewish deserters, and
+wicked men, as well as of those in all the garrisons in the country,
+sent presents and ambassadors to Demetrius, and entreated him to take
+away his soldiers out of the strong holds of Judea. Demetrius made
+answer, that after the war, which he was now deeply engaged in, was
+over, he would not only grant him that, but greater things than that
+also; and he desired he would send him some assistance, and informed him
+that his army had deserted him. So Jonathan chose out three thousand of
+his soldiers, and sent them to Demetrius.
+
+3. Now the people of Antioch hated Demetrius, both on account of what
+mischief he had himself done them, and because they were his enemies
+also on account of his father Demetrius, who had greatly abused them; so
+they watched some opportunity which they might lay hold on to fall upon
+him. And when they were informed of the assistance that was coming to
+Demetrius from Jonathan, and considered at the same time that he would
+raise a numerous army, unless they prevented him, and seized upon him,
+they took their weapons immediately, and encompassed his palace in the
+way of a siege, and seizing upon all the ways of getting out, they
+sought to subdue their king. And when he saw that the people of Antioch
+were become his bitter enemies and that they were thus in arms, he took
+the mercenary soldiers which he had with them, and those Jews who were
+sent by Jonathan, and assaulted the Antiochians; but he was overpowered
+by them, for they were many ten thousands, and was beaten. But when the
+Jews saw that the Antiochians were superior, they went up to the top of
+the palace, and shot at them from thence; and because they were so
+remote from them by their height, that they suffered nothing on their
+side, but did great execution on the others, as fighting from such an
+elevation, they drove them out of the adjoining houses, and immediately
+set them on fire, whereupon the flame spread itself over the whole city,
+and burnt it all down. This happened by reason of the closeness of the
+houses, and because they were generally built of wood. So the
+Antiochians, when they were not able to help themselves, nor to stop the
+fire, were put to flight. And as the Jews leaped from the top of one
+house to the top of another, and pursued them after that manner, it
+thence happened that the pursuit was so very surprising. But when the
+king saw that the Antiochians were were busy in saving their children
+and their wives, and so did not fight any longer, he fell upon them in
+the narrow passages, and fought them, and slew a great many of them,
+till at last they were forced to throw down their arms, and to deliver
+themselves up to Demetrius. So he forgave them this their insolent
+behavior, and put an end to the sedition; and when he had given rewards
+to the Jews out of the rich spoils he had gotten, and had returned them
+thanks, as the cause of his victory, he sent them away to Jerusalem to
+Jonathan, with an ample testimony of the assistance they had afforded
+him. Yet did he prove an ill man to Jonathan afterward, and broke the
+promises he had made; and he threatened that he would make war upon him,
+unless he would pay all that tribute which the Jewish nation owed to the
+first kings [of Syria]. And this he had done, if Trypho had not hindered
+him, and diverted his preparations against Jonathan to a concern for his
+own preservation; for he now returned out of Arabia into Syria, with the
+child Antiochus, for he was yet in age but a youth, and put the diadem
+on his head; and as the whole forces that had left Demetrius, because
+they had no pay, came to his assistance, he made war upon Demetrius, and
+joining battle with him, overcame him in the fight, and took from him
+both his elephants and the city Antioch.
+
+4. Demetrius, upon this defeat, retired into Cilicia; but the child
+Antiochus sent ambassadors and an epistle to Jonathan, and made him his
+friend and confederate, and confirmed to him the high priesthood, and
+yielded up to him the four prefectures which had been added to Judea.
+Moreover, he sent him vessels and cups of gold, and a purple garment,
+and gave him leave to use them. He also presented him with a golden
+button, and styled him one of his principal friends, and appointed his
+brother Simon to be the general over the forces, from the Ladder of Tyre
+unto Egypt. So Jonathan was so pleased with these grants made him by
+Antiochus, that he sent ambassadors to him and to Trypho, and professed
+himself to be their friend and confederate, and said he would join with
+him in a war against Demetrius, informing him that he had made no proper
+returns for the kindness he had done him; for that when he had received
+many marks of kindness from him, when he stood in great need of them,
+he, for such good turns, had requited him with further injuries.
+
+5. So Antiochus gave Jonathan leave to raise himself a numerous army out
+of Syria and Phoenicia and to make war against Demetrius's generals;
+whereupon he went in haste to the several cities which received him
+splendidly indeed, but put no forces into his hands. And when he was
+come from thence to Askelon, the inhabitants of Askelon came and brought
+him presents, and met him in a splendid manner. He exhorted them, and
+every one of the cities of Celesyria, to forsake Demetrius, and to join
+with Antiochus; and, in assisting him, to endeavor to punish Demetrius
+for what offenses he had been guilty of against themselves; and told
+them there were many reasons for that their procedure, if they had a
+mind so to do. And when he had persuaded those cities to promise their
+assistance to Antiochus, he came to Gaza, in order to induce them also
+to be friends to Antiochus; but he found the inhabitants of Gaza much
+more alienated from him than he expected, for they had shut their gates
+against him; and although they had deserted Demetrius, they had not
+resolved to join themselves to Antiochus. This provoked Jonathan to
+besiege them, and to harass their country; for as he set a part of his
+army round about Gaza itself, so with the rest he overran their land,
+and spoiled it, and burnt what was in it. When the people of Gaza saw
+themselves in this state of affliction, and that no assistance came to
+them from Demetrius, that what distressed them was at hand, but what
+should profit them was still at a great distance, and it was uncertain
+whether it would come at all or not, they thought it would be prudent
+conduct to leave off any longer continuance with them, and to cultivate
+friendship with the other; so they sent to Jonathan, and professed they
+would be his friends, and afford him assistance: for such is the temper
+of men, that before they have had the trial of great afflictions, they
+do not understand what is for their advantage; but when they find
+themselves under such afflictions, they then change their minds, and
+what it had been better for them to have done before they had been at
+all damaged, they choose to do, but not till after they have suffered
+such damages. However, he made a league of friendship with them, and
+took from them hostages for their performance of it, and sent these
+hostages to Jerusalem, while he went himself over all the country, as
+far as Damascus.
+
+6. But when he heard that the generals of Demetrius's forces were come
+to the city Cadesh with a numerous army, [the place lies between the
+land of the Tyrians and Galilee,]for they supposed they should hereby
+draw him out of Syria, in order to preserve Galilee, and that he would
+not overlook the Galileans, who were his own people, when war was made
+upon them, he went to meet them, having left Simon in Judea, who raised
+as great an army as he was able out of the country, and then sat down
+before Bethsura, and besieged it, that being the strongest place in all
+Judea; and a garrison of Demetrius's kept it, as we have already
+related. But as Simon was raising banks, and bringing his engines of war
+against Bethsura, and was very earnest about the siege of it, the
+garrison was afraid lest the place should be taken of Simon by force,
+and they put to the sword; so they sent to Simon, and desired the
+security of his oath, that they should come to no harm from him, and
+that they would leave the place, and go away to Demetrius. Accordingly
+he gave them his oath, and ejected them out of the city, and he put
+therein a garrison of his own.
+
+7. But Jonathan removed out of Galilee, and from the waters which are
+called Gennesar, for there he was before encamped, and came into the
+plain that is called Asor, without knowing that the enemy was there.
+When therefore Demetrius's men knew a day beforehand that Jonathan was
+coming against them, they laid an ambush in the mountain, who were to
+assault him on the sudden, while they themselves met him with an army in
+the plain; which army, when Jonathan saw ready to engage him, he also
+got ready his own soldiers for the battle as well as he was able; but
+those that were laid in ambush by Demetrius's generals being behind
+them, the Jews were afraid lest they should be caught in the midst
+between two bodies, and perish; so they ran away in haste, and indeed
+all the rest left Jonathan; but a few there were, in number about fifty,
+who staid with him, and with them Mattathias, the son of Absalom, and
+Judas, the son of Chapseus, who were commanders of the whole army. These
+marched boldly, and like men desperate, against the enemy, and so pushed
+them, that by their courage they daunted them, and with their weapons in
+their hands they put them to flight. And when those soldiers of Jonathan
+that had retired saw the enemy giving way, they got together after their
+flight, and pursued them with great violence; and this did they as far
+as Cadesh, where the camp of the enemy lay.
+
+8. Jonathan having thus gotten a glorious victory, and slain two
+thousand of the enemy, returned to Jerusalem. So when he saw that all
+his affairs prospered according to his mind, by the providence of God,
+he sent ambassadors to the Romans, being desirous of renewing that
+friendship which their nation had with them formerly. He enjoined the
+same ambassadors, that, as they came back, they should go to the
+Spartans, and put them in mind of their friendship and kindred. So when
+the ambassadors came to Rome, they went into their senate, and said what
+they were commanded by Jonathan the high priest to say, how he had sent
+them to confirm their friendship. The senate then confirmed what had
+been formerly decreed concerning their friendship with the Jews, and
+gave them letters to carry to all the kings of Asia and Europe, and to
+the governors of the cities, that they might safely conduct them to
+their own country. Accordingly, as they returned, they came to Sparta,
+and delivered the epistle which they had received of Jonathan to them; a
+copy of which here follows: "Jonathan the high priest of the Jewish
+nation, and the senate, and body of the people of the Jews, to the
+ephori, and senate, and people of the Lacedemonians, send greeting. If
+you be well, and both your public and private affairs be agreeable to
+your mind, it is according to our wishes. We are well also. When in
+former times an epistle was brought to Onias, who was then our high
+priest, from Areus, who at that time was your king, by Demoteles,
+concerning the kindred that was between us and you, a copy of which is
+here subjoined, we both joyfully received the epistle, and were well
+pleased with Demoteles and Areus, although we did not need such a
+demonstration, because we were satisfied about it from the sacred
+writings 10 yet did not we think fit first to begin the claim of this
+relation to you, lest we should seem too early in taking to ourselves
+the glory which is now given us by you. It is a long time since this
+relation of ours to you hath been renewed; and when we, upon holy and
+festival days, offer sacrifices to God, we pray to him for your
+preservation and victory. As to ourselves, although we have had many
+wars that have compassed us around, by reason of the covetousness of our
+neighbors, yet did not we determine to be troublesome either to you, or
+to others that were related to us; but since we have now overcome our
+enemies, and have occasion to send Numenius the son of Antiochus, and
+Antipater the son of Jason, who are both honorable men belonging to our
+senate, to the Romans, we gave them this epistle to you also, that they
+might renew that friendship which is between us. You will therefore do
+well yourselves to write to us, and send us an account of what you stand
+in need of from us, since we are in all things disposed to act according
+to your desires." So the Lacedemonians received the ambassadors kindly,
+and made a decree for friendship and mutual assistance, and sent it to
+them.
+
+9. At this time there were three sects among the Jews, who had different
+opinions concerning human actions; the one was called the sect of the
+Pharisees, another the sect of the Sadducees, and the other the sect of
+the Essens. Now for the Pharisees, 11 they say that some actions, but
+not all, are the work of fate, and some of them are in our own power,
+and that they are liable to fate, but are not caused by fate. But the
+sect of the Essens affirm, that fate governs all things, and that
+nothing befalls men but what is according to its determination. And for
+the Sadducees, they take away fate, and say there is no such thing, and
+that the events of human affairs are not at its disposal; but they
+suppose that all our actions are in our own power, so that we are
+ourselves the causes of what is good, and receive what is evil from our
+own folly. However, I have given a more exact account of these opinions
+in the second book of the Jewish War.
+
+10. But now the generals of Demetrius being willing to recover the
+defeat they had had, gathered a greater army together than they had
+before, and came against Jonathan; but as soon as he was informed of
+their coming, he went suddenly to meet them, to the country of Hamoth,
+for he resolved to give them no opportunity of coming into Judea; so he
+pitched his camp at fifty furlongs' distance from the enemy, and sent
+out spies to take a view of their camp, and after what manner they were
+encamped. When his spies had given him full information, and had seized
+upon some of them by night, who told him the enemy would soon attack
+him, he, thus apprized beforehand, provided for his security, and placed
+watchmen beyond his camp, and kept all his forces armed all night; and
+he gave them a charge to be of good courage, and to have their minds
+prepared to fight in the night time, if they should be obliged so to do,
+lest their enemy's designs should seem concealed from them. But when
+Demetrius's commanders were informed that Jonathan knew what they
+intended, their counsels were disordered, and it alarmed them to find
+that the enemy had discovered those their intentions; nor did they
+expect to overcome them any other way, now they had failed in the snares
+they had laid for them; for should they hazard an open battle, they did
+not think they should be a match for Jonathan's army, so they resolved
+to fly; and having lighted many fires, that when the enemy saw them they
+might suppose they were there still, they retired. When Jonathan came to
+give them battle in the morning in their camp, and found it deserted,
+and understood they were fled, he pursued them; yet he could not
+overtake them, for they had already passed over the river Eleutherus,
+and were out of danger. So when Jonathan was returned thence, he went
+into Arabia, and fought against the Nabateans, and drove away a great
+deal of their prey, and took [many] captives, and came to Damascus, and
+there sold off what he had taken. About the same time it was that Simon
+his brother went over all Judea and Palestine, as far as Askelon, and
+fortified the strong holds; and when he had made them very strong, both
+in the edifices erected, and in the garrisons placed in them, he came to
+Joppa; and when he had taken it, he brought a great garrison into it,
+for he heard that the people of Joppa were disposed to deliver up the
+city to Demetrius's generals.
+
+11. When Simon and Jonathan had finished these affairs, they returned to
+Jerusalem, where Jonathan gathered all the people together, and took
+counsel to restore the walls of Jerusalem, and to rebuild the wall that
+encompassed the temple, which had been thrown down, and to make the
+places adjoining stronger by very high towers; and besides that, to
+build another wall in the midst of the city, in order to exclude the
+market-place from the garrison, which was in the citadel, and by that
+means to hinder them from any plenty of provisions; and moreover, to
+make the fortresses that were in the country much stronger and more
+defensible than they were before. And when these things were approved of
+by the multitude, as rightly proposed, Jonathan himself took care of the
+building that belonged to the city, and sent Simon away to make the
+fortresses in the country more secure than formerly. But Demetrius
+passed over [Euphrates], and came into Mesopotamia, as desirous to
+retain that country still, as well as Babylon; and when he should have
+obtained the dominion of the upper provinces, to lay a foundation for
+recovering his entire kingdom; for those Greeks and Macedonians who
+dwelt there frequently sent ambassadors to him, and promised, that if he
+would come to them, they would deliver themselves up to him, and assist
+him in fighting against Arsaces, 12 the king of the Parthians. So he was
+elevated with these hopes, and came hastily to them, as having resolved,
+that if he had once overthrown the Parthians, and gotten an army of his
+own, he would make war against Trypho, and eject him out of Syria; and
+the people of that country received him with great alacrity. So he
+raised forces, with which he fought against Arsaces, and lost all his
+army, and was himself taken alive, as we have elsewhere related.
+
+
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER 6. How Jonathan Was Slain By Treachery; And How Thereupon The
+Jews Made Simon Their General And High Priest: What Courageous Actions
+He Also Performed Especially Against Trypho.
+
+1. Now when Trypho knew what had befallen Demetrius, he was no longer
+firm to Antiochus, but contrived by subtlety to kill him, and then take
+possession of his kingdom; but the fear that he was in of Jonathan was
+an obstacle to this his design, for Jonathan was a friend to Antiochus,
+for which cause he resolved first to take Jonathan out of the way, and
+then to set about his design relating to Antiochus; but he judging it
+best to take him off by deceit and treachery, came from Antioch to
+Bethshan, which by the Greeks is called Scythopolis, at which place
+Jonathan met him with forty thousand chosen men, for he thought that he
+came to fight him; but when he perceived that Jonathan was ready to
+fight, he attempted to gain him by presents and kind treatment, and gave
+order to his captains to obey him, and by these means was desirous to
+give assurance of his good-will, and to take away all suspicions out of
+his mind, that so he might make him careless and inconsiderate, and
+might take him when he was unguarded. He also advised him to dismiss his
+army, because there was no occasion for bringing it with him when there
+was no war, but all was in peace. However, he desired him to retain a
+few about him, and go with him to Ptolemais, for that he would deliver
+the city up to him, and would bring all the fortresses that were in the
+country under his dominion; and he told him that he came with those very
+designs.
+
+2. Yet did not Jonathan suspect any thing at all by this his management,
+but believed that Trypho gave him this advice out of kindness, and with
+a sincere design. Accordingly, he dismissed his army, and retained no
+more than three thousand of them with him, and left two thousand in
+Galilee; and he himself, with one thousand, came with Trypho to
+Ptolemais. But when the people of Ptolemais had shut their gates, as it
+had been commanded by Trypho to do, he took Jonathan alive, and slew all
+that were with him. He also sent soldiers against those two thousand
+that were left in Galilee, in order to destroy them; but those men
+having heard the report of what had happened to Jonathan, they prevented
+the execution; and before those that were sent by Trypho came, they
+covered themselves with their armor, and went away out of the country.
+Now when those that were sent against them saw that they were ready to
+fight for their lives, they gave them no disturbance, but returned back
+to Trypho.
+
+3. But when the people of Jerusalem heard that Jonathan was taken, and
+that the soldiers who were with him were destroyed, they deplored his
+sad fate; and there was earnest inquiry made about him by every body,
+and a great and just fear fell upon them, and made them sad, lest, now
+they were deprived of the courage and conduct of Jonathan, the nations
+about them should bear them ill-will; and as they were before quiet on
+account of Jonathan they should now rise up against them, and by making
+war with them, should force them into the utmost dangers. And indeed
+what they suspected really befell them; for when those nations heard of
+the death of Jonathan, they began to make war with the Jews as now
+destitute of a governor and Trypho himself got an army together, and had
+intention to go up to Judea, and make war against its inhabitants. But
+when Simon saw that the people of Jerusalem were terrified at the
+circumstances they were in, he desired to make a speech to them, and
+thereby to render them more resolute in opposing Trypho when he should
+come against them. He then called the people together into the temple,
+and thence began thus to encourage them: "O my countrymen, you are not
+ignorant that our father, myself, and my brethren, have ventured to
+hazard our lives, and that willingly, for the recovery of your liberty;
+since I have therefore such plenty of examples before me, and we of our
+family have determined with ourselves to die for our laws, and our
+Divine worship, there shall no terror be so great as to banish this
+resolution from our souls, nor to introduce in its place a love of life,
+and a contempt of glory. Do you therefore follow me with alacrity
+whithersoever I shall lead you, as not destitute of such a captain as is
+willing to suffer, and to do the greatest things for you; for neither am
+I better than my brethren that I should be sparing of my own life, nor
+so far worse than they as to avoid and refuse what they thought the most
+honorable of all things,—I mean, to undergo death for your laws, and for
+that worship of God which is peculiar to you; I will therefore give such
+proper demonstrations as will show that I am their own brother; and I am
+so bold as to expect that I shall avenge their blood upon our enemies,
+and deliver you all with your wives and children from the injuries they
+intend against you, and, with God's assistance, to preserve your temple
+from destruction by them; for I see that these nations have you in
+contempt, as being without a governor, and that they thence are
+encouraged to make war against you."
+
+4. By this speech of Simon he inspired the multitude with courage; and
+as they had been before dispirited through fear, they were now raised to
+a good hope of better things, insomuch that the whole multitude of the
+people cried out all at once that Simon should be their leader; and that
+instead of Judas and Jonathan his brethren, he should have the
+government over them; and they promised that they would readily obey him
+in whatsoever he should command them. So he got together immediately all
+his own soldiers that were fit for war, and made haste in rebuilding the
+walls of the city, and strengthening them by very high and strong
+towers, and sent a friend of his, one Jonathan, the son of Absalom, to
+Joppa, and gave him order to eject the inhabitants out of the city, for
+he was afraid lest they should deliver up the city to Trypho; but he
+himself staid to secure Jerusalem.
+
+5. But Trypho removed from Ptolemais with a great army, and came into
+Judea, and brought Jonathan with him in bonds. Simon also met him with
+his army at the city Adida, which is upon a hill, and beneath it lie the
+plains of Judea. And when Trypho knew that Simon was by the Jews made
+their governor, he sent to him, and would have imposed upon him by
+deceit and trenchery, and desired, if he would have his brother Jonathan
+released, that he would send him a hundred talents of silver, and two of
+Jonathan's sons as hostages, that when he shall be released, he may not
+make Judea revolt from the king; for that at present he was kept in
+bonds on account of the money he had borrowed of the king, and now owed
+it to him. But Simon was aware of the craft of Trypho; and although he
+knew that if he gave him the money he should lose it, and that Trypho
+would not set his brother free and withal should deliver the sons of
+Jonathan to the enemy, yet because he was afraid that he should have a
+calumny raised against him among the multitude as the cause of his
+brother's death, if he neither gave the money, nor sent Jonathan's sons,
+he gathered his army together, and told them what offers Trypho had
+made; and added this, that the offers were ensnaring and treacherous,
+and yet that it was more eligible to send the money and Jonathan's sons,
+than to be liable to the imputation of not complying with Trypho's
+offers, and thereby refusing to save his brother. Accordingly, Simon
+sent the sons of Jonathan and the money; but when Trypho had received
+them, he did not keep his promise, nor set Jonathan free, but took his
+army, and went about all the country, and resolved to go afterward to
+Jerusalem by the way of Idumea, while Simon went over against him with
+his army, and all along pitched his own camp over against his.
+
+6. But when those that were in the citadel had sent to Trypho, and
+besought him to make haste and come to them, and to send them
+provisions, he prepared his cavalry as though he would be at Jerusalem
+that very night; but so great a quantity of snow fell in the night, that
+it covered the roads, and made them so deep, that there was no passing,
+especially for the cavalry. This hindered him from coming to Jerusalem;
+whereupon Trypho removed thence, and came into Celesyria, and falling
+vehemently upon the land of Gilead, he slew Jonathan there; and when he
+had given order for his burial, he returned himself to Antioch. However,
+Simon sent some to the city Basca to bring away his brother's bones, and
+buried them in their own city Modin; and all the people made great
+lamentation over him. Simon also erected a very large monument for his
+father and his brethren, of white and polished stone, and raised it a
+great height, and so as to be seen a long way off, and made cloisters
+about it, and set up pillars, which were of one stone apiece; a work it
+was wonderful to see. Moreover, he built seven pyramids also for his
+parents and his brethren, one for each of them, which were made very
+surprising, both for their largeness and beauty, and which have been
+preserved to this day; and we know that it was Simon who bestowed so
+much zeal about the burial of Jonathan, and the building of these
+monuments for his relations. Now Jonathan died when he had been high
+priest four years 13 and had been also the governor of his nation. And
+these were the circumstances that concerned his death.
+
+7. But Simon, who was made high priest by the multitude, on the very
+first year of his high priesthood set his people free from their slavery
+under the Macedonians, and permitted them to pay tribute to them no
+longer; which liberty and freedom from tribute they obtained after a
+hundred and seventy years 14 of the kingdom of the Assyrians, which was
+after Seleucus, who was called Nicator, got the dominion over Syria. Now
+the affection of the multitude towards Simon was so great, that in their
+contracts one with another, and in their public records, they wrote, "in
+the first year of Simon the benefactor and ethnarch of the Jews;" for
+under him they were very happy, and overcame the enemies that were round
+about them; for Simon overthrew the city Gazara, and Joppa, and Jamhis.
+He also took the citadel of Jerusalem by siege, and cast it down to the
+ground, that it might not be any more a place of refuge to their enemies
+when they took it, to do them a mischief, as it had been till now. And
+when he had done this, he thought it their best way, and most for their
+advantage, to level the very mountain itself upon which the citadel
+happened to stand, that so the temple might be higher than it. And
+indeed, when he had called the multitude to an assembly, he persuaded
+them to have it so demolished, and this by putting them in mind what
+miseries they had suffered by its garrison and the Jewish deserters, and
+what miseries they might hereafter suffer in case any foreigner should
+obtain the kingdom, and put a garrison into that citadel. This speech
+induced the multitude to a compliance, because he exhorted them to do
+nothing but what was for their own good: so they all set themselves to
+the work, and leveled the mountain, and in that work spent both day and
+night without any intermission, which cost them three whole years before
+it was removed, and brought to an entire level with the plain of the
+rest of the city. After which the temple was the highest of all the
+buildings, now the citadel, as well as the mountain whereon it stood,
+were demolished. And these actions were thus performed under Simon.
+
+
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER 7. How Simon Confederated Himself With Antiochus Pius, And Made
+War Against Trypho, And A Little Afterward, Against Cendebeus, The
+General Of Antiochus's Army; As Also How Simon Was Murdered By His Son-
+In-Law Ptolemy, And That By Treachery.
+
+1. 15 Now a little while after Demetrius had been carried into
+captivity, Trypho his governor destroyed Antiochus, 16 the son of
+Alexander, who was also called The God, 17 and this when he had reigned
+four years, though he gave it out that he died under the hands of the
+surgeons. He then sent his friends, and those that were most intimate
+with him, to the soldiers, and promised that he would give them a great
+deal of money if they would make him king. He intimated to them that
+Demetrius was made a captive by the Parthians; and that Demetrius's
+brother Atitiochus, if he came to be king, would do them a great deal of
+mischief, in way of revenge for their revolting from his brother. So the
+soldiers, in expectation of the wealth they should get by bestowing the
+kingdom on Trypho, made him their ruler. However, when Trypho had gained
+the management of affairs, he demonstrated his disposition to be wicked;
+for while he was a private person, he cultivated familiarity with the
+multitude, and pretended to great moderation, and so drew them on
+artfully to whatsoever he pleased; but when he had once taken the
+kingdom, he laid aside any further dissimulation, and was the true
+Trypho; which behavior made his enemies superior to him; for the
+soldiery hated him, and revolted from him to Cleopatra, the wife of
+Demetrius, who was then shut up in Seleucia with her children. But as
+Antiochus, the brother of Demetrius who was called Soter, was not
+admitted by any of the cities on account of Trypho, Cleopatra sent to
+him, and invited him to marry her, and to take the kingdom. The reasons
+why she made this invitation were these: That her friends persuaded her
+to it, and that she was afraid for herself, in case some of the people
+of Seleucia should deliver up the city to Trypho.
+
+2. As Antiochus was now come to Seleucia, and his forces increased every
+day, he marched to fight Trypho; and having beaten him in the battle, he
+ejected him out of the Upper Syria into Phoenicia, and pursued him
+thither, and besieged him in Dora which was a fortress hard to be taken,
+whither he had fled. He also sent ambassadors to Simon the Jewish high
+priest, about a league of friendship and mutual assistance; who readily
+accepted of the invitation, and sent to Antiochus great sums of money
+and provisions for those that besieged Dora, and thereby supplied them
+very plentifully, so that for a little while he was looked upon as one
+of his most intimate friends; but still Trypho fled from Dora to Apamia,
+where he was taken during the siege, and put to death, when he had
+reigned three years.
+
+3. However, Antiochus forgot the kind assistance that Simon had afforded
+him in his necessity, by reason of his covetous and wicked disposition,
+and committed an army of soldiers to his friend Cendebeus, and sent him
+at once to ravage Judea, and to seize Simon. When Simon heard of
+Antiochus's breaking his league with him, although he were now in years,
+yet, provoked with the unjust treatment he had met with from Antiochus,
+and taking a resolution brisker than his age could well bear, he went
+like a young man to act as general of his army. He also sent his sons
+before among the most hardy of his soldiers, and he himself marched on
+with his army another way, and laid many of his men in ambushes in the
+narrow valleys between the mountains; nor did he fail of success in any
+one of his attempts, but was too hard for his enemies in every one of
+them. So he led the rest of his life in peace, and did also himself make
+a league with the Romans.
+
+4. Now he was the ruler of the Jews in all eight years; but at a feast
+came to his end. It was caused by the treachery of his son-in-law
+Ptolemy, who caught also his wife, and two of his sons, and kept them in
+bonds. He also sent some to kill John the third son, whose name was
+Hyrcanus; but the young man perceiving them coming, he avoided the
+danger he was in from them, 18 and made haste into the city [Jerusalem],
+as relying on the good-will of the multitude, because of the benefits
+they had received from his father, and because of the hatred the same
+multitude bare to Ptolemy; so that when Ptolemy was endeavoring to enter
+the city by another gate, they drove him away, as having already
+admitted Hyrcanus.
+
+
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER 8. Hyrcanus Receives The High Priesthood, And Ejects Ptolemy Out
+Of The Country. Antiochus Makes War Against Hyrcanus And Afterwards
+Makes A League With Him.
+
+1. So Ptolemy retired to one of the fortresses that was above Jericho,
+which was called Dagon. But Hyrcanus having taken the high priesthood
+that had been his father's before, and in the first place propitiated
+God by sacrifices, he then made an expedition against Ptolemy; and when
+he made his attacks upon the place, in other points he was too hard for
+him, but was rendered weaker than he, by the commiseration he had for
+his mother and brethren, and by that only; for Ptolemy brought them upon
+the wall, and tormented them in the sight of all, and threatened that he
+would throw them down headlong, unless Hyrcanus would leave off the
+siege. And as he thought that so far as he relaxed as to the siege and
+taking of the place, so much favor did he show to those that were
+dearest to him by preventing their misery, his zeal about it was cooled.
+However, his mother spread out her hands, and begged of him that he
+would not grow remiss on her account, but indulge his indignation so
+much the more, and that he would do his utmost to take the place
+quickly, in order to get their enemy under his power, and then to avenge
+upon him what he had done to those that were dearest to himself; for
+that death would be to her sweet, though with torment, if that enemy of
+theirs might but be brought to punishment for his wicked dealings to
+them. Now when his mother said so, he resolved to take the fortress
+immediately; but when he saw her beaten, and torn to pieces, his courage
+failed him, and he could not but sympathize with what his mother
+suffered, and was thereby overcome. And as the siege was drawn out into
+length by this means, that year on which the Jews used to rest came on;
+for the Jews observe this rest every seventh year, as they do every
+seventh day; so that Ptolemy being for this cause released from the war,
+19 he slew the brethren of Hyrcanus, and his mother; and when he had so
+done, he fled to Zeno, who was called Cotylas, who was then the tyrant
+of the city Philadelphia.
+
+2. But Antiochus, being very uneasy at the miseries that Simon had
+brought upon him, he invaded Judea in the fourth years' of his reign,
+and the first year of the principality of Hyrcanus, in the hundred and
+sixty-second olympiad. 20 And when he had burnt the country, he shut up
+Hyrcanus in the city, which he encompassed round with seven encampments;
+but did just nothing at the first, because of the strength of the walls,
+and because of the valor of the besieged, although they were once in
+want of water, which yet they were delivered from by a large shower of
+rain, which fell at the setting of the Pleiades 21 However, about the
+north part of the wall, where it happened the city was upon a level with
+the outward ground, the king raised a hundred towers of three stories
+high, and placed bodies of soldiers upon them; and as he made his
+attacks every day, he cut a double ditch, deep and broad, and confined
+the inhabitants within it as within a wall; but the besieged contrived
+to make frequent sallies out; and if the enemy were not any where upon
+their guard, they fell upon them, and did them a great deal of mischief;
+and if they perceived them, they then retired into the city with ease.
+But because Hyrcanus discerned the inconvenience of so great a number of
+men in the city, while the provisions were the sooner spent by them, and
+yet, as is natural to suppose, those great numbers did nothing, he
+separated the useless part, and excluded them out of the city, and
+retained that part only which were in the flower of their age, and fit
+for war. However, Antiochus would not let those that were excluded go
+away, who therefore wandering about between the wails, and consuming
+away by famine, died miserably; but when the feast of tabernacles was at
+hand, those that were within commiserated their condition, and received
+them in again. And when Hyrcanus sent to Antiochus, and desired there
+might be a truce for seven days, because of the festival, he gave way to
+this piety towards God, and made that truce accordingly. And besides
+that, he sent in a magnificent sacrifice, bulls with their horns gilded,
+with all sorts of sweet spices, and with cups of gold and silver. 22 So
+those that were at the gates received the sacrifices from those that
+brought them, and led them to the temple, Antiochus the mean while
+feasting his army, which was a quite different conduct from Antiochus
+Epiphanes, who, when he had taken the city, offered swine upon the
+altar, and sprinkled the temple with the broth of their flesh, in order
+to violate the laws of the Jews, and the religion they derived from
+their forefathers; for which reason our nation made war with him, and
+would never be reconciled to him; but for this Antiochus, all men called
+him Antiochus the Pious, for the great zeal he had about religion.
+
+3. Accordingly, Hyrcanus took this moderation of his kindly; and when he
+understood how religious he was towards the Deity, he sent an embassage
+to him, and desired that he would restore the settlements they received
+from their forefathers. So he rejected the counsel of those that would
+have him utterly destroy the nation, 23 by reason of their way of
+living, which was to others unsociable, and did not regard what they
+said. But being persuaded that all they did was out of a religious mind,
+he answered the ambassadors, that if the besieged would deliver up their
+arms, and pay tribute for Joppa, and the other cities which bordered
+upon Judea, and admit a garrison of his, on these terms he would make
+war against them no longer. But the Jews, although they were content
+with the other conditions, did not agree to admit the garrison, because
+they could not associate with other people, nor converse with them; yet
+were they willing, instead of the admission of the garrison, to give him
+hostages, and five hundred talents of silver; of which they paid down
+three hundred, and sent the hostages immediately, which king Antiochus
+accepted. One of those hostages was Hyrcanus's brother. But still he
+broke down the fortifications that encompassed the city. And upon these
+conditions Antiochus broke up the siege, and departed.
+
+4. But Hyrcanus opened the sepulcher of David, who excelled all other
+kings in riches, and took out of it three thousand talents. He was also
+the first of the Jews that, relying on this wealth, maintained foreign
+troops. There was also a league of friendship and mutual assistance made
+between them; upon which Hyrcanus admitted him into the city, and
+furnished him with whatsoever his army wanted in great plenty, and with
+great generosity, and marched along with him when he made an expedition
+against the Parthians; of which Nicolaus of Damascus is a witness for
+us; who in his history writes thus: "When Antiochus had erected a trophy
+at the river Lycus, upon his conquest of Indates, the general of the
+Parthians, he staid there two days. It was at the desire of Lyrcanus the
+Jew, because it was such a festival derived to them from their
+forefathers, whereon the law of the Jews did not allow them to travel."
+And truly he did not speak falsely in saying so; for that festival,
+which we call Pentecost, did then fall out to be the next day to the
+Sabbath. Nor is it lawful for us to journey, either on the Sabbath day,
+or on a festival day 24 But when Antiochus joined battle with Arsaces,
+the king of Parthia, he lost a great part of his army, and was himself
+slain; and his brother Demetrius succeeded in the kingdom of Syria, by
+the permission of Arsaces, who freed him from his captivity at the same
+time that Antiochus attacked Parthia, as we have formerly related
+elsewhere.
+
+
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER 9. How, After The Death Of Antiochus, Hyrcanus Made An
+Expedition Against Syria, And Made A League With The Romans. Concerning
+The Death Of King Demetrius And Alexander.
+
+1. But when Hyrcanus heard of the death of Antiochus, he presently made
+an expedition against the cities of Syria, hoping to find them destitute
+of fighting men, and of such as were able to defend them. However, it
+was not till the sixth month that he took Medaba, and that not without
+the greatest distress of his army. After this he took Samega, and the
+neighboring places; and besides these, Shechem and Gerizzim, and the
+nation of the Cutheans, who dwelt at the temple which resembled that
+temple which was at Jerusalem, and which Alexander permitted Sanballat,
+the general of his army, to build for the sake of Manasseh, who was son-
+in-law to Jaddua the high priest, as we have formerly related; which
+temple was now deserted two hundred years after it was built. Hyrcanus
+took also Dora and Marissa, cities of Idumea, and subdued all the
+Idumeans; and permitted them to stay in that country, if they would
+circumcise their genitals, and make use of the laws of the Jews; and
+they were so desirous of living in the country of their forefathers,
+that they submitted to the use of circumcision, 25 and of the rest of
+the Jewish ways of living; at which time therefore this befell them,
+that they were hereafter no other than Jews.
+
+2. But Hyrcanus the high priest was desirous to renew that league of
+friendship they had with the Romans. Accordingly, he sent an embassage
+to them; and when the senate had received their epistle, they made a
+league of friendship with them, after the manner following: "Fanius, the
+son of Marcus, the praetor, gathered the senate together on the eighth
+day before the Ides of February, in the senate-house, when Lucius
+Manlius, the son of Lucius, of the Mentine tribe, and Caius Sempronius,
+the son of Caius, of the Falernian tribe, were present. The occasion
+was, that the ambassadors sent by the people of the Jews 26 Simon, the
+son of Dositheus, and Apollonius, the son of Alexander, and Diodorus,
+the son of Jason, who were good and virtuous men, had somewhat to
+propose about that league of friendship and mutual assistance which
+subsisted between them and the Romans, and about other public affairs,
+who desired that Joppa, and the havens, and Gazara, and the springs [of
+Jordan], and the several other cities and countries of theirs, which
+Antiochus had taken from them in the war, contrary to the decree of the
+senate, might be restored to them; and that it might not be lawful for
+the king's troops to pass through their country, and the countries of
+those that are subject to them; and that what attempts Antiochus had
+made during that war, without the decree of the senate, might be made
+void; and that they would send ambassadors, who should take care that
+restitution be made them of what Antiochus had taken from them, and that
+they should make an estimate of the country that had been laid waste in
+the war; and that they would grant them letters of protection to the
+kings and free people, in order to their quiet return home. It was
+therefore decreed, as to these points, to renew their league of
+friendship and mutual assistance with these good men, and who were sent
+by a good and a friendly people." But as to the letters desired, their
+answer was, that the senate would consult about that matter when their
+own affairs would give them leave; and that they would endeavor, for the
+time to come, that no like injury should be done to them; and that their
+praetor Fanius should give them money out of the public treasury to bear
+their expenses home. And thus did Fanius dismiss the Jewish ambassadors,
+and gave them money out of the public treasury; and gave the decree of
+the senate to those that were to conduct them, and to take care that
+they should return home in safety.
+
+3. And thus stood the affairs of Hyrcanus the high priest. But as for
+king Demetrius, who had a mind to make war against Hyrcanus, there was
+no opportunity nor room for it, while both the Syrians and the soldiers
+bare ill-will to him, because he was an ill man. But when they had sent
+ambassadors to Ptolemy, who was called Physcon, that he would send them
+one of the family at Seleueus, in order to take the kingdom, and he had
+sent them Alexander, who was called Zebina, with an army, and there had
+been a battle between them, Demetrius was beaten in the fight, and fled
+to Cleopatra his wife, to Ptolemais; but his wife would not receive him.
+He went thence to Tyre, and was there caught; and when he had suffered
+much from his enemies before his death, he was slain by them. So
+Alexander took the kingdom, and made a league with Hyrcanus, who yet,
+when he afterward fought with Antiochus the son of Demetrius, who was
+called Grypus, was also beaten in the fight, and slain.
+
+
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER 10. How Upon The Quarrel Between Antiochus Grypus And Antiochus
+Cyzicenus About The Kingdom Hyrcanus Tooksamaria, And Utterly Demolished
+It; And How Hyrcanus Joined Himself To The Sect Of The Sadducees, And
+Left That Of The Pharisees.
+
+1. When Antiochus had taken the kingdom, he was afraid to make war
+against Judea, because he heard that his brother by the same mother, who
+was also called Antiochus, was raising an army against him out of
+Cyzicum; so he staid in his own land, and resolved to prepare himself
+for the attack he expected from his brother, who was called Cyzicenus,
+because he had been brought up in that city. He was the son of Antiochus
+that was called Soter, who died in Parthia. He was the brother of
+Demetrius, the father of Grypus; for it had so happened, that one and
+the same Cleopatra was married to two who were brethren, as we have
+related elsewhere. But Antiochus Cyzicenus coming into Syria, continued
+many years at war with his brother. Now Hyrcanus lived all this while in
+peace; for after the death of Antiochus, he revolted from the
+Macedonians, 27 nor did he any longer pay them the least regard, either
+as their subject or their friend; but his affairs were in a very
+improving and flourishing condition in the times of Alexander Zebina,
+and especially under these brethren, for the war which they had with one
+another gave Hyrcanus the opportunity of enjoying himself in Judea
+quietly, insomuch that he got an immense quantity of money. How ever,
+when Antiochus Cyzicenus distressed his land, he then openly showed what
+he meant. And when he saw that Antiochus was destitute of Egyptian
+auxiliaries, and that both he and his brother were in an ill condition
+in the struggles they had one with another, he despised them both.
+
+2. So he made an expedition against Samaria which was a very strong
+city; of whose present name Sebaste, and its rebuilding by Herod, we
+shall speak at a proper time; but he made his attack against it, and
+besieged it with a great deal of pains; for he was greatly displeased
+with the Samaritans for the injuries they had done to the people of
+Merissa, a colony of the Jews, and confederate with them, and this in
+compliance to the kings of Syria. When he had therefore drawn a ditch,
+and built a double wall round the city, which was fourscore furlongs
+long, he set his sons Antigonus and Arisrobulna over the siege; which
+brought the Samaritans to that great distress by famine, that they were
+forced to eat what used not to be eaten, and to call for Antiochus
+Cyzicenus to help them, who came readily to their assistance, but was
+beaten by Aristobulus; and when he was pursued as far as Scythopolis by
+the two brethren, he got away. So they returned to Samaria, and shut
+them again within the wall, till they were forced to send for the same
+Antiochus a second time to help them, who procured about six thousand
+men from Ptolemy Lathyrus, which were sent them without his mother's
+consent, who had then in a manner turned him out of his government. With
+these Egyptians Antiochus did at first overrun and ravage the country of
+Hyrcanus after the manner of a robber, for he durst not meet him in the
+face to fight with him, as not having an army sufficient for that
+purpose, but only from this supposal, that by thus harassing his land he
+should force Hyrcanus to raise the siege of Samaria; but because he fell
+into snares, and lost many of his soldiers therein, he went away to
+Tripoli, and committed the prosecution of the war against the Jews to
+Callimander and Epicrates.
+
+3. But as to Callimander, he attacked the enemy too rashly, and was put
+to flight, and destroyed immediately; and as to Epicrates, he was such a
+lover of money, that he openly betrayed Scythopolis, and other places
+near it, to the Jews, but was not able to make them raise the siege of
+Samaria. And when Hyrcanus had taken that city, which was not done till
+after a year's siege, he was not contented with doing that only, but he
+demolished it entirely, and brought rivulets to it to drown it, for he
+dug such hollows as might let the water run under it; nay, he took away
+the very marks that there had ever been such a city there. Now a very
+surprising thing is related of this high priest Hyrcanus, how God came
+to discourse with him; for they say that on the very same day on which
+his sons fought with Antiochus Cyzicenus, he was alone in the temple, as
+high priest, offering incense, and heard a voice, that his sons had just
+then overcome Antiochus. And this he openly declared before all the
+multitude upon his coming out of the temple; and it accordingly proved
+true; and in this posture were the affairs of Hyrcanus.
+
+4. Now it happened at this time, that not only those Jews who were at
+Jerusalem and in Judea were in prosperity, but also those of them that
+were at Alexandria, and in Egypt and Cyprus; for Cleopatra the queen was
+at variance with her son Ptolemy, who was called Lathyrus, and appointed
+for her generals Chelcias and Ananias, the sons of that Onias who built
+the temple in the prefecture of Heliopolis, like to that at Jerusalem,
+as we have elsewhere related. Cleopatra intrusted these men with her
+army, and did nothing without their advice, as Strabo of Cappadocia
+attests, when he saith thus, "Now the greater part, both those that came
+to Cyprus with us, and those that were sent afterward thither, revolted
+to Ptolemy immediately; only those that were called Onias's party, being
+Jews, continued faithful, because their countrymen Chelcias and Ananias
+were in chief favor with the queen." These are the words of Strabo.
+
+5. However, this prosperous state of affairs moved the Jews to envy
+Hyrcanus; but they that were the worst disposed to him were the
+Pharisees, 28 who were one of the sects of the Jews, as we have informed
+you already. These have so great a power over the multitude, that when
+they say any thing against the king, or against the high priest, they
+are presently believed. Now Hyrcanus was a disciple of theirs, and
+greatly beloved by them. And when he once invited them to a feast, and
+entertained them very kindly, when he saw them in a good humor, he began
+to say to them, that they knew he was desirous to be a righteous man,
+and to do all things whereby he might please God, which was the
+profession of the Pharisees also. However, he desired, that if they
+observed him offending in any point, and going out of the right way,
+they would call him back and correct him. On which occasion they
+attested to his being entirely virtuous; with which commendation he was
+well pleased. But still there was one of his guests there, whose name
+was Eleazar, a man of an ill temper, and delighting in seditious
+practices. This man said, "Since thou desirest to know the truth, if
+thou wilt be righteous in earnest, lay down the high priesthood, and
+content thyself with the civil government of the people," And when he
+desired to know for what cause he ought to lay down the high priesthood,
+the other replied, "We have heard it from old men, that thy mother had
+been a captive under the reign of Antiochus Epiphanes. 29" This story
+was false, and Hyrcanus was provoked against him; and all the Pharisees
+had a very great indignation against him.
+
+6. Now there was one Jonathan, a very great friend of Hyrcanus's, but of
+the sect of the Sadducees, whose notions are quite contrary to those of
+the Pharisees. He told Hyrcanus that Eleazar had cast such a reproach
+upon him, according to the common sentiments of all the Pharisees, and
+that this would be made manifest if he would but ask them the question,
+What punishment they thought this man deserved? for that he might depend
+upon it, that the reproach was not laid on him with their approbation,
+if they were for punishing him as his crime deserved. So the Pharisees
+made answer, that he deserved stripes and bonds, but that it did not
+seem right to punish reproaches with death. And indeed the Pharisees,
+even upon other occasions, are not apt to be severe in punishments. At
+this gentle sentence, Hyrcanus was very angry, and thought that this man
+reproached him by their approbation. It was this Jonathan who chiefly
+irritated him, and influenced him so far, that he made him leave the
+party of the Pharisees, and abolish the decrees they had imposed on the
+people, and to punish those that observed them. From this source arose
+that hatred which he and his sons met with from the multitude: but of
+these matters we shall speak hereafter. What I would now explain is
+this, that the Pharisees have delivered to the people a great many
+observances by succession from their fathers, which are not written in
+the laws of Moses; and for that reason it is that the Sadducees reject
+them, and say that we are to esteem those observances to be obligatory
+which are in the written word, but are not to observe what are derived
+from the tradition of our forefathers. And concerning these things it is
+that great disputes and differences have arisen among them, while the
+Sadducees are able to persuade none but the rich, and have not the
+populace obsequious to them, but the Pharisees have the multitude on
+their side. But about these two sects, and that of the Essens, I have
+treated accurately in the second book of Jewish affairs.
+
+7. But when Hyrcanus had put an end to this sedition, he after that
+lived happily, and administered the government in the best manner for
+thirty-one years, and then died, 30 leaving behind him five sons. He was
+esteemed by God worthy of three of the greatest privileges,—the
+government of his nation, the dignity of the high priesthood, and
+prophecy; for God was with him, and enabled him to know futurities; and
+to foretell this in particular, that, as to his two eldest sons, he
+foretold that they would not long continue in the government of public
+affairs; whose unhappy catastrophe will be worth our description, that
+we may thence learn how very much they were inferior to their father's
+happiness.
+
+
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER 11. How Aristobulus, When He Had Taken The Government First Of
+All Put A Diadem On His Head, And Was Most Barbarously Cruel To His
+Mother And His Brethren; And How, After He Had Slain Antigonus, He
+Himself Died.
+
+1. Now when their father Hyrcanus was dead, the eldest son Aristobulus,
+intending to change the government into a kingdom, for so he resolved to
+do, first of all put a diadem on his head, four hundred eighty and one
+years and three months after the people had been delivered from the
+Babylonish slavery, and were returned to their own country again. This
+Aristobulus loved his next brother Antigonus, and treated him as his
+equal; but the others he held in bonds. He also cast his mother into
+prison, because she disputed the government with him; for Hyrcanus had
+left her to be mistress of all. He also proceeded to that degree of
+barbarity, as to kill her in prison with hunger; nay, he was alienated
+from his brother Antigonus by calumnies, and added him to the rest whom
+he slew; yet he seemed to have an affection for him, and made him above
+the rest a partner with him in the kingdom. Those calumnies he at first
+did not give credit to, partly because he loved him, and so did not give
+heed to what was said against him, and partly because he thought the
+reproaches were derived from the envy of the relaters. But when
+Antigonus was once returned from the army, and that feast was then at
+hand when they make tabernacles to [the honor of God,] it happened that
+Arlstobulus was fallen sick, and that Antigonus went up most splendidly
+adorned, and with his soldiers about him in their armor, to the temple
+to celebrate the feast, and to put up many prayers for the recovery of
+his brother, when some wicked persons, who had a great mind to raise a
+difference between the brethren, made use of this opportunity of the
+pompous appearance of Antigonus, and of the great actions which he had
+done, and went to the king, and spitefully aggravated the pompous show
+of his at the feast, and pretended that all these circumstances were not
+like those of a private person; that these actions were indications of
+an affectation of royal authority; and that his coming with a strong
+body of men must be with an intention to kill him; and that his way of
+reasoning was this: That it was a silly thing in him, while it was in
+his power to reign himself, to look upon it as a great favor that he was
+honored with a lower dignity by his brother.
+
+2. Aristobulus yielded to these imputations, but took care both that his
+brother should not suspect him, and that he himself might not run the
+hazard of his own safety; so he ordered his guards to lie in a certain
+place that was under ground, and dark; [he himself then lying sick in
+the tower which was called Antonia;] and he commanded them, that in case
+Antigonus came in to him unarmed, they should not touch any body, but if
+armed, they should kill him; yet did he send to Antigonus, and desired
+that he would come unarmed; but the queen, and those that joined with
+her in the plot against Antigonus, persuaded the messenger to tell him
+the direct contrary: how his brother had heard that he had made himself
+a fine suit of armor for war, and desired him to come to him in that
+armor, that he might see how fine it was. So Antigonus suspecting no
+treachery, but depending on the good-will of his brother, came to
+Aristobulus armed, as he used to be, with his entire armor, in order to
+show it to him; but when he was come to a place which was called
+Strato's Tower, where the passage happened to be exceeding dark, the
+guards slew him; which death of his demonstrates that nothing is
+stronger than envy and calumny, and that nothing does more certainly
+divide the good-will and natural affections of men than those passions.
+But here one may take occasion to wonder at one Judas, who was of the
+sect of the Essens, 31 and who never missed the truth in his
+predictions; for this man, when he saw Antigonus passing by the temple,
+cried out to his companions and friends, who abode with him as his
+scholars, in order to learn the art of foretelling things to come? "That
+it was good for him to die now, since he had spoken falsely about
+Antigonus, who is still alive, and I see him passing by, although he had
+foretold he should die at the place called Strato's Tower that very day,
+while yet the place is six hundred furlongs off, where he had foretold
+he should be slain; and still this day is a great part of it already
+past, so that he was in danger of proving a false prophet." As he was
+saying this, and that in a melancholy mood, the news came that Antigonus
+was slain in a place under ground, which itself was called also Strato's
+Tower, or of the same name with that Cæsarea which is seated at the sea.
+This event put the prophet into a great disorder.
+
+3. But Aristobulus repented immediately of this slaughter of his
+brother; on which account his disease increased upon him, and he was
+disturbed in his mind, upon the guilt of such wickedness, insomuch that
+his entrails were corrupted by his intolerable pain, and he vomited
+blood: at which time one of the servants that attended upon him, and was
+carrying his blood away, did, by Divine Providence, as I cannot but
+suppose, slip down, and shed part of his blood at the very place where
+there were spots of Antigonus's blood, there slain, still remaining; and
+when there was a cry made by the spectators, as if the servant had on
+purpose shed the blood on that place, Aristobulus heard it, and inquired
+what the matter was; and as they did not answer him, he was the more
+earnest to know what it was, it being natural to men to suspect that
+what is thus concealed is very bad: so upon his threatening, and forcing
+them by terrors to speak, they at length told him the truth; whereupon
+he shed many tears, in that disorder of mind which arose from his
+consciousness of what he had done, and gave a deep groan, and said, "I
+am not therefore, I perceive, to be concealed from God, in the impious
+and horrid crimes I have been guilty of; but a sudden punishment is
+coming upon me for the shedding the blood of my relations. And now, O
+thou most impudent body of mine, how long wilt thou retain a soul that
+ought to die, in order to appease the ghosts of my brother and my
+mother? Why dost thou not give it all up at once? And why do I deliver
+up my blood drop by drop to those whom I have so wickedly murdered?" In
+saying which last words he died, having reigned a year. He was called a
+lover of the Grecians; and had conferred many benefits on his own
+country, and made war against Iturea, and added a great part of it to
+Judea, and compelled the inhabitants, if they would continue in that
+country, to be circumcised, and to live according to the Jewish laws. He
+was naturally a man of candor, and of great modesty, as Strabo bears
+witness, in the name of Timagenes; who says thus: "This man was a person
+of candor, and very serviceable to the Jews; for he added a country to
+them, and obtained a part of the nation of the Itureans for them, and
+bound them to them by the bond of the circumcision of their genitals."
+
+
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER 12. How Alexander When He Had Taken The Government Made An
+Expedition Against Ptolemais, And Then Raised The Siege Out Of Fear Of
+Ptolemy Lathyrus; And How Ptolemy Made War Against Him, Because He Had
+Sent To Cleopatra To Persuade Her To Make War Against Ptolemy, And Yet
+Pretended To Be In Friendship With Him, When He Beat The Jews In The
+Battle.
+
+1. When Aristobulus was dead, his wife Salome, who, by the Greeks, was
+called Alexandra, let his brethren out of prison, [for Aristobulus had
+kept them in bonds, as we have said already,] and made Alexander Janneus
+king, who was the superior in age and in moderation. This child happened
+to be hated by his father as soon as he was born, and could never be
+permitted to come into his father's sight till he died. 32 The occasion
+of which hatred is thus reported: when Hyrcanus chiefly loved the two
+eldest of his sons, Antigonus and Aristobulus, God appeared to him in
+his sleep, of whom he inquired which of his sons should be his
+successor. Upon God's representing to him the countenance of Alexander,
+he was grieved that he was to be the heir of all his goods, and suffered
+him to be brought up in Galilee, However, God did not deceive Hyrcanus;
+for after the death of Aristobulus, he certainly took the kingdom; and
+one of his brethren, who affected the kingdom, he slew; and the other,
+who chose to live a private and quiet life, he had in esteem.
+
+2. When Alexander Janneus had settled the government in the manner that
+he judged best, he made an expedition against Ptolemais; and having
+overcome the men in battle, he shut them up in the city, and sat round
+about it, and besieged it; for of the maritime cities there remained
+only Ptolemais and Gaza to be conquered, besides Strato's Tower and
+Dora, which were held by the tyrant Zoilus. Now while Antiochus
+Philometor, and Antiochus who was called Cyzicenus, were making war one
+against another, and destroying one another's armies, the people of
+Ptolemais could have no assistance from them; but when they were
+distressed with this siege, Zoilus, who possessed Strato's Tower and
+Dora, and maintained a legion of soldiers, and, on occasion of the
+contest between the kings, affected tyranny himself, came and brought
+some small assistance to the people of Ptolemais; nor indeed had the
+kings such a friendship for them, as that they should hope for any
+advantage from them. Both those kings were in the case of wrestlers, who
+finding themselves deficient in strength, and yet being ashamed to
+yield, put off the fight by laziness, and by lying still as long as they
+can. The only hope they had remaining was from the kings of Egypt, and
+from Ptolemy Lathyrus, who now held Cyprus, and who came to Cyprus when
+he was driven from the government of Egypt by Cleopatra his mother. So
+the people of Ptolemais sent to this Ptolemy Lathyrus, and desired him
+to come as a confederate, to deliver them, now they were in such danger,
+out of the hands of Alexander. And as the ambassadors gave him hopes,
+that if he would pass over into Syria, he would have the people of Gaza
+on the side of those of Ptolemais; as also they said, that Zoilus, and
+besides these the Sidonians, and many others, would assist them; so he
+was elevated at this, and got his fleet ready as soon as possible.
+
+3. But in this interval Demenetus, one that was of abilities to persuade
+men to do as he would have them, and a leader of the populace, made
+those of Ptolemais change their opinions; and said to them, that it was
+better to run the hazard of being subject to the Jews, than to admit of
+evident slavery by delivering themselves up to a master; and besides
+that, to have not only a war at present, but to expect a much greater
+war from Egypt; for that Cleopatra would not overlook an army raised by
+Ptolemy for himself out of the neighborhood, but would come against them
+with a great army of her own, and this because she was laboring to eject
+her son out of Cyprus also; that as for Ptolemy, if he fail of his
+hopes, he can still retire to Cyprus, but that they will be left in the
+greatest danger possible. Now Ptolemy, although he had heard of the
+change that was made in the people of Ptolemais, yet did he still go on
+with his voyage, and came to the country called Sycamine, and there set
+his army on shore. This army of his, in the whole horse and foot
+together, were about thirty thousand, with which he marched near to
+Ptolemais, and there pitched his camp. But when the people of Ptolemais
+neither received his ambassadors, nor would hear what they had to say,
+he was under a very great concern.
+
+4. But when Zoilus and the people of Gaza came to him, and desired his
+assistance, because their country was laid waste by the Jews, and by
+Alexander, Alexander raised the siege, for fear of Ptolemy: and when he
+had drawn off his army into his own country, he used a stratagem
+afterwards, by privately inviting Cleopatra to come against Ptolemy, but
+publicly pretending to desire a league of friendship and mutual
+assistance with him; and promising to give him four hundred talents of
+silver, he desired that, by way of requital, he would take off Zoilus
+the tyrant, and give his country to the Jews. And then indeed Ptolemy,
+with pleasure, made such a league of friendship with Alexander, and
+subdued Zoilus; but when he afterwards heard that he had privily sent to
+Cleopatra his mother, he broke the league with him, which yet he had
+confirmed with an oath, and fell upon him, and besieged Ptolemais,
+because it would not receive him. However, leaving his generals, with
+some part of his forces, to go on with the siege, he went himself
+immediately with the rest to lay Judea waste; and when Alexander
+understood this to be Ptolemy's intention, he also got together about
+fifty thousand soldiers out of his own country; nay, as some writers
+have said, eighty thousand 33 He then took his army, and went to meet
+Ptolemy; but Ptolemy fell upon Asochis, a city of Galilee, and took it
+by force on the sabbath day, and there he took about ten thousand
+slaves, and a great deal of other prey.
+
+5. He then tried to take Sepphoris, which was a city not far from that
+which was destroyed, but lost many of his men; yet did he then go to
+fight with Alexander; which Alexander met him at the river Jordan, near
+a certain place called Saphoth, [not far from the river Jordan,] and
+pitched his camp near to the enemy. He had however eight thousand in the
+first rank, which he styled Hecatontomachi, having shields of brass.
+Those in the first rank of Ptolemy's soldiers also had shields covered
+with brass. But Ptolemy's soldiers in other respects were inferior to
+those of Alexander, and therefore were more fearful of running hazards;
+but Philostephanus, the camp-master, put great courage into them, and
+ordered them to pass the river, which was between their camps. Nor did
+Alexander think fit to hinder their passage over it; for he thought,
+that if the enemy had once gotten the river on their back, that he
+should the easier take them prisoners, when they could not flee out of
+the battle: in the beginning of which, the acts on both sides, with
+their hands, and with their alacrity, were alike, and a great slaughter
+was made by both the armies; but Alexander was superior, till
+Philostephanus opportunely brought up the auxiliaries, to help those
+that were giving way; but as there were no auxiliaries to afford help to
+that part of the Jews that gave way, it fell out that they fled, and
+those near them did not assist them, but fled along with them. However,
+Ptolemy's soldiers acted quite otherwise; for they followed the Jews,
+and killed them, till at length those that slew them pursued after them
+when they had made them all run away, and slew them so long, that their
+weapons of iron were blunted, and their hands quite tired with the
+slaughter; for the report was, that thirty thousand men were then slain.
+Timagenes says they were fifty thousand. As for the rest, they were part
+of them taken captives, and the other part ran away to their own
+country.
+
+6. After this victory, Ptolemy overran all the country; and when night
+came on, he abode in certain villages of Judea, which when he found full
+of women and children, he commanded his soldiers to strangle them, and
+to cut them in pieces, and then to cast them into boiling caldrons, and
+then to devour their limbs as sacrifices. This commandment was given,
+that such as fled from the battle, and came to them, might suppose their
+enemies were cannibals, and eat men's flesh, and might on that account
+be still more terrified at them upon such a sight. And both Strabo and
+Nicholaus [of Damascus] affirm, that they used these people after this
+manner, as I have already related. Ptolemy also took Ptolemais by force,
+as we have declared elsewhere.
+
+
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER 13. How Alexander, upon the League of Mutual Defense Which
+Cleopatra Had Agreed with Him, Made an Expedition Against Coelesyria,
+and Utterly Overthrew the City of Gaza; and How He Slew Many Ten
+Thousands of Jews That Rebelled Against Him.
+
+Also Concerning Antiochus Grypus, Seleucus Antiochus Cyzicenus, and
+Antiochus Pius, and Others.
+
+1. When Cleopatra saw that her son was grown great, and laid Judea
+waste, without disturbance, and had gotten the city of Gaza under his
+power, she resolved no longer to overlook what he did, when he was
+almost at her gates; and she concluded, that now he was so much stronger
+than before, he would be very desirous of the dominion over the
+Egyptians; but she immediately marched against him, with a fleet at sea
+and an army of foot on land, and made Chelcias and Ananias the Jews
+generals of her whole army, while she sent the greatest part of her
+riches, her grandchildren, and her testament, to the people of Cos 34
+Cleopatra also ordered her son Alexander to sail with a great fleet to
+Phoenicia; and when that country had revolted, she came to Ptolemais;
+and because the people of Ptolemais did not receive her, she besieged
+the city; but Ptolemy went out of Syria, and made haste unto Egypt,
+supposing that he should find it destitute of an army, and soon take it,
+though he failed of his hopes. At this time Chelcias, one of Cleopatra's
+generals, happened to die in Celesyria, as he was in pursuit of Ptolemy.
+
+2. When Cleopatra heard of her son's attempt, and that his Egyptian
+expedition did not succeed according to his expectations, she sent
+thither part of her army, and drove him out of that country; so when he
+was returned out of Egypt again, he abode during the winter at Gaza, in
+which time Cleopatra took the garrison that was in Ptolemais by siege,
+as well as the city; and when Alexander came to her, he gave her
+presents, and such marks of respect as were but proper, since under the
+miseries he endured by Ptolemy he had no other refuge but her. Now there
+were some of her friends who persuaded her to seize Alexander, and to
+overrun and take possession of the country, and not to sit still and see
+such a multitude of brave Jews subject to one man. But Ananias's counsel
+was contrary to theirs, who said that she would do an unjust action if
+she deprived a man that was her ally of that authority which belonged to
+him, and this a man who is related to us; "for [said he] I would not
+have thee ignorant of this, that what in justice thou dost to him will
+make all us that are Jews to be thy enemies." This desire of Ananias
+Cleopatra complied with, and did no injury to Alexander, but made a
+league of mutual assistance with him at Scythopolis, a city of
+Celesyria.
+
+3. So when Alexander was delivered from the fear he was in of Ptolemy,
+he presently made an expedition against Coelesyria. He also took Gadara,
+after a siege of ten months. He took also Areathus, a very strong
+fortress belonging to the inhabitants above Jordan, where Theodorus, the
+son of Zeno, had his chief treasure, and what he esteemed most precious.
+This Zeno fell unexpectedly upon the Jews, and slew ten thousand of
+them, and seized upon Alexander's baggage. Yet did not this misfortune
+terrify Alexander; but he made an expedition upon the maritime parts of
+the country, Raphia and Anthedon, [the name of which king Herod
+afterwards changed to Agrippias,] and took even that by force. But when
+Alexander saw that Ptolemy was retired from Gaza to Cyprus, and his
+mother Cleopatra was returned to Egypt, he grew angry at the people of
+Gaza, because they had invited Ptolemy to assist them, and besieged
+their city, and ravaged their country. But as Apollodotus, the general
+of the army of Gaza, fell upon the camp of the Jews by night, with two
+thousand foreign and ten thousand of his own forces, while the night
+lasted, those of Gaza prevailed, because the enemy was made to believe
+that it was Ptolemy who attacked them; but when day was come on, and
+that mistake was corrected, and the Jews knew the truth of the matter,
+they came back again, and fell upon those of Gaza, and slew of them
+about a thousand. But as those of Gaza stoutly resisted them, and would
+not yield for either their want of any thing, nor for the great
+multitude that were slain, [for they would rather suffer any hardship
+whatever than come under the power of their enemies,] Aretas, king of
+the Arabians, a person then very illustrious, encouraged them to go on
+with alacrity, and promised them that he would come to their assistance;
+but it happened that before he came Apollodotus was slain; for his
+brother Lysimachus envying him for the great reputation he had gained
+among the citizens, slew him, and got the army together, and delivered
+up the city to Alexander, who, when he came in at first, lay quiet, but
+afterward set his army upon the inhabitants of Gaza, and gave them leave
+to punish them; so some went one way, and some went another, and slew
+the inhabitants of Gaza; yet were not they of cowardly hearts, but
+opposed those that came to slay them, and slew as many of the Jews; and
+some of them, when they saw themselves deserted, burnt their own houses,
+that the enemy might get none of their spoils; nay, some of them, with
+their own hands, slew their children and their wives, having no other
+way but this of avoiding slavery for them; but the senators, who were in
+all five hundred, fled to Apollo's temple, [for this attack happened to
+be made as they were sitting,] whom Alexander slew; and when he had
+utterly overthrown their city, he returned to Jerusalem, having spent a
+year in that siege.
+
+4. About this very time Antiochus, who was called Grypus, died 35 His
+death was caused by Heracleon's treachery, when he had lived forty-five
+years, and had reigned twenty-nine. 36 His son Seleucus succeeded him in
+the kingdom, and made war with Antiochus, his father's brother, who was
+called Antiochus Cyzicenus, and beat him, and took him prisoner, and
+slew him. But after a while Antiochus, the son of Cyzicenus, who was
+called Pius, came to Aradus, and put the diadem on his own head, and
+made war with Seleucus, and beat him, and drove him out of all Syria.
+But when he fled out of Syria, he came to Mopsuestia again, and levied
+money upon them; but the people of Mopsuestia had indignation at what he
+did, and burnt down his palace, and slew him, together with his friends.
+But when Antiochus, the son of Cyzicenus, was king of Syria, Antiochus,
+37 the brother of Seleucus, made war upon him, and was overcome, and
+destroyed, he and his army. After him, his brother Philip put on the
+diadem, and reigned over some part of Syria; but Ptolemy Lathyrus sent
+for his fourth brother Demetrius, who was called Eucerus, from Cnidus,
+and made him king of Damascus. Both these brothers did Antiochus
+vehemently oppose, but presently died; for when he was come as an
+auxiliary to Laodice, queen of the Gileadites, 38 when she was making
+war against the Parthians, and he was fighting courageously, he fell,
+while Demetrius and Philip governed Syria, as hath been elsewhere
+related.
+
+5. As to Alexander, his own people were seditious against him; for at a
+festival which was then celebrated, when he stood upon the altar, and
+was going to sacrifice, the nation rose upon him, and pelted him with
+citrons [which they then had in their hands, because] the law of the
+Jews required that at the feast of tabernacles every one should have
+branches of the palm tree and citron tree; which thing we have elsewhere
+related. They also reviled him, as derived from a captive, and so
+unworthy of his dignity and of sacrificing. At this he was in a rage,
+and slew of them about six thousand. He also built a partition-wall of
+wood round the altar and the temple, as far as that partition within
+which it was only lawful for the priests to enter; and by this means he
+obstructed the multitude from coming at him. He also maintained
+foreigners of Pisidie and Cilicia; for as to the Syrians, he was at war
+with them, and so made no use of them. He also overcame the Arabians,
+such as the Moabites and Gileadites, and made them bring tribute.
+Moreover, he demolished Amathus, while Theodorus 39 durst not fight with
+him; but as he had joined battle with Obedas, king of the Arabians, and
+fell into an ambush in the places that were rugged and difficult to be
+traveled over, he was thrown down into a deep valley, by the multitude
+of the camels at Gadurn, a village of Gilead, and hardly escaped with
+his life. From thence he fled to Jerusalem, where, besides his other ill
+success, the nation insulted him, and he fought against them for six
+years, and slew no fewer than fifty thousand of them. And when he
+desired that they would desist from their ill-will to him, they hated
+him so much the more, on account of what had already happened; and when
+he had asked them what he ought to do, they all cried out, that he ought
+to kill himself. They also sent to Demetrius Eucerus, and desired him to
+make a league of mutual defense with them.
+
+
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER 14. How Demetrius Eucerus Overcame Alexander And Yet In A Little
+Time Retired Out Of The Country For Fear; As Also How Alexander Slew
+Many Of The Jews And Thereby Got Clear Of His Troubles. Concerning The
+Death Of Demetrius.
+
+1. So Demetrius came with an army, and took those that invited him, and
+pitched his camp near the city Shechem; upon which Alexander, with his
+six thousand two hundred mercenaries, and about twenty thousand Jews,
+who were of his party, went against Demetrius, who had three thousand
+horsemen, and forty thousand footmen. Now there were great endeavors
+used on both sides,—Demetrius trying to bring off the mercenaries that
+were with Alexander, because they were Greeks, and Alexander trying to
+bring off the Jews that were with Demetrius. However, when neither of
+them could persuade them so to do, they came to a battle, and Demetrius
+was the conqueror; in which all Alexander's mercenaries were killed,
+when they had given demonstration of their fidelity and courage. A great
+number of Demetrius's soldiers were slain also.
+
+2. Now as Alexander fled to the mountains, six thousand of the Jews
+hereupon came together [from Demetrius] to him out of pity at the change
+of his fortune; upon which Demetrius was afraid, and retired out of the
+country; after which the Jews fought against Alexander, and being
+beaten, were slain in great numbers in the several battles which they
+had; and when he had shut up the most powerful of them in the city
+Bethome, he besieged them therein; and when he had taken the city, and
+gotten the men into his power, he brought them to Jerusalem, and did one
+of the most barbarous actions in the world to them; for as he was
+feasting with his concubines, in the sight of all the city, he ordered
+about eight hundred of them to be crucified; and while they were living,
+he ordered the throats of their children and wives to be cut before
+their eyes. This was indeed by way of revenge for the injuries they had
+done him; which punishment yet was of an inhuman nature, though we
+suppose that he had been never so much distressed, as indeed he had
+been, by his wars with them, for he had by their means come to the last
+degree of hazard, both of his life and of his kingdom, while they were
+not satisfied by themselves only to fight against him, but introduced
+foreigners also for the same purpose; nay, at length they reduced him to
+that degree of necessity, that he was forced to deliver back to the king
+of Arabia the land of Moab and Gilead, which he had subdued, and the
+places that were in them, that they might not join with them in the war
+against him, as they had done ten thousand other things that tended to
+affront and reproach him. However, this barbarity seems to have been
+without any necessity, on which account he bare the name of a Thracian
+among the Jews 40 whereupon the soldiers that had fought against him,
+being about eight thousand in number, ran away by night, and continued
+fugitives all the time that Alexander lived; who being now freed from
+any further disturbance from them, reigned the rest of his time in the
+utmost tranquillity.
+
+3. But when Demetrius was departed out of Judea, he went to Berea, and
+besieged his brother Philip, having with him ten thousand footmen, and a
+thousand horsemen. However Strato, the tyrant of Berea, the confederate
+of Philip, called in Zizon, the ruler of the Arabian tribes, and
+Mithridates Sinax, the ruler of the Parthians, who coming with a great
+number of forces, and besieging Demetrius in his encampment, into which
+they had driven them with their arrows, they compelled those that were
+with him by thirst to deliver up themselves. So they took a great many
+spoils out of that country, and Demetrius himself, whom they sent to
+Mithridates, who was then king of Parthia; but as to those whom they
+took captives of the people of Antioch, they restored them to the
+Antiochinus without any reward. Now Mithridates, the king of Parthia,
+had Demetrius in great honor, till Demetrius ended his life by sickness.
+So Philip, presently after the fight was over, came to Antioch, and took
+it, and reigned over Syria.
+
+
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER 15. How Antiochus, Who Was Called Dionysus, And After Him Aretas
+Made Expeditions Into Judea; As Also How Alexander Took Many Cities And
+Then Returned To Jerusalem, And After A Sickness Of Three Years Died;
+And What Counsel He Gave To Alexandra.
+
+1. After this, Antiochus, who was called Dionysus, 41 and was Philip's
+brother, aspired to the dominion, and came to Damascus, and got the
+power into his hands, and there he reigned; but as he was making war
+against the Arabians, his brother Philip heard of it, and came to
+Damascus, where Milesius, who had been left governor of the citadel, and
+the Damascens themselves, delivered up the city to him; yet because
+Philip was become ungrateful to him, and had bestowed upon him nothing
+of that in hopes whereof he had received him into the city, but had a
+mind to have it believed that it was rather delivered up out of fear
+than by the kindness of Milesius, and because he had not rewarded him as
+he ought to have done, he became suspected by him, and so he was obliged
+to leave Damascus again; for Milesius caught him marching out into the
+Hippodrome, and shut him up in it, and kept Damascus for Antiochus
+[Eucerus], who hearing how Philip's affairs stood, came back out of
+Arabia. He also came immediately, and made an expedition against Judea,
+with eight thousand armed footmen, and eight hundred horsemen. So
+Alexander, out of fear of his coming, dug a deep ditch, beginning at
+Chabarzaba, which is now called Antipatris, to the sea of Joppa, on
+which part only his army could be brought against him. He also raised a
+wall, and erected wooden towers, and intermediate redoubts, for one
+hundred and fifty furlongs in length, and there expected the coming of
+Antiochus; but he soon burnt them all, and made his army pass by that
+way into Arabia. The Arabian king [Aretas] at first retreated, but
+afterward appeared on the sudden with ten thousand horsemen. Antiochus
+gave them the meeting, and fought desperately; and indeed when he had
+gotten the victory, and was bringing some auxiliaries to that part of
+his army that was in distress, he was slain. When Antiochus was fallen,
+his army fled to the village Cana, where the greatest part of them
+perished by famine.
+
+2. After him 42 Arems reigned over Celesyria, being called to the
+government by those that held Damascus, by reason of the hatred they
+bare to Ptolemy Menneus. He also made thence an expedition against
+Judea, and beat Alexander in battle, near a place called Adida; yet did
+he, upon certain conditions agreed on between them, retire out of Judea.
+
+3. But Alexander marched again to the city Dios, and took it; and then
+made an expedition against Essa, where was the best part of Zeno's
+treasures, and there he encompassed the place with three walls; and when
+he had taken the city by fighting, he marched to Golan and Seleucia; and
+when he had taken these cities, he, besides them, took that valley which
+is called The Valley of Antiochus, as also the fortress of Gamala. He
+also accused Demetrius, who was governor of those places, of many
+crimes, and turned him out; and after he had spent three years in this
+war, he returned to his own country, when the Jews joyfully received him
+upon this his good success.
+
+4. Now at this time the Jews were in possession of the following cities
+that had belonged to the Syrians, and Idumeans, and Phoenicians: At the
+sea-side, Strato's Tower, Apollonia, Joppa, Jamhis, Ashdod, Gaza,
+Anthedon, Raphia, and Rhinocolura; in the middle of the country, near to
+Idumea, Adorn, and Marissa; near the country of Samaria, Mount Carmel,
+and Mount Tabor, Scythopolis, and Gadara; of the country of Gaulonitis,
+Seleucia and Gabala; in the country of Moab, Heshbon, and Medaba, Lemba,
+and Oronas, Gelithon, Zorn, the valley of the Cilices, and Pollo; which
+last they utterly destroyed, because its inhabitants would not bear to
+change their religious rites for those peculiar to the Jews. 43 The Jews
+also possessed others of the principal cities of Syria, which had been
+destroyed.
+
+5. After this, king Alexander, although he fell into a distemper by hard
+drinking, and had a quartan ague, which held him three years, yet would
+not leave off going out with his army, till he was quite spent with the
+labors he had undergone, and died in the bounds of Ragaba, a fortress
+beyond Jordan. But when his queen saw that he was ready to die, and had
+no longer any hopes of surviving, she came to him weeping and lamenting,
+and bewailed herself and her sons on the desolate condition they should
+be left in; and said to him, "To whom dost thou thus leave me and my
+children, who are destitute of all other supports, and this when thou
+knowest how much ill-will thy nation bears thee?" But he gave her the
+following advice: That she need but follow what he would suggest to her,
+in order to retain the kingdom securely, with her children: that she
+should conceal his death from the soldiers till she should have taken
+that place; after this she should go in triumph, as upon a victory, to
+Jerusalem, and put some of her authority into the hands of the
+Pharisees; for that they would commend her for the honor she had done
+them, and would reconcile the nation to her for he told her they had
+great authority among the Jews, both to do hurt to such as they hated,
+and to bring advantages to those to whom they were friendly disposed;
+for that they are then believed best of all by the multitude when they
+speak any severe thing against others, though it be only out of envy at
+them. And he said that it was by their means that he had incurred the
+displeasure of the nation, whom indeed he had injured. "Do thou,
+therefore," said he, "when thou art come to Jerusalem, send for the
+leading men among them, and show them my body, and with great appearance
+of sincerity, give them leave to use it as they themselves please,
+whether they will dishonor the dead body by refusing it burial, as
+having severely suffered by my means, or whether in their anger they
+will offer any other injury to that body. Promise them also that thou
+wilt do nothing without them in the affairs of the kingdom. If thou dost
+but say this to them, I shall have the honor of a more glorious Funeral
+from them than thou couldst have made for me; and when it is in their
+power to abuse my dead body, they will do it no injury at all, and thou
+wilt rule in safety." 44 So when he had given his wife this advice, he
+died, after he had reigned twenty-seven years, and lived fifty years
+within one.
+
+
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER 16. How Alexandra By Gaining The Good-Will Of The Pharisees,
+Retained The Kingdom Nine Years, And Then, Having Done Many Glorious
+Actions Died.
+
+1. So Alexandra, when she had taken the fortress, acted as her husband
+had suggested to her, and spake to the Pharisees, and put all things
+into their power, both as to the dead body, and as to the affairs of the
+kingdom, and thereby pacified their anger against Alexander, and made
+them bear goodwill and friendship to him; who then came among the
+multitude, and made speeches to them, and laid before them the actions
+of Alexander, and told them that they had lost a righteous king; and by
+the commendation they gave him, they brought them to grieve, and to be
+in heaviness for him, so that he had a funeral more splendid than had
+any of the kings before him. Alexander left behind him two sons,
+Hyrcanus and Aristobulus, but committed the kingdom to Alexandra. Now,
+as to these two sons, Hyrcanus was indeed unable to manage public
+affairs, and delighted rather in a quiet life; but the younger,
+Aristobulus, was an active and a bold man; and for this woman herself,
+Alexandra, she was loved by the multitude, because she seemed displeased
+at the offenses her husband had been guilty of.
+
+2. So she made Hyrcanus high priest, because he was the elder, but much
+more because he cared not to meddle with politics, and permitted the
+Pharisees to do every thing; to whom also she ordered the multitude to
+be obedient. She also restored again those practices which the Pharisees
+had introduced, according to the traditions of their forefathers, and
+which her father-in-law, Hyrcanus, had abrogated. So she had indeed the
+name of the regent, but the Pharisees had the authority; for it was they
+who restored such as had been banished, and set such as were prisoners
+at liberty, and, to say all at once, they differed in nothing from
+lords. However, the queen also took care of the affairs of the kingdom,
+and got together a great body of mercenary soldiers, and increased her
+own army to such a degree, that she became terrible to the neighboring
+tyrants, and took hostages of them: and the country was entirely at
+peace, excepting the Pharisees; for they disturbed the queen, and
+desired that she would kill those who persuaded Alexander to slay the
+eight hundred men; after which they cut the throat of one of them,
+Diogenes; and after him they did the same to several, one after another,
+till the men that were the most potent came into the palace, and
+Aristobulus with them, for he seemed to be displeased at what was done;
+and it appeared openly, that if he had an opportunity, he would not
+permit his mother to go on so. These put the queen in mind what great
+dangers they had gone through, and great things they had done, whereby
+they had demonstrated the firmness of their fidelity to their master,
+insomuch that they had received the greatest marks of favor from him;
+and they begged of her, that she would not utterly blast their hopes, as
+it now happened, that when they had escaped the hazards that arose from
+their [open] enemies, they were to be cut off at home by their [private]
+enemies, like brute beasts, without any help whatsoever. They said also,
+that if their adversaries would be satisfied with those that had been
+slain already, they would take what had been done patiently, on account
+of their natural love to their governors; but if they must expect the
+same for the future also, they implored of her a dismission from her
+service; for they could not bear to think of attempting any method for
+their deliverance without her, but would rather die willingly before the
+palace gate, in case she would not forgive them. And that it was a great
+shame, both for themselves and for the queen, that when they were
+neglected by her, they should come under the lash of her husband's
+enemies; for that Aretas, the Arabian king, and the monarchs, would give
+any reward, if they could get such men as foreign auxiliaries, to whom
+their very names, before their voices be heard, may perhaps be terrible;
+but if they could not obtain this their second request, and if she had
+determined to prefer the Pharisees before them, they still insisted that
+she would place them every one in her fortresses; for if some fatal
+demon hath a constant spite against Alexander's house, they would be
+willing to bear their part, and to live in a private station there.
+
+3. As these men said thus, and called upon Alexander's ghost for
+commiseration of those already slain, and those in danger of it, all the
+bystanders brake out into tears. But Aristobulus chiefly made manifest
+what were his sentiments, and used many reproachful expressions to his
+mother, [saying,] "Nay, indeed, the case is this, that they have been
+themselves the authors of their own calamities, who have permitted a
+woman who, against reason, was mad with ambition, to reign over them,
+when there were sons in the flower of their age fitter for it." So
+Alexandra, not knowing what to do with any decency, committed the
+fortresses to them, all but Hyrcania, and Alexandrium, and Macherus,
+where her principal treasures were. After a little while also, she sent
+her son Aristobulus with an army to Damascus against Ptolemy, who was
+called Menneus, who was such a bad neighbor to the city; but he did
+nothing considerable there, and so returned home.
+
+4. About this time news was brought that Tigranes, the king of Armenia,
+had made an irruption into Syria with five hundred thousand soldiers, 45
+and was coming against Judea. This news, as may well be supposed,
+terrified the queen and the nation. Accordingly, they sent him many and
+very valuable presents, as also ambassadors, and that as he was
+besieging Ptolemais; for Selene the queen, the same that was also called
+Cleopatra, ruled then over Syria, who had persuaded the inhabitants to
+exclude Tigranes. So the Jewish ambassadors interceded with him, and
+entreated him that he would determine nothing that was severe about
+their queen or nation. He commended them for the respects they paid him
+at so great a distance, and gave them good hopes of his favor. But as
+soon as Ptolemais was taken, news came to Tigranes, that Lucullus, in
+his pursuit of Mithridates, could not light upon him, who was fled into
+Iberia, but was laying waste Armenia, and besieging its cities. Now when
+Tigranes knew this, he returned home.
+
+5. After this, when the queen was fallen into a dangerous distemper,
+Aristobulus resolved to attempt the seizing of the government; so he
+stole away secretly by night, with only one of his servants, and went to
+the fortresses, wherein his friends, that were such from the days of his
+father, were settled; for as he had been a great while displeased at his
+mother's conduct, so he was now much more afraid, lest, upon her death,
+their whole family should be under the power of the Pharisees; for he
+saw the inability of his brother, who was to succeed in the government;
+nor was any one conscious of what he was doing but only his wife, whom
+he left at Jerusalem with their children. He first of all came to Agaba,
+where was Galestes, one of the potent men before mentioned, and was
+received by him. When it was day, the queen perceived that Aristobulus
+was fled; and for some time she supposed that his departure was not in
+order to make any innovation; but when messengers came one after another
+with the news that he had secured the first place, the second place, and
+all the places, for as soon as one had begun they all submitted to his
+disposal, then it was that the queen and the nation were in the greatest
+disorder, for they were aware that it would not be long ere Aristobulus
+would be able to settle himself firmly in the government. What they were
+principally afraid of was this, that he would inflict punishment upon
+them for the mad treatment his house had had from them. So they resolved
+to take his wife and children into custody, and keep them in the
+fortress that was over the temple. 46 Now there was a mighty conflux of
+people that came to Aristobulus from all parts, insomuch that he had a
+kind of royal attendants about him; for in a little more than fifteen
+days he got twenty-two strong places, which gave him the opportunity of
+raising an army from Libanus and Trachonitis, and the monarchs; for men
+are easily led by the greater number, and easily submit to them. And
+besides this, that by affording him their assistance, when he could not
+expect it, they, as well as he, should have the advantages that would
+come by his being king, because they had been the occasion of his
+gaining the kingdom. Now the elders of the Jews, and Hyrcanus with them,
+went in unto the queen, and desired that she would give them her
+sentiments about the present posture of affairs, for that Aristobulus
+was in effect lord of almost all the kingdom, by possessing of so many
+strong holds, and that it was absurd for them to take any counsel by
+themselves, how ill soever she were, whilst she was alive, and that the
+danger would be upon them in no long time. But she bid them do what they
+thought proper to be done; that they had many circumstances in their
+favor still remaining, a nation in good heart, an army, and money in
+their several treasuries; for that she had small concern about public
+affairs now, when the strength of her body already failed her.
+
+6. Now a little while after she had said this to them, she died, when
+she had reigned nine years, and had in all lived seventy-three. A woman
+she was who showed no signs of the weakness of her sex, for she was
+sagacious to the greatest degree in her ambition of governing; and
+demonstrated by her doings at once, that her mind was fit for action,
+and that sometimes men themselves show the little understanding they
+have by the frequent mistakes they make in point of government; for she
+always preferred the present to futurity, and preferred the power of an
+imperious dominion above all things, and in comparison of that had no
+regard to what was good, or what was right. However, she brought the
+affairs of her house to such an unfortunate condition, that she was the
+occasion of the taking away that authority from it, and that in no long
+time afterward, which she had obtained by a vast number of hazards and
+misfortunes, and this out of a desire of what does not belong to a
+woman, and all by a compliance in her sentiments with those that bare
+ill-will to their family, and by leaving the administration destitute of
+a proper support of great men; and, indeed, her management during her
+administration while she was alive, was such as filled the palace after
+her death with calamities and disturbance. However, although this had
+been her way of governing, she preserved the nation in peace. And this
+is the conclusion of the affairs of, Alexandra.
+
+
+
+
+
+
+FOOTNOTES
+
+
+1 (return) [ This Alexander Bala, who certainly pretended to be the son
+of Antiochus Epiphanes, and was owned for such by the Jews and Romans,
+and many others, and yet is by several historians deemed to be a
+counterfeit, and of no family at all, is, however, by Josephus believed
+to have been the real son of that Antiochus, and by him always spoken of
+accordingly. And truly, since the original contemporary and authentic
+author of the First Book of Maccabees [10:1: calls him by his father's
+name, Epiphanes, and says he was the son of Antiochus, I suppose the
+other writers, who are all much later, are not to be followed against
+such evidence, though perhaps Epiphanes might have him by a woman of no
+family. The king of Egypt also, Philometor, soon gave him his daughter
+in marriage, which he would hardly have done, had he believed him to be
+a counterfeit, and of so very mean a birth as the later historians
+pretend.]
+
+
+2 (return) [ Since Jonathan plainly did not put on the pontifical robes
+till seven or eight years after the death of his brother Judas, or not
+till the feast of tabernacles, in the 160th of the Seleucidm, 1 Macc.
+10;21, Petitus's emendation seems here to deserve consideration, who,
+instead of "after four years since the death of his brother Judas,"
+would have us read, "and therefore after eight years since the death of
+his brother Judas." This would tolerably well agree with the date of the
+Maccabees, and with Josephus's own exact chronology at the end of the
+twentieth book of these Antiquities, which the present text cannot be
+made to do.]
+
+
+3 (return) [ Take Grotius's note here: "The Jews," says he, "were wont
+to present crowns to the kings [of Syria]; afterwards that gold which
+was paid instead of those crowns, or which was expended in making them,
+was called the crown gold and crown tax." On 1 Macc. 10:29.]
+
+
+4 (return) [ Since the rest of the historians now extant give this
+Demetrius thirteen years, and Josephus only eleven years, Dean Prideaux
+does not amiss in ascribing to him the mean number twelve.]
+
+
+5 (return) [ It seems to me contrary to the opinion of Josephus, and of
+the moderns, both Jews and Christians, that this prophecy of Isaiah,
+19:19, etc., "In that day there shall be an altar to the Lord in the
+midst of the land of Egypt," etc., directly foretold the building of
+this temple of Onias in Egypt, and was a sufficient warrant to the Jews
+for building it, and for worshipping the true God, the God of Israel,
+therein. See Authent. Rec. 11. p. 755. That God seems to have soon
+better accepted of the sacrifices and prayers here offered him than
+those at Jerusalem, see the note on ch. 10. sect. 7. And truly the marks
+of Jewish corruption or interpolation in this text, in order to
+discourage their people from approving of the Worship of God here, are
+very strong, and highly deserve our consideration and correction. The
+foregoing verse in Isaiah runs thus in our common copies, "In that day
+shall five cities in the land of Egypt speak the language of Canaan,"
+[the Hebrew language; shall be full of Jews, whose sacred books were in
+Hebrew,] "and swear to the Lord of hosts; one" [or the first] "shall be
+called, The City of Destruction," Isaiah 19:18. A strange-name, "City of
+Destruction," upon so joyful occasion, and a name never heard of in the
+land of Egypt, or perhaps in any other nation. The old reading was
+evidently the City of the Sun, or Heliopolis; and Unkelos, in effect,
+and Symmachus, with the Arabic version, entirely confess that to be the
+true reading. The Septuagint also, though they have the text disguised
+in the common copies, and call it Asedek, the City of Righteousness; yet
+in two or three other copies the Hebrew word itself for the Sun,
+Achares, or Thares, is preserved. And since Onias insists with the king
+and queen, that Isaiah's prophecy contained many other predictions
+relating to this place besides the words by him recited, it is highly
+probable that these were especially meant by him; and that one main
+reason why he applied this prediction to himself, and to his prefecture
+of Heliopolis, which Dean Prideaux well proves was in that part of
+Egypt, and why he chose to build in that prefecture of Heliopolis,
+though otherwise an improper place, was this, that the same authority
+that he had for building this temple in Egypt, the very same he had for
+building it in his own prefecture of Heliopolis also, which he desired
+to do, and which he did accordingly. Dean Prideaux has much ado to avoid
+seeing this corruption of the Hebrew; but it being in support of his own
+opinion about this temple, he durst not see it; and indeed he reasons
+here in the most injudicious manner possible. See him at the year 149.]
+
+
+6 (return) [ A very unfair disputation this! while the Jewish disputant,
+knowing that he could not properly prove out of the Pentateuch, that
+"the place which the Lord their God shall choose to place his name
+there," so often referred to in the Book of Deuteronomy, was Jerusalem
+any more than Gerizzim, that being not determined till the days of
+David, Antiq. B. VII. ch. 13. sect. 4, proves only, what the Samaritans
+did not deny, that the temple at Jerusalem was much more ancient, and
+much more celebrated and honored, than that at Gerizzim, which was
+nothing to the present purpose. The whole evidence, by the very oaths of
+both parties, being, we see, obliged to be confined to the law of Moses,
+or to the Pentateuch alone. However, worldly policy and interest and the
+multitude prevailing, the court gave sentence, as usual, on the stronger
+side, and poor Sabbeus and Theodosius, the Samaritan disputants, were
+martyred, and this, so far as appears, without any direct hearing at
+all, which is like the usual practice of such political courts about
+matters of religion. Our copies say that the body of the Jews were in a
+great concern about those men [in the plural] who were to dispute for
+their temple at Jerusalem, whereas it seems here they had but one
+disputant, Andronicus by name. Perhaps more were prepared to speak on
+the Jews' side; but the firstraying answered to his name, and overcome
+the Samaritans, there was necessity for any other defender of the
+Jerusalem temple.]
+
+
+7 (return) [ Of the several Apollonius about these ages, see Dean
+Prideaux at the year 148. This Apollonius Daus was, by his account, the
+son of that Apollonius who had been made governor of Celesyria and
+Phoenicia by Seleueus Philopater, and was himself a confidant of his son
+Demetrius the father, and restored to his father's government by him,
+but afterwards revolted from him to Alexander; but not to Demetrius the
+son, as he supposes.]
+
+
+8 (return) [ Dr. Hudson here observes, that the Phoenicians and Romans
+used to reward such as had deserved well of them, by presenting to them
+a golden button. See ch. 5. sect. 4.]
+
+
+9 (return) [ This name, Demetrius Nicator, or Demetrius the conqueror,
+is so written on his coins still extant, as Hudson and Spanheim inform
+us; the latter of whom gives us here the entire inscription, "King
+Demetrius the God, Philadelphus, Nicator."]
+
+
+10 (return) [ This clause is otherwise rendered in the First Book of
+Maccabees, 12:9, "For that we have the holy books of Scripture in our
+hands to comfort us." The Hebrew original being lost, we cannot
+certainly judge which was the truest version only the coherence favors
+Josephus. But if this were the Jews' meaning, that they were satisfied
+out of their Bible that the Jews and Lacedemonians were of kin, that
+part of their Bible is now lost, for we find no such assertion in our
+present copies.]
+
+
+11 (return) [ Those that suppose Josephus to contradict himself in his
+three several accounts of the notions of the Pharisees, this here, and
+that earlier one, which is the largest, Of the War B. II. ch. 8. sect.
+14, and that later, Antiq. B. XVIII. ch. 1. sect. 3, as if he sometimes
+said they introduced an absolute fatality, and denied all freedom of
+human actions, is almost wholly groundless if he ever, as the very
+learned Casaubon here truly observes, asserting, that the Pharisees were
+between the Essens and Sadducees, and did so far ascribe all to fate or
+Divine Providence as was consistent with the freedom of human actions.
+However, their perplexed way of talking about fate, or Providence, as
+overruling all things, made it commonly thought they were willing to
+excuse their sins by ascribing them to fate, as in the Apostolical
+Constitutions, B. VI. ch. 6. Perhaps under the same general name some
+difference of opinions in this point might be propagated, as is very
+common in all parties, especially in points of metaphysical subtilty.
+However, our Josephus, who in his heart was a great admirer of the piety
+of the Essens, was yet in practice a Pharisee, as he himself informs us,
+in his own Life, sect. 2. And his account of this doctrine of the
+Pharisees is for certain agreeable to his own opinion, who ever both
+fully allowed the freedom of human actions, and yet strongly believed
+the powerful interposition of Divine Providence. See concerning this
+matter a remarkable clause, Antiq. B. XVI. ch. 11. sect. 7.]
+
+
+12 (return) [ This king, who was of the famous race of Arsaces, is
+bethused to call them; but by the elder author of the First Maccahere,
+and 1 Macc. 14:2, called by the family name Arsaces; was, the king of
+the Persians and Medes, according to the land but Appion says his proper
+name was Phraates. He is language of the Eastern nations. See Authent.
+Rec. Part II. also called by Josephus the king of the Parthians, as the
+Greeks p. 1108.]
+
+
+13 (return) [ There is some error in the copies here, when no more than
+four years are ascribed to the high priesthood of Jonathan. We know by
+Josephus's last Jewish chronology, Antiq. B. XX. ch. 10., that there was
+an interval of seven years between the death of Alcimus, or Jacimus, the
+last high priest, and the real high priesthood of Jonathan, to whom yet
+those seven years seem here to be ascribed, as a part of them were to
+Judas before, Antiq. B. XII. ch. 10. sect. 6. Now since, besides these
+seven years interregnum in the pontificate, we are told, Antiq. B. XX.
+ch. 10., that Jonathan's real high priesthood lasted seven years more,
+these two seven years will make up fourteen years, which I suppose was
+Josephus's own number in this place, instead of the four in our present
+copies.]
+
+
+14 (return) [ These one hundred and seventy years of the Assyrians mean
+no more, as Josephus explains himself here, than from the sara of
+Seleucus, which as it is known to have began on the 312th year before
+the Christian sara, from its spring in the First Book of Maccabees, and
+from its autumn in the Second Book of Maccabees, so did it not begin at
+Babylon till the next spring, on the 311th year. See Prid. at the year
+312. And it is truly observed by Dr. Hudson on this place, that the
+Syrians and Assyrians are sometimes confounded in ancient authors,
+according to the words of Justin, the epitomiser of Trogus-pompeius, who
+says that "the Assyrians were afterward called Syrian." B. I. ch. 11.
+See Of the War, B. V. ch. 9. sect. 4, where the Philistines themselves,
+at the very south limit of Syria, in its utmost extent, are called
+Assyrians by Josephus as Spanheim observes.]
+
+
+15 (return) [ It must here be diligently noted, that Josephus's copy of
+the First Book of Maccabees, which he had so carefully followed, and
+faithfully abridged, as far as the fiftieth verse of the thirteenth
+chapter, seems there to have ended. What few things there are afterward
+common to both, might probably be learned by him from some other more
+imperfect records. However, we must exactly observe here, what the
+remaining part of that book of the Maccabees informs us of, and what
+Josephus would never have omitted, had his copy contained so much, that
+this Simon the Great, the Maccabee, made a league with Antiochus Soter,
+the son of Demetrius Soter, and brother of the other Demetrius, who was
+now a captive in Parthia: that upon his coming to the crown, about the
+140th year before the Christian sets, he granted great privileges to the
+Jewish nation, and to Simon their high priest and ethnarch; which
+privileges Simon seems to have taken of his own accord about three years
+before. In particular, he gave him leave to coin money for his country
+with his own stamp; and as concerning Jerusalem and the sanctuary, that
+they should be free, or, as the vulgar Latin hath it, "holy and free," 1
+Macc. 15:6, 7, which I take to be the truer reading, as being the very
+words of his father's concession offered to Jonathan several years
+before, ch. 10:31; and Antiq. B, XIII. ch. 2. sect. 3. Now what makes
+this date and these grants greatly remarkable, is the state of the
+remaining genuine shekels of the Jews with Samaritan characters, which
+seem to have been [most of them at least] coined in the first four years
+of this Simon the Asamonean, and having upon them these words on one
+side, "Jerusalem the Holy;" and on the reverse, "In the Year of
+Freedom," 1, or 2, or 3, or 4; which shekels therefore are original
+monuments of these times, and undeniable marks of the truth of the
+history in these chapters, though it be in great measure omitted by
+Josephus. See Essay on the Old Test. p. 157, 158. The reason why I
+rather suppose that his copy of the Maccabees wanted these chapters,
+than that his own copies are here imperfect, is this, that all their
+contents are not here omitted, though much the greatest part be.]
+
+
+16 (return) [ How Trypho killed this Antiochus the epitome of Livy
+informs us, ch. 53, viz. that he corrupted his physicians or surgeons,
+who falsely pretending to the people that he was perishing with the
+stone, as they cut him for it, killed him, which exactly agrees with
+Josephus.]
+
+
+17 (return) [ That this Antiochus, the son of Alexander Balas, was
+called "The God," is evident from his coins, which Spanheim assures us
+bear this inscription, "King Antiochus the God, Epiphanes the
+Victorious."]
+
+
+18 (return) [ Here Josephus begins to follow and to abridge the next
+sacred Hebrew book, styled in the end of the First Book of Maccabees,
+"The Chronicle of John [Hyrcanus's] high priesthood;" but in some of the
+Greek copies," The Fourth Book of Maccabees." A Greek version of this
+chronicle was extant not very long ago in the days of Sautes Pagninus,
+and Sixtus Senensis, at Lyons, though it seems to have been there burnt,
+and to be utterly lost. See Sixtus Senensis's account of it, of its many
+Hebraisms, and its great agreement with Josephus's abridgement, in the
+Authent. Rec. Part I. p. 206, 207, 208.]
+
+
+19 (return) [ Hence we learn, that in the days of this excellent high
+priest, John Hyrcanus, the observation of the Sabbatic year, as Josephus
+supposed, required a rest from war, as did that of the weekly sabbath
+from work; I mean this, unless in the case of necessity, when the Jews
+were attacked by their enemies, in which case indeed, and in which
+alone, they then allowed defensive fighting to be lawful, even on the
+sabbath day, as we see in several places of Josephus, Antlq. B. XII. ch.
+6. sect. 2; B. XIII. ch. 1. sect. 2; Of the War, B. I. ch. 7. sect. 3.
+But then it must be noted, that this rest from war no way appears in the
+First Book of Maccabees, ch. 16., but the direct contrary; though indeed
+the Jews, in the days of Antiochus Epiphanes, did not venture upon
+fighting on the Sabbath day, even in the defense of their own lives,
+till the Asamoneans or Maccabees decreed so to do, 1 Macc. 2:32-41;
+Antiq. B. XII. ch. 6. sect. 2.]
+
+
+20 (return) [ Josephus's copies, both Greek and Latin, have here a gross
+mistake, when they say that this first year of John Hyrcanus, which we
+have just now seen to have been a Sabbatic year, was in the 162nd
+olympiad, whereas it was for certain the second year of the 161st. See
+the like before, B. XII. ch. 7. sect. 6.]
+
+
+21 (return) [ This heliacal setting of the Pleiades, or seven stars,
+was, in the days of Hyrcanus and Josephus, early in the spring, about
+February, the time of the latter rain in Judea; and this, so far as I
+remember, is the only astronomical character of time, besides one
+eclipse of the moon in the reign of Herod, that we meet with in all
+Josephus; the Jews being little accustomed to astronomical observations,
+any further than for the uses of their calendar, and utterly forbidden
+those astrological uses which the heathens commonly made of them.]
+
+
+22 (return) [ Dr. Hudson tells us here, that this custom of gilding the
+horns of those oxen that were to be sacrificed is a known thing both in
+the poets and orators.]
+
+
+23 (return) [ This account in Josephus, that the present Antiochus was
+persuaded, though in vain, not to make peace with the Jews, but to cut
+them off utterly, is fully confirmed by Diodorus Siculus, in Photiua's
+extracts out of his 34th Book.]
+
+
+24 (return) [ The Jews were not to march or journey on the sabbath, or
+on such a great festival as was equivalent to the sabbath, any farther
+than a sabbath day's journey, or two thousand cubits, see the note on
+Antiq. B. XX. ch. 8. sect. 6.]
+
+
+25 (return) [ This account of the Idumeans admitting circumcision, and
+the entire Jewish law, from this time, or from the days of Hyrcanus, is
+confirmed by their entire history afterward. See Antiq. B. XIV. ch. 8.
+sect. 1; B. XV. ch. 7. sect. 9. Of the War, B. II. ch. 3. sect. 1; B.
+IV. ch. 4. sect. 5. This, in the opinion of Josephus, made them
+proselytes of justice, or entire Jews, as here and elsewhere, Antiq. B.
+XIV. ch. 8. sect. 1. However, Antigonus, the enemy of Herod, though
+Herod were derived from such a proselyte of justice for several
+generations, will allow him to be no more than a half Jew, B. XV. ch.
+15. sect. 2. But still, take out of Dean Prideaux, at the year 129, the
+words of Ammouius, a grammarian, which fully confirm this account of the
+Idumeans in Josephus: "The Jews," says he, are such by nature, and from
+the beginning, whilst the Idumeans were not Jews from the beginning, but
+Phoenicians and Syrians; but being afterward subdued by the Jews, and
+compelled to be circumcised, and to unite into one nation, and be
+subject to the same laws, they were called Jews." Dio also says, as the
+Dean there quotes him, from Book XXXVI. p. 37, "That country is called
+Judea, and the people Jews; and this name is given also to as many
+others as embrace their religion, though of other nations." But then
+upon what foundation so good a governor as Hyrcanus took upon him to
+compel those Idumeans either to become Jews, or to leave the country,
+deserves great consideration. I suppose it was because they had long ago
+been driven out of the land of Edom, and had seized on and possessed the
+tribe of Simeon, and all the southern parts of the tribe of Judah, which
+was the peculiar inheritance of the worshippers of the true God without
+idolatry, as the reader may learn from Reland, Palestine, Part I. p.
+154, 305; and from Prideaux, at the years 140 and 165.]
+
+
+26 (return) [ In this decree of the Roman senate, it seems that these
+ambassadors were sent from the "people of the Jews," as well as from
+their prince or high priest, John Hyrcanus.]
+
+
+27 (return) [ Dean Prideaux takes notice at the year 130, that Justin,
+in agreement with Josephus, says, "The power of the Jews was now grown
+so great, that after this Antiochus they would not bear any Macedonian
+king over them; and that they set up a government of their own, and
+infested Syria with great wars."]
+
+
+28 (return) [ The original of the Sadducees, as a considerable party
+among the Jews, being contained in this and the two following sections,
+take Dean Prideaux's note upon this their first public appearance, which
+I suppose to be true: "Hyrcanus," says be, "went over to the party of
+the Sadducees; that is, by embracing their doctrine against the
+traditions of the eiders, added to the written law, and made of equal
+authority with it, but not their doctrine against the resurrection and a
+future state; for this cannot be supposed of so good and righteous a man
+as John Hyrcanus is said to be. It is most probable, that at this time
+the Sadducees had gone no further in the doctrines of that sect than to
+deny all their unwritten traditions, which the Pharisees were so fond
+of; for Josephus mentions no other difference at this time between them;
+neither doth he say that Hyrcanna went over to the Sadducees in any
+other particular than in the abolishing of all the traditionary
+constitutions of the Pharisees, which our Savior condemned as well as
+they." [At the year.]]
+
+
+29 (return) [ This slander, that arose from a Pharisee, has been
+preserved by their successors the Rabbins to these later ages; for Dr.
+Hudson assures us that David Gantz, in his Chronology, S. Pr. p. 77, in
+Vorstius's version, relates that Hyrcanus's mother was taken captive in
+Mount Modinth. See ch. 13. sect. 5.]
+
+
+30 (return) [ Here ends the high priesthood, and the life of this
+excellent person John Hyrcanus, and together with him the holy
+theocracy, or Divine government of the Jewish nation, and its
+concomitant oracle by Urim. Now follows the profane and tyrannical
+Jewish monarchy, first of the Asamoneans or Maccabees, and then of Herod
+the Great, the Idumean, till the coming of the Messiah. See the note on
+Antiq. B. III. ch. 8. sect. 9. Hear Strabo's testimony on this occasion,
+B. XVI. p. 761, 762: "Those," says he, "that succeeded Moses continued
+for some time in earnest, both in righteous actions and in piety; but
+after a while there were others that took upon them the high priesthood,
+at first superstitious and afterward tyrannical persons. Such a prophet
+was Moses and those that succeeded him, beginning in a way not to be
+blamed, but changing for the worse. And when it openly appeared that the
+government was become tyrannical, Alexander was the first that set up
+himself for a king instead of a priest; and his sons were Hyrcanus and
+Aristobulus." All in agreement with Josephus, excepting this, that
+Strabo omits the first king, Aristobulus, who reigning but a single
+year, seems hardly to have come to his knowledge. Nor indeed does
+Aristobulus, the son of Alexander, pretend that the name of king was
+taken before his father Alexander took it himself, Antiq. B. XIV. ch. 3.
+sect. 2. See also ch. 12. sect. l, which favor Strabo also. And indeed,
+if we may judge from the very different characters of the Egyptian Jews
+under high priests, and of the Palestine Jews under kings, in the two
+next centuries, we may well suppose that the Divine Shechinah was
+removed into Egypt, and that the worshippers at the temple of Onias were
+better men than those at the temple of Jerusalem.]
+
+
+31 (return) [ Hence we learn that the Essens pretended to have ruled
+whereby men might foretell things to come, and that this Judas the Essen
+taught those rules to his scholars; but whether their pretense were of
+an astrological or magical nature, which yet in such religious Jews, who
+were utterly forbidden such arts, is no way probable, or to any Bath
+Col, spoken of by the later Rabbins, or otherwise, I cannot tell. See Of
+the War, B. II. ch. 8. sect. 12.]
+
+
+32 (return) [ The reason why Hyrcanus suffered not this son of his whom
+he did not love to come into Judea, but ordered him to be brought up in
+Galilee, is suggested by Dr. Hudson, that Galilee was not esteemed so
+happy and well cultivated a country as Judea, Matthew 26:73; John 7:52;
+Acts 2:7, although another obvious reason occurs also, that he was out
+of his sight in Galilee than he would have been in Judea.]
+
+
+33 (return) [ From these, and other occasional expressions, dropped by
+Josephus, we may learn, that where the sacred hooks of the Jews were
+deficient, he had several other histories then extant, [but now most of
+them lost,] which he faithfully followed in his own history; nor indeed
+have we any other records of those times, relating to Judea, that can be
+compared to these accounts of Josephus, though when we do meet with
+authentic fragments of such original records, they almost always confirm
+his history.]
+
+
+34 (return) [ This city, or island, Cos, is not that remote island in
+the Aegean Sea, famous for the birth of the great Hippocrates, but a
+city or island of the same name adjoining to Egypt, mentioned both by
+Stephanus and Ptolemy, as Dr. Mizon informs us. Of which Cos, and the
+treasures there laid up by Cleopatra and the Jews, see Antiq. B. XIV.
+ch. 7, sect. 2.]
+
+
+35 (return) [ This account of the death of Antiochus Grypus is confirmed
+by Appion, Syriac. p. 132, here cited by Spanheim.]
+
+
+36 (return) [ Porphyry says that this Antiochus Grypus reigned but
+twenty-six years, as Dr. Hudson observes. The copies of Josephus, both
+Greek and Latin, have here so grossly false a reading, Antiochus and
+Antoninus, or Antonius Plus, for Antiochus Pius, that the editors are
+forced to correct the text from the other historians, who all agree that
+this king's name was nothing more than Antiochus Plus.]
+
+
+37 (return) [ These two brothers, Antiochus and Philippus are called
+twins by Porphyry; the fourth brother was king of Damascus: both which
+are the observations of Spanheim.]
+
+
+38 (return) [ This Laodicea was a city of Gilead beyond Jordan. However,
+Porphyry says that this Antiochus Pius did not die in this battle; but,
+running away, was drowned in the river Orontes. Appian says that he, was
+deprived of the kingdom of Syria by Tigranes; but Porphyry makes this
+Laodice queen of the Calamans;-all which is noted by Spanheim. In such
+confusion of the later historians, we have no reason to prefer any of
+them before Josephus, who had more original ones before him. This
+reproach upon Alexander, that he was sprung from a captive, seems only
+the repetition of the old Pharisaical calumny upon his father, ch. 10.
+sect. 5.]
+
+
+39 (return) [ This Theodorus was the son of Zeno, and was in possession
+of Areathus, as we learn from sect. 3 foregoing.]
+
+
+40 (return) [ This name Thracida, which the Jews gave Alexander, must,
+by the coherence, denote as barbarous as a Thracian, or somewhat like
+it; but what it properly signifies is not known.]
+
+
+41 (return) [ Spanheim takes notice that this Antiochus Dionysus [the
+brother of Philip, and of Demetrius Eucerus, and of two others] was the
+fifth son of Antiochus Grypus; and that he is styled on the coins,
+"Antiochus, Epiphanes, Dionysus."]
+
+
+42 (return) [ This Aretas was the first king of the Arabians who took
+Damascus, and reigned there; which name became afterwards common to such
+Arabian kings, both at Petra and at Damascus, as we learn from Josephus
+in many places; and from St. Paul, 2 Corinthians 11:32. See the note on
+Antiq. B. XVI. ch. 9. sect. 4.]
+
+
+43 (return) [ We may here and elsewhere take notice, that whatever
+countries or cities the Asamoneans conquered from any of the neighboring
+nations, or whatever countries or cities they gained from them that had
+not belonged to them before, they, after the days of Hyrcanus, compelled
+the inhabitants to leave their idolatry, and entirely to receive the law
+of Moses, as proselytes of justice, or else banished them into other
+lands. That excellent prince, John Hyrcanus, did it to the Idumeans, as
+I have noted on ch. 9. sect. 1, already, who lived then in the Promised
+Land, and this I suppose justly; but by what right the rest did it, even
+to the countries or cities that were no part of that land, I do not at
+all know. This looks too like unjust persecution for religion.]
+
+
+44 (return) [ It seems, by this dying advice of Alexander Janneus to his
+wife, that he had himself pursued the measures of his father Hyrcanus
+and taken part with the Sadducees, who kept close to the written law,
+against the Pharisees, who had introduced their own traditions, ch. 16.
+sect. 2; and that he now saw a political necessity of submitting to the
+Pharisees and their traditions hereafter, if his widow and family minded
+to retain their monarchical government or tyranny over the Jewish
+nation; which sect yet, thus supported, were at last in a great measure
+the ruin of the religion, government, and nation of the Jews, and
+brought them into so wicked a state, that the vengeance of God came upon
+them to their utter excision. Just thus did Caiaphas politically advise
+the Jewish sanhedrim, John 11:50, "That it was expedient for them that
+one man should die for the people, and that the whole nation perish
+not;" and this in consequence of their own political supposal, ver. 48,
+that, "If they let Jesus alone," with his miracles, "all men would
+believe on him, and the Romans would come and take away both their place
+and nation." Which political crucifixion of Jesus of Nazareth brought
+down the vengeance of God upon them, and occasioned those very Romans,
+of whom they seemed so much afraid, that to prevent it they put him to
+death, actually to "come and take away both their place and nation"
+within thirty-eight years afterwards. I heartily wish the politicians of
+Christendom would consider these and the like examples, and no longer
+sacrifice all virtue and religion to their pernicious schemes of
+government, to the bringing down the judgments of God upon themselves,
+and the several nations intrusted to their care. But this is a
+digression. I wish it were an unseasonable one also. Josephus himself
+several times makes such digressions, and I here venture to follow him.
+See one of them at the conclusion of the very next chapter.]
+
+
+45 (return) [ The number of five hundred thousand or even three hundred
+thousand, as one Greek copy, with the Latin copies, have it, for
+Tigranes's army, that came out of Armenia into Syria and Judea, seems
+much too large. We have had already several such extravagant numbers in
+Josephus's present copies, which are not to be at all ascribed to him.
+Accordingly, I incline to Dr. Hudson's emendation here, which supposes
+them but forty thousand.]
+
+
+46 (return) [ This fortress, castle, citadel, or tower, whither the wife
+and children of Aristobulus were new sent, and which overlooked the
+temple, could be no other than what Hyrcanus I. built, [Antiq. B. XVIII
+ch. 4. sect. 3,] and Herod the Great rebuilt, and called the "Tower of
+Antonia," Aatiq. B. XV. ch. 11. sect. 5.]
+
+
+
+
+
+
+BOOK XIV. Containing The Interval Of Thirty-Two Years.—From The Death Of
+Queen Alexandra To The Death Of Antigonus.
+
+
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER 1. The War Between Aristobulus And Hyrcanus About The Kingdom;
+And How They Made Anagreement That Aristobulus Should Be King, And
+Hyrcanus Live A Private Life; As Also How Hyrcanus A Little Afterward
+Was Persuaded By Antipater To Fly To Aretas.
+
+1. We have related the affairs of queen Alexandra, and her death, in the
+foregoing book and will now speak of what followed, and was connected
+with those histories; declaring, before we proceed, that we have nothing
+so much at heart as this, that we may omit no facts, either through
+ignorance or laziness; 1 for we are upon the history and explication of
+such things as the greatest part are unacquainted withal, because of
+their distance from our times; and we aim to do it with a proper beauty
+of style, so far as that is derived from proper words harmonically
+disposed, and from such ornaments of speech also as may contribute to
+the pleasure of our readers, that they may entertain the knowledge of
+what we write with some agreeable satisfaction and pleasure. But the
+principal scope that authors ought to aim at above all the rest, is to
+speak accurately, and to speak truly, for the satisfaction of those that
+are otherwise unacquainted with such transactions, and obliged to
+believe what these writers inform them of.
+
+2. Hyrcanus then began his high priesthood on the third year of the
+hundred and seventy-seventh olympiad, when Quintus Hortensius and
+Quintus Metellus, who was called Metellus of Crete, were consuls at
+Rome; when presently Aristobulus began to make war against him; and as
+it came to a battle with Hyrcanus at Jericho, many of his soldiers
+deserted him, and went over to his brother; upon which Hyrcanus fled
+into the citadel, where Aristobulus's wife and children were imprisoned
+by their mother, as we have said already, and attacked and overcame
+those his adversaries that had fled thither, and lay within the walls of
+the temple. So when he had sent a message to his brother about agreeing
+the matters between them, he laid aside his enmity to him on these
+conditions, that Aristobulus should be king, that he should live without
+intermeddling with public affairs, and quietly enjoy the estate he had
+acquired. When they had agreed upon these terms in the temple, and had
+confirmed the agreement with oaths, and the giving one another their
+right hands, and embracing one another in the sight of the whole
+multitude, they departed; the one, Aristobulus, to the palace; and
+Hyrcanus, as a private man, to the former house of Aristobulus.
+
+3. But there was a certain friend of Hyrcanus, an Idumean, called
+Antipater, who was very rich, and in his nature an active and a
+seditious man; who was at enmity with Aristobulus, and had differences
+with him on account of his good-will to Hyrcanus. It is true that
+Nicolaus of Damascus says, that Antipater was of the stock of the
+principal Jews who came out of Babylon into Judea; but that assertion of
+his was to gratify Herod, who was his son, and who, by certain
+revolutions of fortune, came afterward to be king of the Jews, whose
+history we shall give you in its proper place hereafter. However, this
+Antipater was at first called Antipas, 2 and that was his father's name
+also; of whom they relate this: That king Alexander and his wife made
+him general of all Idumea, and that he made a league of friendship with
+those Arabians, and Gazites, and Ascalonites, that were of his own
+party, and had, by many and large presents, made them his fast friends.
+But now this younger Antipater was suspicious of the power of
+Aristobulus, and was afraid of some mischief he might do him, because of
+his hatred to him; so he stirred up the most powerful of the Jews, and
+talked against him to them privately; and said that it was unjust to
+overlook the conduct of Aristobulus, who had gotten the government
+unrighteously, and ejected his brother out of it, who was the elder, and
+ought to retain what belonged to him by prerogative of his birth. And
+the same speeches he perpetually made to Hyrcanus; and told him that his
+own life would be in danger, unless he guarded himself, and got shut of
+Aristobulus; for he said that the friends of Aristobulus omitted no
+opportunity of advising him to kill him, as being then, and not before,
+sure to retain his principality. Hyrcanus gave no credit to these words
+of his, as being of a gentle disposition, and one that did not easily
+admit of calumnies against other men. This temper of his not disposing
+him to meddle with public affairs, and want of spirit, occasioned him to
+appear to spectators to be degenerous and unmanly; while. Aristobulus
+was of a contrary temper, an active man, and one of a great and generous
+soul.
+
+4. Since therefore Antipater saw that Hyrcanus did not attend to what he
+said, he never ceased, day by day, to charge reigned crimes upon
+Aristobulus, and to calumniate him before him, as if he had a mind to
+kill him; and so, by urging him perpetually, he advised him, and
+persuaded him to fly to Aretas, the king of Arabia; and promised, that
+if he would comply with his advice, he would also himself assist him and
+go with him. When Hyrcanus heard this, he said that it was for his
+advantage to fly away to Aretas. Now Arabia is a country that borders
+upon Judea. However, Hyrcanus sent Antipater first to the king of
+Arabia, in order to receive assurances from him, that when he should
+come in the manner of a supplicant to him, he would not deliver him up
+to his enemies. So Antipater having received such assurances, returned
+to Hyrcanus to Jerusalem. A while afterward he took Hyrcanus, and stole
+out of the city by night, and went a great journey, and came and brought
+him to the city called Petra, where the palace of Aretas was; and as he
+was a very familiar friend of that king, he persuaded him to bring back
+Hyrcanus into Judea, and this persuasion he continued every day without
+any intermission. He also proposed to make him presents on that account.
+At length he prevailed with Aretas in his suit. Moreover, Hyrcanus
+promised him, that when he had been brought thither, and had received
+his kingdom, he would restore that country, and those twelve cities
+which his father Alexander had taken from the Arabians, which were
+these, Medaba, Naballo, Libias, Tharabasa, Agala, Athone, Zoar, Orone,
+Marissa, Rudda, Lussa, and Oruba.
+
+
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER 2. How Aretas And Hyrcanus Made An Expedition Against
+Aristobulus And Besieged Jerusalem; And How Scaurus The Roman General
+Raised The Siege. Concerning The Death Of Onias.
+
+1. After these promises had been given to Aretas, he made an expedition
+against Aristobulus with an army of fifty thousand horse and foot, and
+beat him in the battle. And when after that victory many went over to
+Hyrcanus as deserters, Aristobulus was left desolate, and fled to
+Jerusalem; upon which the king of Arabia took all his army, and made an
+assault upon the temple, and besieged Aristobulus therein, the people
+still supporting Hyrcanus, and assisting him in the siege, while none
+but the priests continued with Aristobulus. So Aretas united the forces
+of the Arabians and of the Jews together, and pressed on the siege
+vigorously. As this happened at the time when the feast of unleavened
+bread was celebrated, which we call the passover, the principal men
+among the Jews left the country, and fled into Egypt. Now there was one,
+whose name was Onias, a righteous man he was, and beloved of God, who,
+in a certain drought, had prayed to God to put an end to the intense
+heat, and whose prayers God had heard, and had sent them rain. This man
+had hid himself, because he saw that this sedition would last a great
+while. However, they brought him to the Jewish camp, and desired, that
+as by his prayers he had once put an end to the drought, so he would in
+like manner make imprecations on Aristobulus and those of his faction.
+And when, upon his refusal, and the excuses that he made, he was still
+by the multitude compelled to speak, he stood up in the midst of them,
+and said, "O God, the King of the whole world! since those that stand
+now with me are thy people, and those that are besieged are also thy
+priests, I beseech thee, that thou wilt neither hearken to the prayers
+of those against these, nor bring to effect what these pray against
+those." Whereupon such wicked Jews as stood about him, as soon as he had
+made this prayer, stoned him to death.
+
+2. But God punished them immediately for this their barbarity, and took
+vengeance of them for the murder of Onias, in the manner following:
+While the priests and Aristobulus were besieged, it happened that the
+feast called the passover was come, at which it is our custom to offer a
+great number of sacrifices to God; but those that were with Aristobulus
+wanted sacrifices, and desired that their countrymen without would
+furnish them with such sacrifices, and assured them they should have as
+much money for them as they should desire; and when they required them
+to pay a thousand drachmae for each head of cattle, Aristobulus and the
+priests willingly undertook to pay for them accordingly, and those
+within let down the money over the walls, and gave it them. But when the
+others had received it, they did not deliver the sacrifices, but arrived
+at that height of wickedness as to break the assurances they had given,
+and to be guilty of impiety towards God, by not furnishing those that
+wanted them with sacrifices. And when the priests found they had been
+cheated, and that the agreements they had made were violated, they
+prayed to God that he would avenge them on their countrymen. Nor did he
+delay that their punishment, but sent a strong and vehement storm of
+wind, that destroyed the fruits of the whole country, till a modius of
+wheat was then bought for eleven drachmae.
+
+3. In the mean time Pompey sent Scaurus into Syria, while he was himself
+in Armenia, and making war with Tigranes; but when Scaurus was come to
+Damascus, and found that Lollins and Metellus had newly taken the city,
+he came himself hastily into Judea. And when he was come thither,
+ambassadors came to him, both from Aristobulus and Hyrcanus, and both
+desired he would assist them. And when both of them promised to give him
+money, Aristobulus four hundred talents, and Hyrcanus no less, he
+accepted of Aristobulus's promise, for he was rich, and had a great
+soul, and desired to obtain nothing but what was moderate; whereas the
+other was poor, and tenacious, and made incredible promises in hopes of
+greater advantages; for it was not the same thing to take a city that
+was exceeding strong and powerful, as it was to eject out of the country
+some fugitives, with a greater number of Mabateans, who were no very
+warlike people. He therefore made an agreement with Aristobulus, for the
+reasons before mentioned, and took his money, and raised the siege, and
+ordered Aretas to depart, or else he should be declared an enemy to the
+Romans. So Scaurus returned to Damascus again; and Aristobulus, with a
+great army, made war with Aretas and Hyrcanus, and fought them at a
+place called Papyron, and beat them in the battle, and slew about six
+thousand of the enemy, with whom fell Phalion also, the brother of
+Antipater.
+
+
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER 3. How Aristobulus And Hyrcanus Came To Pompey In Order To Argue
+Who Ought To Have The Kingdom; And How Upon The Plight Of Aristobulus To
+The Fortress Alexandrium Pompey Led His Army Against Him And Ordered Him
+To Deliver Up The Fortresses Whereof He Was Possessed.
+
+1. A Little afterward Pompey came to Damascus, and marched over
+Celesyria; at which time there came ambassadors to him from all Syria,
+and Egypt, and out of Judea also, for Aristobulus had sent him a great
+present, which was a golden vine 3 of the value of five hundred talents.
+Now Strabo of Cappadocia mentions this present in these words: "There
+came also an embassage out of Egypt, and a crown of the value of four
+thousand pieces of gold; and out of Judea there came another, whether
+you call it a vine or a garden; they call the thing Terpole, the
+Delight. However, we ourselves saw that present reposited at Rome, in
+the temple of Jupiter Capitolinus, with this inscription, 'The gift of
+Alexander, the king of the Jews.' It was valued at five hundred talents;
+and the report is, that Aristobulus, the governor of the Jews, sent it."
+
+2. In a little time afterward came ambassadors again to him, Antipater
+from Hyrcanus, and Nicodemus from Aristobulus; which last also accused
+such as had taken bribes; first Gabinius, and then Scaurus,—the one
+three hundred talents, and the other four hundred; by which procedure he
+made these two his enemies, besides those he had before. And when Pompey
+had ordered those that had controversies one with another to come to him
+in the beginning of the spring, he brought his army out of their winter
+quarters, and marched into the country of Damascus; and as he went along
+he demolished the citadel that was at Apamia, which Antiochus Cyzicenus
+had built, and took cognizance of the country of Ptolemy Menneus, a
+wicked man, and not less so than Dionysius of Tripoli, who had been
+beheaded, who was also his relation by marriage; yet did he buy off the
+punishment of his crimes for a thousand talents, with which money Pompey
+paid the soldiers their wages. He also conquered the place called
+Lysias, of which Silas a Jew was tyrant. And when he had passed over the
+cities of Heliopolis and Chalcis, and got over the mountain which is on
+the limit of Celesyria, he came from Pella to Damascus; and there it was
+that he heard the causes of the Jews, and of their governors Hyrcanus
+and Aristobulus, who were at difference one with another, as also of the
+nation against them both, which did not desire to be under kingly'
+government, because the form of government they received from their
+forefathers was that of subjection to the priests of that God whom they
+worshipped; and [they complained], that though these two were the
+posterity of priests, yet did they seek to change the government of
+their nation to another form, in order to enslave them. Hyrcanus
+complained, that although he were the elder brother, he was deprived of
+the prerogative of his birth by Aristobulus, and that he had but a small
+part of the country under him, Aristobulus having taken away the rest
+from him by force. He also accused him, that the incursions which had
+been made into their neighbors' countries, and the piracies that had
+been at sea, were owing to him; and that the nation would not have
+revolted, unless Aristobulus had been a man given to violence and
+disorder; and there were no fewer than a thousand Jews, of the best
+esteem among them, who confirmed this accusation; which confirmation was
+procured by Antipater. But Aristobulus alleged against him, that it was
+Hyrcanus's own temper, which was inactive, and on that account
+contemptible, which caused him to be deprived of the government; and
+that for himself, he was necessitated to take it upon him, for fear lest
+it should be transferred to others. And that as to his title [of king],
+it was no other than what his father had taken [before him]. He also
+called for witnesses of what he said some persons who were both young
+and insolent; whose purple garments, fine heads of hair, and other
+ornaments, were detested [by the court], and which they appeared in, not
+as though they were to plead their cause in a court of justice, but as
+if they were marching in a pompous procession.
+
+3. When Pompey had heard the causes of these two, and had condemned
+Aristobulus for his violent procedure, he then spake civilly to them,
+and sent them away; and told them, that when he came again into their
+country, he would settle all their affairs, after he had first taken a
+view of the affairs of the Nabateans. In the mean time, he ordered them
+to be quiet; and treated Aristobulus civilly, lest he should make the
+nation revolt, and hinder his return; which yet Aristobulus did; for
+without expecting any further determination, which Pompey had promised
+them, he went to the city Delius, and thence marched into Judea.
+
+4. At this behavior Pompey was angry; and taking with him that army
+which he was leading against the Nabateans, and the auxiliaries that
+came from Damascus, and the other parts of Syria, with the other Roman
+legions which he had with him, he made an expedition against
+Aristobulus; but as he passed by Pella and Scythopolis, he came to
+Corem, which is the first entrance into Judea when one passes over the
+midland countries, where he came to a most beautiful fortress that was
+built on the top of a mountain called Alexandrium, whither Aristobulus
+had fled; and thence Pompey sent his commands to him, that he should
+come to him. Accordingly, at the persuasions of many that he would not
+make war with the Romans, he came down; and when he had disputed with
+his brother about the right to the government, he went up again to the
+citadel, as Pompey gave him leave to do; and this he did two or three
+times, as flattering himself with the hopes of having the kingdom
+granted him; so that he still pretended he would obey Pompey in
+whatsoever he commanded, although at the same time he retired to his
+fortress, that he might not depress himself too low, and that he might
+be prepared for a war, in case it should prove as he feared, that Pompey
+would transfer the government to Hyrcanus. But when Pompey enjoined
+Aristobulus to deliver up the fortresses he held, and to send an
+injunction to their governors under his own hand for that purpose, for
+they had been forbidden to deliver them up upon any other commands, he
+submitted indeed to do so; but still he retired in displeasure to
+Jerusalem, and made preparation for war. A little after this, certain
+persons came out of Pontus, and informed Pompey, as he was on the way,
+and conducting his army against Aristobulus, that Mithridates was dead,
+and was slain by his son Pharmaces.
+
+
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER 4. How Pompey When The Citizens Of Jerusalem Shut Their Gates
+Against Him Besieged The City And Took It By Force; As Also What Other
+Things He Did In Judea.
+
+1. Now when Pompey had pitched his camp at Jericho, [where the palm tree
+grows, and that balsam which is an ointment of all the most precious,
+which upon any incision made in the wood with a sharp stone, distills
+out thence like a juice,] 4 he marched in the morning to Jerusalem.
+Hereupon Aristobulus repented of what he was doing, and came to Pompey,
+had [promised to] give him money, and received him into Jerusalem, and
+desired that he would leave off the war, and do what he pleased
+peaceably. So Pompey, upon his entreaty, forgave him, and sent Gabinius,
+and soldiers with him, to receive the money and the city: yet was no
+part of this performed; but Gabinius came back, being both excluded out
+of the city, and receiving none of the money promised, because
+Aristobulus's soldiers would not permit the agreements to be executed.
+At this Pompey was very angry, and put Aristobulus into prison, and came
+himself to the city, which was strong on every side, excepting the
+north, which was not so well fortified, for there was a broad and deep
+ditch that encompassed the city 5 and included within it the temple,
+which was itself encompassed about with a very strong stone wall.
+
+2. Now there was a sedition of the men that were within the city, who
+did not agree what was to be done in their present circumstances, while
+some thought it best to deliver up the city to Pompey; but Aristobulus's
+party exhorted them to shut the gates, because he was kept in prison.
+Now these prevented the others, and seized upon the temple, and cut off
+the bridge which reached from it to the city, and prepared themselves to
+abide a siege; but the others admitted Pompey's army in, and delivered
+up both the city and the king's palace to him. So Pompey sent his
+lieutenant Piso with an army, and placed garrisons both in the city and
+in the palace, to secure them, and fortified the houses that joined to
+the temple, and all those which were more distant and without it. And in
+the first place, he offered terms of accommodation to those within; but
+when they would not comply with what was desired, he encompassed all the
+places thereabout with a wall, wherein Hyrcanus did gladly assist him on
+all occasions; but Pompey pitched his camp within [the wall], on the
+north part of the temple, where it was most practicable; but even on
+that side there were great towers, and a ditch had been dug, and a deep
+valley begirt it round about, for on the parts towards the city were
+precipices, and the bridge on which Pompey had gotten in was broken
+down. However, a bank was raised, day by day, with a great deal of
+labor, while the Romans cut down materials for it from the places round
+about. And when this bank was sufficiently raised, and the ditch filled
+up, though but poorly, by reason of its immense depth, he brought his
+mechanical engines and battering-rams from Tyre, and placing them on the
+bank, he battered the temple with the stones that were thrown against
+it. And had it not been our practice, from the days of our forefathers,
+to rest on the seventh day, this bank could never have been perfected,
+by reason of the opposition the Jews would have made; for though our law
+gives us leave then to defend ourselves against those that begin to
+fight with us and assault us, yet does it not permit us to meddle with
+our enemies while they do any thing else.
+
+3. Which thing when the Romans understood, on those days which we call
+Sabbaths they threw nothing at the Jews, nor came to any pitched battle
+with them; but raised up their earthen banks, and brought their engines
+into such forwardness, that they might do execution the next day. And
+any one may hence learn how very great piety we exercise towards God,
+and the observance of his laws, since the priests were not at all
+hindered from their sacred ministrations by their fear during this
+siege, but did still twice a-day, in the morning and about the ninth
+hour, offer their sacrifices on the altar; nor did they omit those
+sacrifices, if any melancholy accident happened by the stones that were
+thrown among them; for although the city was taken on the third month,
+on the day of the fast, 6 upon the hundred and seventy-ninth olympiad,
+when Caius Antonius and Marcus Tullius Cicero were consuls, and the
+enemy then fell upon them, and cut the throats of those that were in the
+temple; yet could not those that offered the sacrifices be compelled to
+run away, neither by the fear they were in of their own lives, nor by
+the number that were already slain, as thinking it better to suffer
+whatever came upon them, at their very altars, than to omit any thing
+that their laws required of them. And that this is not a mere brag, or
+an encomium to manifest a degree of our piety that was false, but is the
+real truth, I appeal to those that have written of the acts of Pompey;
+and, among them, to Strabo and Nicolaus [of Damascus]; and besides these
+two, Titus Livius, the writer of the Roman History, who will bear
+witness to this thing. 7
+
+4. But when the battering-engine was brought near, the greatest of the
+towers was shaken by it, and fell down, and broke down a part of the
+fortifications, so the enemy poured in apace; and Cornelius Faustus, the
+son of Sylla, with his soldiers, first of all ascended the wall, and
+next to him Furius the centurion, with those that followed on the other
+part, while Fabius, who was also a centurion, ascended it in the middle,
+with a great body of men after him. But now all was full of slaughter;
+some of the Jews being slain by the Romans, and some by one another;
+nay, some there were who threw themselves down the precipices, or put
+fire to their houses, and burnt them, as not able to bear the miseries
+they were under. Of the Jews there fell twelve thousand, but of the
+Romans very few. Absalom, who was at once both uncle and father-in-law
+to Aristobulus, was taken captive; and no small enormities were
+committed about the temple itself, which, in former ages, had been
+inaccessible, and seen by none; for Pompey went into it, and not a few
+of those that were with him also, and saw all that which it was unlawful
+for any other men to see but only for the high priests. There were in
+that temple the golden table, the holy candlestick, and the pouring
+vessels, and a great quantity of spices; and besides these there were
+among the treasures two thousand talents of sacred money: yet did Pompey
+touch nothing of all this, 8 on account of his regard to religion; and
+in this point also he acted in a manner that was worthy of his virtue.
+The next day he gave order to those that had the charge of the temple to
+cleanse it, and to bring what offerings the law required to God; and
+restored the high priesthood to Hyrcanus, both because he had been
+useful to him in other respects, and because he hindered the Jews in the
+country from giving Aristobulus any assistance in his war against him.
+He also cut off those that had been the authors of that war; and
+bestowed proper rewards on Faustus, and those others that mounted the
+wall with such alacrity; and he made Jerusalem tributary to the Romans,
+and took away those cities of Celesyria which the inhabitants of Judea
+had subdued, and put them under the government of the Roman president,
+and confined the whole nation, which had elevated itself so high before,
+within its own bounds. Moreover, he rebuilt Gadara, 9 which had been
+demolished a little before, to gratify Demetrius of Gadara, who was his
+freedman, and restored the rest of the cities, Hippos, and Scythopolis,
+and Pella, and Dios, and Samaria, as also Marissa, and Ashdod, and
+Jamnia, and Arethusa, to their own inhabitants: these were in the inland
+parts. Besides those that had been demolished, and also of the maritime
+cities, Gaza, and Joppa, and Dora, and Strato's Tower; which last Herod
+rebuilt after a glorious manner, and adorned with havens and temples,
+and changed its name to Cæsarea. All these Pompey left in a state of
+freedom, and joined them to the province of Syria.
+
+5. Now the occasions of this misery which came upon Jerusalem were
+Hyrcanus and Aristobulus, by raising a sedition one against the other;
+for now we lost our liberty, and became subject to the Romans, and were
+deprived of that country which we had gained by our arms from the
+Syrians, and were compelled to restore it to the Syrians. Moreover, the
+Romans exacted of us, in a little time, above ten thousand talents; and
+the royal authority, which was a dignity formerly bestowed on those that
+were high priests, by the right of their family, became the property of
+private men. But of these matters we shall treat in their proper places.
+Now Pompey committed Celesyria, as far as the river Euphrates and Egypt,
+to Scaurus, with two Roman legions, and then went away to Cilicia, and
+made haste to Rome. He also carried bound along with him Aristobulus and
+his children; for he had two daughters, and as many sons; the one of
+which ran away, but the younger, Antigonus, was carried to Rome,
+together with his sisters.
+
+
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER 5. How Scaurus Made A League Of Mutual Assistance With Aretas;
+And What Gabinius Did In Judea, After He Had Conquered Alexander, The
+Son Of Aristobulus.
+
+1. Scaurus made now an expedition against Petrea, in Arabia, and set on
+fire all the places round about it, because of the great difficulty of
+access to it. And as his army was pinched by famine, Antipater furnished
+him with corn out of Judea, and with whatever else he wanted, and this
+at the command of Hyrcanus. And when he was sent to Aretas, as an
+ambassador by Scaurus, because he had lived with him formerly, he
+persuaded Aretas to give Scaurus a sum of money, to prevent the burning
+of his country, and undertook to be his surety for three hundred
+talents. So Scaurus, upon these terms, ceased to make war any longer;
+which was done as much at Scaurus's desire, as at the desire of Aretas.
+
+2. Some time after this, when Alexander, the son of Aristobulus, made an
+incursion into Judea, Gabinius came from Rome into Syria, as commander
+of the Roman forces. He did many considerable actions; and particularly
+made war with Alexander, since Hyrcanus was not yet able to oppose his
+power, but was already attempting to rebuild the wall of Jerusalem,
+which Pompey had overthrown, although the Romans which were there
+restrained him from that his design. However, Alexander went over all
+the country round about, and armed many of the Jews, and suddenly got
+together ten thousand armed footmen, and fifteen hundred horsemen, and
+fortified Alexandrium, a fortress near to Corem, and Macherus, near the
+mountains of Arabia. Gabinius therefore came upon him, having sent
+Marcus Antonius, with other commanders, before. These armed such Romans
+as followed them; and, together with them, such Jews as were subject to
+them, whose leaders were Pitholaus and Malichus; and they took with them
+also their friends that were with Antipater, and met Alexander, while
+Gabinius himself followed with his legion. Hereupon Alexander retired to
+the neighborhood of Jerusalem, where they fell upon one another, and it
+came to a pitched battle, in which the Romans slew of their enemies
+about three thousand, and took a like number alive.
+
+3. At which time Gabinius 10 came to Alexandrium, and invited those that
+were in it to deliver it up on certain conditions, and promised that
+then their former offenses should be forgiven. But as a great number of
+the enemy had pitched their camp before the fortress, whom the Romans
+attacked, Marcus Antonius fought bravely, and slew a great number, and
+seemed to come off with the greatest honor. So Gabinius left part of his
+army there, in order to take the place, and he himself went into other
+parts of Judea, and gave order to rebuild all the cities that he met
+with that had been demolished; at which time were rebuilt Samaria,
+Ashdod, Scythopolis, Anthedon, Raphia, and Dora; Marissa also, and Gaza,
+and not a few others besides. And as the men acted according to
+Gabinius's command, it came to pass, that at this time these cities were
+securely inhabited, which had been desolate for a long time.
+
+4. When Gabinius had done thus in the country, he returned to
+Alexandrium; and when he urged on the siege of the place, Alexander sent
+an embassage to him, desiring that he would pardon his former offenses;
+he also delivered up the fortresses, Hyrcania and Macherus, and at last
+Alexandrium itself which fortresses Gabinius demolished. But when
+Alexander's mother, who was of the side of the Romans, as having her
+husband and other children at Rome, came to him, he granted her
+whatsoever she asked; and when he had settled matters with her, he
+brought Hyrcanus to Jerusalem, and committed the care of the temple to
+him. And when he had ordained five councils, he distributed the nation
+into the same number of parts. So these councils governed the people;
+the first was at Jerusalem, the second at Gadara, the third at Amathus,
+the fourth at Jericho, and the fifth at Sepphoris in Galilee. So the
+Jews were now freed from monarchic authority, and were governed by an
+aristocracy.
+
+
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER 6. How Gabinius Caught Aristobulus After He Had Fled From Rome,
+And Sent Him Back To Rome Again; And How The Same Gabinius As He
+Returned Out Of Egypt Overcame Alexander And The Nabateans In Battle.
+
+1. Now Aristobulus ran away from Rome to Judea, and set about the
+rebuilding of Alexandrium, which had been newly demolished. Hereupon
+Gabinius sent soldiers against him, add for their commanders Sisenna,
+and Antonius, and Servilius, in order to hinder him from getting
+possession of the country, and to take him again. And indeed many of the
+Jews ran to Aristobulus, on account of his former glory, as also because
+they should be glad of an innovation. Now there was one Pitholaus, a
+lieutenant at Jerusalem, who deserted to him with a thousand men,
+although a great number of those that came to him were unarmed; and when
+Aristobulus had resolved to go to Macherus, he dismissed those people,
+because they were unarmed; for they could not be useful to him in what
+actions he was going about; but he took with him eight thousand that
+were armed, and marched on; and as the Romans fell upon them severely,
+the Jews fought valiantly, but were beaten in the battle; and when they
+had fought with alacrity, but were overborne by the enemy, they were put
+to flight; of whom were slain about five thousand, and the rest being
+dispersed, tried, as well as they were able, to save themselves.
+However, Aristobulus had with him still above a thousand, and with them
+he fled to Macherus, and fortified the place; and though he had had ill
+success, he still had good hope of his affairs; but when he had
+struggled against the siege for two days' time, and had received many
+wounds, he was brought as a captive to Gabinius, with his son Antigonus,
+who also fled with him from Rome. And this was the fortune of
+Aristobulus, who was sent back again to Rome, and was there retained in
+bonds, having been both king and high priest for three years and six
+months; and was indeed an eminent person, and one of a great soul.
+However, the senate let his children go, upon Gabinius's writing to them
+that he had promised their mother so much when she delivered up the
+fortresses to him; and accordingly they then returned into Judea.
+
+2. Now when Gabinius was making an expedition against the Parthians, and
+had already passed over Euphrates, he changed his mind, and resolved to
+return into Egypt, in order to restore Ptolemy to his kingdom. 11 This
+hath also been related elsewhere. However, Antipater supplied his army,
+which he sent against Archelaus, with corn, and weapons, and money. He
+also made those Jews who were above Pelusium his friends and
+confederates, and had been the guardians of the passes that led into
+Egypt. But when he came back out of Egypt, he found Syria in disorder,
+with seditions and troubles; for Alexander, the son of Aristobulus,
+having seized on the government a second time by force, made many of the
+Jews revolt to him; and so he marched over the country with a great
+army, and slew all the Romans he could light upon, and proceeded to
+besiege the mountain called Gerizzim, whither they had retreated.
+
+3. But when Gabinius found Syria in such a state, he sent Antipater, who
+was a prudent man, to those that were seditious, to try whether he could
+cure them of their madness, and persuade them to return to a better
+mind; and when he came to them, he brought many of them to a sound mind,
+and induced them to do what they ought to do; but he could not restrain
+Alexander, for he had an army of thirty thousand Jews, and met Gabinius,
+and joining battle with him, was beaten, and lost ten thousand of his
+men about Mount Tabor.
+
+4. So Gabinius settled the affairs which belonged to the city Jerusalem,
+as was agreeable to Antipater's inclination, and went against the
+Nabateans, and overcame them in battle. He also sent away in a friendly
+manner Mithridates and Orsanes, who were Parthian deserters, and came to
+him, though the report went abroad that they had run away from him. And
+when Gabinius had performed great and glorious actions, in his
+management of the affairs of war, he returned to Rome, and delivered the
+government to Crassus. Now Nicolaus of Damascus, and Strabo of
+Cappadocia, both describe the expeditions of Pompey and Gabinius against
+the Jews, while neither of them say anything new which is not in the
+other.
+
+
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER 7. How Crassus Came Into Judea, And Pillaged The Temple; And
+Then Marched Against The Parthians And Perished, With His Army. Also How
+Cassius Obtained Syria, And Put A Stop To The Parthians And Then Went Up
+To Judea.
+
+1. Now Crassus, as he was going upon his expedition against the
+Parthians, came into Judea, and carried off the money that was in the
+temple, which Pompey had left, being two thousand talents, and was
+disposed to spoil it of all the gold belonging to it, which was eight
+thousand talents. He also took a beam, which was made of solid beaten
+gold, of the weight of three hundred minae, each of which weighed two
+pounds and a half. It was the priest who was guardian of the sacred
+treasures, and whose name was Eleazar, that gave him this beam, not out
+of a wicked design, for he was a good and a righteous man; but being
+intrusted with the custody of the veils belonging to the temple, which
+were of admirable beauty, and of very costly workmanship, and hung down
+from this beam, when he saw that Crassus was busy in gathering money,
+and was in fear for the entire ornaments of the temple, he gave him this
+beam of gold as a ransom for the whole, but this not till he had given
+his oath that he would remove nothing else out of the temple, but be
+satisfied with this only, which he should give him, being worth many ten
+thousand [shekels]. Now this beam was contained in a wooden beam that
+was hollow, but was known to no others; but Eleazar alone knew it; yet
+did Crassus take away this beam, upon the condition of touching nothing
+else that belonged to the temple, and then brake his oath, and carried
+away all the gold that was in the temple.
+
+2. And let no one wonder that there was so much wealth in our temple,
+since all the Jews throughout the habitable earth, and those that
+worshipped God, nay, even those of Asia and Europe, sent their
+contributions to it, and this from very ancient times. Nor is the
+largeness of these sums without its attestation; nor is that greatness
+owing to our vanity, as raising it without ground to so great a height;
+but there are many witnesses to it, and particularly Strabo of
+Cappadocia, who says thus: "Mithridates sent to Cos, and took the money
+which queen Cleopatra had deposited there, as also eight hundred talents
+belonging to the Jews." Now we have no public money but only what
+appertains to God; and it is evident that the Asian Jews removed this
+money out of fear of Mithridates; for it is not probable that those of
+Judea, who had a strong city and temple, should send their money to Cos;
+nor is it likely that the Jews who are inhabitants of Alexandria should
+do so neither, since they were in no fear of Mithridates. And Strabo
+himself bears witness to the same thing in another place, that at the
+same time that Sylla passed over into Greece, in order to fight against
+Mithridates, he sent Lucullus to put an end to a sedition that our
+nation, of whom the habitable earth is full, had raised in Cyrene; where
+he speaks thus: "There were four classes of men among those of Cyrene;
+that of citizens, that of husbandmen, the third of strangers, and the
+fourth of Jews. Now these Jews are already gotten into all cities; and
+it is hard to find a place in the habitable earth that hath not admitted
+this tribe of men, and is not possessed by them; and it hath come to
+pass that Egypt and Cyrene, as having the same governors, and a great
+number of other nations, imitate their way of living, and maintain great
+bodies of these Jews in a peculiar manner, and grow up to greater
+prosperity with them, and make use of the same laws with that nation
+also. Accordingly, the Jews have places assigned them in Egypt, wherein
+they inhabit, besides what is peculiarly allotted to this nation at
+Alexandria, which is a large part of that city. There is also an
+ethnarch allowed them, who governs the nation, and distributes justice
+to them, and takes care of their contracts, and of the laws to them
+belonging, as if he were the ruler of a free republic. In Egypt,
+therefore, this nation is powerful, because the Jews were originally
+Egyptians, and because the land wherein they inhabit, since they went
+thence, is near to Egypt. They also removed into Cyrene, because that
+this land adjoined to the government of Egypt, as well as does Judea, or
+rather was formerly under the same government." And this is what Strabo
+says.
+
+3. So when Crassus had settled all things as he himself pleased, he
+marched into Parthia, where both he himself and all his army perished,
+as hath been related elsewhere. But Cassius, as he fled from Rome to
+Syria, took possession of it, and was an impediment to the Parthians,
+who by reason of their victory over Crassus made incursions upon it. And
+as he came back to Tyre, he went up into Judea also, and fell upon
+Tarichee, and presently took it, and carried about thirty thousand Jews
+captives; and slew Pitholaus, who succeeded Aristobulus in his seditious
+practices, and that by the persuasion of Antipater, who proved to have
+great interest in him, and was at that time in great repute with the
+Idumeans also: out of which nation he married a wife, who was the
+daughter of one of their eminent men, and her name was Cypros, 12 by
+whom he had four sons, Phasael, and Herod, who was afterwards made king,
+and Joseph, and Pheroras; and a daughter, named Salome. This Antipater
+cultivated also a friendship and mutual kindness with other potentates,
+but especially with the king of Arabia, to whom he committed his
+children, while he fought against Aristobulus. So Cassius removed his
+camp, and marched to Euphrates, to meet those that were coming to attack
+him, as hath been related by others.
+
+4. But some time afterward Cæsar, when he had taken Rome, and after
+Pompey and the senate were fled beyond the Ionian Sea, freed Aristobulus
+from his bonds, and resolved to send him into Syria, and delivered two
+legions to him, that he might set matters right, as being a potent man
+in that country. But Aristobulus had no enjoyment of what he hoped for
+from the power that was given him by Cæsar; for those of Pompey's party
+prevented it, and destroyed him by poison; and those of Cæsar's party
+buried him. His dead body also lay, for a good while, embalmed in honey,
+till Antony afterward sent it to Judea, and caused him to be buried in
+the royal sepulcher. But Scipio, upon Pompey's sending to him to slay
+Alexander, the son of Aristobulus, because the young man was accused of
+what offenses he had been guilty of at first against the Romans, cut off
+his head; and thus did he die at Antioch. But Ptolemy, the son of
+Menneus, who was the ruler of Chalcis, under Mount Libanus, took his
+brethren to him, and sent his son Philippion to Askelon to Aristobulus's
+wife, and desired her to send back with him her son Antigonus, and her
+daughters; the one of which, whose name was Alexandra, Philippion fell
+in love with, and married her, though afterward his father Ptolemy slew
+him, and married Alexandra, and continued to take care of her brethren.
+
+
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER 8. The Jews Become Confederates With Cæsar When He Fought
+Against Egypt. The Glorious Actions Of Antipater, And His Friendship
+With Cæsar. The Honors Which The Jews Received From The Romans And
+Athenians.
+
+1. Now after Pompey was dead, and after that victory Cæsar had gained
+over him, Antipater, who managed the Jewish affairs, became very useful
+to Cæsar when he made war against Egypt, and that by the order of
+Hyrcanus; for when Mithridates of Pergainus was bringing his
+auxiliaries, and was not able to continue his march through Pelusium,
+but obliged to stay at Askelon, Antipater came to him, conducting three
+thousand of the Jews, armed men. He had also taken care the principal
+men of the Arabians should come to his assistance; and on his account it
+was that all the Syrians assisted him also, as not willing to appear
+behindhand in their alacrity for Cæsar, viz. Jamblicus the ruler, and
+Ptolemy his son, and Tholomy the son of Sohemus, who dwelt at Mount
+Libanus, and almost all the cities. So Mithridates marched out of Syria,
+and came to Pelusium; and when its inhabitants would not admit him, he
+besieged the city. Now Antipater signalized himself here, and was the
+first who plucked down a part of the wall, and so opened a way to the
+rest, whereby they might enter the city, and by this means Pelusium was
+taken. But it happened that the Egyptian Jews, who dwelt in the country
+called Onion, would not let Antipater and Mithridates, with their
+soldiers, pass to Cæsar; but Antipater persuaded them to come over with
+their party, because he was of the same people with them, and that
+chiefly by showing them the epistles of Hyrcanus the high priest,
+wherein he exhorted them to cultivate friendship with Cæsar, and to
+supply his army with money, and all sorts of provisions which they
+wanted; and accordingly, when they saw Antipater and the high priest of
+the same sentiments, they did as they were desired. And when the Jews
+about Memphis heard that these Jews were come over to Cæsar, they also
+invited Mithridates to come to them; so he came and received them also
+into his army.
+
+2. And when Mithridates had gone over all Delta, as the place is called,
+he came to a pitched battle with the enemy, near the place called the
+Jewish Camp. Now Mithridates had the right wing, and Antipater the left;
+and when it came to a fight, that wing where Mithridates was gave way,
+and was likely to suffer extremely, unless Antipater had come running to
+him with his own soldiers along the shore, when he had already beaten
+the enemy that opposed him; so he delivered Mithridates, and put those
+Egyptians who had been too hard for him to flight. He also took their
+camp, and continued in the pursuit of them. He also recalled
+Mithridates, who had been worsted, and was retired a great way off; of
+whose soldiers eight hundred fell, but of Antipater's fifty. So
+Mithridates sent an account of this battle to Cæsar, and openly declared
+that Antipater was the author of this victory, and of his own
+preservation, insomuch that Cæsar commended Antipater then, and made use
+of him all the rest of that war in the most hazardous undertakings; he
+happened also to be wounded in one of those engagements.
+
+3. However, when Cæsar, after some time, had finished that war, and was
+sailed away for Syria, he honored Antipater greatly, and confirmed
+Hyrcanus in the high priesthood; and bestowed on Antipater the privilege
+of a citizen of Rome, and a freedom from taxes every where; and it is
+reported by many, that Hyrcanus went along with Antipater in this
+expedition, and came himself into Egypt. And Strabo of Cappadocia bears
+witness to this, when he says thus, in the name of Aslnius: "After
+Mithridates had invaded Egypt, and with him Hyrcanus the high priest of
+the Jews." Nay, the same Strabo says thus again, in another place, in
+the name of Hypsicrates, that "Mithridates at first went out alone; but
+that Antipater, who had the care of the Jewish affairs, was called by
+him to Askelon, and that he had gotten ready three thousand soldiers to
+go along with him, and encouraged other governors of the country to go
+along with him also; and that Hyrcanus the high priest was also present
+in this expedition." This is what Strabo says.
+
+4. But Antigonus, the son of Aristobulus, came at this time to Cæsar,
+and lamented his father's fate; and complained, that it was by
+Antipater's means that Aristobulus was taken off by poison, and his
+brother was beheaded by Scipio, and desired that he would take pity of
+him who had been ejected out of that principality which was due to him.
+He also accused Hyrcanus and Antipater as governing the nation by
+violence, and offering injuries to himself. Antipater was present, and
+made his defense as to the accusations that were laid against him. He
+demonstrated that Antigonus and his party were given to innovation, and
+were seditious persons. He also put Cæsar in mind what difficult
+services he had undergone when he assisted him in his wars, and
+discoursed about what he was a witness of himself. He added, that
+Aristobulus was justly carried away to Rome, as one that was an enemy to
+the Romans, and could never be brought to be a friend to them, and that
+his brother had no more than he deserved from Scipio, as being seized in
+committing robberies; and that this punishment was not inflicted on him
+in a way of violence or injustice by him that did it.
+
+5. When Antipater had made this speech, Cæsar appointed Hyrcauus to be
+high priest, and gave Antipater what principality he himself should
+choose, leaving the determination to himself; so he made him procurator
+of Judea. He also gave Hyrcanus leave to raise up the walls of his own
+city, upon his asking that favor of him, for they had been demolished by
+Pompey. And this grant he sent to the consuls to Rome, to be engraven in
+the capitol. The decree of the senate was this that follows: 13 "Lucius
+Valerius, the son of Lucius the praetor, referred this to the senate,
+upon the Ides of December, in the temple of Concord. There were present
+at the writing of this decree Lucius Coponius, the son of Lucius of the
+Colline tribe, and Papirius of the Quirine tribe, concerning the affairs
+which Alexander, the son of Jason, and Numenius, the son of Antiochus,
+and Alexander, the son of Dositheus, ambassadors of the Jews, good and
+worthy men, proposed, who came to renew that league of goodwill and
+friendship with the Romans which was in being before. They also brought
+a shield of gold, as a mark of confederacy, valued at fifty thousand
+pieces of gold; and desired that letters might be given them, directed
+both to the free cities and to the kings, that their country and their
+havens might be at peace, and that no one among them might receive any
+injury. It therefore pleased [the senate] to make a league of friendship
+and good-will with them, and to bestow on them whatsoever they stood in
+need of, and to accept of the shield which was brought by them. This was
+done in the ninth year of Hyrcanus the high priest and ethnarch, in the
+month Panemus." Hyrcanus also received honors from the people of Athens,
+as having been useful to them on many occasions. And when they wrote to
+him, they sent him this decree, as it here follows "Under the prutaneia
+and priesthood of Dionysius, the son of Esculapius, on the fifth day of
+the latter part of the month Panemus, this decree of the Athenians was
+given to their commanders, when Agathocles was archon, and Eucles, the
+son of Menander of Alimusia, was the scribe. In the month Munychion, on
+the eleventh day of the prutaneia, a council of the presidents was held
+in the theater. Dorotheus the high priest, and the fellow presidents
+with him, put it to the vote of the people. Dionysius, the son of
+Dionysius, gave the sentence. Since Hyrcanus, the son of Alexander, the
+high priest and ethnarch of the Jews, continues to bear good-will to our
+people in general, and to every one of our citizens in particular, and
+treats them with all sorts of kindness; and when any of the Athenians
+come to him, either as ambassadors, or on any occasion of their own, he
+receives them in an obliging manner, and sees that they are conducted
+back in safety, of which we have had several former testimonies; it is
+now also decreed, at the report of Theodosius, the son of Theodorus, and
+upon his putting the people in mind of the virtue of this man, and that
+his purpose is to do us all the good that is in his power, to honor him
+with a crown of gold, the usual reward according to the law, and to
+erect his statue in brass in the temple of Demus and of the Graces; and
+that this present of a crown shall be proclaimed publicly in the
+theater, in the Dionysian shows, while the new tragedies are acting; and
+in the Panathenean, and Eleusinian, and Gymnical shows also; and that
+the commanders shall take care, while he continues in his friendship,
+and preserves his good-will to us, to return all possible honor and
+favor to the man for his affection and generosity; that by this
+treatment it may appear how our people receive the good kindly, and
+repay them a suitable reward; and he may be induced to proceed in his
+affection towards us, by the honors we have already paid him. That
+ambassadors be also chosen out of all the Athenians, who shall carry
+this decree to him, and desire him to accept of the honors we do him,
+and to endeavor always to be doing some good to our city." And this
+shall suffice us to have spoken as to the honors that were paid by the
+Romans and the people of Athens to Hyrcanus.
+
+
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER 9. How Antipater Committed The Care Of Galilee To Herod, And
+That Of Jerusalem To Phasaelus; As Also How Herod Upon The Jews' Envy At
+Antipater Was Accused Before Hyrcanus.
+
+1. Now when Cæsar had settled the affairs of Syria, he sailed away. And
+as soon as Antipater had conducted Cæsar out of Syria, he returned to
+Judea. He then immediately raised up the wall which had been thrown down
+by Pompey; and, by coming thither, he pacified that tumult which had
+been in the country, and this by both threatening and advising them to
+be quiet; for that if they would be of Hyrcanus's side, they would live
+happily, and lead their lives without disturbance, and in the enjoyment
+of their own possessions; but if they were addicted to the hopes of what
+might come by innovation, and aimed to get wealth thereby, they should
+have him a severe master instead of a gentle governor, and Hyrcanus a
+tyrant instead of a king, and the Romans, together with Cæsar, their
+bitter enemies instead of rulers, for that they would never bear him to
+be set aside whom they had appointed to govern. And when Antipater had
+said this to them, he himself settled the affairs of this country.
+
+2. And seeing that Hyrcanus was of a slow and slothful temper, he made
+Phasaelus, his eldest son, governor of Jerusalem, and of the places that
+were about it, but committed Galilee to Herod, his next son, who was
+then a very young man, for he was but fifteen years of age 14 But that
+youth of his was no impediment to him; but as he was a youth of great
+mind, he presently met with an opportunity of signalizing his courage;
+for finding that there was one Hezekiah, a captain of a band of robbers,
+who overran the neighboring parts of Syria with a great troop of them,
+he seized him and slew him, as well as a great number of the other
+robbers that were with him; for which action he was greatly beloved by
+the Syrians; for when they were very desirous to have their country
+freed from this nest of robbers, he purged it of them. So they sung
+songs in his commendation in their villages and cities, as having
+procured them peace, and the secure enjoyment of their possessions; and
+on this account it was that he became known to Sextus Cæsar, who was a
+relation of the great Cæsar, and was now president of Syria. Now
+Phasaelus, Herod's brother, was moved with emulation at his actions, and
+envied the fame he had thereby gotten, and became ambitious not to be
+behindhand with him in deserving it. So he made the inhabitants of
+Jerusalem bear him the greatest good-will while he held the city
+himself, but did neither manage its affairs improperly, nor abuse his
+authority therein. This conduct procured from the nation to Antipater
+such respect as is due to kings, and such honors as he might partake of
+if he were an absolute lord of the country. Yet did not this splendor of
+his, as frequently happens, in the least diminish in him that kindness
+and fidelity which he owed to Hyrcanus.
+
+3. But now the principal men among the Jews, when they saw Antipater and
+his sons to grow so much in the good-will the nation bare to them, and
+in the revenues which they received out of Judea, and out of Hyrcanus's
+own wealth, they became ill- disposed to him; for indeed Antipater had
+contracted a friendship with the Roman emperors; and when he had
+prevailed with Hyrcanus to send them money, he took it to himself, and
+purloined the present intended, and sent it as if it were his own, and
+not Hyrcanus's gift to them. Hyrcanus heard of this his management, but
+took no care about it; nay, he rather was very glad of it. But the chief
+men of the Jews were therefore in fear, because they saw that Herod was
+a violent and bold man, and very desirous of acting tyrannically; so
+they came to Hyrcanus, and now accused Antipater openly, and said to
+him, "How long wilt thou be quiet under such actions as are now done? Or
+dost thou not see that Antipater and his sons have already seized upon
+the government, and that it is only the name of a king which is given
+thee? But do not thou suffer these things to be hidden from thee, nor do
+thou think to escape danger by being so careless of thyself and of thy
+kingdom; for Antipater and his sons are not now stewards of thine
+affairs: do not thou deceive thyself with such a notion; they are
+evidently absolute lords; for Herod, Antipater's son, hath slain
+Hezekiah, and those that were with him, and hath thereby transgressed
+our law, which hath forbidden to slay any man, even though he were a
+wicked man, unless he had been first condemned to suffer death by the
+Sanhedrim 15 yet hath he been so insolent as to do this, and that
+without any authority from thee."
+
+4. Upon Hyrcanus hearing this, he complied with them. The mothers also
+of those that had been slain by Herod raised his indignation; for those
+women continued every day in the temple, persuading the king and the
+people that Herod might undergo a trial before the Sanhedrim for what he
+had done. Hyrcanus was so moved by these complaints, that he summoned
+Herod to come to his trial for what was charged upon him. Accordingly he
+came; but his father had persuaded him to come not like a private man,
+but with a guard, for the security of his person; and that when he had
+settled the affairs of Galilee in the best manner he could for his own
+advantage, he should come to his trial, but still with a body of men
+sufficient for his security on his journey, yet so that he should not
+come with so great a force as might look like terrifying Hyrcanus, but
+still such a one as might not expose him naked and unguarded [to his
+enemies.] However, Sextus Cæsar, president of Syria, wrote to Hyrcanus,
+and desired him to clear Herod, and dismiss him at his trial, and
+threatened him beforehand if he did not do it. Which epistle of his was
+the occasion of Hyrcanus delivering Herod from suffering any harm from
+the Sanhedrim, for he loved him as his own son. But when Herod stood
+before the Sanhedrim, with his body of men about him, he affrighted them
+all, and no one of his former accusers durst after that bring any charge
+against him, but there was a deep silence, and nobody knew what was to
+be done. When affairs stood thus, one whose name was Sameas, 16 a
+righteous man he was, and for that reason above all fear, rose up, and
+said, "O you that are assessors with me, and O thou that art our king, I
+neither have ever myself known such a case, nor do I suppose that any
+one of you can name its parallel, that one who is called to take his
+trial by us ever stood in such a manner before us; but every one,
+whosoever he be, that comes to be tried by this Sanhedrim, presents
+himself in a submissive manner, and like one that is in fear of himself,
+and that endeavors to move us to compassion, with his hair dishevelled,
+and in a black and mourning garment: but this admirable man Herod, who
+is accused of murder, and called to answer so heavy an accusation,
+stands here clothed in purple, and with the hair of his head finely
+trimmed, and with his armed men about him, that if we shall condemn him
+by our law, he may slay us, and by overbearing justice may himself
+escape death. Yet do not I make this complaint against Herod himself; he
+is to be sure more concerned for himself than for the laws; but my
+complaint is against yourselves, and your king, who gave him a license
+so to do. However, take you notice, that God is great, and that this
+very man, whom you are going to absolve and dismiss, for the sake of
+Hyrcanus, will one day punish both you and your king himself also." Nor
+did Sameas mistake in any part of this prediction; for when Herod had
+received the kingdom, he slew all the members of this Sanhedrim, and
+Hyrcanus himself also, excepting Sameas, for he had a great honor for
+him on account of his righteousness, and because, when the city was
+afterward besieged by Herod and Sosius, he persuaded the people to admit
+Herod into it; and told them that for their sins they would not be able
+to escape his hands:—which things will be related by us in their proper
+places.
+
+5. But when Hyrcanus saw that the members of the Sanhedrim were ready to
+pronounce the sentence of death upon Herod, he put off the trial to
+another day, and sent privately to Herod, and advised him to fly out of
+the city, for that by this means he might escape. So he retired to
+Damascus, as though he fled from the king; and when he had been with
+Sextus Cæsar, and had put his own affairs in a sure posture, he resolved
+to do thus; that in case he were again summoned before the Sanhedrim to
+take his trial, he would not obey that summons. Hereupon the members of
+the Sanhedrim had great indignation at this posture of affairs, and
+endeavored to persuade Hyrcanus that all these things were against him;
+which state of matters he was not ignorant of; but his temper was so
+unmanly, and so foolish, that he was able to do nothing at all. But when
+Sextus had made Herod general of the army of Celesyria, for he sold him
+that post for money, Hyrcanus was in fear lest Herod should make war
+upon him; nor was the effect of what he feared long in coming upon him;
+for Herod came and brought an army along with him to fight with
+Hyrcanus, as being angry at the trial he had been summoned to undergo
+before the Sanhedrim; but his father Antipater, and his brother
+[Phasaelus], met him, and hindered him from assaulting Jerusalem. They
+also pacified his vehement temper, and persuaded him to do no overt
+action, but only to affright them with threatenings, and to proceed no
+further against one who had given him the dignity he had: they also
+desired him not only to be angry that he was summoned, and obliged to
+come to his trial, but to remember withal how he was dismissed without
+condemnation, and how he ought to give Hyrcanus thanks for the same; and
+that he was not to regard only what was disagreeable to him, and be
+unthankful for his deliverance. So they desired him to consider, that
+since it is God that turns the scales of war, there is great uncertainty
+in the issue of battles, and that therefore he ought of to expect the
+victory when he should fight with his king, and him that had supported
+him, and bestowed many benefits upon him, and had done nothing itself
+very severe to him; for that his accusation, which was derived from evil
+counselors, and not from himself, had rather the suspicion of some
+severity, than any thing really severe in it. Herod was persuaded by
+these arguments, and believed that it was sufficient for his future
+hopes to have made a show of his strength before the nation, and done no
+more to it—and in this state were the affairs of Judea at this time.
+
+
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER 10. The Honors That Were Paid The Jews; And The Leagues That
+Were Made By The Romans And Other Nations, With Them.
+
+1. Now when Cæsar was come to Rome, he was ready to sail into Africa to
+fight against Scipio and Cato, when Hyrcanus sent ambassadors to him,
+and by them desired that he would ratify that league of friendship and
+mutual alliance which was between them, And it seems to me to be
+necessary here to give an account of all the honors that the Romans and
+their emperor paid to our nation, and of the leagues of mutual
+assistance they have made with it, that all the rest of mankind may know
+what regard the kings of Asia and Europe have had to us, and that they
+have been abundantly satisfied of our courage and fidelity; for whereas
+many will not believe what hath been written about us by the Persians
+and Macedonians, because those writings are not every where to be met
+with, nor do lie in public places, but among us ourselves, and certain
+other barbarous nations, while there is no contradiction to be made
+against the decrees of the Romans, for they are laid up in the public
+places of the cities, and are extant still in the capitol, and engraven
+upon pillars of brass; nay, besides this, Julius Cæsar made a pillar of
+brass for the Jews at Alexandria, and declared publicly that they were
+citizens of Alexandria. Out of these evidences will I demonstrate what I
+say; and will now set down the decrees made both by the senate and by
+Julius Cæsar, which relate to Hyrcanus and to our nation.
+
+2. "Caius Julius Cæsar, imperator and high priest, and dictator the
+second time, to the magistrates, senate, and people of Sidon, sendeth
+greeting. If you be in health, it is well. I also and the army are well.
+I have sent you a copy of that decree, registered on the tables, which
+concerns Hyrcanus, the son of Alexander, the high priest and ethnarch of
+the Jews, that it may be laid up among the public records; and I will
+that it be openly proposed in a table of brass, both in Greek and in
+Latin. It is as follows: I Julius Cæsar, imperator the second time, and
+high priest, have made this decree, with the approbation of the senate.
+Whereas Hyrcanus, the son of Alexander the Jew, hath demonstrated his
+fidelity and diligence about our affairs, and this both now and in
+former times, both in peace and in war, as many of our generals have
+borne witness, and came to our assistance in the last Alexandrian war,
+17 with fifteen hundred soldiers; and when he was sent by me to
+Mithridates, showed himself superior in valor to all the rest of that
+army;—for these reasons I will that Hyrcanus, the son of Alexander, and
+his children, be ethnarchs of the Jews, and have the high priesthood of
+the Jews for ever, according to the customs of their forefathers, and
+that he and his sons be our confederates; and that besides this,
+everyone of them be reckoned among our particular friends. I also ordain
+that he and his children retain whatsoever privileges belong to the
+office of high priest, or whatsoever favors have been hitherto granted
+them; and if at any time hereafter there arise any questions about the
+Jewish customs, I will that he determine the same. And I think it not
+proper that they should be obliged to find us winter quarters, or that
+any money should be required of them."
+
+3. "The decrees of Caius Cæsar, consul, containing what hath been
+granted and determined, are as follows: That Hyrcanus and his children
+bear rule over the nation of the Jews, and have the profits of the
+places to them bequeathed; and that he, as himself the high priest and
+ethnarch of the Jews, defend those that are injured; and that
+ambassadors be sent to Hyrcanus, the son of Alexander, the high priest
+of the Jews, that may discourse with him about a league of friendship
+and mutual assistance; and that a table of brass, containing the
+premises, be openly proposed in the capitol, and at Sidon, and Tyre, and
+Askelon, and in the temple, engraven in Roman and Greek letters: that
+this decree may also be communicated to the quaestors and praetors of
+the several cities, and to the friends of the Jews; and that the
+ambassadors may have presents made them; and that these decrees be sent
+every where." 18
+
+4. "Caius Cæsar, imperator, dictator, consul, hath granted, That out of
+regard to the honor, and virtue, and kindness of the man, and for the
+advantage of the senate, and of the people of Rome, Hyrcanus, the son of
+Alexander, both he and his children, be high priests and priests of
+Jerusalem, and of the Jewish nation, by the same right, and according to
+the same laws, by which their progenitors have held the priesthood."
+
+5. "Caius Cæsar, consul the fifth time, hath decreed, That the Jews
+shall possess Jerusalem, and may encompass that city with walls; and
+that Hyrcanus, the son of Alexander, the high priest and ethnarch of the
+Jews, retain it in the manner he himself pleases; and that the Jews be
+allowed to deduct out of their tribute, every second year the land is
+let [in the Sabbatic period], a corus of that tribute; and that the
+tribute they pay be not let to farm, nor that they pay always the same
+tribute."
+
+6. "Caius Cæsar, imperator the second time, hath ordained, That all the
+country of the Jews, excepting Joppa, do pay a tribute yearly for the
+city Jerusalem, excepting the seventh, which they call the sabbatical
+year, because thereon they neither receive the fruits of their trees,
+nor do they sow their land; and that they pay their tribute in Sidon on
+the second year [of that sabbatical period], the fourth part of what was
+sown: and besides this, they are to pay the same tithes to Hyrcanus and
+his sons which they paid to their forefathers. And that no one, neither
+president, nor lieutenant, nor ambassador, raise auxiliaries within the
+bounds of Judea; nor may soldiers exact money of them for winter
+quarters, or under any other pretense; but that they be free from all
+sorts of injuries; and that whatsoever they shall hereafter have, and
+are in possession of, or have bought, they shall retain them all. It is
+also our pleasure that the city Joppa, which the Jews had originally,
+when they made a league of friendship with the Romans, shall belong to
+them, as it formerly did; and that Hyrcanus, the son of Alexander, and
+his sons, have as tribute of that city from those that occupy the land
+for the country, and for what they export every year to Sidon, twenty
+thousand six hundred and seventy-five modii every year, the seventh
+year, which they call the Sabbatic year, excepted, whereon they neither
+plough, nor receive the product of their trees. It is also the pleasure
+of the senate, that as to the villages which are in the great plain,
+which Hyrcanus and his forefathers formerly possessed, Hyrcanus and the
+Jews have them with the same privileges with which they formerly had
+them also; and that the same original ordinances remain still in force
+which concern the Jews with regard to their high priests; and that they
+enjoy the same benefits which they have had formerly by the concession
+of the people, and of the senate; and let them enjoy the like privileges
+in Lydda. It is the pleasure also of the senate that Hyrcanus the
+ethnarch, and the Jews, retain those places, countries, and villages
+which belonged to the kings of Syria and Phoenicia, the confederates of
+the Romans, and which they had bestowed on them as their free gifts. It
+is also granted to Hyrcanus, and to his sons, and to the ambassadors by
+them sent to us, that in the fights between single gladiators, and in
+those with beasts, they shall sit among the senators to see those shows;
+and that when they desire an audience, they shall be introduced into the
+senate by the dictator, or by the general of the horse; and when they
+have introduced them, their answers shall be returned them in ten days
+at the furthest, after the decree of the senate is made about their
+affairs."
+
+7. "Caius Cæsar, imperator, dictator the fourth time, and consul the
+fifth time, declared to be perpetual dictator, made this speech
+concerning the rights and privileges of Hyrcanus, the son of Alexander,
+the high priest and ethnarch of the Jews. Since those imperators that
+have been in the provinces before me have borne witness to Hyrcanus, the
+high priest of the Jews, and to the Jews themselves, and this before the
+senate and people of Rome, when the people and senate returned their
+thanks to them, it is good that we now also remember the same, and
+provide that a requital be made to Hyrcanus, to the nation of the Jews,
+and to the sons of Hyrcanus, by the senate and people of Rome, and that
+suitably to what good-will they have shown us, and to the benefits they
+have bestowed upon us."
+
+8. "Julius Caius, praetor [consul] of Rome, to the magistrates, senate,
+and people of the Parians, sendeth greeting. The Jews of Delos, and some
+other Jews that sojourn there, in the presence of your ambassadors,
+signified to us, that, by a decree of yours, you forbid them to make use
+of the customs of their forefathers, and their way of sacred worship.
+Now it does not please me that such decrees should be made against our
+friends and confederates, whereby they are forbidden to live according
+to their own customs, or to bring in contributions for common suppers
+and holy festivals, while they are not forbidden so to do even at Rome
+itself; for even Caius Cæsar, our imperator and consul, in that decree
+wherein he forbade the Bacchanal rioters to meet in the city, did yet
+permit these Jews, and these only, both to bring in their contributions,
+and to make their common suppers. Accordingly, when I forbid other
+Bacchanal rioters, I permit these Jews to gather themselves together,
+according to the customs and laws of their forefathers, and to persist
+therein. It will be therefore good for you, that if you have made any
+decree against these our friends and confederates, to abrogate the same,
+by reason of their virtue and kind disposition towards us."
+
+9. Now after Caius was slain, when Marcus Antonius and Publius Dolabella
+were consuls, they both assembled the senate, and introduced Hyrcanus's
+ambassadors into it, and discoursed of what they desired, and made a
+league of friendship with them. The senate also decreed to grant them
+all they desired. I add the decree itself, that those who read the
+present work may have ready by them a demonstration of the truth of what
+we say. The decree was this:
+
+10. "The decree of the senate, copied out of the treasury, from the
+public tables belonging to the quaestors, when Quintus Rutilius and
+Caius Cornelius were quaestors, and taken out of the second table of the
+first class, on the third day before the Ides of April, in the temple of
+Concord. There were present at the writing of this decree, Lucius
+Calpurnius Piso of the Menenian tribe, Servius Papinins Potitus of the
+Lemonian tribe, Caius Caninius Rebilius of the Terentine tribe, Publius
+Tidetius, Lucius Apulinus, the son of Lucius, of the Sergian tribe,
+Flavius, the son of Lucius, of the Lemonian tribe, Publius Platins, the
+son of Publius, of the Papyrian tribe, Marcus Acilius, the son of
+Marcus, of the Mecian tribe, Lucius Erucius, the son of Lucius, of the
+Stellatine tribe, Mareils Quintus Plancillus, the son of Marcus, of the
+Pollian tribe, and Publius Serius. Publius Dolabella and Marcus
+Antonius, the consuls, made this reference to the senate, that as to
+those things which, by the decree of the senate, Caius Cæsar had
+adjudged about the Jews, and yet had not hitherto that decree been
+brought into the treasury, it is our will, as it is also the desire of
+Publius Dolabella and Marcus Antonius, our consuls, to have these
+decrees put into the public tables, and brought to the city quaestors,
+that they may take care to have them put upon the double tables. This
+was done before the fifth of the Ides of February, in the temple of
+Concord. Now the ambassadors from Hyrcanus the high priest were these:
+Lysimachus, the son of Pausanias, Alexander, the son of Theodorus,
+Patroclus, the son of Chereas, and Jonathan the son of Onias."
+
+11. Hyrcanus sent also one of these ambassadors to Dolabella, who was
+then the prefect of Asia, and desired him to dismiss the Jews from
+military services, and to preserve to them the customs of their
+forefathers, and to permit them to live according to them. And when
+Dolabella had received Hyrcanus's letter, without any further
+deliberation, he sent an epistle to all the Asiatics, and particularly
+to the city of the Ephesians, the metropolis of Asia, about the Jews; a
+copy of which epistle here follows:
+
+12. "When Artermon was prytanis, on the first day of the month Leneon,
+Dolabella, imperator, to the senate, and magistrates, and people of the
+Ephesians, sendeth greeting. Alexander, the son of Theodorus, the
+ambassador of Hyrcanus, the son of Alexander, the high priest and
+ethnarch of the Jews, appeared before me, to show that his countrymen
+could not go into their armies, because they are not allowed to bear
+arms or to travel on the sabbath days, nor there to procure themselves
+those sorts of food which they have been used to eat from the times of
+their forefathers;—I do therefore grant them a freedom from going into
+the army, as the former prefects have done, and permit them to use the
+customs of their forefathers, in assembling together for sacred and
+religious purposes, as their law requires, and for collecting oblations
+necessary for sacrifices; and my will is, that you write this to the
+several cities under your jurisdiction."
+
+13. And these were the concessions that Dolabella made to our nation
+when Hyrcanus sent an embassage to him. But Lucius the consul's decree
+ran thus: "I have at my tribunal set these Jews, who are citizens of
+Rome, and follow the Jewish religious rites, and yet live at Ephesus,
+free from going into the army, on account of the superstition they are
+under. This was done before the twelfth of the calends of October, when
+Lucius Lentulus and Caius Marcellus were consuls, in the presence of
+Titus Appius Balgus, the son of Titus, and lieutenant of the Horatian
+tribe; of Titus Tongins, the son of Titus, of the Crustumine tribe; of
+Quintus Resius, the son of Quintus; of Titus Pompeius Longinus, the son
+of Titus; of Catus Servilius, the son of Caius, of the Terentine tribe;
+of Bracchus the military tribune; of Publius Lucius Gallus, the son of
+Publius, of the Veturian tribe; of Caius Sentins, the son of Caius, of
+the Sabbatine tribe; of Titus Atilius Bulbus, the son of Titus,
+lieutenant and vice-praetor to the magistrates, senate, and people of
+the Ephesians, sendeth greeting. Lucius Lentulus the consul freed the
+Jews that are in Asia from going into the armies, at my intercession for
+them; and when I had made the same petition some time afterward to
+Phanius the imperator, and to Lucius Antonius the vice-quaestor, I
+obtained that privilege of them also; and my will is, that you take care
+that no one give them any disturbance."
+
+14. The decree of the Delians. "The answer of the praetors, when Beotus
+was archon, on the twentieth day of the month Thargeleon. While Marcus
+Piso the lieutenant lived in our city, who was also appointed over the
+choice of the soldiers, he called us, and many other of the citizens,
+and gave order, that if there be here any Jews who are Roman citizens,
+no one is to give them any disturbance about going into the army,
+because Cornelius Lentulus, the consul, freed the Jews from going into
+the army, on account of the superstition they are under;—you are
+therefore obliged to submit to the praetor." And the like decree was
+made by the Sardians about us also.
+
+15. "Caius Phanius, the son of Caius, imperator and consul, to the
+magistrates of Cos, sendeth greeting. I would have you know that the
+ambassadors of the Jews have been with me, and desired they might have
+those decrees which the senate had made about them; which decrees are
+here subjoined. My will is, that you have a regard to and take care of
+these men, according to the senate's decree, that they may be safely
+conveyed home through your country."
+
+16. The declaration of Lucius Lentulus the consul: "I have dismissed
+those Jews who are Roman citizens, and who appear to me to have their
+religious rites, and to observe the laws of the Jews at Ephesus, on
+account of the superstition they are under. This act was done before the
+thirteenth of the calends of October."
+
+17. "Lucius Antonius, the son of Marcus, vice-quaestor, and vice-
+praetor, to the magistrates, senate, and people of the Sardians, sendeth
+greeting. Those Jews that are our fellow citizens of Rome came to me,
+and demonstrated that they had an assembly of their own, according to
+the laws of their forefathers, and this from the beginning, as also a
+place of their own, wherein they determined their suits and
+controversies with one another. Upon their petition therefore to me,
+that these might be lawful for them, I gave order that these their
+privileges be preserved, and they be permitted to do accordingly."
+
+18. The declaration of Marcus Publius, the son of Spurius, and of
+Marcus, the son of Marcus, and of Lucius, the son of Publius: "We went
+to the proconsul, and informed him of what Dositheus, the son of
+Cleopatrida of Alexandria, desired, that, if he thought good, he would
+dismiss those Jews who were Roman citizens, and were wont to observe the
+rites of the Jewish religion, on account of the superstition they were
+under. Accordingly, he did dismiss them. This was done before the
+thirteenth of the calends of October."
+
+19. "In the month Quntius, when Lucius Lentulus and Caius Mercellus were
+consuls; and there were present Titus Appius Balbus, the son of Titus,
+lieutenant of the Horatian tribe, Titus Tongius of the Crustumine tribe,
+Quintus Resius, the son of Quintus, Titus Pompeius, the son of Titus,
+Cornelius Longinus, Caius Servilius Bracchus, the son of Caius, a
+military tribune, of the Terentine tribe, Publius Clusius Gallus, the
+son of Publius, of the Veturian tribe, Caius Teutius, the son of Caius,
+a milital tribune, of the EmilJan tribe, Sextus Atilius Serranus, the
+son of Sextus, of the Esquiline tribe, Caius Pompeius, the son of Caius,
+of the Sabbatine tribe, Titus Appius Menander, the son of Titus, Publius
+Servilius Strabo, the son of Publius, Lucius Paccius Capito, the son of
+Lucius, of the Colline tribe, Aulus Furius Tertius, the son of Aulus,
+and Appius Menus. In the presence of these it was that Lentulus
+pronounced this decree: I have before the tribunal dismissed those Jews
+that are Roman citizens, and are accustomed to observe the sacred rites
+of the Jews at Ephesus, on account of the superstition they are under."
+
+20. "The magistrates of the Laodiceans to Caius Rubilius, the son of
+Caius, the consul, sendeth greeting. Sopater, the ambassador of Hyrcanus
+the high priest, hath delivered us an epistle from thee, whereby he lets
+us know that certain ambassadors were come from Hyrcanus, the high
+priest of the Jews, and brought an epistle written concerning their
+nation, wherein they desire that the Jews may be allowed to observe
+their Sabbaths, and other sacred rites, according to the laws of their
+forefathers, and that they may be under no command, because they are our
+friends and confederates, and that nobody may injure them in our
+provinces. Now although the Trallians there present contradicted them,
+and were not pleased with these decrees, yet didst thou give order that
+they should be observed, and informedst us that thou hadst been desired
+to write this to us about them. We therefore, in obedience to the
+injunctions we have received from thee, have received the epistle which
+thou sentest us, and have laid it up by itself among our public records.
+And as to the other things about which thou didst send to us, we will
+take care that no complaint be made against us."
+
+21. "Publius Servilius, the son of Publius, of the Galban tribe, the
+proconsul, to the magistrates, senate, and people of the Milesians,
+sendeth greeting. Prytanes, the son of Hermes, a citizen of yours, came
+to me when I was at Tralles, and held a court there, and informed me
+that you used the Jews in a way different from my opinion, and forbade
+them to celebrate their Sabbaths, and to perform the Sacred rites
+received from their forefathers, and to manage the fruits of the land,
+according to their ancient custom; and that he had himself been the
+promulger of your decree, according as your laws require: I would
+therefore have you know, that upon hearing the pleadings on both sides,
+I gave sentence that the Jews should not be prohibited to make use of
+their own customs."
+
+22. The decree of those of Pergamus. "When Cratippus was prytanis, on
+the first day of the month Desius, the decree of the praetors was this:
+Since the Romans, following the conduct of their ancestors, undertake
+dangers for the common safety of all mankind, and are ambitious to
+settle their confederates and friends in happiness, and in firm peace,
+and since the nation of the Jews, and their high priest Hyrcanus, sent
+as ambassadors to them, Strato, the son of Theodatus, and Apollonius,
+the son of Alexander, and Eneas, the son of Antipater, and Aristobulus,
+the son of Amyntas, and Sosipater, the son of Philip, worthy and good
+men, who gave a particular account of their affairs, the senate
+thereupon made a decree about what they had desired of them, that
+Antiochus the king, the son of Antiochus, should do no injury to the
+Jews, the confederates of the Romans; and that the fortresses, and the
+havens, and the country, and whatsoever else he had taken from them,
+should be restored to them; and that it may be lawful for them to export
+their goods out of their own havens; and that no king nor people may
+have leave to export any goods, either out of the country of Judea, or
+out of their havens, without paying customs, but only Ptolemy, the king
+of Alexandria, because he is our confederate and friend; and that,
+according to their desire, the garrison that is in Joppa may be ejected.
+Now Lucius Pettius, one of our senators, a worthy and good man, gave
+order that we should take care that these things should be done
+according to the senate's decree; and that we should take care also that
+their ambassadors might return home in safety. Accordingly, we admitted
+Theodorus into our senate and assembly, and took the epistle out his
+hands, as well as the decree of the senate. And as he discoursed with
+great zeal about the Jews, and described Hyrcanus's virtue and
+generosity, and how he was a benefactor to all men in common, and
+particularly to every body that comes to him, we laid up the epistle in
+our public records; and made a decree ourselves, that since we also are
+in confederacy with the Romans, we would do every thing we could for the
+Jews, according to the senate's decree. Theodorus also, who brought the
+epistle, desired of our praetors, that they would send Hyrcanus a copy
+of that decree, as also ambassadors to signify to him the affection of
+our people to him, and to exhort them to preserve and augment their
+friendship for us, and be ready to bestow other benefits upon us, as
+justly expecting to receive proper requitals from us; and desiring them
+to remember that our ancestors 19 were friendly to the Jews even in the
+days of Abraham, who was the father of all the Hebrews, as we have
+[also] found it set down in our public records."
+
+23. The decree of those of Halicarnassus. "When Memnon, the son of
+Orestidas by descent, but by adoption of Euonymus, was priest, on the ——
+day of the month Aristerion, the decree of the people, upon the
+representation of Marcus Alexander, was this: Since we have ever a great
+regard to piety towards God, and to holiness; and since we aim to follow
+the people of the Romans, who are the benefactors of all men, and what
+they have written to us about a league of friendship and mutual
+assistance between the Jews and our city, and that their sacred offices
+and accustomed festivals and assemblies may be observed by them; we have
+decreed, that as many men and women of the Jews as are willing so to do,
+may celebrate their Sabbaths, and perform their holy offices, according
+to Jewish laws; and may make their proseuchae at the sea-side, according
+to the customs of their forefathers; and if any one, whether he be a
+magistrate or private person, hindereth them from so doing, he shall be
+liable to a fine, to be applied to the uses of the city."
+
+24. The decree of the Sardians. "This decree was made by the senate and
+people, upon the representation of the praetors: Whereas those Jews who
+are fellow citizens, and live with us in this city, have ever had great
+benefits heaped upon them by the people, and have come now into the
+senate, and desired of the people, that upon the restitution of their
+law and their liberty, by the senate and people of Rome, they may
+assemble together, according to their ancient legal custom, and that we
+will not bring any suit against them about it; and that a place may be
+given them where they may have their congregations, with their wives and
+children, and may offer, as did their forefathers, their prayers and
+sacrifices to God. Now the senate and people have decreed to permit them
+to assemble together on the days formerly appointed, and to act
+according to their own laws; and that such a place be set apart for them
+by the praetors, for the building and inhabiting the same, as they shall
+esteem fit for that purpose; and that those that take care of the
+provision for the city, shall take care that such sorts of food as they
+esteem fit for their eating may be imported into the city."
+
+25. The decree of the Ephesians. "When Menophilus was prytanis, on the
+first day of the month Artemisius, this decree was made by the people:
+Nicanor, the son of Euphemus, pronounced it, upon the representation of
+the praetors. Since the Jews that dwell in this city have petitioned
+Marcus Julius Pompeius, the son of Brutus, the proconsul, that they
+might be allowed to observe their Sabbaths, and to act in all things
+according to the customs of their forefathers, without impediment from
+any body, the praetor hath granted their petition. Accordingly, it was
+decreed by the senate and people, that in this affair that concerned the
+Romans, no one of them should be hindered from keeping the sabbath day,
+nor be fined for so doing, but that they may be allowed to do all things
+according to their own laws."
+
+26. Now there are many such decrees of the senate and imperators of the
+Romans 20 and those different from these before us, which have been made
+in favor of Hyrcanus, and of our nation; as also, there have been more
+decrees of the cities, and rescripts of the praetors, to such epistles
+as concerned our rights and privileges; and certainly such as are not
+ill-disposed to what we write may believe that they are all to this
+purpose, and that by the specimens which we have inserted; for since we
+have produced evident marks that may still be seen of the friendship we
+have had with the Romans, and demonstrated that those marks are engraven
+upon columns and tables of brass in the capitol, that axe still in
+being, and preserved to this day, we have omitted to set them all down,
+as needless and disagreeable; for I cannot suppose any one so perverse
+as not to believe the friendship we have had with the Romans, while they
+have demonstrated the same by such a great number of their decrees
+relating to us; nor will they doubt of our fidelity as to the rest of
+those decrees, since we have shown the same in those we have produced,
+And thus have we sufficiently explained that friendship and confederacy
+we at those times had with the Romans.
+
+
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER 11. How Marcus, Succeeded Sextus When He Had Been Slain By
+Bassus's Treachery; And How, After The Death Of Cæsar, Cassius Came Into
+Syria, And Distressed Judea; As Also How Malichus Slew Antipater And Was
+Himself Slain By Herod.
+
+1. Now it so fell out, that about this very time the affairs of Syria
+were in great disorder, and this on the occasion following: Cecilius
+Bassus, one of Pompey's party, laid a treacherous design against Sextus
+Cæsar, and slew him, and then took his army, and got the management of
+public affairs into his own hand; so there arose a great war about
+Apamia, while Cæsar's generals came against him with an army of horsemen
+and footmen; to these Antipater also sent succors, and his sons with
+them, as calling to mind the kindnesses they had received from Cæsar,
+and on that account he thought it but just to require punishment for
+him, and to take vengeance on the man that had murdered him. And as the
+war was drawn out into a great length, Marcus 21 came from Rome to take
+Sextus's government upon him. But Cæsar was slain by Cassius and Brutus
+in the senate-house, after he had retained the government three years
+and six months. This fact however, is related elsewhere.
+
+2. As the war that arose upon the death of Cæsar was now begun, and the
+principal men were all gone, some one way, and some another, to raise
+armies, Cassius came from Rome into Syria, in order to receive the [army
+that lay in the] camp at Apamia; and having raised the siege, he brought
+over both Bassus and Marcus to his party. He then went over the cities,
+and got together weapons and soldiers, and laid great taxes upon those
+cities; and he chiefly oppressed Judea, and exacted of it seven hundred
+talents: but Antipater, when he saw the state to be in so great
+consternation and disorder, he divided the collection of that sum, and
+appointed his two sons to gather it; and so that part of it was to be
+exacted by Malichus, who was ill- disposed to him, and part by others.
+And because Herod did exact what is required of him from Galilee before
+others, he was in the greatest favor with Cassius; for he thought it a
+part of prudence to cultivate a friendship with the Romans, and to gain
+their goodwill at the expense of others; whereas the curators of the
+other cities, with their citizens, were sold for slaves; and Cassius
+reduced four cities into a state of slavery, the two most potent of
+which were Gophna and Emmaus; and, besides these, Lydia and Thamna. Nay,
+Cassius was so very angry at Malichus, that he had killed him, [for he
+assaulted him,] had not Hyrcanus, by the means of Antipater, sent him a
+hundred talents of his own, and thereby pacified his anger against him.
+
+3. But after Cassius was gone out of Judea, Malichus laid snares for
+Antipater, as thinking that his death would-be the preservation of
+Hyrcanus's government; but his design was not unknown to Antipater,
+which when he perceived, he retired beyond Jordan, and got together an
+army, partly of Arabs, and partly of his own countrymen. However,
+Malichus, being one of great cunning, denied that he had laid any snares
+for him, and made his defense with an oath, both to himself and his
+sons; and said that while Phasaelus had a garrison in Jerusalem, and
+Herod had the weapons of war in his custody, he could never have a
+thought of any such thing. So Antipater, perceiving the distress that
+Malichus was in, was reconciled to him, and made an agreement with him:
+this was when Marcus was president of Syria; who yet perceiving that
+this Malichus was making a disturbance in Judea, proceeded so far that
+he had almost killed him; but still, at the intercession of Antipater,
+he saved him.
+
+4. However, Antipater little thought that by saving Malichus he had
+saved his own murderer; for now Cassius and Marcus had got together an
+army, and intrusted the entire care of it with Herod, and made him
+general of the forces of Celesyria, and gave him a fleet of ships, and
+an army of horsemen and footmen; and promised him, that after the war
+was over they would make him king of Judea; for a war was already begun
+between Antony and the younger Cæsar: but as Malichus was most afraid of
+Antipater, he took him out of the way; and by the offer of money,
+persuaded the butler of Hyrcanus, with whom they were both to feast, to
+kill him by poison. This being done, and he having armed men with him,
+settled the affairs of the city. But when Antipater's sons, Herod and
+Phasaelus, were acquainted with this conspiracy against their father,
+and had indignation at it, Malichus denied all, and utterly renounced
+any knowledge of the murder. And thus died Antipater, a man that had
+distinguished himself for piety and justice, and love to his country.
+And whereas one of his sons, Herod, resolved immediately to revenge
+their father's death, and was coming upon Malichus with an army for that
+purpose, the elder of his sons, Phasaelus, thought it best rather to get
+this man into their hands by policy, lest they should appear to begin a
+civil war in the country; so he accepted of Malichus's defense for
+himself, and pretended to believe him that he had had no hand in the
+violent death of Antipater his father, but erected a fine monument for
+him. Herod also went to Samaria; and when he found them in great
+distress, he revived their spirits, and composed their differences.
+
+5. However, a little after this, Herod, upon the approach of a festival,
+came with his soldiers into the city; whereupon Malichus was affrighted,
+and persuaded Hyrcanus not to permit him to come into the city. Hyrcanus
+complied; and, for a pretense of excluding him, alleged, that a rout of
+strangers ought not to be admitted when the multitude were purifying
+themselves. But Herod had little regard to the messengers that were sent
+to him, and entered the city in the night time, and affrighted Malichus;
+yet did he remit nothing of his former dissimulation, but wept for
+Antipater, and bewailed him as a friend of his with a loud voice; but
+Herod and his friends though, it proper not openly to contradict
+Malichus's hypocrisy, but to give him tokens of mutual friendship, in
+order to prevent his suspicion of them.
+
+6. However, Herod sent to Cassius, and informed him of the murder of his
+father; who knowing what sort of man Malichus was as to his morals, sent
+him back word that he should revenge his father's death; and also sent
+privately to the commanders of his army at Tyre, with orders to assist
+Herod in the execution of a very just design of his. Now when Cassius
+had taken Laodicea, they all went together to him, and carried him
+garlands and money; and Herod thought that Malichus might be punished
+while he was there; but he was somewhat apprehensive of the thing, and
+designed to make some great attempt, and because his son was then a
+hostage at Tyre, he went to that city, and resolved to steal him away
+privately, and to march thence into Judea; and as Cassius was in haste
+to march against Antony, he thought to bring the country to revolt, and
+to procure the government for himself. But Providence opposed his
+counsels; and Herod being a shrewd man, and perceiving what his
+intention was, he sent thither beforehand a servant, in appearance
+indeed to get a supper ready, for he had said before that he would feast
+them all there, but in reality to the commanders of the army, whom he
+persuaded to go out against Malichus, with their daggers. So they went
+out and met the man near the city, upon the sea-shore, and there stabbed
+him. Whereupon Hyrcanus was so astonished at what had happened, that his
+speech failed him; and when, after some difficulty, he had recovered
+himself, he asked Herod what the matter could be, and who it was that
+slew Malichus; and when he said that it was done by the command of
+Cassius, he commended the action; for that Malichus was a very wicked
+man, and one that conspired against his own country. And this was the
+punishment that was inflicted on Malichus for what he wickedly did to
+Antipater.
+
+7. But when Cassius was marched out of Syria, disturbances arose in
+Judea; for Felix, who was left at Jerusalem with an army, made a sudden
+attempt against Phasaelus, and the people themselves rose in arms; but
+Herod went to Fabius, the prefect of Damascus, and was desirous to run
+to his brother's assistance, but was hindered by a distemper that seized
+upon him, till Phasaelus by himself had been too hard for Felix, and had
+shut him up in the tower, and there, on certain conditions, dismissed
+him. Phasaelus also complained of Hyrcanus, that although he had
+received a great many benefits from them, yet did he support their
+enemies; for Malichus's brother had made many places to revolt, and kept
+garrisons in them, and particularly Masada, the strongest fortress of
+them all. In the mean time, Herod was recovered of his disease, and came
+and took from Felix all the places he had gotten; and, upon certain
+conditions, dismissed him also.
+
+
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER 12. Herod Ejects Antigonus, The Son Of Aristobulus Out Of Judea,
+And Gains The Friendship Of Antony, Who Was Now Come Into Syria, By
+Sending Him Much Money; On Which Account He Would Not Admit Of Those
+That Would Have Accused Herod: And What It Was That Antony Wrote To The
+Tyrians In Behalf.
+
+1. Now 22 Ptolemy, the son of Menneus, brought back into Judea
+Antigonus, the son of Aristobulus, who had already raised an army, and
+had, by money, made Fabius to be his friend, add this because he was of
+kin to him. Marion also gave him assistance. He had been left by Cassius
+to tyrannize over Tyre; for this Cassius was a man that seized on Syria,
+and then kept it under, in the way of a tyrant. Marion also marched into
+Galilee, which lay in his neighborhood, and took three of his
+fortresses, and put garrisons into them to keep them. But when Herod
+came, he took all from him; but the Tyrian garrison he dismissed in a
+very civil manner; nay, to some of the soldiers he made presents out of
+the good-will he bare to that city. When he had despatched these
+affairs, and was gone to meet Antigonus, he joined battle with him, and
+beat him, and drove him out of Judea presently, when he was just come
+into its borders. But when he was come to Jerusalem, Hyrcanus and the
+people put garlands about his head; for he had already contracted an
+affinity with the family of Hyrcanus by having espoused a descendant of
+his, and for that reason Herod took the greater care of him, as being to
+marry the daughter of Alexander, the son of Aristobulus, add the
+granddaughter of Hyrcanus, by which wife he became the father of three
+male and two female children. He had also married before this another
+wife, out of a lower family of his own nation, whose name was Doris, by
+whom he had his eldest son Antipater.
+
+2. Now Antonius and Cæsar had beaten Cassius near Philippi, as others
+have related; but after the victory, Cæsar went into Gaul, [Italy,] and
+Antony marched for Asia, who, when he was arrived at Bithynia, he had
+ambassadors that met him from all parts. The principal men also of the
+Jews came thither, to accuse Phasaelus and Herod; and they said that
+Hyrcanus had indeed the appearance of reigning, but that these men had
+all the power: but Antony paid great respect to Herod, who was come to
+him to make his defense against his accusers, on which account his
+adversaries could not so much as obtain a hearing; which favor Herod had
+gained of Antony by money. But still, when Antony was come to Ephesus,
+Hyrcanus the high priest, and our nation, sent an embassage to him,
+which carried a crown of gold with them, and desired that he would write
+to the governors of the provinces, to set those Jews free who had been
+carried captive by Cassius, and this without their having fought against
+him, and to restore them that country, which, in the days of Cassius,
+had been taken from them. Antony thought the Jews' desires were just,
+and wrote immediately to Hyrcanus, and to the Jews. He also sent, at the
+same time, a decree to the Tyrians; the contents of which were to the
+same purpose.
+
+3. "Marcus Antonius, imperator, to Hyrcanus the high priest and ethnarch
+of the Jews, sendeth greeting. It you be in health, it is well; I am
+also in health, with the army. Lysimachus, the son of Pausanias, and
+Josephus, the son of Menneus, and Alexander, the son of Theodorus, your
+ambassadors, met me at Ephesus, and have renewed the embassage which
+they had formerly been upon at Rome, and have diligently acquitted
+themselves of the present embassage, which thou and thy nation have
+intrusted to them, and have fully declared the goodwill thou hast for
+us. I am therefore satisfied, both by your actions and your words, that
+you are well-disposed to us; and I understand that your conduct of life
+is constant and religious: so I reckon upon you as our own. But when
+those that were adversaries to you, and to the Roman people, abstained
+neither from cities nor temples, and did not observe the agreement they
+had confirmed by oath, it was not only on account of our contest with
+them, but on account of all mankind in common, that we have taken
+vengeance on those who have been the authors of great injustice towards
+men, and of great wickedness towards the gods; for the sake of which we
+suppose it was that the sun turned away his light from us, 23 as
+unwilling to view the horrid crime they were guilty of in the case of
+Cæsar. We have also overcome their conspiracies, which threatened the
+gods themselves, which Macedonia received, as it is a climate peculiarly
+proper for impious and insolent attempts; and we have overcome that
+confused rout of men, half mad with spite against us, which they got
+together at Philippi in Macedonia, when they seized on the places that
+were proper for their purpose, and, as it were, walled them round with
+mountains to the very sea, and where the passage was open only through a
+single gate. This victory we gained, because the gods had condemned
+those men for their wicked enterprises. Now Brutus, when he had fled as
+far as Philippi, was shut up by us, and became a partaker of the same
+perdition with Cassius; and now these have received their punishment, we
+suppose that we may enjoy peace for the time to come, and that Asia may
+be at rest from war. We therefore make that peace which God hath given
+us common to our confederates also, insomuch that the body of Asia is
+now recovered out of that distemper it was under by the means of our
+victory. I, therefore, bearing in mind both thee and your nation, shall
+take care of what may be for your advantage. I have also sent epistles
+in writing to the several cities, that if any persons, whether free-men
+or bond-men, have been sold under the spear by Caius Cassius, or his
+subordinate officers, they may be set free. And I will that you kindly
+make use of the favors which I and Dolabella have granted you. I also
+forbid the Tyrians to use any violence with you; and for what places of
+the Jews they now possess, I order them to restore them. I have withal
+accepted of the crown which thou sentest me."
+
+4. "Marcus Antonius, imperator, to the magistrates, senate, and people
+of Tyre, sendeth greeting. The ambassadors of Hyrcanus, the high priest
+and ethnarch [of the Jews], appeared before me at Ephesus, and told me
+that you are in possession of part of their country, which you entered
+upon under the government of our adversaries. Since, therefore, we have
+undertaken a war for the obtaining the government, and have taken care
+to do what was agreeable to piety and justice, and have brought to
+punishment those that had neither any remembrance of the kindnesses they
+had received, nor have kept their oaths, I will that you be at peace
+with those that are our confederates; as also, that what you have taken
+by the means of our adversaries shall not be reckoned your own, but be
+returned to those from whom you took them; for none of them took their
+provinces or their armies by the gift of the senate, but they seized
+them by force, and bestowed them by violence upon such as became useful
+to them in their unjust proceedings. Since, therefore, those men have
+received the punishment due to them, we desire that our confederates may
+retain whatsoever it was that they formerly possessed without
+disturbance, and that you restore all the places which belong to
+Hyrcanus, the ethnarch of the Jews, which you have had, though it were
+but one day before Caius Cassius began an unjustifiable war against us,
+and entered into our province; nor do you use any force against him, in
+order to weaken him, that he may not be able to dispose of that which is
+his own; but if you have any contest with him about your respective
+rights, it shall be lawful for you to plead your cause when we come upon
+the places concerned, for we shall alike preserve the rights and hear
+all the causes of our confederates."
+
+5. "Marcus Antonius, imperator, to the magistrates, senate, and people
+of Tyre, sendeth greeting. I have sent you my decree, of which I will
+that ye take care that it be engraven on the public tables, in Roman and
+Greek letters, and that it stand engraven in the most illustrious
+places, that it may be read by all. Marcus Antonius, imperator, one of
+the triumvirate over the public affairs, made this declaration: Since
+Caius Cassius, in this revolt he hath made, hath pillaged that province
+which belonged not to him, and was held by garrisons there encamped,
+while they were our confederates, and hath spoiled that nation of the
+Jews that was in friendship with the Roman people, as in war; and since
+we have overcome his madness by arms, we now correct by our decrees and
+judicial determinations what he hath laid waste, that those things may
+be restored to our confederates. And as for what hath been sold of the
+Jewish possessions, whether they be bodies or possessions, let them be
+released; the bodies into that state of freedom they were originally in,
+and the possessions to their former owners. I also will that he who
+shall not comply with this decree of mine shall be punished for his
+disobedience; and if such a one be caught, I will take care that the
+offenders suffer condign punishment."
+
+6. The same thing did Antony write to the Sidonians, and the
+Antiochians, and the Aradians. We have produced these decrees,
+therefore, as marks for futurity of the truth of what we have said, that
+the Romans had a great concern about our nation.
+
+
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER 13. How Antony Made Herod And Phasaelus Tetrarchs, After They
+Had Been Accused To No Purpose; And How The Parthians When They Brought
+Antigonus Into Judea Took Hyrcanus And Phasaelus Captives. Herod's
+Flight; And What Afflictions Hyrcanus And Phasaelus Endured.
+
+1. When after this Antony came into Syria, Cleopatra met him in Cilicia,
+and brought him to fall in love with her. And there came now also a
+hundred of the most potent of the Jews to accuse Herod and those about
+him, and set the men of the greatest eloquence among them to speak. But
+Messala contradicted them, on behalf of the young men, and all this in
+the presence of Hyrcanus, who was Herod's father-in-law 24 already. When
+Antony had heard both sides at Daphne, he asked Hyrcanus who they were
+that governed the nation best. He replied, Herod and his friends.
+Hereupon Antony, by reason of the old hospitable friendship he had made
+with his father [Antipater], at that time when he was with Gabinius, he
+made both Herod and Phasaelus tetrarchs, and committed the public
+affairs of the Jews to them, and wrote letters to that purpose. He also
+bound fifteen of their adversaries, and was going to kill them, but that
+Herod obtained their pardon.
+
+2. Yet did not these men continue quiet when they were come back, but a
+thousand of the Jews came to Tyre to meet him there, whither the report
+was that he would come. But Antony was corrupted by the money which
+Herod and his brother had given him; and so he gave order to the
+governor of the place to punish the Jewish ambassadors, who were for
+making innovations, and to settle the government upon Herod; but Herod
+went out hastily to them, and Hyrcanus was with him, [for they stood
+upon the shore before the city,] and he charged them to go their ways,
+because great mischief would befall them if they went on with their
+accusation. But they did not acquiesce; whereupon the Romans ran upon
+them with their daggers, and slew some, and wounded more of them, and
+the rest fled away and went home, and lay still in great consternation.
+And when the people made a clamor against Herod, Antony was so provoked
+at it, that he slew the prisoners.
+
+3. Now, in the second year, Pacorus, the king of Parthia's son, and
+Barzapharnes, a commander of the Parthians, possessed themselves of
+Syria. Ptolemy, the son of Menneus, also was now dead, and Lysanias his
+son took his government, and made a league of friendship with Antigonus,
+the son of Aristobulus; and in order to obtain it, made use of that
+commander, who had great interest in him. Now Antigonus had promised to
+give the Parthians a thousand talents, and five hundred women, upon
+condition they would take the government away from Hyrcanus, and bestow
+it upon him, and withal kill Herod. And although he did not give them
+what he had promised, yet did the Parthians make an expedition into
+Judea on that account, and carried Antigonus with them. Pacorus went
+along the maritime parts, but the commander Barzapharnes through the
+midland. Now the Tyrians excluded Pacorus, but the Sidonians and those
+of Ptolemais received him. However, Pacorus sent a troop of horsemen
+into Judea, to take a view of the state of the country, and to assist
+Antigonus; and sent also the king's butler, of the same name with
+himself. So when the Jews that dwelt about Mount Carmel came to
+Antigonus, and were ready to march with him into Judea, Antigonus hoped
+to get some part of the country by their assistance. The place is called
+Drymi; and when some others came and met them, the men privately fell
+upon Jerusalem; and when some more were come to them, they got together
+in great numbers, and came against the king's palace, and besieged it.
+But as Phasaelus's and Herod's party came to the other's assistance, and
+a battle happened between them in the market-place, the young men beat
+their enemies, and pursued them into the temple, and sent some armed men
+into the adjoining houses to keep them in, who yet being destitute of
+such as should support them, were burnt, and the houses with them, by
+the people who rose up against them. But Herod was revenged on these
+seditious adversaries of his a little afterward for this injury they had
+offered him, when he fought with them, and slew a great number of them.
+
+4. But while there were daily skirmishes, the enemy waited for the
+coming of the multitude out of the country to Pentecost, a feast of ours
+so called; and when that day was come, many ten thousands of the people
+were gathered together about the temple, some in armor, and some
+without. Now those that came guarded both the temple and the city,
+excepting what belonged to the palace, which Herod guarded with a few of
+his soldiers; and Phasaelus had the charge of the wall, while Herod,
+with a body of his men, sallied out upon the enemy, who lay in the
+suburbs, and fought courageously, and put many ten thousands to flight,
+some flying into the city, and some into the temple, and some into the
+outer fortifications, for some such fortifications there were in that
+place. Phasaelus came also to his assistance; yet was Pacorus, the
+general of the Parthians, at the desire of Antigonus, admitted into the
+city, with a few of his horsemen, under pretence indeed as if he would
+still the sedition, but in reality to assist Antigonus in obtaining the
+government. And when Phasaelus met him, and received him kindly, Pacorus
+persuaded him to go himself as ambassador to Barzapharnes, which was
+done fraudulently. Accordingly, Phasaelus, suspecting no harm, complied
+with his proposal, while Herod did not give his consent to what was
+done, because of the perfidiousness of these barbarians, but desired
+Phasaelus rather to fight those that were come into the city.
+
+5. So both Hyrcanus and Phasaelus went on the embassage; but Pacorus
+left with Herod two hundred horsemen, and ten men, who were called the
+freemen, and conducted the others on their journey; and when they were
+in Galilee, the governors of the cities there met them in their arms.
+Barzapharnes also received them at the first with cheerfulness, and made
+them presents, though he afterward conspired against them; and
+Phasaelus, with his horsemen, were conducted to the sea-side. But when
+they heard that Antigonus had promised to give the Parthians a thousand
+talents, and five hundred women, to assist him against them, they soon
+had a suspicion of the barbarians. Moreover, there was one who informed
+them that snares were laid for them by night, while a guard came about
+them secretly; and they had then been seized upon, had not they waited
+for the seizure of Herod by the Parthians that were about Jerusalem,
+lest, upon the slaughter of Hyrcanus and Phasaelus, he should have an
+intimation of it, and escape out of their hands. And these were the
+circumstances they were now in; and they saw who they were that guarded
+them. Some persons indeed would have persuaded Phasaelus to fly away
+immediately on horseback, and not stay any longer; and there was one
+Ophellius, who, above all the rest, was earnest with him to do so; for
+he had heard of this treachery from Saramalla, the richest of all the
+Syrians at that time, who also promised to provide him ships to carry
+him off; for the sea was just by them. But he had no mind to desert
+Hyrcanus, nor bring his brother into danger; but he went to
+Barzapharnes, and told him he did not act justly when he made such a
+contrivance against them; for that if he wanted money, he would give him
+more than Antigonus; and besides, that it was a horrible thing to slay
+those that came to him upon the security of their oaths, and that when
+they had done them no injury. But the barbarian swore to him that there
+was no truth in any of his suspicions, but that he was troubled with
+nothing but false proposals, and then went away to Pacorus.
+
+6. But as soon as he was gone away, some men came and bound Hyrcanus and
+Phasaelus, while Phasaelus greatly reproached the Parthians for their
+perjury; However, that butler who was sent against Herod had it in
+command to get him without the walls of the city, and seize upon him;
+but messengers had been sent by Phasaelus to inform Herod of the
+perfidiousness of the Parthians. And when he knew that the enemy had
+seized upon them, he went to Pacorus, and to the most potent of the
+Parthians, as to the lord of the rest, who, although they knew the whole
+matter, dissembled with him in a deceitful way; and said that he ought
+to go out with them before the walls, and meet those which were bringing
+him his letters, for that they were not taken by his adversaries, but
+were coming to give him an account of the good success Phasaelus had
+had. Herod did not give credit to what they said; for he had heard that
+his brother was seized upon by others also; and the daughter of
+Hyrcanus, whose daughter he had espoused, was his monitor also [not to
+credit them], which made him still more suspicious of the Parthians; for
+although other people did not give heed to her, yet did he believe her
+as a woman of very great wisdom.
+
+7. Now while the Parthians were in consultation what was fit to be done;
+for they did not think it proper to make an open attempt upon a person
+of his character; and while they put off the determination to the next
+day, Herod was under great disturbance of mind, and rather inclining to
+believe the reports he heard about his brother and the Parthians, than
+to give heed to what was said on the other side, he determined, that
+when the evening came on, he would make use of it for his flight, and
+not make any longer delay, as if the dangers from the enemy were not yet
+certain. He therefore removed with the armed men whom he had with him;
+and set his wives upon the beasts, as also his mother, and sister, and
+her whom he was about to marry, [Mariamne,] the daughter of Alexander,
+the son of Aristobulus, with her mother, the daughter of Hyrcanus, and
+his youngest brother, and all their servants, and the rest of the
+multitude that was with him, and without the enemy's privity pursued his
+way to Idumea. Nor could any enemy of his who then saw him in this case
+be so hardhearted, but would have commiserated his fortune, while the
+women drew along their infant children and left their own country, and
+their friends in prison, with tears in their eyes, and sad lamentations,
+and in expectation of nothing but what was of a melancholy nature.
+
+8. But for Herod himself, he raised his mind above the miserable state
+he was in, and was of good courage in the midst of his misfortunes; and
+as he passed along, he bid them every one to be of good cheer, and not
+to give themselves up to sorrow, because that would hinder them in their
+flight, which was now the only hope of safety that they had.
+Accordingly, they tried to bear with patience the calamity they were
+under, as he exhorted them to do; yet was he once almost going to kill
+himself, upon the overthrow of a waggon, and the danger his mother was
+then in of being killed; and this on two accounts, because of his great
+concern for her, and because he was afraid lest, by this delay, the
+enemy should overtake him in the pursuit: but as he was drawing his
+sword, and going to kill himself therewith, those that were present
+restrained him, and being so many in number, were too hard for him; and
+told him that he ought not to desert them, and leave them a prey to
+their enemies, for that it was not the part of a brave man to free
+himself from the distresses he was in, and to overlook his friends that
+were in the same distresses also. So he was compelled to let that horrid
+attempt alone, partly out of shame at what they said to him, and partly
+out of regard to the great number of those that would not permit him to
+do what he intended. So he encouraged his mother, and took all the care
+of her the time would allow, and proceeded on the way he proposed to go
+with the utmost haste, and that was to the fortress of Masada. And as he
+had many skirmishes with such of the Parthians as attacked him and
+pursued him, he was conqueror in them all.
+
+9. Nor indeed was he free from the Jews all along as he was in his
+flight; for by that time he was gotten sixty furlongs out of the city,
+and was upon the road, they fell upon him, and fought hand to hand with
+him, whom he also put to flight, and overcame, not like one that was in
+distress and in necessity, but like one that was excellently prepared
+for war, and had what he wanted in great plenty. And in this very place
+where he overcame the Jews it was that he some time afterward build a
+most excellent palace, and a city round about it, and called it
+Herodium. And when he was come to Idumea, at a place called Thressa, his
+brother Joseph met him, and he then held a council to take advice about
+all his affairs, and what was fit to be done in his circumstances, since
+he had a great multitude that followed him, besides his mercenary
+soldiers, and the place Masada, whither he proposed to fly, was too
+small to contain so great a multitude; so he sent away the greater part
+of his company, being above nine thousand, and bid them go, some one
+way, and some another, and so save themselves in Idumea, and gave them
+what would buy them provisions in their journey. But he took with him
+those that were the least encumbered, and were most intimate with him,
+and came to the fortress, and placed there his wives and his followers,
+being eight hundred in number, there being in the place a sufficient
+quantity of corn and water, and other necessaries, and went directly for
+Petra, in Arabia. But when it was day, the Parthians plundered all
+Jerusalem, and the palace, and abstained from nothing but Hyrcanus's
+money, which was three hundred talents. A great deal of Herod's money
+escaped, and principally all that the man had been so provident as to
+send into Idumea beforehand; nor indeed did what was in the city suffice
+the Parthians, but they went out into the country, and plundered it, and
+demolished the city Marissa.
+
+10. And thus was Antigonus brought back into Judea by the king of the
+Parthians, and received Hyrcanus and Phasaelus for his prisoners; but he
+was greatly cast down because the women had escaped, whom he intended to
+have given the enemy, as having promised they should have them, with the
+money, for their reward: but being afraid that Hyrcanus, who was under
+the guard of the Parthians, might have his kingdom restored to him by
+the multitude, he cut off his ears, and thereby took care that the high
+priesthood should never come to him any more, because he was maimed,
+while the law required that this dignity should belong to none but such
+as had all their members entire 25 But now one cannot but here admire
+the fortitude of Phasaelus, who, perceiving that he was to be put to
+death, did not think death any terrible thing at all; but to die thus by
+the means of his enemy, this he thought a most pitiable and dishonorable
+thing; and therefore, since he had not his hands at liberty, but the
+bonds he was in prevented him from killing himself thereby, he dashed
+his head against a great stone, and thereby took away his own life,
+which he thought to be the best thing he could do in such a distress as
+he was in, and thereby put it out of the power of the enemy to bring him
+to any death he pleased. It is also reported, that when he had made a
+great wound in his head, Antigonus sent physicians to cure it, and, by
+ordering them to infuse poison into the wound, killed him. However,
+Phasaelus hearing, before he was quite dead, by a certain woman, that
+his brother Herod had escaped the enemy, underwent his death cheerfully,
+since he now left behind him one who would revenge his death, and who
+was able to inflict punishment on his enemies.
+
+
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER 14. How Herod Got Away From The King Of Arabia And Made Haste To
+Go Into Egypt And Thence Went Away In Haste Also To Rome; And How, By
+Promising A Great Deal Of Money To Antony He Obtained Of The Senate And
+Of Cæsar To Be Made King Of The Jews.
+
+1. As for Herod, the great miseries he was in did not discourage him,
+but made him sharp in discovering surprising undertakings; for he went
+to Malchus, king of Arabia, whom he had formerly been very kind to, in
+order to receive somewhat by way of requital, now he was in more than
+ordinary want of it, and desired he would let him have some money,
+either by way of loan, or as his free gift, on account of the many
+benefits he had received from him; for not knowing what was become of
+his brother, he was in haste to redeem him out of the hand of his
+enemies, as willing to give three hundred talents for the price of his
+redemption. He also took with him the son of Phasaelus, who was a child
+of but seven years of age, for this very reason, that he might be a
+hostage for the repayment of the money. But there came messengers from
+Malchus to meet him, by whom he was desired to be gone, for that the
+Parthians had laid a charge upon him not to entertain Herod. This was
+only a pretense which he made use of, that he might not be obliged to
+repay him what he owed him; and this he was further induced to by the
+principal men among the Arabians, that they might cheat him of what sums
+they had received from [his father] Antipater, and which he had
+committed to their fidelity. He made answer, that he did not intend to
+be troublesome to them by his coning thither, but that he desired only
+to discourse with them about certain affairs that were to him of the
+greatest importance.
+
+2. Hereupon he resolved to go away, and did go very prudently the road
+to Egypt; and then it was that he lodged in a certain temple; for he had
+left a great many of his followers there. On the next day he came to
+Rhinocolura, and there it was that he heard what was befallen his
+brother. Though Malehus soon repented of what he had done, and came
+running after Herod; but with no manner of success, for he was gotten a
+very great way off, and made haste into the road to Pelusium; and when
+the stationary ships that lay there hindered him from sailing to
+Alexandria, he went to their captains, by whose assistance, and that out
+of much reverence of and great regard to him, he was conducted into the
+city [Alexandria], and was retained there by Cleopatra; yet was she not
+able to prevail with him to stay there, because he was making haste to
+Rome, even though the weather was stormy, and he was informed that the
+affairs of Italy were very tumultuous, and in great disorder.
+
+3. So he set sail from thence to Pamphylia, and falling into a violent
+storm, he had much ado to escape to Rhodes, with the loss of the ship's
+burden; and there it was that two of his friends, Sappinas and
+Ptolemeus, met with him; and as he found that city very much damaged in
+the war against Cassius, though he were in necessity himself, he
+neglected not to do it a kindness, but did what he could to recover it
+to its former state. He also built there a three-decked ship, and set
+sail thence, with his friends, for Italy, and came to the port of
+Brundusium; and when he was come from thence to Rome, he first related
+to Antony what had befallen him in Judea, and how Phasaelus his brother
+was seized on by the Parthians, and put to death by them, and how
+Hyrcanus was detained captive by them, and how they had made Antigonus
+king, who had promised them a sum of money, no less than a thousand
+talents, with five hundred women, who were to be of the principal
+families, and of the Jewish stock; and that he had carried off the women
+by night; and that, by undergoing a great many hardships, he had escaped
+the hands of his enemies; as also, that his own relations were in danger
+of being besieged and taken, and that he had sailed through a storm, and
+contemned all these terrible dangers of it, in order to come, as soon as
+possible, to him, who was his hope and only succor at this time.
+
+4. This account made Antony commiserate the change that had happened in
+Herod's condition; 26 and reasoning with himself that this was a common
+case among those that are placed in such great dignities, and that they
+are liable to the mutations that come from fortune, he was very ready to
+give him the assistance he desired, and this because he called to mind
+the friendship he had had with Antipater because Herod offered him money
+to make him king, as he had formerly given it him to make him tetrarch,
+and chiefly because of his hatred to Antigonus; for he took him to be a
+seditious person, and an enemy to the Romans. Cæsar was also the
+forwarder to raise Herod's dignity, and to give him his assistance in
+what he desired, on account of the toils of war which he had himself
+undergone with Antipater his father in Egypt, and of the hospitality he
+had treated him withal, and the kindness he had always showed him, as
+also to gratify Antony, who was very zealous for Herod. So a senate was
+convocated; and Messala first, and then Atratinus, introduced Herod into
+it, and enlarged upon the benefits they had received from his father,
+and put them in mind of the good-will he had borne to the Romans. At the
+same time, they accused Antigonus, and declared him an enemy, not only
+because of his former opposition to them, but that he had now overlooked
+the Romans, and taken the government from the Parthians. Upon this the
+senate was irritated; and Antony informed them further, that it was for
+their advantage in the Parthian war that Herod should be king. This
+seemed good to all the senators; and so they made a decree accordingly.
+
+5. And this was the principal instance of Antony's affection for Herod,
+that he not only procured him a kingdom which he did not expect, [for he
+did not come with an intention to ask the kingdom for himself, which he
+did not suppose the Romans would grant him, who used to bestow it on
+some of the royal family, but intended to desire it for his wife's
+brother, who was grandson by his father to Aristobulus, and to Hyrcanus
+by his mother,] but that he procured it for him so suddenly, that he
+obtained what he did not expect, and departed out of Italy in so few
+days as seven in all. This young man [the grandson] Herod afterward took
+care to have slain, as we shall show in its proper place. But when the
+senate was dissolved, Antony and Cæsar went out of the senate house with
+Herod between them, and with the consuls and other magistrates before
+them, in order to offer sacrifices, and to lay up their decrees in the
+capitol. Antony also feasted Herod the first day of his reign. And thus
+did this man receive the kingdom, having obtained it on the hundred and
+eighty-fourth olympiad, when Caius Domitius Calvinus was consul the
+second time, and Caius Asinius Pollio [the first time].
+
+6. All this while Antigonus besieged those that were in Masada, who had
+plenty of all other necessaries, but were only in want of water 27
+insomuch that on this occasion Joseph, Herod's brother, was contriving
+to run away from it, with two hundred of his dependents, to the
+Arabians; for he had heard that Malchus repented of the offenses he had
+been guilty of with regard to Herod; but God, by sending rain in the
+night time, prevented his going away, for their cisterns were thereby
+filled, and he was under no necessity of running away on that account;
+but they were now of good courage, and the more so, because the sending
+that plenty of water which they had been in want of seemed a mark of
+Divine Providence; so they made a sally, and fought hand to hand with
+Antigonus's soldiers, [with some openly, with some privately,] and
+destroyed a great number of them. At the same time Ventidius, the
+general of the Romans, was sent out of Syria, to drive the Parthians out
+of it, and marched after them into Judea, in pretense indeed to succor
+Joseph; but in reality the whole affair was no more than a stratagem, in
+order to get money of Antigonus; so they pitched their camp very near to
+Jerusalem, and stripped Antigonus of a great deal of money, and then he
+retired himself with the greater part of the army; but, that the
+wickedness he had been guilty of might be found out, he left Silo there,
+with a certain part of his soldiers, with whom also Antigonus cultivated
+an acquaintance, that he might cause him no disturbance, and was still
+in hopes that the Parthians would come again and defend him.
+
+
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER 15. How Herod Sailed Out Of Italy To Judea, And Fought With
+Antigonus And What Other Things Happened In Judea About That Time.
+
+1. By this time Herod had sailed out of Italy to Ptolemais, and had
+gotten together no small army, both of strangers and of his own
+countrymen, and marched through Galilee against Antignus. Silo also, and
+Ventidius, came and assisted him, being persuaded by Dellius, who was
+sent by Antony to assist in bringing back Herod. Now for Ventidius, he
+was employed in composing the disturbances that had been made in the
+cities by the means of the Parthians; and for Silo, he was in Judea
+indeed, but corrupted by Antigonus. However, as Herod went along his
+army increased every day, and all Galilee, with some small exception,
+joined him; but as he was to those that were in Masada, [for he was
+obliged to endeavor to save those that were in that fortress now they
+were besieged, because they were his relations,] Joppa was a hinderance
+to him, for it was necessary for him to take that place first, it being
+a city at variance with him, that no strong hold might be left in his
+enemies' hands behind him when he should go to Jerusalem. And when Silo
+made this a pretense for rising up from Jerusalem, and was thereupon
+pursued by the Jews, Herod fell upon them with a small body of men, and
+both put the Jews to flight and saved Silo, when he was very poorly able
+to defend himself; but when Herod had taken Joppa, he made haste to set
+free those of his family that were in Masada. Now of the people of the
+country, some joined him because of the friendship they had had with his
+father, and some because of the splendid appearance he made, and others
+by way of requital for the benefits they had received from both of them;
+but the greatest number came to him in hopes of getting somewhat from
+him afterward, if he were once firmly settled in the kingdom.
+
+2. Herod had now a strong army; and as he marched on, Antigonus laid
+snares and ambushes in the passes and places most proper for them; but
+in truth he thereby did little or no damage to the enemy. So Herod
+received those of his family out of Masada, and the fortress Ressa, and
+then went on for Jerusalem. The soldiery also that was with Silo
+accompanied him all along, as did many of the citizens, being afraid of
+his power; and as soon as he had pitched his camp on the west side of
+the city, the soldiers that were set to guard that part shot their
+arrows and threw their darts at him; and when some sallied out in a
+crowd, and came to fight hand to hand with the first ranks of Herod's
+army, he gave orders that they should, in the first place, make
+proclamation about the wall, that he came for the good of the people,
+and for the preservation of the city, and not to bear any old grudge at
+even his most open enemies, but ready to forget the offenses which his
+greatest adversaries had done him. But Antigonus, by way of reply to
+what Herod had caused to be proclaimed, and this before the Romans, and
+before Silo also, said that they would not do justly, if they gave the
+kingdom to Herod, who was no more than a private man, and an Idumean,
+i.e. a half Jew, 28 whereas they ought to bestow it on one of the royal
+family, as their custom was; for that in case they at present bear an
+ill-will to him, and had resolved to deprive him of the kingdom, as
+having received it from the Parthians, yet were there many others of his
+family that might by their law take it, and these such as had no way
+offended the Romans; and being of the sacerdotal family, it would be an
+unworthy thing to put them by. Now while they said thus one to another,
+and fell to reproaching one another on both sides, Antigonus permitted
+his own men that were upon the wall to defend themselves, who using
+their bows, and showing great alacrity against their enemies, easily
+drove them away from the towers.
+
+3. And now it was that Silo discovered that he had taken bribes; for he
+set a good number of his soldiers to complain aloud of the want of
+provisions they were in, and to require money to buy them food; and that
+it was fit to let them go into places proper for winter quarters, since
+the places near the city were a desert, by reason that Antigonus's
+soldiers had carried all away; so he set the army upon removing, and
+endeavored to march away; but Herod pressed Silo not to depart, and
+exhorted Silo's captains and soldiers not to desert him, when Cæsar, and
+Antony, and the senate had sent him thither, for that he would provide
+them plenty of all the things they wanted, and easily procure them a
+great abundance of what they required; after which entreaty, he
+immediately went out into the country, and left not the least pretense
+to Silo for his departure; for he brought an unexpected quantity of
+provisions, and sent to those friends of his who inhabited about Samaria
+to bring down corn, and wine, and oil, and cattle, and all other
+provisions, to Jericho, that those might be no want of a supply for the
+soldiers for the time to come. Antigonus was sensible of this, and sent
+presently over the country such as might restrain and lie in ambush for
+those that went out for provisions. So these men obeyed the orders of
+Antigonus, and got together a great number of armed men about Jericho,
+and sat upon the mountains, and watched those that brought the
+provisions. However, Herod was not idle in the mean time, for he took
+ten bands of soldiers, of whom five were of the Romans, and five of the
+Jews, with some mercenaries among them, and with some few horsemen, and
+came to Jericho; and as they found the city deserted, but that five
+hundred of them had settled themselves on the tops of the hills, with
+their wives and children, those he took and sent away; but the Romans
+fell upon the city, and plundered it, and found the houses full of all
+sorts of good things. So the king left a garrison at Jericho, and came
+back again, and sent the Roman army to take their winter quarters in the
+countries that were come over to him, Judea, and Galilee, and Samaria.
+And so much did Antigonus gain of Silo for the bribes he gave him, that
+part of the army should be quartered at Lydda, in order to please
+Antony. So the Romans laid their weapons aside, and lived in plenty of
+all things.
+
+4. But Herod was not pleased with lying still, but sent out his brother
+Joseph against Idumea with two thousand armed footmen, and four hundred
+horsemen, while he himself came to Samaria, and left his mother and his
+other relations there, for they were already gone out of Masada, and
+went into Galilee, to take certain places which were held by the
+garrisons of Antigonus; and he passed on to Sepphoris, as God sent a
+snow, while Antigonus's garrisons withdrew themselves, and had great
+plenty of provisions. He also went thence, and resolved to destroy those
+robbers that dwelt in the caves, and did much mischief in the country;
+so he sent a troop of horsemen, and three companies of armed footmen,
+against them. They were very near to a village called Arbela; and on the
+fortieth day after, he came himself with his whole army: and as the
+enemy sallied out boldly upon him, the left wing of his army gave way;
+but he appearing with a body of men, put those to flight who were
+already conquerors, and recalled his men that ran away. He also pressed
+upon his enemies, and pursued them as far as the river Jordan, though
+they ran away by different roads. So he brought over to him all Galilee,
+excepting those that dwelt in the caves, and distributed money to every
+one of his soldiers, giving them a hundred and fifty drachmae apiece,
+and much more to their captains, and sent them into winter quarters; at
+which time Silo came to him, and his commanders with him, because
+Antigonus would not give them provisions any longer, for he supplied
+them for no more than one month; nay, he had sent to all the country
+about, and ordered them to carry off the provisions that were there, and
+retire to the mountains, that the Romans might have no provisions to
+live upon, and so might perish by famine. But Herod committed the care
+of that matter to Pheroras, his youngest brother, and ordered him to
+repair Alexandrium also. Accordingly, he quickly made the soldiers
+abound with great plenty of provisions, and rebuilt Alexandrium, which
+had been before desolate.
+
+5. About this time it was that Antony continued some time at Athens, and
+that Ventidius, who was now in Syria, sent for Silo, and commanded him
+to assist Herod, in the first place, to finish the present war, and then
+to send for their confederates for the war they were themselves engaged
+in; but as for Herod, he went in haste against the robbers that were in
+the caves, and sent Silo away to Ventidius, while he marched against
+them. These caves were in mountains that were exceeding abrupt, and in
+their middle were no other than precipices, with certain entrances into
+the caves, and those caves were encompassed with sharp rocks, and in
+these did the robbers lie concealed, with all their families about them;
+but the king caused certain chests to be made, in order to destroy them,
+and to be hung down, bound about with iron chains, by an engine, from
+the top of the mountain, it being not possible to get up to them, by
+reason of the sharp ascent of the mountains, nor to creep down to them
+from above. Now these chests were filled with armed men, who had long
+hooks in their hands, by which they might pull out such as resisted
+them, and then tumble them down, and kill them by so doing; but the
+letting the chests down proved to be a matter of great danger, because
+of the vast depth they were to be let down, although they had their
+provisions in the chests themselves. But when the chests were let down,
+and not one of those in the mouths of the caves durst come near them,
+but lay still out of fear, some of the armed men girt on their armor,
+and by both their hands took hold of the chain by which the chests were
+let down, and went into the mouths of the caves, because they fretted
+that such delay was made by the robbers not daring to come out of the
+caves; and when they were at any of those mouths, they first killed many
+of those that were in the mouths with their darts, and afterwards pulled
+those to them that resisted them with their hooks, and tumbled them down
+the precipices, and afterwards went into the caves, and killed many
+more, and then went into their chests again, and lay still there; but,
+upon this, terror seized the rest, when they heard the lamentations that
+were made, and they despaired of escaping. However, when the night came
+on, that put an end to the whole work; and as the king proclaimed pardon
+by a herald to such as delivered themselves up to him, many accepted of
+the offer. The same method of assault was made use of the next day; and
+they went further, and got out in baskets to fight them, and fought them
+at their doors, and sent fire among them, and set their caves on fire,
+for there was a great deal of combustible matter within them. Now there
+was one old man who was caught within one of these caves, with seven
+children and a wife; these prayed him to give them leave to go out, and
+yield themselves up to the enemy; but he stood at the cave's mouth, and
+always slew that child of his who went out, till he had destroyed them
+every one, and after that he slew his wife, and cast their dead bodies
+down the precipice, and himself after them, and so underwent death
+rather than slavery: but before he did this, he greatly reproached Herod
+with the meanness of his family, although he was then king. Herod also
+saw what he was doing, and stretched out his hand, and offered him all
+manner of security for his life; by which means all these caves were at
+length subdued entirely.
+
+6. And when the king had set Ptolemy over these parts of the country as
+his general, he went to Samaria, with six hundred horsemen, and three
+thousand armed footmen, as intending to fight Antigonus. But still this
+command of the army did not succeed well with Ptolemy, but those that
+had been troublesome to Galilee before attacked him, and slew him; and
+when they had done this, they fled among the lakes and places almost
+inaccessible laying waste and plundering whatsoever they could come at
+in those places. But Herod soon returned, and punished them for what
+they had done; for some of these rebels he slew, and others of them, who
+had fled to the strong holds he besieged, and both slew them, and
+demolished their strong holds. And when he had thus put an end to their
+rebellion, he laid a fine upon the cities of a hundred talents.
+
+7. In the mean time, Pacorus was fallen in a battle, and the Parthians
+were defeated, when Ventidius sent Macheras to the assistance of Herod,
+with two legions, and a thousand horsemen, while Antony encouraged him
+to make haste. But Macheras, at the instigation of Antigonus, without
+the approbation of Herod, as being corrupted by money, went about to
+take a view of his affairs; but Antigonus suspecting this intention of
+his coming, did not admit him into the city, but kept him at a distance,
+with throwing stones at him, and plainly showed what he himself meant.
+But when Macheras was sensible that Herod had given him good advice, and
+that he had made a mistake himself in not hearkening to that advice, he
+retired to the city Emmaus; and what Jews he met with he slew them,
+whether they were enemies or friends, out of the rage he was in at what
+hardships he had undergone. The king was provoked at this conduct of
+his, and went to Samaria, and resolved to go to Antony about these
+affairs, and to inform him that he stood in no need of such helpers, who
+did him more mischief than they did his enemies; and that he was able of
+himself to beat Antigonus. But Macheras followed him, and desired that
+he would not go to Antony; or if he was resolved to go, that he would
+join his brother Joseph with them, and let them fight against Antigonus.
+So he was reconciled to Macheras, upon his earnest entreaties.
+Accordingly, he left Joseph there with his army, but charged him to run
+no hazards, nor to quarrel with Macheras.
+
+8. But for his own part, he made haste to Antony [who was then at the
+siege of Samosata, a place upon Euphrates] with his troops, both
+horsemen and footmen, to be auxiliaries to him. And when he came to
+Antioch, and met there a great number of men gotten together that were
+very desirous to go to Antony, but durst not venture to go, out of fear,
+because the barbarians fell upon men on the road, and slew many, so he
+encouraged them, and became their conductor upon the road. Now when they
+were within two days' march of Samosata, the barbarians had laid an
+ambush there to disturb those that came to Antony, and where the woods
+made the passes narrow, as they led to the plains, there they laid not a
+few of their horsemen, who were to lie still until those passengers were
+gone by into the wide place. Now as soon as the first ranks were gone
+by, [for Herod brought on the rear,] those that lay in ambush, who were
+about five hundred, fell upon them on the sudden, and when they had put
+the foremost to flight, the king came riding hard, with the forces that
+were about him, and immediately drove back the enemy; by which means he
+made the minds of his own men courageous, and imboldened them to go on,
+insomuch that those who ran away before now returned back, and the
+barbarians were slain on all sides. The king also went on killing them,
+and recovered all the baggage, among which were a great number of beasts
+for burden, and of slaves, and proceeded on in his march; and whereas
+there were a great number of those in the woods that attacked them, and
+were near the passage that led into the plain, he made a sally upon
+these also with a strong body of men, and put them to flight, and slew
+many of them, and thereby rendered the way safe for those that came
+after; and these called Herod their savior and protector.
+
+9. And when he was near to Samosata, Antony sent out his army in all
+their proper habiliments to meet him, in order to pay Herod this
+respect, and because of the assistance he had given him; for he had
+heard what attacks the barbarians had made upon him [in Judea]. He also
+was very glad to see him there, as having been made acquainted with the
+great actions he had performed upon the road. So he entertained him very
+kindly, and could not but admire his courage. Antony also embraced him
+as soon as he saw him, and saluted him after a most affectionate manner,
+and gave him the upper hand, as having himself lately made him a king;
+and in a little time Antiochus delivered up the fortress, and on that
+account this war was at an end; then Antony committed the rest to
+Sosius, and gave him orders to assist Herod, and went himself to Egypt.
+Accordingly, Sosius sent two legions before into Judea to the assistance
+of Herod, and he followed himself with the body of the army.
+
+10. Now Joseph was already slain in Judea, in the manner following: He
+forgot what charge his brother Herod had given him when he went to
+Antony; and when he had pitched his camp among the mountains, for
+Macheras had lent him five regiments, with these he went hastily to
+Jericho, in order to reap the corn thereto belonging; and as the Roman
+regiments were but newly raised, and were unskillful in war, for they
+were in great part collected out of Syria, he was attacked by the enemy,
+and caught in those places of difficulty, and was himself slain, as he
+was fighting bravely, and the whole army was lost, for there were six
+regiments slain. So when Antigonus had got possession of the dead
+bodies, he cut off Joseph's head, although Pheroras his brother would
+have redeemed it at the price of fifty talents. After which defeat, the
+Galileans revolted from their commanders, and took those of Herod's
+party, and drowned them in the lake, and a great part of Judea was
+become seditious; but Macheras fortified the place Gitta [in Samaria].
+
+11. At this time messengers came to Herod, and informed him of what had
+been done; and when he was come to Daphne by Antioch, they told him of
+the ill fortune that had befallen his brother; which yet he expected,
+from certain visions that appeared to him in his dreams, which clearly
+foreshowed his brother's death. So he hastened his march; and when he
+came to Mount Libanus, he received about eight hundred of the men of
+that place, having already with him also one Roman legion, and with
+these he came to Ptolemais. He also marched thence by night with his
+army, and proceeded along Galilee. Here it was that the enemy met him,
+and fought him, and were beaten, and shut up in the same place of
+strength whence they had sallied out the day before. So he attacked the
+place in the morning; but by reason of a great storm that was then very
+violent, he was able to do nothing, but drew off his army into the
+neighboring villages; yet as soon as the other legion that Antony sent
+him was come to his assistance, those that were in garrison in the place
+were afraid, and deserted it in the night time. Then did the king march
+hastily to Jericho, intending to avenge himself on the enemy for the
+slaughter of his brother; and when he had pitched his tents, he made a
+feast for the principal commanders; and after this collation was over,
+and he had dismissed his guests, he retired to his own chamber; and here
+may one see what kindness God had for the king, for the upper part of
+the house fell down when nobody was in it, and so killed none, insomuch
+that all the people believed that Herod was beloved of God, since he had
+escaped such a great and surprising danger.
+
+12. But the next day six thousand of the enemy came down from the tops
+of the mountains to fight the Romans, which greatly terrified them; and
+the soldiers that were in light armor came near, and pelted the king's
+guards that were come out with darts and stones, and one of them hit him
+on the side with a dart. Antigonus also sent a commander against
+Samaria, whose name was Pappus, with some forces, being desirous to show
+the enemy how potent he was, and that he had men to spare in his war
+with them. He sat down to oppose Macheras; but Herod, when he had taken
+five cities, took such as were left in them, being about two thousand,
+and slew them, and burnt the cities themselves, and then returned to go
+against Pappus, who was encamped at a village called Isanas; and there
+ran in to him many out of Jericho and Judea, near to which places he
+was, and the enemy fell upon his men, so stout were they at this time,
+and joined battle with them, but he beat them in the fight; and in order
+to be revenged on them for the slaughter of his brother, he pursued them
+sharply, and killed them as they ran away; and as the houses were full
+of armed men, 29 and many of them ran as far as the tops of the houses,
+he got them under his power, and pulled down the roofs of the houses,
+and saw the lower rooms full of soldiers that were caught, and lay all
+on a heap; so they threw stones down upon them as they lay piled one
+upon another, and thereby killed them; nor was there a more frightful
+spectacle in all the war than this, where beyond the walls an immense
+multitude of dead men lay heaped one upon another. This action it was
+which chiefly brake the spirits of the enemy, who expected now what
+would come; for there appeared a mighty number of people that came from
+places far distant, that were now about the village, but then ran away;
+and had it not been for the depth of winter, which then restrained them,
+the king's army had presently gone to Jerusalem, as being very
+courageous at this good success, and the whole work had been done
+immediately; for Antigonus was already looking about how he might fly
+away and leave the city.
+
+13. At this time the king gave order that the soldiers should go to
+supper, for it was late at night, while he went into a chamber to use
+the bath, for he was very weary; and here it was that he was in the
+greatest danger, which yet, by God's providence, he escaped; for as he
+was naked, and had but one servant that followed him, to be with him
+while he was bathing in an inner room, certain of the enemy, who were in
+their armor, and had fled thither, out of fear, were then in the place;
+and as he was bathing, the first of them came out with his naked sword
+drawn, and went out at the doors, and after him a second, and a third,
+armed in like manner, and were under such a consternation, that they did
+no hurt to the king, and thought themselves to have come off very well
+ill suffering no harm themselves in their getting out of the house.
+However, on the next day, he cut off the head of Pappus, for he was
+already slain, and sent it to Pheroras, as a punishment of what their
+brother had suffered by his means, for he was the man that slew him with
+his own hand.
+
+14. When the rigor of winter was over, Herod removed his army, and came
+near to Jerusalem, and pitched his camp hard by the city. Now this was
+the third year since he had been made king at Rome; and as he removed
+his camp, and came near that part of the wall where it could be most
+easily assaulted, he pitched that camp before the temple, intending to
+make his attacks in the same manner as did Pompey. So he encompassed the
+place with three bulwarks, and erected towers, and employed a great many
+hands about the work, and cut down the trees that were round about the
+city; and when he had appointed proper persons to oversee the works,
+even while the army lay before the city, he himself went to Samaria, to
+complete his marriage, and to take to wife the daughter of Alexander,
+the son of Aristobulus; for he had betrothed her already, as I have
+before related.
+
+
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER 16. How Herod, When He Had Married Mariamne Took Jerusalem With
+The Assistance Of Sosius By Force; And How The Government Of The
+Asamoneans Was Put An End To.
+
+1. After the wedding was over, came Sosius through Phoenicia, having
+sent out his army before him over the midland parts. He also, who was
+their commander, came himself, with a great number of horsemen and
+footmen. The king also came himself from Samaria, and brought with him
+no small army, besides that which was there before, for they were about
+thirty thousand; and they all met together at the walls of Jerusalem,
+and encamped at the north wall of the city, being now an army of eleven
+legions, armed men on foot, and six thousand horsemen, with other
+auxiliaries out of Syria. The generals were two: Sosius, sent by Antony
+to assist Herod, and Herod on his own account, in order to take the
+government from Antigonus, who was declared all enemy at Rome, and that
+he might himself be king, according to the decree of the Senate.
+
+2. Now the Jews that were enclosed within the walls of the city fought
+against Herod with great alacrity and zeal [for the whole nation was
+gathered together]; they also gave out many prophecies about the temple,
+and many things agreeable to the people, as if God would deliver them
+out of the dangers they were in; they had also carried off what was out
+of the city, that they might not leave any thing to afford sustenance
+either for men or for beasts; and by private robberies they made the
+want of necessaries greater. When Herod understood this, he opposed
+ambushes in the fittest places against their private robberies, and he
+sent legions of armed men to bring its provisions, and that from remote
+places, so that in a little time they had great plenty of provisions.
+Now the three bulwarks were easily erected, because so many hands were
+continually at work upon it; for it was summer time, and there was
+nothing to hinder them in raising their works, neither from the air nor
+from the workmen; so they brought their engines to bear, and shook the
+walls of the city, and tried all manner of ways to get it; yet did not
+those within discover any fear, but they also contrived not a few
+engines to oppose their engines withal. They also sallied out, and burnt
+not only those engines that were not yet perfected, but those that were;
+and when they came hand to hand, their attempts were not less bold than
+those of the Romans, though they were behind them in skill. They also
+erected new works when the former were ruined, and making mines
+underground, they met each other, and fought there; and making use of
+brutish courage rather than of prudent valor, they persisted in this war
+to the very last; and this they did while a mighty army lay round about
+them, and while they were distressed by famine and the want of
+necessaries, for this happened to be a Sabbatic year. The first that
+scaled the walls were twenty chosen men, the next were Sosius's
+centurions; for the first wall was taken in forty days, and the second
+in fifteen more, when some of the cloisters that were about the temple
+were burnt, which Herod gave out to have been burnt by Antigonus, in
+order to expose him to the hatred of the Jews. And when the outer court
+of the temple and the lower city were taken, the Jews fled into the
+inner court of the temple, and into the upper city; but now fearing lest
+the Romans should hinder them from offering their daily sacrifices to
+God, they sent an embassage, and desired that they would only permit
+them to bring in beasts for sacrifices, which Herod granted, hoping they
+were going to yield; but when he saw that they did nothing of what he
+supposed, but bitterly opposed him, in order to preserve the kingdom to
+Antigonus, he made an assault upon the city, and took it by storm; and
+now all parts were full of those that were slain, by the rage of the
+Romans at the long duration of the siege, and by the zeal of the Jews
+that were on Herod's side, who were not willing to leave one of their
+adversaries alive; so they were murdered continually in the narrow
+streets and in the houses by crowds, and as they were flying to the
+temple for shelter, and there was no pity taken of either infants or the
+aged, nor did they spare so much as the weaker sex; nay, although the
+king sent about, and besought them to spare the people, yet nobody
+restrained their hand from slaughter, but, as if they were a company of
+madmen, they fell upon persons of all ages, without distinction; and
+then Antigonus, without regard to either his past or present
+circumstances, came down from the citadel, and fell down at the feet of
+Sosius, who took no pity of him, in the change of his fortune, but
+insulted him beyond measure, and called him Antigone [i.e. a woman, and
+not a man;] yet did he not treat him as if he were a woman, by letting
+him go at liberty, but put him into bonds, and kept him in close
+custody.
+
+3. And now Herod having overcome his enemies, his care was to govern
+those foreigners who had been his assistants, for the crowd of strangers
+rushed to see the temple, and the sacred things in the temple; but the
+king, thinking a victory to be a more severe affliction than a defeat,
+if any of those things which it was not lawful to see should be seen by
+them, used entreaties and threatenings, and even sometimes force itself,
+to restrain them. He also prohibited the ravage that was made in the
+city, and many times asked Sosius whether the Romans would empty the
+city both of money and men, and leave him king of a desert; and told him
+that he esteemed the dominion over the whole habitable earth as by no
+means an equivalent satisfaction for such a murder of his citizens'; and
+when he said that this plunder was justly to be permitted the soldiers
+for the siege they had undergone, he replied, that he would give every
+one their reward out of his own money; and by this means be redeemed
+what remained of the city from destruction; and he performed what he had
+promised him, for he gave a noble present to every soldier, and a
+proportionable present to their commanders, but a most royal present to
+Sosius himself, till they all went away full of money.
+
+4. This destruction befell the city of Jerusalem when Marcus Agrippa and
+Caninius Gallus were consuls of Rome 30 on the hundred eighty and fifth
+olympiad, on the third month, on the solemnity of the fast, as if a
+periodical revolution of calamities had returned since that which befell
+the Jews under Pompey; for the Jews were taken by him on the same day,
+and this was after twenty-seven years' time. So when Sosius had
+dedicated a crown of gold to God, he marched away from Jerusalem, and
+carried Antigonus with him in bonds to Antony; but Herod was afraid lest
+Antigonus should be kept in prison [only] by Antony, and that when he
+was carried to Rome by him, he might get his cause to be heard by the
+senate, and might demonstrate, as he was himself of the royal blood, and
+Herod but a private man, that therefore it belonged to his sons however
+to have the kingdom, on account of the family they were of, in case he
+had himself offended the Romans by what he had done. Out of Herod's fear
+of this it was that he, by giving Antony a great deal of money,
+endeavored to persuade him to have Antigonus slain, which if it were
+once done, he should be free from that fear. And thus did the government
+of the Asamoneans cease, a hundred twenty and six years after it was
+first set up. This family was a splendid and an illustrious one, both on
+account of the nobility of their stock, and of the dignity of the high
+priesthood, as also for the glorious actions their ancestors had
+performed for our nation; but these men lost the government by their
+dissensions one with another, and it came to Herod, the son of
+Antipater, who was of no more than a vulgar family, and of no eminent
+extraction, but one that was subject to other kings. And this is what
+history tells us was the end of the Asamonean family.
+
+
+
+
+
+
+FOOTNOTES:
+
+
+1 (return) [ Reland takes notice here, very justly, how Josephus's
+declaration, that it was his great concern not only to write "an
+agreeable, an accurate," and "a true" history, but also distinctly not
+to omit any thing [of consequence], either through "ignorance or
+laziness," implies that he could not, consistently with that resolution,
+omit the mention of [so famous a person as] "Jesus Christ."]
+
+
+2 (return) [ That the famous Antipater's or Antipas's father was also
+Antipater or Antipas [which two may justly be esteemed one and the same
+frame, the former with a Greek or Gentile, the latter with a Hebrew or
+Jewish termination] Josephus here assures us, though Eusebias indeed
+says it was Herod.]
+
+
+3 (return) [ This "golden vine," or "garden," seen by Strabo at Rome,
+has its inscription here as if it were the gift of Alexander, the father
+of Aristobulus, and not of Aristobulus himself, to whom yet Josephus
+ascribes it; and in order to prove the truth of that part of his
+history, introduces this testimony of Strabo; so that the ordinary
+copies seem to be here either erroneous or defective, and the original
+reading seems to have been either Aristobulus, instead of Alexander,
+with one Greek copy, or else "Aristobulus the son of Alexander," with
+the Latin copies; which last seems to me the most probable. For as to
+Archbishop Usher's conjectures, that Alexander made it, and dedicated it
+to God in the temple, and that thence Aristobulus took it, and sent it
+to Pompey, they are both very improbable, and no way agreeable to
+Josephus, who would hardly have avoided the recording both these
+uncommon points of history, had he known any thing of them; nor would
+either the Jewish nation, or even Pompey himself, then have relished
+such a flagrant instance of sacrilege.]
+
+
+4 (return) [ These express testimonies of Josephus here, and Antiq. B.
+VIII. ch. 6. sect. 6, and B. XV. ch. 4. sect. 2, that the only balsam
+gardens, and the best palm trees, were, at least in his days, near
+Jericho and Kugaddi, about the north part of the Dead Sea, [whereabout
+also Alexander the Great saw the balsam drop,] show the mistake of those
+that understand Eusebius and Jerom as if one of those gardens were at
+the south part of that sea, at Zoar or Segor, whereas they must either
+mean another Zoar or Segor, which was between Jericho and Kugaddi,
+agreeably to Josephus: which yet they do not appear to do, or else they
+directly contradict Josephus, and were therein greatly mistaken: I mean
+this, unless that balsam, and the best palm trees, grew much more
+southward in Judea in the days of Eusebius and Jerom than they did in
+the days of Josephus.]
+
+
+5 (return) [ The particular depth and breadth of this ditch, whence the
+stones for the wall about the temple were probably taken, are omitted in
+our copies of Josephus, but set down by Strabo, B. XVI. p. 763; from
+whom we learn that this ditch was sixty feet deep, and two hundred and
+fifty feet broad. However, its depth is, in the next section, said by
+Josephus to be immense, which exactly agrees to Strabo's description,
+and which numbers in Strabo are a strong confirmation of the truth of
+Josephus's description also.]
+
+
+6 (return) [ That is, on the 23rd of Sivan, the annual fast for the
+defection and idolatry of Jeroboam, "who made Israel to sin;" or
+possibly some other fast might fall into that month, before and in the
+days of Josephus.]
+
+
+7 (return) [ It deserves here to be noted, that this Pharisaical,
+superstitious notion, that offensive fighting was unlawful to Jews, even
+under the utmost necessity, on the Sabbath day, of which we hear nothing
+before the times of the Maccabees, was the proper occasion of
+Jerusalem's being taken by Pompey, by Sosius, and by Titus, as appears
+from the places already quoted in the note on Antiq. B. XIII. ch. 8.
+sect. 1; which scrupulous superstition, as to the observation of such a
+rigorous rest upon the Sabbath day, our Savior always opposed, when the
+Pharisaical Jews insisted on it, as is evident in many places in the New
+Testament, though he still intimated how pernicious that superstition
+might prove to them in their flight from the Romans, Matthew 25:20.]
+
+
+8 (return) [ This is fully confirmed by the testimony of Cicero, who:
+says, in his oration for Flaecus, that "Cneius Pompeius, when he was
+conqueror, and had taken Jerusalem, did not touch any thing belonging to
+that temple."]
+
+
+9 (return) [ Of this destruction of Gadara here presupposed, and its
+restoration by Pompey, see the note on the War, B. I. ch. 7. sect. 7.]
+
+
+10 (return) [ Dean Prideaux well observes, "That notwithstanding the
+clamor against Gabinius at Rome, Josephus gives him a able character, as
+if he had acquitted himself with honor in the charge committed to him"
+[in Judea]. See at the year 55.]
+
+
+11 (return) [ This history is best illustrated by Dr. Hudson out of
+Livy, who says that "A. Gabinius, the proconsul, restored Ptolemy of
+Pompey and Gabinius against the Jews, while neither of them say any
+thing new which is not in the other to his kingdom of Egypt, and ejected
+Archelaus, whom they had set up for king," &c. See Prid. at the years 61
+and 65.]
+
+
+12 (return) [ Dr. Hudson observes, that the name of this wife of
+Antipater in Josephus was Cypros, as a Hebrew termination, but not
+Cypris, the Greek name for Venus, as some critics were ready to correct
+it.]
+
+
+13 (return) [ Take Dr. Hudson's note upon this place, which I suppose to
+be the truth: "Here is some mistake in Josephus; for when he had
+promised us a decree for the restoration of Jerusalem he brings in a
+decree of far greater antiquity, and that a league of friendship and
+union only. One may easily believe that Josephus gave order for one
+thing, and his amanuensis performed another, by transposing decrees that
+concerned the Hyrcani, and as deluded by the sameness of their names;
+for that belongs to the first high priest of this name, [John Hyrcanus,]
+which Josephus here ascribes to one that lived later [Hyrcanus, the son
+of Alexander Janneus]. However, the decree which he proposes to set down
+follows a little lower, in the collection of Raman decrees that
+concerned the Jews and is that dated when Cæsar was consul the fifth
+time." See ch. 10. sect. 5.]
+
+
+14 (return) [ Those who will carefully observe the several occasional
+numbers and chronological characters in the life and death of this
+Herod, and of his children, hereafter noted, will see that twenty-five
+years, and not fifteen, must for certain have been here Josephus's own
+number for the age of Herod, when he was made governor of Galilee. See
+ch. 23. sect. 5, and ch. 24. sect. 7; and particularly Antiq. B. XVII.
+ch. 8. sect. 1, where about forty-four years afterwards Herod dies an
+old man at about seventy.]
+
+
+15 (return) [ It is here worth our while to remark, that none could be
+put to death in Judea but by the approbation of the Jewish Sanhedrim,
+there being an excellent provision in the law of Moses, that even in
+criminal causes, and particularly where life was concerned, an appeal
+should lie from the lesser councils of seven in the other cities to the
+supreme council of seventy-one at Jerusalem; and that is exactly
+according to our Savior's words, when he says, "It could not be that a
+prophet should perish out of Jerusalem," Luke 13:33.]
+
+
+16 (return) [ This account, as Reland observes, is confirmed by the
+Talmudists, who call this Sameas, "Simeon, the son of Shetach."]
+
+
+17 (return) [ That Hyrcanus was himself in Egypt, along with Antipater,
+at this time, to whom accordingly the bold and prudent actions of his
+deputy Antipater are here ascribed, as this decree of Julius Cæsar
+supposes, we are further assured by the testimony of Strabo, already
+produced by Josephus, ch. 8. sect. 3.]
+
+
+18 (return) [ Dr. Hudson justly supposes that the Roman imperators, or
+generals of armies, meant both here and sect. 2, who gave testimony to
+Hyrcanus's and the Jews' faithfulness and goodwill to the Romans before
+the senate and people of Rome, were principally Pompey, Scaurus, and
+Gabinius; of all whom Josephus had already given us the history, so far
+as the Jews were concerned with them.]
+
+
+19 (return) [ We have here a most remarkable and authentic attestation
+of the citizens of Pergamus, that Abraham was the father of all the
+Hebrews; that their own ancestors were, in the oldest times, the friends
+of those Hebrews; and that the public arts of their city, then extant,
+confirmed the same; which evidence is too strong to be evaded by our
+present ignorance of the particular occasion of such ancient friendship
+and alliance between those people. See the like full evidence of the
+kindred of the Lacedemonians and the Jews; and that became they were
+both of the posterity of Abraham, by a public epistle of those people to
+the Jews, preserved in the First Book of the Maccabees, 12:19-23; and
+thence by Josephus, Antiq. B. XII. ch. 4 sect. 10; both which authentic
+records are highly valuable. It is also well worthy of observation, what
+Moses Chorenensis, the principal Armenian historian, informs us of, p.
+83, that Arsaces, who raised the Parthian empire, was of the seed of
+Abraham by Chetura; and that thereby was accomplished that prediction
+which said, "Kings of nations shall proceed from thee," Genesis 17:6.]
+
+
+20 (return) [ If we compare Josephus's promise in sect. 1, to produce
+all the public decrees of the Romans in favor of the Jews, with his
+excuse here for omitting many of them, we may observe, that when he came
+to transcribe all those decrees he had collected, he found them so
+numerous, that he thought he should too much tire his readers if he had
+attempted it, which he thought a sufficient apology for his omitting the
+rest of them; yet do those by him produced afford such a strong
+confirmation to his history, and give such great light to even the Roman
+antiquities themselves, that I believe the curious are not a little
+sorry for such his omissions.]
+
+
+21 (return) [ For Marcus, this president of Syria, sent as successor to
+Sextus Cæsar, the Roman historians require us to read "Marcus" in
+Josephus, and this perpetually, both in these Antiquities, and in his
+History of the Wars, as the learned generally agree.]
+
+
+22 (return) [ In this and the following chapters the reader will easily
+remark, how truly Gronovius observes, in his notes on the Roman decrees
+in favor of the Jews, that their rights and privileges were commonly
+purchased of the Romans with money. Many examples of this sort, both as
+to the Romans and others in authority, will occur in our Josephus, both
+now and hereafter, and need not be taken particular notice of on the
+several occasions in these notes. Accordingly, the chief captain
+confesses to St. Paul that "with a great sum he had obtained his
+freedom," Acts 22:28; as had St. Paul's ancestors, very probably,
+purchased the like freedom for their family by money, as the same author
+justly concludes also.]
+
+
+23 (return) [ This clause plainly alludes to that well-known but unusual
+and very long darkness of the sun which happened upon the murder of
+Julius Cæsar by Brutus and Cassius, which is greatly taken notice of by
+Virgil, Pliny, and other Roman authors. See Virgil's Georgics, B. I.,
+just before the end; and Pliny's Nat. Hist. B. IL ch. 33.]
+
+
+24 (return) [ We may here take notice that espousals alone were of old
+esteemed a sufficient foundation for affinity, Hyrcanus being here
+called father-in-law to Herod because his granddaughter Mariamne was
+betrothed to him, although the marriage was not completed till four
+years afterwards. See Matthew 1:16.]
+
+
+25 (return) [ This law of Moses, that the priests were to be "without
+blemish," as to all the parts of their bodies, is in Leviticus 21:17-24]
+
+
+26 (return) [ Concerning the chronology of Herod, and the time when he
+was first made king at Rome, and concerning the time when he began his
+second reign, without a rival, upon the conquest and slaughter of
+Antigonus, both principally derived from this and the two next chapters
+in Josephus, see the note on sect. 6, and ch. 15. sect. 10.]
+
+
+27 (return) [ This grievous want of water at Masada, till the place had
+like to have been taken by the Parthians, [mentioned both here, and Of
+the War, B. I. ch. 15. sect. 1,] is an indication that it was now summer
+time.]
+
+
+28 (return) [ This affirmation of Antigonus, spoken in the days of
+Herod, and in a manner to his face, that he was an Idumean, i.e. a half
+Jew, seems to me of much greater authority than that pretense of his
+favorite and flatterer Nicolaus of Damascus, that he derived his
+pedigree from Jews as far backward as the Babylonish captivity, ch. 1.
+sect. 3. Accordingly Josephus always esteems him an Idumean, though he
+says his father Antipater was of the same people with the Jews, ch.
+viii. sect. 1. and by birth a Jew, Antiq. B. XX. ch. 8. sect. 7; as
+indeed all such proselytes of justice, as the Idumeans, were in time
+esteemed the very same people with the Jews.]
+
+
+29 (return) [ It may be worth our observation here, that these soldiers
+of Herod could not have gotten upon the tops of these houses which were
+full of enemies, in order to pull up the upper floors, and destroy them
+beneath, but by ladders from the out side; which illustrates some texts
+in the New Testament, by which it appears that men used to ascend
+thither by ladders on the outsides. See Matthew 24:17; Mark 13:15; Luke
+5:19; 17:31.]
+
+
+30 (return) [ Note here, that Josephus fully and frequently assures us
+that there passed above three years between Herod's first obtaining the
+kingdom at Rome, and his second obtaining it upon the taking of
+Jerusalem and death of Antigonus. The present history of this interval
+twice mentions the army going into winter quarters, which perhaps
+belonged to two several winters, ch. 15. sect. 3, 4; and though Josephus
+says nothing how long they lay in those quarters, yet does he give such
+an account of the long and studied delays of Ventidius, Silo, and
+Macheras, who were to see Herod settled in his new kingdom, but seem not
+to have had sufficient forces for that purpose, and were for certain all
+corrupted by Antigonus to make the longest delays possible, and gives us
+such particular accounts of the many great actions of Herod during the
+same interval, as fairly imply that interval, before Herod went to
+Samosata, to have been very considerable. However, what is wanting in
+Josephus, is fully supplied by Moses Chorenensis, the Armenian
+historian, in his history of that interval, B. II ch. 18., where he
+directly assures us that Tigranes, then king of Armenia, and the
+principal manager of this Parthian war, reigned two years after Herod
+was made king at Rome, and yet Antony did not hear of his death, in that
+very neighborhood, at Samosata, till he was come thither to besiege it;
+after which Herod brought him an army, which was three hundred and forty
+miles' march, and through a difficult country, full of enemies also, and
+joined with him in the siege of Samosata till that city was taken; then
+Herod and Sosins marched back with their large armies the same number of
+three hundred and forty miles; and when, in a little time, they sat down
+to besiege Jerusalem, they were not able to take it but by a siege of
+five months. All which put together, fully supplies what is wanting in
+Josephus, and secures the entire chronology of these times beyond
+contradiction.]
+
+
+
+
+
+
+BOOK XV. Containing The Interval Of Eighteen Years.—From The Death Of
+Antigonus To The Finishing Of The Temple By Herod.
+
+
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER 1. Concerning Pollio And Sameas. Herod Slays The Principal Of
+Antigonus's Friends, And Spoils The City Of Its Wealth. Antony Beheads
+Antigonus.
+
+1. How Sosius and Herod took Jerusalem by force; and besides that, how
+they took Antigonus captive, has been related by us in the foregoing
+book. We will now proceed in the narration. And since Herod had now the
+government of all Judea put into his hands, he promoted such of the
+private men in the city as had been of his party, but never left off
+avenging and punishing every day those that had chosen to be of the
+party of his enemies. But Pollio the Pharisee, and Sameas, a disciple of
+his, were honored by him above all the rest; for when Jerusalem was
+besieged, they advised the citizens to receive Herod, for which advice
+they were well requited. But this Pollio, at the time when Herod was
+once upon his trial of life and death, foretold, in way of reproach, to
+Hyrcanus and the other judges, how this Herod, whom they suffered now to
+escape, would afterward inflict punishment on them all; which had its
+completion in time, while God fulfilled the words he had spoken.
+
+2. At this time Herod, now he had got Jerusalem under his power, carried
+off all the royal ornaments, and spoiled the wealthy men of what they
+had gotten; and when, by these means, he had heaped together a great
+quantity of silver and gold, he gave it all to Antony, and his friends
+that were about him. He also slew forty-five of the principal men of
+Antigonus's party, and set guards at the gates of the city, that nothing
+might be carried out together with their dead bodies. They also searched
+the dead, and whatsoever was found, either of silver or gold, or other
+treasure, it was carried to the king; nor was there any end of the
+miseries he brought upon them; and this distress was in part occasioned
+by the covetousness of the prince regent, who was still in want of more,
+and in part by the Sabbatic year, which was still going on, and forced
+the country to lie still uncultivated, since we are forbidden to sow our
+land in that year. Now when Antony had received Antigonus as his
+captive, he determined to keep him against his triumph; but when he
+heard that the nation grew seditious, and that, out of their hatred to
+Herod, they continued to bear good-will to Antigonus, he resolved to
+behead him at Antioch, for otherwise the Jews could no way be brought to
+be quiet. And Strabo of Cappadocia attests to what I have said, when he
+thus speaks: "Antony ordered Antigonus the Jew to be brought to Antioch,
+and there to be beheaded. And this Antony seems to me to have been the
+very first man who beheaded a king, as supposing he could no other way
+bend the minds of the Jews so as to receive Herod, whom he had made king
+in his stead; for by no torments could they be forced to call him king,
+so great a fondness they had for their former king; so he thought that
+this dishonorable death would diminish the value they had for
+Antigonus's memory, and at the same time would diminish the hatred they
+bare to Herod." Thus far Strabo.
+
+
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER 2. How Hyrcanus Was Set At Liberty By The Parthians, And
+Returned To Herod; And What Alexandra Did When She Heard That Ananelus
+Was Made High Priest.
+
+1. Now after Herod was in possession of the kingdom, Hyrcanus the high
+priest, who was then a captive among the Parthians, came to him again,
+and was set free from his captivity, in the manner following:
+Barzapharnes and Pacorus, the generals of the Parthians, took Hyrcanus,
+who was first made high priest and afterward king, and Herod's brother,
+Phasaelus captives, and were them away into Parthia. Phasaelus indeed
+could not bear the reproach of being in bonds; and thinking that death
+with glory was better than any life whatsoever, he became his own
+executioner, as I have formerly related.
+
+2. But when Hyrcanus was brought into Parthia the king Phraates treated
+him after a very gentle manner, as having already learned of what an
+illustrious family he was; on which account he set him free from his
+bonds, and gave him a habitation at Babylon, 1 where there were Jews in
+great numbers. These Jews honored Hyrcanus as their high priest and
+king, as did all the Jewish nation that dwelt as far as Euphrates; which
+respect was very much to his satisfaction. But when he was informed that
+Herod had received the kingdom, new hopes came upon him, as having been
+himself still of a kind disposition towards him, and expecting that
+Herod would bear in mind what favor he had received from him; and when
+he was upon his trial, and when he was in danger that a capital sentence
+would be pronounced against him, he delivered him from that danger, and
+from all punishment. Accordingly, he talked of that matter with the Jews
+that came often to him with great affection; but they endeavored to
+retain him among them, and desired that he would stay with them, putting
+him in mind of the kind offices and honors they did him, and that those
+honors they paid him were not at all inferior to what they could pay to
+either their high priests or their kings; and what was a greater motive
+to determine him, they said, was this, that he could not have those
+dignities [in Judea] because of that maim in his body, which had been
+inflicted on him by Antigonus; and that kings do not use to requite men
+for those kindnesses which they received when they were private persons,
+the height of their fortune making usually no small changes in them.
+
+3. Now although they suggested these arguments to him for his own
+advantage, yet did Hyrcanus still desire to depart. Herod also wrote to
+him, and persuaded him to desire of Phraates, and the Jews that were
+there, that they should not grudge him the royal authority, which he
+should have jointly with himself, for that now was the proper time for
+himself to make him amends for the favors he had received from him, as
+having been brought up by him, and saved by him also, as well as for
+Hyrcanus to receive it. And as he wrote thus to Hyrcanus, so did he send
+also Saramallas, his ambassador, to Phraates, and many presents with
+him, and desired him in the most obliging way that he would be no
+hinderance to his gratitude towards his benefactor. But this zeal of
+Herod's did not flow from that principle, but because he had been made
+governor of that country without having any just claim to it, he was
+afraid, and that upon reasons good enough, of a change in his condition,
+and so made what haste he could to get Hyrcanus into his power, or
+indeed to put him quite out of the way; which last thing he compassed
+afterward.
+
+4. Accordingly, when Hyrcanus came, full of assurance, by the permission
+of the king of Parthia, and at the expense of the Jews, who supplied him
+with money, Herod received him with all possible respect, and gave him
+the upper place at public meetings, and set him above all the rest at
+feasts, and thereby deceived him. He called him his father, and
+endeavored, by all the ways possible, that he might have no suspicion of
+any treacherous design against him. He also did other things, in order
+to secure his government, which yet occasioned a sedition in his own
+family; for being cautious how he made any illustrious person the high
+priest of God, 2 he sent for an obscure priest out of Babylon, whose
+name was Ananelus, and bestowed the high priesthood upon him.
+
+5. However, Alexandra, the daughter of Hyrcanus, and wife of Alexander,
+the son of Aristobulus the king, who had also brought Alexander [two]
+children, could not bear this indignity. Now this son was one of the
+greatest comeliness, and was called Aristobulus; and the daughter,
+Mariamne, was married to Herod, and eminent for her beauty also. This
+Alexandra was much disturbed, and took this indignity offered to her son
+exceeding ill, that while he was alive, any one else should be sent for
+to have the dignity of the high priesthood conferred upon him.
+Accordingly, she wrote to Cleopatra [a musician assisting her in taking
+care to have her letters carried] to desire her intercession with
+Antony, in order to gain the high priesthood for her son.
+
+6. But as Antony was slow in granting this request, his friend Dellius 3
+came into Judea upon some affairs; and when he saw Aristobulus, he stood
+in admiration at the tallness and handsomeness of the child, and no less
+at Mariamne, the king's wife, and was open in his commendations of
+Alexandra, as the mother of most beautiful children. And when she came
+to discourse with him, he persuaded her to get pictures drawn of them
+both, and to send them to Antony, for that when he saw them, he would
+deny her nothing that she should ask. Accordingly, Alexandra was
+elevated with these words of his, and sent the pictures to Antony.
+Dellius also talked extravagantly, and said that these children seemed
+not derived from men, but from some god or other. His design in doing so
+was to entice Antony into lewd pleasures with them, who was ashamed to
+send for the damsel, as being the wife of Herod, and avoided it, because
+of the reproaches he should have from Cleopatra on that account; but he
+sent, in the most decent manner he could, for the young man; but added
+this withal, unless he thought it hard upon him so to do. When this
+letter was brought to Herod, he did not think it safe for him to send
+one so handsome as was Aristobulus, in the prime of his life, for he was
+sixteen years of age, and of so noble a family, and particularly not to
+Antony, the principal man among the Romans, and one that would abuse him
+in his amours, and besides, one that openly indulged himself in such
+pleasures as his power allowed him without control. He therefore wrote
+back to him, that if this boy should only go out of the country, all
+would be in a state of war and uproar, because the Jews were in hopes of
+a change in the government, and to have another king over them.
+
+7. When Herod had thus excused himself to Antony, he resolved that he
+would not entirely permit the child or Alexandra to be treated
+dishonorably; but his wife Mariamne lay vehemently at him to restore the
+high priesthood to her brother; and he judged it was for his advantage
+so to do, because if he once had that dignity, he could not go out of
+the country. So he called his friends together, and told them that
+Alexandra privately conspired against his royal authority, and
+endeavored, by the means of Cleopatra, so to bring it about, that he
+might be deprived of the government, and that by Antony's means this
+youth might have the management of public affairs in his stead; and that
+this procedure of hers was unjust, since she would at the same time
+deprive her daughter of the dignity she now had, and would bring
+disturbances upon the kingdom, for which he had taken a great deal of
+pains, and had gotten it with extraordinary hazards; that yet, while he
+well remembered her wicked practices, he would not leave off doing what
+was right himself, but would even now give the youth the high
+priesthood; and that he formerly set up Ananelus, because Aristobulus
+was then so very young a child. Now when he had said this, not at
+random, but as he thought with the best discretion he had, in order to
+deceive the women, and those friends whom he had taken to consult
+withal, Alexandra, out of the great joy she had at this unexpected
+promise, and out of fear from the suspicions she lay under, fell a
+weeping; and made the following apology for herself; and said, that as
+to the [high] priesthood, she was very much concerned for the disgrace
+her son was under, and so did her utmost endeavors to procure it for
+him; but that as to the kingdom, she had made no attempts, and that if
+it were offered her [for her son], she would not accept it; and that now
+she would be satisfied with her son's dignity, while he himself held the
+civil government, and she had thereby the security that arose from his
+peculiar ability in governing to all the remainder of her family; that
+she was now overcome by his benefits, and thankfully accepted of this
+honor showed by him to her son, and that she would hereafter be entirely
+obedient. And she desired him to excuse her, if the nobility of her
+family, and that freedom of acting which she thought that allowed her,
+had made her act too precipitately and imprudently in this matter. So
+when they had spoken thus to one another, they came to an agreement, and
+all suspicions, so far as appeared, were vanished away.
+
+
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER 3. How Herod Upon His Making Aristobulus High Priest Took Care
+That He Should Be Murdered In A Little Time; And What Apology He Made To
+Antony About Aristobulus; As Also Concerning Joseph And Mariamne.
+
+1. So king Herod immediately took the high priesthood away from
+Ananelus, who, as we said before, was not of this country, but one of
+those Jews that had been carried captive beyond Euphrates; for there
+were not a few ten thousands of this people that had been carried
+captives, and dwelt about Babylonia, whence Ananelus came. He was one of
+the stock of the high priests 4 and had been of old a particular friend
+of Herod; and when he was first made king, he conferred that dignity
+upon him, and now put him out of it again, in order to quiet the
+troubles in his family, though what he did was plainly unlawful, for at
+no other time [of old] was any one that had once been in that dignity
+deprived of it. It was Antiochus Epiphanes who first brake that law, and
+deprived Jesus, and made his brother Onias high priest in his stead.
+Aristobulus was the second that did so, and took that dignity from his
+brother [Hyrcanus]; and this Herod was the third, who took that high
+office away [from Ananelus], and gave it to this young man, Aristobulus,
+in his stead.
+
+2. And now Herod seemed to have healed the divisions in his family; yet
+was he not without suspicion, as is frequently the case, of people
+seeming to be reconciled to one another, but thought that, as Alexandra
+had already made attempts tending to innovations, so did he fear that
+she would go on therein, if she found a fit opportunity for so doing; so
+he gave a command that she should dwell in the palace, and meddle with
+no public affairs. Her guards also were so careful, that nothing she did
+in private life every day was concealed. All these hardships put her out
+of patience, by little and little and she began to hate Herod; for as
+she had the pride of a woman to the utmost degree, she had great
+indignation at this suspicious guard that was about her, as desirous
+rather to undergo any thing that could befall her, than to be deprived
+of her liberty of speech, and, under the notion of an honorary guard, to
+live in a state of slavery and terror. She therefore sent to Cleopatra,
+and made a long complaint of the circumstances she was in, and entreated
+her to do her utmost for her assistance. Cleopatra hereupon advised her
+to take her son with her, and come away immediately to her into Egypt.
+This advice pleased her; and she had this contrivance for getting away:
+She got two coffins made, as if they were to carry away two dead bodies
+and put herself into one, and her son into the other and gave orders to
+such of her servants as knew of her intentions to carry them away in the
+night time. Now their road was to be thence to the sea-side and there
+was a ship ready to carry them into Egypt. Now Aesop, one of her
+servants, happened to fall upon Sabion, one of her friends, and spake of
+this matter to him, as thinking he had known of it before. When Sabion
+knew this, [who had formerly been an enemy of Herod, and been esteemed
+one of those that laid snares for and gave the poison to [his father]
+Antipater,] he expected that this discovery would change Herod's hatred
+into kindness; so he told the king of this private stratagem of
+Alexandra: whereupon be suffered her to proceed to the execution of her
+project, and caught her in the very fact; but still he passed by her
+offense; and though he had a great mind to do it, he durst not inflict
+any thing that was severe upon her, for he knew that Cleopatra would not
+bear that he should have her accused, on account of her hatred to him;
+but made a show as if it were rather the generosity of his soul, and his
+great moderation, that made him forgive them. However, he fully proposed
+to himself to put this young man out of the way, by one means or other;
+but he thought he might in probability be better concealed in doing it,
+if he did it not presently, nor immediately after what had lately
+happened.
+
+3. And now, upon the approach of the feast of tabernacles, which is a
+festival very much observed among us, he let those days pass over, and
+both he and the rest of the people were therein very merry; yet did the
+envy which at this time arose in him cause him to make haste to do what
+he was about, and provoke him to it; for when this youth Aristobulus,
+who was now in the seventeenth year of his age, went up to the altar,
+according to the law, to offer the sacrifices, and this with the
+ornaments of his high priesthood, and when he performed the sacred
+offices, 5 he seemed to be exceedingly comely, and taller than men
+usually were at that age, and to exhibit in his countenance a great deal
+of that high family he was sprung from,—a warm zeal and affection
+towards him appeared among the people, and the memory of the actions of
+his grandfather Aristobulus was fresh in their minds; and their
+affections got so far the mastery of them, that they could not forbear
+to show their inclinations to him. They at once rejoiced and were
+confounded, and mingled with good wishes their joyful acclamations which
+they made to him, till the good-will of the multitude was made too
+evident; and they more rashly proclaimed the happiness they had received
+from his family than was fit under a monarchy to have done. Upon all
+this, Herod resolved to complete what he had intended against the young
+man. When therefore the festival was over, and he was feasting at
+Jericho 6 with Alexandra, who entertained them there, he was then very
+pleasant with the young man, and drew him into a lonely place, and at
+the same time played with him in a juvenile and ludicrous manner. Now
+the nature of that place was hotter than ordinary; so they went out in a
+body, and of a sudden, and in a vein of madness; and as they stood by
+the fish-ponds, of which there were large ones about the house, they
+went to cool themselves [by bathing], because it was in the midst of a
+hot day. At first they were only spectators of Herod's servants and
+acquaintance as they were swimming; but after a while, the young man, at
+the instigation of Herod, went into the water among them, while such of
+Herod's acquaintance, as he had appointed to do it, dipped him as he was
+swimming, and plunged him under water, in the dark of the evening, as if
+it had been done in sport only; nor did they desist till he was entirely
+suffocated. And thus was Aristobulus murdered, having lived no more in
+all than eighteen years, 7 and kept the high priesthood one year only;
+which high priesthood Ananelus now recovered again.
+
+4. When this sad accident was told the women, their joy was soon changed
+to lamentation, at the sight of the dead body that lay before them, and
+their sorrow was immoderate. The city also [of Jerusalem], upon the
+spreading of this news, were in very great grief, every family looking
+on this calamity as if it had not belonged to another, but that one of
+themselves was slain. But Alexandra was more deeply affected, upon her
+knowledge that he had been destroyed [on purpose]. Her sorrow was
+greater than that of others, by her knowing how the murder was
+committed; but she was under the necessity of bearing up under it, out
+of her prospect of a greater mischief that might otherwise follow; and
+she oftentimes came to an inclination to kill herself with her own hand,
+but still she restrained herself, in hopes she might live long enough to
+revenge the unjust murder thus privately committed; nay, she further
+resolved to endeavor to live longer, and to give no occasion to think
+she suspected that her son was slain on purpose, and supposed that she
+might thereby be in a capacity of revenging it at a proper opportunity.
+Thus did she restrain herself, that she might not be noted for
+entertaining any such suspicion. However, Herod endeavored that none
+abroad should believe that the child's death was caused by any design of
+his; and for this purpose he did not only use the ordinary signs of
+sorrow, but fell into tears also, and exhibited a real confusion of
+soul; and perhaps his affections were overcome on this occasion, when he
+saw the child's countenance so young and so beautiful, although his
+death was supposed to tend to his own security. So far at least this
+grief served as to make some apology for him; and as for his funeral,
+that he took care should be very magnificent, by making great
+preparation for a sepulcher to lay his body in, and providing a great
+quantity of spices, and burying many ornaments together with him, till
+the very women, who were in such deep sorrow, were astonished at it, and
+received in this way some consolation.
+
+5. However, no such things could overcome Alexandra's grief; but the
+remembrance of this miserable case made her sorrow, both deep and
+obstinate. Accordingly, she wrote an account of this treacherous scene
+to Cleopatra, and how her son was murdered; but Cleopatra, as she had
+formerly been desirous to give her what satisfaction she could, and
+commiserating Alexandra's misfortunes, made the case her own, and would
+not let Antony be quiet, but excited him to punish the child's murder;
+for that it was an unworthy thing that Herod, who had been by him made
+king of a kingdom that no way belonged to him, should be guilty of such
+horrid crimes against those that were of the royal blood in reality.
+Antony was persuaded by these arguments; and when he came to Laodicea,
+he sent and commanded Herod to come and make his defense, as to what he
+had done to Aristobulus, for that such a treacherous design was not well
+done, if he had any hand in it. Herod was now in fear, both of the
+accusation, and of Cleopatra's ill-will to him, which was such that she
+was ever endeavoring to make Antony hate him. He therefore determined to
+obey his summons, for he had no possible way to avoid it. So he left his
+uncle Joseph procurator for his government, and for the public affairs,
+and gave him a private charge, that if Antony should kill him, he also
+should kill Mariamne immediately; for that he had a tender affection for
+this his wife, and was afraid of the injury that should be offered him,
+if, after his death, she, for her beauty, should be engaged to some
+other man: but his intimation was nothing but this at the bottom, that
+Antony had fallen in love with her, when he had formerly heard somewhat
+of her beauty. So when Herod had given Joseph this charge, and had
+indeed no sure hopes of escaping with his life, he went away to Antony.
+
+6. But as Joseph was administering the public affairs of the kingdom,
+and for that reason was very frequently with Mariamne, both because his
+business required it, and because of the respects he ought to pay to the
+queen, he frequently let himself into discourses about Herod's kindness,
+and great affection towards her; and when the women, especially
+Alexandra, used to turn his discourses into feminine raillery, Joseph
+was so over-desirous to demonstrate the kings inclinations, that he
+proceeded so far as to mention the charge he had received, and thence
+drew his demonstration, that Herod was not able to live without her; and
+that if he should come to any ill end, he could not endure a separation
+from her, even after he was dead. Thus spake Joseph. But the women, as
+was natural, did not take this to be an instance of Herod's strong
+affection for them, but of his severe usage of them, that they could not
+escape destruction, nor a tyrannical death, even when he was dead
+himself. And this saying [of Joseph] was a foundation for the women's
+severe suspicions about him afterwards.
+
+7. At this time a report went about the city Jerusalem among Herod's
+enemies, that Antony had tortured Herod, and put him to death. This
+report, as is natural, disturbed those that were about the palace, but
+chiefly the women; upon which Alexandra endeavored to persuade Joseph to
+go out of the palace, and fly away with them to the ensigns of the Roman
+legion, which then lay encamped about the city, as a guard to the
+kingdom, under the command of Julius; for that by this means, if any
+disturbance should happen about the palace, they should be in greater
+security, as having the Romans favorable to them; and that besides, they
+hoped to obtain the highest authority, if Antony did but once see
+Mariamne, by whose means they should recover the kingdom, and want
+nothing which was reasonable for them to hope for, because of their
+royal extraction.
+
+8. But as they were in the midst of these deliberations, letters were
+brought from Herod about all his affairs, and proved contrary to the
+report, and of what they before expected; for when he was come to
+Antony, he soon recovered his interest with him, by the presents he made
+him, which he had brought with him from Jerusalem; and he soon induced
+him, upon discoursing with him, to leave off his indignation at him, so
+that Cleopatra's persuasions had less force than the arguments and
+presents he brought to regain his friendship; for Antony said that it
+was not good to require an account of a king, as to the affairs of his
+government, for at this rate he could be no king at all, but that those
+who had given him that authority ought to permit him to make use of it.
+He also said the same things to Cleopatra, that it would be best for her
+not busily to meddle with the acts of the king's government. Herod wrote
+an account of these things, and enlarged upon the other honors which he
+had received from Antony; how he sat by him at his hearing causes, and
+took his diet with him every day, and that he enjoyed those favors from
+him, notwithstanding the reproaches that Cleopatra so severely laid
+against him, who having a great desire of his country, and earnestly
+entreating Antony that the kingdom might be given to her, labored with
+her utmost diligence to have him out of the way; but that he still found
+Antony just to him, and had no longer any apprehensions of hard
+treatment from him; and that he was soon upon his return, with a firmer
+additional assurance of his favor to him, in his reigning and managing
+public affairs; and that there was no longer any hope for Cleopatra's
+covetous temper, since Antony had given her Celesyria instead of what
+she had desired; by which means he had at once pacified her, and got
+clear of the entreaties which she made him to have Judea bestowed upon
+her.
+
+9. When these letters were brought, the women left off their attempt for
+flying to the Romans, which they thought of while Herod was supposed to
+be dead; yet was not that purpose of theirs a secret; but when the king
+had conducted Antony on his way against the Partnians, he returned to
+Judea, when both his sister Salome and his mother informed him of
+Alexandra's intentions. Salome also added somewhat further against
+Joseph, though it was no more than a calumny, that he had often had
+criminal conversation with Mariamne. The reason of her saying so was
+this, that she for a long time bare her ill-will; for when they had
+differences with one another, Mariamne took great freedoms, and
+reproached the rest for the meanness of their birth. But Herod, whose
+affection to Mariamne was always very warm, was presently disturbed at
+this, and could not bear the torments of jealousy, but was still
+restrained from doing any rash thing to her by the love he had for her;
+yet did his vehement affection and jealousy together make him ask
+Mariamne by herself about this matter of Joseph; but she denied it upon
+her oath, and said all that an innocent woman could possibly say in her
+own defense; so that by little and little the king was prevailed upon to
+drop the suspicion, and left off his anger at her; and being overcome
+with his passion for his wife, he made an apology to her for having
+seemed to believe what he had heard about her, and returned her a great
+many acknowledgments of her modest behavior, and professed the
+extraordinary affection and kindness he had for her, till at last, as is
+usual between lovers, they both fell into tears, and embraced one
+another with a most tender affection. But as the king gave more and more
+assurances of his belief of her fidelity, and endeavored to draw her to
+a like confidence in him, Mariamne said, "Yet was not that command thou
+gavest, that if any harm came to thee from Antony, I, who had been no
+occasion of it, should perish with thee, a sign of thy love to me?" When
+these words were fallen from her, the king was shocked at them, and
+presently let her go out of his arms, and cried out, and tore his hair
+with his own hands, and said, that "now he had an evident demonstration
+that Joseph had had criminal conversation" with his wife; for that he
+would never have uttered what he had told him alone by himself, unless
+there had been such a great familiarity and firm confidence between
+them. And while he was in this passion he had like to have killed his
+wife; but being still overborne by his love to her, he restrained this
+his passion, though not without a lasting grief and disquietness of
+mind. However, he gave order to slay Joseph, without permitting him to
+come into his sight; and as for Alexandra, he bound her, and kept her in
+custody, as the cause of all this mischief.
+
+
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER 4. How Cleopatra, When She Had Gotten From Antony Some Parts Of
+Judea And Arabia Came Into Judea; And How Herod Gave Her Many Presents
+And Conducted Her On Her Way Back To Egypt.
+
+1. Now at this time the affairs of Syria were in confusion by
+Cleopatra's constant persuasions to Antony to make an attempt upon every
+body's dominions; for she persuaded him to take those dominions away
+from their several princes, and bestow them upon her; and she had a
+mighty influence upon him, by reason of his being enslaved to her by his
+affections. She was also by nature very covetous, and stuck at no
+wickedness. She had already poisoned her brother, because she knew that
+he was to be king of Egypt, and this when he was but fifteen years old;
+and she got her sister Arsinoe to be slain, by the means of Antony, when
+she was a supplicant at Diana's temple at Ephesus; for if there were but
+any hopes of getting money, she would violate both temples and
+sepulchers. Nor was there any holy place that was esteemed the most
+inviolable, from which she would not fetch the ornaments it had in it;
+nor any place so profane, but was to suffer the most flagitious
+treatment possible from her, if it could but contribute somewhat to the
+covetous humor of this wicked creature: yet did not all this suffice so
+extravagant a woman, who was a slave to her lusts, but she still
+imagined that she wanted every thing she could think of, and did her
+utmost to gain it; for which reason she hurried Antony on perpetually to
+deprive others of their dominions, and give them to her. And as she went
+over Syria with him, she contrived to get it into her possession; so he
+slew Lysanias, the son of Ptolemy, accusing him of his bringing the
+Parthians upon those countries. She also petitioned Antony to give her
+Judea and Arabia; and, in order thereto, desired him to take these
+countries away from their present governors. As for Antony, he was so
+entirely overcome by this woman, that one would not think her
+conversation only could do it, but that he was some way or other
+bewitched to do whatsoever she would have him; yet did the grossest
+parts of her injustice make him so ashamed, that he would not always
+hearken to her to do those flagrant enormities she would have persuaded
+him to. That therefore he might not totally deny her, nor, by doing
+every thing which she enjoined him, appear openly to be an ill man, he
+took some parts of each of those countries away from their former
+governors, and gave them to her. Thus he gave her the cities that were
+within the river Eleutherus, as far as Egypt, excepting Tyre and Sidon,
+which he knew to have been free cities from their ancestors, although
+she pressed him very often to bestow those on her also.
+
+2. When Cleopatra had obtained thus much, and had accompanied Antony in
+his expedition to Armenia as far as Euphrates, she returned back, and
+came to Apamia and Damascus, and passed on to Judea, where Herod met
+her, and farmed of her parts of Arabia, and those revenues that came to
+her from the region about Jericho. This country bears that balsam, which
+is the most precious drug that is there, and grows there alone. The
+place bears also palm trees, both many in number, and those excellent in
+their kind. When she was there, and was very often with Herod, she
+endeavored to have criminal conversation with the king; nor did she
+affect secrecy in the indulgence of such sort of pleasures; and perhaps
+she had in some measure a passion of love to him; or rather, what is
+most probable, she laid a treacherous snare for him, by aiming to obtain
+such adulterous conversation from him: however, upon the whole, she
+seemed overcome with love to him. Now Herod had a great while borne no
+good-will to Cleopatra, as knowing that she was a woman irksome to all;
+and at that time he thought her particularly worthy of his hatred, if
+this attempt proceeded out of lust; he had also thought of preventing
+her intrigues, by putting her to death, if such were her endeavors.
+However, he refused to comply with her proposals, and called a counsel
+of his friends to consult with them whether he should not kill her, now
+he had her in his power; for that he should thereby deliver all those
+from a multitude of evils to whom she was already become irksome, and
+was expected to be still so for the time to come; and that this very
+thing would be much for the advantage of Antony himself, since she would
+certainly not be faithful to him, in case any such season or necessity
+should come upon him as that he should stand in need of her fidelity.
+But when he thought to follow this advice, his friends would not let
+him; and told him that, in the first place, it was not right to attempt
+so great a thing, and run himself thereby into the utmost danger; and
+they laid hard at him, and begged of him to undertake nothing rashly,
+for that Antony would never bear it, no, not though any one should
+evidently lay before his eyes that it was for his own advantage; and
+that the appearance of depriving him of her conversation, by this
+violent and treacherous method, would probably set his affections more
+on a flame than before. Nor did it appear that he could offer any thing
+of tolerable weight in his defense, this attempt being against such a
+woman as was of the highest dignity of any of her sex at that time in
+the world; and as to any advantage to be expected from such an
+undertaking, if any such could be supposed in this case, it would appear
+to deserve condemnation, on account of the insolence he must take upon
+him in doing it: which considerations made it very plain that in so
+doing he would find his government filled with mischief, both great and
+lasting, both to himself and his posterity, whereas it was still in his
+power to reject that wickedness she would persuade him to, and to come
+off honorably at the same time. So by thus affrighting Herod, and
+representing to him the hazard he must, in all probability, run by this
+undertaking, they restrained him from it. So he treated Cleopatra
+kindly, and made her presents, and conducted her on her way to Egypt.
+
+3. But Antony subdued Armenia, and sent Artabazes, the son of Tigranes,
+in bonds, with his children and procurators, to Egypt, and made a
+present of them, and of all the royal ornaments which he had taken out
+of that kingdom, to Cleopatra. And Artaxias, the eldest of his sons, who
+had escaped at that time, took the kingdom of Armenia; who yet was
+ejected by Archelaus and Nero Cæsar, when they restored Tigranes, his
+younger brother, to that kingdom; but this happened a good while
+afterward.
+
+4. But then, as to the tributes which Herod was to pay Cleopatra for
+that country which Antony had given her, he acted fairly with her, as
+deeming it not safe for him to afford any cause for Cleopatra to hate
+him. As for the king of Arabia, whose tribute Herod had undertaken to
+pay her, for some time indeed he paid him as much as came to two hundred
+talents; but he afterwards became very niggardly and slow in his
+payments, and could hardly be brought to pay some parts of it, and was
+not willing to pay even them without some deductions.
+
+
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER 5. How Herod Made War With The King Of Arabia, And After They
+Had Fought Many Battles, At Length Conquered Him, And Was Chosen By The
+Arabs To Be Governor Of That Nation; As Also Concerning A Great
+Earthquake.
+
+1. Hereupon Herod held himself ready to go against the king of Arabia,
+because of his ingratitude to him, and because, after all, he would do
+nothing that was just to him, although Herod made the Roman war an
+occasion of delaying his own; for the battle at Actium was now expected,
+which fell into the hundred eighty and seventh olympiad, where Cæsar and
+Antony were to fight for the supreme power of the world; but Herod
+having enjoyed a country that was very fruitful, and that now for a long
+time, and having received great taxes, and raised great armies
+therewith, got together a body of men, and carefully furnished them with
+all necessaries, and designed them as auxiliaries for Antony. But Antony
+said he had no want of his assistance; but he commanded him to punish
+the king of Arabia; for he had heard both from him, and from Cleopatra,
+how perfidious he was; for this was what Cleopatra desired, who thought
+it for her own advantage that these two kings should do one another as
+great mischief as possible. Upon this message from Antony, Herod
+returned back, but kept his army with him, in order to invade Arabia
+immediately. So when his army of horsemen and footmen was ready, he
+marched to Diospolis, whither the Arabians came also to meet them, for
+they were not unapprized of this war that was coming upon them; and
+after a great battle had been fought, the Jews had the victory. But
+afterward there were gotten together another numerous army of the
+Arabians, at Cana, which is a place of Celesyria. Herod was informed of
+this beforehand; so he came marching against them with the greatest part
+of the forces he had; and when he was come near to Cana, he resolved to
+encamp himself; and he cast up a bulwark, that he might take a proper
+season for attacking the enemy; but as he was giving those orders, the
+multitude of the Jews cried out that he should make no delay, but lead
+them against the Arabians. They went with great spirit, as believing
+they were in very good order; and those especially were so that had been
+in the former battle, and had been conquerors, and had not permitted
+their enemies so much as to come to a close fight with them. And when
+they were so tumultuous, and showed such great alacrity, the king
+resolved to make use of that zeal the multitude then exhibited; and when
+he had assured them he would not be behindhand with them in courage, he
+led them on, and stood before them all in his armor, all the regiments
+following him in their several ranks: whereupon a consternation fell
+upon the Arabians; for when they perceived that the Jews were not to be
+conquered, and were full of spirit, the greater part of them ran away,
+and avoided fighting; and they had been quite destroyed, had not Anthony
+fallen upon the Jews, and distressed them; for this man was Cleopatra's
+general over the soldiers she had there, and was at enmity with Herod,
+and very wistfully looked on to see what the event of the battle would
+be. He had also resolved, that in case the Arabians did any thing that
+was brave and successful, he would lie still; but in case they were
+beaten, as it really happened, he would attack the Jews with those
+forces he had of his own, and with those that the country had gotten
+together for him. So he fell upon the Jews unexpectedly, when they were
+fatigued, and thought they had already vanquished the enemy, and made a
+great slaughter of them; for as the Jews had spent their courage upon
+their known enemies, and were about to enjoy themselves in quietness
+after their victory, they were easily beaten by these that attacked them
+afresh, and in particular received a great loss in places where the
+horses could not be of service, and which were very stony, and where
+those that attacked them were better acquainted with the places than
+themselves. And when the Jews had suffered this loss, the Arabians
+raised their spirits after their defeat, and returning back again, slew
+those that were already put to flight; and indeed all sorts of slaughter
+were now frequent, and of those that escaped, a few only returned into
+the camp. So king Herod, when he despaired of the battle, rode up to
+them to bring them assistance; yet did he not come time enough to do
+them any service, though he labored hard to do it; but the Jewish camp
+was taken; so that the Arabians had unexpectedly a most glorious
+success, having gained that victory which of themselves they were no way
+likely to have gained, and slaying a great part of the enemy's army:
+whence afterward Herod could only act like a private robber, and make
+excursions upon many parts of Arabia, and distress them by sudden
+incursions, while he encamped among the mountains, and avoided by any
+means to come to a pitched battle; yet did he greatly harass the enemy
+by his assiduity, and the hard labor he took in this matter. He also
+took great care of his own forces, and used all the means he could to
+restore his affairs to their old state.
+
+2. At this time it was that the fight happened at Actium, between
+Octavius Cæsar and Antony, in the seventh year of the reign of Herod 8
+and then it was also that there was an earthquake in Judea, such a one
+as had not happened at any other time, and which earthquake brought a
+great destruction upon the cattle in that country. About ten thousand
+men also perished by the fall of houses; but the army, which lodged in
+the field, received no damage by this sad accident. When the Arabians
+were informed of this, and when those that hated the Jews, and pleased
+themselves with aggravating the reports, told them of it, they raised
+their spirits, as if their enemy's country was quite overthrown, and the
+men were utterly destroyed, and thought there now remained nothing that
+could oppose them. Accordingly, they took the Jewish ambassadors, who
+came to them after all this had happened, to make peace with them, and
+slew them, and came with great alacrity against their army; but the Jews
+durst not withstand them, and were so cast down by the calamities they
+were under, that they took no care of their affairs, but gave up
+themselves to despair; for they had no hope that they should be upon a
+level again with them in battles, nor obtain any assistance elsewhere,
+while their affairs at home were in such great distress also. When
+matters were in this condition, the king persuaded the commanders by his
+words, and tried to raise their spirits, which were quite sunk; and
+first he endeavored to encourage and embolden some of the better sort
+beforehand, and then ventured to make a speech to the multitude, which
+he had before avoided to do, lest he should find them uneasy thereat,
+because of the misfortunes which had happened; so he made a consolatory
+speech to the multitude, in the manner following:
+
+3. "You are not unacquainted, my fellow soldiers, that we have had, not
+long since, many accidents that have put a stop to what we are about,
+and it is probable that even those that are most distinguished above
+others for their courage can hardly keep up their spirits in such
+circumstances; but since we cannot avoid fighting, and nothing that hath
+happened is of such a nature but it may by ourselves be recovered into a
+good state, and this by one brave action only well performed, I have
+proposed to myself both to give you some encouragement, and, at the same
+time, some information; both which parts of my design will tend to this
+point; that you may still continue in your own proper fortitude. I will
+then, in the first place, demonstrate to you that this war is a just one
+on our side, and that on this account it is a war of necessity, and
+occasioned by the injustice of our adversaries; for if you be once
+satisfied of this, it will be a real cause of alacrity to you; after
+which I will further demonstrate, that the misfortunes we are under are
+of no great consequence, and that we have the greatest reason to hope
+for victory. I shall begin with the first, and appeal to yourselves as
+witnesses to what I shall say. You are not ignorant certainly of the
+wickedness of the Arabians, which is to that degree as to appear
+incredible to all other men, and to include somewhat that shows the
+grossest barbarity and ignorance of God. The chief things wherein they
+have affronted us have arisen from covetousness and envy; and they have
+attacked us in an insidious manner, and on the sudden. And what occasion
+is there for me to mention many instances of such their procedure? When
+they were in danger of losing their own government of themselves, and of
+being slaves to Cleopatra, what others were they that freed them from
+that fear? for it was the friendship I had with Antony, and the kind
+disposition he was in towards us, that hath been the occasion that even
+these Arabians have not been utterly undone, Antony being unwilling to
+undertake any thing which might be suspected by us of unkindness: but
+when he had a mind to bestow some parts of each of our dominions on
+Cleopatra, I also managed that matter so, that by giving him presents of
+my own, I might obtain a security to both nations, while I undertook
+myself to answer for the money, and gave him two hundred talents, and
+became surety for those two hundred more which were imposed upon the
+land that was subject to this tribute; and this they have defrauded us
+of, although it was not reasonable that Jews should pay tribute to any
+man living, or allow part of their land to be taxable; but although that
+was to be, yet ought we not to pay tribute for these Arabians, whom we
+have ourselves preserved; nor is it fit that they, who have professed
+[and that with great integrity and sense of our kindness] that it is by
+our means that they keep their principality, should injure us, and
+deprive us of what is our due, and this while we have been still not
+their enemies, but their friends. And whereas observation of covenants
+takes place among the bitterest enemies, but among friends is absolutely
+necessary, this is not observed among these men, who think gain to be
+the best of all things, let it be by any means whatsoever, and that
+injustice is no harm, if they may but get money by it: is it therefore a
+question with you, whether the unjust are to be punished or not? when
+God himself hath declared his mind that so it ought to be, and hath
+commanded that we ever should hate injuries and injustice, which is not
+only just, but necessary, in wars between several nations; for these
+Arabians have done what both the Greeks and barbarians own to be an
+instance of the grossest wickedness, with regard to our ambassadors,
+which they have beheaded, while the Greeks declare that such ambassadors
+are sacred and inviolable. 9 And for ourselves, we have learned from God
+the most excellent of our doctrines, and the most holy part of our law,
+by angels or ambassadors; for this name brings God to the knowledge of
+mankind, and is sufficient to reconcile enemies one to another. What
+wickedness then can be greater than the slaughter of ambassadors, who
+come to treat about doing what is right? And when such have been their
+actions, how is it possible they can either live securely in common
+life, or be successful in war? In my opinion, this is impossible; but
+perhaps some will say, that what is holy, and what is righteous, is
+indeed on our side, but that the Arabians are either more courageous or
+more numerous than we are. Now, as to this, in the first place, it is
+not fit for us to say so, for with whom is what is righteous, with them
+is God himself; now where God is, there is both multitude and courage.
+But to examine our own circumstances a little, we were conquerors in the
+first battle; and when we fought again, they were not able to oppose us,
+but ran away, and could not endure our attacks or our courage; but when
+we had conquered them, then came Athenion, and made war against us
+without declaring it; and pray, is this an instance of their manhood? or
+is it not a second instance of their wickedness and treachery? Why are
+we therefore of less courage, on account of that which ought to inspire
+us with stronger hopes? and why are we terrified at these, who, when
+they fight upon the level, are continually beaten, and when they seem to
+be conquerors, they gain it by wickedness? and if we suppose that any
+one should deem them to be men of real courage, will not he be excited
+by that very consideration to do his utmost against them? for true valor
+is not shown by fighting against weak persons, but in being able to
+overcome the most hardy. But then if the distresses we are ourselves
+under, and the miseries that have come by the earthquake, hath
+affrighted any one, let him consider, in the first place, that this very
+thing will deceive the Arabians, by their supposal that what hath
+befallen us is greater than it really is. Moreover, it is not right that
+the same thing that emboldens them should discourage us; for these men,
+you see, do not derive their alacrity from any advantageous virtue of
+their own, but from their hope, as to us, that we are quite cast down by
+our misfortunes; but when we boldly march against them, we shall soon
+pull down their insolent conceit of themselves, and shall gain this by
+attacking them, that they will not be so insolent when we come to the
+battle; for our distresses are not so great, nor is what hath happened
+all indication of the anger of God against us, as some imagine; for such
+things are accidental, and adversities that come in the usual course of
+things; and if we allow that this was done by the will of God, we must
+allow that it is now over by his will also, and that he is satisfied
+with what hath already happened; for had he been willing to afflict us
+still more thereby, he had not changed his mind so soon. And as for the
+war we are engaged in, he hath himself demonstrated that he is willing
+it should go on, and that he knows it to be a just war; for while some
+of the people in the country have perished, all you who were in arms
+have suffered nothing, but are all preserved alive; whereby God makes it
+plain to us, that if you had universally, with your children and wives,
+been in the army, it had come to pass that you had not undergone any
+thing that would have much hurt you. Consider these things, and, what is
+more than all the rest, that you have God at all times for your
+Protector; and prosecute these men with a just bravery, who, in point of
+friendship, are unjust, in their battles perfidious, towards ambassadors
+impious, and always inferior to you in valor."
+
+4. When the Jews heard this speech, they were much raised in their
+minds, and more disposed to fight than before. So Herod, when he had
+offered the sacrifices appointed by the law 10 made haste, and took
+them, and led them against the Arabians; and in order to that passed
+over Jordan, and pitched his camp near to that of the enemy. He also
+thought fit to seize upon a certain castle that lay in the midst of
+them, as hoping it would be for his advantage, and would the sooner
+produce a battle; and that if there were occasion for delay, he should
+by it have his camp fortified; and as the Arabians had the same
+intentions upon that place, a contest arose about it; at first they were
+but skirmishes, after which there came more soldiers, and it proved a
+sort of fight, and some fell on both sides, till those of the Arabian
+side were beaten and retreated. This was no small encouragement to the
+Jews immediately; and when Herod observed that the enemy's army was
+disposed to any thing rather than to come to an engagement, he ventured
+boldly to attempt the bulwark itself, and to pull it to pieces, and so
+to get nearer to their camp, in order to fight them; for when they were
+forced out of their trenches, they went out in disorder, and had not the
+least alacrity, or hope of victory; yet did they fight hand to hand,
+because they were more in number than the Jews, and because they were in
+such a disposition of war that they were under a necessity of coming on
+boldly; so they came to a terrible battle, while not a few fell on each
+side. However, at length the Arabians fled; and so great a slaughter was
+made upon their being routed, that they were not only killed by their
+enemies, but became the authors of their own deaths also, and were
+trodden down by the multitude, and the great current of people in
+disorder, and were destroyed by their own armor; so five thousand men
+lay dead upon the spot, while the rest of the multitude soon ran within
+the bulwark for safety, but had no firm hope of safety, by reason of
+their want of necessaries, and especially of water. The Jews pursued
+them, but could not get in with them, but sat round about the bulwark,
+and watched any assistance that would get in to them, and prevented any
+there, that had a mind to it, from running away.
+
+5. When the Arabians were in these circumstances, they sent ambassadors
+to Herod, in the first place, to propose terms of accommodation, and
+after that to offer him, so pressing was their thirst upon them, to
+undergo whatsoever he pleased, if he would free them from their present
+distress; but he would admit of no ambassadors, of no price of
+redemption, nor of any other moderate terms whatever, being very
+desirous to revenge those unjust actions which they had been guilty of
+towards his nation. So they were necessitated by other motives, and
+particularly by their thirst, to come out, and deliver themselves up to
+him, to be carried away captives; and in five days' time the number of
+four thousand were taken prisoners, while all the rest resolved to make
+a sally upon their enemies, and to fight it out with them, choosing
+rather, if so it must be, to die therein, than to perish gradually and
+ingloriously. When they had taken this resolution, they came out of
+their trenches, but could no way sustain the fight, being too much
+disabled, both in mind and body, and having not room to exert
+themselves, and thought it an advantage to be killed, and a misery to
+survive; so at the first onset there fell about seven thousand of them,
+after which stroke they let all the courage they had put on before fall,
+and stood amazed at Herod's warlike spirit under his own calamities; so
+for the future they yielded, and made him ruler of their nation;
+whereupon he was greatly elevated at so seasonable a success, and
+returned home, taking great authority upon him, on account of so bold
+and glorious an expedition as he had made.
+
+
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER 6. How Herod Slew Hyrcanus And Then Hasted Away To Cæsar, And
+Obtained The Kingdom From Him Also; And How A Little Time Afterward, He
+Entertained Cæsar In A Most Honorable Manner.
+
+1. Herod's other affairs were now very prosperous, and he was not to be
+easily assaulted on any side. Yet did there come upon him a danger that
+would hazard his entire dominions, after Antony had been beaten at the
+battle of Actium by Cæsar [Octavian]; for at that time both Herod's
+enemies and friends despaired of his affairs, for it was not probable
+that he would remain without punishment, who had showed so much
+friendship for Antony. So it happened that his friends despaired, and
+had no hopes of his escape; but for his enemies, they all outwardly
+appeared to be troubled at his case, but were privately very glad of it,
+as hoping to obtain a change for the better. As for Herod himself he saw
+that there was no one of royal dignity left but Hyrcanus, and therefore
+he thought it would be for his advantage not to suffer him to be an
+obstacle in his way any longer; for that in case he himself survived,
+and escaped the danger he was in, he thought it the safest way to put it
+out of the power of such a man to make any attempt against him, at such
+junctures of affairs, as was more worthy of the kingdom than himself;
+and in case he should be slain by Cæsar, his envy prompted him to desire
+to slay him that would otherwise be king after him.
+
+2. While Herod had these things in his mind, there was a certain
+occasion afforded him: for Hyrcanus was of so mild a temper, both then
+and at other times, that he desired not to meddle with public affairs,
+nor to concern himself with innovations, but left all to fortune, and
+contented himself with what that afforded him: but Alexandra [his
+daughter] was a lover of strife, and was exceeding desirous of a change
+of the government, and spake to her father not to bear for ever Herod's
+injurious treatment of their family, but to anticipate their future
+hopes, as he safely might; and desired him to write about these matters
+to Malchus, who was then governor of Arabia, to receive them, and to
+secure them [from Herod], for that if they went away, and Herod's
+affairs proved to be as it was likely they would be, by reason of
+Cæsar's enmity to him, they should then be the only persons that could
+take the government; and this, both on account of the royal family they
+were of, and on account of the good disposition of: the multitude to
+them. While she used these persuasions, Hyrcanus put off her suit; but
+as she showed that she was a woman, and a contentious woman too, and
+would not desist either night or day, but would always be speaking to
+him about these matters, and about Herod's treacherous designs, she at
+last prevailed with him to intrust Dositheus, one of his friends, with a
+letter, wherein his resolution was declared; and he desired the Arabian
+governor to send to him some horsemen, who should receive him, and
+conduct him to the lake Asphaltites, which is from the bounds of
+Jerusalem three hundred furlongs: and he did therefore trust Dositheus
+with this letter, because he was a careful attendant on him, and on
+Alexandra, and had no small occasions to bear ill-will to Herod; for he
+was a kinsman of one Joseph, whom he had slain, and a brother of those
+that were formerly slain at Tyre by Antony: yet could not these motives
+induce Dositheus to serve Hyrcanus in this affair; for, preferring the
+hopes he had from the present king to those he had from him, he gave
+Herod the letter. So he took his kindness in good part, and bid him
+besides do what he had already done, that is, go on in serving him, by
+rolling up the epistle and sealing it again, and delivering it to
+Malchus, and then to bring back his letter in answer to it; for it would
+be much better if he could know Malchus's intentions also. And when
+Dositheus was very ready to serve him in this point also, the Arabian
+governor returned back for answer, that he would receive Hyrcanus, and
+all that should come with him, and even all the Jews that were of his
+party; that he would, moreover, send forces sufficient to secure them in
+their journey; and that he should be in no want of any thing he should
+desire. Now as soon as Herod had received this letter, he immediately
+sent for Hyrcanus, and questioned him about the league he had made with
+Malchus; and when he denied it, he showed his letter to the Sanhedrim,
+and put the man to death immediately.
+
+3. And this account we give the reader, as it is contained in the
+commentaries of king Herod: but other historians do not agree with them,
+for they suppose that Herod did not find, but rather make, this an
+occasion for thus putting him to death, and that by treacherously laying
+a snare for him; for thus do they write: That Herod and he were once at
+a treat, and that Herod had given no occasion to suspect [that he was
+displeased at him], but put this question to Hyrcanus, Whether he had
+received any letters from Malchus? and when he answered that he had
+received letters, but those of salutation only; and when he asked
+further, whether he had not received any presents from him? and when he
+had replied that he had received no more than four horses to ride on,
+which Malchus had sent him; they pretended that Herod charged these upon
+him as the crimes of bribery and treason, and gave order that he should
+be led away and slain. And in order to demonstrate that he had been
+guilty of no offense, when he was thus brought to his end, they alleged
+how mild his temper had been, and that even in his youth he had never
+given any demonstration of boldness or rashness, and that the case was
+the same when he came to be king, but that he even then committed the
+management of the greatest part of public affairs to Antipater; and that
+he was now above fourscore years old, and knew that Herod's government
+was in a secure state. He also came over Euphrates, and left those who
+greatly honored him beyond that river, though he were to be entirely
+under Herod's government; and that it was a most incredible thing that
+he should enterprise any thing by way of innovation, and not at all
+agreeable to his temper, but that this was a plot of Herod's
+contrivance.
+
+4. And this was the fate of Hyrcanus; and thus did he end his life,
+after he had endured various and manifold turns of fortune in his
+lifetime. For he was made high priest of the Jewish nation in the
+beginning of his mother Alexandra's reign, who held the government nine
+years; and when, after his mother's death, he took the kingdom himself,
+and held it three months, he lost it, by the means of his brother
+Aristobulus. He was then restored by Pompey, and received all sorts of
+honor from him, and enjoyed them forty years; but when he was again
+deprived by Antigonus, and was maimed in his body, he was made a captive
+by the Parthians, and thence returned home again after some time, on
+account of the hopes that Herod had given him; none of which came to
+pass according to his expectation, but he still conflicted with many
+misfortunes through the whole course of his life; and, what was the
+heaviest calamity of all, as we have related already, he came to an end
+which was undeserved by him. His character appeared to be that of a man
+of a mild and moderate disposition, and suffered the administration of
+affairs to be generally done by others under him. He was averse to much
+meddling with the public, nor had shrewdness enough to govern a kingdom.
+And both Antipater and Herod came to their greatness by reason of his
+mildness; and at last he met with such an end from them as was not
+agreeable either to justice or piety.
+
+5. Now Herod, as soon as he had put Hyrcanus out of the way, made haste
+to Cæsar; and because he could not have any hopes of kindness from him,
+on account of the friendship he had for Antony, he had a suspicion of
+Alexandra, lest she should take this opportunity to bring the multitude
+to a revolt, and introduce a sedition into the affairs of the kingdom;
+so he committed the care of every thing to his brother Pheroras, and
+placed his mother Cypros, and his sister [Salome], and the whole family
+at Masada, and gave him a charge, that if he should hear any sad news
+about him, he should take care of the government. But as to Mariamne his
+wife, because of the misunderstanding between her and his sister, and
+his sister's mother, which made it impossible for them to live together,
+he placed her at Alexandrium, with Alexandra her mother, and left his
+treasurer Joseph and Sohemus of Iturea to take care of that fortress.
+These two had been very faithful to him from the beginning, and were now
+left as a guard to the women. They also had it in charge, that if they
+should hear any mischief had befallen him, they should kill them both,
+and, as far as they were able, to preserve the kingdom for his sons, and
+for his brother Pheroras.
+
+6. When he had given them this charge, he made haste to Rhodes, to meet
+Cæsar; and when he had sailed to that city, he took off his diadem, but
+remitted nothing else of his usual dignity. And when, upon his meeting
+him, he desired that he would let him speak to him, he therein exhibited
+a much more noble specimen of a great soul; for he did not betake
+himself to supplications, as men usually do upon such occasions, nor
+offered him any petition, as if he were an offender; but, after an
+undaunted manner, gave an account of what he had done; for he spake thus
+to Cæsar: That he had the greatest friendship for Antony, and did every
+thing he could that he might attain the government; that he was not
+indeed in the army with him, because the Arabians had diverted him; but
+that he had sent him both money and corn, which was but too little in
+comparison of what he ought to have done for him; "for if a man owns
+himself to be another's friend, and knows him to be a benefactor, he is
+obliged to hazard every thing, to use every faculty of his soul, every
+member of his body, and all the wealth he hath, for him, in which I
+confess I have been too deficient. However, I am conscious to myself,
+that so far I have done right, that I have not deserted him upon his
+defeat at Actium; nor upon the evident change of his fortune have I
+transferred my hopes from him to another, but have preserved myself,
+though not as a valuable fellow soldier, yet certainly as a faithful
+counselor, to Antony, when I demonstrated to him that the only way that
+he had to save himself, and not to lose all his authority, was to slay
+Cleopatra; for when she was once dead, there would be room for him to
+retain his authority, and rather to bring thee to make a composition
+with him, than to continue at enmity any longer. None of which advises
+would he attend to, but preferred his own rash resolution before them,
+which have happened unprofitably for him, but profitably for thee. Now,
+therefore, in case thou determinest about me, and my alacrity in serving
+Antony, according to thy anger at him, I own there is no room for me to
+deny what I have done, nor will I be ashamed to own, and that publicly
+too, that I had a great kindness for him. But if thou wilt put him out
+of the case, and only examine how I behave myself to my benefactors in
+general, and what sort of friend I am, thou wilt find by experience that
+we shall do and be the same to thyself, for it is but changing the
+names, and the firmness of friendship that we shall bear to thee will
+not be disapproved by thee."
+
+7. By this speech, and by his behavior, which showed Cæsar the frankness
+of his mind, he greatly gained upon him, who was himself of a generous
+and magnificent temper, insomuch that those very actions, which were the
+foundation of the accusation against him, procured him Cæsar's good-
+will. Accordingly, he restored him his diadem again; and encouraged him
+to exhibit himself as great a friend to himself as he had been to
+Antony, and then had him in great esteem. Moreover, he added this, that
+Quintus Didius had written to him that Herod had very readily assisted
+him in the affair of the gladiators. So when he had obtained such a kind
+reception, and had, beyond all his hopes, procured his crown to be more
+entirely and firmly settled upon him than ever by Cæsar's donation, as
+well as by that decree of the Romans, which Cæsar took care to procure
+for his greater security, he conducted Cæsar on his way to Egypt, and
+made presents, even beyond his ability, to both him and his friends, and
+in general behaved himself with great magnanimity. He also desired that
+Cæsar would not put to death one Alexander, who had been a companion of
+Antony; but Cæsar had sworn to put him to death, and so he could not
+obtain that his petition. And now he returned to Judea again with
+greater honor and assurance than ever, and affrighted those that had
+expectations to the contrary, as still acquiring from his very dangers
+greater splendor than before, by the favor of God to him. So he prepared
+for the reception of Cæsar, as he was going out of Syria to invade
+Egypt; and when he came, he entertained him at Ptolemais with all royal
+magnificence. He also bestowed presents on the army, and brought them
+provisions in abundance. He also proved to be one of Cæsar's most
+cordial friends, and put the army in array, and rode along with Cæsar,
+and had a hundred and fifty men, well appointed in all respects, after a
+rich and sumptuous manner, for the better reception of him and his
+friends. He also provided them with what they should want, as they
+passed over the dry desert, insomuch that they lacked neither wine nor
+water, which last the soldiers stood in the greatest need of; and
+besides, he presented Cæsar with eight hundred talents, and procured to
+himself the good-will of them all, because he was assisting to them in a
+much greater and more splendid degree than the kingdom he had obtained
+could afford; by which means he more and more demonstrated to Cæsar the
+firmness of his friendship, and his readiness to assist him; and what
+was of the greatest advantage to him was this, that his liberality came
+at a seasonable time also. And when they returned again out of Egypt,
+his assistances were no way inferior to the good offices he had formerly
+done them.
+
+
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER 7. How Herod Slew Sohemus And Mariamne And Afterward Alexandra
+And Costobarus, And His Most Intimate Friends, And At Last The Sons Of
+Babbas Also.
+
+1. However, when he came into his kingdom again, he found his house all
+in disorder, and his wife Mariamne and her mother Alexandra very uneasy;
+for as they supposed [what was easy to be supposed] that they were not
+put into that fortress [Alexandrium] for the security of their persons,
+but as into a garrison for their imprisonment, and that they had no
+power over any thing, either of others or of their own affairs, they
+were very uneasy; and Mariamne supposing that the king's love to her was
+but hypocritical, and rather pretended [as advantageous to himself] than
+real, she looked upon it as fallacious. She also was grieved that he
+would not allow her any hopes of surviving him, if he should come to any
+harm himself. She also recollected what commands he had formerly given
+to Joseph, insomuch that she endeavored to please her keepers, and
+especially Sohemus, as well apprized how all was in his power. And at
+the first Sohemus was faithful to Herod, and neglected none of the
+things he had given him in charge; but when the women, by kind words and
+liberal presents, had gained his affections over to them, he was by
+degrees overcome, and at length discovered to them all the king's
+injunctions, and this on that account principally, that he did not so
+much as hope he would come back with the same authority he had before;
+so that he thought he should both escape any danger from him, and
+supposed that he did hereby much gratify the women, who were likely not
+to be overlooked in the settling of the government; nay, that they would
+be able to make him abundant recompense, since they must either reign
+themselves, or be very near to him that should reign. He had a further
+ground of hope also, that though Herod should have all the success he
+could wish for, and should return again, he could not contradict his
+wife in what she desired, for he knew that the king's fondness for his
+wife was inexpressible. These were the motives that drew Sohemus to
+discover what injunctions had been given him. So Mariamne was greatly
+displeased to hear that there was no end of the dangers she was under
+from Herod, and was greatly uneasy at it, and wished that he might
+obtain no favors [from Cæsar], and esteemed it almost an insupportable
+task to live with him any longer; and this she afterward openly
+declared, without concealing her resentment.
+
+2. And now Herod sailed home with joy, at the unexpected good success he
+had had; and went first of all, as was proper, to this his wife, and
+told her, and her only, the good news, as preferring her before the
+rest, on account of his fondness for her, and the intimacy there had
+been between them, and saluted her; but so it happened, that as he told
+her of the good success he had had, she was so far from rejoicing at it,
+that she rather was sorry for it; nor was she able to conceal her
+resentments, but, depending on her dignity, and the nobility of her
+birth, in return for his salutations, she gave a groan, and declared
+evidently that she rather grieved than rejoiced at his success, and this
+till Herod was disturbed at her, as affording him, not only marks of her
+suspicion, but evident signs of her dissatisfaction. This much troubled
+him, to see that this surprising hatred of his wife to him was not
+concealed, but open; and he took this so ill, and yet was so unable to
+bear it, on account of the fondness he had for her, that he could not
+continue long in any one mind, but sometimes was angry at her, and
+sometimes reconciled himself to her; but by always changing one passion
+for another, he was still in great uncertainty, and thus was he
+entangled between hatred and love, and was frequently disposed to
+inflict punishment on her for her insolence towards him; but being
+deeply in love with her in his soul, he was not able to get quit of this
+woman. In short, as he would gladly have her punished, so was he afraid
+lest, ere he were aware, he should, by putting her to death, bring a
+heavier punishment upon himself at the same time.
+
+3. When Herod's sister and mother perceived that he was in this temper
+with regard to Mariamne they thought they had now got an excellent
+opportunity to exercise their hatred against her and provoked Herod to
+wrath by telling him, such long stories and calumnies about her, as
+might at once excite his hatred and his jealousy. Now, though he
+willingly enough heard their words, yet had not he courage enough to do
+any thing to her as if he believed them; but still he became worse and
+worse disposed to her, and these ill passions were more and more
+inflamed on both sides, while she did not hide her disposition towards
+him, and he turned his love to her into wrath against her. But when he
+was just going to put this matter past all remedy, he heard the news
+that Cæsar was the victor in the war, and that Antony and Cleopatra were
+both dead, and that he had conquered Egypt; whereupon he made haste to
+go to meet Cæsar, and left the affairs of his family in their present
+state. However, Mariamne recommended Sohemus to him, as he was setting
+out on his journey, and professed that she owed him thanks for the care
+he had taken of her, and asked of the king for him a place in the
+government; upon which an honorable employment was bestowed upon him
+accordingly. Now when Herod was come into Egypt, he was introduced to
+Cæsar with great freedom, as already a friend of his, and received very
+great favors from him; for he made him a present of those four hundred
+Galatians who had been Cleopatra's guards, and restored that country to
+him again, which, by her means, had been taken away from him. He also
+added to his kingdom Gadara, Hippos, and Samaria; and, besides those,
+the maritime cities, Gaza, and Anthedon, and Joppa, and Strato's Tower.
+
+4. Upon these new acquisitions, he grew more magnificent, and conducted
+Cæsar as far as Antioch; but upon his return, as much as his prosperity
+was augmented by the foreign additions that had been made him, so much
+the greater were the distresses that came upon him in his own family,
+and chiefly in the affair of his wife, wherein he formerly appeared to
+have been most of all fortunate; for the affection he had for Mariamne
+was no way inferior to the affections of such as are on that account
+celebrated in history, and this very justly. As for her, she was in
+other respects a chaste woman, and faithful to him; yet had she somewhat
+of a woman rough by nature, and treated her husband imperiously enough,
+because she saw he was so fond of her as to be enslaved to her. She did
+not also consider seasonably with herself that she lived under a
+monarchy, and that she was at another's disposal, and accordingly would
+behave herself after a saucy manner to him, which yet he usually put off
+in a jesting way, and bore with moderation and good temper. She would
+also expose his mother and his sister openly, on account of the meanness
+of their birth, and would speak unkindly of them, insomuch that there
+was before this a disagreement and unpardonable hatred among the women,
+and it was now come to greater reproaches of one another than formerly,
+which suspicions increased, and lasted a whole year after Herod returned
+from Cæsar. However, these misfortunes, which had been kept under some
+decency for a great while, burst out all at once upon such an occasion
+as was now offered; for as the king was one day about noon lain down on
+his bed to rest him, he called for Mariamne, out of the great affection
+he had always for her. She came in accordingly, but would not lie down
+by him; and when he was very desirous of her company, she showed her
+contempt of him; and added, by way of reproach, that he had caused her
+father and her brother to be slain. 11 And when he took this injury very
+unkindly, and was ready to use violence to her, in a precipitate manner,
+the king's sister Salome, observing that he was more than ordinarily
+disturbed, sent in to the king his cup-bearer, who had been prepared
+long beforehand for such a design, and bid him tell the king how
+Mariamne had persuaded him to give his assistance in preparing a love
+potion for him; and if he appeared to be greatly concerned, and to ask
+what that love potion was, to tell him that she had the potion, and that
+he was desired only to give it him; but that in case he did not appear
+to be much concerned at this potion, to let the thing drop; and that if
+he did so, no harm should thereby come to him. When she had given him
+these instructions, she sent him in at this time to make such a speech.
+So he went in, after a composed manner, to gain credit to what he should
+say, and yet somewhat hastily, and said that Mariamne had given him
+presents, and persuaded him to give him a love potion. And when this
+moved the king, he said that this love potion was a composition that she
+had given him, whose effects he did not know, which was the reason of
+his resolving to give him this information, as the safest course he
+could take, both for himself and for the king. When Herod heard what he
+said, and was in an ill disposition before, his indignation grew more
+violent; and he ordered that eunuch of Mariamne, who was most faithful
+to her, to be brought to torture about this potion, as well knowing it
+was not possible that any thing small or great could be done without
+him. And when the man was under the utmost agonies, he could say nothing
+concerning the thing he was tortured about, but so far he knew, that
+Mariamne's hatred against him was occasioned by somewhat that Sohemus
+had said to her. Now as he was saying this, Herod cried out aloud, and
+said that Sohemus, who had been at all other times most faithful to him,
+and to his government, would not have betrayed what injunctions he had
+given him, unless he had had a nearer conversation than ordinary with
+Mariamne. So he gave order that Sohemus should be seized on and slain
+immediately; but he allowed his wife to take her trial; and got together
+those that were most faithful to him, and laid an elaborate accusation
+against her for this love potion and composition, which had been charged
+upon her by way of calumny only. However, he kept no temper in what he
+said, and was in too great a passion for judging well about this matter.
+Accordingly, when the court was at length satisfied that he was so
+resolved, they passed the sentence of death upon her; but when the
+sentence was passed upon her, this temper was suggested by himself, and
+by some others of the court, that she should not be thus hastily put to
+death, but be laid in prison in one of the fortresses belonging to the
+kingdom: but Salome and her party labored hard to have the woman put to
+death; and they prevailed with the king to do so, and advised this out
+of caution, lest the multitude should be tumultuous if she were suffered
+to live; and thus was Mariamne led to execution.
+
+5. When Alexandra observed how things went, and that there were small
+hopes that she herself should escape the like treatment from Herod, she
+changed her behavior to quite the reverse of what might have been
+expected from her former boldness, and this after a very indecent
+manner; for out of her desire to show how entirely ignorant she was of
+the crimes laid against Mariamne, she leaped out of her place, and
+reproached her daughter in the hearing of all the people; and cried out
+that she had been an ill woman, and ungrateful to her husband, and that
+her punishment came justly upon her for such her insolent behavior, for
+that she had not made proper returns to him who had been their common
+benefactor. And when she had for some time acted after this hypocritical
+manner, and been so outrageous as to tear her hair, this indecent and
+dissembling behavior, as was to be expected, was greatly condemned by
+the rest of the spectators, as it was principally by the poor woman who
+was to suffer; for at the first she gave her not a word, nor was
+discomposed at her peevishness, and only looked at her, yet did she out
+of a greatness of soul discover her concern for her mother's offense,
+and especially for her exposing herself in a manner so unbecoming her;
+but as for herself, she went to her death with an unshaken firmness of
+mind, and without changing the color of her face, and thereby evidently
+discovered the nobility of her descent to the spectators, even in the
+last moments of her life.
+
+6. And thus died Mariamne, a woman of an excellent character, both for
+chastity and greatness of soul; but she wanted moderation, and had too
+much of contention in her nature; yet had she all that can be said in
+the beauty of her body, and her majestic appearance in conversation; and
+thence arose the greatest part of the occasions why she did not prove so
+agreeable to the king, nor live so pleasantly with him, as she might
+otherwise have done; for while she was most indulgently used by the
+king, out of his fondness for her, and did not expect that he could do
+any hard thing to her, she took too unbounded a liberty. Moreover, that
+which most afflicted her was, what he had done to her relations, and she
+ventured to speak of all they had suffered by him, and at last greatly
+provoked both the king's mother and sister, till they became enemies to
+her; and even he himself also did the same, on whom alone she depended
+for her expectations of escaping the last of punishments.
+
+7. But when she was once dead, the king's affections for her were
+kindled in a more outrageous manner than before, whose old passion for
+her we have already described; for his love to her was not of a calm
+nature, nor such as we usually meet with among other husbands; for at
+its commencement it was of an enthusiastic kind, nor was it by their
+long cohabitation and free conversation together brought under his power
+to manage; but at this time his love to Mariamne seemed to seize him in
+such a peculiar manner, as looked like Divine vengeance upon him for the
+taking away her life; for he would frequently call for her, and
+frequently lament for her in a most indecent manner. Moreover, he
+bethought him of every thing he could make use of to divert his mind
+from thinking of her, and contrived feasts and assemblies for that
+purpose, but nothing would suffice; he therefore laid aside the
+administration of public affairs, and was so far conquered by his
+passion, that he would order his servants to call for Mariamne, as if
+she were still alive, and could still hear them. And when he was in this
+way, there arose a pestilential disease, and carried off the greatest
+part of the multitude, and of his best and most esteemed friends, and
+made all men suspect that this was brought upon them by the anger of
+God, for the injustice that had been done to Mariamne. This circumstance
+affected the king still more, till at length he forced himself to go
+into desert places, and there, under pretense of going a hunting,
+bitterly afflicted himself; yet had he not borne his grief there many
+days before he fell into a most dangerous distemper himself: he had an
+inflammation upon him, and a pain in the hinder part of his head, joined
+with madness; and for the remedies that were used, they did him no good
+at all, but proved contrary to his case, and so at length brought him to
+despair. All the physicians also that were about him, partly because the
+medicines they brought for his recovery could not at all conquer the
+disease, and partly because his diet could be no other than what his
+disease inclined him to, desired him to eat whatever he had a mind to,
+and so left the small hopes they had of his recovery in the power of
+that diet, and committed him to fortune. And thus did his distemper go
+on, while he was at Samaria, now called Sebaste.
+
+8. Now Alexandra abode at this time at Jerusalem; and being informed
+what condition Herod was in, she endeavored to get possession of the
+fortified places that were about the city, which were two, the one
+belonging to the city itself, the other belonging to the temple; and
+those that could get them into their hands had the whole nation under
+their power, for without the command of them it was not possible to
+offer their sacrifices; and to think of leaving on those sacrifices is
+to every Jew plainly impossible, who are still more ready to lose their
+lives than to leave off that Divine worship which they have been wont to
+pay unto God. Alexandra, therefore, discoursed with those that had the
+keeping of these strong holds, that it was proper for them to deliver
+the same to her, and to Herod's sons, lest, upon his death, any other
+person should seize upon the government; and that upon his recovery none
+could keep them more safely for him than those of his own family. These
+words were not by them at all taken in good part; and as they had been
+in former times faithful [to Herod], they resolved to continue so more
+than ever, both because they hated Alexandra, and because they thought
+it a sort of impiety to despair of Herod's recovery while he was yet
+alive, for they had been his old friends; and one of them, whose name
+was Achiabus, was his cousin-german. They sent messengers therefore to
+acquaint him with Alexandra's design; so he made no longer delay, but
+gave orders to have her slain; yet was it still with difficulty, and
+after he had endured great pain, that he got clear of his distemper. He
+was still sorely afflicted, both in mind and body, and made very uneasy,
+and readier than ever upon all occasions to inflict punishment upon
+those that fell under his hand. He also slew the most intimate of his
+friends, Costobarus, and Lysimachus, and Cadias, who was also called
+Antipater; as also Dositheus, and that upon the following occasion.
+
+9. Costobarus was an Idumean by birth, and one of principal dignity
+among them, and one whose ancestors had been priests to the Koze, whom
+the Idumeans had [formerly] esteemed as a god; but after Hyrcanus had
+made a change in their political government, and made them receive the
+Jewish customs and law, Herod made Costobarus governor of Idumea and
+Gaza, and gave him his sister Salome to wife; and this was upon the
+slaughter of [his uncle] Joseph, who had that government before, as we
+have related already. When Costobarus had gotten to be so highly
+advanced, it pleased him and was more than he hoped for, and he was more
+and more puffed up by his good success, and in a little while he
+exceeded all bounds, and did not think fit to obey what Herod, as their
+ruler, commanded him, or that the Idumeans should make use of the Jewish
+customs, or be subject to them. He therefore sent to Cleopatra, and
+informed her that the Idumeans had been always under his progenitors,
+and that for the same reason it was but just that she should desire that
+country for him of Antony, for that he was ready to transfer his
+friendship to her; and this he did, not because he was better pleased to
+be under Cleopatra's government, but because he thought that, upon the
+diminution of Herod's power, it would not be difficult for him to obtain
+himself the entire government over the Idumeans, and somewhat more also;
+for he raised his hopes still higher, as having no small pretenses, both
+by his birth and by these riches which he had gotten by his constant
+attention to filthy lucre; and accordingly it was not a small matter
+that he aimed at. So Cleopatra desired this country of Antony, but
+failed of her purpose. An account of this was brought to Herod, who was
+thereupon ready to kill Costobarus; yet, upon the entreaties of his
+sister and mother, he forgave him, and vouchsafed to pardon him
+entirely; though he still had a suspicion of him afterward for this his
+attempt.
+
+10. But some time afterward, when Salome happened to quarrel with
+Costobarus, she sent him a bill of divorce 12 and dissolved her marriage
+with him, though this was not according to the Jewish laws; for with us
+it is lawful for a husband to do so; but a wife; if she departs from her
+husband, cannot of herself be married to another, unless her former
+husband put her away. However, Salome chose to follow not the law of her
+country, but the law of her authority, and so renounced her wedlock; and
+told her brother Herod, that she left her husband out of her good-will
+to him, because she perceived that he, with Antipater, and Lysimachus,
+and Dositheus, were raising a sedition against him; as an evidence
+whereof, she alleged the case of the sons of Babas, that they had been
+by him preserved alive already for the interval of twelve years; which
+proved to be true. But when Herod thus unexpectedly heard of it, he was
+greatly surprised at it, and was the more surprised, because the
+relation appeared incredible to him. As for the fact relating to these
+sons of Babas, Herod had formerly taken great pains to bring them to
+punishment, as being enemies to his government; but they were now
+forgotten by him, on account of the length of time [since he had ordered
+them to be slain]. Now the cause of his ill-will and hatred to them
+arose hence, that while Antigonus was king, Herod, with his army,
+besieged the city of Jerusalem, where the distress and miseries which
+the besieged endured were so pressing, that the greater number of them
+invited Herod into the city, and already placed their hopes on him. Now
+the sons of Babas were of great dignity, and had power among the
+multitude, and were faithful to Antigonus, and were always raising
+calumnies against Herod, and encouraged the people to preserve the
+government to that royal family which held it by inheritance. So these
+men acted thus politically, and, as they thought, for their own
+advantage; but when the city was taken, and Herod had gotten the
+government into his hands, and Costobarus was appointed to hinder men
+from passing out at the gates, and to guard the city, that those
+citizens that were guilty, and of the party opposite to the king, might
+not get out of it, Costobarus, being sensible that the sons of Babas
+were had in respect and honor by the whole multitude, and supposing that
+their preservation might be of great advantage to him in the changes of
+government afterward, he set them by themselves, and concealed them in
+his own farms; and when the thing was suspected, he assured Herod upon
+oath that he really knew nothing of that matter, and so overcame the
+suspicions that lay upon him; nay, after that, when the king had
+publicly proposed a reward for the discovery, and had put in practice
+all sorts of methods for searching out this matter, he would not confess
+it; but being persuaded that when he had at first denied it, if the men
+were found, he should not escape unpunished, he was forced to keep them
+secret, not only out of his good-will to them, but out of a necessary
+regard to his own preservation also. But when the king knew the thing,
+by his sister's information, he sent men to the places where he had the
+intimation they were concealed, and ordered both them, and those that
+were accused as guilty with them, to be slain, insomuch that there were
+now none at all left of the kindred of Hyrcanus, and the kingdom was
+entirely in Herod's own power, and there was nobody remaining of such
+dignity as could put a stop to what he did against the Jewish laws.
+
+
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER 8. How Ten Men Of The Citizens [Of Jerusalem] Made A Conspiracy
+Against Herod, For The Foreign Practices He Had Introduced, Which Was A
+Transgression Of The Laws Of Their Country. Concerning The Building Of
+Sebaste And Cæsarea, And Other Edifices Of Herod.
+
+1. On this account it was that Herod revolted from the laws of his
+country, and corrupted their ancient constitution, by the introduction
+of foreign practices, which constitution yet ought to have been
+preserved inviolable; by which means we became guilty of great
+wickedness afterward, while those religious observances which used to
+lead the multitude to piety were now neglected; for, in the first place,
+he appointed solemn games to be celebrated every fifth year, in honor of
+Cæsar, and built a theater at Jerusalem, as also a very great
+amphitheater in the plain. Both of them were indeed costly works, but
+opposite to the Jewish customs; for we have had no such shows delivered
+down to us as fit to be used or exhibited by us; yet did he celebrate
+these games every five years, in the most solemn and splendid manner. He
+also made proclamation to the neighboring countries, and called men
+together out of every nation. The wrestlers also, and the rest of those
+that strove for the prizes in such games, were invited out of every
+land, both by the hopes of the rewards there to be bestowed, and by the
+glory of victory to be there gained. So the principal persons that were
+the most eminent in these sorts of exercises were gotten together, for
+there were very great rewards for victory proposed, not only to those
+that performed their exercises naked, but to those that played the
+musicians also, and were called Thymelici; and he spared no pains to
+induce all persons, the most famous for such exercises, to come to this
+contest for victory. He also proposed no small rewards to those who ran
+for the prizes in chariot races, when they were drawn by two, or three,
+or four pair of horses. He also imitated every thing, though never so
+costly or magnificent, in other nations, out of an ambition that he
+might give most public demonstration of his grandeur. Inscriptions also
+of the great actions of Cæsar, and trophies of those nations which he
+had conquered in his wars, and all made of the purest gold and silver,
+encompassed the theater itself; nor was there any thing that could be
+subservient to his design, whether it were precious garments, or
+precious stones set in order, which was not also exposed to sight in
+these games. He had also made a great preparation of wild beasts, and of
+lions themselves in great abundance, and of such other beasts as were
+either of uncommon strength, or of such a sort as were rarely seen.
+These were prepared either to fight with one another, or that men who
+were condemned to death were to fight with them. And truly foreigners
+were greatly surprised and delighted at the vastness of the expenses
+here exhibited, and at the great dangers that were here seen; but to
+natural Jews, this was no better than a dissolution of those customs for
+which they had so great a veneration. 13 It appeared also no better than
+an instance of barefaced impiety, to throw men to wild beasts, for the
+affording delight to the spectators; and it appeared an instance of no
+less impiety, to change their own laws for such foreign exercises: but,
+above all the rest, the trophies gave most distaste to the Jews; for as
+they imagined them to be images, included within the armor that hung
+round about them, they were sorely displeased at them, because it was
+not the custom of their country to pay honors to such images.
+
+2. Nor was Herod unacquainted with the disturbance they were under; and
+as he thought it unseasonable to use violence with them, so he spake to
+some of them by way of consolation, and in order to free them from that
+superstitious fear they were under; yet could not he satisfy them, but
+they cried out with one accord, out of their great uneasiness at the
+offenses they thought he had been guilty of, that although they should
+think of bearing all the rest yet would they never bear images of men in
+their city, meaning the trophies, because this was disagreeable to the
+laws of their country. Now when Herod saw them in such a disorder, and
+that they would not easily change their resolution unless they received
+satisfaction in this point, he called to him the most eminent men among
+them, and brought them upon the theater, and showed them the trophies,
+and asked them what sort of things they took these trophies to be; and
+when they cried out that they were the images of men, he gave order that
+they should be stripped of these outward ornaments which were about
+them, and showed them the naked pieces of wood; which pieces of wood,
+now without any ornament, became matter of great sport and laughter to
+them, because they had before always had the ornaments of images
+themselves in derision.
+
+3. When therefore Herod had thus got clear of the multitude, and had
+dissipated the vehemency of passion under which they had been, the
+greatest part of the people were disposed to change their conduct, and
+not to be displeased at him any longer; but still some of them continued
+in their displeasure against him, for his introduction of new customs,
+and esteemed the violation of the laws of their country as likely to be
+the origin of very great mischiefs to them, so that they deemed it an
+instance of piety rather to hazard themselves [to be put to death], than
+to seem as if they took no notice of Herod, who, upon the change he had
+made in their government, introduced such customs, and that in a violent
+manner, which they had never been used to before, as indeed in pretense
+a king, but in reality one that showed himself an enemy to their whole
+nation; on which account ten men that were citizens [of Jerusalem]
+conspired together against him, and sware to one another to undergo any
+dangers in the attempt, and took daggers with them under their garments
+[for the purpose of killing Herod]. Now there was a certain blind man
+among those conspirators who had thus sworn to one another, on account
+of the indignation he had against what he heard to have been done; he
+was not indeed able to afford the rest any assistance in the
+undertaking, but was ready to undergo any suffering with them, if so be
+they should come to any harm, insomuch that he became a very great
+encourager of the rest of the undertakers.
+
+4. When they had taken this resolution, and that by common consent, they
+went into the theater, hoping that, in the first place, Herod himself
+could not escape them, as they should fall upon him so unexpectedly; and
+supposing, however, that if they missed him, they should kill a great
+many of those that were about him; and this resolution they took, though
+they should die for it, in order to suggest to the king what injuries he
+had done to the multitude. These conspirators, therefore, standing thus
+prepared beforehand, went about their design with great alacrity; but
+there was one of those spies of Herod, that were appointed for such
+purposes, to fish out and inform him of any conspiracies that should be
+made against him, who found out the whole affair, and told the king of
+it, as he was about to go into the theater. So when he reflected on the
+hatred which he knew the greatest part of the people bore him, and on
+the disturbances that arose upon every occasion, he thought this plot
+against him not to be improbable. Accordingly, he retired into his
+palace, and called those that were accused of this conspiracy before him
+by their several names; and as, upon the guards falling upon them, they
+were caught in the very fact, and knew they could not escape, they
+prepared themselves for their ends with all the decency they could, and
+so as not at all to recede from their resolute behavior, for they showed
+no shame for what they were about, nor denied it; but when they were
+seized, they showed their daggers, and professed that the conspiracy
+they had sworn to was a holy and pious action; that what they intended
+to do was not for gain, or out of any indulgence to their passions, but
+principally for those common customs of their country, which all the
+Jews were obliged to observe, or to die for them. This was what these
+men said, out of their undaunted courage in this conspiracy. So they
+were led away to execution by the king's guards that stood about them,
+and patiently underwent all the torments inflicted on them till they
+died. Nor was it long before that spy who had discovered them was seized
+on by some of the people, out of the hatred they bore to him; and was
+not only slain by them, but pulled to pieces, limb from limb, and given
+to the dogs. This execution was seen by many of the citizens, yet would
+not one of them discover the doers of it, till upon Herod's making a
+strict scrutiny after them, by bitter and severe tortures, certain women
+that were tortured confessed what they had seen done; the authors of
+which fact were so terribly punished by the king, that their entire
+families were destroyed for this their rash attempt; yet did not the
+obstinacy of the people, and that undaunted constancy they showed in the
+defense of their laws, make Herod any easier to them, but he still
+strengthened himself after a more secure manner, and resolved to
+encompass the multitude every way, lest such innovations should end in
+an open rebellion.
+
+5. Since, therefore, he had now the city fortified by the palace in
+which he lived, and by the temple which had a strong fortress by it,
+called Antonia, and was rebuilt by himself, he contrived to make Samaria
+a fortress for himself also against all the people, and called it
+Sebaste, supposing that this place would be a strong hold against the
+country, not inferior to the former. So he fortified that place, which
+was a day's journey distant from Jerusalem, and which would be useful to
+him in common, to keep both the country and the city in awe. He also
+built another fortress for the whole nation; it was of old called
+Strato's Tower, but was by him named Cæsarea. Moreover, he chose out
+some select horsemen, and placed them in the great plain; and built [for
+them] a place in Galilee, called Gaba with Hesebonitis, in Perea. And
+these were the places which he particularly built, while he always was
+inventing somewhat further for his own security, and encompassing the
+whole nation with guards, that they might by no means get from under his
+power, nor fall into tumults, which they did continually upon any small
+commotion; and that if they did make any commotions, he might know of
+it, while some of his spies might be upon them from the neighborhood,
+and might both be able to know what they were attempting, and to prevent
+it. And when he went about building the wall of Samaria, he contrived to
+bring thither many of those that had been assisting to him in his wars,
+and many of the people in that neighborhood also, whom he made fellow
+citizens with the rest. This he did out of an ambitious desire of
+building a temple, and out of a desire to make the city more eminent
+than it had been before; but principally because he contrived that it
+might at once be for his own security, and a monument of his
+magnificence. He also changed its name, and called it Sebaste. Moreover,
+he parted the adjoining country, which was excellent in its kind, among
+the inhabitants of Samaria, that they might be in a happy condition,
+upon their first coming to inhabit. Besides all which, he encompassed
+the city with a wall of great strength, and made use of the acclivity of
+the place for making its fortifications stronger; nor was the compass of
+the place made now so small as it had been before, but was such as
+rendered it not inferior to the most famous cities; for it was twenty
+furlongs in circumference. Now within, and about the middle of it, he
+built a sacred place, of a furlong and a half [in circuit], and adorned
+it with all sorts of decorations, and therein erected a temple, which
+was illustrious on account of both its largeness and beauty. And as to
+the several parts of the city, he adorned them with decorations of all
+sorts also; and as to what was necessary to provide for his own
+security, he made the walls very strong for that purpose, and made it
+for the greatest part a citadel; and as to the elegance of the building,
+it was taken care of also, that he might leave monuments of the fineness
+of his taste, and of his beneficence, to future ages.
+
+
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER 9. Concerning The Famine That Happened In Judea And Syria; And
+How Herod, After He Had Married Another Wife, Rebuilt Cæsarea, And Other
+Grecian Cities.
+
+1. Now on this very year, which was the thirteenth year of the reign of
+Herod, very great calamities came upon the country; whether they were
+derived from the anger of God, or whether this misery returns again
+naturally in certain periods of time 14 for, in the first place, there
+were perpetual droughts, and for that reason the ground was barren, and
+did not bring forth the same quantity of fruits that it used to produce;
+and after this barrenness of the soil, that change of food which the
+want of corn occasioned produced distempers in the bodies of men, and a
+pestilential disease prevailed, one misery following upon the back of
+another; and these circumstances, that they were destitute both of
+methods of cure and of food, made the pestilential distemper, which
+began after a violent manner, the more lasting. The destruction of men
+also after such a manner deprived those that survived of all their
+courage, because they had no way to provide remedies sufficient for the
+distresses they were in. When therefore the fruits of that year were
+spoiled, and whatsoever they had laid up beforehand was spent, there was
+no foundation of hope for relief remaining, but the misery, contrary to
+what they expected still increased upon them; and this not only on that
+year, while they had nothing for themselves left [at the end of it], but
+what seed they had sown perished also, by reason of the ground not
+yielding its fruits on the second year. 15 This distress they were in
+made them also, out of necessity, to eat many things that did not use to
+be eaten; nor was the king himself free from this distress any more than
+other men, as being deprived of that tribute he used to have from the
+fruits of the ground, and having already expended what money he had, in
+his liberality to those whose cities he had built; nor had he any people
+that were worthy of his assistance, since this miserable state of things
+had procured him the hatred of his subjects: for it is a constant rule,
+that misfortunes are still laid to the account of those that govern.
+
+2. In these circumstances he considered with himself how to procure some
+seasonable help; but this was a hard thing to be done, while their
+neighbors had no food to sell them; and their money also was gone, had
+it been possible to purchase a little food at a great price. However, he
+thought it his best way, by all means, not to leave off his endeavors to
+assist his people; so he cut off the rich furniture that was in his
+palace, both of silver and gold, insomuch that he did not spare the
+finest vessels he had, or those that were made with the most elaborate
+skill of the artificers, but sent the money to Petronius, who had been
+made prefect of Egypt by Cæsar; and as not a few had already fled to him
+under their necessities, and as he was particularly a friend to Herod,
+and desirous to have his subjects preserved, he gave leave to them in
+the first place to export corn, and assisted them every way, both in
+purchasing and exporting the same; so that he was the principal, if not
+the only person, who afforded them what help they had. And Herod taking
+care the people should understand that this help came from himself, did
+thereby not only remove the ill opinion of those that formerly hated
+him, but gave them the greatest demonstration possible of his good-will
+to them, and care of them; for, in the first place, as for those who
+were able to provide their own food, he distributed to them their
+proportion of corn in the exactest manner; but for those many that were
+not able, either by reason of their old age, or any other infirmity, to
+provide food for themselves, he made this provision for them, the bakers
+should make their bread ready for them. He also took care that they
+might not be hurt by the dangers of winter, since they were in great
+want of clothing also, by reason of the utter destruction and
+consumption of their sheep and goats, till they had no wool to make use
+of, nor any thing else to cover themselves withal. And when he had
+procured these things for his own subjects, he went further, in order to
+provide necessaries for their neighbors, and gave seed to the Syrians,
+which thing turned greatly to his own advantage also, this charitable
+assistance being afforded most seasonably to their fruitful soil, so
+that every one had now a plentiful provision of food. Upon the whole,
+when the harvest of the land was approaching, he sent no fewer than
+fifty thousand men, whom he had sustained, into the country; by which
+means he both repaired the afflicted condition of his own kingdom with
+great generosity and diligence, and lightened the afflictions of his
+neighbors, who were under the same calamities; for there was nobody who
+had been in want that was left destitute of a suitable assistance by
+him; nay, further, there were neither any people, nor any cities, nor
+any private men, who were to make provision for the multitudes, and on
+that account were in want of support, and had recourse to him, but
+received what they stood in need of, insomuch that it appeared, upon a
+computation, that the number of cori of wheat, of ten attic medimni
+apiece, that were given to foreigners, amounted to ten thousand, and the
+number that was given in his own kingdom was about fourscore thousand.
+Now it happened that this care of his, and this seasonable benefaction,
+had such influence on the Jews, and was so cried up among other nations,
+as to wipe off that old hatred which his violation of some of their
+customs, during his reign, had procured him among all the nation, and
+that this liberality of his assistance in this their greatest necessity
+was full satisfaction for all that he had done of that nature, as it
+also procured him great fame among foreigners; and it looked as if these
+calamities that afflicted his land, to a degree plainly incredible, came
+in order to raise his glory, and to be to his great advantage; for the
+greatness of his liberality in these distresses, which he now
+demonstrated beyond all expectation, did so change the disposition of
+the multitude towards him, that they were ready to suppose he had been
+from the beginning not such a one as they had found him to be by
+experience, but such a one as the care he had taken of them in supplying
+their necessities proved him now to be.
+
+3. About this time it was that he sent five hundred chosen men out of
+the guards of his body as auxiliaries to Cæsar, whom Aelius Gallus 16
+led to the Red Sea, and who were of great service to him there. When
+therefore his affairs were thus improved, and were again in a
+flourishing condition, he built himself a palace in the upper city,
+raising the rooms to a very great height, and adorning them with the
+most costly furniture of gold, and marble scats, and beds; and these
+were so large that they could contain very many companies of men. These
+apartments were also of distinct magnitudes, and had particular names
+given them; for one apartment was called Cæsar's, another Agrippa's. He
+also fell in love again, and married another wife, not suffering his
+reason to hinder him from living as he pleased. The occasion of this his
+marriage was as follows: There was one Simon, a citizen of Jerusalem,
+the son of one Boethus, a citizen of Alexandria, and a priest of great
+note there; this man had a daughter, who was esteemed the most beautiful
+woman of that time; and when the people of Jerusalem began to speak much
+in her commendation, it happened that Herod was much affected with what
+was said of her; and when he saw the damsel, he was smitten with her
+beauty, yet did he entirely reject the thoughts of using his authority
+to abuse her, as believing, what was the truth, that by so doing he
+should be stigmatized for violence and tyranny; so he thought it best to
+take the damsel to wife. And while Simon was of a dignity too inferior
+to be allied to him, but still too considerable to be despised, he
+governed his inclinations after the most prudent manner, by augmenting
+the dignity of the family, and making them more honorable; so he
+immediately deprived Jesus, the son of Phabet, of the high priesthood,
+and conferred that dignity on Simon, and so joined in affinity with him
+[by marrying his daughter].
+
+4. When this wedding was over, he built another citadel in that place
+where he had conquered the Jews when he was driven out of his
+government, and Antigonus enjoyed it. This citadel is distant from
+Jerusalem about threescore furlongs. It was strong by nature, and fit
+for such a building. It is a sort of a moderate hill, raised to a
+further height by the hand of man, till it was of the shape of a woman's
+breast. It is encompassed with circular towers, and hath a strait ascent
+up to it, which ascent is composed of steps of polished stones, in
+number two hundred. Within it are royal and very rich apartments, of a
+structure that provided both for security and for beauty. About the
+bottom there are habitations of such a structure as are well worth
+seeing, both on other accounts, and also on account of the water which
+is brought thither from a great way off, and at vast expenses, for the
+place itself is destitute of water. The plain that is about this citadel
+is full of edifices, not inferior to any city in largeness, and having
+the hill above it in the nature of a castle.
+
+5. And now, when all Herod's designs had succeeded according to his
+hopes, he had not the least suspicion that any troubles could arise in
+his kingdom, because he kept his people obedient, as well by the fear
+they stood in of him, for he was implacable in the infliction of his
+punishments, as by the provident care he had showed towards them, after
+the most magnanimous manner, when they were under their distresses. But
+still he took care to have external security for his government as a
+fortress against his subjects; for the orations he made to the cities
+were very fine, and full of kindness; and he cultivated a seasonable
+good understanding with their governors, and bestowed presents on every
+one of them, inducing them thereby to be more friendly to him, and using
+his magnificent disposition so as his kingdom might be the better
+secured to him, and this till all his affairs were every way more and
+more augmented. But then this magnificent temper of his, and that
+submissive behavior and liberality which he exercised towards Cæsar, and
+the most powerful men of Rome, obliged him to transgress the customs of
+his nation, and to set aside many of their laws, and by building cities
+after an extravagant manner, and erecting temples,—not in Judea indeed,
+for that would not have been borne, it being forbidden for us to pay any
+honor to images, or representations of animals, after the manner of the
+Greeks; but still he did thus in the country [properly] out of our
+bounds, and in the cities thereof 17 The apology which he made to the
+Jews for these things was this: That all was done, not out of his own
+inclinations, but by the commands and injunctions of others, in order to
+please Cæsar and the Romans, as though he had not the Jewish customs so
+much in his eye as he had the honor of those Romans, while yet he had
+himself entirely in view all the while, and indeed was very ambitious to
+leave great monuments of his government to posterity; whence it was that
+he was so zealous in building such fine cities, and spent such vast sums
+of money upon them.
+
+6. Now upon his observation of a place near the sea, which was very
+proper for containing a city, and was before called Strato's Tower, he
+set about getting a plan for a magnificent city there, and erected many
+edifices with great diligence all over it, and this of white stone. He
+also adorned it with most sumptuous palaces and large edifices for
+containing the people; and what was the greatest and most laborious work
+of all, he adorned it with a haven, that was always free from the waves
+of the sea. Its largeness was not less than the Pyrmum [at Athens], and
+had towards the city a double station for the ships. It was of excellent
+workmanship; and this was the more remarkable for its being built in a
+place that of itself was not suitable to such noble structures, but was
+to be brought to perfection by materials from other places, and at very
+great expenses. This city is situate in Phoenicia, in the passage by sea
+to Egypt, between Joppa and Dora, which are lesser maritime cities, and
+not fit for havens, on account of the impetuous south winds that beat
+upon them, which rolling the sands that come from the sea against the
+shores, do not admit of ships lying in their station; but the merchants
+are generally there forced to ride at their anchors in the sea itself.
+So Herod endeavored to rectify this inconvenience, and laid out such a
+compass towards the land as might be sufficient for a haven, wherein the
+great ships might lie in safety; and this he effected by letting down
+vast stones of above fifty feet in length, not less than eighteen in
+breadth, and nine in depth, into twenty fathom deep; and as some were
+lesser, so were others bigger than those dimensions. This mole which he
+built by the sea-side was two hundred feet wide, the half of which was
+opposed to the current of the waves, so as to keep off those waves which
+were to break upon them, and so was called Procymatia, or the first
+breaker of the waves; but the other half had upon it a wall, with
+several towers, the largest of which was named Drusus, and was a work of
+very great excellence, and had its name from Drusus, the son-in-law of
+Cæsar, who died young. There were also a great number of arches where
+the mariners dwelt. There was also before them a quay, [or landing
+place,] which ran round the entire haven, and was a most agreeable walk
+to such as had a mind to that exercise; but the entrance or mouth of the
+port was made on the north quarter, on which side was the stillest of
+the winds of all in this place: and the basis of the whole circuit on
+the left hand, as you enter the port, supported a round turret, which
+was made very strong, in order to resist the greatest waves; while on
+the right hand, as you enter, stood two vast stones, and those each of
+them larger than the turret, which were over against them; these stood
+upright, and were joined together. Now there were edifices all along the
+circular haven, made of the politest stone, with a certain elevation,
+whereon was erected a temple, that was seen a great way off by those
+that were sailing for that haven, and had in it two statues, the one of
+Rome, the other of Cæsar. The city itself was called Cæsarea, which was
+also itself built of fine materials, and was of a fine structure; nay,
+the very subterranean vaults and cellars had no less of architecture
+bestowed on them than had the buildings above ground. Some of these
+vaults carried things at even distances to the haven and to the sea; but
+one of them ran obliquely, and bound all the rest together, that both
+the rain and the filth of the citizens were together carried off with
+ease, and the sea itself, upon the flux of the tide from without, came
+into the city, and washed it all clean. Herod also built therein a
+theater of stone; and on the south quarter, behind the port, an
+amphitheater also, capable of holding a vast number of men, and
+conveniently situated for a prospect to the sea. So this city was thus
+finished in twelve years; 18 during which time the king did not fail to
+go on both with the work, and to pay the charges that were necessary.
+
+
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER 10. How Herod Sent His Sons To Rome; How Also He Was Accused By
+Zenodorus And The Gadarens, But Was Cleared Of What They Accused Him Of
+And Withal Gained To Himself The Good-Will Of Cæsar. Concerning The
+Pharisees, The Essens And Manahem.
+
+1. When Herod was engaged in such matters, and when he had already re-
+edified Sebaste, [Samaria,] he resolved to send his sons Alexander and
+Aristobulus to Rome, to enjoy the company of Cæsar; who, when they came
+thither, lodged at the house of Pollio, 19 who was very fond of Herod's
+friendship; and they had leave to lodge in Cæsar's own palace, for he
+received these sons of Herod with all humanity, and gave Herod leave to
+give his kingdom to which of his sons he pleased; and besides all this,
+he bestowed on him Trachon, and Batanea, and Auranitis, which he gave
+him on the occasion following: One Zenodorus 20 had hired what was
+called the house of Lysanias, who, as he was not satisfied with its
+revenues, became a partner with the robbers that inhabited the
+Trachonites, and so procured himself a larger income; for the
+inhabitants of those places lived in a mad way, and pillaged the country
+of the Damascenes, while Zenodorus did not restrain them, but partook of
+the prey they acquired. Now as the neighboring people were hereby great
+sufferers, they complained to Varro, who was then president [of Syria],
+and entreated him to write to Cæsar about this injustice of Zenodorus.
+When these matters were laid before Cæsar, he wrote back to Varro to
+destroy those nests of robbers, and to give the land to Herod, that so
+by his care the neighboring countries might be no longer disturbed with
+these doings of the Trachonites; for it was not an easy firing to
+restrain them, since this way of robbery had been their usual practice,
+and they had no other way to get their living, because they had neither
+any city of their own, nor lands in their possession, but only some
+receptacles and dens in the earth, and there they and their cattle lived
+in common together. However, they had made contrivances to get pools of
+water, and laid up corn in granaries for themselves, and were able to
+make great resistance, by issuing out on the sudden against any that
+attacked them; for the entrances of their caves were narrow, in which
+but one could come in at a time, and the places within incredibly large,
+and made very wide but the ground over their habitations was not very
+high, but rather on a plain, while the rocks are altogether hard and
+difficult to be entered upon, unless any one gets into the plain road by
+the guidance of another, for these roads are not straight, but have
+several revolutions. But when these men are hindered from their wicked
+preying upon their neighbors, their custom is to prey one upon another,
+insomuch that no sort of injustice comes amiss to them. But when Herod
+had received this grant from Cæsar, and was come into this country, he
+procured skillful guides, and put a stop to their wicked robberies, and
+procured peace and quietness to the neighboring people.
+
+2. Hereupon Zenodorus was grieved, in the first place, because his
+principality was taken away from him; and still more so, because he
+envied Herod, who had gotten it; So he went up to Rome to accuse him,
+but returned back again without success. Now Agrippa was [about this
+time] sent to succeed Cæsar in the government of the countries beyond
+the Ionian Sea, upon whom Herod lighted when he was wintering about
+Mitylene, for he had been his particular friend and companion, and then
+returned into Judea again. However, some of the Gadarens came to
+Agrippa, and accused Herod, whom he sent back bound to the king without
+giving them the hearing. But still the Arabians, who of old bare ill-
+will to Herod's government, were nettled, and at that time attempted to
+raise a sedition in his dominions, and, as they thought, upon a more
+justifiable occasion; for Zenodorus, despairing already of success as to
+his own affairs, prevented [his enemies], by selling to those Arabians a
+part of his principality, called Auranitis, for the value of fifty
+talents; but as this was included in the donations of Cæsar, they
+contested the point with Herod, as unjustly deprived of what they had
+bought. Sometimes they did this by making incursions upon him, and
+sometimes by attempting force against him, and sometimes by going to law
+with him. Moreover, they persuaded the poorer soldiers to help them, and
+were troublesome to him, out of a constant hope that they should reduce
+the people to raise a sedition; in which designs those that are in the
+most miserable circumstances of life are still the most earnest; and
+although Herod had been a great while apprized of these attempts, yet
+did not he indulge any severity to them, but by rational methods aimed
+to mitigate things, as not willing to give any handle for tumults.
+
+3. Now when Herod had already reigned seventeen years, Cæsar came into
+Syria; at which time the greatest part of the inhabitants of Gadara
+clamored against Herod, as one that was heavy in his injunctions, and
+tyrannical. These reproaches they mainly ventured upon by the
+encouragement of Zenodorus, who took his oath that he would never leave
+Herod till he had procured that they should be severed from Herod's
+kingdom, and joined to Cæsar's province. The Gadarens were induced
+hereby, and made no small cry against him, and that the more boldly,
+because those that had been delivered up by Agrippa were not punished by
+Herod, who let them go, and did them no harm; for indeed he was the
+principal man in the world who appeared almost inexorable in punishing
+crimes in his own family, but very generous in remitting the offenses
+that were committed elsewhere. And while they accused Herod of injuries,
+and plunderings, and subversions of temples, he stood unconcerned, and
+was ready to make his defense. However, Cæsar gave him his right hand,
+and remitted nothing of his kindness to him, upon this disturbance by
+the multitude; and indeed these things were alleged the first day, but
+the hearing proceeded no further; for as the Gadarens saw the
+inclination of Cæsar and of his assessors, and expected, as they had
+reason to do, that they should be delivered up to the king, some of
+them, out of a dread of the torments they might undergo, cut their own
+throats in the night time, and some of them threw themselves down
+precipices, and others of them cast themselves into the river, and
+destroyed themselves of their own accord; which accidents seemed a
+sufficient condemnation of the rashness and crimes they had been guilty
+of; whereupon Cæsar made no longer delay, but cleared Herod from the
+crimes he was accused of. Another happy accident there was, which was a
+further great advantage to Herod at this time; for Zenodorus's belly
+burst, and a great quantity of blood issued from him in his sickness,
+and he thereby departed this life at Antioch in Syria; so Cæsar bestowed
+his country, which was no small one, upon Herod; it lay between Trachon
+and Galilee, and contained Ulatha, and Paneas, and the country round
+about. He also made him one of the procurators of Syria, and commanded
+that they should do every thing with his approbation; and, in short, he
+arrived at that pitch of felicity, that whereas there were but two men
+that governed the vast Roman empire, first Cæsar, and then Agrippa, who
+was his principal favorite, Cæsar preferred no one to Herod besides
+Agrippa, and Agrippa made no one his greater friend than Herod besides
+Cæsar. And when he had acquired such freedom, he begged of Cæsar a
+tetrarchy 21 for his brother Pheroras, while he did himself bestow upon
+him a revenue of a hundred talents out of his own kingdom, that in case
+he came to any harm himself, his brother might be in safety, and that
+his sons might not have dominion over him. So when he had conducted
+Cæsar to the sea, and was returned home, he built him a most beautiful
+temple, of the whitest stone, in Zenodorus's country, near the place
+called Panlure. This is a very fine cave in a mountain, under which
+there is a great cavity in the earth, and the cavern is abrupt, and
+prodigiously deep, and full of a still water; over it hangs a vast
+mountain; and under the caverns arise the springs of the river Jordan.
+Herod adorned this place, which was already a very remarkable one, still
+further by the erection of this temple, which he dedicated to Cæsar.
+
+4. At which time Herod released to his subjects the third part of their
+taxes, under pretense indeed of relieving them, after the dearth they
+had had; but the main reason was, to recover their good-will, which he
+now wanted; for they were uneasy at him, because of the innovations he
+had introduced in their practices, of the dissolution of their religion,
+and of the disuse of their own customs; and the people every where
+talked against him, like those that were still more provoked and
+disturbed at his procedure; against which discontents he greatly guarded
+himself, and took away the opportunities they might have to disturb him,
+and enjoined them to be always at work; nor did he permit the citizens
+either to meet together, or to walk or eat together, but watched every
+thing they did, and when any were caught, they were severely punished;
+and many there were who were brought to the citadel Hyrcania, both
+openly and secretly, and were there put to death; and there were spies
+set every where, both in the city and in the roads, who watched those
+that met together; nay, it is reported that he did not himself neglect
+this part of caution, but that he would oftentimes himself take the
+habit of a private man, and mix among the multitude, in the night time,
+and make trial what opinion they had of his government: and as for those
+that could no way be reduced to acquiesce under his scheme of
+government, he prosecuted them all manner of ways; but for the rest of
+the multitude, he required that they should be obliged to take an oath
+of fidelity to him, and at the same time compelled them to swear that
+they would bear him good-will, and continue certainly so to do, in his
+management of the government; and indeed a great part of them, either to
+please him, or out of fear of him, yielded to what he required of them;
+but for such as were of a more open and generous disposition, and had
+indignation at the force he used to them, he by one means or other made
+away, with them. He endeavored also to persuade Pollio the Pharisee, and
+Satneas, and the greatest part of their scholars, to take the oath; but
+these would neither submit so to do, nor were they punished together
+with the rest, out of the reverence he bore to Pollio. The Essens also,
+as we call a sect of ours, were excused from this imposition. These men
+live the same kind of life as do those whom the Greeks call
+Pythagoreans, concerning whom I shall discourse more fully elsewhere.
+However, it is but fit to set down here the reasons wherefore Herod had
+these Essens in such honor, and thought higher of them than their mortal
+nature required; nor will this account be unsuitable to the nature of
+this history, as it will show the opinion men had of these Essens.
+
+5. Now there was one of these Essens, whose name was Manahem, who had
+this testimony, that he not only conducted his life after an excellent
+manner, but had the foreknowledge of future events given him by God
+also. This man once saw Herod when he was a child, and going to school,
+and saluted him as king of the Jews; but he, thinking that either he did
+not know him, or that he was in jest, put him in mind that he was but a
+private man; but Manahem smiled to himself, and clapped him on his
+backside with his hand, and said, "However that be, thou wilt be king,
+and wilt begin thy reign happily, for God finds thee worthy of it. And
+do thou remember the blows that Manahem hath given thee, as being a
+signal of the change of thy fortune. And truly this will be the best
+reasoning for thee, that thou love justice [towards men], and piety
+towards God, and clemency towards thy citizens; yet do I know how thy
+whole conduct will be, that thou wilt not be such a one, for thou wilt
+excel all men in happiness, and obtain an everlasting reputation, but
+wilt forget piety and righteousness; and these crimes will not be
+concealed from God, at the conclusion of thy life, when thou wilt find
+that he will be mindful of them, and punish them for them." Now at that
+time Herod did not at all attend to what Manahem said, as having no
+hopes of such advancement; but a little afterward, when he was so
+fortunate as to be advanced to the dignity of king, and was in the
+height of his dominion, he sent for Manahem, and asked him how long he
+should reign. Manahem did not tell him the full length of his reign;
+wherefore, upon that silence of his, he asked him further, whether he
+should reign ten years or not? He replied, "Yes, twenty, nay, thirty
+years;" but did not assign the just determinate limit of his reign.
+Herod was satisfied with these replies, and gave Manahem his hand, and
+dismissed him; and from that time he continued to honor all the Essens.
+We have thought it proper to relate these facts to our readers, how
+strange soever they be, and to declare what hath happened among us,
+because many of these Essens have, by their excellent virtue, been
+thought worthy of this knowledge of Divine revelations.
+
+
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER 11. How Herod Rebuilt The Temple And Raised It Higher And Made
+It More Magnificent Than It Was Before; As Also Concerning That Tower
+Which He Called Antonia.
+
+1. And now Herod, in the eighteenth year of his reign, and after the
+acts already mentioned, undertook a very great work, that is, to build
+of himself the temple of God, 22 and make it larger in compass, and to
+raise it to a most magnificent altitude, as esteeming it to be the most
+glorious of all his actions, as it really was, to bring it to
+perfection; and that this would be sufficient for an everlasting
+memorial of him; but as he knew the multitude were not ready nor willing
+to assist him in so vast a design, he thought to prepare them first by
+making a speech to them, and then set about the work itself; so he
+called them together, and spake thus to them: "I think I need not speak
+to you, my countrymen, about such other works as I have done since I
+came to the kingdom, although I may say they have been performed in such
+a manner as to bring more security to you than glory to myself; for I
+have neither been negligent in the most difficult times about what
+tended to ease your necessities, nor have the buildings. I have made
+been so proper to preserve me as yourselves from injuries; and I imagine
+that, with God's assistance, I have advanced the nation of the Jews to a
+degree of happiness which they never had before; and for the particular
+edifices belonging to your own country, and your own cities, as also to
+those cities that we have lately acquired, which we have erected and
+greatly adorned, and thereby augmented the dignity of your nation, it
+seems to me a needless task to enumerate them to you, since you well
+know them yourselves; but as to that undertaking which I have a mind to
+set about at present, and which will be a work of the greatest piety and
+excellence that can possibly be undertaken by us, I will now declare it
+to you. Our fathers, indeed, when they were returned from Babylon, built
+this temple to God Almighty, yet does it want sixty cubits of its
+largeness in altitude; for so much did that first temple which Solomon
+built exceed this temple; nor let any one condemn our fathers for their
+negligence or want of piety herein, for it was not their fault that the
+temple was no higher; for they were Cyrus, and Darius the son of
+Hystaspes, who determined the measures for its rebuilding; and it hath
+been by reason of the subjection of those fathers of ours to them and to
+their posterity, and after them to the Macedonians, that they had not
+the opportunity to follow the original model of this pious edifice, nor
+could raise it to its ancient altitude; but since I am now, by God's
+will, your governor, and I have had peace a long time, and have gained
+great riches and large revenues, and, what is the principal thing of
+all, I am at amity with and well regarded by the Romans, who, if I may
+so say, are the rulers of the whole world, I will do my endeavor to
+correct that imperfection, which hath arisen from the necessity of our
+affairs, and the slavery we have been under formerly, and to make a
+thankful return, after the most pious manner, to God, for what blessings
+I have received from him, by giving me this kingdom, and that by
+rendering his temple as complete as I am able."
+
+2. And this was the speech which Herod made to them; but still this
+speech affrighted many of the people, as being unexpected by them; and
+because it seemed incredible, it did not encourage them, but put a damp
+upon them, for they were afraid that he would pull down the whole
+edifice, and not be able to bring his intentions to perfection for its
+rebuilding; and this danger appeared to them to be very great, and the
+vastness of the undertaking to be such as could hardly be accomplished.
+But while they were in this disposition, the king encouraged them, and
+told them he would not pull down their temple till all things were
+gotten ready for building it up entirely again. And as he promised them
+this beforehand, so he did not break his word with them, but got ready a
+thousand waggons, that were to bring stones for the building, and chose
+out ten thousand of the most skillful workmen, and bought a thousand
+sacerdotal garments for as many of the priests, and had some of them
+taught the arts of stone-cutters, and others of carpenters, and then
+began to build; but this not till every thing was well prepared for the
+work.
+
+3. So Herod took away the old foundations, and laid others, and erected
+the temple upon them, being in length a hundred cubits, and in height
+twenty additional cubits, which [twenty], upon the sinking of their
+foundations 23 fell down; and this part it was that we resolved to raise
+again in the days of Nero. Now the temple was built of stones that were
+white and strong, and each of their length was twenty-five cubits, their
+height was eight, and their breadth about twelve; and the whole
+structure, as also the structure of the royal cloister, was on each side
+much lower, but the middle was much higher, till they were visible to
+those that dwelt in the country for a great many furlongs, but chiefly
+to such as lived over against them, and those that approached to them.
+The temple had doors also at the entrance, and lintels over them, of the
+same height with the temple itself. They were adorned with embroidered
+veils, with their flowers of purple, and pillars interwoven; and over
+these, but under the crown-work, was spread out a golden vine, with its
+branches hanging down from a great height, the largeness and fine
+workmanship of which was a surprising sight to the spectators, to see
+what vast materials there were, and with what great skill the
+workmanship was done. He also encompassed the entire temple with very
+large cloisters, contriving them to be in a due proportion thereto; and
+he laid out larger sums of money upon them than had been done before
+him, till it seemed that no one else had so greatly adorned the temple
+as he had done. There was a large wall to both the cloisters, which wall
+was itself the most prodigious work that was ever heard of by man. The
+hill was a rocky ascent, that declined by degrees towards the east parts
+of the city, till it came to an elevated level. This hill it was which
+Solomon, who was the first of our kings, by Divine revelation,
+encompassed with a wall; it was of excellent workmanship upwards, and
+round the top of it. He also built a wall below, beginning at the
+bottom, which was encompassed by a deep valley; and at the south side he
+laid rocks together, and bound them one to another with lead, and
+included some of the inner parts, till it proceeded to a great height,
+and till both the largeness of the square edifice and its altitude were
+immense, and till the vastness of the stones in the front were plainly
+visible on the outside, yet so that the inward parts were fastened
+together with iron, and preserved the joints immovable for all future
+times. When this work [for the foundation] was done in this manner, and
+joined together as part of the hill itself to the very top of it, he
+wrought it all into one outward surface, and filled up the hollow places
+which were about the wall, and made it a level on the external upper
+surface, and a smooth level also. This hill was walled all round, and in
+compass four furlongs, [the distance of] each angle containing in length
+a furlong: but within this wall, and on the very top of all, there ran
+another wall of stone also, having, on the east quarter, a double
+cloister, of the same length with the wall; in the midst of which was
+the temple itself. This cloister looked to the gates of the temple; and
+it had been adorned by many kings in former times; and round about the
+entire temple were fixed the spoils taken from barbarous nations; all
+these had been dedicated to the temple by Herod, with the addition of
+those he had taken from the Arabians.
+
+4. Now on the north side [of the temple] was built a citadel, whose
+walls were square, and strong, and of extraordinary firmness. This
+citadel was built by the kings of the Asamonean race, who were also high
+priests before Herod, and they called it the Tower, in which were
+reposited the vestments of the high priest, which the high priest only
+put on at the time when he was to offer sacrifice. These vestments king
+Herod kept in that place; and after his death they were under the power
+of the Romans, until the time of Tiberius Cæsar; under whose reign
+Vitellius, the president of Syria, when he once came to Jerusalem, and
+had been most magnificently received by the multitude, he had a mind to
+make them some requital for the kindness they had shewn him; so, upon
+their petition to have those holy vestments in their own power, he wrote
+about them to Tiberius Cæsar, who granted his request: and this their
+power over the sacerdotal vestments continued with the Jews till the
+death of king Agrippa; but after that, Cassius Longinus, who was
+president of Syria, and Cuspius Fadus, who was procurator of Judea,
+enjoined the Jews to reposit those vestments in the tower of Antonia,
+for that they ought to have them in their power, as they formerly had.
+However, the Jews sent ambassadors to Claudius Cæsar, to intercede with
+him for them; upon whose coming, king Agrippa, junior, being then at
+Rome, asked for and obtained the power over them from the emperor, who
+gave command to Vitellius, who was then commander in Syria, to give it
+them accordingly. Before that time they were kept under the seal of the
+high priest, and of the treasurers of the temple; which treasurers, the
+day before a festival, went up to the Roman captain of the temple
+guards, and viewed their own seal, and received the vestments; and
+again, when the festival was over, they brought it to the same place,
+and showed the captain of the temple guards their seal, which
+corresponded with his seal, and reposited them there. And that these
+things were so, the afflictions that happened to us afterwards [about
+them] are sufficient evidence. But for the tower itself, when Herod the
+king of the Jews had fortified it more firmly than before, in order to
+secure and guard the temple, he gratified Antonius, who was his friend,
+and the Roman ruler, and then gave it the name of the Tower of Antonia.
+
+5. Now in the western quarters of the enclosure of the temple there were
+four gates; the first led to the king's palace, and went to a passage
+over the intermediate valley; two more led to the suburbs of the city;
+and the last led to the other city, where the road descended down into
+the valley by a great number of steps, and thence up again by the ascent
+for the city lay over against the temple in the manner of a theater, and
+was encompassed with a deep valley along the entire south quarter; but
+the fourth front of the temple, which was southward, had indeed itself
+gates in its middle, as also it had the royal cloisters, with three
+walks, which reached in length from the east valley unto that on the
+west, for it was impossible it should reach any farther: and this
+cloister deserves to be mentioned better than any other under the sun;
+for while the valley was very deep, and its bottom could not be seen, if
+you looked from above into the depth, this further vastly high elevation
+of the cloister stood upon that height, insomuch that if any one looked
+down from the top of the battlements, or down both those altitudes, he
+would be giddy, while his sight could not reach to such an immense
+depth. This cloister had pillars that stood in four rows one over
+against the other all along, for the fourth row was interwoven into the
+wall, which [also was built of stone]; and the thickness of each pillar
+was such, that three men might, with their arms extended, fathom it
+round, and join their hands again, while its length was twenty-seven
+feet, with a double spiral at its basis; and the number of all the
+pillars [in that court] was a hundred and sixty-two. Their chapiters
+were made with sculptures after the Corinthian order, and caused an
+amazement [to the spectators], by reason of the grandeur of the whole.
+These four rows of pillars included three intervals for walking in the
+middle of this cloister; two of which walks were made parallel to each
+other, and were contrived after the same manner; the breadth of each of
+them was thirty feet, the length was a furlong, and the height fifty
+feet; but the breadth of the middle part of the cloister was one and a
+half of the other, and the height was double, for it was much higher
+than those on each side; but the roofs were adorned with deep sculptures
+in wood, representing many sorts of figures. The middle was much higher
+than the rest, and the wall of the front was adorned with beams, resting
+upon pillars, that were interwoven into it, and that front was all of
+polished stone, insomuch that its fineness, to such as had not seen it,
+was incredible, and to such as had seen it, was greatly amazing. Thus
+was the first enclosure. In the midst of which, and not far from it, was
+the second, to be gone up to by a few steps: this was encompassed by a
+stone wall for a partition, with an inscription, which forbade any
+foreigner to go in under pain of death. Now this inner enclosure had on
+its southern and northern quarters three gates [equally] distant one
+from another; but on the east quarter, towards the sun-rising, there was
+one large gate, through which such as were pure came in, together with
+their wives; but the temple further inward in that gate was not allowed
+to the women; but still more inward was there a third [court of the]
+temple, whereinto it was not lawful for any but the priests alone to
+enter. The temple itself was within this; and before that temple was the
+altar, upon which we offer our sacrifices and burnt-offerings to God.
+Into none of these three did king Herod enter, 24 for he was forbidden,
+because he was not a priest. However, he took care of the cloisters and
+the outer enclosures, and these he built in eight years.
+
+6. But the temple itself was built by the priests in a year and six
+months; upon which all the people were full of joy; and presently they
+returned thanks, in the first place, to God; and in the next place, for
+the alacrity the king had showed. They feasted and celebrated this
+rebuilding of the temple: and for the king, he sacrificed three hundred
+oxen to God, as did the rest every one according to his ability; the
+number of which sacrifices is not possible to set down, for it cannot be
+that we should truly relate it; for at the same time with this
+celebration for the work about the temple fell also the day of the
+king's inauguration, which he kept of an old custom as a festival, and
+it now coincided with the other, which coincidence of them both made the
+festival most illustrious.
+
+7. There was also an occult passage built for the king; it led from
+Antonia to the inner temple, at its eastern gate; over which he also
+erected for himself a tower, that he might have the opportunity of a
+subterraneous ascent to the temple, in order to guard against any
+sedition which might be made by the people against their kings. It is
+also reported, 25 that during the time that the temple was building, it
+did not rain in the daytime, but that the showers fell in the nights, so
+that the work was not hindered. And this our fathers have delivered to
+us; nor is it incredible, if any one have regard to the manifestations
+of God. And thus was performed the work of the rebuilding of the temple.
+
+
+
+
+
+
+FOOTNOTES:
+
+
+1 (return) [ The city here called "Babylon" by Josephus, seems to be one
+which was built by some of the Seleucidae upon the Tigris, which long
+after the utter desolation of old Babylon was commonly so called, and I
+suppose not far from Seleueia; just as the latter adjoining city Bagdat
+has been and is often called by the same old name of Babylon till this
+very day.]
+
+
+2 (return) [ Here we have an eminent example of Herod's worldly and
+profane politics, when by the abuse of his unlawful and usurped power,
+to make whom he pleased high priest, in the person of Ananelus, he
+occasioned such disturbances in his kingdom, and in his own family, as
+suffered him to enjoy no lasting peace or tranquillity ever afterward;
+and such is frequently the effect of profane court politics about
+matters of religion in other ages and nations. The Old Testament is full
+of the miseries of the people of the Jews derived from such court
+politics, especially in and after the days of Jeroboam the son of Nebat,
+"who made Israel to sin;" who gave the most pernicious example of it;
+who brought on the grossest corruption of religion by it; and the
+punishment of whose family for it was most remarkable. The case is too
+well known to stand in need of particular citations.]
+
+
+3 (return) [ Of this wicked Dellius, see the note on the War, B. I. ch.
+15. sect. 3.]
+
+
+4 (return) [ When Josephus says here that this Ananelus, the new high
+priest, was "of the stock of the high priests," and since he had been
+just telling us that he was a priest of an obscure family or character,
+ch. 2. sect. 4, it is not at all probable that he could so soon say that
+he was "of the stock of the high priests." However, Josephus here makes
+a remarkable observation, that this Ananelus was the third that was ever
+unjustly and wickedly turned out of the high priesthood by the civil
+power, no king or governor having ventured to do so, that Josephus knew
+of, but that heathen tyrant and persecutor Antiochus Epiphanes; that
+barbarous parricide Aristobulus, the first that took royal authority
+among the Maccabees; and this tyrant king Herod the Great, although
+afterward that infamous practice became frequent, till the very
+destruction of Jerusalem, when the office of high priesthood was at an
+end.]
+
+
+5 (return) [ This entirely confutes the Talmudists, who pretend that no
+one under twenty years of age could officiate as high priest among the
+Jews.]
+
+
+6 (return) [ A Hebrew chronicle, cited by Reland, says this drowning was
+at Jordan, not at Jericho, and this even when he quote Josephus. I
+suspect the transcriber of the Hebrew chronicle mistook the name, and
+wrote Jordan for Jericho.]
+
+
+7 (return) [ The reading of one of Josephus's Greek MSS. seems here to
+be right, that Aristobulus was "not eighteen years old" when he was
+drowned, for he was not seventeen when he was made high priest, ch. 2.
+sect. 6, ch. 3. sect. 3, and he continued in that office but one year,
+as in the place before us.]
+
+
+8 (return) [ The reader is here to take notice, that this seventh year
+of the reign of Herod, and all the other years of his reign, in
+Josephus, are dated from the death of Antigonus, or at the soonest from
+the conclusion of Antigonus, and the taking of Jerusalem a few months
+before, and never from his first obtaining the kingdom at Rome, above
+three years before, as some have very weakly and injudiciously done.]
+
+
+9 (return) [ Herod says here, that as ambassadors were sacred when they
+carried messages to others, so did the laws of the Jews derive a sacred
+authority by being delivered from God by angels, [or Divine
+ambassadors,] which is St. Paul's expression about the same laws,
+Galatians 3:19; Hebrews 2;2.]
+
+
+10 (return) [ This piece of religion, the supplicating God with
+sacrifices, by Herod, before he went to this fight with the Arabians,
+taken notice of also in the first book of the War, ch. 19. sect. 5, is
+worth remarking, because it is the only example of this nature, so far
+as I remember, that Josephus ever mentions in all his large and
+particular accounts of this Herod; and it was when he had been in mighty
+distress, and discouraged by a great defeat of his former army, and by a
+very great earthquake in Judea, such times of affliction making men most
+religious; nor was he disappointed of his hopes here, but immediately
+gained a most signal victory over the Arabians, while they who just
+before had been so great victors, and so much elevated upon the
+earthquake in Judea as to venture to slay the Jewish ambassadors, were
+now under a strange consternation, and hardly able to fight at all.]
+
+
+11 (return) [ Whereas Mariamne is here represented as reproaching: Herod
+with the murder of her father [Alexander], as well as her brother
+[Aristobulus], while it was her grandfather Hyrcanus, and not her father
+Alexander, whom he caused to be slain, [as Josephus himself informs us,
+ch. 6. sect. 2,] we must either take Zonaras's reading, which is here
+grandfather, rightly, or else we must, as before, ch. 1. sect. 1, allow
+a slip of Josephus's pen or memory in the place before us.]
+
+
+12 (return) [ Here is a plain example of a Jewish lady giving a bill of
+divorce to her husband, though in the days of Josephus it was not
+esteemed lawful for a woman so to do. See the like among the Parthians,
+Antiq. B. XVIII. ch. 9. sect. 6. However, the Christian law, when it
+allowed divorce for adultery, Matthew 5:32, allowed the innocent wife to
+divorce her guilty husband, as well as the innocent husband to divorce
+his guilty wife, as we learn from the shepherd of Hermas, Mand. B. IV.,
+and from: the second apology of Justin Martyr, where a persecution was
+brought upon the Christians upon such a divorce; and I think the Roman
+laws permitted it at that time, as well as the laws of Christianity. Now
+this Babas, who was one of the race of the Asamoneans or Maccabees, as
+the latter end of this section informs us, is related by the Jews, as
+Dr. Hudson here remarks, to have been so eminently religious in the
+Jewish way, that, except the day following the tenth of Tisri, the great
+day of atonement, when he seems to have supposed all his sins entirely
+forgiven, he used every day of the whole year to offer a sacrifice for
+his sins of ignorance, or such as he supposed he had been guilty of, but
+did not distinctly remember. See somewhat like it of Agrippa the Great,
+Antiq. B. XIX. ch. 3. sect. 3, and Job 1:4, 5.]
+
+
+13 (return) [ These grand plays, and shows, and Thymelici, or music
+meetings, and chariot races, when the chariots were drawn by two, three,
+or four pair of horses, etc., instituted by Herod in his theatres, were
+still, as we see here, looked on by the sober Jews as heathenish sports,
+and tending to corrupt the manners of the Jewish nation, and to bring
+them in love with paganish idolatry, and paganish conduct of life, but
+to the dissolution of the law of Moses, and accordingly were greatly and
+justly condemned by them, as appears here and every where else in
+Josephus. Nor is the case of our modern masquerades, plays, operas, and
+the like "pomps and vanities of this wicked world," of any better
+tendency under Christianity.]
+
+
+14 (return) [ Here we have an eminent example of the language of
+Josephus in his writing to Gentiles, different from that when he wrote
+to Jews; in his writing to whom he still derives all such judgments from
+the anger of God; but because he knew many of the Gentiles thought they
+might naturally come in certain periods, he complies with them in the
+following sentence. See the note on the War. B. I. ch. 33. sect. 2.]
+
+
+15 (return) [ This famine for two years that affected Judea and Syria,
+the thirteenth mid fourteenth years of Herod, which are the twenty-third
+and twenty-fourth years before the Christian era, seems to have been
+more terrible during this time than was that in the days of Jacob,
+Genesis 41., 42. And what makes the comparison the more remarkable is
+this, that now, as well as then, the relief they had was from Egypt
+also; then from Joseph the governor of Egypt, under Pharaoh king of
+Egypt; and now from Petronius the prefect of Egypt, under Augustus the
+Roman emperor. See almost the like case, Antiq. B. XX. ch. 2. sect. 6.
+It is also well worth our observation here, that these two years were a
+Sabbatic year, and a year of jubilee, for which Providence, during the
+theocracy, used to provide a triple crop beforehand; but became now,
+when the Jews had forfeited that blessing, the greatest years of famine
+to them ever since the days of Ahab, 1 Kings 17., 18.]
+
+
+16 (return) [ This Aelius Gallus seems to be no other than that Aelius
+Lagus whom Dio speaks of as conducting an expedition that was about this
+time made into Arabia Felix, according to Betarius, who is here cited by
+Spanheim. See a full account of this expedition in Prideaux, at the
+years 23 and 24.]
+
+
+17 (return) [ One may here take notice, that how tyrannical and
+extravagant soever Herod were in himself, and in his Grecian cities, as
+to those plays, and shows, and temples for idolatry, mentioned above,
+ch. 8. sect. 1, and here also; yet durst even he introduce very few of
+them into the cities of the Jews, who, as Josephus here notes, would not
+even then have borne them, so zealous were they still for many of the
+laws of Moses, even under so tyrannical a government as this was of
+Herod the Great; which tyrannical government puts me naturally in mind
+of Dean Prideaux's honest reflection upon the like ambition after such
+tyrannical power in Pompey and Cæsar: "One of these [says he, at the
+year 60: could not bear an equal, nor the other a superior; and through
+this ambitions humor and thirst after more power in these two men, the
+whole Roman empire being divided into two opposite factions, there was
+produced hereby the most destructive war that ever afflicted it; and the
+like folly too much reigns in all other places. Could about thirty men
+be persuaded to live at home in peace, without enterprising upon the
+rights of each other, for the vain glory of conquest, and the
+enlargement of power, the whole world might be at quiet; but their
+ambition, their follies, and their humor, leading them constantly to
+encroach upon and quarrel with each other, they involve all that are
+under them in the mischiefs thereof; and many thousands are they which
+yearly perish by it; so that it may almost raise a doubt, whether the
+benefit which the world receives from government be sufficient to make
+amends for the calamities which it suffers from the follies, mistakes,
+and real-administrations of those that manage it."]
+
+
+18 (return) [ Cæsarea being here said to be rebuilt and adorned in
+twelve years, and soon afterwards in ten years, Antiq. B. XVI. ch. 5.
+sect. 1, there must be a mistake in one of the places as to the true
+number, but in which of them it is hard positively to determine.]
+
+
+19 (return) [ This Pollio, with whom Herod's sons lived at Rome, was not
+Pollio the Pharisee, already mentioned by Josephus, ch. 1. sect. 1, and
+again presently after this, ch. 10. sect. 4; but Asinine Pollo, the
+Roman, as Spanheim here observes.]
+
+
+20 (return) [ The character of this Zenodorus is so like that of a
+famous robber of the same name in Strabo, and that about this very
+country, and about this very time also, that I think Dr. Hudson hardly
+needed to have put a overlaps to his determination that they were the
+same.]
+
+
+21 (return) [ A tetrarchy properly and originally denoted the fourth
+part of an entire kingdom or country, and a tetrarch one that was ruler
+of such a fourth part, which always implies somewhat less extent of
+dominion and power than belong to a kingdom and to a king.]
+
+
+22 (return) [ We may here observe, that the fancy of the modern Jews, in
+calling this temple, which was really the third of their temples, the
+second temple, followed so long by later Christians, seems to be without
+any solid foundation. The reason why the Christians here followed the
+Jews is, because of the prophecy of Haggai, 2:6-9, which they expound of
+the Messiah's coning to the second or Zorobabel's temple, of which they
+suppose this of Herod to be only a continuation; which is meant, I
+think, of his coming to the fourth and last temple, of that future,
+largest, and most glorious one, described by Ezekiel; whence I take the
+former notion, how general soever, to be a great mistake. See Lit.
+Accorap. of Proph. p. 2.]
+
+
+23 (return) [ Some of our modern students in architecture have made a
+strange blunder here, when they imagine that Josephus affirms the entire
+foundations of the temple or holy house sunk down into the rocky
+mountain on which it stood no less than twenty cubits, whereas he is
+clear that they were the foundations of the additional twenty cubits
+only above the hundred [made perhaps weak on purpose, and only for show
+and grandeur] that sunk or fell down, as Dr. Hudson rightly understands
+him; nor is the thing itself possible in the other sense. Agrippa's
+preparation for building the inner parts of the temple twenty cubits
+higher [History of the War, B. V. ch. 1. sect. 5: must in all
+probability refer to this matter, since Josephus says here, that this
+which had fallen down was designed to be raised up again under Nero,
+under whom Agrippa made that preparation. But what Josephus says
+presently, that Solomon was the first king of the Jews, appears by the
+parallel place, Antiq. B. XX. ch. 9. sect. 7, and other places, to be
+meant only the first of David's posterity, and the first builder of the
+temple.]
+
+
+24 (return) [ "Into none Of these three did king Herod enter," i.e. 1.
+Not into the court of the priests; 2. Nor into the holy house itself; 3.
+Nor into the separate place belonging to the altar, as the words
+following imply; for none but priests, or their attendants the Levites,
+might come into any of them. See Antiq. B. XVI. ch. 4. sect. 6, when
+Herod goes into the temple, and makes a speech in it to the people, but
+that could only be into the court of Israel, whither the people could
+come to hear him.]
+
+
+25 (return) [ This tradition which Josephus here mentions, as delivered
+down from fathers to their children, of this particular remarkable
+circumstance relating to the building of Herod's temple, is a
+demonstration that such its building was a known thing in Judea at this
+time. He was born about forty-six years after it is related to have been
+finished, and might himself have seen and spoken with some of the
+builders themselves, and with a great number of those that had seen it
+building. The doubt therefore about the truth of this history of the
+pulling down and rebuilding this temple by Herod, which some weak people
+have indulged, was not then much greater than it soon may be, whether or
+not our St. Paul's church in London was burnt down in the fire of
+London, A.D. 1666, and rebuilt by Sir Christopher Wren a little
+afterward.]
+
+
+
+
+
+
+BOOK XVI. Containing The Interval Of Twelve Years.—From The Finishing Of
+The Temple By Herod To The Death Of Alexander And Aristobulus.
+
+
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER 1. A Law Of Herod's About, Thieves. Salome And Pheroras
+Calumniate Alexander And Aristobulus, Upon Their Return From Rome For
+Whom Yet Herod Provides Wives.
+
+1. As king Herod was very zealous in the administration of his entire
+government, and desirous to put a stop to particular acts of injustice
+which were done by criminals about the city and country, he made a law,
+no way like our original laws, and which he enacted of himself, to
+expose house-breakers to be ejected out of his kingdom; which punishment
+was not only grievous to be borne by the offenders, but contained in it
+a dissolution of the customs of our forefathers; for this slavery to
+foreigners, and such as did not live after the manner of Jews, and this
+necessity that they were under to do whatsoever such men should command,
+was an offense against our religious settlement, rather than a
+punishment to such as were found to have offended, such a punishment
+being avoided in our original laws; for those laws ordain, that the
+thief shall restore fourfold; and that if he have not so much, he shall
+be sold indeed, but not to foreigners, nor so that he be under perpetual
+slavery, for he must have been released after six years. But this law,
+thus enacted, in order to introduce a severe and illegal punishment,
+seemed to be a piece of insolence of Herod, when he did not act as a
+king, but as a tyrant, and thus contemptuously, and without any regard
+to his subjects, did he venture to introduce such a punishment. Now this
+penalty, thus brought into practice, was like Herod's other actions, and
+became a part of his accusation, and an occasion of the hatred he lay
+under.
+
+2. Now at this time it was that he sailed to Italy, as very desirous to
+meet with Cæsar, and to see his sons who lived at Rome; and Cæsar was
+not only very obliging to him in other respects, but delivered him his
+sons again, that he might take them home with him, as having already
+completed themselves in the sciences; but as soon as the young men were
+come from Italy, the multitude were very desirous to see them, and they
+became conspicuous among them all, as adorned with great blessings of
+fortune, and having the countenances of persons of royal dignity. So
+they soon appeared to be the objects of envy to Salome, the king's
+sister, and to such as had raised calumnies against Mariamne; for they
+were suspicious, that when these came to the government, they should be
+punished for the wickedness they had been guilty of against their
+mother; so they made this very fear of theirs a motive to raise
+calumnies against them also. They gave it out that they were not pleased
+with their father's company, because he had put their mother to death,
+as if it were not agreeable to piety to appear to converse with their
+mother's murderer. Now, by carrying these stories; that had indeed a
+true foundation [in the fact], but were only built on probabilities as
+to the present accusation, they were able to do them mischief, and to
+make Herod take away that kindness from his sons which he had before
+borne to them; for they did not say these things to him openly, but
+scattered abroad such words, among the rest of the multitude; from which
+words, when carried to Herod, he was induced [at last] to hate them, and
+which natural affection itself, even in length of time, was not able to
+overcome; yet was the king at that time in a condition to prefer the
+natural affection of a father before all the suspicions and calumnies
+his sons lay under. So he respected them as he ought to do, and married
+them to wives, now they were of an age suitable thereto. To Aristobulus
+he gave for a wife Bernice, Salome's daughter; and to Alexander,
+Glaphyra, the daughter of Archelaus, king of Cappadocia.
+
+
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER 2. How Herod Twice Sailed To Agrippa; And How Upon The Complaint
+In Ionia Against The Greeks Agrippa Confirmed The Laws To Them.
+
+1. When Herod had despatched these affairs, and he understood that
+Marcus Agrippa had sailed again out of Italy into Asia, he made haste to
+him, and besought him to come to him into his kingdom, and to partake of
+what he might justly expect from one that had been his guest, and was
+his friend. This request he greatly pressed, and to it Agrippa agreed,
+and came into Judea; whereupon Herod omitted nothing that might please
+him. He entertained him in his new-built cities, and showed him the
+edifices he had built, and provided all sorts of the best and most
+costly dainties for him and his friends, and that at Sebaste and
+Cæsarea, about that port that he had built, and at the fortresses which
+he had erected at great expenses, Alexandrium, and Herodium, and
+Hyrcania. He also conducted him to the city Jerusalem, where all the
+people met him in their festival garments, and received him with
+acclamations. Agrippa also offered a hecatomb of sacrifices to God; and
+feasted the people, without omitting any of the greatest dainties that
+could be gotten. He also took so much pleasure there, that he abode many
+days with them, and would willingly have staid longer, but that the
+season of the year made him make haste away; for as winter was coming
+on, he thought it not safe to go to sea later, and yet he was of
+necessity to return again to Ionia.
+
+2. So Agrippa went away, when Herod had bestowed on him, and on the
+principal of those that were with him, many presents; but king Herod,
+when he had passed the winter in his own dominions, made haste to get to
+him again in the spring, when he knew he designed to go to a campaign at
+the Bosphorus. So when he had sailed by Rhodes and by Cos, he touched at
+Lesbos, as thinking he should have overtaken Agrippa there; but he was
+taken short here by a north wind, which hindered his ship from going to
+the shore; so he continued many days at Chius, and there he kindly
+treated a great many that came to him, and obliged them by giving them
+royal gifts. And when he saw that the portico of the city was fallen
+down, which as it was overthrown in the Mithridatic war, and was very
+large and fine building, so was it not so easy to rebuild that as it was
+the rest, yet did he furnish a sum not only large enough for that
+purpose, but what was more than sufficient to finish the building; and
+ordered them not to overlook that portico, but to rebuild it quickly,
+that so the city might recover its proper ornaments. And when the high
+winds were laid, he sailed to Mytilene, and thence to Byzantium; and
+when he heard that Agrippa was sailed beyond the Cyanean rocks, he made
+all the haste possible to overtake him, and came up with him about
+Sinope, in Pontus. He was seen sailing by the ship-men most
+unexpectedly, but appeared to their great joy; and many friendly
+salutations there were between them, insomuch that Agrippa thought he
+had received the greatest marks of the king's kindness and humanity
+towards him possible, since the king had come so long a voyage, and at a
+very proper season, for his assistance, and had left the government of
+his own dominions, and thought it more worth his while to come to him.
+Accordingly, Herod was all in all to Agrippa, in the management of the
+war, and a great assistant in civil affairs, and in giving him counsel
+as to particular matters. He was also a pleasant companion for him when
+he relaxed himself, and a joint partaker with him in all things; ill
+troubles because of his kindness, and in prosperity because of the
+respect Agrippa had for him. Now as soon as those affairs of Pontus were
+finished, for whose sake Agrippa was sent thither, they did not think
+fit to return by sea, but passed through Paphlagonia and Cappadocia;
+they then traveled thence over great Phrygia, and came to Ephesus, and
+then they sailed from Ephesus to Samos. And indeed the king bestowed a
+great many benefits on every city that he came to, according as they
+stood in need of them; for as for those that wanted either money or kind
+treatment, he was not wanting to them; but he supplied the former
+himself out of his own expenses: he also became an intercessor with
+Agrippa for all such as sought after his favor, and he brought things so
+about, that the petitioners failed in none of their suits to him,
+Agrippa being himself of a good disposition, and of great generosity,
+and ready to grant all such requests as might be advantageous to the
+petitioners, provided they were not to the detriment of others. The
+inclination of the king was of great weight also, and still excited
+Agrippa, who was himself ready to do good; for he made a reconciliation
+between the people of Ilium, at whom he was angry, and paid what money
+the people of Chius owed Cæsar's procurators, and discharged them of
+their tributes; and helped all others, according as their several
+necessities required.
+
+3. But now, when Agrippa and Herod were in Ionia, a great multitude of
+Jews, who dwelt in their cities, came to them, and laying hold of the
+opportunity and the liberty now given them, laid before them the
+injuries which they suffered, while they were not permitted to use their
+own laws, but were compelled to prosecute their law-suits, by the ill
+usage of the judges, upon their holy days, and were deprived of the
+money they used to lay up at Jerusalem, and were forced into the army,
+and upon such other offices as obliged them to spend their sacred money;
+from which burdens they always used to be freed by the Romans, who had
+still permitted them to live according to their own laws. When this
+clamor was made, the king desired of Agrippa that he would hear their
+cause, and assigned Nicolaus, one of his friends, to plead for those
+their privileges. Accordingly, when Agrippa had called the principal of
+the Romans, and such of the kings and rulers as were there, to be his
+assessors, Nicolaus stood up, and pleaded for the Jews, as follows: "It
+is of necessity incumbent on such as are in distress to have recourse to
+those that have it in their power to free them from those injuries they
+lie under; and for those that now are complainants, they approach you
+with great assurance; for as they have formerly often obtained your
+favor, so far as they have even wished to have it, they now only entreat
+that you, who have been the donors, will take care that those favors you
+have already granted them may not be taken away from them. We have
+received these favors from you, who alone have power to grant them, but
+have them taken from us by such as are no greater than ourselves, and by
+such as we know are as much subjects as we are; and certainly, if we
+have been vouchsafed great favors, it is to our commendation who have
+obtained them, as having been found deserving of such great favors; and
+if those favors be but small ones, it would be barbarous for the donors
+not to confirm them to us. And for those that are the hinderance of the
+Jews, and use them reproachfully, it is evident that they affront both
+the receivers, while they will not allow those to be worthy men to whom
+their excellent rulers themselves have borne their testimony, and the
+donors, while they desire those favors already granted may be abrogated.
+Now if any one should ask these Gentiles themselves, which of the two
+things they would choose to part with, their lives, or the customs of
+their forefathers, their solemnities, their sacrifices, their festivals,
+which they celebrated in honor of those they suppose to be gods? I know
+very well that they would choose to suffer any thing whatsoever rather
+than a dissolution of any of the customs of their forefathers; for a
+great many of them have rather chosen to go to war on that account, as
+very solicitous not to transgress in those matters. And indeed we take
+an estimate of that happiness which all mankind do now enjoy by your
+means from this very thing, that we are allowed every one to worship as
+our own institutions require, and yet to live [in peace]; and although
+they would not be thus treated themselves, yet do they endeavor to
+compel others to comply with them, as if it were not as great an
+instance of impiety profanely to dissolve the religious solemnities of
+any others, as to be negligent in the observation of their own towards
+their gods. And let us now consider the one of these practices. Is there
+any people, or city, or community of men, to whom your government and
+the Roman power does not appear to be the greatest blessing? Is there
+any one that can desire to make void the favors they have granted? No
+one is certainly so mad; for there are no men but such as have been
+partakers of their favors, both public and private; and indeed those
+that take away what you have granted, can have no assurance but every
+one of their own grants made them by you may be taken from them also;
+which grants of yours can yet never be sufficiently valued; for if they
+consider the old governments under kings, together with your present
+government, besides the great number of benefits which this government
+hath bestowed on them, in order to their happiness, this is instead of
+all the rest, that they appear to be no longer in a state of slavery,
+but of freedom. Now the privileges we desire, even when we are in the
+best circumstances, are not such as deserve to be envied, for we are
+indeed in a prosperous state by your means, but this is only in common
+with others; and it is no more than this which we desire, to preserve
+our religion without any prohibition; which as it appears not in itself
+a privilege to be envied us, so it is for the advantage of those that
+grant it to us; for if the Divinity delights in being honored, it must
+delight in those that permit them to be honored. And there are none of
+our customs which are inhuman, but all tending to piety, and devoted to
+the preservation of justice; nor do we conceal those injunctions of ours
+by which we govern our lives, they being memorials of piety, and of a
+friendly conversation among men. And the seventh day we set apart from
+labor; it is dedicated to the learning of our customs and laws, 1 we
+thinking it proper to reflect on them, as well as on any [good] thing
+else, in order to our avoiding of sin. If any one therefore examine into
+our observances, he will find they are good in themselves, and that they
+are ancient also, though some think otherwise, insomuch that those who
+have received them cannot easily be brought to depart from them, out of
+that honor they pay to the length of time they have religiously enjoyed
+them and observed them. Now our adversaries take these our privileges
+away in the way of injustice; they violently seize upon that money of
+ours which is owed to God, and called sacred money, and this openly,
+after a sacrilegious manner; and they impose tributes upon us, and bring
+us before tribunals on holy days, and then require other like debts of
+us, not because the contracts require it, and for their own advantage,
+but because they would put an affront on our religion, of which they are
+conscious as well as we, and have indulged themselves in an unjust, and
+to them involuntary, hatred; for your government over all is one,
+tending to the establishing of benevolence, and abolishing of ill-will
+among such as are disposed to it. This is therefore what we implore from
+thee, most excellent Agrippa, that we may not be ill-treated; that we
+may not be abused; that we may not be hindered from making use of our
+own customs, nor be despoiled of our goods, nor be forced by these men
+to do what we ourselves force nobody to do; for these privileges of ours
+are not only according to justice, but have formerly been granted us by
+you. And we are able to read to you many decrees of the senate, and the
+tables that contain them, which are still extant in the capitol,
+concerning these things, which it is evident were granted after you had
+experience of our fidelity towards you, which ought to be valued, though
+no such fidelity had been; for you have hitherto preserved what people
+were in possession of, not to us only, but almost to all men, and have
+added greater advantages than they could have hoped for, and thereby
+your government is become a great advantage to them. And if any one were
+able to enumerate the prosperity you have conferred on every nation,
+which they possess by your means, he could never put an end to his
+discourse; but that we may demonstrate that we are not unworthy of all
+those advantages we have obtained, it will be sufficient for us, to say
+nothing of other things, but to speak freely of this king who now
+governs us, and is now one of thy assessors; and indeed in what instance
+of good-will, as to your house, hath he been deficient? What mark of
+fidelity to it hath he omitted? What token of honor hath he not devised?
+What occasion for his assistance of you hath he not regarded at the very
+first? What hindereth; therefore, but that your kindnesses may be as
+numerous as his so great benefits to you have been? It may also perhaps
+be fit not here to pass over in silence the valor of his father
+Antipater, who, when Cæsar made an expedition into Egypt, assisted him
+with two thousand armed men, and proved inferior to none, neither in the
+battles on land, nor in the management of the navy; and what need I say
+any thing of how great weight those soldiers were at that juncture? or
+how many and how great presents they were vouchsafed by Cæsar? And truly
+I ought before now to have mentioned the epistles which Cæsar wrote to
+the senate; and how Antipater had honors, and the freedom of the city of
+Rome, bestowed upon him; for these are demonstrations both that we have
+received these favors by our own deserts, and do on that account
+petition thee for thy confirmation of them, from whom we had reason to
+hope for them, though they had not been given us before, both out of
+regard to our king's disposition towards you, and your disposition
+towards him. And further, we have been informed by those Jews that were
+there with what kindness thou camest into our country, and how thou
+offeredst the most perfect sacrifices to God, and honoredst him with
+remarkable vows, and how thou gavest the people a feast, and acceptedst
+of their own hospitable presents to thee. We ought to esteem all these
+kind entertainments made both by our nation and to our city, to a man
+who is the ruler and manager of so much of the public affairs, as
+indications of that friendship which thou hast returned to the Jewish
+nation, and which hath been procured them by the family of Herod. So we
+put thee in mind of these things in the presence of the king, now
+sitting by thee, and make our request for no more but this, that what
+you have given us yourselves you will not see taken away by others from
+us."
+
+4. When Nicolaus had made this speech, there was no opposition made to
+it by the Greeks, for this was not an inquiry made, as in a court of
+justice, but an intercession to prevent violence to be offered to the
+Jews any longer; nor did the Greeks make any defense of themselves, or
+deny what it was supposed they had done. Their pretense was no more than
+this, that while the Jews inhabited in their country, they were entirely
+unjust to them [in not joining in their worship] but they demonstrated
+their generosity in this, that though they worshipped according to their
+institutions, they did nothing that ought to grieve them. So when
+Agrippa perceived that they had been oppressed by violence, he made this
+answer: That, on account of Herod's good-will and friendship, he was
+ready to grant the Jews whatsoever they should ask him, and that their
+requests seemed to him in themselves just; and that if they requested
+any thing further, he should not scruple to grant it them, provided they
+were no way to the detriment of the Roman government; but that while
+their request was no more than this, that what privileges they had
+already given them might not be abrogated, he confirmed this to them,
+that they might continue in the observation of their own customs,
+without any one offering them the least injury. And when he had said
+thus, he dissolved the assembly; upon which Herod stood up and saluted
+him, and gave him thanks for the kind disposition he showed to them.
+Agrippa also took this in a very obliging manner, and saluted him again,
+and embraced him in his arms; after which he went away from Lesbos; but
+the king determined to sail from Samos to his own country; and when he
+had taken his leave of Agrippa, he pursued his voyage, and landed at
+Cæsarea in a few days' time, as having favorable winds; from whence he
+went to Jerusalem, and there gathered all the people together to an
+assembly, not a few being there out of the country also. So he came to
+them, and gave them a particular account of all his journey, and of the
+affairs of all the Jews in Asia, how by his means they would live
+without injurious treatment for the time to come. He also told them of
+the entire good fortune he had met with and how he had administered the
+government, and had not neglected any thing which was for their
+advantage; and as he was very joyful, he now remitted to them the fourth
+part of their taxes for the last year. Accordingly, they were so pleased
+with his favor and speech to them, that they went their ways with great
+gladness, and wished the king all manner of happiness.
+
+
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER 3
+
+How Great Disturbances Arose In Herods Family On His Preferring
+Antipater His Eldest Son Before The Rest, Till Alexander Took That
+Injury Very Heinously.
+
+1. But now the affairs in Herod's family were in more and more disorder,
+and became more severe upon him, by the hatred of Salome to the young
+men [Alexander and Aristobulus], which descended as it were by
+inheritance [from their mother Mariamne]; and as she had fully succeeded
+against their mother, so she proceeded to that degree of madness and
+insolence, as to endeavor that none of her posterity might be left
+alive, who might have it in their power to revenge her death. The young
+men had also somewhat of a bold and uneasy disposition towards their
+father occasioned by the remembrance of what their mother had unjustly
+suffered, and by their own affectation of dominion. The old grudge was
+also renewed; and they cast reproaches on Salome and Pheroras, who
+requited the young men with malicious designs, and actually laid
+treacherous snares for them. Now as for this hatred, it was equal on
+both sides, but the manner of exerting that hatred was different; for as
+for the young men, they were rash, reproaching and affronting the others
+openly, and were inexperienced enough to think it the most generous to
+declare their minds in that undaunted manner; but the others did not
+take that method, but made use of calumnies after a subtle and a
+spiteful manner, still provoking the young men, and imagining that their
+boldness might in time turn to the offering violence to their father;
+for inasmuch as they were not ashamed of the pretended crimes of their
+mother, nor thought she suffered justly, these supposed that might at
+length exceed all bounds, and induce them to think they ought to be
+avenged on their father, though it were by despatching him with their
+own hands. At length it came to this, that the whole city was full of
+their discourses, and, as is usual in such contests, the unskilfulness
+of the young men was pitied; but the contrivance of Salome was too hard
+for them, and what imputations she laid upon them came to be believed,
+by means of their own conduct; for they who were so deeply affected with
+the death of their mother, that while they said both she and themselves
+were in a miserable case, they vehemently complained of her pitiable
+end, which indeed was truly such, and said that they were themselves in
+a pitiable case also, because they were forced to live with those that
+had been her murderers, and to be partakers with them.
+
+2. These disorders increased greatly, and the king's absence abroad had
+afforded a fit opportunity for that increase; but as soon as Herod was
+returned, and had made the forementioned speech to the multitude,
+Pheroras and Salome let fill words immediately as if he were in great
+danger, and as if the young men openly threatened that they would not
+spare him any longer, but revenge their mother's death upon him. They
+also added another circumstance, that their hopes were fixed on
+Archelaus, the king of Cappadocia, that they should be able by his means
+to come to Cæsar, and accuse their father. Upon hearing such things,
+Herod was immediately disturbed; and indeed was the more astonished,
+because the same things were related to him by some others also. He then
+called to mind his former calamity, and considered that the disorders in
+his family had hindered him from enjoying any comfort from those that
+were dearest to him or from his wife whom he loved so well; and
+suspecting that his future troubles would soon be heavier and greater
+than those that were past, he was in great confusion of mind; for Divine
+Providence had in reality conferred upon him a great many outward
+advantages for his happiness, even beyond his hopes; but the troubles he
+had at home were such as he never expected to have met with, and
+rendered him unfortunate; nay, both sorts came upon him to such a degree
+as no one could imagine, and made it a doubtful question, whether, upon
+the comparison of both, he ought to have exchanged so great a success of
+outward good things for so great misfortunes at home, or whether he
+ought not to have chosen to avoid the calamities relating to his family,
+though he had, for a compensation, never been possessed of the admired
+grandeur of a kingdom.
+
+3. As he was thus disturbed and afflicted, in order to depress these
+young men, he brought to court another of his sons, that was born to him
+when he was a private man; his name was Antipater; yet did he not then
+indulge him as he did afterwards, when he was quite overcome by him, and
+let him do every thing as he pleased, but rather with a design of
+depressing the insolence of the sons of Mariamne, and managing this
+elevation of his so, that it might be for a warning to them; for this
+bold behavior of theirs [he thought] would not be so great, if they were
+once persuaded that the succession to the kingdom did not appertain to
+them alone, or must of necessity come to them. So he introduced
+Antipater as their antagonist, and imagined that he made a good
+provision for discouraging their pride, and that after this was done to
+the young men, there might be a proper season for expecting these to be
+of a better disposition; but the event proved otherwise than he
+intended, for the young men thought he did them a very great injury; and
+as Antipater was a shrewd man, when he had once obtained this degree of
+freedom, and began to expect greater things than he had before hoped
+for, he had but one single design in his head, and that was to distress
+his brethren, and not at all to yield to them the pre-eminence, but to
+keep close to his father, who was already alienated from them by the
+calumnies he had heard about them, and ready to be wrought upon in any
+way his zeal against them should advise him to pursue, that he might be
+continually more and more severe against them. Accordingly, all the
+reports that were spread abroad came from him, while he avoided himself
+the suspicion as if those discoveries proceeded from him; but he rather
+chose to make use of those persons for his assistants that were
+unsuspected, and such as might be believed to speak truth by reason of
+the good-will they bore to the king; and indeed there were already not a
+few who cultivated a friendship with Antipater, in hopes of gaining
+somewhat by him, and these were the men who most of all persuaded Herod,
+because they appeared to speak thus out of their good-will to him: and
+with these joint accusations, which from various foundations supported
+one another's veracity, the young men themselves afforded further
+occasions to Antipater also; for they were observed to shed tears often,
+on account of the injury that was offered them, and had their mother in
+their mouths; and among their friends they ventured to reproach their
+father, as not acting justly by them; all which things were with an evil
+intention reserved in memory by Antipater against a proper opportunity;
+and when they were told to Herod, with aggravations, increased the
+disorder so much, that it brought a great tumult into the family; for
+while the king was very angry at imputations that were laid upon the
+sons of Mariamne, and was desirous to humble them, he still increased
+the honor that he had bestowed on Antipater, and was at last so overcome
+by his persuasions, that he brought his mother to court also. He also
+wrote frequently to Cæsar in favor of him, and more earnestly
+recommended him to his care particularly. And when Agrippa was returning
+to Rome, after he had finished his ten years' government in Asia. 2
+Herod sailed from Judea; and when he met with him, he had none with him
+but Antipater, whom he delivered to Agrippa, that he might take him
+along with him, together with many presents, that so he might become
+Cæsar's friend, insomuch that things already looked as if he had all his
+father's favor, and that the young men were already entirely rejected
+from any hopes of the kingdom.
+
+
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER 4. How During Antipater's Abode At Rome, Herod Brought Alexander
+And Aristobulus Before Cæsar And Accused Them. Alexander's Defense Of
+Himself Before Cæsar And Reconciliation To His Father.
+
+1. And now what happened during Antipater's absence augmented the honor
+to which he had been promoted, and his apparent eminence above his
+brethren; for he had made a great figure in Rome, because Herod had sent
+recommendations of him to all his friends there; only he was grieved
+that he was not at home, nor had proper opportunities of perpetually
+calumniating his brethren; and his chief fear was, lest his father
+should alter his mind, and entertain a more favorable opinion of the
+sons of Mariamne; and as he had this in his mind, he did not desist from
+his purpose, but continually sent from Rome any such stories as he hoped
+might grieve and irritate his father against his brethren, under
+pretense indeed of a deep concern for his preservation, but in truth
+such as his malicious mind dictated, in order to purchase a greater hope
+of the succession, which yet was already great in itself: and thus he
+did till he had excited such a degree of anger in Herod, that he was
+already become very ill-disposed towards the young men; but still while
+he delayed to exercise so violent a disgust against them, and that he
+might not either be too remiss or too rash, and so offend, he thought it
+best to sail to Rome, and there accuse his sons before Cæsar, and not
+indulge himself in any such crime as might be heinous enough to be
+suspected of impiety. But as he was going up to Rome, it happened that
+he made such haste as to meet with Cæsar at the city Aquilei 3 so when
+he came to the speech of Cæsar, he asked for a time for hearing this
+great cause, wherein he thought himself very miserable, and presented
+his sons there, and accused them of their mad actions, and of their
+attempts against him: That they were enemies to him; and by all the
+means they were able, did their endeavors to show their hatred to their
+own father, and would take away his life, and so obtain his kingdom,
+after the most barbarous manner: that he had power from Cæsar to dispose
+of it, not by necessity, but by choice, to him who shall exercise the
+greatest piety towards him; while these my sons are not so desirous of
+ruling, as they are, upon a disappointment thereof, to expose their own
+life, if so be they may but deprive their father of his life; so wild
+and polluted is their mind by time become, out of their hatred to him:
+that whereas he had a long time borne this his misfortune, he was now
+compelled to lay it before Cæsar, and to pollute his ears with such
+language, while he himself wants to know what severity they have ever
+suffered from him, or what hardships he hath ever laid upon them to make
+them complain of him; and how they can think it just that he should not
+be lord of that kingdom which he in a long time, and with great danger,
+had gained, and not allow him to keep it and dispose of it to him who
+should deserve best; and this, with other advantages, he proposes as a
+reward for the piety of such a one as will hereafter imitate the care he
+hath taken of it, and that such a one may gain so great a requital as
+that is: and that it is an impious thing for them to pretend to meddle
+with it beforehand; for he who hath ever the kingdom in his view, at the
+same time reckons upon procuring the death of his father, because
+otherwise he cannot come at the government: that as for himself, he had
+hitherto given them all that he was able, and what was agreeable to such
+as are subject to the royal authority, and the sons of a king; what
+ornaments they wanted, with servants and delicate fare, and had married
+them into the most illustrious families, the one [Aristobulus] to his
+sister's daughter, but Alexander to the daughter of king Archelaus; and,
+what was the greatest favor of all, when their crimes were so very bad,
+and he had authority to punish them, yet had he not made use of it
+against them, but had brought them before Cæsar, their common
+benefactor, and had not used the severity which, either as a father who
+had been impiously abused, or as a king who had been assaulted
+treacherously, he might have done, but made them stand upon a level with
+him in judgment: that, however, it was necessary that all this should
+not be passed over without punishment, nor himself live in the greatest
+fears; nay, that it was not for their own advantage to see the light of
+the sun after what they have done, although they should escape at this
+time, since they had done the vilest things, and would certainly suffer
+the greatest punishments that ever were known among mankind.
+
+2. These were the accusations which Herod laid with great vehemency
+against his sons before Cæsar. Now the young men, both while he was
+speaking, and chiefly at his concluding, wept, and were in confusion.
+Now as to themselves, they knew in their own conscience they were
+innocent; but because they were accused by their father, they were
+sensible, as the truth was, that it was hard for them to make their
+apology, since though they were at liberty to speak their minds freely
+as the occasion required, and might with force and earnestness refute
+the accusation, yet was it not now decent so to do. There was therefore
+a difficulty how they should be able to speak; and tears, and at length
+a deep groan, followed, while they were afraid, that if they said
+nothing, they should seem to be in this difficulty from a consciousness
+of guilt,—nor had they any defense ready, by reason of their youth, and
+the disorder they were under; yet was not Cæsar unapprized, when he
+looked upon them in the confusion they were in, that their delay to make
+their defense did not arise from any consciousness of great enormities,
+but from their unskilfulness and modesty. They were also commiserated by
+those that were there in particular; and they moved their father's
+affections in earnest till he had much ado to conceal them.
+
+3. But when they saw there was a kind disposition arisen both in him and
+in Cæsar, and that every one of the rest did either shed tears, or at
+least did all grieve with them, the one of them, whose name was
+Alexander, called to his father, and attempted to answer his accusation,
+and said, "O father, the benevolence thou hast showed to us is evident,
+even in this very judicial procedure, for hadst thou had any pernicious
+intentions about us, thou hadst not produced us here before the common
+savior of all, for it was in thy power, both as a king and as a father,
+to punish the guilty; but by thus bringing us to Rome, and making Cæsar
+himself a witness to what is done, thou intimatest that thou intendest
+to save us; for no one that hath a design to slay a man will bring him
+to the temples, and to the altars; yet are our circumstances still
+worse, for we cannot endure to live ourselves any longer, if it be
+believed that we have injured such a father; nay, perhaps it would be
+worse for us to live with this suspicion upon us, that we have injured
+him, than to die without such guilt. And if our open defense may be
+taken to be true, we shall be happy, both in pacifying thee, and in
+escaping the danger we are in; but if this calumny so prevails, it is
+more than enough for us that we have seen the sun this day; which why
+should we see, if this suspicion be fixed upon us? Now it is easy to say
+of young men, that they desire to reign; and to say further, that this
+evil proceeds from the case of our unhappy mother. This is abundantly
+sufficient to produce our present misfortune out of the former; but
+consider well, whether such an accusation does not suit all such young
+men, and may not be said of them all promiscuously; for nothing can
+hinder him that reigns, if he have children, and their mother be dead,
+but the father may have a suspicion upon all his sons, as intending some
+treachery to him; but a suspicion is not sufficient to prove such an
+impious practice. Now let any man say, whether we have actually and
+insolently attempted any such thing, whereby actions otherwise
+incredible use to be made credible? Can any body prove that poison hath
+been prepared? or prove a conspiracy of our equals, or the corruption of
+servants, or letters written against thee? though indeed there are none
+of those things but have sometimes been pretended by way of calumny,
+when they were never done; for a royal family that is at variance with
+itself is a terrible thing; and that which thou callest a reward of
+piety often becomes, among very wicked men, such a foundation of hope,
+as makes them leave no sort of mischief untried. Nor does any one lay
+any wicked practices to our charge; but as to calumnies by hearsay, how
+can he put an end to them, who will not hear what we have to say? Have
+we talked with too great freedom? Yes; but not against thee, for that
+would be unjust, but against those that never conceal any thing that is
+spoken to them. Hath either of us lamented our mother? Yes; but not
+because she is dead, but because she was evil spoken of by those that
+had no reason so to do. Are we desirous of that dominion which we know
+our father is possessed of? For what reason can we do so? If we already
+have royal honors, as we have, should not we labor in vain? And if we
+have them not, yet are not we in hopes of them? Or supposing that we had
+killed thee, could we expect to obtain thy kingdom? while neither the
+earth would let us tread upon it, nor the sea let us sail upon it, after
+such an action as that; nay, the religion of all your subjects, and the
+piety of the whole nation, would have prohibited parricides from
+assuming the government, and from entering into that most holy temple
+which was built by thee 4 But suppose we had made light of other
+dangers, can any murderer go off unpunished while Cæsar is alive? We are
+thy sons, and not so impious or so thoughtless as that comes to, though
+perhaps more unfortunate than is convenient for thee. But in case thou
+neither findest any causes of complaint, nor any treacherous designs,
+what sufficient evidence hast thou to make such a wickedness of ours
+credible? Our mother is dead indeed, but then what befell her might be
+an instruction to us to caution, and not an incitement to wickedness. We
+are willing to make a larger apology for ourselves; but actions never
+done do not admit of discourse. Nay, we will make this agreement with
+thee, and that before Cæsar, the lord of all, who is now a mediator
+between us, If thou, O father, canst bring thyself, by the evidence of
+truth, to have a mind free from suspicion concerning us let us live,
+though even then we shall live in an unhappy way, for to be accused of
+great acts of wickedness, though falsely, is a terrible thing; but if
+thou hast any fear remaining, continue thou on in thy pious life, we
+will give this reason for our own conduct; our life is not so desirable
+to us as to desire to have it, if it tend to the harm of our father who
+gave it us."
+
+4. When Alexander had thus spoken, Cæsar, who did not before believe so
+gross a calumny, was still more moved by it, and looked intently upon
+Herod, and perceived he was a little confounded: the persons there
+present were under an anxiety about the young men, and the fame that was
+spread abroad made the king hated, for the very incredibility of the
+calumny, and the commiseration of the flower of youth, the beauty of
+body, which were in the young men, pleaded for assistance, and the more
+so on this account, that Alexander had made their defense with dexterity
+and prudence; nay, they did not themselves any longer continue in their
+former countenances, which had been bedewed with tears, and cast
+downwards to the ground, but now there arose in them hope of the best;
+and the king himself appeared not to have had foundation enough to build
+such an accusation upon, he having no real evidence wherewith to correct
+them. Indeed he wanted some apology for making the accusation; but
+Cæsar, after some delay, said, that although the young men were
+thoroughly innocent of that for which they were calumniated, yet had
+they been so far to blame, that they had not demeaned themselves towards
+their father so as to prevent that suspicion which was spread abroad
+concerning them. He also exhorted Herod to lay all such suspicions
+aside, and to be reconciled to his sons; for that it was not just to
+give any credit to such reports concerning his own children; and that
+this repentance on both sides might still heal those breaches that had
+happened between them, and might improve that their good-will to one
+another, whereby those on both sides, excusing the rashness of their
+suspicions, might resolve to bear a greater degree of affection towards
+each other than they had before. After Cæsar had given them this
+admonition, he beckoned to the young men. When therefore they were
+disposed to fall down to make intercession to their father, he took them
+up, and embraced them, as they were in tears, and took each of them
+distinctly in his arms, till not one of those that were present, whether
+free-man or slave, but was deeply affected with what they saw. 5
+
+5. Then did they return thanks to Cæsar, and went away together; and
+with them went Antipater, with an hypocritical pretense that he rejoiced
+at this reconciliation. And in the last days they were with Cæsar, Herod
+made him a present of three hundred talents, as he was then exhibiting
+shows and largesses to the people of Rome; and Cæsar made him a present
+of half the revenue of the copper mines in Cyprus, and committed the
+care of the other half to him, and honored him with other gifts and
+incomes; and as to his own kingdom, he left it in his own power to
+appoint which of his sons he pleased for his successor, or to distribute
+it in parts to every one, that the dignity might thereby come to them
+all. And when Herod was disposed to make such a settlement immediately,
+Cæsar said he would not give him leave to deprive himself, while he was
+alive, of the power over his kingdom, or over his sons.
+
+6. After this, Herod returned to Judea again. But during his absence no
+small part of his dominion about Trachon had revolted, whom yet the
+commanders he left there had vanquished, and compelled to a submission
+again. Now as Herod was sailing with his sons, and was come over against
+Cilicia, to [the island] Eleusa, which hath now changed its name for
+Sebaste, he met with Archelaus, king of Cappadocia, who received him
+kindly, as rejoicing that he was reconciled to his sons, and that the
+accusation against Alexander, who had married his daughter, was at an
+end. They also made one another such presents as it became kings to
+make, From thence Herod came to Judea and to the temple, where he made a
+speech to the people concerning what had been done in this his journey.
+He also discoursed to them about Cæsar's kindness to him, and about as
+many of the particulars he had done as he thought it for his advantage
+other people should be acquainted with. At last he turned his speech to
+the admonition of his sons; and exhorted those that lived at court, and
+the multitude, to concord; and informed them that his sons were to reign
+after him; Antipater first, and then Alexander and Aristobulus, the sons
+of Mariamne: but he desired that at present they should all have regard
+to himself, and esteem him king and lord of all, since he was not yet
+hindered by old age, but was in that period of life when he must be the
+most skillful in governing; and that he was not deficient in other arts
+of management that might enable him to govern the kingdom well, and to
+rule over his children also. He further told the rulers under him, and
+the soldiery, that in case they would look upon him alone, their life
+would be led in a peaceable manner, and they would make one another
+happy. And when he had said this, he dismissed the assembly. Which
+speech was acceptable to the greatest part of the audience, but not so
+to them all; for the contention among his sons, and the hopes he had
+given them, occasioned thoughts and desires of innovations among them.
+
+
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER 5. How Herod Celebrated The Games That Were To Return Every
+Fifth Year Upon The Building Of Cæsarea; And How He Built And Adorned
+Many Other Places After A Magnificent Manner; And Did Many Other Actions
+Gloriously
+
+1. About this time it was that Cæsarea Sebaste, which he had built, was
+finished. The entire building being accomplished: in the tenth year, the
+solemnity of it fell into the twenty-eighth year of Herod's reign, and
+into the hundred and ninety-second olympiad. There was accordingly a
+great festival and most sumptuous preparations made presently, in order
+to its dedication; for he had appointed a contention in music, and games
+to be performed naked. He had also gotten ready a great number of those
+that fight single combats, and of beasts for the like purpose; horse
+races also, and the most chargeable of such sports and shows as used to
+be exhibited at Rome, and in other places. He consecrated this combat to
+Cæsar, and ordered it to be celebrated every fifth year. He also sent
+all sorts of ornaments for it out of his own furniture, that it might
+want nothing to make it decent; nay, Julia, Cæsar's wife, sent a great
+part of her most valuable furniture [from Rome], insomuch that he had no
+want of any thing. The sum of them all was estimated at five hundred
+talents. Now when a great multitude was come to that city to see the
+shows, as well as the ambassadors whom other people sent, on account of
+the benefits they had received from Herod, he entertained them all in
+the public inns, and at public tables, and with perpetual feasts; this
+solemnity having in the day time the diversions of the fights, and in
+the night time such merry meetings as cost vast sums of money, and
+publicly demonstrated the generosity of his soul; for in all his
+undertakings he was ambitious to exhibit what exceeded whatsoever had
+been done before of the same kind. And it is related that Cæsar and
+Agrippa often said, that the dominions of Herod were too little for the
+greatness of his soul; for that he deserved to have both all the kingdom
+of Syria, and that of Egypt also.
+
+2. After this solemnity and these festivals were over, Herod erected
+another city in the plain called Capharsaba, where he chose out a fit
+place, both for plenty of water and goodness of soil, and proper for the
+production of what was there planted, where a river encompassed the city
+itself, and a grove of the best trees for magnitude was round about it:
+this he named Antipatris, from his father Antipater. He also built upon
+another spot of ground above Jericho, of the same name with his mother,
+a place of great security and very pleasant for habitation, and called
+it Cypros. He also dedicated the finest monuments to his brother
+Phasaelus, on account of the great natural affection there had been
+between them, by erecting a tower in the city itself, not less than the
+tower of Pharos, which he named Phasaelus, which was at once a part of
+the strong defenses of the city, and a memorial for him that was
+deceased, because it bare his name. He also built a city of the same
+name in the valley of Jericho, as you go from it northward, whereby he
+rendered the neighboring country more fruitful by the cultivation its
+inhabitants introduced; and this also he called Phasaelus.
+
+3. But as for his other benefits, it is impossible to reckon them up,
+those which he bestowed on cities, both in Syria and in Greece, and in
+all the places he came to in his voyages; for he seems to have
+conferred, and that after a most plentiful manner, what would minister
+to many necessities, and the building of public works, and gave them the
+money that was necessary to such works as wanted it, to support them
+upon the failure of their other revenues: but what was the greatest and
+most illustrious of all his works, he erected Apollo's temple at Rhodes,
+at his own expenses, and gave them a great number of talents of silver
+for the repair of their fleet. He also built the greatest part of the
+public edifices for the inhabitants of Nicopolis, at Actium; 6 and for
+the Antiochinus, the inhabitants of the principal city of Syria, where a
+broad street cuts through the place lengthways, he built cloisters along
+it on both sides, and laid the open road with polished stone, and was of
+very great advantage to the inhabitants. And as to the olympic games,
+which were in a very low condition, by reason of the failure of their
+revenues, he recovered their reputation, and appointed revenues for
+their maintenance, and made that solemn meeting more venerable, as to
+the sacrifices and other ornaments; and by reason of this vast
+liberality, he was generally declared in their inscriptions to be one of
+the perpetual managers of those games.
+
+4. Now some there are who stand amazed at the diversity of Herod's
+nature and purposes; for when we have respect to his magnificence, and
+the benefits which he bestowed on all mankind, there is no possibility
+for even those that had the least respect for him to deny, or not openly
+to confess, that he had a nature vastly beneficent; but when any one
+looks upon the punishments he inflicted, and the injuries he did, not
+only to his subjects, but to his nearest relations, and takes notice of
+his severe and unrelenting disposition there, he will be forced to allow
+that he was brutish, and a stranger to all humanity; insomuch that these
+men suppose his nature to be different, and sometimes at contradiction
+with itself; but I am myself of another opinion, and imagine that the
+occasion of both these sort of actions was one and the same; for being a
+man ambitious of honor, and quite overcome by that passion, he was
+induced to be magnificent, wherever there appeared any hopes of a future
+memorial, or of reputation at present; and as his expenses were beyond
+his abilities, he was necessitated to be harsh to his subjects; for the
+persons on whom he expended his money were so many, that they made him a
+very bad procurer of it; and because he was conscious that he was hated
+by those under him, for the injuries he did them, he thought it not an
+easy thing to amend his offenses, for that it was inconvenient for his
+revenue; he therefore strove on the other side to make their ill- will
+an occasion of his gains. As to his own court, therefore, if any one was
+not very obsequious to him in his language, and would not confess
+himself to be his slave, or but seemed to think of any innovation in his
+government, he was not able to contain himself, but prosecuted his very
+kindred and friends, and punished them as if they were enemies and this
+wickedness he undertook out of a desire that he might be himself alone
+honored. Now for this, my assertion about that passion of his, we have
+the greatest evidence, by what he did to honor Cæsar and Agrippa, and
+his other friends; for with what honors he paid his respects to them who
+were his superiors, the same did he desire to be paid to himself; and
+what he thought the most excellent present he could make another, he
+discovered an inclination to have the like presented to himself. But now
+the Jewish nation is by their law a stranger to all such things, and
+accustomed to prefer righteousness to glory; for which reason that
+nation was not agreeable to him, because it was out of their power to
+flatter the king's ambition with statues or temples, or any other such
+performances; And this seems to me to have been at once the occasion of
+Herod's crimes as to his own courtiers and counselors, and of his
+benefactions as to foreigners and those that had no relation to him.
+
+
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER 6. An Embassage In Cyrene And Asia To Cæsar, Concerning The
+Complaints They Had To Make Against The Greeks; With Copies Of The
+Epistles Which Cæsar And Agrippa Wrote To The Cities For Them.
+
+1. Now the cities ill-treated the Jews in Asia, and all those also of
+the same nation which lived in Libya, which joins to Cyrene, while the
+former kings had given them equal privileges with the other citizens;
+but the Greeks affronted them at this time, and that so far as to take
+away their sacred money, and to do them mischief on other particular
+occasions. When therefore they were thus afflicted, and found no end of
+their barbarous treatment they met with among the Greeks, they sent
+ambassadors to Cæsar on those accounts, who gave them the same
+privileges as they had before, and sent letters to the same purpose to
+the governors of the provinces, copies of which I subjoin here, as
+testimonials of the ancient favorable disposition the Roman emperors had
+towards us.
+
+2. "Cæsar Augustus, high priest and tribune of the people, ordains thus:
+Since the nation of the Jews hath been found grateful to the Roman
+people, not only at this time, but in time past also, and chiefly
+Hyrcanus the high priest, under my father 7 Cæsar the emperor, it seemed
+good to me and my counselors, according to the sentence and oath of the
+people of Rome, that the Jews have liberty to make use of their own
+customs, according to the law of their forefathers, as they made use of
+them under Hyrcanus the high priest of the Almighty God; and that their
+sacred money be not touched, but be sent to Jerusalem, and that it be
+committed to the care of the receivers at Jerusalem; and that they be
+not obliged to go before any judge on the sabbath day, nor on the day of
+the preparation to it, after the ninth hour. 8 But if any one be caught
+stealing their holy books, or their sacred money, whether it be out of
+the synagogue or public school, he shall be deemed a sacrilegious
+person, and his goods shall be brought into the public treasury of the
+Romans. And I give order that the testimonial which they have given me,
+on account of my regard to that piety which I exercise toward all
+mankind, and out of regard to Caius Marcus Censorinus, together with the
+present decree, be proposed in that most eminent place which hath been
+consecrated to me by the community of Asia at Ancyra. And if any one
+transgress any part of what is above decreed, he shall be severely
+punished." This was inscribed upon a pillar in the temple of Cæsar.
+
+3. "Cæsar to Norbanus Flaccus, sendeth greeting. Let those Jews, how
+many soever they be, who have been used, according to their ancient
+custom, to send their sacred money to Jerusalem, do the same freely."
+These were the decrees of Cæsar.
+
+4. Agrippa also did himself write after the manner following, on behalf
+of the Jews: "Agrippa, to the magistrates, senate, and people of the
+Ephesians, sendeth greeting. I will that the care and custody of the
+sacred money that is carried to the temple at Jerusalem be left to the
+Jews of Asia, to do with it according to their ancient custom; and that
+such as steal that sacred money of the Jews, and fly to a sanctuary,
+shall be taken thence and delivered to the Jews, by the same law that
+sacrilegious persons are taken thence. I have also written to Sylvanus
+the praetor, that no one compel the Jews to come before a judge on the
+sabbath day."
+
+5. "Marcus Agrippa to the magistrates, senate, and people of Cyrene,
+sendeth greeting. The Jews of Cyrene have interceded with me for the
+performance of what Augustus sent orders about to Flavius, the then
+praetor of Libya, and to the other procurators of that province, that
+the sacred money may be sent to Jerusalem freely, as hath been their
+custom from their forefathers, they complaining that they are abused by
+certain informers, and under pretense of taxes which were not due, are
+hindered from sending them, which I command to be restored without any
+diminution or disturbance given to them. And if any of that sacred money
+in the cities be taken from their proper receivers, I further enjoin,
+that the same be exactly returned to the Jews in that place."
+
+6. "Caius Norbanus Flaccus, proconsul, to the magistrates of the
+Sardians, sendeth greeting. Cæsar hath written to me, and commanded me
+not to forbid the Jews, how many soever they be, from assembling
+together according to the custom of their forefathers, nor from sending
+their money to Jerusalem. I have therefore written to you, that you may
+know that both Cæsar and I would have you act accordingly."
+
+7. Nor did Julius Antonius, the proconsul, write otherwise. "To the
+magistrates, senate, and people of the Ephesians, sendeth greeting. As I
+was dispensing justice at Ephesus, on the Ides of February, the Jews
+that dwell in Asia demonstrated to me that Augustus and Agrippa had
+permitted them to use their own laws and customs, and to offer those
+their first-fruits, which every one of them freely offers to the Deity
+on account of piety, and to carry them in a company together to
+Jerusalem without disturbance. They also petitioned me that I also would
+confirm what had been granted by Augustus and Agrippa by my own
+sanction. I would therefore have you take notice, that according to the
+will of Augustus and Agrippa, I permit them to use and do according to
+the customs of their forefathers without disturbance."
+
+8. I have been obliged to set down these decree because the present
+history of our own acts will go generally among the Greeks; and I have
+hereby demonstrated to them that we have formerly been in great esteem,
+and have not been prohibited by those governors we were under from
+keeping any of the laws of our forefathers; nay, that we have been
+supported by them, while we followed our own religion, and the worship
+we paid to God; and I frequently make mention of these decrees, in order
+to reconcile other people to us, and to take away the causes of that
+hatred which unreasonable men bear to us. As for our customs 9 there is
+no nation which always makes use of the same, and in every city almost
+we meet with them different from one another; but natural justice is
+most agreeable to the advantage of all men equally, both Greeks and
+barbarians, to which our laws have the greatest regard, and thereby
+render us, if we abide in them after a pure manner, benevolent and
+friendly to all men; on which account we have reason to expect the like
+return from others, and to inform them that they ought not to esteem
+difference of positive institutions a sufficient cause of alienation,
+but [join with us in] the pursuit of virtue and probity, for this
+belongs to all men in common, and of itself alone is sufficient for the
+preservation of human life. I now return to the thread of my history.
+
+
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER 7. How, Upon Herod's Going Down Into David's Sepulcher, The
+Sedition In His Family Greatly Increased.
+
+1. As for Herod, he had spent vast sums about the cities, both without
+and within his own kingdom; and as he had before heard that Hyrcanus,
+who had been king before him, had opened David's sepulcher, and taken
+out of it three thousand talents of silver, and that there was a much
+greater number left behind, and indeed enough to suffice all his wants,
+he had a great while an intention to make the attempt; and at this time
+he opened that sepulcher by night, and went into it, and endeavored that
+it should not be at all known in the city, but took only his most
+faithful friends with him. As for any money, he found none, as Hyrcanus
+had done, but that furniture of gold, and those precious goods that were
+laid up there; all which he took away. However, he had a great desire to
+make a more diligent search, and to go farther in, even as far as the
+very bodies of David and Solomon; where two of his guards were slain, by
+a flame that burst out upon those that went in, as the report was. So he
+was terribly affrighted, and went out, and built a propitiatory monument
+of that fright he had been in; and this of white stone, at the mouth of
+the sepulcher, and that at great expense also. And even Nicolaus 10 his
+historiographer makes mention of this monument built by Herod, though he
+does not mention his going down into the sepulcher, as knowing that
+action to be of ill repute; and many other things he treats of in the
+same manner in his book; for he wrote in Herod's lifetime, and under his
+reign, and so as to please him, and as a servant to him, touching upon
+nothing but what tended to his glory, and openly excusing many of his
+notorious crimes, and very diligently concealing them. And as he was
+desirous to put handsome colors on the death of Mariamne and her sons,
+which were barbarous actions in the king, he tells falsehoods about the
+incontinence of Mariamne, and the treacherous designs of his sons upon
+him; and thus he proceeded in his whole work, making a pompous encomium
+upon what just actions he had done, but earnestly apologizing for his
+unjust ones. Indeed, a man, as I said, may have a great deal to say by
+way of excuse for Nicolaus; for he did not so properly write this as a
+history for others, as somewhat that might be subservient to the king
+himself. As for ourselves, who come of a family nearly allied to the
+Asamonean kings, and on that account have an honorable place, which is
+the priesthood, we think it indecent to say any thing that is false
+about them, and accordingly we have described their actions after an
+unblemished and upright manner. And although we reverence many of
+Herod's posterity, who still reign, yet do we pay a greater regard to
+truth than to them, and this though it sometimes happens that we incur
+their displeasure by so doing.
+
+2. And indeed Herod's troubles in his family seemed to be augmented by
+reason of this attempt he made upon David's sepulcher; whether Divine
+vengeance increased the calamities he lay under, in order to render them
+incurable, or whether fortune made an assault upon him, in those cases
+wherein the seasonableness of the cause made it strongly believed that
+the calamities came upon him for his impiety; for the tumult was like a
+civil war in his palace, and their hatred towards one another was like
+that where each one strove to exceed another in calumnies. However,
+Antipater used stratagems perpetually against his brethren, and that
+very cunningly; while abroad he loaded them with accusations, but still
+took upon him frequently to apologize for them, that this apparent
+benevolence to them might make him be believed, and forward his attempts
+against them; by which means he, after various manners, circumvented his
+father, who believed all that he did was for his preservation. Herod
+also recommended Ptolemy, who was a great director of the affairs of his
+kingdom, to Antipater; and consulted with his mother about the public
+affairs also. And indeed these were all in all, and did what they
+pleased, and made the king angry against any other persons, as they
+thought it might be to their own advantage; but still the sons of
+Mariamne were in a worse and worse condition perpetually; and while they
+were thrust out, and set in a more dishonorable rank, who yet by birth
+were the most noble, they could not bear the dishonor. And for the
+women, Glaphyra, Alexander's wife, the daughter of Archelaus, hated
+Salome, both because of her love to her husband, and because Glaphyra
+seemed to behave herself somewhat insolently towards Salome's daughter,
+who was the wife of Aristobulus, which equality of hers to herself
+Glaphyra took very impatiently.
+
+3. Now, besides this second contention that had fallen among them,
+neither did the king's brother Pheroras keep himself out of trouble, but
+had a particular foundation for suspicion and hatred; for he was
+overcome with the charms of his wife, to such a degree of madness, that
+he despised the king's daughter, to whom he had been betrothed, and
+wholly bent his mind to the other, who had been but a servant. Herod
+also was grieved by the dishonor that was done him, because he had
+bestowed many favors upon him, and had advanced him to that height of
+power that he was almost a partner with him in the kingdom, and saw that
+he had not made him a due return for his labors, and esteemed himself
+unhappy on that account. So upon Pheroras's unworthy refusal, he gave
+the damsel to Phasaelus's son; but after some time, when he thought the
+heat of his brother's affections was over, he blamed him for his former
+conduct, and desired him to take his second daughter, whose name was
+Cypros. Ptolemy also advised him to leave off affronting his brother,
+and to forsake her whom he had loved, for that it was a base thing to be
+so enamored of a servant, as to deprive himself of the king's good-will
+to him, and become an occasion of his trouble, and make himself hated by
+him. Pheroras knew that this advice would be for his own advantage,
+particularly because he had been accused before, and forgiven; so he put
+his wife away, although he already had a son by her, and engaged to the
+king that he would take his second daughter, and agreed that the
+thirtieth day after should be the day of marriage; and sware he would
+have no further conversation with her whom he had put away; but when the
+thirty days were over, he was such a slave to his affections, that he no
+longer performed any thing he had promised, but continued still with his
+former wife. This occasioned Herod to grieve openly, and made him angry,
+while the king dropped one word or other against Pheroras perpetually;
+and many made the king's anger an opportunity for raising calumnies
+against him. Nor had the king any longer a single quiet day or hour, but
+occasions of one fresh quarrel or another arose among his relations, and
+those that were dearest to him; for Salome was of a harsh temper, and
+ill-natured to Mariamne's sons; nor would she suffer her own daughter,
+who was the wife of Aristobulus, one of those young men, to bear a good-
+will to her husband, but persuaded her to tell her if he said any thing
+to her in private, and when any misunderstandings happened, as is
+common, she raised a great many suspicions out of it; by which means she
+learned all their concerns, and made the damsel ill-natured to the young
+man. And in order to gratify her mother, she often said that the young
+men used to mention Mariamne when they were by themselves; and that they
+hated their father, and were continually threatening, that if they had
+once got the kingdom, they would make Herod's sons by his other wives
+country schoolmasters, for that the present education which was given
+them, and their diligence in learning, fitted them for such an
+employment. And as for the women, whenever they saw them adorned with
+their mother's clothes, they threatened, that instead of their present
+gaudy apparel, they should be clothed in sackcloth, and confined so
+closely that they should not see the light of the sun. These stories
+were presently carried by Salome to the king, who was troubled to hear
+them, and endeavored to make up matters; but these suspicions afflicted
+him, and becoming more and more uneasy, he believed every body against
+every body. However, upon his rebuking his sons, and hearing the defense
+they made for themselves, he was easier for a while, though a little
+afterwards much worse accidents came upon him.
+
+4. For Pheroras came to Alexander, the husband of Glaphyra, who was the
+daughter of Archelaus, as we have already told you, and said that he had
+heard from Salome that Herod has enamored on Glaphyra, and that his
+passion for her was incurable. When Alexander heard that, he was all on
+fire, from his youth and jealousy; and he interpreted the instances of
+Herod's obliging behavior to her, which were very frequent, for the
+worse, which came from those suspicions he had on account of that word
+which fell from Pheroras; nor could he conceal his grief at the thing,
+but informed him what word Pheroras had said. Upon which Herod was in a
+greater disorder than ever; and not bearing such a false calumny, which
+was to his shame, was much disturbed at it; and often did he lament the
+wickedness of his domestics, and how good he had been to them, and how
+ill requitals they had made him. So he sent for Pheroras, and reproached
+him, and said, "Thou vilest of all men! art thou come to that
+unmeasurable and extravagant degree of ingratitude, as not only to
+suppose such things of me, but to speak of them? I now indeed perceive
+what thy intentions are. It is not thy only aim to reproach me, when
+thou usest such words to my son, but thereby to persuade him to plot
+against me, and get me destroyed by poison. And who is there, if he had
+not a good genius at his elbow, as hath my son, but would not bear such
+a suspicion of his father, but would revenge himself upon him? Dost thou
+suppose that thou hast only dropped a word for him to think of, and not
+rather hast put a sword into his hand to slay his father? And what dost
+thou mean, when thou really hatest both him and his brother, to pretend
+kindness to them, only in order to raise a reproach against me, and talk
+of such things as no one but such an impious wretch as thou art could
+either devise in their mind, or declare in their words? Begone, thou art
+such a plague to thy benefactor and thy brother, and may that evil
+conscience of thine go along with thee; while I still overcome my
+relations by kindness, and am so far from avenging myself of them, as
+they deserve, that I bestow greater benefits upon them than they are
+worthy of."
+
+5. Thus did the king speak. Whereupon Pheroras, who was caught in the
+very act of his villainy, said that "it was Salome who was the framer of
+this plot, and that the words came from her." But as soon as she heard
+that, for she was at hand, she cried out, like one that would be
+believed, that no such thing ever came out of her mouth; that they all
+earnestly endeavored to make the king hate her, and to make her away,
+because of the good-will she bore to Herod, and because she was always
+foreseeing the dangers that were coming upon him, and that at present
+there were more plots against him than usual; for while she was the only
+person who persuaded her brother to put away the wife he now had, and to
+take the king's daughter, it was no wonder if she were hated by him. As
+she said this, and often tore her hair, and often beat her breast, her
+countenance made her denial to be believed; but the peverseness of her
+manners declared at the same time her dissimulation in these
+proceedings; but Pheroras was caught between them, and had nothing
+plausible to offer in his own defense, while he confessed that he had
+said what was charged upon him, but was not believed when he said he had
+heard it from Salome; so the confusion among them was increased, and
+their quarrelsome words one to another. At last the king, out of his
+hatred to his brother and sister, sent them both away; and when he had
+commended the moderation of his son, and that he had himself told him of
+the report, he went in the evening to refresh himself. After such a
+contest as this had fallen out among them, Salome's reputation suffered
+greatly, since she was supposed to have first raised the calumny; and
+the king's wives were grieved at her, as knowing she was a very ill-
+natured woman, and would sometimes be a friend, and sometimes an enemy,
+at different seasons: so they perpetually said one thing or another
+against her; and somewhat that now fell out made them the bolder in
+speaking against her.
+
+6. There was one Obodas, king of Arabia, an inactive and slothful man in
+his nature; but Sylleus managed most of his affairs for him. He was a
+shrewd man, although he was but young, and was handsome withal. This
+Sylleus, upon some occasion coming to Herod, and supping with him, saw
+Salome, and set his heart upon her; and understanding that she was a
+widow, he discoursed with her. Now because Salome was at this time less
+in favor with her brother, she looked upon Sylleus with some passion,
+and was very earnest to be married to him; and on the days following
+there appeared many, and those very great, indications of their
+agreement together. Now the women carried this news to the king, and
+laughed at the indecency of it; whereupon Herod inquired about it
+further of Pheroras, and desired him to observe them at supper, how
+their behavior was one toward another; who told him, that by the signals
+which came from their heads and their eyes, they both were evidently in
+love. After this, Sylleus the Arabian being suspected, went away, but
+came again in two or three months afterwards, as it were on that very
+design, and spake to Herod about it, and desired that Salome might be
+given him to wife; for that his affinity might not be disadvantageous to
+his affairs, by a union with Arabia, the government of which country was
+already in effect under his power, and more evidently would be his
+hereafter. Accordingly, when Herod discoursed with his sister about it,
+and asked her whether she were disposed to this match, she immediately
+agreed to it. But when Sylleus was desired to come over to the Jewish
+religion, and then he should marry her, and that it was impossible to do
+it on any other terms, he could not bear that proposal, and went his
+way; for he said, that if he should do so, he should be stoned by the
+Arabs. Then did Pheroras reproach Salome for her incontinency, as did
+the women much more; and said that Sylleus had debauched her. As for
+that damsel which the king had betrothed to his brother Pheroras, but he
+had not taken her, as I have before related, because he was enamored on
+his former wife, Salome desired of Herod she might be given to her son
+by Costobarus; which match he was very willing to, but was dissuaded
+from it by Pheroras, who pleaded that this young man would not be kind
+to her, since his father had been slain by him, and that it was more
+just that his son, who was to be his successor in the tetrarchy, should
+have her. So he begged his pardon, and persuaded him to do so.
+Accordingly the damsel, upon this change of her espousals, was disposal
+of to this young man, the son of Pheroras, the king giving for her
+portion a hundred talents.
+
+
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER 8. How Herod Took Up Alexander And Bound Him; Whom Yet Archelaus
+King Of Cappadocia Reconciled To His Father Herod Again.
+
+1. But still the affairs of Herod's family were no better, but
+perpetually more troublesome. Now this accident happened, which arose
+from no decent occasion, but proceeded so far as to bring great
+difficulties upon him. There were certain eunuchs which the king had,
+and on account of their beauty was very fond of them; and the care of
+bringing him drink was intrusted to one of them; of bringing him his
+supper, to another; and of putting him to bed, to the third, who also
+managed the principal affairs of the government; and there was one told
+the king that these eunuchs were corrupted by Alexander the king's son
+with great sums of money. And when they were asked whether Alexander had
+had criminal conversation with them, they confessed it, but said they
+knew of no further mischief of his against his father; but when they
+were more severely tortured, and were in the utmost extremity, and the
+tormentors, out of compliance with Antipater, stretched the rack to the
+very utmost, they said that Alexander bare great ill-will and innate
+hatred to his father; and that he told them that Herod despaired to live
+much longer; and that, in order to cover his great age, he colored his
+hair black, and endeavored to conceal what would discover how old he
+was; but that if he would apply himself to him, when he should attain
+the kingdom, which, in spite of his father, could come to no one else,
+he should quickly have the first place in that kingdom under him, for
+that he was now ready to take the kingdom, not only as his birth-right,
+but by the preparations he had made for obtaining it, because a great
+many of the rulers, and a great many of his friends, were of his side,
+and those no ill men neither, ready both to do and to suffer whatsoever
+should come on that account.
+
+2. When Herod heard this confession, he was all over anger and fear,
+some parts seeming to him reproachful, and some made him suspicious of
+dangers that attended him, insomuch that on both accounts he was
+provoked, and bitterly afraid lest some more heavy plot was laid against
+him than he should be then able to escape from; whereupon he did not now
+make an open search, but sent about spies to watch such as he suspected,
+for he was now overrun with suspicion and hatred against all about him;
+and indulging abundance of those suspicions, in order to his
+preservation, he continued to suspect those that were guiltless; nor did
+he set any bounds to himself, but supposing that those who staid with
+him had the most power to hurt him, they were to him very frightful; and
+for those that did not use to come to him, it seemed enough to name them
+[to make them suspected], and he thought himself safer when they were
+destroyed. And at last his domestics were come to that pass, that being
+no way secure of escaping themselves, they fell to accusing one another,
+and imagining that he who first accused another was most likely to save
+himself; yet when any had overthrown others, they were hated; and they
+were thought to suffer justly who unjustly accused others, and they only
+thereby prevented their own accusation; nay, they now executed their own
+private enmities by this means, and when they were caught, they were
+punished in the same way. Thus these men contrived to make use of this
+opportunity as an instrument and a snare against their enemies; yet when
+they tried it, were themselves caught also in the same snare which they
+laid for others: and the king soon repented of what he had done, because
+he had no clear evidence of the guilt of those whom he had slain; and
+yet what was still more severe in him, he did not make use of his
+repentance, in order to leave off doing the like again, but in order to
+inflict the same punishment upon their accusers.
+
+3. And in this state of disorder were the affairs of the palace; and he
+had already told many of his friends directly that they ought not to
+appear before him, nor come into the palace; and the reason of this
+injunction was, that [when they were there], he had less freedom of
+acting, or a greater restraint on himself on their account; for at this
+time it was that he expelled Andromachus and Gamellus, men who had of
+old been his friends, and been very useful to him in the affairs of his
+kingdom, and been of advantage to his family, by their embassages and
+counsels; and had been tutors to his sons, and had in a manner the first
+degree of freedom with him. He expelled Andromachus, because his son
+Demetrius was a companion to Alexander; and Gamellus, because he knew
+that he wished him well, which arose from his having been with him in
+his youth, when he was at school, and absent at Rome. These he expelled
+out of his palace, and was willing enough to have done worse by them;
+but that he might not seem to take such liberty against men of so great
+reputation, he contented himself with depriving them of their dignity,
+and of their power to hinder his wicked proceedings.
+
+4. Now it was Antipater who was the cause of all this; who when he knew
+what a mad and licentious way of acting his father was in, and had been
+a great while one of his counselors, he hurried him on, and then thought
+he should bring him to do somewhat to purpose, when every one that could
+oppose him was taken away. When therefore Andromachus and his friends
+were driven away, and had no discourse nor freedom with the king any
+longer, the king, in the first place, examined by torture all whom he
+thought to be faithful to Alexander, Whether they knew of any of his
+attempts against him; but these died without having any thing to say to
+that matter, which made the king more zealous [after discoveries], when
+he could not find out what evil proceedings he suspected them of. As for
+Antipater, he was very sagacious to raise a calumny against those that
+were really innocent, as if their denial was only their constancy and
+fidelity [to Alexander], and thereupon provoked Herod to discover by the
+torture of great numbers what attempts were still concealed. Now there
+was a certain person among the many that were tortured, who said that he
+knew that the young man had often said, that when he was commended as a
+tall man in his body, and a skillful marksman, and that in his other
+commendable exercises he exceeded all men, these qualifications given
+him by nature, though good in themselves, were not advantageous to him,
+because his father was grieved at them, and envied him for them; and
+that when he walked along with his father, he endeavored to depress and
+shorten himself, that he might not appear too tall; and that when he
+shot at any thing as he was hunting, when his father was by, he missed
+his mark on purpose, for he knew how ambitious his father was of being
+superior in such exercises. So when the man was tormented about this
+saying, and had ease given his body after it, he added, that he had his
+brother Aristobulus for his assistance, and contrived to lie in wait for
+their father, as they were hunting, and kill him; and when they had done
+so to fly to Rome, and desire to have the kingdom given them. There were
+also letters of the young man found, written to his brother, wherein he
+complained that his father did not act justly in giving Antipater a
+country, whose [yearly] revenues amounted to two hundred talents. Upon
+these confessions Herod presently thought he had somewhat to depend on,
+in his own opinion, as to his suspicion about his sons; so he took up
+Alexander and bound him: yet did he still continue to be uneasy, and was
+not quite satisfied of the truth of what he had heard; and when he came
+to recollect himself, he found that they had only made juvenile
+complaints and contentions, and that it was an incredible thing, that
+when his son should have slain him, he should openly go to Rome [to beg
+the kingdom]; so he was desirous to have some surer mark of his son's
+wickedness, and was very solicitous about it, that he might not appear
+to have condemned him to be put in prison too rashly; so he tortured the
+principal of Alexander's friends, and put not a few of them to death,
+without getting any of the things out of them which he suspected. And
+while Herod was very busy about this matter, and the palace was full of
+terror and trouble, one of the younger sort, when he was in the utmost
+agony, confessed that Alexander had sent to his friends at Rome, and
+desired that he might be quickly invited thither by Cæsar, and that he
+could discover a plot against him; that Mithridates, the king of
+Parthia, was joined in friendship with his father against the Romans,
+and that he had a poisonous potion ready prepared at Askelori.
+
+5. To these accusations Herod gave credit, and enjoyed hereby, in his
+miserable case, some sort of consolation, in excuse of his rashness, as
+flattering himself with finding things in so bad a condition; but as for
+the poisonous potion, which he labored to find, he could find none. As
+for Alexander, he was very desirous to aggravate the vast misfortunes he
+was under, so he pretended not to deny the accusations, but punished the
+rashness of his father with a greater crime of his own; and perhaps he
+was willing to make his father ashamed of his easy belief of such
+calumnies: he aimed especially, if he could gain belief to his story, to
+plague him and his whole kingdom; for he wrote four letters, and sent
+them to him, that he did not need to torture any more persons, for he
+had plotted against him; and that he had for his partners Pheroras and
+the most faithful of his friends; and that Salome came in to him by
+night, and that she lay with him whether he would or not; and that all
+men were come to be of one mind, to make away with him as soon as they
+could, and so get clear of the continual fear they were in from him.
+Among these were accused Ptolemy and Sapinnius, who were the most
+faithful friends to the king. And what more can be said, but that those
+who before were the most intimate friends, were become wild beasts to
+one another, as if a certain madness had fallen upon them, while there
+was no room for defense or refutation, in order to the discovery of the
+truth, but all were at random doomed to destruction; so that some
+lamented those that were in prison, some those that were put to death,
+and others lamented that they were in expectation of the same miseries;
+and a melancholy solitude rendered the kingdom deformed, and quite the
+reverse to that happy state it was formerly in. Herod's own life also
+was entirely disturbed; and because he could trust nobody, he was sorely
+punished by the expectation of further misery; for he often fancied in
+his imagination that his son had fallen upon him, or stood by him with a
+sword in his hand; and thus was his mind night and day intent upon this
+thing, and revolved it over and over, no otherwise than if he were under
+a distraction. And this was the sad condition Herod was now in.
+
+6. But when Archelaus, king of Cappadocia, heard of the state that Herod
+was in, and being in great distress about his daughter, and the young
+man [her husband], and grieving with Herod, as with a man that was his
+friend, on account of so great a disturbance as he was under, he came
+[to Jerusalem] on purpose to compose their differences; and when he
+found Herod in such a temper, he thought it wholly unseasonable to
+reprove him, or to pretend that he had done any thing rashly, for that
+he should thereby naturally bring him to dispute the point with him, and
+by still more and more apologizing for himself to be the more irritated:
+he went, therefore, another way to work, in order to correct the former
+misfortunes, and appeared angry at the young man, and said that Herod
+had been so very mild a man, that he had not acted a rash part at all.
+He also said he would dissolve his daughter's marriage with Alexander,
+nor could in justice spare his own daughter, if she were conscious of
+any thing, and did not inform Herod of it. When Archelaus appeared to be
+of this temper, and otherwise than Herod expected or imagined, and, for
+the main, took Herod's part, and was angry on his account, the king
+abated of his harshness, and took occasion from his appearing to have
+acted justly hitherto, to come by degrees to put on the affection of a
+father, and was on both sides to be pitied; for when some persons
+refuted the calumnies that were laid on the young man, he was thrown
+into a passion; but when Archelaus joined in the accusation, he was
+dissolved into tears and sorrow after an affectionate manner.
+Accordingly, he desired that he would not dissolve his son's marriage,
+and became not so angry as before for his offenses. So when Archelaus
+had brought him to a more moderate temper, he transferred the calumnies
+upon his friends; and said it must be owing to them that so young a man,
+and one unacquainted with malice, was corrupted; and he supposed that
+there was more reason to suspect the brother than the soft. Upon which
+Herod was very much displeased at Pheroras, who indeed now had no one
+that could make a reconciliation between him and his brother. So when he
+saw that Archelaus had the greatest power with Herod, he betook himself
+to him in the habit of a mourner, and like one that had all the signs
+upon him of an undone man. Upon this Archelaus did not overlook the
+intercession he made to him, nor yet did he undertake to change the
+king's disposition towards him immediately; and he said that it was
+better for him to come himself to the king, and confess himself the
+occasion of all; that this would make the king's anger not to be
+extravagant towards him, and that then he would be present to assist
+him. When he had persuaded him to this, he gained his point with both of
+them; and the calumnies raised against the young man were, beyond all
+expectation, wiped off. And Archelaus, as soon as he had made the
+reconciliation, went then away to Cappadocia, having proved at this
+juncture of time the most acceptable person to Herod in the world; on
+which account he gave him the richest presents, as tokens of his
+respects to him; and being on other occasions magnanimous, he esteemed
+him one of his dearest friends. He also made an agreement with him that
+he would go to Rome, because he had written to Cæsar about these
+affairs; so they went together as far as Antioch, and there Herod made a
+reconciliation between Archelaus and Titus, the president of Syria, who
+had been greatly at variance, and so returned back to Judea.
+
+
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER 9. Concerning The Revolt Of The Trachonites; How Sylleus Accused
+Herod Before Cæsar; And How Herod, When Cæsar Was Angry At Him, Resolved
+To Send Nicolaus To Rome.
+
+1. When Herod had been at Rome, and was come back again, a war arose
+between him and the Arabians, on the occasion following: The inhabitants
+of Trachonitis, after Cæsar had taken the country away from Zenodorus,
+and added it to Herod, had not now power to rob, but were forced to
+plough the land, and to live quietly, which was a thing they did not
+like; and when they did take that pains, the ground did not produce much
+fruit for them. However, at the first the king would not permit them to
+rob, and so they abstained from that unjust way of living upon their
+neighbors, which procured Herod a great reputation for his care. But
+when he was sailing to Rome, it was at that time when he went to accuse
+his son Alexander, and to commit Antipater to Cæsar's protection, the
+Trachonites spread a report as if he were dead, and revolted from his
+dominion, and betook themselves again to their accustomed way of robbing
+their neighbors; at which time the king's commanders subdued them during
+his absence; but about forty of the principal robbers, being terrified
+by those that had been taken, left the country, and retired into Arabia,
+Sylleus entertaining them, after he had missed of marrying Salome, and
+gave them a place of strength, in which they dwelt. So they overran not
+only Judea, but all Celesyria also, and carried off the prey, while
+Sylleus afforded them places of protection and quietness during their
+wicked practices. But when Herod came back from Rome, he perceived that
+his dominions had greatly suffered by them; and since he could not reach
+the robbers themselves, because of the secure retreat they had in that
+country, and which the Arabian government afforded them, and yet being
+very uneasy at the injuries they had done him, he went all over
+Trachonitis, and slew their relations; whereupon these robbers were more
+angry than before, it being a law among them to be avenged on the
+murderers of their relations by all possible means; so they continued to
+tear and rend every thing under Herod's dominion with impunity. Then did
+he discourse about these robberies to Saturninus and Volumnius, and
+required that they should be punished; upon which occasion they still
+the more confirmed themselves in their robberies, and became more
+numerous, and made very great disturbances, laying waste the countries
+and villages that belonged to Herod's kingdom, and killing those men
+whom they caught, till these unjust proceedings came to be like a real
+war, for the robbers were now become about a thousand;—at which Herod
+was sore displeased, and required the robbers, as well as the money
+which he had lent Obodas, by Sylleus, which was sixty talents, and since
+the time of payment was now past, he desired to have it paid him; but
+Sylleus, who had laid Obodas aside, and managed all by himself, denied
+that the robbers were in Arabia, and put off the payment of the money;
+about which there was a hearing before Saturninus and Volumnius, who
+were then the presidents of Syria. 11 At last he, by their means,
+agreed, that within thirty days' time Herod should be paid his money,
+and that each of them should deliver up the other's subjects
+reciprocally. Now, as to Herod, there was not one of the other's
+subjects found in his kingdom, either as doing any injustice, or on any
+other account, but it was proved that the Arabians had the robbers
+amongst them.
+
+2. When this day appointed for payment of the money was past, without
+Sylleus's performing any part of his agreement, and he was gone to Rome,
+Herod demanded the payment of the money, and that the robbers that were
+in Arabia should be delivered up; and, by the permission of Saturninus
+and Volumnius, executed the judgment himself upon those that were
+refractory. He took an army that he had, and let it into Arabia, and in
+three days' time marched seven mansions; and when he came to the
+garrison wherein the robbers were, he made an assault upon them, and
+took them all, and demolished the place, which was called Raepta, but
+did no harm to any others. But as the Arabians came to their assistance,
+under Naceb their captain, there ensued a battle, wherein a few of
+Herod's soldiers, and Naceb, the captain of the Arabians, and about
+twenty of his soldiers, fell, while the rest betook themselves to
+flight. So when he had brought these to punishment, he placed three
+thousand Idumeans in Trachonitis, and thereby restrained the robbers
+that were there. He also sent an account to the captains that were about
+Phoenicia, and demonstrated that he had done nothing but what he ought
+to do, in punishing the refractory Arabians, which, upon an exact
+inquiry, they found to be no more than what was true.
+
+3. However, messengers were hasted away to Sylleus to Rome, and informed
+him what had been done, and, as is usual, aggravated every thing. Now
+Sylleus had already insinuated himself into the knowledge of Cæsar, and
+was then about the palace; and as soon as he heard of these things, he
+changed his habit into black, and went in, and told Cæsar that Arabia
+was afflicted with war, and that all his kingdom was in great confusion,
+upon Herod's laying it waste with his army; and he said, with tears in
+his eyes, that two thousand five hundred of the principal men among the
+Arabians had been destroyed, and that their captain Nacebus, his
+familiar friend and kinsman, was slain; and that the riches that were at
+Raepta were carried off; and that Obodas was despised, whose infirm
+state of body rendered him unfit for war; on which account neither he,
+nor the Arabian army, were present. When Sylleus said so, and added
+invidiously, that he would not himself have come out of the country,
+unless he had believed that Cæsar would have provided that they should
+all have peace one with another, and that, had he been there, he would
+have taken care that the war should not have been to Herod's advantage;
+Cæsar was provoked when this was said, and asked no more than this one
+question, both of Herod's friends that were there, and of his own
+friends, who were come from Syria, Whether Herod had led an army
+thither? And when they were forced to confess so much, Cæsar, without
+staying to hear for what reason he did it, and how it was done, grew
+very angry, and wrote to Herod sharply. The sum of his epistle was this,
+that whereas of old he had used him as his friend, he should now use him
+as his subject. Sylleus also wrote an account of this to the Arabians,
+who were so elevated with it, that they neither delivered up the robbers
+that had fled to them, nor paid the money that was due; they retained
+those pastures also which they had hired, and kept them without paying
+their rent, and all this because the king of the Jews was now in a low
+condition, by reason of Cæsar's anger at him. Those of Trachonitis also
+made use of this opportunity, and rose up against the Idumean garrison,
+and followed the same way of robbing with the Arabians, who had pillaged
+their country, and were more rigid in their unjust proceedings, not only
+in order to get by it, but by way of revenge also.
+
+4. Now Herod was forced to bear all this, that confidence of his being
+quite gone with which Cæsar's favor used to inspire him; for Cæsar would
+not admit so much as an embassage from him to 'make an apology for him;
+and when they came again, he sent them away without success. So he was
+cast into sadness and fear; and Sylleus's circumstances grieved him
+exceedingly, who was now believed by Cæsar, and was present at Rome,
+nay, sometimes aspiring higher. Now it came to pass that Obodas was
+dead; and Aeneas, whose name was afterward changed to Aretas, 12 took
+the government, for Sylleus endeavored by calumnies to get him turned
+out of his principality, that he might himself take it; with which
+design he gave much money to the courtiers, and promised much money to
+Cæsar, who indeed was angry that Aretas had not sent to him first before
+he took the kingdom; yet did Aeneas send an epistle and presents to
+Cæsar, and a golden crown, of the weight of many talents. Now that
+epistle accused Sylleus as having been a wicked servant, and having
+killed Obodas by poison; and that while he was alive, he had governed
+him as he pleased; and had also debauched the wives of the Arabians; and
+had borrowed money, in order to obtain the dominion for himself: yet did
+not Cæsar give heed to these accusations, but sent his ambassadors back,
+without receiving any of his presents. But in the mean time the affairs
+of Judea and Arabia became worse and worse, partly because of the
+anarchy they were under, and partly because, as bad as they were, nobody
+had power to govern them; for of the two kings, the one was not yet
+confirmed in his kingdom, and so had not authority sufficient to
+restrain the evil-doers; and as for Herod, Cæsar was immediately angry
+at him for having avenged himself, and so he was compelled to bear all
+the injuries that were offered him. At length, when he saw no end of the
+mischief which surrounded him, he resolved to send ambassadors to Rome
+again, to see whether his friends had prevailed to mitigate Cæsar, and
+to address themselves to Cæsar himself; and the ambassador he sent
+thither was Nicolans of Damascus.
+
+
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER 10. How Eurycles Falsely Accused Herod's Sons; And How Their
+Father Bound Them, And Wrote To Cæsar About Them. Of Sylleus And How He
+Was Accused By Nicolaus.
+
+1. The disorders about Herod's family and children about this time grew
+much worse; for it now appeared certain, nor was it unforeseen before-
+hand, that fortune threatened the greatest and most insupportable
+misfortunes possible to his kingdom. Its progress and augmentation at
+this time arose on the occasion following: One Eurycles, a Lacedemonian,
+[a person of note there, but a man of a perverse mind, and so cunning in
+his ways of voluptuousness and flattery, as to indulge both, and yet
+seem to indulge neither of them,] came in his travels to Herod, and made
+him presents, but so that he received more presents from him. He also
+took such proper seasons for insinuating himself into his friendship,
+that he became one of the most intimate of the king's friends. He had
+his lodging in Antipater's house; but he had not only access, but free
+conversation, with Alexander, as pretending to him that he was in great
+favor with Archelaus, the king of Cappadocia; whence he pretended much
+respect to Glaphyra, and in an occult manner cultivated a friendship
+with them all; but always attending to what was said and done, that he
+might be furnished with calumnies to please them all. In short, he
+behaved himself so to every body in his conversation, as to appear to be
+his particular friend, and he made others believe that his being any
+where was for that person's advantage. So he won upon Alexander, who was
+but young; and persuaded him that he might open his grievances to him
+with assurance and with nobody else. So he declared his grief to him,
+how his father was alienated from him. He related to him also the
+affairs of his mother, and of Antipater; that he had driven them from
+their proper dignity, and had the power over every thing himself; that
+no part of this was tolerable, since his father was already come to hate
+them; and he added, that he would neither admit them to his table, nor
+to his conversation. Such were the complaints, as was but natural, of
+Alexander about the things that troubled him; and these discourses
+Eurycles carried to Antipater, and told him he did not inform him of
+this on his own account, but that being overcome by his kindness, the
+great importance of the thing obliged him to do it; and he warned him to
+have a care of Alexander, for that what he said was spoken with
+vehemency, and that, in consequence of what he said, he would certainly
+kill him with his own hand. Whereupon Antipater, thinking him to be his
+friend by this advice, gave him presents upon all occasions, and at
+length persuaded him to inform Herod of what he had heard. So when he
+related to the king Alexander's ill temper, as discovered by the words
+he had heard him speak, he was easily believed by him; and he thereby
+brought the king to that pass, turning him about by his words, and
+irritating him, till he increased his hatred to him and made him
+implacable, which he showed at that very time, for he immediately gave
+Eurycles a present of fifty talents; who, when he had gotten them, went
+to Archelaus, king of Cappadocia, and commended Alexander before him,
+and told him that he had been many ways of advantage to him, in making a
+reconciliation between him and his father. So he got money from him
+also, and went away, before his pernicious practices were found out; but
+when Eurycles was returned to Lacedemon, he did not leave off doing
+mischief; and so, for his many acts of injustice, he was banished from
+his own country.
+
+2. But as for the king of the Jews, he was not now in the temper he was
+in formerly towards Alexander and Aristobulus, when he had been content
+with the hearing their calumnies when others told him of them; but he
+was now come to that pass as to hate them himself, and to urge men to
+speak against them, though they did not do it of themselves. He also
+observed all that was said, and put questions, and gave ear to every one
+that would but speak, if they could but say any thing against them, till
+at length he heard that Euaratus of Cos was a conspirator with
+Alexander; which thing to Herod was the most agreeable and sweetest news
+imaginable.
+
+3. But still a greater misfortune came upon the young men; while the
+calumnies against them were continually increased, and, as a man may
+say, one would think it was every one's endeavor to lay some grievous
+thing to their charge, which might appear to be for the king's
+preservation. There were two guards of Herod's body, who were in great
+esteem for their strength and tallness, Jucundus and Tyrannus; these men
+had been cast off by Herod, who was displeased at them; these now used
+to ride along with Alexander, and for their skill in their exercises
+were in great esteem with him, and had some gold and other gifts
+bestowed on them. Now the king having an immediate suspicion of those
+men, had them tortured, who endured the torture courageously for a long
+time; but at last confessed that Alexander would have persuaded them to
+kill Herod, when he was in pursuit of the wild beasts, that it might be
+said he fell from his horse, and was run through with his own spear, for
+that he had once such a misfortune formerly. They also showed where
+there was money hidden in the stable under ground; and these convicted
+the king's chief hunter, that he had given the young men the royal
+hunting spears and weapons to Alexander's dependents, at Alexander's
+command.
+
+4. After these, the commander of the garrison of Alexandrium was caught
+and tortured; for he was accused to have promised to receive the young
+men into his fortress, and to supply them with that money of the king's
+which was laid up in that fortress, yet did not he acknowledge any thing
+of it himself; but his son came ill, and said it was so, and delivered
+up the writing, which, so far as could be guessed, was in Alexander's
+hand. Its contents were these: "When we have finished, by God's help,
+all that we have proposed to do, we will come to you; but do your
+endeavors, as you have promised, to receive us into your fortress."
+After this writing was produced, Herod had no doubt about the
+treacherous designs of his sons against him. But Alexander said that
+Diophantus the scribe had imitated his hand, and that the paper was
+maliciously drawn up by Antipater; for Diophantus appeared to be very
+cunning in such practices; and as he was afterward convicted of forging
+other papers, he was put to death for it.
+
+5. So the king produced those that had been tortured before the
+multitude at Jericho, in order to have them accuse the young men, which
+accusers many of the people stoned to death; and when they were going to
+kill Alexander and Aristobulus likewise, the king would not permit them
+to do so, but restrained the multitude, by the means of Ptolemy and
+Pheroras. However, the young men were put under a guard, and kept in
+custody, that nobody might come at them; and all that they did or said
+was watched, and the reproach and fear they were in was little or
+nothing different from those of condemned criminals: and one of them,
+who was Aristobulus, was so deeply affected, that he brought Salome, who
+was his aunt, and his mother-in-law, to lament with him for his
+calamities, and to hate him who had suffered things to come to that
+pass; when he said to her, "Art thou not in danger of destruction also,
+while the report goes that thou hadst disclosed beforehand all our
+affairs to Syllcus, when thou wast in hopes of being married to him?"
+But she immediately carried these words to her brother. Upon this he was
+out of patience, and gave command to bind him; and enjoined them both,
+now they were kept separate one from the other, to write down the ill
+things they had done against their father, and bring the writings to
+him, So when this was enjoined them, they wrote this, that they had laid
+no treacherous designs, nor made any preparations against their father,
+but that they had intended to fly away; and that by the distress they
+were in, their lives being now uncertain and tedious to them.
+
+6. About this time there came an ambassador out of Cappadocia from
+Archelaus, whose name was Melas; he was one of the principal rulers
+under him. So Herod, being desirous to show Archelaus's ill-will to him,
+called for Alexander, as he was in his bonds, and asked him again
+concerning his fight, whether and how they had resolved to retire
+Alexander replied, To Archelaus, who had promised to send them away to
+Rome; but that they had no wicked nor mischievous designs against their
+father, and that nothing of that nature which their adversaries had
+charged upon them was true; and that their desire was, that he might
+have examined Tyrannus and Jucundus more strictly, but that they had
+been suddenly slain by the means of Antipater, who put his own friends
+among the multitude [for that purpose].
+
+7. When this was said, Herod commanded that both Alexander and Melas
+should be carried to Glaphyra, Archelaus's daughter, and that she should
+be asked, whether she did not know somewhat of Alexander's treacherous
+designs against Herod? Now as soon as they were come to her, and she saw
+Alexander in bonds, she beat her head, and in a great consternation gave
+a deep and moving groan. The young man also fell into tears. This was so
+miserable a spectacle to those present, that, for a great while, they
+were not able to say or to do any thing; but at length Ptolemy, who was
+ordered to bring Alexander, bid him say whether his wife was conscious
+of his actions. He replied, "How is it possible that she, whom I love
+better than my own soul, and by whom I have had children, should not
+know what I do?" Upon which she cried out that she knew of no wicked
+designs of his; but that yet, if her accusing herself falsely would tend
+to his preservation, she would confess it all. Alexander replied, "There
+is no such wickedness as those [who ought the least of all so to do]
+suspect, which either I have imagined, or thou knowest of, but this
+only, that we had resolved to retire to Archelaus, and from thence to
+Rome." Which she also confessed. Upon which Herod, supposing that
+Archelaus's ill-will to him was fully proved, sent a letter by Olympus
+and Volumnius; and bid them, as they sailed by, to touch at Eleusa of
+Cilicia, and give Archelaus the letter. And that when they had ex-
+postulated with him, that he had a hand in his son's treacherous design
+against him, they should from thence sail to Rome; and that, in case
+they found Nicolaus had gained any ground, and that Cæsar was no longer
+displeased at him, he should give him his letters, and the proofs which
+he had ready to show against the young men. As to Archelaus, he made his
+defense for himself, that he had promised to receive the young men,
+because it was both for their own and their father's advantage so to do,
+lest some too severe procedure should be gone upon in that anger and
+disorder they were in on occasion of the present suspicions; but that
+still he had not promised to send them to Cæsar; and that he had not
+promised any thing else to the young men that could show any ill-will to
+him.
+
+8. When these ambassadors were come to Rome, they had a fit opportunity
+of delivering their letters to Cæsar, because they found him reconciled
+to Herod; for the circumstances of Nicolaus's embassage had been as
+follows: As soon as he was come to Rome, and was about the court, he did
+not first of all set about what he was come for only, but he thought fit
+also to accuse Sylleus. Now the Arabians, even before he came to talk
+with them, were quarrelling one with another; and some of them left
+Sylleus's party, and joining themselves to Nicolaus, informed him of all
+the wicked things that had been done; and produced to him evident
+demonstrations of the slaughter of a great number of Obodas's friends by
+Sylleus; for when these men left Sylleus, they had carried off with them
+those letters whereby they could convict him. When Nicolaus saw such an
+opportunity afforded him, he made use of it, in order to gain his own
+point afterward, and endeavored immediately to make a reconciliation
+between Cæsar and Herod; for he was fully satisfied, that if he should
+desire to make a defense for Herod directly, he should not be allowed
+that liberty; but that if he desired to accuse Sylleus, there would an
+occasion present itself of speaking on Herod's behalf. So when the cause
+was ready for a hearing, and the day was appointed, Nicolaus, while
+Aretas's ambassadors were present, accused Sylleus, and said that he
+imputed to him the destruction of the king [Obodas], and of many others
+of the Arabians; that he had borrowed money for no good design; and he
+proved that he had been guilty of adultery, not only with the Arabian,
+but Reinan women also. And he added, that above all the rest he had
+alienated Cæsar from Herod, and that all that he had said about the
+actions of Herod were falsities. When Nicolaus was come to this topic,
+Cæsar stopped him from going on, and desired him only to speak to this
+affair of Herod, and to show that he had not led an army into Arabia,
+nor slain two thousand five hundred men there, nor taken prisoners, nor
+pillaged the country. To which Nicolaus made this answer: "I shall
+principally demonstrate, that either nothing at all, or but a very
+little, of those imputations are true, of which thou hast been informed;
+for had they been true, thou mightest justly have been still more angry
+at Herod." At this strange assertion Cæsar was very attentive; and
+Nicolaus said that there was a debt due to Herod of five hundred
+talents, and a bond, wherein it was written, that if the time appointed
+be lapsed, it should be lawful to make a seizure out of any part of his
+country. "As for the pretended army," he said, "it was no army, but a
+party sent out to require the just payment of the money; that this was
+not sent immediately, nor so soon as the bond allowed, but that Sylleus
+had frequently come before Saturninus and Volumnius, the presidents of
+Syria; and that at last he had sworn at Berytus, by thy fortune, 13 that
+he would certainly pay the money within thirty days, and deliver up the
+fugitives that were under his dominion. And that when Sylleus had
+performed nothing of this, Herod came again before the presidents; and
+upon their permission to make a seizure for his money, he, with
+difficulty, went out of his country with a party of soldiers for that
+purpose. And this is all the war which these men so tragically describe;
+and this is the affair of the expedition into Arabia. And how can this
+be called a war, when thy presidents permitted it, the covenants allowed
+it, and it was not executed till thy name, O Cæsar, as well as that of
+the other gods, had been profaned? And now I must speak in order about
+the captives. There were robbers that dwelt in Trachonitis; at first
+their number was no more than forty, but they became more afterwards,
+and they escaped the punishment Herod would have inflicted on them, by
+making Arabia their refuge. Sylleus received them, and supported them
+with food, that they might be mischievous to all mankind, and gave them
+a country to inhabit, and himself received the gains they made by
+robbery; yet did he promise that he would deliver up these men, and that
+by the same oaths and same time that he sware and fixed for payment of
+his debt: nor can he by any means show that any other persons have at
+this time been taken out of Arabia besides these, and indeed not all
+these neither, but only so many as could not conceal themselves. And
+thus does the calumny of the captives, which hath been so odiously
+represented, appear to be no better than a fiction and a lie, made on
+purpose to provoke thy indignation; for I venture to affirm that when
+the forces of the Arabians came upon us, and one or two of Herod's party
+fell, he then only defended himself, and there fell Nacebus their
+general, and in all about twenty-five others, and no more; whence
+Sylleus, by multiplying every single soldier to a hundred, he reckons
+the slain to have been two thousand five hundred."
+
+9. This provoked Cæsar more than ever. So he turned to Sylleus full of
+rage, and asked him how many of the Arabians were slain. Hereupon he
+hesitated, and said he had been imposed upon. The covenants also were
+read about the money he had borrowed, and the letters of the presidents
+of Syria, and the complaints of the several cities, so many as had been
+injured by the robbers. The conclusion was this, that Sylleus was
+condemned to die, and that Cæsar was reconciled to Herod, and owned his
+repentance for what severe things he had written to him, occasioned by
+calumny, insomuch that he told Sylleus, that he had compelled him, by
+his lying account of things, to be guilty of ingratitude against a man
+that was his friend. At the last all came to this, Sylleus was sent away
+to answer Herod's suit, and to repay the debt that he owed, and after
+that to be punished [with death]. But still Cæsar was offended with
+Aretas, that he had taken upon himself the government, without his
+consent first obtained, for he had determined to bestow Arabia upon
+Herod; but that the letters he had sent hindered him from so doing; for
+Olympus and Volumnius, perceiving that Cæsar was now become favorable to
+Herod, thought fit immediately to deliver him the letters they were
+commanded by Herod to give him concerning his sons. When Cæsar had read
+them, he thought it would not be proper to add another government to
+him, now he was old, and in an ill state with relation to his sons, so
+he admitted Aretas's ambassadors; and after he had just reproved him for
+his rashness, in not tarrying till he received the kingdom from him, he
+accepted of his presents, and confirmed him in his government.
+
+
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER 11. How Herod, By Permission From Cæsar Accused His Sons Before
+An Assembly Of Judges At Berytus; And What Tero Suffered For Using A
+Boundless And Military Liberty Of Speech. Concerning Also The Death Of
+The Young Men And Their Burial At
+
+Alexandrium.
+
+So Cæsar was now reconciled to Herod, and wrote thus to him: That he was
+grieved for him on account of his sons; and that in case they had been
+guilty of any profane and insolent crimes against him, it would behoove
+him to punish them as parricides, for which he gave him power
+accordingly; but if they had only contrived to fly away, he would have
+him give them an admonition, and not proceed to extremity with them. He
+also advised him to get an assembly together, and to appoint some place
+near Berytus, 14 which is a city belonging to the Romans, and to take
+the presidents of Syria, and Archelaus king of Cappadocia, and as many
+more as he thought to be illustrious for their friendship to him, and
+the dignities they were in, and determine what should be done by their
+approbation. These were the directions that Cæsar gave him. Accordingly
+Herod, when the letter was brought to him, was immediately very glad of
+Cæsar's reconciliation to him, and very glad also that he had a complete
+authority given him over his sons. And it strangely came about, that
+whereas before, in his adversity, though he had indeed showed himself
+severe, yet had he not been very rash nor hasty in procuring the
+destruction of his sons; he now, in his prosperity, took advantage of
+this change for the better, and the freedom he now had, to exercise his
+hatred against them after an unheard of manner; he therefore sent and
+called as many as he thought fit to this assembly, excepting Archelaus;
+for as for him, he either hated him, so that he would not invite him, or
+he thought he would be an obstacle to his designs.
+
+2. When the presidents, and the rest that belonged to the cities, were
+come to Berytus, he kept his sons in a certain village belonging to
+Sidon, called Platana, but near to this city, that if they were called,
+he might produce them, for he did not think fit to bring them before the
+assembly: and when there were one hundred and fifty assessors present,
+Herod came by himself alone, and accused his sons, and that in such a
+way as if it were not a melancholy accusation, and not made but out of
+necessity, and upon the misfortunes he was under; indeed, in such a way
+as was very indecent for a father to accuse his sons, for he was very
+vehement and disordered when he came to the demonstration of the crime
+they were accused of, and gave the greatest signs of passion and
+barbarity: nor would he suffer the assessors to consider of the weight
+of the evidence, but asserted them to be true by his own authority,
+after a manner most indecent in a father against his sons, and read
+himself what they themselves had written, wherein there was no
+confession of any plots or contrivances against him, but only how they
+had contrived to fly away, and containing withal certain reproaches
+against him, on account of the ill-will he bare them; and when he came
+to those reproaches, he cried out most of all, and exaggerated what they
+said, as if they had confessed the design against him, and took his oath
+that he had rather lose his life than hear such reproachful words. At
+last he said that he had sufficient authority, both by nature and by
+Cæsar's grant to him, [to do what he thought fit]. He also added an
+allegation of a law of their country, which enjoined this: That if
+parents laid their hands on the head of him that was accused, the
+standers by were obliged to cast stones at him, and thereby to slay him;
+which though he were ready to do in his own country and kingdom, yet did
+he wait for their determination; and yet they came thither not so much
+as judges, to condemn them for such manifest designs against him,
+whereby he had almost perished by his sons' means, but as persons that
+had an opportunity of showing their detestation of such practices, and
+declaring how unworthy a thing it must be in any, even the most remote,
+to pass over such treacherous designs [without punishment].
+
+3. When the king had said this, and the young men had not been produced
+to make any defense for themselves, the assessors perceived there was no
+room for equity and reconciliation, so they confirmed his authority. And
+in the first place, Saturninus, a person that had been consul, and one
+of great dignity, pronounced his sentence, but with great moderation and
+trouble; and said that he condemned Herod's sons, but did not think they
+should be put to death. He had sons of his own, and to put one's son to
+death is a greater misfortune than any other that could befall him by
+their means. After him Saturninus's sons, for he had three sons that
+followed him, and were his legates, pronounced the same sentence with
+their father. On the contrary, Volumnius's sentence was to inflict death
+on such as had been so impiously undutiful to their father; and the
+greatest part of the rest said the same, insomuch that the conclusion
+seemed to be, that the young men were condemned to die. Immediately
+after this Herod came away from thence, and took his sons to Tyre, where
+Nicolaus met him in his voyage from Rome; of whom he inquired, after he
+had related to him what had passed at Berytus, what his sentiments were
+about his sons, and what his friends at Rome thought of that matter. His
+answer was, "That what they had determined to do to thee was impious,
+and that thou oughtest to keep them in prison; and if thou thinkest any
+thing further necessary, thou mayst indeed so punish them, that thou
+mayst not appear to indulge thy anger more than to govern thyself by
+judgment; but if thou inclinest to the milder side, thou mayst absolve
+them, lest perhaps thy misfortunes be rendered incurable; and this is
+the opinion of the greatest part of thy friends at Rome also." Whereupon
+Herod was silent, and in great thoughtfulness, and bid Nicolaus sail
+along with him.
+
+4. Now as they came to Cæsarea, every body was there talking of Herod's
+sons, and the kingdom was in suspense, and the people in great
+expectation of what would become of them; for a terrible fear seized
+upon all men, lest the ancient disorders of the family should come to a
+sad conclusion, and they were in great trouble about their sufferings;
+nor was it without danger to say any rash thing about this matter, nor
+even to hear another saying it, but men's pity was forced to be shut up
+in themselves, which rendered the excess of their sorrow very irksome,
+but very silent yet was there an old soldier of Herod's, whose name was
+Tero, who had a son of the same age with Alexander, and his friend, who
+was so very free as openly to speak out what others silently thought
+about that matter; and was forced to cry out often among the multitude,
+and said, in the most unguarded manner, that truth was perished, and
+justice taken away from men, while lies and ill-will prevailed, and
+brought such a mist before public affairs, that the offenders were not
+able to see the greatest mischiefs that can befall men. And as he was so
+bold, he seemed not to have kept himself out of danger, by speaking so
+freely; but the reasonableness of what he said moved men to regard him
+as having behaved himself with great manhood, and this at a proper time
+also, for which reason every one heard what he said with pleasure; and
+although they first took care of their own safety by keeping silent
+themselves, yet did they kindly receive the great freedom he took; for
+the expectation they were in of so great an affliction, put a force upon
+them to speak of Tero whatsoever they pleased.
+
+5. This man had thrust himself into the king's presence with the
+greatest freedom, and desired to speak with him by himself alone, which
+the king permitted him to do, where he said this: "Since I am not able,
+O king, to bear up under so great a concern as I am under, I have
+preferred the use of this bold liberty that I now take, which may be for
+thy advantage, if thou mind to get any profit by it, before my own
+safety. Whither is thy understanding gone, and left thy soul empty?
+Whither is that extraordinary sagacity of thine gone whereby thou hast
+performed so many and such glorious-actions? Whence comes this solitude,
+and desertion of thy friends and relations? Of which I cannot but
+determine that they are neither thy friends nor relations, while they
+overlook such horrid wickedness in thy once happy kingdom. Dost not thou
+perceive what is doing? Wilt thou slay these two young men, born of thy
+queen, who are accomplished with every virtue in the highest degree, and
+leave thyself destitute in thy old age, but exposed to one son, who hath
+very ill managed the hopes thou hast given him,' and to relations, whose
+death thou hast so often resolved on thyself? Dost not thou take notice,
+that the very silence of the multitude at once sees the crime, and
+abhors the fact? The whole army and the officers have commiseration on
+the poor unhappy youths, and hatred to those that are the actors in this
+matter." These words the king heard, and for some time with good temper.
+But what can one say? When Tero plainly touched upon the bad behavior
+and perfidiousness of his domestics, he was moved at it; but Tero went
+on further, and by degrees used an unbounded military freedom of speech,
+nor was he so well disciplined as to accommodate himself to the time. So
+Herod was greatly disturbed, and seeming to be rather reproached by this
+speech, than to be hearing what was for his advantage, while he learned
+thereby that both the soldiers abhorred the thing he was about, and the
+officers had indignation at it, he gave order that all whom Tero had
+named, and Tero himself, should be bound and kept in prison.
+
+6. When this was over, one Trypho, who was the king's barber, took the
+opportunity, and came and told the king, that Tero would often have
+persuaded him, when he trimmed him with a razor, to cut his throat, for
+that by this means he should be among the chief of Alexander's friends,
+and receive great rewards from him. When he had said this, the king gave
+order that Tero, and his son, and the barber should be tortured, which
+was done accordingly; but while Tero bore up himself, his son seeing his
+father already in a sad case, and had no hope of deliverance, and
+perceiving what would be the consequence of his terrible sufferings,
+said, that if the king would free him and his father from these torments
+for what he should say, he would tell the truth. And when the king had
+given his word to do so, he said that there was an agreement made, that
+Tero should lay violent hands on the king, because it was easy for him
+to come when he was alone; and that if, when he had done the thing, he
+should suffer death for it, as was not unlikely, it would be an act of
+generosity done in favor of Alexander. This was what Tero's son said,
+and thereby freed his father from the distress he was in; but uncertain
+it is whether he had been thus forced to speak what was true, or whether
+it were a contrivance of his, in order to procure his own and his
+father's deliverance from their miseries.
+
+7. As for Herod, if he had before any doubt about the slaughter of his
+sons, there was now no longer any room left in his soul for it; but he
+had banished away whatsoever might afford him the least suggestion of
+reasoning better about this matter, so he already made haste to bring
+his purpose to a conclusion. He also brought out three hundred of the
+officers that were under an accusation, as also Tero and his son, and
+the barber that accused them before an assembly, and brought an
+accusation against them all; whom the multitude stoned with whatsoever
+came to hand, and thereby slew them. Alexander also and Aristobulus were
+brought to Sebaste, by their father's command, and there strangled; but
+their dead bodies were in the night time carried to Alexandrium, where
+their uncle by the mother's side, and the greatest part of their
+ancestors, had been deposited.
+
+8. 15 And now perhaps it may not seem unreasonable to some, that such an
+inveterate hatred might increase so much [on both sides], as to proceed
+further, and overcome nature; but it may justly deserve consideration,
+whether it be to be laid to the charge of the young men, that they gave
+such an occasion to their father's anger, and led him to do what he did,
+and by going on long in the same way put things past remedy, and brought
+him to use them so unmercifully; or whether it be to be laid to the
+father's charge, that he was so hard-hearted, and so very tender in the
+desire of government, and of other things that would tend to his glory,
+that tae would take no one into a partnership with him, that so
+whatsoever he would have done himself might continue immovable; or,
+indeed, whether fortune have not greater power than all prudent
+reasonings; whence we are persuaded that human actions are thereby
+determined beforehand by an inevitable necessity, and we call her Fate,
+because there is nothing which is not done by her; wherefore I suppose
+it will be sufficient to compare this notion with that other, which
+attribute somewhat to ourselves, and renders men not unaccountable for
+the different conducts of their lives, which notion is no other than the
+philosophical determination of our ancient law. Accordingly, of the two
+other causes of this sad event, any body may lay the blame on the young
+men, who acted by youthful vanity, and pride of their royal birth, that
+they should bear to hear the calumnies that were raised against their
+father, while certainly they were not equitable judges of the actions of
+his life, but ill-natured in suspecting, and intemperate in speaking of
+it, and on both accounts easily caught by those that observed them, and
+revealed them to gain favor; yet cannot their father be thought worthy
+excuse, as to that horrid impiety which he was guilty of about them,
+while he ventured, without any certain evidence of their treacherous
+designs against him, and without any proofs that they had made
+preparations for such attempt, to kill his own sons, who were of very
+comely bodies, and the great darlings of other men, and no way deficient
+in their conduct, whether it were in hunting, or in warlike exercises,
+or in speaking upon occasional topics of discourse; for in all these
+they were skillful, and especially Alexander, who was the eldest; for
+certainly it had been sufficient, even though he had condemned them, to
+have kept them alive in bonds, or to let them live at a distance from
+his dominions in banishment, while he was surrounded by the Roman
+forces, which were a strong security to him, whose help would prevent
+his suffering any thing by a sudden onset, or by open force; but for him
+to kill them on the sudden, in order to gratify a passion that governed
+him, was a demonstration of insufferable impiety. He also was guilty of
+so great a crime in his older age; nor will the delays that he made, and
+the length of time in which the thing was done, plead at all for his
+excuse; for when a man is on a sudden amazed, and in commotion of mind,
+and then commits a wicked action, although this be a heavy crime, yet is
+it a thing that frequently happens; but to do it upon deliberation, and
+after frequent attempts, and as frequent puttings-off, to undertake it
+at last, and accomplish it, was the action of a murderous mind, and such
+as was not easily moved from that which is evil. And this temper he
+showed in what he did afterward, when he did not spare those that seemed
+to be the best beloved of his friends that were left, wherein, though
+the justice of the punishment caused those that perished to be the less
+pitied, yet was the barbarity of the man here equal, in that he did not
+abstain from their slaughter also. But of those persons we shall have
+occasion to discourse more hereafter.
+
+
+
+
+
+
+FOOTNOTES
+
+
+1 (return) [ We may here observe the ancient practice of the Jews, of
+dedicating the sabbath day, not to idleness, but to the learning their
+sacred rites and religious customs, and to the meditation on the law of
+Moses; the like to which we meet with elsewhere in Josephus also against
+Apion, B. I. sect. 22.]
+
+
+2 (return) [ This interval of ten years for the duration of Marcus
+Agrippa's government in Asia seems to be true, and agreeable to the
+Roman history. See Usher's Annals at A.M. 3392.]
+
+
+3 (return) [ Although Herod met Augustus at Aquilei, yet was this
+accusation of his sons deferred till they came to Rome, as sect. 3
+assures us, and as we are particularly informed in the History of the
+War, B. I. ch. 23. sect. 3; though what he here says belonged distinctly
+to Alexander, the elder brother, I mean his being brought to Rome, is
+here justly extended to both the brothers, and that not only in our
+copies, but in that of Zonaras also; nor is there reason to doubt but
+they were both at this solemn hearing by Augustus, although the defense
+was made by Alexander alone, who was the eldest brother, and one that
+could speak very well.]
+
+
+4 (return) [ Since some prejudiced men have indulged a wild suspicion,
+as we have supposed already, Antiq. B. XV. ch. 11. sect. 7, that
+Josephus's history of Herod's rebuilding the temple is no better than a
+fable, it may not be amiss to take notice of this occasional clause in
+the speech of Alexander before his father Herod, in his and his
+brother's vindication, which mentions the temple as known by every body
+to have been built by Herod.]
+
+
+5 (return) [ See John 2:20. See also another speech of Herod's own to
+the young men that pulled down his golden eagle from the front of the
+temple, where he takes notice how the building of the temple cost him a
+vast sum; and that the Asamoneans, in those one hundred and twenty-five
+years they held the government, were not able to perform so great a
+work, to the honor of God, as this was, Antiq. B. XVII. ch. 6. sect. 3.]
+
+
+6 (return) [ Dr. Hudson here gives us the words of Suetonius concerning
+this Nicopolis, when Augustus rebuilt it: "And that the memory of the
+victory at Actium might be celebrated the more afterward, he built
+Nicopolis at Actium, and appointed public shows to be there exhibited
+every fifth year." In August, sect. 18.]
+
+
+7 (return) [ Augustus here calls Julius Cæsar his father, though by
+birth he was only his uncle, on account of his adoption by him. See the
+same Antiq. B. XIV. ch. 14. sect. 4.]
+
+
+8 (return) [ This is authentic evidence that the Jews, in the days of
+Augustus, began to prepare for the celebration of the sabbath at the
+ninth hour on Friday, as the tradition of the elders did, it seems, then
+require of them.]
+
+
+9 (return) [ The remaining part of this chapter is remarkable, as justly
+distinguishing natural justice, religion, and morality, from positive
+institutions in all countries, and evidently preferring the former
+before the latter, as did the true prophets of God always under the Old
+Testament, and Christ and his New; whence Josephus seems to have been at
+this time nearer Christianity than were the Scribes and Pharisees of his
+age; who, as we know from the New Testament, were entirely of a
+different opinion and practice.]
+
+
+10 (return) [ It is here worth our observation, how careful Josephus was
+as to the discovery of truth in Herod's history, since he would not
+follow Nicolaus of Damascus himself, so great an historian, where there
+was great reason to suspect that he flattered Herod; which impartiality
+in history Josephus here solemnly pro fesses, and of which impartiality
+he has given more demonstrations than almost any historian whomsoever;
+but as to Herod's taking great wealth out of David's sepulcher, though I
+cannot prove it, yet do I strongly suspect it from this very history.]
+
+
+11 (return) [ These joint presidents of Syria, Saturninus and Volumnius,
+were not perhaps of equal authority, but the latter like a procurator
+under the former, as the very learned Noris and Pagi, and with them Dr.
+Hudson, determine.]
+
+
+12 (return) [ This Aretas was now become so established a name for the
+kings of Arabia, [at Petra and Damascus,] that when the crown came to
+this Aeneas, he changed his name to Aretas, as Havercamp here justly
+observes. See Antiq. B. XIII. ch. 15. sect, 2.]
+
+
+13 (return) [ This oath, by the fortune of Cæsar, was put to Polycarp, a
+bishop of Smyrna, by the Roman governor, to try whether he were a
+Christian, as they were then esteemed who refused to swear that oath.
+Martyr. Polycarp, sect. 9.]
+
+
+14 (return) [ What Josephus relates Augustus to have here said, that
+Berytus was a city belonging to the Romans, is confirmed by Spanheim's
+notes here: "It was," says he, "a colony placed there by Augustus.
+Whence Ulpian, De Gens. bel. L. T. XV. The colony of Berytus was
+rendered famous by the benefits of Cæsar; and thence it is that, among
+the coins of Augustus, we meet with some having this inscription: The
+happy colony of Augustus at Berytua."]
+
+
+15 (return) [ The reader is here to note, that this eighth section is
+entirely wanting in the old Latin version, as Spanheim truly observes;
+nor is there any other reason for it, I suppose, than the great
+difficulty of an exact translation.]
+
+
+
+
+
+
+BOOK XVII. Containing The Interval Of Fourteen Years.—From The Death Of
+Alexander And Aristobulus To The Banishment Of Archelaus.
+
+
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER 1. How Antipater Was Hated By All The Nation [Of The Jews] For
+The Slaughter Of His Brethren; And How, For That Reason He Got Into
+Peculiar Favor With His Friends At Rome, By Giving Them Many Presents;
+As He Did Also With Saturninus, The President Of Syria And The Governors
+Who Were Under Him; And Concerning Herod's Wives And Children.
+
+1. When Antipater had thus taken off his brethren, and had brought his
+father into the highest degree of impiety, till he was haunted with
+furies for what he had done, his hopes did not succeed to his mind, as
+to the rest of his life; for although he was delivered from the fear of
+his brethren being his rivals as to the government, yet did he find it a
+very hard thing, and almost impracticable, to come at the kingdom,
+because the hatred of the nation against him on that account was become
+very great; and besides this very disagreeable circumstance, the affair
+of the soldiery grieved him still more, who were alienated from him,
+from which yet these kings derived all the safety which they had,
+whenever they found the nation desirous of innovation: and all this
+danger was drawn upon him by his destruction of his brethren. However,
+he governed the nation jointly with his father, being indeed no other
+than a king already; and he was for that very reason trusted, and the
+more firmly depended on, for the which he ought himself to have been put
+to death, as appearing to have betrayed his brethren out of his concern
+for the preservation of Herod, and not rather out of his ill-will to
+them, and, before them, to his father himself: and this was the accursed
+state he was in. Now all Antipater's contrivances tended to make his way
+to take off Herod, that he might have nobody to accuse him in the vile
+practices he was devising: and that Herod might have no refuge, nor any
+to afford him their assistance, since they must thereby have Antipater
+for their open enemy; insomuch that the very plots he had laid against
+his brethren were occasioned by the hatred he bore his father. But at
+this time he was more than ever set upon the execution of his attempts
+against Herod, because if he were once dead, the government would now be
+firmly secured to him; but if he were suffered to live any longer, he
+should be in danger, upon a discovery of that wickedness of which he had
+been the contriver, and his father would of necessity then become his
+enemy. And on this account it was that he became very bountiful to his
+father's friends, and bestowed great sums on several of them, in order
+to surprise men with his good deeds, and take off their hatred against
+him. And he sent great presents to his friends at Rome particularly, to
+gain their good-will; and above all to Saturninus, the president of
+Syria. He also hoped to gain the favor of Saturninus's brother with the
+large presents he bestowed on him; as also he used the same art to
+[Salome] the king's sister, who had married one of Herod's chief
+friends. And when he counterfeited friendship to those with whom he
+conversed, he was very subtle in gaining their belief, and very cunning
+to hide his hatred against any that he really did hate. But he could not
+impose upon his aunt, who understood him of a long time, and was a woman
+not easily to be deluded, especially while she had already used all
+possible caution in preventing his pernicious designs. Although
+Antipeter's uncle by the mother's side was married to her daughter, and
+this by his own connivance and management, while she had before been
+married to Aristobulus, and while Salome's other daughter by that
+husband was married to the son of Calleas; yet that marriage was no
+obstacle to her, who knew how wicked he was, in her discovering his
+designs, as her former kindred to him could not prevent her hatred of
+him. Now Herod had compelled Salome, while she was in love with Sylleus
+the Arabian, and had taken a fondness for him, to marry Alexas; which
+match was by her submitted to at the instance of Julia, who persuaded
+Salome not to refuse it, lest she should herself be their open enemy,
+since Herod had sworn that he would never be friends with Salome, if she
+would not accept of Alexas for her husband; so she submitted to Julia as
+being Cæsar's wife; and besides that, she advised her to nothing but
+what was very much for her own advantage. At this time also it was that
+Herod sent back king Archelaus's daughter, who had been Alexander's
+wife, to her father, returning the portion he had with her out of his
+own estate, that there might be no dispute between them about it.
+
+2. Now Herod brought up his sons' children with great care; for
+Alexander had two sons by Glaphyra; and Aristobulus had three sons by
+Bernice, Salome's daughter, and two daughters; and as his friends were
+once with him, he presented the children before them; and deploring the
+hard fortune of his own sons, he prayed that no such ill fortune would
+befall these who were their children, but that they might improve in
+virtue, and obtain what they justly deserved, and might make him amends
+for his care of their education. He also caused them to be betrothed
+against they should come to the proper age of marriage; the elder of
+Alexander's sons to Pheroras's daughter, and Antipater's daughter to
+Aristobulus's eldest son. He also allotted one of Aristobulus's
+daughters to Antipater's son, and Aristobulus's other daughter to Herod,
+a son of his own, who was born to him by the high priest's daughter; for
+it is the ancient practice among us to have many wives at the same time.
+Now the king made these espousals for the children, out of commiseration
+of them now they were fatherless, as endeavoring to render Antipater
+kind to them by these intermarriages. But Antipater did not fail to bear
+the same temper of mind to his brothers' children which he had borne to
+his brothers themselves; and his father's concern about them provoked
+his indignation against them upon this supposal, that they would become
+greater than ever his brothers had been; while Archelaus, a king, would
+support his daughter's sons, and Pheroras, a tetrarch, would accept of
+one of the daughters as a wife to his son. What provoked him also was
+this, that all the multitude would so commiserate these fatherless
+children, and so hate him [for making them fatherless], that all would
+come out, since they were no strangers to his vile disposition towards
+his brethren. He contrived, therefore, to overturn his father's
+settlements, as thinking it a terrible thing that they should be so
+related to him, and be so powerful withal. So Herod yielded to him, and
+changed his resolution at his entreaty; and the determination now was,
+that Antipater himself should marry Aristobulus's daughter, and
+Antipater's son should marry Pheroras's daughter. So the espousals for
+the marriages were changed after this manner, even without the king's
+real approbation.
+
+3. Now Herod the king had at this time nine wives; one of them
+Antipater's mother, and another the high priest's daughter, by whom he
+had a son of his own name. He had also one who was his brother's
+daughter, and another his sister's daughter; which two had no children.
+One of his wives also was of the Samaritan nation, whose sons were
+Antipas and Archelaus, and whose daughter was Olympias; which daughter
+was afterward married to Joseph, the king's brother's son; but Archelaus
+and Antipas were brought up with a certain private man at Rome. Herod
+had also to wife Cleopatra of Jerusalem, and by her he had his sons
+Herod and Philip; which last was also brought up at Rome. Pallas also
+was one of his wives, which bare him his son Phasaelus. And besides
+these, he had for his wives Phedra and Elpis, by whom he had his
+daughters Roxana and Salome. As for his elder daughters by the same
+mother with Alexander and Aristobulus, and whom Pheroras neglected to
+marry, he gave the one in marriage to Antipater, the king's sister's
+son, and the other to Phasaelus, his brother's son. And this was the
+posterity of Herod. 1
+
+
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER 2. Concerning Zamaris, The Babylonian Jew; Concerning The Plots
+Laid By Antipater Against His Father; And Somewhat About The Pharisees.
+
+1. And now it was that Herod, being desirous of securing himself on the
+side of the Trachonites, resolved to build a village as large as a city
+for the Jews, in the middle of that country, which might make his own
+country difficult to be assaulted, and whence he might be at hand to
+make sallies upon them, and do them a mischief. Accordingly, when he
+understood that there was a man that was a Jew come out of Babylon, with
+five hundred horsemen, all of whom could shoot their arrows as they rode
+on horse-back, and, with a hundred of his relations, had passed over
+Euphrates, and now abode at Antioch by Daphne of Syria, where
+Saturninus, who was then president, had given them a place for
+habitation, called Valatha, he sent for this man, with the multitude
+that followed him, and promised to give him land in the toparchy called
+Batanea, which country is bounded with Trachonitis, as desirous to make
+that his habitation a guard to himself. He also engaged to let him hold
+the country free from tribute, and that they should dwell entirely
+without paying such customs as used to be paid, and gave it him tax-
+free.
+
+2. The Babylonian was reduced by these offers to come hither; so he took
+possession of the land, and built in it fortresses and a village, and
+named it Bathyra. Whereby this man became a safeguard to the inhabitants
+against the Trachonites, and preserved those Jews who came out of
+Babylon, to offer their sacrifices at Jerusalem, from being hurt by the
+Trachonite robbers; so that a great number came to him from all those
+parts where the ancient Jewish laws were observed, and the country
+became full of people, by reason of their universal freedom from taxes.
+This continued during the life of Herod; but when Philip, who was
+[tetrarch] after him, took the government, he made them pay some small
+taxes, and that for a little while only; and Agrippa the Great, and his
+son of the same name, although they harassed them greatly, yet would
+they not take their liberty away. From whom, when the Romans have now
+taken the government into their own hands, they still gave them the
+privilege of their freedom, but oppress them entirely with the
+imposition of taxes. Of which matter I shall treat more accurately in
+the progress of this history. 2
+
+3. At length Zamaris the Babylonian, to whom Herod had given that
+country for a possession, died, having lived virtuously, and left
+children of a good character behind him; one of whom was Jacim, who was
+famous for his valor, and taught his Babylonians how to ride their
+horses; and a troop of them were guards to the forementioned kings. And
+when Jacim was dead in his old age, he left a son, whose name was
+Philip, one of great strength in his hands, and in other respects also
+more eminent for his valor than any of his contemporaries; on which
+account there was a confidence and firm friendship between him and king
+Agrippa. He had also an army which he maintained as great as that of a
+king, which he exercised and led wheresoever he had occasion to march.
+
+4. When the affairs of Herod were in the condition I have described, all
+the public affairs depended upon Antipater; and his power was such, that
+he could do good turns to as many as he pleased, and this by his
+father's concession, in hopes of his good-will and fidelity to him; and
+this till he ventured to use his power still further, because his wicked
+designs were concealed from his father, and he made him believe every
+thing he said. He was also formidable to all, not so much on account of
+the power and authority he had, as for the shrewdness of his vile
+attempts beforehand; but he who principally cultivated a friendship with
+him was Pheroras, who received the like marks of his friendship; while
+Antipater had cunningly encompassed him about by a company of women,
+whom he placed as guards about him; for Pheroras was greatly enslaved to
+his wife, and to her mother, and to her sister; and this notwithstanding
+the hatred he bare them for the indignities they had offered to his
+virgin daughters. Yet did he bear them, and nothing was to be done
+without the women, who had got this man into their circle, and continued
+still to assist each other in all things, insomuch that Antipater was
+entirely addicted to them, both by himself and by his mother; for these
+four women, 3 said all one and the same thing; but the opinions of
+Pheroras and Antipater were different in some points of no consequence.
+But the king's sister [Salome] was their antagonist, who for a good
+while had looked about all their affairs, and was apprized that this
+their friendship was made in order to do Herod some mischief, and was
+disposed to inform the king of it. And since these people knew that
+their friendship was very disagreeable to Herod, as tending to do him a
+mischief, they contrived that their meetings should not be discovered;
+so they pretended to hate one another, and to abuse one another when
+time served, and especially when Herod was present, or when any one was
+there that would tell him: but still their intimacy was firmer than
+ever, when they were private. And this was the course they took. But
+they could not conceal from Salome neither their first contrivance, when
+they set about these their intentions, nor when they had made some
+progress in them; but she searched out every thing; and, aggravating the
+relations to her brother, declared to him, as well their secret
+assemblies and compotations, as their counsels taken in a clandestine
+manner, which if they were not in order to destroy him, they might well
+enough have been open and public. But to appearance they are at
+variance, and speak about one another as if they intended one another a
+mischief, but agree so well together when they are out of the sight of
+the multitude; for when they are alone by themselves, they act in
+concert, and profess that they will never leave off their friendship,
+but will fight against those from whom they conceal their designs. And
+thus did she search out these things, and get a perfect knowledge of
+them, and then told her brother of them, who understood also of himself
+a great deal of what she said, but still durst not depend upon it,
+because of the suspicions he had of his sister's calumnies. For there
+was a certain sect of men that were Jews, who valued themselves highly
+upon the exact skill they had in the law of their fathers, and made men
+believe they were highly favored by God, by whom this set of women were
+inveigled. These are those that are called the sect of the Pharisees,
+who were in a capacity of greatly opposing kings. A cunning sect they
+were, and soon elevated to a pitch of open fighting and doing mischief.
+Accordingly, when all the people of the Jews gave assurance of their
+good-will to Cæsar, and to the king's government, these very men did not
+swear, being above six thousand; and when the king imposed a fine upon
+them, Pheroras's wife paid their fine for them. In order to requite
+which kindness of hers, since they were believed to have the
+foreknowledge of things to come by Divine inspiration, they foretold how
+God had decreed that Herod's government should cease, and his posterity
+should be deprived of it; but that the kingdom should come to her and
+Pheroras, and to their children. These predictions were not concealed
+from Salome, but were told the king; as also how they had perverted some
+persons about the palace itself; so the king slew such of the Pharisees
+as were principally accused, and Bagoas the eunuch, and one Carus, who
+exceeded all men of that time in comeliness, and one that was his
+catamite. He slew also all those of his own family who had consented to
+what the Pharisees foretold; and for Bagoas, he had been puffed up by
+them, as though he should be named the father and the benefactor of him
+who, by the prediction, was foretold to be their appointed king; for
+that this king would have all things in his power, and would enable
+Bagoas to marry, and to have children of his own body begotten.
+
+
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER 3. Concerning The Enmity Between Herod And Pheroras; How Herod
+Sent Antipater To Cæsar; And Of The Death Of Pheroras.
+
+1. When Herod had punished those Pharisees who had been convicted of the
+foregoing crimes, he gathered an assembly together of his friends, and
+accused Pheroras's wife; and ascribing the abuses of the virgins to the
+impudence of that woman, brought an accusation against her for the
+dishonor she had brought upon them: that she had studiously introduced a
+quarrel between him and his brother, and, by her ill temper, had brought
+them into a state of war, both by her words and actions; that the fines
+which he had laid had not been paid, and the offenders had escaped
+punishment by her means; and that nothing which had of late been done
+had been done without her; "for which reason Pheroras would do well, if
+he would of his own accord, and by his own command, and not at my
+entreaty, or as following my opinion, put this his wife away, as one
+that will still be the occasion of war between thee and me. And now,
+Pheroras, if thou valuest thy relation to me, put this wife of thine
+away; for by this means thou wilt continue to be a brother to me, and
+wilt abide in thy love to me." Then said Pheroras, [although he was
+pressed hard by the former words,] that as he would not do so unjust a
+thing as to renounce his brotherly relation to him, so would he not
+leave off his affection for his wife; that he would rather choose to die
+than to live, and be deprived of a wife that was so dear unto him.
+Hereupon Herod put off his anger against Pheroras on these accounts,
+although he himself thereby underwent a very uneasy punishment. However,
+he forbade Antipater and his mother to have any conversation with
+Pheroras, and bid them to take care to avoid the assemblies of the
+women; which they promised to do, but still got together when occasion
+served, and both Ptieroras and Antipater had their own merry meetings.
+The report went also, that Antipater had criminal conversation with
+Pheroras's wife, and that they were brought together by Antipater's
+mother.
+
+2. But Antipater had now a suspicion of his father, and was afraid that
+the effects of his hatred to him might increase; so he wrote to his
+friends at Rome, and bid them to send to Herod, that he would
+immediately send Antipater to Cæsar; which when it was done, Herod sent
+Antipater thither, and sent most noble presents along with him; as also
+his testament, wherein Antipater was appointed to be his successor; and
+that if Antipater should die first, his son [Herod Philip] by the high
+priest's daughter should succeed. And, together with Antipater, there
+went to Rome Sylleus the Arabian, although he had done nothing of all
+that Cæsar had enjoined him. Antipater also accused him of the same
+crimes of which he had been formerly accused by Herod. Sylleus was also
+accused by Aretas, that without his consent he had slain many of the
+chief of the Arabians at Petra; and particularly Soemus, a man that
+deserved to be honored by all men; and that he had slain Fabatus, a
+servant of Cæsar. These were the things of which Sylleus was accused,
+and that on the occasion following: There was one Corinthus, belonging
+to Herod, of the guards of the king's body, and one who was greatly
+trusted by him. Sylleus had persuaded this man with the offer of a great
+sum of money to kill Herod; and he had promised to do it. When Fabatus
+had been made acquainted with this, for Sylleus had himself told him of
+it, he informed the king of it; who caught Corinthus, and put him to the
+torture, and thereby got out of him the whole conspiracy. He also caught
+two other Arabians, who were discovered by Corinthus; the one the head
+of a tribe, and the other a friend to Sylleus, who both were by the king
+brought to the torture, and confessed that they were come to encourage
+Corinthus not to fail of doing what he had undertaken to do; and to
+assist him with their own hands in the murder, if need should require
+their assistance. So Saturninus, upon Herod's discovering the whole to
+him, sent them to Rome.
+
+3. At this time Herod commanded Pheroras, that since he was so obstinate
+in his affection for his wife, he should retire into his own tetrarchy;
+which he did very willingly, and sware many oaths that he would not come
+again till he heard that Herod was dead. And indeed when, upon a
+sickness of the king, he was desired to come to him before he died, that
+he might intrust him with some of his injunctions, he had such a regard
+to his oath, that he would not come to him; yet did not Herod so retain
+his hatred to Pheroras, but remitted of his purpose [not to see him],
+which he before had, and that for such great causes as have been already
+mentioned: but as soon as he began to be ill, he came to him, and this
+without being sent for; and when he was dead, he took care of his
+funeral, and had his body brought to Jerusalem, and buried there, and
+appointed a solemn mourning for him. This [death of Pheroras] became the
+origin of Antipater's misfortunes, although he were already sailed for
+Rome, God now being about to punish him for the murder of his brethren,
+I will explain the history of this matter very distinctly, that it may
+be for a warning to mankind, that they take care of conducting their
+whole lives by the rules of virtue.
+
+
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER 4. Pheroras's Wife Is Accused By His Freedmen, As Guilty Of
+Poisoning Him; And How Herod, Upon Examining; Of The Matter By Torture
+Found The Poison; But So That It Had Been Prepared For Himself By His
+Son Antipater; And Upon An Inquiry By Torture He Discovered The
+Dangerous Designs Of Antipater.
+
+1. As soon as Pheroras was dead, and his funeral was over, two of
+Pheroras's freed-men, who were much esteemed by him, came to Herod, and
+entreated him not to leave the murder of his brother without avenging
+it, but to examine into such an unreasonable and unhappy death. When he
+was moved with these words, for they seemed to him to be true, they said
+that Pheroras supped with his wife the day before he fell sick, and that
+a certain potion was brought him in such a sort of food as he was not
+used to eat; but that when he had eaten, he died of it: that this potion
+was brought out of Arabia by a woman, under pretense indeed as a love-
+potion, for that was its name, but in reality to kill Pheroras; for that
+the Arabian women are skillful in making such poisons: and the woman to
+whom they ascribe this was confessedly a most intimate friend of one of
+Sylleus's mistresses; and that both the mother and the sister of
+Pheroras's wife had been at the places where she lived, and had
+persuaded her to sell them this potion, and had come back and brought it
+with them the day before that his supper. Hereupon the king was
+provoked, and put the women slaves to the torture, and some that were
+free with them; and as the fact did not yet appear, because none of them
+would confess it, at length one of them, under the utmost agonies, said
+no more but this, that she prayed that God would send the like agonies
+upon Antipater's mother, who had been the occasion of these miseries to
+all of them. This prayer induced Herod to increase the women's tortures,
+till thereby all was discovered; their merry meetings, their secret
+assemblies, and the disclosing of what he had said to his son alone unto
+Pheroras's 4 women. [Now what Herod had charged Antipater to conceal,
+was the gift of a hundred talents to him not to have any conversation
+with Pheroras.] And what hatred he bore to his father; and that he
+complained to his mother how very long his father lived; and that he was
+himself almost an old man, insomuch that if the kingdom should come to
+him, it would not afford him any great pleasure; and that there were a
+great many of his brothers, or brothers' children, bringing up, that
+might have hopes of the kingdom as well as himself, all which made his
+own hopes of it uncertain; for that even now, if he should himself not
+live, Herod had ordained that the government should be conferred, not on
+his son, but rather on a brother. He also had accused the king of great
+barbarity, and of the slaughter of his sons; and that it was out of the
+fear he was under, lest he should do the like to him, that made him
+contrive this his journey to Rome, and Pheroras contrive to go to his
+own tetrarchy. 5
+
+2. These confessions agreed with what his sister had told him, and
+tended greatly to corroborate her testimony, and to free her from the
+suspicion of her unfaithfulness to him. So the king having satisfied
+himself of the spite which Doris, Antipater's mother, as well as
+himself, bore to him, took away from her all her fine ornaments, which
+were worth many talents, and then sent her away, and entered into
+friendship with Pheroras's women. But he who most of all irritated the
+king against his son was one Antipater, the procurator of Antipater the
+king's son, who, when he was tortured, among other things, said that
+Antipater had prepared a deadly potion, and given it to Pheroras, with
+his desire that he would give it to his father during his absence, and
+when he was too remote to have the least suspicion cast upon him thereto
+relating; that Antiphilus, one of Antipater's friends, brought that
+potion out of Egypt; and that it was sent to Pheroras by Thendion, the
+brother of the mother of Antipater, the king's son, and by that means
+came to Pheroras's wife, her husband having given it her to keep. And
+when the king asked her about it, she confessed it; and as she was
+running to fetch it, she threw herself down from the house-top; yet did
+she not kill herself, because she fell upon her feet; by which means,
+when the king had comforted her, and had promised her and her domestics
+pardon, upon condition of their concealing nothing of the truth from
+him, but had threatened her with the utmost miseries if she proved
+ungrateful [and concealed any thing]: so she promised, and swore that
+she would speak out every thing, and tell after what manner every thing
+was done; and said what many took to be entirely true, that the potion
+was brought out of Egypt by Antiphilus; and that his brother, who was a
+physician, had procured it; and that "when Thendion brought it us, she
+kept it upon Pheroras's committing it to her; and that it was prepared
+by Antipater for thee. When, therefore, Pheroras was fallen sick, and
+thou camest to him and tookest care of him, and when he saw the kindness
+thou hadst for him, his mind was overborne thereby. So he called me to
+him, and said to me, 'O woman! Antipater hath circumvented me in this
+affair of his father and my brother, by persuading me to have a
+murderous intention to him, and procuring a potion to be subservient
+thereto; do thou, therefore, go and fetch my potion, [since my brother
+appears to have still the same virtuous disposition towards me which he
+had formerly, and I do not expect to live long myself, and that I may
+not defile my forefathers by the murder of a brother,] and burn it
+before my face:' that accordingly she immediately brought it, and did as
+her husband bade her; and that she burnt the greatest part of the
+potion; but that a little of it was left, that if the king, after
+Pheroras's death, should treat her ill, she might poison herself, and
+thereby get clear of her miseries." Upon her saying thus, she brought
+out the potion, and the box in which it was, before them all. Nay, there
+was another brother of Antiphilus, and his mother also, who, by the
+extremity of pain and torture, confessed the same things, and owned the
+box [to be that which had been brought out of Egypt]. The high priest's
+daughter also, who was the king's wife, was accused to have been
+conscious of all this, and had resolved to conceal it; for which reason
+Herod divorced her, and blotted her son out of his testament, wherein he
+had been mentioned as one that was to reign after him; and he took the
+high priesthood away from his father-in-law, Simeon the son of Boethus,
+and appointed Matthias the son of Theophilus, who was born at Jerusalem,
+to be high priest in his room.
+
+3. While this was doing, Bathyllus also, Antipater's freed-man, came
+from Rome, and, upon the torture, was found to have brought another
+potion, to give it into the hands of Antipater's mother, and of
+Pheroras, that if the former potion did not operate upon the king, this
+at least might carry him off. There came also letters from Herod's
+friends at Rome, by the approbation and at the suggestion of Antipater,
+to accuse Archelaus and Philip, as if they calumniated their father on
+account of the slaughter of Alexander and Aristobulus, and as if they
+commiserated their deaths, and as if, because they were sent for home,
+[for their father had already recalled them,] they concluded they were
+themselves also to be destroyed. These letters had been procured by
+great rewards by Antipater's friends; but Antipater himself wrote to his
+father about them, and laid the heaviest things to their charge; yet did
+he entirely excuse them of any guilt, and said they were but young men,
+and so imputed their words to their youth. But he said that he had
+himself been very busy in the affair relating to Sylleus, and in getting
+interest among the great men; and on that account had bought splendid
+ornaments to present them withal, which cost him two hundred talents.
+Now one may wonder how it came about, that while so many accusations
+were laid against him in Judea during seven months before this time, he
+was not made acquainted with any of them. The causes of which were, that
+the roads were exactly guarded, and that men hated Antipater; for there
+was nobody who would run any hazard himself to gain him any advantages.
+
+
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER 5. Antipater's Navigation From Rome To His Father; And How He
+Was Accused By Nicolaus Of Damascus And Condemned To Die By His Father,
+And By Quintilius Varus, Who Was Then President Of Syria; And How He Was
+Then Bound Till Cæsar Should Be Informed Of His Cause.
+
+1. Now Herod, upon Antipater's writing to him, that having done all that
+he was to do, and this in the manner he was to do it, he would suddenly
+come to him, concealed his anger against him, and wrote back to him, and
+bid him not delay his journey, lest any harm should befall himself in
+his absence. At the same time also he made some little complaint about
+his mother, but promised that he would lay those complaints aside when
+he should return. He withal expressed his entire affection for him, as
+fearing lest he should have some suspicion of him, and defer his journey
+to him; and lest, while he lived at Rome, he should lay plots for the
+kingdom, and, moreover, do somewhat against himself. This letter
+Antipater met with in Cilicia; but had received an account of Pheroras's
+death before at Tarentum. This last news affected him deeply; not out of
+any affection for Pheroras, but because he was dead without having
+murdered his father, which he had promised him to do. And when he was at
+Celenderis in Cilicia, he began to deliberate with himself about his
+sailing home, as being much grieved with the ejection of his mother. Now
+some of his friends advised him that he should tarry a while some where,
+in expectation of further information. But others advised him to sail
+home without delay; for that if he were once come thither, he would soon
+put an end to all accusations, and that nothing afforded any weight to
+his accusers at present but his absence. He was persuaded by these last,
+and sailed on, and landed at the haven called Sebastus, which Herod had
+built at vast expenses in honor of Cæsar, and called Sebastus. And now
+was Antipater evidently in a miserable condition, while nobody came to
+him nor saluted him, as they did at his going away, with good wishes of
+joyful acclamations; nor was there now any thing to hinder them from
+entertaining him, on the contrary, with bitter curses, while they
+supposed he was come to receive his punishment for the murder of his
+brethren.
+
+2. Now Quintilius Varus was at this time at Jerusalem, being sent to
+succeed Saturninus as president of Syria, and was come as an assessor to
+Herod, who had desired his advice in his present affairs; and as they
+were sitting together, Antipater came upon them, without knowing any
+thing of the matter; so he came into the palace clothed in purple. The
+porters indeed received him in, but excluded his friends. And now he was
+in great disorder, and presently understood the condition he was in,
+while, upon his going to salute his father, he was repulsed by him, who
+called him a murderer of his brethren, and a plotter of destruction
+against himself, and told him that Varus should be his auditor and his
+judge the very next day; so he found that what misfortunes he now heard
+of were already upon him, with the greatness of which he went away in
+confusion; upon which his mother and his wife met him, [which wife was
+the daughter of Antigonus, who was king of the Jews before Herod,] from
+whom he learned all circumstances which concerned him, and then prepared
+himself for his trial.
+
+3. On the next day Varus and the king sat together in judgment, and both
+their friends were also called in, as also the king's relations, with
+his sister Salome, and as many as could discover any thing, and such as
+had been tortured; and besides these, some slaves of Antipater's mother,
+who were taken up a little before Antipater's coming, and brought with
+them a written letter, the sum of which was this: That he should not
+come back, because all was come to his father's knowledge; and that
+Cæsar was the only refuge he had left to prevent both his and her
+delivery into his father's hands. Then did Antipater fall down at his
+father's feet, and besought him not to prejudge his cause, but that he
+might be first heard by his father, and that his father would keep
+himself unprejudiced. So Herod ordered him to be brought into the midst,
+and then lamented himself about his children, from whom he had suffered
+such great misfortunes; and because Antipater fell upon him in his old
+age. He also reckoned up what maintenance and what education he had
+given them; and what seasonable supplies of wealth he had afforded them,
+according to their own desires; none of which favors had hindered them
+from contriving against him, and from bringing his very life into
+danger, in order to gain his kingdom, after an impious manner, by taking
+away his life before the course of nature, their father's wishes, or
+justice required that that kingdom should come to them; and that he
+wondered what hopes could elevate Antipater to such a pass as to be
+hardy enough to attempt such things; that he had by his testament in
+writing declared him his successor in the government; and while he was
+alive, he was in no respect inferior to him, either in his illustrious
+dignity, or in power and authority, he having no less than fifty talents
+for his yearly income, and had received for his journey to Rome no fewer
+than thirty talents. He also objected to him the case of his brethren
+whom he had accused; and if they were guilty, he had imitated their
+example; and if not, he had brought him groundless accusations against
+his near relations; for that he had been acquainted with all those
+things by him, and by nobody else, and had done what was done by his
+approbation, and whom he now absolved from all that was criminal, by
+becoming the inheritor of the guilt of such their parricide.
+
+4. When Herod had thus spoken, he fell a weeping, and was not able to
+say any more; but at his desire Nicolaus of Damascus, being the king's
+friend, and always conversant with him, and acquainted with whatsoever
+he did, and with the circumstances of his affairs, proceeded to what
+remained, and explained all that concerned the demonstrations and
+evidences of the facts. Upon which Antipater, in order to make his legal
+defense, turned himself to his father, and enlarged upon the many
+indications he had given of his good-will to him; and instanced in the
+honors that had been done him, which yet had not been done, had he not
+deserved them by his virtuous concern about him; for that he had made
+provision for every thing that was fit to be foreseen beforehand, as to
+giving him his wisest advice; and whenever there was occasion for the
+labor of his own hands, he had not grudged any such pains for him. And
+that it was almost impossible that he, who had delivered his father from
+so many treacherous contrivances laid against him, should be himself in
+a plot against him, and so lose all the reputation he had gained for his
+virtue, by his wickedness which succeeded it; and this while he had
+nothing to prohibit him, who was already appointed his successor, to
+enjoy the royal honor with his father also at present; and that there
+was no likelihood that a person who had the one half of that authority
+without any danger, and with a good character, should hunt after the
+whole with infamy and danger, and this when it was doubtful whether he
+could obtain it or not; and when he saw the sad example of his brethren
+before him, and was both the informer and the accuser against them, at a
+time when they might not otherwise have been discovered; nay, was the
+author of the punishment inflicted upon them, when it appeared evidently
+that they were guilty of a wicked attempt against their father; and that
+even the contentions there were in the king's family were indications
+that he had ever managed affairs out of the sincerest affection to his
+father. And as to what he had done at Rome, Cæsar was a witness thereto,
+who yet was no more to be imposed upon than God himself; of whose
+opinions his letters sent hither are sufficient evidence; and that it
+was not reasonable to prefer the calumnies of such as proposed to raise
+disturbances before those letters; the greatest part of which calumnies
+had been raised during his absence, which gave scope to his enemies to
+forge them, which they had not been able to do if he had been there.
+Moreover he showed the weakness of the evidence obtained by torture,
+which was commonly false, because the distress men are in under such
+tortures naturally obliges them to say many things in order to please
+those that govern them. He also offered himself to the torture.
+
+5. Hereupon there was a change observed in the assembly, while they
+greatly pitied Antipater, who by weeping and putting on a countenance
+suitable to his sad case made them commiserate the same, insomuch that
+his very enemies were moved to compassion; and it appeared plainly that
+Herod himself was affected in his own mind, although he was not willing
+it should be taken notice of. Then did Nicolaus begin to prosecute what
+the king had begun, and that with great bitterness; and summed up all
+the evidence which arose from the tortures, or from the testimonies. He
+principally and largely cried up the king's virtues, which he had
+exhibited in the maintenance and education of his sons; while he never
+could gain any advantage thereby, but still fell from one misfortune to
+another. Although he owned that he was not so much surprised with that
+thoughtless behavior of his former sons, who were but young, and were
+besides corrupted by wicked counselors, who were the occasion of their
+wiping out of their minds the righteous dictates of nature, and this out
+of a desire of coming to the government sooner than they ought to do;
+yet that he could not but justly stand amazed at the horrid wickedness
+of Antipater, who, although he had not only had great benefits bestowed
+on him by his father, enough to tame his reason, yet could not be more
+tamed than the most envenomed serpents; whereas even those creatures
+admit of some mitigation, and will not bite their benefactors, while
+Antipater hath not let the misfortunes of his brethren be any hinderance
+to him, but he hath gone on to imitate their barbarity notwithstanding.
+"Yet wast thou, O Antipater! [as thou hast thyself confessed,] the
+informer as to what wicked actions they had done, and the searcher out
+of the evidence against them, and the author of the punishment they
+underwent upon their detection. Nor do we say this as accusing thee for
+being so zealous in thy anger against them, but are astonished at thy
+endeavors to imitate their profligate behavior; and we discover thereby
+that thou didst not act thus for the safety of thy father, but for the
+destruction of thy brethren, that by such outside hatred of their
+impiety thou mightest be believed a lover of thy father, and mightest
+thereby get thee power enough to do mischief with the greatest impunity;
+which design thy actions indeed demonstrate. It is true, thou tookest
+thy brethren off, because thou didst convict theft of their wicked
+designs; but thou didst not yield up to justice those who were their
+partners; and thereby didst make it evident to all men that thou madest
+a covenant with them against thy father, when thou chosest to be the
+accuser of thy brethren, as desirous to gain to thyself alone this
+advantage of laying plots to kill thy father, and so to enjoy double
+pleasure, which is truly worthy of thy evil disposition, which thou has
+openly showed against thy brethren; on which account thou didst rejoice,
+as having done a most famous exploit, nor was that behavior unworthy of
+thee. But if thy intention were otherwise, thou art worse than they:
+while thou didst contrive to hide thy treachery against thy father, thou
+didst hate them, not as plotters against thy father, for in that case
+thou hadst not thyself fallen upon the like crime, but as successors of
+his dominions, and more worthy of that succession than thyself. Thou
+wouldst kill thy father after thy brethren, lest thy lies raised against
+them might be detected; and lest thou shouldst suffer what punishment
+thou hadst deserved, thou hadst a mind to exact that punishment of thy
+unhappy father, and didst devise such a sort of uncommon parricide as
+the world never yet saw. For thou who art his son didst not only lay a
+treacherous design against thy father, and didst it while he loved thee,
+and had been thy benefactor, had made thee in reality his partner in the
+kingdom, and had openly declared thee his successor, while thou wast not
+forbidden to taste the sweetness of authority already, and hadst the
+firm hope of what was future by thy father's determination, and the
+security of a written testament; but, for certain, thou didst not
+measure these things according to thy father's various disposition, but
+according to thy own thoughts and inclinations; and was desirous to take
+the part that remained away from thy too indulgent father, and soughtest
+to destroy him with thy deeds, whom thou in words pretendedst to
+preserve. Nor wast thou content to be wicked thyself, but thou filledst
+thy mother's head with thy devices, and raised disturbances among thy
+brethren, and hadst the boldness to call thy father a wild beast; while
+thou hadst thyself a mind more cruel than any serpent, whence thou
+sentest out that poison among thy nearest kindred and greatest
+benefactors, and invitedst them to assist thee and guard thee, and didst
+hedge thyself in on all sides, by the artifices of both men and women,
+against an old man, as though that mind of thine was not sufficient of
+itself to support so great a hatred as thou baredst to him. And here
+thou appearest, after the tortures of free-men, of domestics, of men and
+women, which have been examined on thy account, and after the
+informations of thy fellow conspirators, as making haste to contradict
+the truth; and hast thought on ways not only how to take thy father out
+of the world, but to disannul that written law which is against thee,
+and the virtue of Varus, and the nature of justice; nay, such is that
+impudence of thine on which thou confidest, that thou desirest to be put
+to the torture thyself, while thou allegest that the tortures of those
+already examined thereby have made them tell lies; that those that have
+been the deliverers of thy father may not be allowed to have spoken the
+truth; but that thy tortures may be esteemed the discoverers of truth.
+Wilt not thou, O Varus! deliver the king from the injuries of his
+kindred? Wilt not thou destroy this wicked wild beast, which hath
+pretended kindness to his father, in order to destroy his brethren;
+while yet he is himself alone ready to carry off the kingdom
+immediately, and appears to be the most bloody butcher to him of them
+all? for thou art sensible that parricide is a general injury both to
+nature and to common life, and that the intention of parricide is not
+inferior to its perpetration; and he who does not punish it is injurious
+to nature itself."
+
+6. Nicolaus added further what belonged to Antipater's mother, and
+whatsoever she had prattled like a woman; as also about the predictions
+and the sacrifices relating to the king; and whatsoever Antipater had
+done lasciviously in his cups and his amours among Pheroras's women; the
+examination upon torture; and whatsoever concerned the testimonies of
+the witnesses, which were many, and of various kinds; some prepared
+beforehand, and others were sudden answers, which further declared and
+confirmed the foregoing evidence. For those men who were not acquainted
+with Antipater's practices, but had concealed them out of fear, when
+they saw that he was exposed to the accusations of the former witnesses,
+and that his great good fortune, which had supported him hitherto, had
+now evidently betrayed him into the hands of his enemies, who were now
+insatiable in their hatred to him, told all they knew of him. And his
+ruin was now hastened, not so much by the enmity of those that were his
+accusers, as by his gross, and impudent, and wicked contrivances, and by
+his ill-will to his father and his brethren; while he had filled their
+house with disturbance, and caused them to murder one another; and was
+neither fair in his hatred, nor kind in his friendship, but just so far
+as served his own turn. Now there were a great number who for a long
+time beforehand had seen all this, and especially such as were naturally
+disposed to judge of matters by the rules of virtue, because they were
+used to determine about affairs without passion, but had been restrained
+from making any open complaints before; these, upon the leave now given
+them, produced all that they knew before the public. The demonstrations
+also of these wicked facts could no way be disproved, because the many
+witnesses there were did neither speak out of favor to Herod, nor were
+they obliged to keep what they had to say silent, out of suspicion of
+any danger they were in; but they spake what they knew, because they
+thought such actions very wicked, and that Antipater deserved the
+greatest punishment; and indeed not so much for Herod's safety, as on
+account of the man's own wickedness. Many things were also said, and
+those by a great number of persons, who were no way obliged to say them,
+insomuch that Antipater, who used generally to be very shrewd in his
+lies and impudence, was not able to say one word to the contrary. When
+Nicolaus had left off speaking, and had produced the evidence, Varus bid
+Antipater to betake himself to the making his defense, if he had
+prepared any thing whereby it might appear that he was not guilty of the
+crimes he was accused of; for that, as he was himself desirous, so did
+he know that his father was in like manner desirous also, to have him
+found entirely innocent. But Antipater fell down on his face, and
+appealed to God and to all men for testimonials of his innocency,
+desiring that God would declare, by some evident signals, that he had
+not laid any plot against his father. This being the usual method of all
+men destitute of virtue, that when they set about any wicked
+undertakings, they fall to work according to their own inclinations, as
+if they believed that God was unconcerned in human affairs; but when
+once they are found out, and are in danger of undergoing the punishment
+due to their crimes, they endeavor to overthrow all the evidence against
+them by appealing to God; which was the very thing which Antipater now
+did; for whereas he had done everything as if there were no God in the
+world, when he was on all sides distressed by justice, and when he had
+no other advantage to expect from any legal proofs, by which he might
+disprove the accusations laid against him, he impudently abused the
+majesty of God, and ascribed it to his power that he had been preserved
+hitherto; and produced before them all what difficulties he had ever
+undergone in his bold acting for his father's preservation.
+
+7. So when Varus, upon asking Antipater what he had to say for himself,
+found that he had nothing to say besides his appeal to God, and saw that
+there was no end of that, he bid them bring the potion before the court,
+that he might see what virtue still remained in it; and when it was
+brought, and one that was condemned to die had drank it by Varus's
+command, he died presently. Then Varus got up, and departed out of the
+court, and went away the day following to Antioch, where his usual
+residence was, because that was the palace of the Syrians; upon which
+Herod laid his son in bonds. But what were Varus's discourses to Herod
+was not known to the generality, and upon what words it was that he went
+away; though it was also generally supposed that whatsoever Herod did
+afterward about his son was done with his approbation. But when Herod
+had bound his son, he sent letters to Rome to Cæsar about him, and such
+messengers withal as should, by word of mouth, inform Cæsar of
+Antipater's wickedness. Now at this very time there was seized a letter
+of Antiphilus, written to Antipater out of Egypt [for he lived there];
+and when it was opened by the king, it was found to contain what
+follows: "I have sent thee Acme's letter, and hazarded my own life; for
+thou knowest that I am in danger from two families, if I be discovered.
+I wish thee good success in thy affair." These were the contents of this
+letter; but the king made inquiry about the other letter also, for it
+did not appear; and Antiphilus's slave, who brought that letter which
+had been read, denied that he had received the other. But while the king
+was in doubt about it, one of Herod's friends seeing a seam upon the
+inner coat of the slave, and a doubling of the cloth, [for he had two
+coats on,] he guessed that the letter might be within that doubling;
+which accordingly proved to be true. So they took out the letter, and
+its contents were these: "Acme to Antipater. I have written such a
+letter to thy father as thou desiredst me. I have also taken a copy and
+sent it, as if it came from Salome, to my lady [Livia]; which, when thou
+readest, I know that Herod Will punish Salome, as plotting against him?'
+Now this pretended letter of Salome to her lady was composed by
+Antipater, in the name of Salome, as to its meaning, but in the words of
+Acme. The letter was this: 'Acme to king Herod. I have done my endeavor
+that nothing that is done against thee should be concealed from thee.
+So, upon my finding a letter of Salome written to my lady against thee,
+I have written out a copy, and sent it to thee; with hazard to myself,
+but for thy advantage.' The reason why she wrote it was this, that she
+had a mind to be married to Sylleus. Do thou therefore tear this letter
+in pieces, that I may not come into danger of my life." Now Acme had
+written to Antipater himself, and informed him, that, in compliance with
+his command, she had both herself written to Herod, as if Salome had
+laid a sudden plot entirely against him, and had herself sent a copy of
+an epistle, as coming from Salome to her lady. Now Acme was a Jew by
+birth, and a servant to Julia, Cæsar's wife; and did this out of her
+friendship for Antipater, as having been corrupted by him with a large
+present of money, to assist in his pernicious designs against his father
+and his aunt.
+
+8. Hereupon Herod was so amazed at the prodigious wickedness of
+Antipater, that he was ready to have ordered him to be slain
+immediately, as a turbulent person in the most important concerns, and
+as one that had laid a plot not only against himself, but against his
+sister also, and even corrupted Cæsar's own domestics. Salome also
+provoked him to it, beating her breast, and bidding him kill her, if he
+could produce any credible testimony that she had acted in that manner.
+Herod also sent for his son, and asked him about this matter, and bid
+him contradict if he could, and not suppress any thing he had to say for
+himself; and when he had not one word to say, he asked him, since he was
+every way caught in his villainy, that he would make no further delay,
+but discover his associates in these his wicked designs. So he laid all
+upon Antiphilus, but discovered nobody else. Hereupon Herod was in such
+great grief, that he was ready to send his son to Rome to Cæsar, there
+to give an account of these his wicked contrivances. But he soon became
+afraid, lest he might there, by the assistance of his friends, escape
+the danger he was in; so he kept him bound as before, and sent more
+ambassadors and letters [to Rome] to accuse his son, and an account of
+what assistance Acme had given him in his wicked designs, with copies of
+the epistles before mentioned.
+
+
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER 6. Concerning The Disease That Herod Fell Into And The Sedition
+Which The Jews Raised Thereupon; With The Punishment Of The Seditious.
+
+1. Now Herod's ambassadors made haste to Rome; but sent, as instructed
+beforehand, what answers they were to make to the questions put to them.
+They also carried the epistles with them. But Herod now fell into a
+distemper, and made his will, and bequeathed his kingdom to [Antipas],
+his youngest son; and this out of that hatred to Archelaus and Philip,
+which the calumnies of Antipater had raised against them. He also
+bequeathed a thousand talents to Cæsar, and five hundred to Julia,
+Cæsar's wife, to Cæsar's children, and friends and freed-men. He also
+distributed among his sons and their sons his money, his revenues, and
+his lands. He also made Salome his sister very rich, because she had
+continued faithful to him in all his circumstances, and was never so
+rash as to do him any harm; and as he despaired of recovering, for he
+was about the seventieth year of his age, he grew fierce, and indulged
+the bitterest anger upon all occasions; the cause whereof was this, that
+he thought himself despised, and that the nation was pleased with his
+misfortunes; besides which, he resented a sedition which some of the
+lower sort of men excited against him, the occasion of which was as
+follows.
+
+2. There was one Judas, the son of Saripheus, and Matthias, the son of
+Margalothus, two of the most eloquent men among the Jews, and the most
+celebrated interpreters of the Jewish laws, and men well beloved by the
+people, because of their education of their youth; for all those that
+were studious of virtue frequented their lectures every day. These men,
+when they found that the king's distemper was incurable, excited the
+young men that they would pull down all those works which the king had
+erected contrary to the law of their fathers, and thereby obtain the
+rewards which the law will confer on them for such actions of piety; for
+that it was truly on account of Herod's rashness in making such things
+as the law had forbidden, that his other misfortunes, and this distemper
+also, which was so unusual among mankind, and with which he was now
+afflicted, came upon him; for Herod had caused such things to be made
+which were contrary to the law, of which he was accused by Judas and
+Matthias; for the king had erected over the great gate of the temple a
+large golden eagle, of great value, and had dedicated it to the temple.
+Now the law forbids those that propose to live according to it, to erect
+images 6 or representations of any living creature. So these wise men
+persuaded [their scholars] to pull down the golden eagle; alleging, that
+although they should incur any danger, which might bring them to their
+deaths, the virtue of the action now proposed to them would appear much
+more advantageous to them than the pleasures of life; since they would
+die for the preservation and observation of the law of their fathers;
+since they would also acquire an everlasting fame and commendation;
+since they would be both commended by the present generation, and leave
+an example of life that would never be forgotten to posterity; since
+that common calamity of dying cannot be avoided by our living so as to
+escape any such dangers; that therefore it is a right thing for those
+who are in love with a virtuous conduct, to wait for that fatal hour by
+such behavior as may carry them out of the world with praise and honor;
+and that this will alleviate death to a great degree, thus to come at it
+by the performance of brave actions, which bring us into danger of it;
+and at the same time to leave that reputation behind them to their
+children, and to all their relations, whether they be men or women,
+which will be of great advantage to them afterward.
+
+3. And with such discourses as this did these men excite the young men
+to this action; and a report being come to them that the king was dead,
+this was an addition to the wise men's persuasions; so, in the very
+middle of the day, they got upon the place, they pulled down the eagle,
+and cut it into pieces with axes, while a great number of the people
+were in the temple. And now the king's captain, upon hearing what the
+undertaking was, and supposing it was a thing of a higher nature than it
+proved to be, came up thither, having a great band of soldiers with him,
+such as was sufficient to put a stop to the multitude of those who
+pulled down what was dedicated to God; so he fell upon them
+unexpectedly, and as they were upon this bold attempt, in a foolish
+presumption rather than a cautious circumspection, as is usual with the
+multitude, and while they were in disorder, and incautious of what was
+for their advantage; so he caught no fewer than forty of the young men,
+who had the courage to stay behind when the rest ran away, together with
+the authors of this bold attempt, Judas and Matthias, who thought it an
+ignominious thing to retire upon his approach, and led them to the king.
+And when they were come to the king, and he asked them if they had been
+so bold as to pull down what he had dedicated to God, "Yes, [said they,]
+what was contrived we contrived, and what hath been performed we
+performed it, and that with such a virtuous courage as becomes men; for
+we have given our assistance to those things which were dedicated to the
+majesty of God, and we have provided for what we have learned by hearing
+the law; and it ought not to be wondered at, if we esteem those laws
+which Moses had suggested to him, and were taught him by God, and which
+he wrote and left behind him, more worthy of observation than thy
+commands. Accordingly we will undergo death, and all sorts of
+punishments which thou canst inflict upon us, with pleasure, since we
+are conscious to ourselves that we shall die, not for any unrighteous
+actions, but for our love to religion." And thus they all said, and
+their courage was still equal to their profession, and equal to that
+with which they readily set about this undertaking. And when the king
+had ordered them to be bound, he sent them to Jericho, and called
+together the principal men among the Jews; and when they were come, he
+made them assemble in the theater, and because he could not himself
+stand, he lay upon a couch, and enumerated the many labors that he had
+long endured on their account, and his building of the temple, and what
+a vast charge that was to him; while the Asamoneans, during the hundred
+and twenty-five years of their government, had not been able to perform
+any so great a work for the honor of God as that was; that he had also
+adorned it with very valuable donations, on which account he hoped that
+he had left himself a memorial, and procured himself a reputation after
+his death. He then cried out, that these men had not abstained from
+affronting him, even in his lifetime, but that in the very day time, and
+in the sight of the multitude, they had abused him to that degree, as to
+fall upon what he had dedicated, and in that way of abuse had pulled it
+down to the ground. They pretended, indeed, that they did it to affront
+him; but if any one consider the thing truly, they will find that they
+were guilty of sacrilege against God therein.
+
+4. But the people, on account of Herod's barbarous temper, and for fear
+he should be so cruel and to inflict punishment on them, said what was
+done was done without their approbation, and that it seemed to them that
+the actors might well be punished for what they had done. But as for
+Herod, he dealt more mildly with others [of the assembly] but he
+deprived Matthias of the high priesthood, as in part an occasion of this
+action, and made Joazar, who was Matthias's wife's brother, high priest
+in his stead. Now it happened, that during the time of the high
+priesthood of this Matthias, there was another person made high priest
+for a single day, that very day which the Jews observed as a fast. The
+occasion was this: This Matthias the high priest, on the night before
+that day when the fast was to be celebrated, seemed, in a dream, 7 to
+have conversation with his wife; and because he could not officiate
+himself on that account, Joseph, the son of Ellemus, his kinsman,
+assisted him in that sacred office. But Herod deprived this Matthias of
+the high priesthood, and burnt the other Matthias, who had raised the
+sedition, with his companions, alive. And that very night there was an
+eclipse of the moon. 8
+
+5. But now Herod's distemper greatly increased upon him after a severe
+manner, and this by God's judgment upon him for his sins; for a fire
+glowed in him slowly, which did not so much appear to the touch
+outwardly, as it augmented his pains inwardly; for it brought upon him a
+vehement appetite to eating, which he could not avoid to supply with one
+sort of food or other. His entrails were also ex-ulcerated, and the
+chief violence of his pain lay on his colon; an aqueous and transparent
+liquor also had settled itself about his feet, and a like matter
+afflicted him at the bottom of his belly. Nay, further, his privy-member
+was putrefied, and produced worms; and when he sat upright, he had a
+difficulty of breathing, which was very loathsome, on account of the
+stench of his breath, and the quickness of its returns; he had also
+convulsions in all parts of his body, which increased his strength to an
+insufferable degree. It was said by those who pretended to divine, and
+who were endued with wisdom to foretell such things, that God inflicted
+this punishment on the king on account of his great impiety; yet was he
+still in hopes of recovering, though his afflictions seemed greater than
+any one could bear. He also sent for physicians, and did not refuse to
+follow what they prescribed for his assistance, and went beyond the
+river Jordan, and bathed himself in the warm baths that were at
+Callirrhoe, which, besides their other general virtues, were also fit to
+drink; which water runs into the lake called Asphaltiris. And when the
+physicians once thought fit to have him bathed in a vessel full of oil,
+it was supposed that he was just dying; but upon the lamentable cries of
+his domestics, he revived; and having no longer the least hopes of
+recovering, he gave order that every soldier should be paid fifty
+drachmae; and he also gave a great deal to their commanders, and to his
+friends, and came again to Jericho, where he grew so choleric, that it
+brought him to do all things like a madman; and though he were near his
+death, he contrived the following wicked designs. He commanded that all
+the principal men of the entire Jewish nation, wheresoever they lived,
+should be called to him. Accordingly, they were a great number that
+came, because the whole nation was called, and all men heard of this
+call, and death was the penalty of such as should despise the epistles
+that were sent to call them. And now the king was in a wild rage against
+them all, the innocent as well as those that had afforded ground for
+accusations; and when they were come, he ordered them to be all shut up
+in the hyppodrome, 9 and sent for his sister Salome, and her husband
+Alexas, and spake thus to them: "I shall die in a little time, so great
+are my pains; which death ought to be cheerfully borne, and to be
+welcomed by all men; but what principally troubles me is this, that I
+shall die without being lamented, and without such mourning as men
+usually expect at a king's death." For that he was not unacquainted with
+the temper of the Jews, that his death would be a thing very desirable,
+and exceedingly acceptable to them, because during his lifetime they
+were ready to revolt from him, and to abuse the donations he had
+dedicated to God that it therefore was their business to resolve to
+afford him some alleviation of his great sorrows on this occasion; for
+that if they do not refuse him their consent in what he desires, he
+shall have a great mourning at his funeral, and such as never had any
+king before him; for then the whole nation would mourn from their very
+soul, which otherwise would be done in sport and mockery only. He
+desired therefore, that as soon as they see he hath given up the ghost,
+they shall place soldiers round the hippodrome, while they do not know
+that he is dead; and that they shall not declare his death to the
+multitude till this is done, but that they shall give orders to have
+those that are in custody shot with their darts; and that this slaughter
+of them all will cause that he shall not miss to rejoice on a double
+account; that as he is dying, they will make him secure that his will
+shall be executed in what he charges them to do; and that he shall have
+the honor of a memorable mourning at his funeral. So he deplored his
+condition, with tears in his eyes, and obtested them by the kindness due
+from them, as of his kindred, and by the faith they owed to God, and
+begged of them that they would not hinder him of this honorable mourning
+at his funeral. So they promised him not to transgress his commands.
+
+6. Now any one may easily discover the temper of this man's mind, which
+not only took pleasure in doing what he had done formerly against his
+relations, out of the love of life, but by those commands of his which
+savored of no humanity; since he took care, when he was departing out of
+this life, that the whole nation should be put into mourning, and indeed
+made desolate of their dearest kindred, when he gave order that one out
+of every family should be slain, although they had done nothing that was
+unjust, or that was against him, nor were they accused of any other
+crimes; while it is usual for those who have any regard to virtue to lay
+aside their hatred at such a time, even with respect to those they
+justly esteemed their enemies.
+
+
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER 7. Herod Has Thoughts Of Killing Himself With His Own Hand; And
+A Little Afterwards He Orders Antipater To Be Slain.
+
+1. As he was giving these commands to his relations, there came letters
+from his ambassadors, who had been sent to Rome unto Cæsar, which, when
+they were read, their purport was this: That Acme was slain by Cæsar,
+out of his indignation at what hand, she had in Antipater's wicked
+practices; and that as to Antipater himself, Cæsar left it to Herod to
+act as became a father and a king, and either to banish him, or to take
+away his life, which he pleased. When Herod heard this, he was some-
+what better, out of the pleasure he had from the contents of the
+letters, and was elevated at the death of Acme, and at the power that
+was given him over his son; but as his pains were become very great, he
+was now ready to faint for want of somewhat to eat; so he called for an
+apple and a knife; for it was his custom formerly to pare the apple
+himself, and soon afterwards to cut it, and eat it. When he had got the
+knife, he looked about, and had a mind to stab himself with it; and he
+had done it, had not his first cousin, Achiabus, prevented him, and held
+his hand, and cried out loudly. Whereupon a woeful lamentation echoed
+through the palace, and a great tumult was made, as if the king were
+dead. Upon which Antipater, who verily believed his father was deceased,
+grew bold in his discourse, as hoping to be immediately and entirely
+released from his bonds, and to take the kingdom into his hands without
+any more ado; so he discoursed with the jailer about letting him go, and
+in that case promised him great things, both now and hereafter, as if
+that were the only thing now in question. But the jailer did not only
+refuse to do what Antipater would have him, but informed the king of his
+intentions, and how many solicitations he had had from him [of that
+nature]. Hereupon Herod, who had formerly no affection nor good-will
+towards his son to restrain him, when he heard what the jailer said, he
+cried out, and beat his head, although he was at death's door, and
+raised himself upon his elbow, and sent for some of his guards, and
+commanded them to kill Antipater without tiny further delay, and to do
+it presently, and to bury him in an ignoble manner at Hyrcania.
+
+
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER 8. Concerning Herod's Death, And Testament, And Burial.
+
+1. And now Herod altered his testament upon the alteration of his mind;
+for he appointed Antipas, to whom he had before left the kingdom, to be
+tetrarch of Galilee and Perea, and granted the kingdom to Archelaus. He
+also gave Gaulonitis, and Trachonitis, and Paneas to Philip, who was his
+son, but own brother to Archelaus 10 by the name of a tetrarchy; and
+bequeathed Jarnnia, and Ashdod, and Phasaelis to Salome his sister, with
+five hundred thousand [drachmae] of silver that was coined. He also made
+provision for all the rest of his kindred, by giving them sums of money
+and annual revenues, and so left them all in a wealthy condition. He
+bequeathed also to Cæsar ten millions [of drachmae] of coined money,
+besides both vessels of gold and silver, and garments exceeding costly,
+to Julia, Cæsar's wife; and to certain others, five millions. When he
+had done these things, he died, the fifth day after he had caused
+Antipater to be slain; having reigned, since he had procured Antigonus
+to be slain, thirty-four years; but since he had been declared king by
+the Romans, thirty-seven. 11 A man he was of great barbarity towards all
+men equally, and a slave to his passion; but above the consideration of
+what was right; yet was he favored by fortune as much as any man ever
+was, for from a private man he became a king; and though he were
+encompassed with ten thousand dangers, he got clear of them all, and
+continued his life till a very old age. But then, as to the affairs of
+his family and children, in which indeed, according to his own opinion,
+he was also very fortunate, because he was able to conquer his enemies,
+yet, in my opinion, he was herein very unfortunate.
+
+2. But then Salome and Alexas, before the king's death was made known,
+dismissed those that were shut up in the hippodrome, and told them that
+the king ordered them to go away to their own lands, and take care of
+their own affairs, which was esteemed by the nation a great benefit. And
+now the king's death was made public, when Salome and Alexas gathered
+the soldiery together in the amphitheater at Jericho; and the first
+thing they did was, they read Herod's letter, written to the soldiery,
+thanking them for their fidelity and good-will to him, and exhorting
+them to afford his son Archelaus, whom he had appointed for their king,
+like fidelity and good-will. After which Ptolemy, who had the king's
+seal intrusted to him, read the king's testament, which was to be of
+force no otherwise than as it should stand when Cæsar had inspected it;
+so there was presently an acclamation made to Archelaus, as king; and
+the soldiers came by bands, and their commanders with them, and promised
+the same good-will to him, and readiness to serve him, which they had
+exhibited to Herod; and they prayed God to be assistant to him.
+
+3. After this was over, they prepared for his funeral, it being
+Archelaus's care that the procession to his father's sepulcher should be
+very sumptuous. Accordingly, he brought out all his ornaments to adorn
+the pomp of the funeral. The body was carried upon a golden bier,
+embroidered with very precious stones of great variety, and it was
+covered over with purple, as well as the body itself; he had a diadem
+upon his head, and above it a crown of gold: he also had a scepter in
+his right hand. About the bier were his sons and his numerous relations;
+next to these was the soldiery, distinguished according to their several
+countries and denominations; and they were put into the following order:
+First of all went his guards, then the band of Thracians, and after them
+the Germans; and next the band of Galatians, every one in their
+habiliments of war; and behind these marched the whole army in the same
+manner as they used to go out to war, and as they used to be put in
+array by their muster-masters and centurions; these were followed by
+five hundred of his domestics carrying spices. So they went eight
+furlongs 12 to Herodium; for there by his own command he was to be
+buried. And thus did Herod end his life.
+
+4. Now Archelaus paid him so much respect, as to continue his mourning
+till the seventh day; for so many days are appointed for it by the law
+of our fathers. And when he had given a treat to the multitude, and left
+off his motoring, he went up into the temple; he had also acclamations
+and praises given him, which way soever he went, every one striving with
+the rest who should appear to use the loudest acclamations. So he
+ascended a high elevation made for him, and took his seat, in a throne
+made of gold, and spake kindly to the multitude, and declared with what
+joy he received their acclamations, and the marks of the good-will they
+showed to him; and returned them thanks that they did not remember the
+injuries his father had done them to his disadvantage; and promised them
+he would endeavor not to be behindhand with them in rewarding their
+alacrity in his service, after a suitable manner; but that he should
+abstain at present from the name of king, and that he should have the
+honor of that dignity, if Cæsar should confirm and settle that testament
+which his father had made; and that it was on this account, that when
+the army would have put the diadem on him at Jericho, he would not
+accept of that honor, which is usually so much desired, because it was
+not yet evident that he who was to be principally concerned in bestowing
+it would give it him; although, by his acceptance of the government, he
+should not want the ability of rewarding their kindness to him and that
+it should be his endeavor, as to all things wherein they were concerned,
+to prove in every respect better than his father. Whereupon the
+multitude, as it is usual with them, supposed that the first days of
+those that enter upon such governments declare the intentions of those
+that accept them; and so by how much Archelaus spake the more gently and
+civilly to them, by so much did they more highly commend him, and made
+application to him for the grant of what they desired. Some made a
+clamor that he would ease them of some of their annual payments; but
+others desired him to release those that were put into prison by Herod,
+who were many, and had been put there at several times; others of them
+required that he would take away those taxes which had been severely
+laid upon what was publicly sold and bought. So Archelaus contradicted
+them in nothing, since he pretended to do all things so as to get the
+good-will of the multitude to him, as looking upon that good-will to be
+a great step towards his preservation of the government. Hereupon he
+went and offered sacrifice to God, and then betook himself to feast with
+his friends.
+
+
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER 9. How The People Raised A Sedition Against Archelaus, And How
+He Sailed To Rome.
+
+1. At this time also it was that some of the Jews got together out of a
+desire of innovation. They lamented Matthias, and those that were slain
+with him by Herod, who had not any respect paid them by a funeral
+mourning, out of the fear men were in of that man; they were those who
+had been condemned for pulling down the golden eagle. The people made a
+great clamor and lamentation hereupon, and cast out some reproaches
+against the king also, as if that tended to alleviate the miseries of
+the deceased. The people assembled together, and desired of Archelaus,
+that, in way of revenge on their account, he would inflict punishment on
+those who had been honored by Herod; and that, in the first and
+principal place, he would deprive that high priest whom Herod had made,
+and would choose one more agreeable to the law, and of greater purity,
+to officiate as high priest. This was granted by Archelaus, although he
+was mightily offended at their importunity, because he proposed to
+himself to go to Rome immediately to look after Cæsar's determination
+about him. However, he sent the general of his forces to use
+persuasions, and to tell them that the death which was inflicted on
+their friends was according to the law; and to represent to them that
+their petitions about these things were carried to a great height of
+injury to him; that the time was not now proper for such petitions, but
+required their unanimity until such time as he should be established in
+the government by the consent of Cæsar, and should then be come back to
+them; for that he would then consult with them in common concerning the
+purport of their petitions; but that they ought at present to be quiet,
+lest they should seem seditious persons.
+
+2. So when the king had suggested these things, and instructed his
+general in what he was to say, he sent him away to the people; but they
+made a clamor, and would not give him leave to speak, and put him in
+danger of his life, and as many more as were desirous to venture upon
+saying openly any thing which might reduce them to a sober mind, and
+prevent their going on in their present courses, because they had more
+concern to have all their own wills performed than to yield obedience to
+their governors; thinking it to be a thing insufferable, that, while
+Herod was alive, they should lose those that were most dear to them, and
+that when he was dead, they could not get the actors to be punished. So
+they went on with their designs after a violent manner, and thought all
+to be lawful and right which tended to please them, and being unskillful
+in foreseeing what dangers they incurred; and when they had suspicion of
+such a thing, yet did the present pleasure they took in the punishment
+of those they deemed their enemies overweigh all such considerations;
+and although Archelaus sent many to speak to them, yet they treated them
+not as messengers sent by him, but as persons that came of their own
+accord to mitigate their anger, and would not let one of them speak. The
+sedition also was made by such as were in a great passion; and it was
+evident that they were proceeding further in seditious practices, by the
+multitude running so fast upon them.
+
+3. Now, upon the approach of that feast of unleavened bread, which the
+law of their fathers had appointed for the Jews at this time, which
+feast is called the Passover 13 and is a memorial of their deliverance
+out of Egypt, when they offer sacrifices with great alacrity; and when
+they are required to slay more sacrifices in number than at any other
+festival; and when an innumerable multitude came thither out of the
+country, nay, from beyond its limits also, in order to worship God, the
+seditious lamented Judas and Matthias, those teachers of the laws, and
+kept together in the temple, and had plenty of food, because these
+seditious persons were not ashamed to beg it. And as Archelaus was
+afraid lest some terrible thing should spring up by means of these men's
+madness, he sent a regiment of armed men, and with them a captain of a
+thousand, to suppress the violent efforts of the seditious before the
+whole multitude should be infected with the like madness; and gave them
+this charge, that if they found any much more openly seditious than
+others, and more busy in tumultuous practices, they should bring them to
+him. But those that were seditious on account of those teachers of the
+law, irritated the people by the noise and clamors they used to
+encourage the people in their designs; so they made an assault upon the
+soldiers, and came up to them, and stoned the greatest part of them,
+although some of them ran away wounded, and their captain among them;
+and when they had thus done, they returned to the sacrifices which were
+already in their hands. Now Archelaus thought there was no way to
+preserve the entire government but by cutting off those who made this
+attempt upon it; so he sent out the whole army upon them, and sent the
+horsemen to prevent those that had their tents without the temple from
+assisting those that were within the temple, and to kill such as ran
+away from the footmen when they thought themselves out of danger; which
+horsemen slew three thousand men, while the rest went to the neighboring
+mountains. Then did Archelaus order proclamation to be made to them all,
+that they should retire to their own homes; so they went away, and left
+the festival, out of fear of somewhat worse which would follow, although
+they had been so bold by reason of their want of instruction. So
+Archelaus went down to the sea with his mother, and took with him
+Nicolaus and Ptolemy, and many others of his friends, and left Philip
+his brother as governor of all things belonging both to his own family
+and to the public. There went out also with him Salome, Herod's sister
+who took with her, her children, and many of her kindred were with her;
+which kindred of hers went, as they pretended, to assist Archelaus in
+gaining the kingdom, but in reality to oppose him, and chiefly to make
+loud complaints of what he had done in the temple. But Sabinus, Cæsar's
+steward for Syrian affairs, as he was making haste into Judea to
+preserve Herod's effects, met with Archelaus at Cæsarea; but Varus
+[president of Syria] came at that time, and restrained him from meddling
+with them, for he was there as sent for by Archceaus, by the means of
+Ptolemy. And Sabinus, out of regard to Varus, did neither seize upon any
+of the castles that were among the Jews, nor did he seal up the
+treasures in them, but permitted Archelaus to have them, until Cæsar
+should declare his resolution about them; so that, upon this his
+promise, he tarried still at Cæsarea. But after Archelaus was sailed for
+Rome, and Varus was removed to Antioch, Sabinus went to Jerusalem, and
+seized on the king's palace. He also sent for the keepers of the
+garrisons, and for all those that had the charge of Herod's effects, and
+declared publicly that he should require them to give an account of what
+they had; and he disposed of the castles in the manner he pleased; but
+those who kept them did not neglect what Archelaus had given them in
+command, but continued to keep all things in the manner that had been
+enjoined them; and their pretense was, that they kept them all for
+Cæsar.
+
+4. At the same time also did Antipas, another of Herod's sons, sail to
+Rome, in order to gain the government; being buoyed up by Salome with
+promises that he should take that government; and that he was a much
+honester and fitter man than Archelaus for that authority, since Herod
+had, in his former testament, deemed him the worthiest to be made king,
+which ought to be esteemed more valid than his latter testament. Antipas
+also brought with him his mother, and Ptolemy the brother of Nicolaus,
+one that had been Herod's most honored friend, and was now zealous for
+Antipas; but it was Ireneus the orator, and one who, on account of his
+reputation for sagacity, was intrusted with the affairs of the kingdom,
+who most of all encouraged him to attempt to gain the kingdom; by whose
+means it was, that when some advised him to yield to Archelaus, as to
+his elder brother, and who had been declared king by their father's last
+will, he would not submit so to do. And when he was come to Rome, all
+his relations revolted to him; not out of their good-will to him, but
+out of their hatred to Archelaus; though indeed they were most of all
+desirous of gaining their liberty, and to be put under a Roman governor;
+but if there were too great an opposition made to that, they thought
+Antipas preferable to Archelaus, and so joined with him, in order to
+procure the kingdom for him. Sabinus also, by letters, accused Archelaus
+to Cæsar.
+
+5. Now when Archelaus had sent in his papers to Cæsar, wherein he
+pleaded his right to the kingdom, and his father's testament, with the
+accounts of Herod's money, and with Ptolemy, who brought Herod's seal,
+he so expected the event; but when Cæsar had read these papers, and
+Varus's and Sabinus's letters, with the accounts of the money, and what
+were the annual incomes of the kingdom, and understood that Antipas had
+also sent letters to lay claim to the kingdom, he summoned his friends
+together, to know their opinions, and with them Caius, the son of
+Agrippa, and of Julia his daughter, whom he had adopted, and took him,
+and made him sit first of all, and desired such as pleased to speak
+their minds about the affairs now before them. Now Antipater, Salome's
+son, a very subtle orator, and a bitter enemy to Archelaus, spake first
+to this purpose: That it was ridiculous in Archelaus to plead now to
+have the kingdom given him, since he had, in reality, taken already the
+power over it to himself, before Cæsar had granted it to him; and
+appealed to those bold actions of his, in destroying so many at the
+Jewish festival; and if the men had acted unjustly, it was but fit the
+punishing of them should have been reserved to those that were out of
+the country, but had the power to punish them, and not been executed by
+a man that, if he pretended to be a king, he did an injury to Cæsar, by
+usurping that authority before it was determined for him by Cæsar; but
+if he owned himself to be a private person, his case was much worse,
+since he who was putting in for the kingdom could by no means expect to
+have that power granted him, of which he had already deprived Cæsar [by
+taking it to himself]. He also touched sharply upon him, and appealed to
+his changing the commanders in the army, and his sitting in the royal
+throne beforehand, and his determination of law-suits; all done as if he
+were no other than a king. He appealed also to his concessions to those
+that petitioned him on a public account, and indeed doing such things,
+than which he could devise no greater if he had been already settled in
+the kingdom by Cæsar. He also ascribed to him the releasing of the
+prisoners that were in the hippodrome, and many other things, that
+either had been certainly done by him, or were believed to be done, and
+easily might be believed to have been done, because they were of such a
+nature as to be usually done by young men, and by such as, out of a
+desire of ruling, seize upon the government too soon. He also charged
+him with his neglect of the funeral mourning for his father, and with
+having merry meetings the very night in which he died; and that it was
+thence the multitude took the handle of raising a tumult: and if
+Archelaus could thus requite his dead father, who had bestowed such
+benefits upon him, and bequeathed such great things to him, by
+pretending to shed tears for him in the day time, like an actor on the
+stage, but every night making mirth for having gotten the government, he
+would appear to be the same Archelaus with regard to Cæsar, if he
+granted him the kingdom, which he hath been to his father; since he had
+then dancing and singing, as though an enemy of his were fallen, and not
+as though a man were carried to his funeral, that was so nearly related,
+and had been so great a benefactor to him. But he said that the greatest
+crime of all was this, that he came now before Cæsar to obtain the
+government by his grant, while he had before acted in all things as he
+could have acted if Cæsar himself, who ruled all, had fixed him firmly
+in the government. And what he most aggravated in his pleading was the
+slaughter of those about the temple, and the impiety of it, as done at
+the festival; and how they were slain like sacrifices themselves, some
+of whom were foreigners, and others of their own country, till the
+temple was full of dead bodies: and all this was done, not by an alien,
+but by one who pretended to the lawful title of a king, that he might
+complete the wicked tyranny which his nature prompted him to, and which
+is hated by all men. On which account his father never so much as
+dreamed of making him his successor in the kingdom, when he was of a
+sound mind, because he knew his disposition; and in his former and more
+authentic testament, he appointed his antagonist Antipas to succeed; but
+that Archelaus was called by his father to that dignity when he was in a
+dying condition, both of body and mind; while Antipas was called when he
+was ripest in his judgment, and of such strength of body as made him
+capable of managing his own affairs: and if his father had the like
+notion of him formerly that he hath now showed, yet hath he given a
+sufficient specimen what a king he is likely to be, when he hath [in
+effect] deprived Cæsar of that power of disposing of the kingdom, which
+he justly hath, and hath not abstained from making a terrible slaughter
+of his fellow citizens in the temple, while he was but a private person.
+
+6. So when Antipater had made this speech, and had confirmed what he had
+said by producing many witnesses from among Archelaus's own relations,
+he made an end of his pleading. Upon which Nicolaus arose up to plead
+for Archelaus, and said, "That what had been done at the temple was
+rather to be attributed to the mind of those that had been killed, than
+to the authority of Archelaus; for that those who were the authors of
+such things are not only wicked in the injuries they do of themselves,
+but in forcing sober persons to avenge themselves upon them. Now it is
+evident that what these did in way of opposition was done under
+pretense, indeed, against Archelaus, but in reality against Cæsar
+himself, for they, after an injurious manner, attacked and slew those
+who were sent by Archelaus, and who came only to put a stop to their
+doings. They had no regard, either to God or to the festival, whom
+Antipater yet is not ashamed to patronize, whether it be out of his
+indulgence of an enmity to Archelaus, or out of his hatred of virtue and
+justice. For as to those who begin such tumults, and first set about
+such unrighteous actions, they are the men who force those that punish
+them to betake themselves to arms even against their will. So that
+Antipater in effect ascribes the rest of what was done to all those who
+were of counsel to the accusers; for nothing which is here accused of
+injustice has been done but what was derived from them as its authors;
+nor are those things evil in themselves, but so represented only in
+order to do harm to Archelaus. Such is these men's inclination to do an
+injury to a man that is of their kindred, their father's benefactor, and
+familiarity acquainted with them, and that hath ever lived in friendship
+with them; for that, as to this testament, it was made by the king when
+he was of a sound mind, and so ought to be of more authority than his
+former testament; and that for this reason, because Cæsar is therein
+left to be the judge and disposer of all therein contained; and for
+Cæsar, he will not, to be sure, at all imitate the unjust proceedings of
+those men, who, during Herod's whole life, had on all occasions been
+joint partakers of power with him, and yet do zealously endeavor to
+injure his determination, while they have not themselves had the same
+regard to their kinsman [which Archelaus had]. Cæsar will not therefore
+disannul the testament of a man whom he had entirely supported, of his
+friend and confederate, and that which is committed to him in trust to
+ratify; nor will Cæsar's virtuous and upright disposition, which is
+known and uncontested through all the habitable world, imitate the
+wickedness of these men in condemning a king as a madman, and as having
+lost his reason, while he hath bequeathed the succession to a good son
+of his, and to one who flies to Cæsar's upright determination for
+refuge. Nor can Herod at any time have been mistaken in his judgment
+about a successor, while he showed so much prudence as to submit all to
+Cæsar's determination."
+
+7. Now when Nicolaus had laid these things before Cæsar, he ended his
+plea; whereupon Cæsar was so obliging to Archelaus, that he raised him
+up when he had cast himself down at his feet, and said that he well
+deserved the kingdom; and he soon let them know that he was so far moved
+in his favor, that he would not act otherwise than his father's
+testament directed, and than was for the advantage of Archelaus.
+However, while he gave this encouragement to Archelaus to depend on him
+securely, he made no full determination about him; and when the assembly
+was broken up, he considered by himself whether he should confirm the
+kingdom to Archelaus, or whether he should part it among all Herod's
+posterity; and this because they all stood in need of much assistance to
+support them.
+
+
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER 10. A Sedition Against Sabinus; And How Varus Brought The
+Authors Of It To Punishment.
+
+1. But before these things could be brought to a settlement, Malthace,
+Archelaus's mother, fell into a distemper, and died of it; and letters
+came from Varus, the president of Syria, which informed Cæsar of the
+revolt of the Jews; for after Archelaus was sailed, the whole nation was
+in a tumult. So Varus, since he was there himself, brought the authors
+of the disturbance to punishment; and when he had restrained them for
+the most part from this sedition, which was a great one, he took his
+journey to Antioch, leaving one legion of his army at Jerusalem to keep
+the Jews quiet, who were now very fond of innovation. Yet did not this
+at all avail to put an end to that their sedition; for after Varus was
+gone away, Sabinus, Cæsar's procurator, staid behind, and greatly
+distressed the Jews, relying on the forces that were left there that
+they would by their multitude protect him; for he made use of them, and
+armed them as his guards, thereby so oppressing the Jews, and giving
+them so great disturbance, that at length they rebelled; for he used
+force in seizing the citadels, and zealously pressed on the search after
+the king's money, in order to seize upon it by force, on account of his
+love of gain and his extraordinary covetousness.
+
+2. But on the approach of pentecost, which is a festival of ours, so
+called from the days of our forefathers, a great many ten thousands of
+men got together; nor did they come only to celebrate the festival, but
+out of their indignation at the madness of Sabinus, and at the injuries
+he offered them. A great number there was of Galileans, and Idumeans,
+and many men from Jericho, and others who had passed over the river
+Jordan, and inhabited those parts. This whole multitude joined
+themselves to all the rest, and were more zealous than the others in
+making an assault on Sabinus, in order to be avenged on him; so they
+parted themselves into three bands, and encamped themselves in the
+places following:—some of them seized on the hippodrome and of the other
+two bands, one pitched themselves from the northern part of the temple
+to the southern, on the east quarter; but the third band held the
+western part of the city, where the king's palace was. Their work tended
+entirely to besiege the Romans, and to enclose them on all sides. Now
+Sabinus was afraid of these men's number, and of their resolution, who
+had little regard to their lives, but were very desirous not to be
+overcome, while they thought it a point of puissance to overcome their
+enemies; so he sent immediately a letter to Varus, and, as he used to
+do, was very pressing with him, and entreated him to come quickly to his
+assistance, because the forces he had left were in imminent danger, and
+would probably, in no long time, be seized upon, and cut to pieces;
+while he did himself get up to the highest tower of the fortress
+Phasaelus, which had been built in honor of Phasaelus, king Herod's
+brother, and called so when the Parthians had brought him to his death.
+14 So Sabinus gave thence a signal to the Romans to fall upon the Jews,
+although he did not himself venture so much as to come down to his
+friends, and thought he might expect that the others should expose
+themselves first to die on account of his avarice. However, the Romans
+ventured to make a sally out of the place, and a terrible battle ensued;
+wherein, though it is true the Romans beat their adversaries, yet were
+not the Jews daunted in their resolutions, even when they had the sight
+of that terrible slaughter that was made of them; but they went round
+about, and got upon those cloisters which encompassed the outer court of
+the temple, where a great fight was still continued, and they cast
+stones at the Romans, partly with their hands, and partly with slings,
+as being much used to those exercises. All the archers also in array did
+the Romans a great deal of mischief, because they used their hands
+dexterously from a place superior to the others, and because the others
+were at an utter loss what to do; for when they tried to shoot their
+arrows against the Jews upwards, these arrows could not reach them,
+insomuch that the Jews were easily too hard for their enemies. And this
+sort of fight lasted a great while, till at last the Romans, who were
+greatly distressed by what was done, set fire to the cloisters so
+privately, that those that were gotten upon them did not perceive it.
+This fire 15 being fed by a great deal of combustible matter, caught
+hold immediately on the roof of the cloisters; so the wood, which was
+full of pitch and wax, and whose gold was laid on it with wax, yielded
+to the flame presently, and those vast works, which were of the highest
+value and esteem, were destroyed utterly, while those that were on the
+roof unexpectedly perished at the same time; for as the roof tumbled
+down, some of these men tumbled down with it, and others of them were
+killed by their enemies who encompassed them. There was a great number
+more, who, out of despair of saving their lives, and out of astonishment
+at the misery that surrounded them, did either cast themselves into the
+fire, or threw themselves upon their swords, and so got out of their
+misery. But as to those that retired behind the same way by which they
+ascended, and thereby escaped, they were all killed by the Romans, as
+being unarmed men, and their courage failing them; their wild fury being
+now not able to help them, because they were destitute of armor,
+insomuch that of those that went up to the top of the roof, not one
+escaped. The Romans also rushed through the fire, where it gave them
+room so to do, and seized on that treasure where the sacred money was
+reposited; a great part of which was stolen by the soldiers, and Sabinus
+got openly four hundred talents.
+
+3. But this calamity of the Jews' friends, who fell in this battle,
+grieved them, as did also this plundering of the money dedicated to God
+in the temple. Accordingly, that body of them which continued best
+together, and was the most warlike, encompassed the palace, and
+threatened to set fire to it, and kill all that were in it. Yet still
+they commanded them to go out presently, and promised, that if they
+would do so, they would not hurt them, nor Sabinus neither; at which
+time the greatest part of the king's troops deserted to them, while
+Rufus and Gratus, who had three thousand of the most warlike of Herod's
+army with them, who were men of active bodies, went over to the Romans.
+There was also a band of horsemen under the command of Rufus, which
+itself went over to the Romans also. However, the Jews went on with the
+siege, and dug mines under the palace walls, and besought those that
+were gone over to the other side not to be their hinderance, now they
+had such a proper opportunity for the recovery of their country's
+ancient liberty; and for Sabinus, truly he was desirous of going away
+with his soldiers, but was not able to trust himself with the enemy, on
+account of what mischief he had already done them; and he took this
+great [pretended] lenity of theirs for an argument why he should not
+comply with them; and so, because he expected that Varus was coming, he
+still bore the siege.
+
+4. Now at this time there were ten thousand other disorders in Judea,
+which were like tumults, because a great number put themselves into a
+warlike posture, either out of hopes of gain to themselves, or out of
+enmity to the Jews. In particular, two thousand of Herod's old soldiers,
+who had been already disbanded, got together in Judea itself, and fought
+against the king's troops, although Achiabus, Herod's first cousin,
+opposed them; but as he was driven out of the plains into the
+mountainous parts by the military skill of those men, he kept himself in
+the fastnesses that were there, and saved what he could.
+
+5. There was also Judas, 16 the son of that Ezekias who had been head of
+the robbers; which Ezekias was a very strong man, and had with great
+difficulty been caught by Herod. This Judas, having gotten together a
+multitude of men of a profligate character about Sepphoris in Galilee,
+made an assault upon the palace [there,] and seized upon all the weapons
+that were laid up in it, and with them armed every one of those that
+were with him, and carried away what money was left there; and he became
+terrible to all men, by tearing and rending those that came near him;
+and all this in order to raise himself, and out of an ambitious desire
+of the royal dignity; and he hoped to obtain that as the reward not of
+his virtuous skill in war, but of his extravagance in doing injuries.
+
+6. There was also Simon, who had been a slave of Herod the king, but in
+other respects a comely person, of a tall and robust body; he was one
+that was much superior to others of his order, and had had great things
+committed to his care. This man was elevated at the disorderly state of
+things, and was so bold as to put a diadem on his head, while a certain
+number of the people stood by him, and by them he was declared to be a
+king, and thought himself more worthy of that dignity than any one else.
+He burnt down the royal palace at Jericho, and plundered what was left
+in it. He also set fire to many other of the king's houses in several
+places of the country, and utterly destroyed them, and permitted those
+that were with him to take what was left in them for a prey; and he
+would have done greater things, unless care had been taken to repress
+him immediately; for Gratus, when he had joined himself to some Roman
+soldiers, took the forces he had with him, and met Simon, and after a
+great and a long fight, no small part of those that came from Perea, who
+were a disordered body of men, and fought rather in a bold than in a
+skillful manner, were destroyed; and although Simon had saved himself by
+flying away through a certain valley, yet Gratus overtook him, and cut
+off his head. The royal palace also at Amathus, by the river Jordan, was
+burnt down by a party of men that were got together, as were those
+belonging to Simon. And thus did a great and wild fury spread itself
+over the nation, because they had no king to keep the multitude in good
+order, and because those foreigners who came to reduce the seditious to
+sobriety did, on the contrary, set them more in a flame, because of the
+injuries they offered them, and the avaricious management of their
+affairs.
+
+7. But because Athronges, a person neither eminent by the dignity of his
+progenitors, nor for any great wealth he was possessed of, but one that
+had in all respects been a shepherd only, and was not known by any body;
+yet because he was a tall man, and excelled others in the strength of
+his hands, he was so bold as to set up for king. This man thought it so
+sweet a thing to do more than ordinary injuries to others, that although
+he should be killed, he did not much care if he lost his life in so
+great a design. He had also four brethren, who were tall men themselves,
+and were believed to be superior to others in the strength of their
+hands, and thereby were encouraged to aim at great things, and thought
+that strength of theirs would support them in retaining the kingdom.
+Each of these ruled over a band of men of their own; for those that got
+together to them were very numerous. They were every one of them also
+commanders; but when they came to fight, they were subordinate to him,
+and fought for him, while he put a diadem about his head, and assembled
+a council to debate about what things should be done, and all things
+were done according to his pleasure. And this man retained his power a
+great while; he was also called king, and had nothing to hinder him from
+doing what he pleased. He also, as well as his brethren, slew a great
+many both of the Romans and of the king's forces, and managed matters
+with the like hatred to each of them. The king's forces they fell upon,
+because of the licentious conduct they had been allowed under Herod's
+government; and they fell upon the Romans, because of the injuries they
+had so lately received from them. But in process of time they grew more
+cruel to all sorts of men, nor could any one escape from one or other of
+these seditions, since they slew some out of the hopes of gain, and
+others from a mere custom of slaying men. They once attacked a company
+of Romans at Emmaus, who were bringing corn and weapons to the army, and
+fell upon Arius, the centurion, who commanded the company, and shot
+forty of the best of his foot soldiers; but the rest of them were
+affrighted at their slaughter, and left their dead behind them, but
+saved themselves by the means of Gratus, who came with the king's troops
+that were about him to their assistance. Now these four brethren
+continued the war a long while by such sort of expeditions, and much
+grieved the Romans; but did their own nation also a great deal of
+mischief. Yet were they afterwards subdued; one of them in a fight with
+Gratus, another with Ptolemy; Archelaus also took the eldest of them
+prisoner; while the last of them was so dejected at the other's
+misfortune, and saw so plainly that he had no way now left to save
+himself, his army being worn away with sickness and continual labors,
+that he also delivered himself up to Archelaus, upon his promise and
+oath to God [to preserve his life.] But these things came to pass a good
+while afterward.
+
+8. And now Judea was full of robberies; and as the several companies of
+the seditious lighted upon any one to head them, he was created a king
+immediately, in order to do mischief to the public. They were in some
+small measure indeed, and in small matters, hurtful to the Romans; but
+the murders they committed upon their own people lasted a long while.
+
+9. As soon as Varus was once informed of the state of Judea by Sabinus's
+writing to him, he was afraid for the legion he had left there; so he
+took the two other legions, [for there were three legions in all
+belonging to Syria,] and four troops of horsemen, with the several
+auxiliary forces which either the kings or certain of the tetrarchs
+afforded him, and made what haste he could to assist those that were
+then besieged in Judea. He also gave order that all that were sent out
+for this expedition, should make haste to Ptolemais. The citizens of
+Berytus also gave him fifteen hundred auxiliaries as he passed through
+their city. Aretas also, the king of Arabia Petrea, out of his hatred to
+Herod, and in order to purchase the favor of the Romans, sent him no
+small assistance, besides their footmen and horsemen; and when he had
+now collected all his forces together, he committed part of them to his
+son, and to a friend of his, and sent them upon an expedition into
+Galilee, which lies in the neighborhood of Ptolemais; who made an attack
+upon the enemy, and put them to flight, and took Sepphoris, and made its
+inhabitants slaves, and burnt the city. But Varus himself pursued his
+march for Samaria with his whole army; yet did not he meddle with the
+city of that name, because it had not at all joined with the seditious;
+but pitched his camp at a certain village that belonged to Ptolemy,
+whose name was Arus, which the Arabians burnt, out of their hatred to
+Herod, and out of the enmity they bore to his friends; whence they
+marched to another village, whose name was Sampho, which the Arabians
+plundered and burnt, although it was a fortified and a strong place; and
+all along this march nothing escaped them, but all places were full of
+fire and of slaughter. Emmaus was also burnt by Varus's order, after its
+inhabitants had deserted it, that he might avenge those that had there
+been destroyed. From thence he now marched to Jerusalem; whereupon those
+Jews whose camp lay there, and who had besieged the Roman legion, not
+bearing the coming of this army, left the siege imperfect: but as to the
+Jerusalem Jews, when Varus reproached them bitterly for what had been
+done, they cleared themselves of the accusation, and alleged that the
+conflux of the people was occasioned by the feast; that the war was not
+made with their approbation, but by the rashness of the strangers, while
+they were on the side of the Romans, and besieged together with them,
+rather than having any inclination to besiege them. There also came
+beforehand to meet Varus, Joseph, the cousin-german of king Herod, as
+also Gratus and Rufus, who brought their soldiers along with them,
+together with those Romans who had been besieged; but Sabinus did not
+come into Varus's presence, but stole out of the city privately, and
+went to the sea-side.
+
+10. Upon this, Varus sent a part of his army into the country, to seek
+out those that had been the authors of the revolt; and when they were
+discovered, he punished some of them that were most guilty, and some he
+dismissed: now the number of those that were crucified on this account
+were two thousand. After which he disbanded his army, which he found no
+way useful to him in the affairs he came about; for they behaved
+themselves very disorderly, and disobeyed his orders, and what Varus
+desired them to do, and this out of regard to that gain which they made
+by the mischief they did. As for himself, when he was informed that ten
+thousand Jews had gotten together, he made haste to catch them; but they
+did not proceed so far as to fight him, but, by the advice of Achiabus,
+they came together, and delivered themselves up to him: hereupon Varus
+forgave the crime of revolting to the multitude, but sent their several
+commanders to Cæsar, many of whom Cæsar dismissed; but for the several
+relations of Herod who had been among these men in this war, they were
+the only persons whom he punished, who, without the least regard to
+justice, fought against their own kindred.
+
+
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER 11. An Embassage To Cæsar; And How Cæsar Confirmed Herod's
+Testament.
+
+1. So when Varus had settled these affairs, and had placed the former
+legion at Jerusalem, he returned back to Antioch; but as for Archelaus,
+he had new sources of trouble come upon him at Rome, on the occasions
+following: for an embassage of the Jews was come to Rome, Varus having
+permitted the nation to send it, that they might petition for the
+liberty of living by their own laws. 17 Now the number of the
+ambassadors that were sent by the authority of the nation were fifty, to
+which they joined above eight thousand of the Jews that were at Rome
+already. Hereupon Cæsar assembled his friends, and the chief men among
+the Romans, in the temple of Apollo, 18 which he had built at a vast
+charge; whither the ambassadors came, and a multitude of the Jews that
+were there already came with them, as did also Archelaus and his
+friends; but as for the several kinsmen which Archelaus had, they would
+not join themselves with him, out of their hatred to him; and yet they
+thought it too gross a thing for them to assist the ambassadors [against
+him], as supposing it would be a disgrace to them in Cæsar's opinion to
+think of thus acting in opposition to a man of their own kindred. Philip
+19 also was come hither out of Syria, by the persuasion of Varus, with
+this principal intention to assist his brother [Archelaus]; for Varus
+was his great friend: but still so, that if there should any change
+happen in the form of government, [which Varus suspected there would,]
+and if any distribution should be made on account of the number that
+desired the liberty of living by their own laws, that he might not be
+disappointed, but might have his share in it.
+
+2. Now upon the liberty that was given to the Jewish ambassadors to
+speak, they who hoped to obtain a dissolution of kingly government
+betook themselves to accuse Herod of his iniquities; and they declared
+that he was indeed in name a king, but that he had taken to himself that
+uncontrollable authority which tyrants exercise over their subjects, and
+had made use of that authority for the destruction of the Jews, and did
+not abstain from making many innovations among them besides, according
+to his own inclinations; and that whereas there were a great many who
+perished by that destruction he brought upon them, so many indeed as no
+other history relates, they that survived were far more miserable than
+those that suffered under him; not only by the anxiety they were in from
+his looks and disposition towards them, but from the danger their
+estates were in of being taken away by him. That he did never leave off
+adorning these cities that lay in their neighborhood, but were inhabited
+by foreigners; but so that the cities belonging to his own government
+were ruined, and utterly destroyed that whereas, when he took the
+kingdom, it was in an extraordinary flourishing condition, he had filled
+the nation with the utmost degree of poverty; and when, upon unjust
+pretenses, he had slain any of the nobility, he took away their estates;
+and when he permitted any of them to live, he condemned them to the
+forfeiture of what they possessed. And besides the annual impositions
+which he laid upon every one of them, they were to make liberal presents
+to himself, to his domestics and friends, and to such of his slaves as
+were vouchsafed the favor of being his tax-gatherers, because there was
+no way of obtaining a freedom from unjust violence without giving either
+gold or silver for it. That they would say nothing of the corruption of
+the chastity of their virgins, and the reproach laid on their wives for
+incontinency, and those things acted after an insolent and inhuman
+manner; because it was not a smaller pleasure to the sufferers to have
+such things concealed, than it would have been not to have suffered
+them. That Herod had put such abuses upon them as a wild beast would not
+have put on them, if he had power given him to rule over us; and that
+although their nation had passed through many subversions and
+alterations of government, their history gave no account of any calamity
+they had ever been under, that could be compared with this which Herod
+had brought upon their nation; that it was for this reason that they
+thought they might justly and gladly salute Archelaus as king, upon this
+supposition, that whosoever should be set over their kingdom, he would
+appear more mild to them than Herod had been; and that they had joined
+with him in the mourning for his father, in order to gratify him, and
+were ready to oblige him in other points also, if they could meet with
+any degree of moderation from him; but that he seemed to be afraid lest
+he should not be deemed Herod's own son; and so, without any delay, he
+immediately let the nation understand his meaning, and this before his
+dominion was well established, since the power of disposing of it
+belonged to Cæsar, who could either give it to him or not, as he
+pleased. That he had given a specimen of his future virtue to his
+subjects, and with what kind of moderation and good administration he
+would govern them, by that his first action, which concerned them, his
+own citizens, and God himself also, when he made the slaughter of three
+thousand of his own countrymen at the temple. How then could they avoid
+the just hatred of him, who, to the rest of his barbarity, hath added
+this as one of our crimes, that we have opposed and contradicted him in
+the exercise of his authority? Now the main thing they desired was this:
+That they might be delivered from kingly and the like forms of
+government, 20 and might be added to Syria, and be put under the
+authority of such presidents of theirs as should be sent to them; for
+that it would thereby be made evident, whether they be really a
+seditious people, and generally fond of innovations, or whether they
+would live in an orderly manner, if they might have governors of any
+sort of moderation set over them.
+
+3. Now when the Jews had said this, Nicolaus vindicated the kings from
+those accusations, and said, that as for Herod, since he had never been
+thus accused all the time of his life, it was not fit for those that
+might have accused him of lesser crimes than those now mentioned, and
+might have procured him to be punished during his lifetime, to bring an
+accusation against him now he is dead. He also attributed the actions of
+Archlaus to the Jews' injuries to him, who, affecting to govern contrary
+to the laws, and going about to kill those that would have hindered them
+from acting unjustly, when they were by him punished for what they had
+done, made their complaints against him; so he accused them of their
+attempts for innovation, and of the pleasure they took in sedition, by
+reason of their not having learned to submit to justice and to the laws,
+but still desiring to be superior in all things. This was the substance
+of what Nicolaus said.
+
+4. When Cæsar had heard these pleadings, he dissolved the assembly; but
+a few days afterwards he appointed Archelaus, not indeed to be king of
+the whole country, but ethnarch of the one half of that which had been
+subject to Herod, and promised to give him the royal dignity hereafter,
+if he governed his part virtuously. But as for the other half, he
+divided it into two parts, and gave it to two other of Herod's sons, to
+Philip and to Antipas, that Antipas who disputed with Archelaus for the
+whole kingdom. Now to him it was that Peres and Galilee paid their
+tribute, which amounted annually to two hundred talents, 21 while
+Batanea, with Trachonitis, as well as Auranitis, with a certain part of
+what was called the House of Zenodorus, 22 paid the tribute of one
+hundred talents to Philip; but Idumea, and Judea, and the country of
+Samaria paid tribute to Archelaus, but had now a fourth part of that
+tribute taken off by the order of Cæsar, who decreed them that
+mitigation, because they did not join in this revolt with the rest of
+the multitude. There were also certain of the cities which paid tribute
+to Archelaus: Strato's Tower and Sebaste, with Joppa and Jerusalem; for
+as to Gaza, and Gadara, and Hippos, they were Grecian cities, which
+Cæsar separated from his government, and added them to the province of
+Syria. Now the tribute-money that came to Archelaus every year from his
+own dominions amounted to six hundred talents.
+
+5. And so much came to Herod's sons from their father's inheritance. But
+Salome, besides what her brother left her by his testament, which were
+Jamnia, and Ashdod, and Phasaelis, and five hundred thousand [drachmae]
+of coined silver, Cæsar made her a present of a royal habitation at
+Askelo; in all, her revenues amounted to sixty talents by the year, and
+her dwelling-house was within Archelaus's government. The rest also of
+the king's relations received what his testament allotted them.
+Moreover, Cæsar made a present to each of Herod's two virgin daughters,
+besides what their father left them, of two hundred and fifty thousand
+[drachmae] of silver, and married them to Pheroras's sons: he also
+granted all that was bequeathed to himself to the king's sons, which was
+one thousand five hundred talents, excepting a few of the vessels, which
+he reserved for himself; and they were acceptable to him, not so much
+for the great value they were of, as because they were memorials of the
+king to him.
+
+
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER 12. Concerning A Spurious Alexander.
+
+1. When these affairs had been thus settled by Cæsar, a certain young
+man, by birth a Jew, but brought up by a Roman freed-man in the city
+Sidon, ingrafted himself into the kindred of Herod, by the resemblance
+of his countenance, which those that saw him attested to be that of
+Alexander, the son of Herod, whom he had slain; and this was an
+incitement to him to endeavor to obtain the government; so he took to
+him as an assistant a man of his own country, [one that was well
+acquainted with the affairs of the palace, but, on other accounts, an
+ill man, and one whose nature made him capable of causing great
+disturbances to the public, and one that became a teacher of such a
+mischievous contrivance to the other,] and declared himself to be
+Alexander, and the son of Herod, but stolen away by one of those that
+were sent to slay him, who, in reality, slew other men, in order to
+deceive the spectators, but saved both him and his brother Aristobulus.
+Thus was this man elated, and able to impose on those that came to him;
+and when he was come to Crete, he made all the Jews that came to
+discourse with him believe him [to be Alexander]. And when he had gotten
+much money which had been presented to him there, he passed over to
+Melos, where he got much more money than he had before, out of the
+belief they had that he was of the royal family, and their hopes that he
+would recover his father's principality, and reward his benefactors; so
+he made haste to Rome, and was conducted thither by those strangers who
+entertained him. He was also so fortunate, as, upon his landing at
+Dicearchia, to bring the Jews that were there into the same delusion;
+and not only other people, but also all those that had been great with
+Herod, or had a kindness for him, joined themselves to this man as to
+their king. The cause of it was this, that men were glad of his
+pretenses, which were seconded by the likeness of his countenance, which
+made those that had been acquainted with Alexander strongly to believe
+that he was no other but the very same person, which they also confirmed
+to others by oath; insomuch that when the report went about him that he
+was coming to Rome, the whole multitude of the Jews that were there went
+out to meet him, ascribing it to Divine Providence that he has so
+unexpectedly escaped, and being very joyful on account of his mother's
+family. And when he was come, he was carried in a royal litter through
+the streets; and all the ornaments about him were such as kings are
+adorned withal; and this was at the expense of those that entertained
+him. The multitude also flocked about him greatly, and made mighty
+acclamations to him, and nothing was omitted which could be thought
+suitable to such as had been so unexpectedly preserved.
+
+2. When this thing was told Cæsar, he did not believe it, because Herod
+was not easily to be imposed upon in such affairs as were of great
+concern to him; yet, having some suspicion it might be so, he sent one
+Celadus, a freed-man of his, and one that had conversed with the young
+men themselves, and bade him bring Alexander into his presence; so he
+brought him, being no more accurate in judging about him than the rest
+of the multitude. Yet did not he deceive Cæsar; for although there was a
+resemblance between him and Alexander, yet was it not so exact as to
+impose on such as were prudent in discerning; for this spurious
+Alexander had his hands rough, by the labors he had been put to and
+instead of that softness of body which the other had, and this as
+derived from his delicate and generous education, this man, for the
+contrary reason, had a rugged body. When, therefore, Cæsar saw how the
+master and the scholar agreed in this lying story, and in a bold way of
+talking, he inquired about Aristobulus, and asked what became of him who
+[it seems] was stolen away together with him, and for what reason it was
+that he did not come along with him, and endeavor to recover that
+dominion which was due to his high birth also. And when he said that he
+had been left in the isle of Crete, for fear of the dangers of the sea,
+that, in case any accident should come to himself, the posterity of
+Mariamne might not utterly perish, but that Aristobulus might survive,
+and punish those that laid such treacherous designs against them; and
+when he persevered in his affirmations, and the author of the imposture
+agreed in supporting it, Cæsar took the young man by himself, and said
+to him, "If thou wilt not impose upon me, thou shalt have this for thy
+reward, that thou shalt escape with thy life; tell me, then, who thou
+art, and who it was that had boldness enough to contrive such a cheat as
+this. For this contrivance is too considerable a piece of villainy to be
+undertaken by one of thy age." Accordingly, because he had no other way
+to take, he told Cæsar the contrivance, and after what manner and by
+whom it was laid together. So Cæsar, upon observing the spurious
+Alexander to be a strong active man, and fit to work with his hands,
+that he might not break his promise to him, put him among those that
+were to row among the mariners, but slew him that induced him to do what
+he had done; for as for the people of Melos, he thought them
+sufficiently punished, in having thrown away so much of their money upon
+this spurious Alexander. And such was the ignominious conclusion of this
+bold contrivance about the spurious Alexander.
+
+
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER 13. How Archelaus Upon A Second Accusation, Was Banished To
+Vienna.
+
+1. When Archelaus was entered on his ethnarchy, and was come into Judea,
+he accused Joazar, the son of Boethus, of assisting the seditious, and
+took away the high priesthood from him, and put Eleazar his brother in
+his place. He also magnificently rebuilt the royal palace that had been
+at Jericho, and he diverted half the water with which the village of
+Neara used to be watered, and drew off that water into the plain, to
+water those palm trees which he had there planted: he also built a
+village, and put his own name upon it, and called it Archelais.
+Moreover, he transgressed the law of our fathers 23 and married
+Glaphyra, the daughter of Archelaus, who had been the wife of his
+brother Alexander, which Alexander had three children by her, while it
+was a thing detestable among the Jews to marry the brother's wife. Nor
+did this Eleazar abide long in the high priesthood, Jesus, the son of
+Sie, being put in his room while he was still living.
+
+2. But in the tenth year of Archelaus's government, both his brethren,
+and the principal men of Judea and Samaria, not being able to bear his
+barbarous and tyrannical usage of them, accused him before Cæsar, and
+that especially because they knew he had broken the commands of Cæsar,
+which obliged him to behave himself with moderation among them.
+Whereupon Cæsar, when he heard it, was very angry, and called for
+Archelaus's steward, who took care of his affairs at Rome, and whose
+name was Archelaus also; and thinking it beneath him to write to
+Archelaus, he bid him sail away as soon as possible, and bring him to
+us: so the man made haste in his voyage, and when he came into Judea, he
+found Archelaus feasting with his friends; so he told him what Cæsar had
+sent him about, and hastened him away. And when he was come [to Rome],
+Cæsar, upon hearing what certain accusers of his had to say, and what
+reply he could make, both banished him, and appointed Vienna, a city of
+Gaul, to be the place of his habitation, and took his money away from
+him.
+
+3. Now, before Archelaus was gone up to Rome upon this message, he
+related this dream to his friends: That he saw ears of corn, in number
+ten, full of wheat, perfectly ripe, which ears, as it seemed to him,
+were devoured by oxen. And when he was awake and gotten up, because the
+vision appeared to be of great importance to him, he sent for the
+diviners, whose study was employed about dreams. And while some were of
+one opinion, and some of another, [for all their interpretations did not
+agree,] Simon, a man of the sect of the Essens, desired leave to speak
+his mind freely, and said that the vision denoted a change in the
+affairs of Archelaus, and that not for the better; that oxen, because
+that animal takes uneasy pains in his labors, denoted afflictions, and
+indeed denoted, further, a change of affairs, because that land which is
+ploughed by oxen cannot remain in its former state; and that the ears of
+corn being ten, determined the like number of years, because an ear of
+corn grows in one year; and that the time of Archelaus's government was
+over. And thus did this man expound the dream. Now on the fifth day
+after this dream came first to Archelaus, the other Archelaus, that was
+sent to Judea by Cæsar to call him away, came hither also.
+
+4. The like accident befell Glaphyra his wife, who was the daughter of
+king Archelaus, who, as I said before, was married, while she was a
+virgin, to Alexander, the son of Herod, and brother of Archelaus; but
+since it fell out so that Alexander was slain by his father, she was
+married to Juba, the king of Lybia; and when he was dead, and she lived
+in widowhood in Cappadocia with her father, Archelaus divorced his
+former wife Mariamne, and married her, so great was his affection for
+this Glphyra; who, during her marriage to him, saw the following dream:
+She thought she saw Alexander standing by her, at which she rejoiced,
+and embraced him with great affection; but that he complained o her, and
+said, O Glaphyra! thou provest that saying to be true, which assures us
+that women are not to be trusted. Didst not thou pledge thy faith to me?
+and wast not thou married to me when thou wast a virgin? and had we not
+children between us? Yet hast thou forgotten the affection I bare to
+thee, out of a desire of a second husband. Nor hast thou been satisfied
+with that injury thou didst me, but thou hast been so bold as to procure
+thee a third husband to lie by thee, and in an indecent and imprudent
+manner hast entered into my house, and hast been married to Archelaus,
+thy husband and my brother. However, I will not forget thy former kind
+affection for me, but will set thee free from every such reproachful
+action, and cause thee to be mine again, as thou once wast. When she had
+related this to her female companions, in a few days' time she departed
+this life.
+
+5. Now I did not think these histories improper for the present
+discourse, both because my discourse now is concerning kings, and
+otherwise also on account of the advantage hence to be drawn, as well
+for the confirmation of the immortality of the soul, as of the
+providence of God over human affairs, I thought them fit to be set down;
+but if any one does not believe such relations, let him indeed enjoy his
+own opinion, but let him not hinder another that would thereby encourage
+himself in virtue. So Archelaus's country was laid to the province of
+Syria; and Cyrenius, one that had been consul, was sent by Cæsar to take
+account of people's effects in Syria, and to sell the house of
+Archelaus.
+
+
+
+
+
+
+FOOTNOTES:
+
+
+1 (return) [ Those who have a mind to know all the family and
+descendants of Antipater the Idumean, and of Herod the Great, his son,
+and have a memory to preserve them all distinctly, may consult Josephus,
+Antiq. B. XVIII. ch. 5. sect. 4; and Of the War, B. I. ch. 28. sect. 4;
+in Havercamp's edition, p. 336; and Spanheim, lb. p. 402—405; and
+Reland, Paleslin. Part I. p. 178, 176.]
+
+
+2 (return) [ This is now wanting.]
+
+
+3 (return) [ Pheroras's wife, and her mother and sister, and Doris,
+Antipater's mother.]
+
+
+4 (return) [ His wife, her mother, and sister.]
+
+
+5 (return) [ It seems to me, by this whole story put together, that
+Pheroras was not himself poisoned, as is commonly supposed; for
+Antipater had persuaded him to poison Herod, ch. v. sect. 1, which would
+fall to the ground if he wore himself poisoned; nor could the poisoning
+of Pheroras serve any design that appears now going forward; it was only
+the supposal of two of his freed-men, that this love-potion, or poison,
+which they knew was brought to Pheroras's wife, was made use of for
+poisoning him; whereas it appears to have been brought for her husband
+to poison Herod withal, as the future examinations demonstrate.]
+
+
+6 (return) [ That the making of images, without an intention to worship
+them, was not unlawful to the Jews, see the note on Antiq. B VIII. ch.
+7. sect. 5.
+
+
+7 (return) [ This fact, that one Joseph was made high priest for a
+single day, on occasion of the action here specified, that befell
+Matthias, the real high priest, in his sleep, the night before the great
+day of expiation, is attested to both in the Mishna and Talmud, as Dr.
+Hudson here informs us. And indeed, from this fact, thus fully attested,
+we may confute that pretended rule in the Talmud here mentioned, and
+endeavored to be excused lay Reland, that the high priest was not
+suffered to sleep the night before that great day of expiation; which
+watching would surely rather unfit him for the many important duties he
+was to perform on that solemn day, than dispose him duly to perform
+them. Nor do such Talmudical rules, when unsupported by better evidence,
+much less when contradicted there by, seem to me of weight enough to
+deserve that so great a man as Reland should spend his time in endeavors
+at their vindication.]
+
+
+8 (return) [ This eclipse of the moon [which is the only eclipse of
+either of the luminaries mentioned by our Josephus in any of his
+writings] is of the greatest consequence for the determination of the
+time for the death of Herod and Antipater, and for the birth and entire
+chronology of Jesus Christ. It happened March 13th, in the year of the
+Julian period 4710, and the 4th year before the Christian era. See its
+calculation by the rules of astronomy, at the end of the Astronomical
+Lectures, edit. Lat. p. 451, 452.]
+
+
+9 (return) [ A place for the horse-races.]
+
+
+10 (return) [ When it is here said that Philip the tetrarch, and
+Archelaus the king, or ethnarch, were own brother, or genuine brothers,
+if those words mean own brothers, or born of the same father and mother,
+there must be here some mistake; because they had indeed the same
+father, Herod, but different mothers; the former Cleopatra, and
+Archelaus Malthace. They were indeed brought up together privately at
+Rome like when he went to have his kingdom confirmed to him at Rome, ch.
+9. sect. 5; and Of the War, B. II. ch. 2. sect. 1; which intimacy is
+perhaps all that Josephus intended by the words before us.]
+
+
+11 (return) [ These numbers of years for Herod's reign, 34 and 37, are
+the very same with those, Of the War, B. I. ch. 33. sect. 8, and are
+among the principal chronological characters belonging to the reign or
+death of Herod. See Harm. p. 150—155.]
+
+
+12 (return) [ At eight stadia or furlongs a-day, as here, Herod's
+funeral, conducted to Herodium, which lay at the distance from Jericho,
+where he died, of 200 stadia or furlongs, Of the War, B. 1. ch. 33.
+sect. 9, must have taken up no less than twenty-five days.]
+
+
+13 (return) [ This passover, when the sedition here mentioned was moved
+against Archelaus, was not one, but thirteen months after the eclipse of
+the moon already mentioned.]
+
+
+14 (return) [ See Antiq. B. XIV. ch. 13. sect. 10; and Of the War; B.
+II. ch. 12. sect. 9.]
+
+
+15 (return) [ These great devastations made about the temple here, and
+Of the War, B. II. ch. 3. sect. 3, seem not to have been full re-edified
+in the days of Nero; till whose time there were eighteen thousand
+workmen continually employed in rebuilding and repairing that temple, as
+Josephus informs us, Antiq. B. XX. ch. 9. sect. 7. See the note on that
+place.]
+
+
+16 (return) [ Unless this Judas, the son of Ezekias, be the same with
+that Theudas, mentioned Acts 5:36, Josephus must have omitted him; for
+that other Thoualas, whom he afterward mentions, under Fadus the Roman
+governor, B. XX. ch. 5. sect. 1, is much too late to correspond to him
+that is mentioned in the Acts. The names Theudas, Thaddeus, and Judas
+differ but little. See Archbishop Usher's Annals at A.M. 4001. However,
+since Josephus does not pretend to reckon up the heads of all those ten
+thousand disorders in Judea, which he tells us were then abroad, see
+sect. 4 and 8, the Theudas of the Acts might be at the head of one of
+those seditions, though not particularly named by him. Thus he informs
+us here, sect. 6, and Of the War, B. II. ch. 4. Sect. 2, that certain of
+the seditious came and burnt the royal palace at Amsthus, or
+Betharamphta, upon the river Jordan. Perhaps their leader, who is not
+named by Josephus, might be this Theudas.]
+
+
+17 (return) [ See Of the War, B. II. ch. 2. sect. 3.]
+
+
+18 (return) [ See the note, Of the War, B. II. ch. 6. sect. 1.]
+
+
+19 (return) [ He was tetrarch afterward.]
+
+
+20 (return) [ If any one compare that Divine prediction concerning the
+tyrannical power which Jewish kings would exercise over them, if they
+would be so foolish as to prefer it before their ancient theocracy or
+aristocracy, 1 Samuel 8:1-22; Antiq. B. VI. ch. 4. sect. 4, he will soon
+find that it was superabundantly fulfilled in the days of Herod, and
+that to such a degree, that the nation now at last seem sorely to repent
+of such their ancient choice, in opposition to God's better choice for
+them, and had much rather be subject to even a pagan Roman government,
+and their deputies, than to be any longer under the oppression of the
+family of Herod; which request of theirs Augustus did not now grant
+them, but did it for the one half of that nation in a few years
+afterward, upon fresh complaints made by the Jews against Archelaus,
+who, under the more humble name of an ethnarch, which Augustus only
+would now allow him, soon took upon him the insolence and tyranny of his
+father king Herod, as the remaining part of this book will inform us,
+and particularly ch. 13. sect. 2.]
+
+
+21 (return) [ This is not true. See Antiq. B. XIV. ch. 9. sect. 3, 4;
+and ch. 12. sect. 2; and ch. 13. sect. 1, 2. Antiq. B. XV. ch. 3. sect.
+5; and ch. 10. sect. 2, 3. Antiq. B. XVI. ch. 9. sect. 3. Since Josephus
+here informs us that Archelaus had one half of the kingdom of Herod, and
+presently informs us further that Archelaus's annual income, after an
+abatement of one quarter for the present, was 600 talents, we may
+therefore gather pretty nearly what was Herod the Great's yearly income,
+I mean about 1600 talents, which, at the known value of 3000 shekels to
+a talent, and about 2s. 10d. to a shekel, in the days of Josephus, see
+the note on Antiq. B. III. ch. 8. sect. 2, amounts to 680,000 sterling
+per annum; which income, though great in itself, bearing no proportion
+to his vast expenses every where visible in Josephus, and to the vast
+sums he left behind him in his will, ch. 8. sect. 1, and ch. 12. sect.
+1, the rest must have arisen either from his confiscation of those great
+men's estates whom he put to death, or made to pay fine for the saving
+of their lives, or from some other heavy methods of oppression which
+such savage tyrants usually exercise upon their miserable subjects; or
+rather from these several methods not together, all which yet seem very
+much too small for his expenses, being drawn from no larger a nation
+than that of the Jews, which was very populous, but without the
+advantage of trade to bring them riches; so that I cannot but strongly
+suspect that no small part of this his wealth arose from another source;
+I mean from some vast sums he took out of David's sepulcher, but
+concealed from the people. See the note on Antiq. B. VII. ch. 15. sect.
+3.]
+
+
+22 (return) [ Take here a very useful note of Grotias, on Luke 3:1, here
+quoted by Dr. Hudson: "When Josephus says that some part of the house
+[or possession] of Zenodorus [i.e. Abilene] was allotted to Philip, he
+thereby declares that the larger part of it belonged to another. This
+other was Lysanias, whom Luke mentions, of the posterity of that
+Lysanias who was possessed of the same country called Abilene, from the
+city Abila, and by others Chalcidene, from the city Chaleis, when the
+government of the East was under Antonius, and this after Ptolemy, the
+son of Menneus; from which Lysanias this country came to be commonly
+called the Country of Lysanias; and as, after the death of the former
+Lyanias, it was called the tetrarchy of Zenodorus, so, after the death
+of Zenodorus, or when the time for which he hired it was ended when
+another Lysanias, of the same name with the former, was possessed of the
+same country, it began to be called the Tetrarchy of Lysanias." However,
+since Josephus elsewhere [Antiq. B. XX. ch. 7. sect. 1: clearly
+distinguishes Abilene from Cilalcidcue, Groius must be here so far
+mistaken.]
+
+
+23 (return) [ Spanheim seasonably observes here, that it was forbidden
+the Jews to marry their brother's wife when she had children by her
+first husband, and that Zonaras [cites, or] interprets the clause before
+us accordingly.]
+
+
+
+
+
+
+BOOK XVIII. Containing The Interval Of Thirty-Two Years.—From The
+Banishment Of Archelaus To The Departure From Babylon.
+
+
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER 1. How Cyrenius Was Sent By Cæsar To Make A Taxation Of Syria
+And Judea; And How Coponius Was Sent To Be Procurator Of Judea;
+Concerning Judas Of Galilee And Concerning The Sects That Were Among The
+Jews.
+
+1. Now Cyrenius, a Roman senator, and one who had gone through other
+magistracies, and had passed through them till he had been consul, and
+one who, on other accounts, was of great dignity, came at this time into
+Syria, with a few others, being sent by Cæsar to be a judge of that
+nation, and to take an account of their substance. Coponius also, a man
+of the equestrian order, was sent together with him, to have the supreme
+power over the Jews. Moreover, Cyrenius came himself into Judea, which
+was now added to the province of Syria, to take an account of their
+substance, and to dispose of Archelaus's money; but the Jews, although
+at the beginning they took the report of a taxation heinously, yet did
+they leave off any further opposition to it, by the persuasion of
+Joazar, who was the son of Beethus, and high priest; so they, being
+over-persuaded by Joazar's words, gave an account of their estates,
+without any dispute about it. Yet was there one Judas, a Gaulonite, 1 of
+a city whose name was Gamala, who, taking with him Sadduc, 2 a Pharisee,
+became zealous to draw them to a revolt, who both said that this
+taxation was no better than an introduction to slavery, and exhorted the
+nation to assert their liberty; as if they could procure them happiness
+and security for what they possessed, and an assured enjoyment of a
+still greater good, which was that of the honor and glory they would
+thereby acquire for magnanimity. They also said that God would not
+otherwise be assisting to them, than upon their joining with one another
+in such councils as might be successful, and for their own advantage;
+and this especially, if they would set about great exploits, and not
+grow weary in executing the same; so men received what they said with
+pleasure, and this bold attempt proceeded to a great height. All sorts
+of misfortunes also sprang from these men, and the nation was infected
+with this doctrine to an incredible degree; one violent war came upon us
+after another, and we lost our friends which used to alleviate our
+pains; there were also very great robberies and murder of our principal
+men. This was done in pretense indeed for the public welfare, but in
+reality for the hopes of gain to themselves; whence arose seditions, and
+from them murders of men, which sometimes fell on those of their own
+people, [by the madness of these men towards one another, while their
+desire was that none of the adverse party might be left,] and sometimes
+on their enemies; a famine also coming upon us, reduced us to the last
+degree of despair, as did also the taking and demolishing of cities;
+nay, the sedition at last increased so high, that the very temple of God
+was burnt down by their enemies' fire. Such were the consequences of
+this, that the customs of our fathers were altered, and such a change
+was made, as added a mighty weight toward bringing all to destruction,
+which these men occasioned by their thus conspiring together; for Judas
+and Sadduc, who excited a fourth philosophic sect among us, and had a
+great many followers therein, filled our civil government with tumults
+at present, and laid the foundations of our future miseries, by this
+system of philosophy, which we were before unacquainted withal,
+concerning which I will discourse a little, and this the rather because
+the infection which spread thence among the younger sort, who were
+zealous for it, brought the public to destruction.
+
+2. The Jews had for a great while had three sects of philosophy peculiar
+to themselves; the sect of the Essens, and the sect of the Sadducees,
+and the third sort of opinions was that of those called Pharisees; of
+which sects, although I have already spoken in the second book of the
+Jewish War, yet will I a little touch upon them now.
+
+3. Now, for the Pharisees, they live meanly, and despise delicacies in
+diet; and they follow the conduct of reason; and what that prescribes to
+them as good for them they do; and they think they ought earnestly to
+strive to observe reason's dictates for practice. They also pay a
+respect to such as are in years; nor are they so bold as to contradict
+them in any thing which they have introduced; and when they determine
+that all things are done by fate, they do not take away the freedom from
+men of acting as they think fit; since their notion is, that it hath
+pleased God to make a temperament, whereby what he wills is done, but so
+that the will of man can act virtuously or viciously. They also believe
+that souls have an immortal rigor in them, and that under the earth
+there will be rewards or punishments, according as they have lived
+virtuously or viciously in this life; and the latter are to be detained
+in an everlasting prison, but that the former shall have power to revive
+and live again; on account of which doctrines they are able greatly to
+persuade the body of the people; and whatsoever they do about Divine
+worship, prayers, and sacrifices, they perform them according to their
+direction; insomuch that the cities give great attestations to them on
+account of their entire virtuous conduct, both in the actions of their
+lives and their discourses also.
+
+4. But the doctrine of the Sadducees is this: That souls die with the
+bodies; nor do they regard the observation of any thing besides what the
+law enjoins them; for they think it an instance of virtue to dispute
+with those teachers of philosophy whom they frequent: but this doctrine
+is received but by a few, yet by those still of the greatest dignity.
+But they are able to do almost nothing of themselves; for when they
+become magistrates, as they are unwillingly and by force sometimes
+obliged to be, they addict themselves to the notions of the Pharisees,
+because the multitude would not otherwise bear them.
+
+5. The doctrine of the Essens is this: That all things are best ascribed
+to God. They teach the immortality of souls, and esteem that the rewards
+of righteousness are to be earnestly striven for; and when they send
+what they have dedicated to God into the temple, they do not offer
+sacrifices 3 because they have more pure lustrations of their own; on
+which account they are excluded from the common court of the temple, but
+offer their sacrifices themselves; yet is their course of life better
+than that of other men; and they entirely addict themselves to
+husbandry. It also deserves our admiration, how much they exceed all
+other men that addict themselves to virtue, and this in righteousness;
+and indeed to such a degree, that as it hath never appeared among any
+other men, neither Greeks nor barbarians, no, not for a little time, so
+hath it endured a long while among them. This is demonstrated by that
+institution of theirs, which will not suffer any thing to hinder them
+from having all things in common; so that a rich man enjoys no more of
+his own wealth than he who hath nothing at all. There are about four
+thousand men that live in this way, and neither marry wives, nor are
+desirous to keep servants; as thinking the latter tempts men to be
+unjust, and the former gives the handle to domestic quarrels; but as
+they live by themselves, they minister one to another. They also appoint
+certain stewards to receive the incomes of their revenues, and of the
+fruits of the ground; such as are good men and priests, who are to get
+their corn and their food ready for them. They none of them differ from
+others of the Essens in their way of living, but do the most resemble
+those Dacae who are called Polistae 4 [dwellers in cities].
+
+6. But of the fourth sect of Jewish philosophy, Judas the Galilean was
+the author. These men agree in all other things with the Pharisaic
+notions; but they have an inviolable attachment to liberty, and say that
+God is to be their only Ruler and Lord. They also do not value dying any
+kinds of death, nor indeed do they heed the deaths of their relations
+and friends, nor can any such fear make them call any man lord. And
+since this immovable resolution of theirs is well known to a great many,
+I shall speak no further about that matter; nor am I afraid that any
+thing I have said of them should be disbelieved, but rather fear, that
+what I have said is beneath the resolution they show when they undergo
+pain. And it was in Gessius Florus's time that the nation began to grow
+mad with this distemper, who was our procurator, and who occasioned the
+Jews to go wild with it by the abuse of his authority, and to make them
+revolt from the Romans. And these are the sects of Jewish philosophy.
+
+
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER 2. How Herod And Philip Built Several Cities In Honor Of Cæsar.
+Concerning The Succession Of Priests And Procurators; As Also What
+Befell Phraates And The Parthians.
+
+1. When Cyrenius had now disposed of Archelaus's money, and when the
+taxings were come to a conclusion, which were made in the thirty-seventh
+year of Cæsar's victory over Antony at Actium, he deprived Joazar of the
+high priesthood, which dignity had been conferred on him by the
+multitude, and he appointed Ananus, the son of Seth, to be high priest;
+while Herod and Philip had each of them received their own tetrarchy,
+and settled the affairs thereof. Herod also built a wall about
+Sepphoris, [which is the security of all Galilee,] and made it the
+metropolis of the country. He also built a wall round Betharamphtha,
+which was itself a city also, and called it Julias, from the name of the
+emperor's wife. When Philip also had built Paneas, a city at the
+fountains of Jordan, he named it Cæsarea. He also advanced the village
+Bethsaida, situate at the lake of Gennesareth, unto the dignity of a
+city, both by the number of inhabitants it contained, and its other
+grandeur, and called it by the name of Julias, the same name with
+Cæsar's daughter.
+
+2. As Coponius, who we told you was sent along with Cyrenius, was
+exercising his office of procurator, and governing Judea, the following
+accidents happened. As the Jews were celebrating the feast of unleavened
+bread, which we call the Passover, it was customary for the priests to
+open the temple-gates just after midnight. When, therefore, those gates
+were first opened, some of the Samaritans came privately into Jerusalem,
+and threw about dead men's bodies, in the cloisters; on which account
+the Jews afterward excluded them out of the temple, which they had not
+used to do at such festivals; and on other accounts also they watched
+the temple more carefully than they had formerly done. A little after
+which accident Coponius returned to Rome, and Marcus Ambivius came to be
+his successor in that government; under whom Salome, the sister of king
+Herod, died, and left to Julia, [Cæsar's wife,] Jamnia, all its
+toparchy, and Phasaelis in the plain, and Arehelais, where is a great
+plantation of palm trees, and their fruit is excellent in its kind.
+After him came Annius Rufus, under whom died Cæsar, the second emperor
+of the Romans, the duration of whose reign was fifty-seven years,
+besides six months and two days [of which time Antonius ruled together
+with him fourteen years; but the duration of his life was seventy-seven
+years]; upon whose death Tiberius Nero, his wife Julia's son, succeeded.
+He was now the third emperor; and he sent Valerius Gratus to be
+procurator of Judea, and to succeed Annius Rufus. This man deprived
+Ananus of the high priesthood, and appointed Ismael, the son of Phabi,
+to be high priest. He also deprived him in a little time, and ordained
+Eleazar, the son of Ananus, who had been high priest before, to be high
+priest; which office, when he had held for a year, Gratus deprived him
+of it, and gave the high priesthood to Simon, the son of Camithus; and
+when he had possessed that dignity no longer than a year, Joseph
+Caiaphas was made his successor. When Gratus had done those things, he
+went back to Rome, after he had tarried in Judea eleven years, when
+Pontius Pilate came as his successor.
+
+3. And now Herod the tetrarch, who was in great favor with Tiberius,
+built a city of the same name with him, and called it Tiberias. He built
+it in the best part of Galilee, at the lake of Gennesareth. There are
+warm baths at a little distance from it, in a village named Emmaus.
+Strangers came and inhabited this city; a great number of the
+inhabitants were Galileans also; and many were necessitated by Herod to
+come thither out of the country belonging to him, and were by force
+compelled to be its inhabitants; some of them were persons of condition.
+He also admitted poor people, such as those that were collected from all
+parts, to dwell in it. Nay, some of them were not quite free-men, and
+these he was benefactor to, and made them free in great numbers; but
+obliged them not to forsake the city, by building them very good houses
+at his own expenses, and by giving them land also; for he was sensible,
+that to make this place a habitation was to transgress the Jewish
+ancient laws, because many sepulchers were to be here taken away, in
+order to make room for the city Tiberias 5 whereas our laws pronounce
+that such inhabitants are unclean for seven days. 6
+
+4. About this time died Phraates, king of the Parthians, by the
+treachery of Phraataces his son, upon the occasion following: When
+Phraates had had legitimate sons of his own, he had also an Italian
+maid-servant, whose name was Thermusa, who had been formerly sent to him
+by Julius Cæsar, among other presents. He first made her his concubine;
+but he being a great admirer of her beauty, in process of time having a
+son by her, whose name was Phraataces, he made her his legitimate wife,
+and had a great respect for her. Now she was able to persuade him to do
+any thing that she said, and was earnest in procuring the government of
+Parthia for her son; but still she saw that her endeavors would not
+succeed, unless she could contrive how to remove Phraates's legitimate
+sons [out of the kingdom;] so she persuaded him to send those his sons
+as pledges of his fidelity to Rome; and they were sent to Rome
+accordingly, because it was not easy for him to contradict her commands.
+Now while Phraataces was alone brought up in order to succeed in the
+government, he thought it very tedious to expect that government by his
+father's donation [as his successor]; he therefore formed a treacherous
+design against his father, by his mother's assistance, with whom, as the
+report went, he had criminal conversation also. So he was hated for both
+these vices, while his subjects esteemed this [wicked] love of his
+mother to be no way inferior to his parricide; and he was by them, in a
+sedition, expelled out of the country before he grew too great, and
+died. But as the best sort of Parthians agreed together that it was
+impossible they should be governed without a king, while also it was
+their constant practice to choose one of the family of Arsaces, [nor did
+their law allow of any others; and they thought this kingdom had been
+sufficiently injured already by the marriage with an Italian concubine,
+and by her issue,] they sent ambassadors, and called Orodes [to take the
+crown]; for the multitude would not otherwise have borne them; and
+though he was accused of very great cruelty, and was of an untractable
+temper, and prone to wrath, yet still he was one of the family of
+Arsaces. However, they made a conspiracy against him, and slew him, and
+that, as some say, at a festival, and among their sacrifices; [for it is
+the universal custom there to carry their swords with them;] but, as the
+more general report is, they slew him when they had drawn him out a
+hunting. So they sent ambassadors to Rome, and desired they would send
+one of those that were there as pledges to be their king. Accordingly,
+Vonones was preferred before the rest, and sent to them [for he seemed
+capable of such great fortune, which two of the greatest kingdoms under
+the sun now offered him, his own and a foreign one]. However, the
+barbarians soon changed their minds, they being naturally of a mutable
+disposition, upon the supposal that this man was not worthy to be their
+governor; for they could not think of obeying the commands of one that
+had been a slave, [for so they called those that had been hostages,] nor
+could they bear the ignominy of that name; and this was the more
+intolerable, because then the Parthians must have such a king set over
+them, not by right of war, but in time of peace. So they presently
+invited Artabanus, king of Media, to be their king, he being also of the
+race of Arsaces. Artabanus complied with the offer that was made him,
+and came to them with an army. So Vonones met him; and at first the
+multitude of the Parthians stood on this side, and he put his army in
+array; but Artabanus was beaten, and fled to the mountains of Media. Yet
+did he a little after gather a great army together, and fought with
+Vonones, and beat him; whereupon Vonones fled away on horseback, with a
+few of his attendants about him, to Seleucia [upon Tigris]. So when
+Artabanus had slain a great number, and this after he had gotten the
+victory by reason of the very great dismay the barbarians were in, he
+retired to Ctesiphon with a great number of his people; and so he now
+reigned over the Parthians. But Vonones fled away to Armenia; and as
+soon as he came thither, he had an inclination to have the government of
+the country given him, and sent ambassadors to Rome [for that purpose].
+But because Tiberius refused it him, and because he wanted courage, and
+because the Parthian king threatened him, and sent ambassadors to him to
+denounce war against him if he proceeded, and because he had no way to
+take to regain any other kingdom, [for the people of authority among the
+Armenians about Niphates joined themselves to Artabanus,] he delivered
+up himself to Silanus, the president of Syria, who, out of regard to his
+education at Rome, kept him in Syria, while Artabanus gave Armenia to
+Orodes, one of his own sons.
+
+5. At this time died Antiochus, the king of Commagene; whereupon the
+multitude contended with the nobility, and both sent ambassadors to
+[Rome]; for the men of power were desirous that their form of government
+might be changed into that of a [Roman] province; as were the multitude
+desirous to be under kings, as their fathers had been. So the senate
+made a decree that Germanicus should be sent to settle the affairs of
+the East, fortune hereby taking a proper opportunity for depriving him
+of his life; for when he had been in the East, and settled all affairs
+there, his life was taken away by the poison which Piso gave him, as
+hath been related elsewhere. 7
+
+
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER 3. Sedition Of The Jews Against Pontius Pilate. Concerning
+Christ, And What Befell Paulina And The Jews At Rome.
+
+1. But now Pilate, the procurator of Judea, removed the army from
+Cæsarea to Jerusalem, to take their winter quarters there, in order to
+abolish the Jewish laws. So he introduced Cæsar's effigies, which were
+upon the ensigns, and brought them into the city; whereas our law
+forbids us the very making of images; on which account the former
+procurators were wont to make their entry into the city with such
+ensigns as had not those ornaments. Pilate was the first who brought
+those images to Jerusalem, and set them up there; which was done without
+the knowledge of the people, because it was done in the night time; but
+as soon as they knew it, they came in multitudes to Cæsarea, and
+interceded with Pilate many days that he would remove the images; and
+when he would not grant their requests, because it would tend to the
+injury of Cæsar, while yet they persevered in their request, on the
+sixth day he ordered his soldiers to have their weapons privately, while
+he came and sat upon his judgment-seat, which seat was so prepared in
+the open place of the city, that it concealed the army that lay ready to
+oppress them; and when the Jews petitioned him again, he gave a signal
+to the soldiers to encompass them routed, and threatened that their
+punishment should be no less than immediate death, unless they would
+leave off disturbing him, and go their ways home. But they threw
+themselves upon the ground, and laid their necks bare, and said they
+would take their death very willingly, rather than the wisdom of their
+laws should be transgressed; upon which Pilate was deeply affected with
+their firm resolution to keep their laws inviolable, and presently
+commanded the images to be carried back from Jerusalem to Cæsarea.
+
+2. But Pilate undertook to bring a current of water to Jerusalem, and
+did it with the sacred money, and derived the origin of the stream from
+the distance of two hundred furlongs. However, the Jews 8 were not
+pleased with what had been done about this water; and many ten thousands
+of the people got together, and made a clamor against him, and insisted
+that he should leave off that design. Some of them also used reproaches,
+and abused the man, as crowds of such people usually do. So he habited a
+great number of his soldiers in their habit, who carried daggers under
+their garments, and sent them to a place where they might surround them.
+So he bid the Jews himself go away; but they boldly casting reproaches
+upon him, he gave the soldiers that signal which had been beforehand
+agreed on; who laid upon them much greater blows than Pilate had
+commanded them, and equally punished those that were tumultuous, and
+those that were not; nor did they spare them in the least: and since the
+people were unarmed, and were caught by men prepared for what they were
+about, there were a great number of them slain by this means, and others
+of them ran away wounded. And thus an end was put to this sedition.
+
+3. Now there was about this time Jesus, a wise man, if it be lawful to
+call him a man; for he was a doer of wonderful works, a teacher of such
+men as receive the truth with pleasure. He drew over to him both many of
+the Jews and many of the Gentiles. He was [the] Christ. And when Pilate,
+at the suggestion of the principal men amongst us, had condemned him to
+the cross, 9 those that loved him at the first did not forsake him; for
+he appeared to them alive again the third day; 10 as the divine prophets
+had foretold these and ten thousand other wonderful things concerning
+him. And the tribe of Christians, so named from him, are not extinct at
+this day.
+
+4. About the same time also another sad calamity put the Jews into
+disorder, and certain shameful practices happened about the temple of
+Isis that was at Rome. I will now first take notice of the wicked
+attempt about the temple of Isis, and will then give an account of the
+Jewish affairs. There was at Rome a woman whose name was Paulina; one
+who, on account of the dignity of her ancestors, and by the regular
+conduct of a virtuous life, had a great reputation: she was also very
+rich; and although she was of a beautiful countenance, and in that
+flower of her age wherein women are the most gay, yet did she lead a
+life of great modesty. She was married to Saturninus, one that was every
+way answerable to her in an excellent character. Decius Mundus fell in
+love with this woman, who was a man very high in the equestrian order;
+and as she was of too great dignity to be caught by presents, and had
+already rejected them, though they had been sent in great abundance, he
+was still more inflamed with love to her, insomuch that he promised to
+give her two hundred thousand Attic drachmae for one night's lodging;
+and when this would not prevail upon her, and he was not able to bear
+this misfortune in his amours, he thought it the best way to famish
+himself to death for want of food, on account of Paulina's sad refusal;
+and he determined with himself to die after such a manner, and he went
+on with his purpose accordingly. Now Mundus had a freed-woman, who had
+been made free by his father, whose name was Ide, one skillful in all
+sorts of mischief. This woman was very much grieved at the young man's
+resolution to kill himself, [for he did not conceal his intentions to
+destroy himself from others,] and came to him, and encouraged him by her
+discourse, and made him to hope, by some promises she gave him, that he
+might obtain a night's lodging with Paulina; and when he joyfully
+hearkened to her entreaty, she said she wanted no more than fifty
+thousand drachmae for the entrapping of the woman. So when she had
+encouraged the young man, and gotten as much money as she required, she
+did not take the same methods as had been taken before, because she
+perceived that the woman was by no means to be tempted by money; but as
+she knew that she was very much given to the worship of the goddess
+Isis, she devised the following stratagem: She went to some of Isis's
+priests, and upon the strongest assurances [of concealment], she
+persuaded them by words, but chiefly by the offer of money, of twenty-
+five thousand drachmae in hand, and as much more when the thing had
+taken effect; and told them the passion of the young man, and persuaded
+them to use all means possible to beguile the woman. So they were drawn
+in to promise so to do, by that large sum of gold they were to have.
+Accordingly, the oldest of them went immediately to Paulina; and upon
+his admittance, he desired to speak with her by herself. When that was
+granted him, he told her that he was sent by the god Anubis, who was
+fallen in love with her, and enjoined her to come to him. Upon this she
+took the message very kindly, and valued herself greatly upon this
+condescension of Anubis, and told her husband that she had a message
+sent her, and was to sup and lie with Anubis; so he agreed to her
+acceptance of the offer, as fully satisfied with the chastity of his
+wife. Accordingly, she went to the temple, and after she had supped
+there, and it was the hour to go to sleep, the priest shut the doors of
+the temple, when, in the holy part of it, the lights were also put out.
+Then did Mundus leap out, [for he was hidden therein,] and did not fail
+of enjoying her, who was at his service all the night long, as supposing
+he was the god; and when he was gone away, which was before those
+priests who knew nothing of this stratagem were stirring, Paulina came
+early to her husband, and told him how the god Anubis had appeared to
+her. Among her friends, also, she declared how great a value she put
+upon this favor, who partly disbelieved the thing, when they reflected
+on its nature, and partly were amazed at it, as having no pretense for
+not believing it, when they considered the modesty and the dignity of
+the person. But now, on the third day after what had been done, Mundus
+met Paulina, and said, "Nay, Paulina, thou hast saved me two hundred
+thousand drachmae, which sum thou mightest have added to thy own family;
+yet hast thou not failed to be at my service in the manner I invited
+thee. As for the reproaches thou hast laid upon Mundus, I value not the
+business of names; but I rejoice in the pleasure I reaped by what I did,
+while I took to myself the name of Anubis." When he had said this, he
+went his way. But now she began to come to the sense of the grossness of
+what she had done, and rent her garments, and told her husband of the
+horrid nature of this wicked contrivance, and prayed him not to neglect
+to assist her in this case. So he discovered the fact to the emperor;
+whereupon Tiberius inquired into the matter thoroughly by examining the
+priests about it, and ordered them to be crucified, as well as Ide, who
+was the occasion of their perdition, and who had contrived the whole
+matter, which was so injurious to the woman. He also demolished the
+temple of Isis, and gave order that her statue should be thrown into the
+river Tiber; while he only banished Mundus, but did no more to him,
+because he supposed that what crime he had committed was done out of the
+passion of love. And these were the circumstances which concerned the
+temple of Isis, and the injuries occasioned by her priests. I now return
+to the relation of what happened about this time to the Jews at Rome, as
+I formerly told you I would.
+
+5. There was a man who was a Jew, but had been driven away from his own
+country by an accusation laid against him for transgressing their laws,
+and by the fear he was under of punishment for the same; but in all
+respects a wicked man. He, then living at Rome, professed to instruct
+men in the wisdom of the laws of Moses. He procured also three other
+men, entirely of the same character with himself, to be his partners.
+These men persuaded Fulvia, a woman of great dignity, and one that had
+embraced the Jewish religion, to send purple and gold to the temple at
+Jerusalem; and when they had gotten them, they employed them for their
+own uses, and spent the money themselves, on which account it was that
+they at first required it of her. Whereupon Tiberius, who had been
+informed of the thing by Saturninus, the husband of Fulvia, who desired
+inquiry might be made about it, ordered all the Jews to be banished out
+of Rome; at which time the consuls listed four thousand men out of them,
+and sent them to the island Sardinia; but punished a greater number of
+them, who were unwilling to become soldiers, on account of keeping the
+laws of their forefathers. 11 Thus were these Jews banished out of the
+city by the wickedness of four men.
+
+
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER 4. How The Samaritans Made A Tumult And Pilate Destroyed Many Of
+Them; How Pilate Was Accused And What Things Were Done By Vitellius
+Relating To The Jews And The Parthians.
+
+1. But the nation of the Samaritans did not escape without tumults. The
+man who excited them to it was one who thought lying a thing of little
+consequence, and who contrived every thing so that the multitude might
+be pleased; so he bid them to get together upon Mount Gerizzim, which is
+by them looked upon as the most holy of all mountains, and assured them,
+that when they were come thither, he would show them those sacred
+vessels which were laid under that place, because Moses put them there
+12 So they came thither armed, and thought the discourse of the man
+probable; and as they abode at a certain village, which was called
+Tirathaba, they got the rest together to them, and desired to go up the
+mountain in a great multitude together; but Pilate prevented their going
+up, by seizing upon the roads with a great band of horsemen and foot-
+men, who fell upon those that were gotten together in the village; and
+when it came to an action, some of them they slew, and others of them
+they put to flight, and took a great many alive, the principal of which,
+and also the most potent of those that fled away, Pilate ordered to be
+slain.
+
+2. But when this tumult was appeased, the Samaritan senate sent an
+embassy to Vitellius, a man that had been consul, and who was now
+president of Syria, and accused Pilate of the murder of those that were
+killed; for that they did not go to Tirathaba in order to revolt from
+the Romans, but to escape the violence of Pilate. So Vitellius sent
+Marcellus, a friend of his, to take care of the affairs of Judea, and
+ordered Pilate to go to Rome, to answer before the emperor to the
+accusations of the Jews. So Pilate, when he had tarried ten years in
+Judea, made haste to Rome, and this in obedience to the orders of
+Vitellius, which he durst not contradict; but before he could get to
+Rome Tiberius was dead.
+
+3. But Vitellius came into Judea, and went up to Jerusalem; it was at
+the time of that festival which is called the Passover. Vitellius was
+there magnificently received, and released the inhabitants of Jerusalem
+from all the taxes upon the fruits that were bought and sold, and gave
+them leave to have the care of the high priest's vestments, with all
+their ornaments, and to have them under the custody of the priests in
+the temple, which power they used to have formerly, although at this
+time they were laid up in the tower of Antonia, the citadel so called,
+and that on the occasion following: There was one of the [high] priests,
+named Hyrcanus; and as there were many of that name, he was the first of
+them; this man built a tower near the temple, and when he had so done,
+he generally dwelt in it, and had these vestments with him, because it
+was lawful for him alone to put them on, and he had them there reposited
+when he went down into the city, and took his ordinary garments; the
+same things were continued to be done by his sons, and by their sons
+after them. But when Herod came to be king, he rebuilt this tower, which
+was very conveniently situated, in a magnificent manner; and because he
+was a friend to Antonius, he called it by the name of Antonia. And as he
+found these vestments lying there, he retained them in the same place,
+as believing, that while he had them in his custody, the people would
+make no innovations against him. The like to what Herod did was done by
+his son Archelaus, who was made king after him; after whom the Romans,
+when they entered on the government, took possession of these vestments
+of the high priest, and had them reposited in a stone-chamber, under the
+seal of the priests, and of the keepers of the temple, the captain of
+the guard lighting a lamp there every day; and seven days before a
+festival 13 they were delivered to them by the captain of the guard,
+when the high priest having purified them, and made use of them, laid
+them up again in the same chamber where they had been laid up before,
+and this the very next day after the feast was over. This was the
+practice at the three yearly festivals, and on the fast day; but
+Vitellius put those garments into our own power, as in the days of our
+forefathers, and ordered the captain of the guard not to trouble himself
+to inquire where they were laid, or when they were to be used; and this
+he did as an act of kindness, to oblige the nation to him. Besides
+which, he also deprived Joseph, who was also called Caiaphas, of the
+high priesthood, and appointed Jonathan the son of Ananus, the former
+high priest, to succeed him. After which, he took his journey back to
+Antioch.
+
+4. Moreover, Tiberius sent a letter to Vitellius, and commanded him to
+make a league of friendship with Artabanus, the king of Parthia; for
+while he was his enemy, he terrified him, because he had taken Armenia
+away from him, lest he should proceed further, and told him he should no
+otherwise trust him than upon his giving him hostages, and especially
+his son Artabanus. Upon Tiberius's writing thus to Vitellius, by the
+offer of great presents of money, he persuaded both the king of Iberia
+and the king of Albania to make no delay, but to fight against
+Artabanus; and although they would not do it themselves, yet did they
+give the Scythians a passage through their country, and opened the
+Caspian gates to them, and brought them upon Artabanus. So Armenia was
+again taken from the Parthians, and the country of Parthia was filled
+with war, and the principal of their men were slain, and all things were
+in disorder among them: the king's son also himself fell in these wars,
+together with many ten thousands of his army. Vitellius had also sent
+such great sums of money to Artabanus's father's kinsmen and friends,
+that he had almost procured him to be slain by the means of those bribes
+which they had taken. And when Artabanus perceived that the plot laid
+against him was not to be avoided, because it was laid by the principal
+men, and those a great many in number, and that it would certainly take
+effect,—when he had estimated the number of those that were truly
+faithful to him, as also of those who were already corrupted, but were
+deceitful in the kindness they professed to him, and were likely, upon
+trial, to go over to his enemies, he made his escape to the upper
+provinces, where he afterwards raised a great army out of the Dahae and
+Sacre, and fought with his enemies, and retained his principality.
+
+5. When Tiberius had heard of these things, he desired to have a league
+of friendship made between him and Artabanus; and when, upon this
+invitation, he received the proposal kindly, Artabanus and Vitellius
+went to Euphrates, and as a bridge was laid over the river, they each of
+them came with their guards about them, and met one another on the midst
+of the bridge. And when they had agreed upon the terms of peace Herod,
+the tetrarch erected a rich tent on the midst of the passage, and made
+them a feast there. Artabanus also, not long afterward, sent his son
+Darius as an hostage, with many presents, among which there was a man
+seven cubits tall, a Jew he was by birth, and his name was Eleazar, who,
+for his tallness, was called a giant. After which Vitellius went to
+Antioch, and Artabanus to Babylon; but Herod [the tetrarch] being
+desirous to give Cæsar the first information that they had obtained
+hostages, sent posts with letters, wherein he had accurately described
+all the particulars, and had left nothing for the consular Vitellius to
+inform him of. But when Vitellius's letters were sent, and Cæsar had let
+him know that he was acquainted with the affairs already, because Herod
+had given him an account of them before, Vitellius was very much
+troubled at it; and supposing that he had been thereby a greater
+sufferer than he really was, he kept up a secret anger upon this
+occasion, till he could be revenged on him, which he was after Caius had
+taken the government.
+
+6. About this time it was that Philip, Herod's brother, departed this
+life, in the twentieth year of the reign of Tiberius, 14 after he had
+been tetrarch of Trachonitis and Gaulanitis, and of the nation of the
+Bataneans also, thirty-seven years. He had showed himself a person of
+moderation and quietness in the conduct of his life and government; he
+constantly lived in that country which was subject to him; he used to
+make his progress with a few chosen friends; his tribunal also, on which
+he sat in judgment, followed him in his progress; and when any one met
+him who wanted his assistance, he made no delay, but had his tribunal
+set down immediately, wheresoever he happened to be, and sat down upon
+it, and heard his complaint: he there ordered the guilty that were
+convicted to be punished, and absolved those that had been accused
+unjustly. He died at Julias; and when he was carried to that monument
+which he had already erected for himself beforehand, he was buried with
+great pomp. His principality Tiberius took, [for he left no sons behind
+him,] and added it to the province of Syria, but gave order that the
+tributes which arose from it should be collected, and laid up in his
+tetrachy.
+
+
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER 5. Herod The Tetrarch Makes War With Aretas, The King Of Arabia,
+And Is Beaten By Him As Also Concerning The Death Of John The Baptist.
+How Vitellius Went Up To Jerusalem; Together With Some Account Of
+Agrippa And Of The Posterity Of Herod The Great.
+
+1. About this time Aretas [the king of Arabia Petres] and Herod had a
+quarrel on the account following: Herod the tetrarch had, married the
+daughter of Aretas, and had lived with her a great while; but when he
+was once at Rome, he lodged with Herod, 15 who was his brother indeed,
+but not by the same mother; for this Herod was the son of the high
+priest Sireoh's daughter. However, he fell in love with Herodias, this
+last Herod's wife, who was the daughter of Aristobulus their brother,
+and the sister of Agrippa the Great. This man ventured to talk to her
+about a marriage between them; which address, when she admitted, an
+agreement was made for her to change her habitation, and come to him as
+soon as he should return from Rome: one article of this marriage also
+was this, that he should divorce Aretas's daughter. So Antipas, when he
+had made this agreement, sailed to Rome; but when he had done there the
+business he went about, and was returned again, his wife having
+discovered the agreement he had made with Herodias, and having learned
+it before he had notice of her knowledge of the whole design, she
+desired him to send her to Macherus, which is a place in the borders of
+the dominions of Aretas and Herod, without informing him of any of her
+intentions. Accordingly Herod sent her thither, as thinking his wife had
+not perceived any thing; now she had sent a good while before to
+Macherus, which was subject to her father and so all things necessary
+for her journey were made ready for her by the general of Aretas's army;
+and by that means she soon came into Arabia, under the conduct of the
+several generals, who carried her from one to another successively; and
+she soon came to her father, and told him of Herod's intentions. So
+Aretas made this the first occasion of his enmity between him and Herod,
+who had also some quarrel with him about their limits at the country of
+Gamalitis. So they raised armies on both sides, and prepared for war,
+and sent their generals to fight instead of themselves; and when they
+had joined battle, all Herod's army was destroyed by the treachery of
+some fugitives, who, though they were of the tetrarchy of Philip, joined
+with Aretas's army.. So Herod wrote about these affairs to Tiberius, who
+being very angry at the attempt made by Aretas, wrote to Vitellius to
+make war upon him, and either to take him alive, and bring him to him in
+bonds, or to kill him, and send him his head. This was the charge that
+Tiberius gave to the president of Syria.
+
+2. Now some of the Jews thought that the destruction of Herod's army
+came from God, and that very justly, as a punishment of what he did
+against John, that was called the Baptist: for Herod slew him, who was a
+good man, and commanded the Jews to exercise virtue, both as to
+righteousness towards one another, and piety towards God, and so to come
+to baptism; for that the washing [with water] would be acceptable to
+him, if they made use of it, not in order to the putting away [or the
+remission] of some sins [only], but for the purification of the body;
+supposing still that the soul was thoroughly purified beforehand by
+righteousness. Now when [many] others came in crowds about him, for they
+were very greatly moved [or pleased] by hearing his words, Herod, who
+feared lest the great influence John had over the people might put it
+into his power and inclination to raise a rebellion, [for they seemed
+ready to do any thing he should advise,] thought it best, by putting him
+to death, to prevent any mischief he might cause, and not bring himself
+into difficulties, by sparing a man who might make him repent of it when
+it would be too late. Accordingly he was sent a prisoner, out of Herod's
+suspicious temper, to Macherus, the castle I before mentioned, and was
+there put to death. Now the Jews had an opinion that the destruction of
+this army was sent as a punishment upon Herod, and a mark of God's
+displeasure to him.
+
+3. So Vitellius prepared to make war with Aretas, having with him two
+legions of armed men; he also took with him all those of light armature,
+and of the horsemen which belonged to them, and were drawn out of those
+kingdoms which were under the Romans, and made haste for Petra, and came
+to Ptolemais. But as he was marching very busily, and leading his army
+through Judea, the principal men met him, and desired that he would not
+thus march through their land; for that the laws of their country would
+not permit them to overlook those images which were brought into it, of
+which there were a great many in their ensigns; so he was persuaded by
+what they said, and changed that resolution of his which he had before
+taken in this matter. Whereupon he ordered the army to march along the
+great plain, while he himself, with Herod the tetrarch and his friends,
+went up to Jerusalem to offer sacrifice to God, an ancient festival of
+the Jews being then just approaching; and when he had been there, and
+been honorably entertained by the multitude of the Jews, he made a stay
+there for three days, within which time he deprived Jonathan of the high
+priesthood, and gave it to his brother Theophilus. But when on the
+fourth day letters came to him, which informed him of the death of
+Tiberius, he obliged the multitude to take an oath of fidelity to Caius;
+he also recalled his army, and made them every one go home, and take
+their winter quarters there, since, upon the devolution of the empire
+upon Caius, he had not the like authority of making this war which he
+had before. It was also reported, that when Aretas heard of the coming
+of Vitellius to fight him, he said, upon his consulting the diviners,
+that it was impossible that this army of Vitellius's could enter Petra;
+for that one of the rulers would die, either he that gave orders for the
+war, or he that was marching at the other's desire, in order to be
+subservient to his will, or else he against whom this army is prepared.
+So Vitellius truly retired to Antioch; but Agrippa, the son of
+Aristobulus, went up to Rome, a year before the death of Tiberius, in
+order to treat of some affairs with the emperor, if he might be
+permitted so to do. I have now a mind to describe Herod and his family,
+how it fared with them, partly because it is suitable to this history to
+speak of that matter, and partly because this thing is a demonstration
+of the interposition of Providence, how a multitude of children is of no
+advantage, no more than any other strength that mankind set their hearts
+upon, besides those acts of piety which are done towards God; for it
+happened, that, within the revolution of a hundred years, the posterity
+of Herod, which were a great many in number, were, excepting a few,
+utterly destroyed. 16 One may well apply this for the instruction of
+mankind, and learn thence how unhappy they were: it will also show us
+the history of Agrippa, who, as he was a person most worthy of
+admiration, so was he from a private man, beyond all the expectation of
+those that knew him, advanced to great power and authority. I have said
+something of them formerly, but I shall now also speak accurately about
+them.
+
+4. Herod the Great had two daughters by Mariamne, the [grand] daughter
+of Hyrcanus; the one was Salampsio, who was married to Phasaelus, her
+first cousin, who was himself the son of Phasaelus, Herod's brother, her
+father making the match; the other was Cypros, who was herself married
+also to her first cousin Antipater, the son of Salome, Herod's sister.
+Phasaelus had five children by Salampsio; Antipater, Herod, and
+Alexander, and two daughters, Alexandra and Cypros; which last Agrippa,
+the son of Aristobulus, married; and Timius of Cyprus married Alexandra;
+he was a man of note, but had by her no children. Agrippa had by Cypros
+two sons and three daughters, which daughters were named Bernice,
+Mariamne, and Drusius; but the names of the sons were Agrippa and
+Drusus, of which Drusus died before he came to the years of puberty; but
+their father, Agrippa, was brought up with his other brethren, Herod and
+Aristobulus, for these were also the sons of the son of Herod the Great
+by Bernice; but Bernice was the daughter of Costobarus and of Salome,
+who was Herod's sister. Aristobulus left these infants when he was slain
+by his father, together with his brother Alexander, as we have already
+related. But when they were arrived at years of puberty, this Herod, the
+brother of Agrippa, married Mariamne, the daughter of Olympias, who was
+the daughter of Herod the king, and of Joseph, the son of Joseph, who
+was brother to Herod the king, and had by her a son, Aristobulus; but
+Aristobulus, the third brother of Agrippa, married Jotape, the daughter
+of Sampsigeramus, king of Emesa; they had a daughter who was deaf, whose
+name also was Jotape; and these hitherto were the children of the male
+line. But Herodias, their sister, was married to Herod [Philip], the son
+of Herod the Great, who was born of Mariamne, the daughter of Simon the
+high priest, who had a daughter, Salome; after whose birth Herodias took
+upon her to confound the laws of our country, and divorced herself from
+her husband while he was alive, and was married to Herod [Antipas], her
+husband's brother by the father's side, he was tetrarch of Galilee; but
+her daughter Salome was married to Philip, the son of Herod, and
+tetrarch of Trachonitis; and as he died childless, Aristobulus, the son
+of Herod, the brother of Agrippa, married her; they had three sons,
+Herod, Agrippa, and Aristobulus; and this was the posterity of Phasaelus
+and Salampsio. But the daughter of Antipater by Cypros was Cypros, whom
+Alexas Selcias, the son of Alexas, married; they had a daughter, Cypros;
+but Herod and Alexander, who, as we told you, were the brothers of
+Antipater, died childless. As to Alexander, the son of Herod the king,
+who was slain by his father, he had two sons, Alexander and Tigranes, by
+the daughter of Archelaus, king of Cappadocia. Tigranes, who was king of
+Armenia, was accused at Rome, and died childless; Alexander had a son of
+the same name with his brother Tigranes, and was sent to take possession
+of the kingdom of Armenia by Nero; he had a son, Alexander, who married
+Jotape, 17 the daughter of Antiochus, the king of Commagena; Vespasian
+made him king of an island in Cilicia. But these descendants of
+Alexander, soon after their birth, deserted the Jewish religion, and
+went over to that of the Greeks. But for the rest of the daughters of
+Herod the king, it happened that they died childless. And as these
+descendants of Herod, whom we have enumerated, were in being at the same
+time that Agrippa the Great took the kingdom, and I have now given an
+account of them, it now remains that I relate the several hard fortunes
+which befell Agrippa, and how he got clear of them, and was advanced to
+the greatest height of dignity and power.
+
+
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER 6. Of The Navigation Of King Agrippa To Rome, To Tiberius Cæsar;
+And Now Upon His Being Accused By His Own Freed-Man, He Was Bound; How
+Also He, Was Set At Liberty By Caius, After Tiberius's Death And Was
+Made King Of The Tetrarchy Of Philip.
+
+1. A Little before the death of Herod the king, Agrippa lived at Rome,
+and was generally brought up and conversed with Drusus, the emperor
+Tiberius's son, and contracted a friendship with Antonia, the wife of
+Drusus the Great, who had his mother Bernice in great esteem, and was
+very desirous of advancing her son. Now as Agrippa was by nature
+magnanimous and generous in the presents he made, while his mother was
+alive, this inclination of his mind did not appear, that he might be
+able to avoid her anger for such his extravagance; but when Bernice was
+dead, and he was left to his own conduct, he spent a great deal
+extravagantly in his daily way of living, and a great deal in the
+immoderate presents he made, and those chiefly among Cæsar's freed-men,
+in order to gain their assistance, insomuch that he was, in a little
+time, reduced to poverty, and could not live at Rome any longer.
+Tiberius also forbade the friends of his deceased son to come into his
+sight, because on seeing them he should be put in mind of his son, and
+his grief would thereby be revived.
+
+2. For these reasons he went away from Rome, and sailed to Judea, but in
+evil circumstances, being dejected with the loss of that money which he
+once had, and because he had not wherewithal to pay his creditors, who
+were many in number, and such as gave him no room for escaping them.
+Whereupon he knew not what to do; so, for shame of his present
+condition, he retired to a certain tower, at Malatha, in Idumea, and had
+thoughts of killing himself; but his wife Cypros perceived his
+intentions, and tried all sorts of methods to divert him from his taking
+such a course; so she sent a letter to his sister Herodias, who was now
+the wife of Herod the tetrarch, and let her know Agrippa's present
+design, and what necessity it was which drove him thereto, and desired
+her, as a kinswoman of his, to give him her help, and to engage her
+husband to do the same, since she saw how she alleviated these her
+husband's troubles all she could, although she had not the like wealth
+to do it withal. So they sent for him, and allotted him Tiberias for his
+habitation, and appointed him some income of money for his maintenance,
+and made him a magistrate of that city, by way of honor to him. Yet did
+not Herod long continue in that resolution of supporting him, though
+even that support was not sufficient for him; for as once they were at a
+feast at Tyre, and in their cups, and reproaches were cast upon one
+another, Agrippa thought that was not to be borne, while Herod hit him
+in the teeth with his poverty, and with his owing his necessary food to
+him. So he went to Flaccus, one that had been consul, and had been a
+very great friend to him at Rome formerly, and was now president of
+Syria.
+
+3. Hereupon Flaccus received him kindly, and he lived with him. Flaccus
+had also with him there Aristobulus, who was indeed Agrippa's brother,
+but was at variance with him; yet did not their enmity to one another
+hinder the friendship of Flaccus to them both, but still they were
+honorably treated by him. However, Aristobulus did not abate of his ill-
+will to Agrippa, till at length he brought him into ill terms with
+Flaccus; the occasion of bringing on which estrangement was this: The
+Damascens were at difference with the Sidonians about their limits, and
+when Flaccus was about to hear the cause between them, they understood
+that Agrippa had a mighty influence upon him; so they desired that he
+would be of their side, and for that favor promised him a great deal of
+money; so he was zealous in assisting the Damascens as far as he was
+able. Now Aristobulus had gotten intelligence of this promise of money
+to him, and accused him to Flaccus of the same; and when, upon a
+thorough examination of the matter, it appeared plainly so to be, he
+rejected Agrippa out of the number of his friends. So he was reduced to
+the utmost necessity, and came to Ptolemais; and because he knew not
+where else to get a livelihood, he thought to sail to Italy; but as he
+was restrained from so doing by want of money, he desired Marsyas, who
+was his freed-man, to find some method for procuring him so much as he
+wanted for that purpose, by borrowing such a sum of some person or
+other. So Marsyas desired of Peter, who was the freed-man of Bernice,
+Agrippa's mother, and by the right of her testament was bequeathed to
+Antonia, to lend so much upon Agrippa's own bond and security; but he
+accused Agrippa of having defrauded him of certain sums of money, and so
+obliged Marsyas, when he made the bond of twenty thousand Attic
+drachmae, to accept of twenty-five hundred drachma as 18 less than what
+he desired, which the other allowed of, because he could not help it.
+Upon the receipt of this money, Agrippa came to Anthedon, and took
+shipping, and was going to set sail; but Herennius Capito, who was the
+procurator of Jamhis, sent a band of soldiers to demand of him three
+hundred thousand drachmae of silver, which were by him owing to Cæsar's
+treasury while he was at Rome, and so forced him to stay. He then
+pretended that he would do as he bid him; but when night came on, he cut
+his cables, and went off, and sailed to Alexandria, where he desired
+Alexander the alabarch 19 to lend him two hundred thousand drachmae; but
+he said he would not lend it to him, but would not refuse it to Cypros,
+as greatly astonished at her affection to her husband, and at the other
+instances of her virtue; so she undertook to repay it. Accordingly,
+Alexander paid them five talents at Alexandria, and promised to pay them
+the rest of that sum at Dicearchia [Puteoli]; and this he did out of the
+fear he was in that Agrippa would soon spend it. So this Cypros set her
+husband free, and dismissed him to go on with his navigation to Italy,
+while she and her children departed for Judea.
+
+4. And now Agrippa was come to Puteoli, whence he wrote a letter to
+Tiberius Cæsar, who then lived at Capreae, and told him that he was come
+so far in order to wait on him, and to pay him a visit; and desired that
+he would give him leave to come over to Caprein: so Tiberius made no
+difficulty, but wrote to him in an obliging way in other respects; and
+withal told him he was glad of his safe return, and desired him to come
+to Capreae; and when he was come, he did not fail to treat him as kindly
+as he had promised him in his letter to do. But the next day came a
+letter to Cæsar from Herennius Capito, to inform him that Agrippa had
+borrowed three hundred thousand drachmae, and not pad it at the time
+appointed; but when it was demanded of him, he ran away like a fugitive,
+out of the places under his government, and put it out of his power to
+get the money of him. When Cæsar had read this letter, he was much
+troubled at it, and gave order that Agrippa should be excluded from his
+presence until he had paid that debt: upon which he was no way daunted
+at Cæsar's anger, but entreated Antonia, the mother of Germanicus, and
+of Claudius, who was afterward Cæsar himself, to lend him those three
+hundred thousand drachmae, that he might not be deprived of Tiberius's
+friendship; so, out of regard to the memory of Bernice his mother, [for
+those two women were very familiar with one another,] and out of regard
+to his and Claudius's education together, she lent him the money; and,
+upon the payment of this debt, there was nothing to hinder Tiberius's
+friendship to him. After this, Tiberius Cæsar recommended to him his
+grandson, 20 and ordered that he should always accompany him when he
+went abroad. But upon Agrippa's kind reception by Antonia, he betook him
+to pay his respects to Caius, who was her grandson, and in very high
+reputation by reason of the good-will they bare his father. Now there
+was one Thallus, a freed-man of Cæsar, of whom he borrowed a million of
+drachmae, and thence repaid Antonia the debt he owed her; and by sending
+the overplus in paying his court to Caius, became a person of great
+authority with him.
+
+5. Now as the friendship which Agrippa had for Caius was come to a great
+height, there happened some words to pass between them, as they once
+were in a chariot together, concerning Tiberius; Agrippa praying [to
+God] [for they two sat by themselves] that Tiberius might soon go off
+the stage, and leave the government to Caius, who was in every respect
+more worthy of it. Now Eutychus, who was Agrippa's freed-man, and drove
+his chariot, heard these words, and at that time said nothing of them;
+but when Agrippa accused him of stealing some garments of his, [which
+was certainly true,] he ran away from him; but when he was caught, and
+brought before Piso, who was governor of the city, and the man was asked
+why he ran away, he replied, that he had somewhat to say to Cæsar, that
+tended to his security and preservation: so Piso bound him, and sent him
+to Capreae. But Tiberius, according to his usual custom, kept him still
+in bonds, being a delayer of affairs, if ever there was any other king
+or tyrant that was so; for he did not admit ambassadors quickly, and no
+successors were despatched away to governors or procurators of the
+provinces that had been formerly sent, unless they were dead; whence it
+was that he was so negligent in hearing the causes of prisoners;
+insomuch that when he was asked by his friends what was the reason of
+his delay in such cases, he said that he delayed to hear ambassadors,
+lest, upon their quick dismission, other ambassadors should be
+appointed, and return upon him; and so he should bring trouble upon
+himself in their public reception and dismission: that he permitted
+those governors who had been sent once to their government [to stay
+there a long while], out of regard to the subjects that were under them;
+for that all governors are naturally disposed to get as much as they
+can; and that those who are not to fix there, but to stay a short time,
+and that at an uncertainty when they shall be turned out, do the more
+severely hurry themselves on to fleece the people; but that if their
+government be long continued to them; they are at last satiated with the
+spoils, as having gotten a vast deal, and so become at length less sharp
+in their pillaging; but that if successors are sent quickly, the poor
+subjects, who are exposed to them as a prey, will not be able to bear
+the new ones, while they shall not have the same time allowed them
+wherein their predecessors had filled themselves, and so grew more
+unconcerned about getting more; and this because they are removed before
+they have had time [for their oppressions]. He gave them an example to
+show his meaning: A great number of flies came about the sore places of
+a man that had been wounded; upon which one of the standers-by pitied
+the man's misfortune, and thinking he was not able to drive those flies
+away himself, was going to drive them away for him; but he prayed him to
+let them alone: the other, by way of reply, asked him the reason of such
+a preposterous proceeding, in preventing relief from his present misery;
+to which he answered, "If thou drivest these flies away, thou wilt hurt
+me worse; for as these are already full of my blood, they do not crowd
+about me, nor pain me so much as before, but are somewhat more remiss,
+while the fresh ones that come almost famished, and find me quite tired
+down already, will be my destruction. For this cause, therefore, it is
+that I am myself careful not to send such new governors perpetually to
+those my subjects, who are already sufficiently harassed by many
+oppressions, as may, like these flies, further distress them; and so,
+besides their natural desire of gain, may have this additional
+incitement to it, that they expect to be suddenly deprived of that
+pleasure which they take in it." And, as a further attestation to what I
+say of the dilatory nature of Tiberius, I appeal to this his practice
+itself; for although he was emperor twenty-two years, he sent in all but
+two procurators to govern the nation of the Jews, Gratus, and his
+successor in the government, Pilate. Nor was he in one way of acting
+with respect to the Jews, and in another with respect to the rest of his
+subjects. He further informed them, that even in the hearing of the
+causes of prisoners, he made such delays, because immediate death to
+those that must be condemned to die would be an alleviation of their
+present miseries, while those wicked wretches have not deserved any such
+favor; "but I do it, that, by being harassed with the present calamity,
+they may undergo greater misery."
+
+6. On this account it was that Eutychus could not obtain a bearing, but
+was kept still in prison. However, some time afterward, Tiberius came
+from Capreae to Tusculanum, which is about a hundred furlongs from Rome.
+Agrippa then desired of Antonia that she would procure a hearing for
+Eutychus, let the matter whereof he accused him prove what it would. Now
+Antonia was greatly esteemed by Tiberius on all accounts, from the
+dignity of her relation to him, who had been his brother Drusus's wife,
+and from her eminent chastity; 21 for though she was still a young
+woman, she continued in her widowhood, and refused all other matches,
+although Augustus had enjoined her to be married to somebody else; yet
+did she all along preserve her reputation free from reproach. She had
+also been the greatest benefactress to Tiberius, when there was a very
+dangerous plot laid against him by Sejanus, a man who had been her
+husband's friend, and who had the greatest authority, because he was
+general of the army, and when many members of the senate and many of the
+freed-men joined with him, and the soldiery was corrupted, and the plot
+was come to a great height. Now Sejanus had certainly gained his point,
+had not Antonia's boldness been more wisely conducted than Sejanus's
+malice; for when she had discovered his designs against Tiberius, she
+wrote him an exact account of the whole, and gave the letter to Pallas,
+the most faithful of her servants, and sent him to Caprere to Tiberius,
+who, when he understood it, slew Sejanus and his confederates; so that
+Tiberius, who had her in great esteem before, now looked upon her with
+still greater respect, and depended upon her in all things. So when
+Tiberius was desired by this Antonia to examine Eutychus, he answered,
+"If indeed Eutychus hath falsely accused Agrippa in what he hath said of
+him, he hath had sufficient punishment by what I have done to him
+already; but if, upon examination, the accusation appears to be true,
+let Agrippa have a care, lest, out of desire of punishing his freed-man,
+he do not rather bring a punishment upon himself." Now when Antonia told
+Agrippa of this, he was still much more pressing that the matter might
+be examined into; so Antonia, upon Agrippa's lying hard at her
+continually to beg this favor, took the following opportunity: As
+Tiberius lay once at his ease upon his sedan, and was carried about, and
+Caius, her grandson, and Agrippa, were before him after dinner she
+walked by the sedan, and desired him to call Eutychus, and have him
+examined; to which he replied, "O Antonia! the gods are my witnesses
+that I am induced to do what I am going to do, not by my own
+inclination, but because I am forced to it by thy prayers." When he had
+said this, he ordered Macro, who succeeded Sejanus, to bring Eutychus to
+him; accordingly, without any delay, he was brought. Then Tiberius asked
+him what he had to say against a man who had given him his liberty. Upon
+which he said, "O my lord! this Caius, and Agrippa with him, were once
+riding in a chariot, when I sat at their feet, and, among other
+discourses that passed, Agrippa said to Caius, Oh that the day would
+once come when this old fellow will die and name thee for the governor
+of the habitable earth! for then this Tiberius, his grandson, would be
+no hinderance, but would be taken off by thee, and that earth would be
+happy, and I happy also." Now Tiberius took these to be truly Agrippa's
+words, and bearing a grudge withal at Agrippa, because, when he had
+commanded him to pay his respects to Tiberius, his grandson, and the son
+of Drusus, Agrippa had not paid him that respect, but had disobeyed his
+commands, and transferred all his regard to Caius; he said to Macro,
+"Bind this man." But Macro, not distinctly knowing which of them it was
+whom he bid him bind, and not expecting that he would have any such
+thing done to Agrippa, he forbore, and came to ask more distinctly what
+it was that he said. But when Cæsar had gone round the hippodrome, he
+found Agrippa standing: "For certain," said he, "Macro, this is the man
+I meant to have bound;" and when he still asked, "Which of these is to
+be bound?" he said "Agrippa." Upon which Agrippa betook himself to make
+supplication for himself, putting him in mind of his son, with whom he
+was brought up, and of Tiberius [his grandson] whom he had educated; but
+all to no purpose; for they led him about bound even in his purple
+garments. It was also very hot weather, and they had but little wine to
+their meal, so that he was very thirsty; he was also in a sort of agony,
+and took this treatment of him heinously: as he therefore saw one of
+Caius's slaves, whose name was Thaumastus, carrying some water in a
+vessel, he desired that he would let him drink; so the servant gave him
+some water to drink, and he drank heartily, and said, "O thou boy! this
+service of thine to me will be for thy advantage; for if I once get
+clear of these my bonds, I will soon procure thee thy freedom of Caius
+who has not been wanting to minister to me now I am in bonds, in the
+same manner as when I was in my former state and dignity." Nor did he
+deceive him in what he promised him, but made him amends for what he had
+now done; for when afterward Agrippa was come to the kingdom, he took
+particular care of Thaumastus, and got him his liberty from Caius, and
+made him the steward over his own estate; and when he died, he left him
+to Agrippa his son, and to Bernice his daughter, to minister to them in
+the same capacity. The man also grew old in that honorable post, and
+therein died. But all this happened a good while later.
+
+7. Now Agrippa stood in his bonds before the royal palace, and leaned on
+a certain tree for grief, with many others, who were in bonds also; and
+as a certain bird sat upon the tree on which Agrippa leaned, [the Romans
+call this bird bubo,] [an owl,] one of those that were bound, a German
+by nation, saw him, and asked a soldier who that man in purple was; and
+when he was informed that his name was Agrippa, and that he was by
+nation a Jew, and one of the principal men of that nation, he asked
+leave of the soldier to whom he was bound, 22 to let him come nearer to
+him, to speak with him; for that he had a mind to inquire of him about
+some things relating to his country; which liberty, when he had
+obtained, and as he stood near him, he said thus to him by an
+interpreter: "This sudden change of thy condition, O young man! is
+grievous to thee, as bringing on thee a manifold and very great
+adversity; nor wilt thou believe me, when I foretell how thou wilt get
+clear of this misery which thou art now under, and how Divine Providence
+will provide for thee. Know therefore [and I appeal to my own country
+gods, as well as to the gods of this place, who have awarded these bonds
+to us] that all I am going to say about thy concerns shall neither be
+said for favor nor bribery, nor out of an endeavor to make thee cheerful
+without cause; for such predictions, when they come to fail, make the
+grief at last, and in earnest, more bitter than if the party had never
+heard of any such thing. However, though I run the hazard of my own
+self, I think it fit to declare to thee the prediction of the gods. It
+cannot be that thou shouldst long continue in these bonds; but thou wilt
+soon be delivered from them, and wilt be promoted to the highest dignity
+and power, and thou wilt be envied by all those who now pity thy hard
+fortune; and thou wilt be happy till thy death, and wilt leave thine
+happiness to the children whom thou shalt have. But do thou remember,
+when thou seest this bird again, that thou wilt then live but five days
+longer. This event will be brought to pass by that God who hath sent
+this bird hither to be a sign unto thee. And I cannot but think it
+unjust to conceal from thee what I foreknow concerning thee, that, by
+thy knowing beforehand what happiness is coming upon thee, thou mayst
+not regard thy present misfortunes. But when this happiness shall
+actually befall thee, do not forget what misery I am in myself, but
+endeavor to deliver me." So when the German had said this, he made
+Agrippa laugh at him as much as he afterwards appeared worthy of
+admiration. But now Antonia took Agrippa's misfortune to heart: however,
+to speak to Tiberius on his behalf, she took to be a very difficult
+thing, and indeed quite impracticable, as to any hope of success; yet
+did she procure of Macro, that the soldiers that kept him should be of a
+gentle nature, and that the centurion who was over them and was to diet
+with him, should be of the same disposition, and that he might have
+leave to bathe himself every day, and that his freed-men and friends
+might come to him, and that other things that tended to ease him might
+be indulged him. So his friend Silas came in to him, and two of his
+freed-men, Marsyas and Stechus, brought him such sorts of food as he was
+fond of, and indeed took great care of him; they also brought him
+garments, under pretense of selling them; and when night came on, they
+laid them under him; and the soldiers assisted them, as Macro had given
+them order to do beforehand. And this was Agrippa's condition for six
+months' time, and in this case were his affairs.
+
+8. But for Tiberius, upon his return to Caprein, he fell sick. At first
+his distemper was but gentle; but as that distemper increased upon him,
+he had small or no hopes of recovery. Hereupon he bid Euodus, who was
+that freed-man whom he most of all respected, to bring the children 23
+to him, for that he wanted to talk to them before he died. Now he had at
+present no sons of his own alive for Drusus, who was his only son, was
+dead; but Drusus's son Tiberius was still living, whose additional name
+was Gemellus: there was also living Caius, the son of Germanicus, who
+was the son 24 of his brother [Drusus]. He was now grown up, and had a
+liberal education, and was well improved by it, and was in esteem and
+favor with the people, on account of the excellent character of his
+father Germanicus, who had attained the highest honor among the
+multitude, by the firmness of his virtuous behavior, by the easiness and
+agreeableness of his conversing with the multitude, and because the
+dignity he was in did not hinder his familiarity with them all, as if
+they were his equals; by which behavior he was not only greatly esteemed
+by the people and the senate, but by every one of those nations that
+were subject to the Romans; some of which were affected when they came
+to him with the gracefulness of their reception by him, and others were
+affected in the same manner by the report of the others that had been
+with him; and, upon his death, there was a lamentation made by all men;
+not such a one as was to be made in way of flattery to their rulers,
+while they did but counterfeit sorrow, but such as was real; while every
+body grieved at his death, as if they had lost one that was near to
+them. And truly such had been his easy conversation with men, that it
+turned greatly to the advantage of his son among all; and, among others,
+the soldiery were so peculiarly affected to him, that they reckoned it
+an eligible thing, if need were, to die themselves, if he might but
+attain to the government.
+
+9. But when Tiberius had given order to Euodus to bring the children to
+him the next day in the morning, he prayed to his country gods to show
+him a manifest signal which of those children should come to the
+government; being very desirous to leave it to his son's son, but still
+depending upon what God should foreshow concerning them more than upon
+his own opinion and inclination; so he made this to be the omen, that
+the government should be left to him who should come to him first the
+next day. When he had thus resolved within himself, he sent to his
+grandson's tutor, and ordered him to bring the child to him early in the
+morning, as supposing that God would permit him to be made emperor. But
+God proved opposite to his designation; for while Tiberius was thus
+contriving matters, and as soon as it was at all day, he bid Euodus to
+call in that child which should be there ready. So he went out, and
+found Caius before the door, for Tiberius was not yet come, but staid
+waiting for his breakfast; for Euodus knew nothing of what his lord
+intended; so he said to Caius, "Thy father calls thee," and then brought
+him in. As soon as Tiberius saw Caius, and not before, he reflected on
+the power of God, and how the ability of bestowing the government on
+whom he would was entirely taken from him; and thence he was not able to
+establish what he had intended. So he greatly lamented that his power of
+establishing what he had before contrived was taken from him, and that
+his grandson Tiberius was not only to lose the Roman empire by his
+fatality, but his own safety also, because his preservation would now
+depend upon such as would be more potent than himself, who would think
+it a thing not to be borne, that a kinsman should live with them, and so
+his relation would not be able to protect him; but he would be feared
+and hated by him who had the supreme authority, partly on account of his
+being next to the empire, and partly on account of his perpetually
+contriving to get the government, both in order to preserve himself, and
+to be at the head of affairs also. Now Tiberius had been very much given
+to astrology, 25 and the calculation of nativities, and had spent his
+life in the esteem of what predictions had proved true, more than those
+whose profession it was. Accordingly, when he once saw Galba coming in
+to him, he said to his most intimate friends, that there came in a man
+that would one day have the dignity of the Roman empire. So that this
+Tiberius was more addicted to all such sorts of diviners than any other
+of the Roman emperors, because he had found them to have told him truth
+in his own affairs. And indeed he was now in great distress upon this
+accident that had befallen him, and was very much grieved at the
+destruction of his son's son, which he foresaw, and complained of
+himself, that he should have made use of such a method of divination
+beforehand, while it was in his power to have died without grief by this
+knowledge of futurity; whereas he was now tormented by his foreknowledge
+of the misfortune of such as were dearest to him, and must die under
+that torment. Now although he was disordered at this unexpected
+revolution of the government to those for whom he did not intend it, he
+spake thus to Caius, though unwillingly, and against his own
+inclination: "O child! although Tiberius be nearer related to me than
+thou art, I, by my own determination, and the conspiring suffrage of the
+gods, do give and put into thy hand the Roman empire; and I desire thee
+never to be unmindful when thou comest to it, either of my kindness to
+thee, who set thee in so high a dignity, or of thy relation to Tiberius.
+But as thou knowest that I am, together with and after the gods, the
+procurer of so great happiness to thee; so I desire that thou wilt make
+me a return for my readiness to assist thee, and wilt take care of
+Tiberius because of his near relation to thee. Besides which, thou art
+to know, that while Tiberius is alive, he will be a security to thee,
+both as to empire and as to thy own preservation; but if he die, that
+will be but a prelude to thy own misfortunes; for to be alone under the
+weight of such vast affairs is very dangerous; nor will the gods suffer
+those actions which are unjustly done, contrary to that law which
+directs men to act otherwise, to go off unpunished." This was the speech
+which Tiberius made, which did not persuade Caius to act accordingly,
+although he promised so to do; but when he was settled in the
+government, he took off this Tiberius, as was predicted by the other
+Tiberius; as he was also himself, in no long time afterward, slain by a
+secret plot laid against him.
+
+10. So when Tiberius had at this time appointed Caius to be his
+successor, he outlived but a few days, and then died, after he had held
+the government twenty-two years five months and three days. Now Caius
+was the fourth emperor. But when the Romans understood that Tiberius was
+dead, they rejoiced at the good news, but had not courage to believe it;
+not because they were unwilling it should be true, for they would have
+given huge sums of money that it might be so, but because they were
+afraid, that if they had showed their joy when the news proved false,
+their joy should be openly known, and they should be accused for it, and
+be thereby undone. For this Tiberius had brought a vast number of
+miseries on the best families of the Romans, since he was easily
+inflamed with passion in all cases, and was of such a temper as rendered
+his anger irrevocable, till he had executed the same, although he had
+taken a hatred against men without reason; for he was by nature fierce
+in all the sentences he gave, and made death the penalty for the
+lightest offenses; insomuch that when the Romans heard the rumor about
+his death gladly, they were restrained from the enjoyment of that
+pleasure by the dread of such miseries as they foresaw would follow, if
+their hopes proved ill-grounded. Now Marsyas, Agrippa's freed-man, as
+soon as he heard of Tiberius's death, came running to tell Agrippa the
+news; and finding him going out to the bath, he gave him a nod, and
+said, in the Hebrew tongue, "The lion 26 is dead;" who, understanding
+his meaning, and being overjoyed at the news, "Nay," said he, "but all
+sorts of thanks and happiness attend thee for this news of thine; only I
+wish that what thou sayest may prove true." Now the centurion who was
+set to keep Agrippa, when he saw with what haste Marsyas came, and what
+joy Agrippa had from what he said, he had a suspicion that his words
+implied some great innovation of affairs, and he asked them about what
+was said. They at first diverted the discourse; but upon his further
+pressing, Agrippa, without more ado, told him, for he was already become
+his friend; so he joined with him in that pleasure which this news
+occasioned, because it would be fortunate to Agrippa, and made him a
+supper. But as they were feasting, and the cups went about, there came
+one who said that Tiberius was still alive, and would return to the city
+in a few days. At which news the centurion was exceedingly troubled,
+because he had done what might cost him his life, to have treated so
+joyfully a prisoner, and this upon the news of the death of Cæsar; so he
+thrust Agrippa from the couch whereon he lay, and said, "Dost thou think
+to cheat me by a lie about the emperor without punishment? and shalt not
+thou pay for this thy malicious report at the price of thine head?" When
+he had so said, he ordered Agrippa to be bound again, [for he had loosed
+him before,] and kept a severer guard over him than formerly, and in
+that evil condition was Agrippa that night; but the next day the rumor
+increased in the city, and confirmed the news that Tiberius was
+certainly dead; insomuch that men durst now openly and freely talk about
+it; nay, some offered sacrifices on that account. Several letters also
+came from Caius; one of them to the senate, which informed them of the
+death of Tiberius, and of his own entrance on the government; another to
+Piso, the governor of the city, which told him the same thing. He also
+gave order that Agrippa should be removed out of the camp, and go to
+that house where he lived before he was put in prison; so that he was
+now out of fear as to his own affairs; for although he was still in
+custody, yet it was now with ease to his own affairs. Now, as soon as
+Caius was come to Rome, and had brought Tiberius's dead body with him,
+and had made a sumptuous funeral for him, according to the laws of his
+country, he was much disposed to set Agrippa at liberty that very day;
+but Antonia hindered him, not out of any ill-will to the prisoner, but
+out of regard to decency in Caius, lest that should make men believe
+that he received the death of Tiberius with pleasure, when he loosed one
+whom he had bound immediately. However, there did not many days pass ere
+he sent for him to his house, and had him shaved, and made him change
+his raiment; after which he put a diadem upon his head, and appointed
+him to be king of the tetrarchy of Philip. He also gave him the
+tetrarchy of Lysanias, 27 and changed his iron chain for a golden one of
+equal weight. He also sent Marullus to be procurator of Judea.
+
+11. Now, in the second year of the reign of Caius Cæsar, Agrippa desired
+leave to be given him to sail home, and settle the affairs of his
+government; and he promised to return again, when he had put the rest in
+order, as it ought to be put. So, upon the emperor's permission, he came
+into his own country, and appeared to them all unexpectedly as asking,
+and thereby demonstrated to the men that saw him the power of fortune,
+when they compared his former poverty with his present happy affluence;
+so some called him a happy man, and others could not well believe that
+things were so much changed with him for the better.
+
+
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER 7. How Herod The Tetrarch Was Banished.
+
+1. But Herodias, Agrippa's sister, who now lived as wife to that Herod
+who was tetrarch of Galilee and Peres, took this authority of her
+brother in an envious manner, particularly when she saw that he had a
+greater dignity bestowed on him than her husband had; since, when he ran
+away, it was because he was not able to pay his debts; and now he was
+come back, he was in a way of dignity, and of great good fortune. She
+was therefore grieved and much displeased at so great a mutation of his
+affairs; and chiefly when she saw him marching among the multitude with
+the usual ensigns of royal authority, she was not able to conceal how
+miserable she was, by reason of the envy she had towards him; but she
+excited her husband, and desired him that he would sail to Rome, to
+court honors equal to his; for she said that she could not bear to live
+any longer, while Agrippa, the son of that Aristobulus who was condemned
+to die by his father, one that came to her husband in such extreme
+poverty, that the necessaries of life were forced to be entirely
+supplied him day by day; and when he fled away from his creditors by
+sea, he now returned a king; while he was himself the son of a king, and
+while the near relation he bare to royal authority called upon him to
+gain the like dignity, he sat still, and was contented with a privater
+life. "But then, Herod, although thou wast formerly not concerned to be
+in a lower condition than thy father from whom thou wast derived had
+been, yet do thou now seek after the dignity which thy kinsman hath
+attained to; and do not thou bear this contempt, that a man who admired
+thy riches should be in greater honor than thyself, nor suffer his
+poverty to show itself able to purchase greater things than our
+abundance; nor do thou esteem it other than a shameful thing to be
+inferior to one who, the other day, lived upon thy charity. But let us
+go to Rome, and let us spare no pains nor expenses, either of silver or
+gold, since they cannot be kept for any better use than for the
+obtaining of a kingdom."
+
+2. But for Herod, he opposed her request at this time, out of the love
+of ease, and having a suspicion of the trouble he should have at Rome;
+so he tried to instruct her better. But the more she saw him draw back,
+the more she pressed him to it, and desired him to leave no stone
+unturned in order to be king; and at last she left not off till she
+engaged him, whether he would or not, to be of her sentiments, because
+he could no otherwise avoid her importunity. So he got all things ready,
+after as sumptuous a manner as he was able, and spared for nothing, and
+went up to Rome, and took Herodias along with him. But Agrippa, when he
+was made sensible of their intentions and preparations, he also prepared
+to go thither; and as soon as he heard they set sail, he sent
+Fortunatus, one of his freed-men, to Rome, to carry presents to the
+emperor, and letters against Herod, and to give Caius a particular
+account of those matters, if he should have any opportunity. This man
+followed Herod so quick, and had so prosperous a voyage, and came so
+little after Herod, that while Herod was with Caius, he came himself,
+and delivered his letters; for they both sailed to Dicearchia, and found
+Caius at Bairn, which is itself a little city of Campania, at the
+distance of about five furlongs from Dicearchia. There are in that place
+royal palaces, with sumptuous apartments, every emperor still
+endeavoring to outdo his predecessor's magnificence; the place also
+affords warm baths, that spring out of the ground of their own accord,
+which are of advantage for the recovery of the health of those that make
+use of them; and, besides, they minister to men's luxury also. Now Caius
+saluted Herod, for he first met with him, and then looked upon the
+letters which Agrippa had sent him, and which were written in order to
+accuse Herod; wherein he accused him, that he had been in confederacy
+with Sejanus against Tiberius's and that he was now confederate with
+Artabanus, the king of Parthia, in opposition to the government of
+Caius; as a demonstration of which he alleged, that he had armor
+sufficient for seventy thousand men ready in his armory. Caius was moved
+at this information, and asked Herod whether what was said about the
+armor was true; and when he confessed there was such armor there, for he
+could not deny the same, the truth of it being too notorious, Caius took
+that to be a sufficient proof of the accusation, that he intended to
+revolt. So he took away from him his tetrarchy, and gave it by way of
+addition to Agrippa's kingdom; he also gave Herod's money to Agrippa,
+and, by way of punishment, awarded him a perpetual banishment, and
+appointed Lyons, a city of Gaul, to be his place of habitation. But when
+he was informed that Herodias was Agrippa's sister, he made her a
+present of what money was her own, and told her that it was her brother
+who prevented her being put under the same calamity with her husband.
+But she made this reply: "Thou, indeed, O emperor! actest after a
+magnificent manner, and as becomes thyself in what thou offerest me; but
+the kindness which I have for my husband hinders me from partaking of
+the favor of thy gift; for it is not just that I, who have been made a
+partner in his prosperity, should forsake him in his misfortunes."
+Hereupon Caius was angry at her, and sent her with Herod into
+banishment, and gave her estate to Agrippa. And thus did God punish
+Herodias for her envy at her brother, and Herod also for giving ear to
+the vain discourses of a woman. Now Caius managed public affairs with
+great magnanimity during the first and second year of his reign, and
+behaved himself with such moderation, that he gained the good-will of
+the Romans themselves, and of his other subjects. But, in process of
+time, he went beyond the bounds of human nature in his conceit of
+himself, and by reason of the vastness of his dominions made himself a
+god, and took upon himself to act in all things to the reproach of the
+Deity itself.
+
+
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER 8. Concerning The Embassage Of The Jews To Caius; 28 And How
+Caius Sent Petronius Into Syria To Make War Against The Jews, Unless
+They Would Receive His Statue.
+
+1. There was now a tumult arisen at Alexandria, between the Jewish
+inhabitants and the Greeks; and three ambassadors were chosen out of
+each party that were at variance, who came to Caius. Now one of these
+ambassadors from the people of Alexandria was Apion, 29 who uttered many
+blasphemies against the Jews; and, among other things that he said, he
+charged them with neglecting the honors that belonged to Cæsar; for that
+while all who were subject to the Roman empire built altars and temples
+to Caius, and in other regards universally received him as they received
+the gods, these Jews alone thought it a dishonorable thing for them to
+erect statues in honor of him, as well as to swear by his name. Many of
+these severe things were said by Apion, by which he hoped to provoke
+Caius to anger at the Jews, as he was likely to be. But Philo, the
+principal of the Jewish embassage, a man eminent on all accounts,
+brother to Alexander the alabarch, 30 and one not unskillful in
+philosophy, was ready to betake himself to make his defense against
+those accusations; but Caius prohibited him, and bid him begone; he was
+also in such a rage, that it openly appeared he was about to do them
+some very great mischief. So Philo being thus affronted, went out, and
+said to those Jews who were about him, that they should be of good
+courage, since Caius's words indeed showed anger at them, but in reality
+had already set God against himself.
+
+2. Hereupon Caius, taking it very heinously that he should be thus
+despised by the Jews alone, sent Petronius to be president of Syria, and
+successor in the government to Vitellius, and gave him order to make an
+invasion into Judea, with a great body of troops; and if they would
+admit of his statue willingly, to erect it in the temple of God; but if
+they were obstinate, to conquer them by war, and then to do it.
+Accordingly, Petronius took the government of Syria, and made haste to
+obey Cæsar's epistle. He got together as great a number of auxiliaries
+as he possibly could, and took with him two legions of the Roman army,
+and came to Ptolemais, and there wintered, as intending to set about the
+war in the spring. He also wrote word to Caius what he had resolved to
+do, who commended him for his alacrity, and ordered him to go on, and to
+make war with them, in case they would not obey his commands. But there
+came many ten thousands of the Jews to Petronius, to Ptolemais, to offer
+their petitions to him, that he would not compel them to transgress and
+violate the law of their forefathers; "but if," said they, "thou art
+entirely resolved to bring this statue, and erect it, do thou first kill
+us, and then do what thou hast resolved on; for while we are alive we
+cannot permit such things as are forbidden us to be done by the
+authority of our legislator, and by our forefathers' determination that
+such prohibitions are instances of virtue." But Petronius was angry at
+them, and said, "If indeed I were myself emperor, and were at liberty to
+follow my own inclination, and then had designed to act thus, these your
+words would be justly spoken to me; but now Cæsar hath sent to me, I am
+under the necessity of being subservient to his decrees, because a
+disobedience to them will bring upon me inevitable destruction." Then
+the Jews replied, "Since, therefore, thou art so disposed, O Petronius!
+that thou wilt not disobey Caius's epistles, neither will we transgress
+the commands of our law; and as we depend upon the excellency of our
+laws, and, by the labors of our ancestors, have continued hitherto
+without suffering them to be transgressed, we dare not by any means
+suffer ourselves to be so timorous as to transgress those laws out of
+the fear of death, which God hath determined are for our advantage; and
+if we fall into misfortunes, we will bear them, in order to preserve our
+laws, as knowing that those who expose themselves to dangers have good
+hope of escaping them, because God will stand on our side, when, out of
+regard to him, we undergo afflictions, and sustain the uncertain turns
+of fortune. But if we should submit to thee, we should be greatly
+reproached for our cowardice, as thereby showing ourselves ready to
+transgress our law; and we should incur the great anger of God also,
+who, even thyself being judge, is superior to Caius."
+
+3. When Petronius saw by their words that their determination was hard
+to be removed, and that, without a war, he should not be able to be
+subservient to Caius in the dedication of his statue, and that there
+must be a great deal of bloodshed, he took his friends, and the servants
+that were about him, and hasted to Tiberias, as wanting to know in what
+posture the affairs of the Jews were; and many ten thousands of the Jews
+met Petronius again, when he was come to Tiberias. These thought they
+must run a mighty hazard if they should have a war with the Romans, but
+judged that the transgression of the law was of much greater
+consequence, and made supplication to him, that he would by no means
+reduce them to such distresses, nor defile their city with the
+dedication of the statue. Then Petronius said to them, "Will you then
+make war with Cæsar, without considering his great preparations for war,
+and your own weakness?" They replied, "We will not by any means make war
+with him, but still we will die before we see our laws transgressed." So
+they threw themselves down upon their faces, and stretched out their
+throats, and said they were ready to be slain; and this they did for
+forty days together, and in the mean time left off the tilling of their
+ground, and that while the season of the year required them to sow it.
+31 Thus they continued firm in their resolution, and proposed to
+themselves to die willingly, rather than to see the dedication of the
+statue.
+
+4. When matters were in this state, Aristobulus, king Agrippa's brother,
+and Heleias the Great, and the other principal men of that family with
+them, went in unto Petronius, and besought him, that since he saw the
+resolution of the multitude, he would not make any alteration, and
+thereby drive them to despair; but would write to Caius, that the Jews
+had an insuperable aversion to the reception of the statue, and how they
+continued with him, and left off the tillage off their ground: that they
+were not willing to go to war with him, because they were not able to do
+it, but were ready to die with pleasure, rather than suffer their laws
+to be transgressed: and how, upon the land's continuing unsown,
+robberies would grow up, on the inability they would be under of paying
+their tributes; and that Caius might be thereby moved to pity, and not
+order any barbarous action to be done to them, nor think of destroying
+the nation: that if he continues inflexible in his former opinion to
+bring a war upon them, he may then set about it himself. And thus did
+Aristobulus, and the rest with him, supplicate Petronius. So Petronius,
+32 partly on account of the pressing instances which Aristobulus and the
+rest with him made, and because of the great consequence of what they
+desired, and the earnestness wherewith they made their
+supplication,—partly on account of the firmness of the opposition made
+by the Jews, which he saw, while he thought it a terrible thing for him
+to be such a slave to the madness of Caius, as to slay so many ten
+thousand men, only because of their religious disposition towards God,
+and after that to pass his life in expectation of punishment; Petronius,
+I say, thought it much better to send to Caius, and to let him know how
+intolerable it was to him to bear the anger he might have against him
+for not serving him sooner, in obedience to his epistle, for that
+perhaps he might persuade him; and that if this mad resolution
+continued, he might then begin the war against them; nay, that in case
+he should turn his hatred against himself, it was fit for virtuous
+persons even to die for the sake of such vast multitudes of men.
+Accordingly, he determined to hearken to the petitioners in this matter.
+
+5. He then called the Jews together to Tiberias, who came many ten
+thousands in number; he also placed that army he now had with him
+opposite to them; but did not discover his own meaning, but the commands
+of the emperor, and told them that his wrath would, without delay, be
+executed on such as had the courage to disobey what he had commanded,
+and this immediately; and that it was fit for him, who had obtained so
+great a dignity by his grant, not to contradict him in any thing:—"yet,"
+said he, "I do not think it just to have such a regard to my own safety
+and honor, as to refuse to sacrifice them for your preservation, who are
+so many in number, and endeavor to preserve the regard that is due to
+your law; which as it hath come down to you from your forefathers, so do
+you esteem it worthy of your utmost contention to preserve it: nor, with
+the supreme assistance and power of God, will I be so hardy as to suffer
+your temple to fall into contempt by the means of the imperial
+authority. I will, therefore, send to Caius, and let him know what your
+resolutions are, and will assist your suit as far as I am able, that you
+may not be exposed to suffer on account of the honest designs you have
+proposed to yourselves; and may God be your assistant, for his authority
+is beyond all the contrivance and power of men; and may he procure you
+the preservation of your ancient laws, and may not he be deprived,
+though without your consent, of his accustomed honors. But if Caius be
+irritated, and turn the violence of his rage upon me, I will rather
+undergo all that danger and that affliction that may come either on my
+body or my soul, than see so many of you to perish, while you are acting
+in so excellent a manner. Do you, therefore, every one of you, go your
+way about your own occupations, and fall to the cultivation of your
+ground; I will myself send to Rome, and will not refuse to serve you in
+all things, both by myself and by my friends."
+
+6. When Petronius had said this, and had dismissed the assembly of the
+Jews, he desired the principal of them to take care of their husbandry,
+and to speak kindly to the people, and encourage them to have good hope
+of their affairs. Thus did he readily bring the multitude to be cheerful
+again. And now did God show his presence to Petronius, and signify to
+him that he would afford him his assistance in his whole design; for he
+had no sooner finished the speech that he made to the Jews, but God sent
+down great showers of rain, contrary to human expectation; 33 for that
+day was a clear day, and gave no sign, by the appearance of the sky, of
+any rain; nay, the whole year had been subject to a great drought, and
+made men despair of any water from above, even when at any time they saw
+the heavens overcast with clouds; insomuch that when such a great
+quantity of rain came, and that in an unusual manner, and without any
+other expectation of it, the Jews hoped that Petronius would by no means
+fail in his petition for them. But as to Petronius, he was mightily
+surprised when he perceived that God evidently took care of the Jews,
+and gave very plain signs of his appearance, and this to such a degree,
+that those that were in earnest much inclined to the contrary had no
+power left to contradict it. This was also among those other particulars
+which he wrote to Caius, which all tended to dissuade him, and by all
+means to entreat him not to make so many ten thousands of these men go
+distracted; whom, if he should slay, [for without war they would by no
+means suffer the laws of their worship to be set aside,] he would lose
+the revenue they paid him, and would be publicly cursed by them for all
+future ages. Moreover, that God, who was their Governor, had shown his
+power most evidently on their account, and that such a power of his as
+left no room for doubt about it. And this was the business that
+Petronius was now engaged in.
+
+7. But king Agrippa, who now lived at Rome, was more and more in the
+favor of Caius; and when he had once made him a supper, and was careful
+to exceed all others, both in expenses and in such preparations as might
+contribute most to his pleasure; nay, it was so far from the ability of
+others, that Caius himself could never equal, much less exceed it [such
+care had he taken beforehand to exceed all men, and particularly to make
+all agreeable to Cæsar]; hereupon Caius admired his understanding and
+magnificence, that he should force himself to do all to please him, even
+beyond such expenses as he could bear, and was desirous not to be behind
+Agrippa in that generosity which he exerted in order to please him. So
+Caius, when he had drank wine plentifully, and was merrier than
+ordinary, said thus during the feast, when Agrippa had drunk to him: "I
+knew before now how great a respect thou hast had for me, and how great
+kindness thou hast shown me, though with those hazards to thyself, which
+thou underwentest under Tiberius on that account; nor hast thou omitted
+any thing to show thy good-will towards us, even beyond thy ability;
+whence it would be a base thing for me to be conquered by thy affection.
+I am therefore desirous to make thee amends for every thing in which I
+have been formerly deficient; for all that I have bestowed on thee, that
+may be called my gifts, is but little. Everything that may contribute to
+thy happiness shall be at thy service, and that cheerfully, and so far
+as my ability will reach." 34 And this was what Caius said to Agrippa,
+thinking he would ask for some large country, or the revenues of certain
+cities. But although he had prepared beforehand what he would ask, yet
+had he not discovered his intentions, but made this answer to Caius
+immediately: That it was not out of any expectation of gain that he
+formerly paid his respects to him, contrary to the commands of Tiberius,
+nor did he now do any thing relating to him out of regard to his own
+advantage, and in order to receive any thing from him; that the gifts he
+had already bestowed upon him were great, and beyond the hopes of even a
+craving man; for although they may be beneath thy power, [who art the
+donor,] yet are they greater than my inclination and dignity, who am the
+receiver. And as Caius was astonished at Agrippa's inclinations, and
+still the more pressed him to make his request for somewhat which he
+might gratify him with, Agrippa replied, "Since thou, O my lord!
+declarest such is thy readiness to grant, that I am worthy of thy gifts,
+I will ask nothing relating to my own felicity; for what thou hast
+already bestowed on me has made me excel therein; but I desire somewhat
+which may make thee glorious for piety, and render the Divinity
+assistant to thy designs, and may be for an honor to me among those that
+inquire about it, as showing that I never once fail of obtaining what I
+desire of thee; for my petition is this, that thou wilt no longer think
+of the dedication of that statue which thou hast ordered to be set up in
+the Jewish temple by Petronius."
+
+8. And thus did Agrippa venture to cast the die upon this occasion, so
+great was the affair in his opinion, and in reality, though he knew how
+dangerous a thing it was so to speak; for had not Caius approved of it,
+it had tended to no less than the loss of his life. So Caius, who was
+mightily taken with Agrippa's obliging behavior, and on other accounts
+thinking it a dishonorable thing to be guilty of falsehood before so
+many witnesses, in points wherein he had with such alacrity forced
+Agrippa to become a petitioner, and that it would look as if he had
+already repented of what he had said, and because he greatly admired
+Agrippa's virtue, in not desiring him at all to augment his own
+dominions, either with larger revenues, or other authority, but took
+care of the public tranquillity, of the laws, and of the Divinity
+itself, he granted him what he had requested. He also wrote thus to
+Petronius, commending him for his assembling his army, and then
+consulting him about these affairs. "If therefore," said' he, "thou hast
+already erected my statue, let it stand; but if thou hast not yet
+dedicated it, do not trouble thyself further about it, but dismiss thy
+army, go back, and take care of those affairs which I sent thee about at
+first, for I have now no occasion for the erection of that statue. This
+I have granted as a favor to Agrippa, a man whom I honor so very
+greatly, that I am not able to contradict what he would have, or what he
+desired me to do for him." And this was what Caius wrote to Petronius,
+which was before he received his letter, informing him that the Jews
+were very ready to revolt about the statue, and that they seemed
+resolved to threaten war against the Romans, and nothing else. When
+therefore Caius was much displeased that any attempt should be made
+against his government as he was a slave to base and vicious actions on
+all occasions, and had no regard to what was virtuous and honorable, and
+against whomsoever he resolved to show his anger, and that for any cause
+whatsoever, he suffered not himself to be restrained by any admonition,
+but thought the indulging his anger to be a real pleasure, he wrote thus
+to Petronius: "Seeing thou esteemest the presents made thee by the Jews
+to be of greater value than my commands, and art grown insolent enough
+to be subservient to their pleasure, I charge thee to become thy own
+judge, and to consider what thou art to do, now thou art under my
+displeasure; for I will make thee an example to the present and to all
+future ages, that they may not dare to contradict the commands of their
+emperor."
+
+9. This was the epistle which Caius wrote to Petronius; but Petronius
+did not receive it while Caius was alive, that ship which carried it
+sailing so slow, that other letters came to Petronius before this, by
+which he understood that Caius was dead; for God would not forget the
+dangers Petronius had undertaken on account of the Jews, and of his own
+honor. But when he had taken Caius away, out of his indignation of what
+he had so insolently attempted in assuming to himself divine worship,
+both Rome and all that dominion conspired with Petronius, especially
+those that were of the senatorian order, to give Caius his due reward,
+because he had been unmercifully severe to them; for he died not long
+after he had written to Petronius that epistle which threatened him with
+death. But as for the occasion of his death, and the nature of the plot
+against him, I shall relate them in the progress of this narration. Now
+that epistle which informed Petronius of Caius's death came first, and a
+little afterward came that which commanded him to kill himself with his
+own hands. Whereupon he rejoiced at this coincidence as to the death of
+Caius, and admired God's providence, who, without the least delay, and
+immediately, gave him a reward for the regard he had to the temple, and
+the assistance he afforded the Jews for avoiding the dangers they were
+in. And by this means Petronius escaped that danger of death, which he
+could not foresee.
+
+
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER 9. What Befell The Jews That Were In Babylon On Occasion Of
+Asineus And Anileus, Two Brethren.
+
+1. A Very sad calamity now befell the Jews that were in Mesopotamia, and
+especially those that dwelt in Babylonia. Inferior it was to none of the
+calamities which had gone before, and came together with a great
+slaughter of them, and that greater than any upon record before;
+concerning all which I shall speak accurately, and shall explain the
+occasions whence these miseries came upon them. There was a city of
+Babylonia called Neerda; not only a very populous one, but one that had
+a good and a large territory about it, and, besides its other
+advantages, full of men also. It was, besides, not easily to be
+assaulted by enemies, from the river Euphrates encompassing it all
+round, and from the wails that were built about it. There was also the
+city Nisibis, situate on the same current of the river. For which reason
+the Jews, depending on the natural strength of these places, deposited
+in them that half shekel which every one, by the custom of our country,
+offers unto God, as well as they did other things devoted to him; for
+they made use of these cities as a treasury, whence, at a proper time,
+they were transmitted to Jerusalem; and many ten thousand men undertook
+the carriage of those donations, out of fear of the ravages of the
+Parthians, to whom the Babylonians were then subject. Now there were two
+men, Asineus and Anileus, of the city Neerda by birth, and brethren to
+one another. They were destitute of a father, and their mother put them
+to learn the art of weaving curtains, it not being esteemed disgrace
+among them for men to be weavers of cloth. Now he that taught them that
+art, and was set over them, complained that they came too late to their
+work, and punished them with stripes; but they took this just punishment
+as an affront, and carried off all the weapons which were kept in that
+house, which were not a few, and went into a certain place where was a
+partition of the rivers, and was a place naturally very fit for the
+feeding of cattle, and for preserving such fruits as were usually laid
+up against winter. The poorest sort of the young men also resorted to
+them, whom they armed with the weapons they had gotten, and became their
+captains; and nothing hindered them from being their leaders into
+mischief; for as soon as they were become invincible, and had built them
+a citadel, they sent to such as fed cattle, and ordered them to pay them
+so much tribute out of them as might be sufficient for their
+maintenance, proposing also that they would be their friends, if they
+would submit to them, and that they would defend them from all their
+other enemies on every side, but that they would kill the cattle of
+those that refused to obey them. So they hearkened to their proposals,
+[for they could do nothing else,] and sent them as many sheep as were
+required of them; whereby their forces grew greater, and they became
+lords over all they pleased, because they marched suddenly, and did them
+a mischief, insomuch that every body who had to do with them chose to
+pay them respect; and they became formidable to such as came to assault
+them, till the report about them came to the ears of the king of Parthia
+himself.
+
+2. But when the governor of Babylonia understood this, and had a mind to
+put a stop to them before they grew greater, and before greater
+mischiefs should arise from them, he got together as great an army as he
+could, both of Parthians and Babylonians, and marched against them,
+thinking to attack them and destroy them before any one should carry
+them the news that he had got an army together. He then encamped at a
+lake, and lay still; but on the next day [it was the sabbath, which is
+among the Jews a day of rest from all sorts of work] he supposed that
+the enemy would not dare to fight him thereon, but that he would take
+them and carry them away prisoners, without fighting. He therefore
+proceeded gradually, and thought to fall upon them on the sudden. Now
+Asineus was sitting with the rest, and their weapons lay by them; upon
+which he said, "Sirs, I hear a neighing of horses; not of such as are
+feeding, but such as have men on their backs; I also hear such a noise
+of their bridles, that I am afraid that some enemies are coming upon us
+to encompass us round. However, let somebody go to look about, and make
+report of what reality there is in the present state of things; and may
+what I have said prove a false alarm." And when he had said this, some
+of them went out to spy out what was the matter; and they came again
+immediately, and said to him, that "neither hast thou been mistaken in
+telling us what our enemies were doing, nor will those enemies permit us
+to be injurious to people any longer. We are caught by their intrigues
+like brute beasts, and there is a large body of cavalry marching upon
+us, while we are destitute of hands to defend ourselves withal, because
+we are restrained from doing it by the prohibition of our law, which
+obliges us to rest [on this day]." But Asineus did not by any means
+agree with the opinion of his spy as to what was to be done, but thought
+it more agreeable to the law to pluck up their spirits in this necessity
+they were fallen into, and break their law by avenging themselves,
+although they should die in the action, than by doing nothing to please
+their enemies in submitting to be slain by them. Accordingly, he took up
+his weapons, and infused courage into those that were with him to act as
+courageously as himself. So they fell upon their enemies, and slew a
+great many of them, because they despised them and came as to a certain
+victory, and put the rest to flight.
+
+3. But when the news of this fight came to the king of Parthia, he was
+surprised at the boldness of these brethren, and was desirous to see
+them, and speak with them. He therefore sent the most trusty of all his
+guards to say thus to them: "That king Artabanus, although he had been
+unjustly treated by you, who have made an attempt against his
+government, yet hath he more regard to your courageous behavior, than to
+the anger he bears to you, and hath sent me to give you his right hand
+35 and security; and he permits you to come to him safely, and without
+any violence upon the road; and he wants to have you address yourselves
+to him as friends, without meaning any guile or deceit to you. He also
+promises to make you presents, and to pay you those respects which will
+make an addition of his power to your courage, and thereby be of
+advantage to you." Yet did Asineus himself put off his journey thither,
+but sent his brother Anileus with all such presents as he could procure.
+So he went, and was admitted to the king's presence; and when Artabanus
+saw Anileus coming alone, he inquired into the reason why Asineus
+avoided to come along with him; and when he understood that he was
+afraid, and staid by the lake, he took an oath, by the gods of his
+country, that he would do them no harm, if they came to him upon the
+assurances he gave them, and gave him his right hand. This is of the
+greatest force there with all these barbarians, and affords a firm
+security to those who converse with them; for none of them will deceive
+you when once they have given you their right hands, nor will any one
+doubt of their fidelity, when that is once given, even though they were
+before suspected of injustice. When Artabanus had done this, he sent
+away Anileus to persuade his brother to come to him. Now this the king
+did, because he wanted to curb his own governors of provinces by the
+courage of these Jewish brethren, lest they should make a league with
+them; for they were ready for a revolt, and were disposed to rebel, had
+they been sent on an expedition against them. He was also afraid, lest
+when he was engaged in a war, in order to subdue those governors of
+provinces that had revolted, the party of Asineus, and those in
+Babylonia, should be augmented, and either make war upon him, when they
+should hear of that revolt, or if they should be disappointed in that
+case, they would not fail of doing further mischief to him.
+
+4. When the king had these intentions, he sent away Anileus, and Anileus
+prevailed on his brother [to come to the king], when he had related to
+him the king's good-will, and the oath that he had taken. Accordingly,
+they made haste to go to Artabanus, who received them when they were
+come with pleasure, and admired Asineus's courage in the actions he had
+done, and this because he was a little man to see to, and at first sight
+appeared contemptible also, and such as one might deem a person of no
+value at all. He also said to his friends, how, upon the comparison, he
+showed his soul to be in all respects superior to his body; and when, as
+they were drinking together, he once showed Asineus to Abdagases, one of
+the generals of his army, and told him his name, and described the great
+courage he was of in war, and Abdagases had desired leave to kill him,
+and thereby to inflict on him a punishment for those injuries he had
+done to the Parthian government, the king replied, "I will never give
+thee leave to kill a man who hath depended on my faith, especially not
+after I have sent him my right hand, and endeavored to gain his belief
+by oaths made by the gods. But if thou be a truly warlike man, thou
+standest not in need of my perjury. Go thou then, and avenge the
+Parthian government; attack this man, when he is returned back, and
+conquer him by the forces that are under thy command, without my
+privity." Hereupon the king called for Asineus, and said to him, "It is
+time for thee, O thou young man! to return home, and not provoke the
+indignation of my generals in this place any further, lest they attempt
+to murder thee, and that without my approbation. I commit to thee the
+country of Babylonia in trust, that it may, by thy care, be preserved
+free from robbers, and from other mischiefs. I have kept my faith
+inviolable to thee, and that not in trifling affairs, but in those that
+concerned thy safety, and do therefore deserve thou shouldst be kind to
+me." When he had said this, and given Asineus some presents, he sent him
+away immediately; who, when he was come home, built fortresses, and
+became great in a little time, and managed things with such courage and
+success, as no other person, that had no higher a beginning, ever did
+before him. Those Parthian governors also, who were sent that way, paid
+him great respect; and the honor that was paid him by the Babylonians
+seemed to them too small, and beneath his deserts, although he were in
+no small dignity and power there; nay, indeed, all the affairs of
+Mesopotamia depended upon him, and he more and more flourished in this
+happy condition of his for fifteen years.
+
+5. But as their affairs were in so flourishing a state, there sprang up
+a calamity among them on the following occasion. When once they had
+deviated from that course of virtue whereby they had gained so great
+power, they affronted and transgressed the laws of their forefathers,
+and fell under the dominion of their lusts and pleasures. A certain
+Parthian, who came as general of an army into those parts, had a wife
+following him, who had a vast reputation for other accomplishments, and
+particularly was admired above all other women for her beauty. Anileus,
+the brother of Asineus, either heard of that her beauty from others, or
+perhaps saw her himself also, and so became at once her lover and her
+enemy; partly because he could not hope to enjoy this woman but by
+obtaining power over her as a captive, and partly because he thought he
+could not conquer his inclinations for her. As soon therefore as her
+husband had been declared an enemy to them, and was fallen in the
+battle, the widow of the deceased was married to this her lover.
+However, this woman did not come into their house without producing
+great misfortunes, both to Anileus himself, and to Asineus also; but
+brought great mischiefs upon them on the occasion following. Since she
+was led away captive, upon the death of her husband, she concealed the
+images of those gods which were their country gods, common to her
+husband and to herself: now it was the custom 36 of that country for all
+to have the idols they worship in their own houses, and to carry them
+along with them when they go into a foreign land; agreeable to which
+custom of theirs she carried her idols with her. Now at first she
+performed her worship to them privately; but when she was become
+Anileus's married wife, she worshipped them in her accustomed manner,
+and with the same appointed ceremonies which she used in her former
+husband's days; upon which their most esteemed friends blamed him at
+first, that he did not act after the manner of the Hebrews, nor perform
+what was agreeable to their laws, in marrying a foreign wife, and one
+that transgressed the accurate appointments of their sacrifices and
+religious ceremonies; that he ought to consider, lest, by allowing
+himself in many pleasures of the body, he might lose his principality,
+on account of the beauty of a wife, and that high authority which, by
+God's blessing, he had arrived at. But when they prevailed not at all
+upon him, he slew one of them for whom he had the greatest respect,
+because of the liberty he took with him; who, when he was dying, out of
+regard to the laws, imprecated a punishment upon his murderer Anileus,
+and upon Asineus also, and that all their companions might come to a
+like end from their enemies; upon the two first as the principal actors
+of this wickedness, and upon the rest as those that would not assist him
+when he suffered in the defense of their laws. Now these latter were
+sorely grieved, yet did they tolerate these doings, because they
+remembered that they had arrived at their present happy state by no
+other means than their fortitude. But when they also heard of the
+worship of those gods whom the Parthians adore, they thought the injury
+that Anileus offered to their laws was to be borne no longer; and a
+greater number of them came to Asineus, and loudly complained of
+Anileus, and told him that it had been well that he had of himself seen
+what was advantageous to them; but that however it was now high time to
+correct what had been done amiss, before the crime that had been
+committed proved the ruin of himself and all the rest of them. They
+added, that the marriage of this woman was made without their consent,
+and without a regard to their old laws; and that the worship which this
+woman paid [to her gods] was a reproach to the God whom they worshipped.
+Now Asineus was sensible of his brother's offense, that it had been
+already the cause of great mischiefs, and would be so for the time to
+come; yet did he tolerate the same from the good-will he had to so near
+a relation, and forgiving it to him, on account that his brother was
+quite overborne by his wicked inclinations. But as more and more still
+came about him every day, and the clamors about it became greater, he at
+length spake to Anileus about these clamors, reproving him for his
+former actions, and desiring him for the future to leave them off, and
+send the woman back to her relations. But nothing was gained by these
+reproofs; for as the woman perceived what a tumult was made among the
+people on her account, and was afraid for Anileus, lest he should come
+to any harm for his love to her, she infused poison into Asineus's food,
+and thereby took him off, and was now secure of prevailing, when her
+lover was to be judge of what should be done about her.
+
+6. So Anileus took the government upon himself alone, and led his army
+against the villages of Mithridates, who was a man of principal
+authority in Parthia, and had married king Artabanus's daughter; he also
+plundered them, and among that prey was found much money, and many
+slaves, as also a great number of sheep, and many other things, which,
+when gained, make men's condition happy. Now when Mithridates, who was
+there at this time, heard that his villages were taken, he was very much
+displeased to find that Anileus had first begun to injure him, and to
+affront him in his present dignity, when he had not offered any injury
+to him beforehand; and he got together the greatest body of horsemen he
+was able, and those out of that number which were of an age fit for war,
+and came to fight Anileus; and when he was arrived at a certain village
+of his own, he lay still there, as intending to fight him on the day
+following, because it was the sabbath, the day on which the Jews rest.
+And when Anileus was informed of this by a Syrian stranger of another
+village, who not only gave him an exact account of other circumstances,
+but told him where Mithridates would have a feast, he took his supper at
+a proper time, and marched by night, with an intent of falling upon the
+Parthians while they were unapprised what they should do; so he fell
+upon them about the fourth watch of the night, and some of them he slew
+while they were asleep, and others he put to flight, and took
+Mithridates alive, and set him naked upon an ass 37 which, among the
+Parthians, is esteemed the greatest reproach possible. And when he had
+brought him into a wood with such a resolution, and his friends desired
+him to kill Mithridates, he soon told them his own mind to the contrary,
+and said that it was not right to kill a man who was of one of the
+principal families among the Parthians, and greatly honored with
+matching into the royal family; that so far as they had hitherto gone
+was tolerable; for although they had injured Mithridates, yet if they
+preserved his life, this benefit would be remembered by him to the
+advantage of those that gave it him; but that if he were once put to
+death, the king would not be at rest till he had made a great slaughter
+of the Jews that dwelt at Babylon; "to whose safety we ought to have a
+regard, both on account of our relation to them, and because if any
+misfortune befall us, we have no other place to retire to, since he hath
+gotten the flower of their youth under him." By this thought, and this
+speech of his made in council, he persuaded them to act accordingly; so
+Mithridates was let go. But when he was got away, his wife reproached
+him, that although he was son-in-law to the king, he neglected to avenge
+himself on those that had injured him, while he took no care about it,
+but was contented to have been made a captive by the Jews, and to have
+escaped them; and she bid him either to go back like a man of courage,
+or else she sware by the gods of their royal family that she would
+certainly dissolve her marriage with him. Upon which, partly because he
+could not bear the daily trouble of her taunts, and partly because he
+was afraid of her insolence, lest she should in earnest dissolve their
+marriage, he unwillingly, and against his inclinations, got together
+again as great an army as he could, and marched along with them, as
+himself thinking it a thing not to be borne any longer, that he, a
+Parthian, should owe his preservation to the Jews, when they had been
+too hard for him in the war.
+
+7. But as soon as Anileus understood that Mithridates was marching with
+a great army against him, he thought it too ignominious a thing to tarry
+about the lakes, and not to take the first opportunity of meeting his
+enemies, and he hoped to have the same success, and to beat their
+enemies as they did before; as also he ventured boldly upon the like
+attempts. Accordingly, he led out his army, and a great many more joined
+themselves to that army, in order to betake themselves to plunder the
+people, and in order to terrify the enemy again by their numbers. But
+when they had marched ninety furlongs, while the road had been through
+dry [and sandy] places, and about the midst of the day, they were become
+very thirsty; and Mithridates appeared, and fell upon them, as they were
+in distress for want of water, on which account, and on account of the
+time of the day, they were not able to bear their weapons. So Anileus
+and his men were put to an ignominious rout, while men in despair were
+to attack those that were fresh and in good plight; so a great slaughter
+was made, and many ten thousand men fell. Now Anileus, and all that
+stood firm about him, ran away as fast as they were able into a wood,
+and afforded Mithridates the pleasure of having gained a great victory
+over them. But there now came in to Anileus a conflux of bad men, who
+regarded their own lives very little, if they might but gain some
+present ease, insomuch that they, by thus coming to him, compensated the
+multitude of those that perished in the fight. Yet were not these men
+like to those that fell, because they were rash, and unexercised in war;
+however, with these he came upon the villages of the Babylonians, and a
+mighty devastation of all things was made there by the injuries that
+Anileus did them. So the Babylonians, and those that had already been in
+the war, sent to Neerda to the Jews there, and demanded Anileus. But
+although they did not agree to their demands, [for if they had been
+willing to deliver him up, it was not in their power so to do,] yet did
+they desire to make peace with them. To which the other replied, that
+they also wanted to settle conditions of peace with them, and sent men
+together with the Babylonians, who discoursed with Anileus about them.
+But the Babylonians, upon taking a view of his situation, and having
+learned where Anileus and his men lay, fell secretly upon them as they
+were drunk and fallen asleep, and slew all that they caught of them,
+without any fear, and killed Anileus himself also.
+
+8. The Babylonians were now freed from Anileus's heavy incursions, which
+had been a great restraint to the effects of that hatred they bore to
+the Jews; for they were almost always at variance, by reason of the
+contrariety of their laws; and which party soever grew boldest before
+the other, they assaulted the other: and at this time in particular it
+was, that upon the ruin of Anileus's party, the Babylonians attacked the
+Jews, which made those Jews so vehemently to resent the injuries they
+received from the Babylonians, that being neither able to fight them,
+nor bearing to live with them, they went to Seleucia, the principal city
+of those parts, which was built by Seleucus Nicator. It was inhabited by
+many of the Macedonians, but by more of the Grecians; not a few of the
+Syrians also dwelt there; and thither did the Jews fly, and lived there
+five years, without any misfortunes. But on the sixth year, a pestilence
+came upon these at Babylon, which occasioned new removals of men's
+habitations out of that city; and because they came to Seleucia, it
+happened that a still heavier calamity came upon them on that account
+which I am going to relate immediately.
+
+9. Now the way of living of the people of Seleucia, which were Greeks
+and Syrians, was commonly quarrelsome, and full of discords, though the
+Greeks were too hard for the Syrians. When, therefore, the Jews were
+come thither, and dwelt among them, there arose a sedition, and the
+Syrians were too hard for the other, by the assistance of the Jews, who
+are men that despise dangers, and very ready to fight upon any occasion.
+Now when the Greeks had the worst in this sedition, and saw that they
+had but one way of recovering their former authority, and that was, if
+they could prevent the agreement between the Jews and the Syrians, they
+every one discoursed with such of the Syrians as were formerly their
+acquaintance, and promised they would be at peace and friendship with
+them. Accordingly, they gladly agreed so to do; and when this was done
+by the principal men of both nations, they soon agreed to a
+reconciliation; and when they were so agreed, they both knew that the
+great design of such their union would be their common hatred to the
+Jews. Accordingly, they fell upon them, and slew about fifty thousand of
+them; nay, the Jews were all destroyed, excepting a few who escaped,
+either by the compassion which their friends or neighbors afforded them,
+in order to let them fly away. These retired to Ctesiphon, a Grecian
+city, and situate near to Seleucia, where the king [of Parthia] lives in
+winter every year, and where the greatest part of his riches are
+reposited; but the Jews had here no certain settlement, those of
+Seleucia having little concern for the king's honor. Now the whole
+nation of the Jews were in fear both of the Babylonians and of the
+Seleucians, because all the Syrians that live in those places agreed
+with the Seleucians in the war against the Jews; so the most of them
+gathered themselves together, and went to Neerda and Nisibis, and
+obtained security there by the strength of those cities; besides which
+their inhabitants, who were a great many, were all warlike men. And this
+was the state of the Jews at this time in Babylonia.
+
+
+
+
+
+
+FOOTNOTES:
+
+
+1 (return) [ Since St. Luke once, Acts 5:37, and Josephus four several
+times, once here, sect. 6; and B. XX. ch. 5. sect. 2; Of the War, B. II.
+ch. 8. sect. 1; and ch. 17. sect. 8, calls this Judas, who was the
+pestilent author of that seditious doctrine and temper which brought the
+Jewish nation to utter destruction, a Galilean; but here [sect. 1:
+Josephus calls him a Gaulonite, of the city of Gamala; it is a great
+question where this Judas was born, whether in Galilee on the west side,
+or in Gaulonitis on the east side, of the river Jordan; while, in the
+place just now cited out of the Antiquities, B. XX. ch. 5. sect. 2, he
+is not only called a Galilean, but it is added to his story, "as I have
+signified in the books that go before these," as if he had still called
+him a Galilean in those Antiquities before, as well as in that
+particular place, as Dean Aldrich observes, Of the War, B. II. ch. 8.
+sect. 1. Nor can one well imagine why he should here call him a
+Gaulonite, when in the 6th sect. following here, as well as twice Of the
+War, he still calls him a Galilean. As for the city of Gamala, whence
+this Judas was derived, it determines nothing, since there were two of
+that name, the one in Gaulonitis, the other in Galilee. See Reland on
+the city or town of that name.]
+
+
+2 (return) [ It seems not very improbable to me that this Sadduc, the
+Pharisee, was the very same man of whom the Rabbins speak, as the
+unhappy, but undesigning, occasion of the impiety or infidelity of the
+Sadducees; nor perhaps had the men this name of Sadducees till this very
+time, though they were a distinct sect long before. See the note on B.
+XIII. ch. 10. sect 5; and Dean Prideaux, as there quoted. Nor do we,
+that I know of, find the least footsteps of such impiety or infidelity
+of these Sadducees before this time, the Recognitions assuring us that
+they began about the days of John the Baptist; B. 1. ch. 54. See note
+above.]
+
+
+3 (return) [ It seems by what Josephus says here, and Philo himself
+elsewhere, Op. p. 679, that these Essens did not use to go to the Jewish
+festivals at Jerusalem, or to offer sacrifices there, which may be one
+great occasion why they are never mentioned in the ordinary books of the
+New Testament; though, in the Apostolical Constitutions, they are
+mentioned as those that observed the customs of their forefathers, and
+that without any such ill character laid upon them as is there laid upon
+the other sects among that people.]
+
+
+4 (return) [ Who these Polistae in Josephus, or in Strabo, among the
+Pythagoric Dacae, were, it is not easy to determine. Scaliger offers no
+improbable conjecture, that some of these Dacae lived alone, like monks,
+in tents or caves; but that others of them lived together in built
+cities, and thence were called by such names as implied the same.]
+
+
+5 (return) [ We may here take notice, as well as in the parallel parts
+of the books Of the War, B. II. ch. 9. sect. 1, that after the death of
+Herod the Great, and the succession of Archelaus, Josephus is very brief
+in his accounts of Judea, till near his own time. I suppose the reason
+is, that after the large history of Nicolaus of Damascus, including the
+life of Herod, and probably the succession and first actions of his
+sons, he had but few good histories of those times before him.]
+
+
+6 (return) [ Numbers 19:11-14.]
+
+
+7 (return) [ This citation is now wanting.]
+
+
+8 (return) [ These Jews, as they are here called, whose blood Pilate
+shed on this occasion, may very well be those very Galilean Jews, "whose
+blood Pilate had mingled with their sacrifices," Luke 13:1, 2; these
+tumults being usually excited at some of the Jews' great festivals, when
+they slew abundance of sacrifices, and the Galileans being commonly much
+more busy in such tumults than those of Judea and Jerusalem, as we learn
+from the history of Archelaus, Antiq. B. XVII. ch. 9. sect. 3 and ch.
+10. sect. 2, 9; though, indeed, Josephus's present copies say not one
+word of "those eighteen upon whom the tower in Siloam fell, and slew
+them," which the 4th verse of the same 13th chapter of St. Luke informs
+us of. But since our gospel teaches us, Luke 23:6, 7, that "when Pilate
+heard of Galilee, he asked whether Jesus were a Galilean. And as soon as
+he knew that he belonged to Herod's jurisdiction, he sent him to Herod;"
+and ver. 12, "The same day Pilate and Herod were made friends together
+for before they had been at enmity between themselves;" take the very
+probable key of this matter in the words of the learned Noldius, de
+Herod. No. 219: "The cause of the enmity between Herod and Pilate [says
+he] seems to have been this, that Pilate had intermeddled with the
+tetrarch's jurisdiction, and had slain some of his Galilean subjects,
+Luke 13:1; and, as he was willing to correct that error, he sent Christ
+to Herod at this time."]
+
+
+9 (return) [ A.D. 33, April 3.]
+
+
+10 (return) [ April 5.]
+
+
+11 (return) [ Of the banishment of these four thousand Jews into
+Sardinia by Tiberius, see Suetonlus in Tiber. sect. 36. But as for Mr.
+Reland's note here, which supposes that Jews could not, consistently
+with their laws, be soldiers, it is contradicted by one branch of the
+history before us, and contrary to innumerable instances of their
+fighting, and proving excellent soldiers in war; and indeed many of the
+best of them, and even under heathen kings themselves, did so; those, I
+mean, who allowed them their rest on the sabbath day, and other solemn
+festivals, and let them live according to their own laws, as Alexander
+the Great and the Ptolemies of Egypt did. It is true, they could not
+always obtain those privileges, and then they got executed as well as
+they could, or sometimes absolutely refused to fight, which seems to
+have been the case here, as to the major part of the Jews now banished,
+but nothing more. See several of the Roman decrees in their favor as to
+such matters, B. XIV. ch. 10.]
+
+
+12 (return) [ Since Moses never came himself beyond Jordan, nor
+particularly to Mount Gerizzim, and since these Samaritans have a
+tradition among them, related here by Dr. Hudson, from Reland, who was
+very skillful in Jewish and Samaritan learning, that in the days of Uzzi
+or Ozis the high priest, 1 Chronicles 6:6; the ark and other sacred
+vessels were, by God's command, laid up or hidden in Mount Gerizzim, it
+is highly probable that this was the foolish foundation the present
+Samaritans went upon, in the sedition here described.]
+
+
+13 (return) [ This mention of the high priest's sacred garments received
+seven days before a festival, and purified in those days against a
+festival, as having been polluted by being in the custody of heathens,
+in Josephus, agrees well with the traditions of the Talmudists, as
+Reland here observes. Nor is there any question but the three feasts
+here mentioned were the passover, pentecost, and feast of tabernacles;
+and the fast so called by way of distinction, as Acts 27:9, was the
+great day of expiation.]
+
+
+14 (return) [ This calculation, from all Josephus's Greek copies, is
+exactly right; for since Herod died about September, in the fourth year
+before the Christian era, and Tiberius began, as is well known, Aug. 19,
+A.D. 14, it is evident that the thirty-seventh year of Philip, reckoned
+from his father's death, was the twentieth of Tiberius, or near the end
+of A.D. 33, [the very year of our Savior's death also,] or, however, in
+the beginning of the next year, A.D. 34. This Philip the tetrarch seems
+to have been the best of all the posterity of Herod, for his love of
+peace, and his love of justice. An excellent example this.]
+
+
+15 (return) [ This Herod seems to have had the additional name of
+Philip, as Antipas was named Herod-Antipas: and as Antipas and Antipater
+seem to be in a manner the very same name, yet were the names of two
+sons of Herod the Great; so might Philip the tetrarch and this Herod-
+Philip be two different sons of the same father, all which Grotias
+observes on Matthew 14:3. Nor was it, as I with Grotias and others of
+the Philip the tetrarch, but this Herod-Philip, whose wife Herod the
+tetrarch had married, and that in her first husband's lifetime, and when
+her first husband had issue by her-; for which adulterous and incestuous
+marriage John the Baptist justly reproved Herod the tetrarch, and for
+which reproof Salome, the daughter of Herodias by her first husband
+Herod-Philip, who was still alive, occasioned him to be unjustly
+beheaded.]
+
+
+16 (return) [ Whether this sudden extinction of almost the entire
+lineage of Herod the Great, which was very numerous, as we are both here
+and in the next section informed, was not in part as a punishment for
+the gross incests they were frequently guilty of, in marrying their own
+nephews and nieces, well deserves to be considered. See Leviticus 18:6,
+7; 21:10; and Noldius, De Herod, No. 269, 270.]
+
+
+17 (return) [ There are coins still extant of this Eraess, as Spanheim
+informs us. Spanheim also informs us of a coin still extant of this
+Jotape, daughter of the king of Commageus.]
+
+
+18 (return) [ Spanheim observes, that we have here an instance of the
+Attic quantity of use-money, which was the eighth part of the original
+sum, or 12 per cent., for such is the proportion of 2500 to 20,000.]
+
+
+19 (return) [ The governor of the Jews there.]
+
+
+20 (return) [ Tiberius, junior of Germanicus.]
+
+
+21 (return) [ This high commendation of Antonia for marrying but once,
+given here, and supported elsewhere; Antiq. B. XVII. ch. 13. sect. 4,
+and this, notwithstanding the strongest temptations, shows how honorable
+single marriages were both among the Jews and Romans, in the days of
+Josephus and of the apostles, and takes away much of that surprise which
+the modern Protestants have at those laws of the apostles, where no
+widows, but those who had been the wives of one husband only, are taken
+into the church list; and no bishops, priests, or deacons are allowed to
+marry more than once, without leaving off to officiate as clergymen any
+longer. See Luke 2:36; 1 Timothy 5:11, 12; 3:2, 12; Titus 1:10; Constit.
+Apost. B. II. sect. 1, 2; B. VI. sect. 17; Can. B. XVII,; Grot. in Luc.
+ii. 36; and Resports. ad Consult. Cassand. p. 44; and Cotelet. in
+Constit. B. VI. sect. 17. And note, that Tertullian owns this law
+against second marriages of the clergy had been once at least executed
+in his time; and heavily complains elsewhere, that the breach thereof
+had not been always punished by the catholics, as it ought to have been.
+Jerome, speaking of the ill reputation of marrying twice, says, that no
+such person could be chosen into the clergy in his days; which Augustine
+testifies also; and for Epiphanius, rather earlier, he is clear and full
+to the same purpose, and says that law obtained over the whole catholic
+church in his days,—as the places in the forecited authors inform us.]
+
+
+22 (return) [ Dr. Hudson here takes notice, out of Seneca, Epistle V.
+that this was the custom of Tiberius, to couple the prisoner and the
+soldier that guarded him together in the same chain.]
+
+
+23 (return) [ Tiberius his own grandson, and Caius his brother Drusus's
+grandson.]
+
+
+24 (return) [ So I correct Josephus's copy, which calls Germanicus his
+brother, who was his brother's son.]
+
+
+25 (return) [ This is a known thing among the Roman historians and
+poets, that Tiberius was greatly given to astrology and divination.]
+
+
+26 (return) [ This name of a lion is often given to tyrants, especially
+by the such Agrippa, and probably his freed-man Marsyas, in effect were,
+Ezekiel 19:1, 9; Esther 4:9 2 Timothy 4:17. They are also sometimes
+compared to or represented by wild beasts, of which the lion is the
+principal, Daniel 7:3, 8; Apoc. 13:1, 2.]
+
+
+27 (return) [ Although Caius now promised to give Agrippa the tetrarchy
+of Lysanias, yet was it not actually conferred upon him till the reign
+of Claudius, as we learn, Antiq. B. XIX, ch. 5. sect. 1.]
+
+
+28 (return) [ Regarding instances of the interpositions of Providence,
+as have been always very rare among the other idolatrous nations, but of
+old very many among the posterity of Abraham, the worshippers of the
+true God; nor do these seem much inferior to those in the Old Testament,
+which are the more remarkable, because, among all their other follies
+and vices, the Jews were not at this time idolaters; and the
+deliverances here mentioned were done in order to prevent their relapse
+into that idolatry.]
+
+
+29 (return) [ Josephus here assures us that the ambassadors from
+Alexandria to Caius were on each part no more than three in number, for
+the Jews, and for the Gentiles, which are but six in all; whereas Philo,
+who was the principal ambassador from the Jews, as Josephus here
+confesses, [as was Apion for the Gentiles,] says, the Jews' ambassadors
+were themselves no fewer than live, towards the end of his legation to
+Caius; which, if there be no mistake in the copies, must be supposed the
+truth; nor, in that case, would Josephus have contradicted so authentic
+a witness, had he seen that account of Philo's; which that he ever did
+does not appear.]
+
+
+30 (return) [ This Alexander, the alabarch, or governor of the Jews, at
+Alexandria, and brother to Philo, is supposed by Bishop Pearson, in Act.
+Apost. p. 41,42, to be the same with that Alexander who is mentioned by
+St. Luke, as of the kindred of the high priests, Acts 4:6.]
+
+
+31 (return) [ What Josephus here, and sect. 6, relates as done by the
+Jews seed time, is in Philo, "not far off the time when the corn was
+ripe," who, as Le Clerc notes, differ here one from the other. This is
+another indication that Josephus, when he wrote this account, had not
+seen Philo's Legat. ad Caiurn, otherwise he would hardly trove herein
+differed from him.]
+
+
+32 (return) [ This. Publius Petronius was after this still president of
+Syria, under Cladius, and, at the desire of Agrippa, published a severe
+decree against the inhabitants of Dora, who, in a sort of intitiation of
+Caius, had set op a statue of Claudius in a Jewish synagogue there. This
+decree is extant, B. XIX. ch. 6. sect. 3, and greatly confirms the
+present accounts of Josephus, as do the other decrees of Claudius,
+relating to the like Jewish affairs, B. XIX. ch. 5. sect. 2, 3, to which
+I refer the inquisitive reader.]
+
+
+33 (return) [ Josephus here uses the solemn New Testament words, the
+presence and appearance of God, for the extraordinary manifestation of
+his power and providence to Petronius, by sending rain in a time of
+distress, immediately upon the resolution he had taken to preserve the
+temple unpolluted, at the hazard of his own life, without any other
+miraculous appearance at all in that case; which well deserves to be
+taken notice of here, and greatly illustrates several texts, both in the
+Old and New Testament.]
+
+
+34 (return) [ This behavior of Caius to Agrippa is very like that of
+Herod Antipas, his uncle, to Herodias, Agrippa's sister, about it John
+the Baptist, Matthew 14:6—11.]
+
+
+35 (return) [ The joining of the right hands was esteemed among the
+Peoians [and Parthians] in particular a most inviolable obligation to
+fidelity, as Dr. Hudson here observes, and refers to the commentary on
+Justin, B. XI. ch. 15., for its confirmation. We often meet with the
+like use of it in Josephus.]
+
+
+36 (return) [ This custom of the Mesopotamians to carry their household
+gods along with them wherever they traveled is as old as the days of
+Jacob, when Rachel his wife did the same, Genesis 31:19, 30-35; nor is
+it to pass here unobserved, what great miseries came on these Jews,
+because they suffered one of their leaders to marry an idolatrous wife,
+contrary to the law of Moses. Of which matter see the note on B. XIX.
+ch. 5. sect. 3.]
+
+
+37 (return) [ This custom, in Syria and Mesopotamia, of setting men upon
+an ass, by way of disgrace, is still kept up at Damascus in Syria;
+where, in order to show their despite against the Christians, the Turks
+will not suffer them to hire horses, but asses only, when they go abroad
+to see the country, as Mr. Maundrell assures us, p. 128.]
+
+
+
+
+
+
+BOOK XIX. Containing The Interval Of Three Years And A Half.—From The
+Departure Out Of Babylon To Fadus, The Roman Procurator.
+
+
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER 1. How Caius 1 Was Slain By Cherea.
+
+1. Now this Caius 2 did not demonstrate his madness in offering injuries
+only to the Jews at Jerusalem, or to those that dwelt in the
+neighborhood; but suffered it to extend itself through all the earth and
+sea, so far as was in subjection to the Romans, and filled it with ten
+thousand mischiefs; so many indeed in number as no former history
+relates. But Rome itself felt the most dismal effects of what he did,
+while he deemed that not to be any way more honorable than the rest of
+the cities; but he pulled and hauled its other citizens, but especially
+the senate, and particularly the nobility, and such as had been
+dignified by illustrious ancestors; he also had ten thousand devices
+against such of the equestrian order, as it was styled, who were
+esteemed by the citizens equal in dignity and wealth with the senators,
+because out of them the senators were themselves chosen; these he
+treated after all ignominious manner, and removed them out of his way,
+while they were at once slain, and their wealth plundered, because he
+slew men generally in order to seize on their riches. He also asserted
+his own divinity, and insisted on greater honors to be paid him by his
+subjects than are due to mankind. He also frequented that temple of
+Jupiter which they style the Capitol, which is with them the most holy
+of all their temples, and had boldness enough to call himself the
+brother of Jupiter. And other pranks he did like a madman; as when he
+laid a bridge from the city Dicearchia, which belongs to Campania, to
+Misenum, another city upon the sea-side, from one promontory to another,
+of the length of thirty furlongs, as measured over the sea. And this was
+done because he esteemed it to be a most tedious thing to row over it in
+a small ship, and thought withal that it became him to make that bridge,
+since he was lord of the sea, and might oblige it to give marks of
+obedience as well as the earth; so he enclosed the whole bay within his
+bridge, and drove his chariot over it; and thought that, as he was a
+god, it was fit for him to travel over such roads as this was. Nor did
+he abstain from the plunder of any of the Grecian temples, and gave
+order that all the engravings and sculptures, and the rest of the
+ornaments of the statues and donations therein dedicated, should be
+brought to him, saying that the best things ought to be set no where but
+in the best place, and that the city of Rome was that best place. He
+also adorned his own house and his gardens with the curiosities brought
+from those temples, together with the houses he lay at when he traveled
+all over Italy; whence he did not scruple to give a command that the
+statue of Jupiter Olympius, so called because he was honored at the
+Olympian games by the Greeks, which was the work of Phidias the
+Athenian, should be brought to Rome. Yet did not he compass his end,
+because the architects told Memmius Regulus, who was commanded to remove
+that statue of Jupiter, that the workmanship was such as would be
+spoiled, and would not bear the removal. It was also reported that
+Memmius, both on that account, and on account of some such mighty
+prodigies as are of an incredible nature, put off the taking it down,
+and wrote to Caius those accounts, as his apology for not having done
+what his epistle required of him; and that when he was thence in danger
+of perishing, he was saved by Caius being dead himself, before he had
+put him to death.
+
+2. Nay, Caius's madness came to this height, that when he had a daughter
+born, he carried her into the capitol, and put her upon the knees of the
+statue, and said that the child was common to him and to Jupiter, and
+determined that she had two fathers, but which of these fathers were the
+greatest he left undetermined; and yet mankind bore him in such his
+pranks. He also gave leave to slaves to accuse their masters of any
+crimes whatsoever they pleased; for all such accusations were terrible,
+because they were in great part made to please him, and at his
+suggestion, insomuch that Pollux, Claudius's slave, had the boldness to
+lay an accusation against Claudius himself; and Caius was not ashamed to
+be present at his trial of life and death, to hear that trial of his own
+uncle, in hopes of being able to take him off, although he did not
+succeed to his mind. But when he had filled the whole habitable world
+which he governed with false accusations and miseries, and had
+occasioned the greatest insults of slaves against their masters, who
+indeed in a great measure ruled them, there were many secret plots now
+laid against him; some in anger, and in order for men to revenge
+themselves, on account of the miseries they had already undergone from
+him; and others made attempts upon him, in order to take him off before
+they should fall into such great miseries, while his death came very
+fortunately for the preservation of the laws of all men, and had a great
+influence upon the public welfare; and this happened most happily for
+our nation in particular, which had almost utterly perished if he had
+not been suddenly slain. And I confess I have a mind to give a full
+account of this matter particularly, because it will afford great
+assurance of the power of God, and great comfort to those that are under
+afflictions, and wise caution to those who think their happiness will
+never end, nor bring them at length to the most lasting miseries, if
+they do not conduct their lives by the principles of virtue.
+
+3. Now there were three several conspiracies made in order to take off
+Caius, and each of these three were conducted by excellent persons.
+Emilius Regulus, born at Corduba in Spain, got some men together, and
+was desirous to take Caius off, either by them or by himself. Another
+conspiracy there was laid by them, under the conduct of Cherea Cassius,
+the tribune [of the Pretorian band]. Minucianus Annins was also one of
+great consequence among those that were prepared to oppose his tyranny.
+Now the several occasions of these men's several hatred and conspiracy
+against Caius were these: Regulus had indignation and hatred against all
+injustice, for he had a mind naturally angry, and bold, and free, which
+made him not conceal his counsels; so he communicated them to many of
+his friends, and to others who seemed to him persons of activity and
+vigor: Minucianus entered into this conspiracy, because of the injustice
+done to Lepidus his particular friend, and one of the best character of
+all the citizens, whom Caius had slain, as also because he was afraid of
+himself, since Caius's wrath tended to the slaughter of all alike: and
+for Cherea, he came in, because he thought it a deed worthy of a free
+ingenuous man to kill Caius, and was ashamed of the reproaches he lay
+under from Caius, as though he were a coward; as also because he was
+himself in danger every day from his friendship with him, and the
+observance he paid him. These men proposed this attempt to all the rest
+that were concerned, who saw the injuries that were offered them, and
+were desirous that Caius's slaughter might succeed by their mutual
+assistance of one another, and they might themselves escape being killed
+by the taking off Caius; that perhaps they should gain their point; and
+that it would be a happy thing, if they should gain it, to approve
+themselves to so many excellent persons, as earnestly wished to be
+partakers with them in their design for the delivery of the city and of
+the government, even at the hazard of their own lives. But still Cherea
+was the most zealous of them all, both out of a desire of getting
+himself the greatest name, and also by reason of his access to Caius's
+presence with less danger, because he was tribune, and could therefore
+the more easily kill him.
+
+4. Now at this time came on the horse-races [Circensian games]; the view
+of which games was eagerly desired by the people of Rome, for they come
+with great alacrity into the hippodrome [circus] at such times, and
+petition their emperors, in great multitudes, for what they stand in
+need of; who usually did not think fit to deny them their requests, but
+readily and gratefully granted them. Accordingly, they most
+importunately desired that Caius would now ease them in their tributes,
+and abate somewhat of the rigor of their taxes imposed upon them; but he
+would not hear their petition; and when their clamors increased, he sent
+soldiers some one way and some another, and gave order that they should
+lay hold on those that made the clamors, and without any more ado bring
+them out, and put them to death. These were Caius's commands, and those
+who were commanded executed the same; and the number of those who were
+slain on this occasion was very great. Now the people saw this, and bore
+it so far, that they left off clamoring, because they saw with their own
+eyes that this petition to be relieved, as to the payment of their
+money, brought immediate death upon them. These things made Cherea more
+resolute to go on with his plot, in order to put an end to this
+barbarity of Caius against men. He then at several times thought to fall
+upon Caius, even as he was feasting; yet did he restrain himself by some
+considerations; not that he had any doubt on him about killing him, but
+as watching for a proper season, that the attempt might not be
+frustrated, but that he might give the blow so as might certainly gain
+his purpose.
+
+5. Cherea had been in the army a long time, yet was he not pleased with
+conversing so much with Caius. But Caius had set him to require the
+tributes, and other dues, which, when not paid in due time, were
+forfeited to Cæsar's treasury; and he had made some delays in requiring
+them, because those burdens had been doubled, and had rather indulged
+his own mild disposition than performed Caius's command; nay, indeed, he
+provoked Caius to anger by his sparing men, and pitying the hard
+fortunes of those from whom he demanded the taxes; and Caius upbraided
+him with his sloth and effeminacy in being so long about collecting the
+taxes. And indeed he did not only affront him in other respects, but
+when he gave him the watchword of the day, to whom it was to be given by
+his place, he gave him feminine words, and those of a nature very
+reproachful; and these watchwords he gave out, as having been initiated
+in the secrets of certain mysteries, which he had been himself the
+author of. Now although he had sometimes put on women's clothes, and had
+been wrapt in some embroidered garments to them belonging, and done a
+great many other things, in order to make the company mistake him for a
+woman; yet did he, by way of reproach, object the like womanish behavior
+to Cherea. But when Cherea received the watchword from him, he had
+indignation at it, but had greater indignation at the delivery of it to
+others, as being laughed at by those that received it; insomuch that his
+fellow tribunes made him the subject of their drollery; for they would
+foretell that he would bring them some of his usual watchwords when he
+was about to take the watchword from Cæsar, and would thereby make him
+ridiculous; on which accounts he took the courage of assuming certain
+partners to him, as having just reasons for his indignation against
+Caius. Now there was one Pompedius, a senator, and one who had gone
+through almost all posts in the government, but otherwise an Epicurean,
+and for that reason loved to lead an inactive life. Now Timidius, an
+enemy of his, had informed Caius that he had used indecent reproaches
+against him, and he made use of Quintilia for a witness to them; a woman
+she was much beloved by many that frequented the theater, and
+particularly by Pompedius, on account of her great beauty. Now this
+woman thought it a horrible thing to attest to an accusation that
+touched the life of her lover, which was also a lie. Timidius, however,
+wanted to have her brought to the torture. Caius was irritated at this
+reproach upon him, and commanded Cherea, without any delay, to torture
+Quintilia, as he used to employ Cherea in such bloody matters, and those
+that required the torture, because he thought he would do it the more
+barbarously, in order to avoid that imputation of effeminacy which he
+had laid upon him. But Quintilia, when she was brought to the rack, trod
+upon the foot of one of her associates, and let him know that he might
+be of good courage, and not be afraid of the consequence of her
+tortures, for that she would bear them with magnanimity. Cherea tortured
+this woman after a cruel manner; unwillingly indeed, but because he
+could not help it. He then brought her, without being in the least moved
+at what she had suffered, into the presence of Caius, and that in such a
+state as was sad to behold; and Caius, being somewhat affected with the
+sight of Quintilia, who had her body miserably disordered by the pains
+she had undergone, freed both her and Pompedius of the crime laid to
+their charge. He also gave her money to make her an honorable amends,
+and comfort her for that maiming of her body which she had suffered, and
+for her glorious patience under such insufferable torments.
+
+6. This matter sorely grieved Cherea, as having been the cause, as far
+as he could, or the instrument, of those miseries to men, which seemed
+worthy of consolation to Caius himself; on which account he said to
+Clement and to Papinius, [of whom Clement was general of the army, and
+Papinius was a tribune,] "To be sure, O Clement, we have no way failed
+in our guarding the emperor; for as to those that have made conspiracies
+against his government, some have been slain by our care and pains, and
+some have been by us tortured, and this to such a degree, that he hath
+himself pitied them. How great then is our virtue in submitting to
+conduct his armies!" Clement held his peace, but showed the shame he was
+under in obeying Caius's orders, both by his eyes and his blushing
+countenance, while he thought it by no means right to accuse the emperor
+in express words, lest their own safety should be endangered thereby.
+Upon which Cherea took courage, and spake to him without fear of the
+dangers that were before him, and discoursed largely of the sore
+calamities under which the city and the government then labored, and
+said, "We may indeed pretend in words that Caius is the person unto whom
+the cause of such miseries ought to be imputed; but, in the opinion of
+such as are able to judge uprightly, it is I, O Clement! and this
+Papinius, and before us thou thyself, who bring these tortures upon the
+Romans, and upon all mankind. It is not done by our being subservient to
+the commands of Caius, but it is done by our own consent; for whereas it
+is in our power to put an end to the life of this man, who hath so
+terribly injured the citizens and his subjects, we are his guard in
+mischief, and his executioners instead of his soldiers, and are the
+instruments of his cruelty. We bear these weapons, not for our liberty,
+not for the Roman government, but only for his preservation, who hath
+enslaved both their bodies and their minds; and we are every day
+polluted with the blood that we shed, and the torments we inflict upon
+others; and this we do, till somebody becomes Caius's instrument in
+bringing the like miseries upon ourselves. Nor does he thus employ us
+because he hath a kindness for us, but rather because he hath a
+suspicion of us, as also because when abundance more have been killed,
+[for Caius will set no bounds to his wrath, since he aims to do all, not
+out of regard to justice, but to his own pleasure,] we shall also
+ourselves be exposed to his cruelty; whereas we ought to be the means of
+confirming the security and liberty of all, and at the same time to
+resolve to free ourselves from dangers."
+
+7. Hereupon Clement openly commended Cherea's intentions, but bid him
+hold his tongue; for that in case his words should get out among many,
+and such things should be spread abroad as were fit to be concealed, the
+plot would come to be discovered before it was executed, and they should
+be brought to punishment; but that they should leave all to futurity,
+and the hope which thence arose, that some fortunate event would come to
+their assistance; that, as for himself, his age would not permit him to
+make any attempt in that case. "However, although perhaps I could
+suggest what may be safer than what thou, Cherea, hast contrived and
+said, yet how is it possible for any one to suggest what is more for thy
+reputation?" So Clement went his way home, with deep reflections on what
+he had heard, and what he had himself said. Cherea also was under a
+concern, and went quickly to Cornelius Sabinus, who was himself one of
+the tribunes, and whom he otherwise knew to be a worthy man, and a lover
+of liberty, and on that account very uneasy at the present management of
+public affairs, he being desirous to come immediately to the execution
+of what had been determined, and thinking it right for him to propose it
+to the other, and afraid lest Clement should discover them, and besides
+looking upon delays and puttings off to be the next to desisting from
+the enterprise.
+
+8. But as all was agreeable to Sabinus, who had himself, equally without
+Cherea, the same design, but had been silent for want of a person to
+whom he could safely communicate that design; so having now met with
+one, who not only promised to conceal what he heard, but who had already
+opened his mind to him, he was much more encouraged, and desired of
+Cherea that no delay might be made therein. Accordingly they went to
+Minucianus, who was as virtuous a man, and as zealous to do glorious
+actions, as themselves, and suspected by Caius on occasion of the
+slaughter of Lepidus; for Minucianus and Lepidus were intimate friends,
+and both in fear of the dangers that they were under; for Caius was
+terrible to all the great men, as appearing ready to act a mad part
+towards each of them in particular, and towards all of them in general;
+and these men were afraid of one another, while they were yet uneasy at
+the posture of affairs, but avoided to declare their mind and their
+hatred against Caius to one another, out of fear of the dangers they
+might be in thereby, although they perceived by other means their mutual
+hatred against Caius, and on that account were not averse to a mutual
+kindness one towards another.
+
+9. When Minucianus and Cherea had met together, and saluted one another,
+[as they had been used on former conversations to give the upper hand to
+Minucianus, both on account of his eminent dignity, for he was the
+noblest of all the citizens, and highly commended by all men, especially
+when he made speeches to them,] Minucianus began first, and asked
+Cherea, What was the watchword he had received that day from Caius; for
+the affront which was offered Cherea, in giving the watchwords, was
+famous over the city. But Cherea made no delay so long as to reply to
+that question, out of the joy he had that Minueianus would have such
+confidence in him as to discourse with him. "But do thou," said he,
+"give me the watchword of liberty. And I return thee my thanks that thou
+hast so greatly encouraged me to exert myself after an extraordinary
+manner; nor do I stand in need of many words to encourage me, since both
+thou and I are of the same mind, and partakers of the same resolutions,
+and this before we have conferred together. I have indeed but one sword
+girt on, but this one will serve us both. Come on, therefore, let us set
+about the work. Do thou go first, if thou hast a mind, and bid me follow
+thee; or else I will go first, and thou shalt assist me, and we will
+assist one another, and trust one another. Nor is there a necessity for
+even one sword to such as have a mind disposed to such works, by which
+mind the sword uses to be successful. I am zealous about this action,
+nor am I solicitous what I may myself undergo; for I can not at leisure
+to consider the dangers that may come upon myself, so deeply am I
+troubled at the slavery our once free country is now under, and at the
+contempt cast upon our excellent laws, and at the destruction which
+hangs over all men, by the means of Caius. I wish that I may be judged
+by thee, and that thou mayst esteem me worthy of credit in these
+matters, seeing we are both of the same opinion, and there is herein no
+difference between us."
+
+10. When Minucianus saw the vehemency with which Cherea delivered
+himself, he gladly embraced him, and encouraged him in his bold attempt,
+commending him, and embracing him; so he let him go with his good
+wishes; and some affirm that he thereby confirmed Minucianus in the
+prosecution of what had been agreed among them; for as Cherea entered
+into the court, the report runs, that a voice came from among the
+multitude to encourage him, which bid him finish what he was about, and
+take the opportunity that Providence afforded; and that Cherea at first
+suspected that some one of the conspirators had betrayed him, and he was
+caught, but at length perceived that it was by way of exhortation.
+Whether somebody 3 that was conscious of what he was about, gave a
+signal for his encouragement, or whether it was God himself, who looks
+upon the actions of men, that encouraged him to go on boldly in his
+design, is uncertain. The plot was now communicated to a great many, and
+they were all in their armor; some of the conspirators being senators,
+and some of the equestrian order, and as many of the soldiery as were
+made acquainted with it; for there was not one of them who would not
+reckon it a part of his happiness to kill Caius; and on that account
+they were all very zealous in the affair, by what means soever any one
+could come at it, that he might not be behindhand in these virtuous
+designs, but might be ready with all his alacrity or power, both by
+words and actions, to complete this slaughter of a tyrant. And besides
+these, Callistus also, who was a freed-man of Caius, and was the only
+man that had arrived at the greatest degree of power under him,—such a
+power, indeed, as was in a manner equal to the power of the tyrant
+himself, by the dread that all men had of him, and by the great riches
+he had acquired; for he took bribes most plenteously, and committed
+injuries without bounds, and was more extravagant in the use of his
+power in unjust proceedings than any other. He also knew the disposition
+of Caius to be implacable, and never to be turned from what he had
+resolved on. He had withal many other reasons why he thought himself in
+danger, and the vastness of his wealth was not one of the least of them;
+on which account he privately ingratiated himself with Claudius, and
+transferred his courtship to him, out of this hope, that in case, upon
+the removal of Caius, the government should come to him, his interest in
+such changes should lay a foundation for his preserving his dignity
+under him, since he laid in beforehand a stock of merit, and did
+Claudius good offices in his promotion. He had also the boldness to
+pretend that he had been persuaded to make away with Claudius, by
+poisoning him, but had still invented ten thousand excuses for delaying
+to do it. But it seems probable to me that Callistus only counterfeited
+this, in order to ingratiate himself with Claudius; for if Caius had
+been in earnest resolved to take off Claudius, he would not have
+admitted of Callistus's excuses; nor would Callistus, if he had been
+enjoined to do such an act as was desired by Caius, have put it off; nor
+if he had disobeyed those injunctions of his master, had he escaped
+immediate punishment; while Claudius was preserved from the madness of
+Caius by a certain Divine providence, and Callistus pretended to such a
+piece of merit as he no way deserved.
+
+11. However, the execution of Cherea's designs was put off from day to
+day, by the sloth of many therein concerned; for as to Cherea himself,
+he would not willingly make any delay in that execution, thinking every
+time a fit time for it; for frequent opportunities offered themselves;
+as when Caius went up to the capitol to sacrifice for his daughter, or
+when he stood upon his royal palace, and threw gold and silver pieces of
+money among the people, he might be pushed down headlong, because the
+top of the palace, that looks towards the market-place, was very high;
+and also when he celebrated the mysteries, which he had appointed at
+that time; for he was then no way secluded from the people, but
+solicitous to do every thing carefully and decently, and was free from
+all suspicion that he should be then assaulted by any body; and although
+the gods should afford him no divine assistance to enable him to take
+away his life, yet had he strength himself sufficient to despatch Caius,
+even without a sword. Thus was Chorea angry at his fellow conspirators,
+for fear they should suffer a proper opportunity to pass by; and they
+were themselves sensible that he had just cause to be angry at them, and
+that his eagerness was for their advantage; yet did they desire he would
+have a little longer patience, lest, upon any disappointment they might
+meet with, they should put the city into disorder, and an inquisition
+should be made after the conspiracy, and should render the courage of
+those that were to attack Caius without success, while he would then
+secure himself more carefully than ever against them; that it would
+therefore be the best to set about the work when the shows were
+exhibited in the palace. These shows were acted in honor of that Cæsar 4
+who first of all changed the popular government, and transferred it to
+himself; galleries being fixed before the palace, where the Romans that
+were patricians became spectators, together with their children and
+their wives, and Cæsar himself was to be also a spectator; and they
+reckoned, among those many ten thousands who would there be crowded into
+a narrow compass, they should have a favorable opportunity to make their
+attempt upon him as he came in, because his guards that should protect
+him, if any of them should have a mind to do it, would not here be able
+to give him any assistance.
+
+12. Cherea consented to this delay; and when the shows were exhibited,
+it was resolved to do the work the first day. But fortune, which allowed
+a further delay to his slaughter, was too hard for their foregoing
+resolution; and as three days of the regular times for these shows were
+now over, they had much ado to get the business done on the last day.
+Then Cherea called the conspirators together, and spake thus to them:
+"So much time passed away without effort is a reproach to us, as
+delaying to go through such a virtuous design as we are engaged in; but
+more fatal will this delay prove if we be discovered, and the design be
+frustrated; for Caius will then become more cruel in his unjust
+proceedings. Do we not see how long we deprive all our friends of their
+liberty, and give Caius leave still to tyrannize over them? while we
+ought to have procured them security for the future, and, by laying a
+foundation for the happiness of others, gain to ourselves great
+admiration and honor for all time to come." Now while the conspirators
+had nothing tolerable to say by way of contradiction, and yet did not
+quite relish what they were doing, but stood silent and astonished, he
+said further, "O my brave comrades! why do we make such delays? Do not
+you see that this is the last day of these shows, and that Caius is
+about to go to sea? for he is preparing to sail to Alexandria, in order
+to see Egypt. Is it therefore for your honor to let a man go out of your
+hands who is a reproach to mankind, and to permit him to go, after a
+pompous manner, triumphing both at land and sea? Shall not we be justly
+ashamed of ourselves, if we give leave to some Egyptian or other, who
+shall think his injuries insufferable to free-men, to kill him? As for
+myself, I will no longer bear your slow proceedings, but will expose
+myself to the dangers of the enterprise this very day, and bear
+cheerfully whatsoever shall be the consequence of the attempt; nor, let
+them be ever so great, will I put them off any longer: for, to a wise
+and courageous man, what can be more miserable than that, while I am
+alive, any one else should kill Caius, and deprive me of the honor of so
+virtuous an action?"
+
+13. When Cherea had spoken thus, he zealously set about the work, and
+inspired courage into the rest to go on with it, and they were all eager
+to fall to it without further delay. So he was at the palace in the
+morning, with his equestrian sword girt on him; for it was the custom
+that the tribunes should ask for the watchword with their swords on, and
+this was the day on which Cherea was, by custom, to receive the
+watchword; and the multitude were already come to the palace, to be soon
+enough for seeing the shows, and that in great crowds, and one
+tumultuously crushing another, while Caius was delighted with this
+eagerness of the multitude; for which reason there was no order observed
+in the seating men, nor was any peculiar place appointed for the
+senators, or for the equestrian order; but they sat at random, men and
+women together, and free-men were mixed with the slaves. So Caius came
+out in a solemn manner, and offered sacrifice to Augustus Cæsar, in
+whose honor indeed these shows were celebrated. Now it happened, upon
+the fall of a certain priest, that the garment of Asprenas, a senator,
+was filled with blood, which made Caius laugh, although this was an
+evident omen to Asprenas, for he was slain at the same time with Caius.
+It is also related that Caius was that day, contrary to his usual
+custom, so very affable and good-natured in his conversation, that every
+one of those that were present were astonished at it. After the
+sacrifice was over, Caius betook himself to see the shows, and sat down
+for that purpose, as did also the principal of his friends sit near him.
+Now the parts of the theater were so fastened together, as it used to be
+every year, in the manner following: It had two doors, the one door led
+to the open air, the other was for going into, or going out of, the
+cloisters, that those within the theater might not be thereby disturbed;
+but out of one gallery there went an inward passage, parted into
+partitions also, which led into another gallery, to give room to the
+combatants and to the musicians to go out as occasion served. When the
+multitude were set down, and Cherea, with the other tribunes, were set
+down also, and the right corner of the theater was allotted to Cæsar,
+one Vatinius, a senator, commander of the praetorian band, asked of
+Cluvius, one that sat by him, and was of consular dignity also, whether
+he had heard any thing of news, or not? but took care that nobody should
+hear what he said; and when Cluvius replied, that he had heard no news,
+"Know then," said Vatinius, "that the game of the slaughter of tyrants
+is to be played this day." But Cluvius replied "O brave comrade hold thy
+peace, lest some other of the Achaians hear thy tale." And as there was
+abundance of autumnal fruit thrown among the spectators, and a great
+number of birds, that were of great value to such as possessed them, on
+account of their rareness, Caius was pleased with the birds fighting for
+the fruits, and with the violence wherewith the spectators seized upon
+them: and here he perceived two prodigies that happened there; for an
+actor was introduced, by whom a leader of robbers was crucified, and the
+pantomime brought in a play called Cinyras, wherein he himself was to be
+slain, as well as his daughter Myrrha, and wherein a great deal of
+fictitious blood was shed, both about him that was crucified, and also
+about Cinyras. It was also confessed that this was the same day wherein
+Pausanias, a friend of Philip, the son of Amyntas, who was king of
+Macedonia, slew him, as he was entering into the theater. And now Caius
+was in doubt whether he should tarry to the end of the shows, because it
+was the last day, or whether he should not go first to the bath, and to
+dinner, and then return and sit down as before. Hereupon Minucianus, who
+sat over Caius, and was afraid that the opportunity should fail them,
+got up, because he saw Cherea was already gone out, and made haste out,
+to confirm him in his resolution; but Caius took hold of his garment, in
+an obliging way, and said to him, "O brave man! whither art thou going?"
+Whereupon, out of reverence to Cæsar, as it seemed, he sat down again;
+but his fear prevailed over him, and in a little time he got up again,
+and then Caius did no way oppose his going out, as thinking that he went
+out to perform some necessities of nature. And Asprenas, who was one of
+the confederates, persuaded Caius to go out to the bath, and to dinner,
+and then to come in again, as desirous that what had been resolved on
+might be brought to a conclusion immediately.
+
+14. So Cherea's associates placed themselves in order, as the time would
+permit them, and they were obliged to labor hard, that the place which
+was appointed them should not be left by them; but they had an
+indignation at the tediousness of the delays, and that what they were
+about should be put off any longer, for it was already about the ninth 5
+hour of the day; and Cherea, upon Caius's tarrying so long, had a great
+mind to go in, and fall upon him in his seat, although he foresaw that
+this could not be done without much bloodshed, both of the senators, and
+of those of the equestrian order that were present; and although he knew
+this must happen, yet had he a great mind to do so, as thinking it a
+right thing to procure security and freedom to all, at the expense of
+such as might perish at the same time. And as they were just going back
+into the entrance to the theater, word was brought them that Caius was
+arisen, whereby a tumult was made; hereupon the conspirators thrust away
+the crowd, under pretense as if Caius was angry at them, but in reality
+as desirous to have a quiet place, that should have none in it to defend
+him, while they set about Caius's slaughter. Now Claudius, his uncle,
+was gone out before, and Marcus Vinicius his sister's husband, as also
+Valellus of Asia; whom though they had had such a mind to put out of
+their places, the reverence to their dignity hindered them so to do;
+then followed Caius, with Paulus Arruntius: and because Caius was now
+gotten within the palace, he left the direct road, along which those his
+servants stood that were in waiting, and by which road Claudius had gone
+out before, Caius turned aside into a private narrow passage, in order
+to go to the place for bathing, as also in order to take a view of the
+boys that came out of Asia, who were sent thence, partly to sing hymns
+in these mysteries which were now celebrated, and partly to dance in the
+Pyrrhic way of dancing upon the theatres. So Cherea met him, and asked
+him for the watchword; upon Caius's giving him one of his ridiculous
+words, he immediately reproached him, and drew his sword, and gave him a
+terrible stroke with it, yet was not this stroke mortal. And although
+there be those that say it was so contrived on purpose by Chorea, that
+Caius should not be killed at one blow, but should be punished more
+severely by a multitude of wounds; yet does this story appear to me
+incredible, because the fear men are under in such actions does not
+allow them to use their reason. And if Cherea was of that mind, I esteem
+him the greatest of all fools, in pleasing himself in his spite against
+Caius, rather than immediately procuring safety to himself and to his
+confederates from the dangers they were in, because there might many
+things still happen for helping Caius's escape, if he had not already
+given up the ghost; for certainly Cherea would have regard, not so much
+to the punishment of Caius, as to the affliction himself and his friends
+were in, while it was in his power, after such success, to keep silent,
+and to escape the wrath of Caius's defenders, and not to leave it to
+uncertainty whether he should gain the end he aimed at or not, and after
+an unreasonable manner to act as if he had a mind to ruin himself, and
+lose the opportunity that lay before him. But every body may guess as he
+please about this matter. However, Caius was staggered with the pain
+that the blow gave him; for the stroke of the sword falling in the
+middle, between the shoulder and the neck, was hindered by the first
+bone of the breast from proceeding any further. Nor did he either cry
+out, [in such astonishment was he,] nor did he call out for any of his
+friends; whether it were that he had no confidence in them, or that his
+mind was otherwise disordered, but he groaned under the pain he endured,
+and presently went forward and fled; when Cornelius Sabinus, who was
+already prepared in his mind so to do, thrust him down upon his knee,
+where many of them stood round about him, and struck him with their
+swords; and they cried out, and encouraged one another all at once to
+strike him again; but all agree that Aquila gave him the finishing
+stroke, which directly killed him. But one may justly ascribe this act
+to Cherea; for although many concurred in the act itself, yet was he the
+first contriver of it, and began long before all the rest to prepare for
+it, and was the first man that boldly spake of it to the rest; and upon
+their admission of what he said about it, he got the dispersed
+conspirators together; he prepared every thing after a prudent manner,
+and by suggesting good advice, showed himself far superior to the rest,
+and made obliging speeches to them, insomuch that he even compelled them
+all to go on, who otherwise had not courage enough for that purpose; and
+when opportunity served to use his sword in hand, he appeared first of
+all ready so to do, and gave the first blow in this virtuous slaughter;
+he also brought Caius easily into the power of the rest, and almost
+killed him himself, insomuch that it is but just to ascribe all that the
+rest did to the advice, and bravery, and labors of the hands of Cherea.
+
+15. Thus did Caius come to his end, and lay dead, by the many wounds
+which had been given him. Now Cherea and his associates, upon Caius's
+slaughter, saw that it was impossible for them to save themselves, if
+they should all go the same way, partly on account of the astonishment
+they were under; for it was no small danger they had incurred by killing
+an emperor, who was honored and loved by the madness of the people,
+especially when the soldiers were likely to make a bloody inquiry after
+his murderers. The passages also were narrow wherein the work was done,
+which were also crowded with a great multitude of Caius's attendants,
+and of such of the soldiers as were of the emperor's guard that day;
+whence it was that they went by other ways, and came to the house of
+Germanicus, the father of Caius, whom they had now killed [which house
+adjoined to the palace; for while the edifice was one, it was built in
+its several parts by those particular persons who had been emperors, and
+those parts bare the names of those that built them or the name of him
+who had begun to build its parts]. So they got away from the insults of
+the multitude, and then were for the present out of danger, that is, so
+long as the misfortune which had overtaken the emperor was not known.
+The Germans were the first who perceived that Caius was slain. These
+Germans were Caius's guard, and carried the name of the country whence
+they were chosen, and composed the Celtic legion. The men of that
+country are naturally passionate, which is commonly the temper of some
+other of the barbarous nations also, as being not used to consider much
+about what they do; they are of robust bodies and fall upon their
+enemies as soon as ever they are attacked by them; and which way soever
+they go, they perform great exploits. When, therefore, these German
+guards understood that Caius was slain, they were very sorry for it,
+because they did not use their reason in judging about public affairs,
+but measured all by the advantages themselves received, Caius being
+beloved by them because of the money he gave them, by which he had
+purchased their kindness to him; so they drew their swords, and Sabinus
+led them on. He was one of the tribunes, not by the means of the
+virtuous actions of his progenitors, for he had been a gladiator, but he
+had obtained that post in the army by his having a robust body. So these
+Germans marched along the houses in quest of Cæsar's murderers, and cut
+Asprenas to pieces, because he was the first man they fell upon, and
+whose garment it was that the blood of the sacrifices stained, as I have
+said already, and which foretold that this his meeting the soldiers
+would not be for his good. Then did Norbanus meet them, who was one of
+the principal nobility of and could show many generals of armies among
+his ancestors; but they paid no regard to his dignity; yet was he of
+such great strength, that he wrested the sword of the first of those
+that assaulted him out of his hands, and appeared plainly not to be
+willing to die without a struggle for his life, until he was surrounded
+by a great number of assailants, and died by the multitude of the wounds
+which they gave him. The third man was Anteius, a senator, and a few
+others with him. He did not meet with these Germans by chance, as the
+rest did before, but came to show his hatred to Caius, and because he
+loved to see Caius lie dead with his own eyes, and took a pleasure in
+that sight; for Caius had banished Anteius's father, who was of the same
+name with himself, and being not satisfied with that, he sent out his
+soldiers, and slew him; so he was come to rejoice at the sight of him,
+now he was dead. But as the house was now all in a tumult, when he was
+aiming to hide himself, he could not escape that accurate search which
+the Germans made, while they barbarously slew those that were guilty,
+and those that were not guilty, and this equally also. And thus were
+these [three] persons slain.
+
+16. But when the rumor that Caius was slain reached the theater, they
+were astonished at it, and could not believe it; even some that
+entertained his destruction with great pleasure, and were more desirous
+of its happening than almost any other faction that could come to them,
+were under such a fear, that they could not believe it. There were also
+those who greatly distrusted it, because they were unwilling that any
+such thing should come to Caius, nor could believe it, though it were
+ever so true, because they thought no man could possibly so much power
+as to kill Caius. These were the women, and the children, and the
+slaves, and some of the soldiery. This last sort had taken his pay, and
+in a manner tyrannized with him, and had abused the best of the
+citizens, in being subservient to his unjust commands, in order to gain
+honors and advantages to themselves; but for the women and the youth,
+they had been inveigled with shows, and the fighting of the gladiators,
+and certain distributions of flesh-meat among them, which things them
+pretense were designed for the pleasing of multitude, but in reality to
+satiate the barbarous cruelty and madness of Caius. The slaves also were
+sorry, because they were by Caius allowed to accuse and to despise their
+masters, and they could have recourse to his assistance when they had
+unjustly affronted them; for he was very easy in believing them against
+their masters, even when they the city, accused them falsely; and if
+they would discover what money their masters had, they might soon obtain
+both riches and liberty, as the rewards of their accusations, because
+the reward of these informers was the eighth 6 part of the criminal's
+substance. As to the nobles, although the report appeared credible to
+some of them, either because they knew of the plot beforehand, or
+because they wished it might be true; however, they concealed not only
+the joy they had at the relation of it, but that they had heard any
+thing at all about it. These last acted so out of the fear they had,
+that if the report proved false, they should be punished, for having so
+soon let men know their minds. But those that knew Caius was dead,
+because they were partners with the conspirators, they concealed all
+still more cautiously, as not knowing one another's minds; and fearing
+lest they should speak of it to some of those to whom the continuance of
+tyranny was advantageous; and if Caius should prove to be alive, they
+might be informed against, and punished. And another report went about,
+that although Caius had been wounded indeed, yet was not he dead, but
+alive still, and under the physician's hands. Nor was any one looked
+upon by another as faithful enough to be trusted, and to whom any one
+would open his mind; for he was either a friend to Caius, and therefore
+suspected to favor his tyranny, or he was one that hated him, who
+therefore might be suspected to deserve the less credit, because of his
+ill-will to him. Nay, it was said by some [and this indeed it was that
+deprived the nobility of their hopes, and made them sad] that Caius was
+in a condition to despise the dangers he had been in, and took no care
+of healing his wounds, but was gotten away into the market- place, and,
+bloody as he was, was making an harangue to the people. And these were
+the conjectural reports of those that were so unreasonable as to
+endeavor to raise tumults, which they turned different ways, according
+to the opinions of the bearers. Yet did they not leave their seats, for
+fear of being accused, if they should go out before the rest; for they
+should not be sentenced according to the real intention with which they
+went out, but according to the supposals of the accusers and of the
+judges.
+
+17. But now a multitude of Germans had surrounded the theater with their
+swords drawn: all the spectators looked for nothing but death, and at
+every one coming in a fear seized upon them, as if they were to be cut
+in pieces immediately; and in great distress they were, as neither
+having courage enough to go out of the theater, nor believing themselves
+safe from dangers if they tarried there. And when the Germans came upon
+them, the cry was so great, that the theater rang again with the
+entreaties of the spectators to the soldiers, pleading that they were
+entirely ignorant of every thing that related to such seditious
+contrivances, and that if there were any sedition raised, they knew
+nothing of it; they therefore begged that they would spare them, and not
+punish those that had not the least hand in such bold crimes as belonged
+to other persons, while they neglected to search after such as had
+really done whatsoever it be that hath been done. Thus did these people
+appeal to God, and deplore their infelicity with shedding of tears, and
+beating their faces, and said every thing that the most imminent danger
+and the utmost concern for their lives could dictate to them. This brake
+the fury of the soldiers, and made them repent of what they minded to do
+to the spectators, which would have been the greatest instance of
+cruelty. And so it appeared to even these savages, when they had once
+fixed the heads of those that were slain with Asprenas upon the altar;
+at which sight the spectators were sorely afflicted, both upon the
+consideration of the dignity of the persons, and out of a commiseration
+of their sufferings; nay, indeed, they were almost in as great disorder
+at the prospect of the danger themselves were in, seeing it was still
+uncertain whether they should entirely escape the like calamity. Whence
+it was that such as thoroughly and justly hated Caius could yet no way
+enjoy the pleasure of his death, because they were themselves in
+jeopardy of perishing together with him; nor had they hitherto any firm
+assurance of surviving.
+
+18. There was at this time one Euaristus Arruntius, a public crier in
+the market, and therefore of a strong and audible voice, who vied in
+wealth with the richest of the Romans, and was able to do what he
+pleased in the city, both then and afterward. This man put himself into
+the most mournful habit he could, although he had a greater hatred
+against Caius than any one else; his fear and his wise contrivance to
+gain his safety taught him so to do, and prevailed over his present
+pleasure; so he put on such a mournful dress as he would have done had
+he lost his dearest friends in the world; this man came into the
+theater, and informed them of the death of Caius, and by this means put
+an end to that state of ignorance the men had been in. Arruntius also
+went round about the pillars, and called out to the Germans, as did the
+tribunes with him, bidding them put up their swords, and telling them
+that Caius was dead. And this proclamation it was plainly which saved
+those that were collected together in the theater, and all the rest who
+any way met the Germans; for while they had hopes that Caius had still
+any breath in him, they abstained from no sort of mischief; and such an
+abundant kindness they still had for Caius, that they would willingly
+have prevented the plot against him, and procured his escape from so sad
+a misfortune, at the expense of their own lives. But they now left off
+the warm zeal they had to punish his enemies, now they were fully
+satisfied that Caius was dead, because it was now in vain for them to
+show their zeal and kindness to him, when he who should reward them was
+perished. They were also afraid that they should be punished by the
+senate, if they should go on in doing such injuries; that is, in case
+the authority of the supreme governor should revert to them. And thus at
+length a stop was put, though not without difficulty, to that rage which
+possessed the Germans on account of Caius's death.
+
+19. But Cherea was so much afraid for Minucianus, lest he should light
+upon the Germans now they were in their fury, that he went and spoke to
+every one of the soldiers, and prayed them to take care of his
+preservation, and made himself great inquiry about him, lest he should
+have been slain. And for Clement, he let Minucianus go when he was
+brought to him, and, with many other of the senators, affirmed the
+action was right, and commended the virtue of those that contrived it,
+and had courage enough to execute it; and said that "tyrants do indeed
+please themselves and look big for a while, upon having the power to act
+unjustly; but do not however go happily out of the world, because they
+are hated by the virtuous; and that Caius, together with all his
+unhappiness, was become a conspirator against himself, before these
+other men who attacked him did so; and by becoming intolerable, in
+setting aside the wise provision the laws had made, taught his dearest
+friends to treat him as an enemy; insomuch that although in common
+discourse these conspirators were those that slew Caius, yet that, in
+reality, he lies now dead as perishing by his own self."
+
+20. Now by this time the people in the theatre were arisen from their
+seats, and those that were within made a very great disturbance; the
+cause of which was this, that the spectators were too hasty in getting
+away. There was also one Aleyon, a physician, who hurried away, as if to
+cure those that were wounded, and under that pretense he sent those that
+were with him to fetch what things were necessary for the healing of
+those wounded persons, but in reality to get them clear of the present
+dangers they were in. Now the senate, during this interval, had met, and
+the people also assembled together in the accustomed form, and were both
+employed in searching after the murderers of Caius. The people did it
+very zealously, but the senate in appearance only; for there was present
+Valerius of Asia, one that had been consul; this man went to the people,
+as they were in disorder, and very uneasy that they could not yet
+discover who they were that had murdered the emperor; he was then
+earnestly asked by them all who it was that had done it. He replied, "I
+wish I had been the man." The consuls 7 also published an edict, wherein
+they accused Caius, and gave order to the people then got together, and
+to the soldiers, to go home; and gave the people hopes of the abatement
+of the oppressions they lay under; and promised the soldiers, if they
+lay quiet as they used to do, and would not go abroad to do mischief
+unjustly, that they would bestow rewards upon them; for there was reason
+to fear lest the city might suffer harm by their wild and ungovernable
+behavior, if they should once betake themselves to spoil the citizens,
+or plunder the temples. And now the whole multitude of the senators were
+assembled together, and especially those that had conspired to take away
+the life of Caius, who put on at this time an air of great assurance,
+and appeared with great magnanimity, as if the administration of the
+public affairs were already devolved upon them.
+
+
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER 2. How The Senators Determined To Restore The Democracy; But The
+Soldiers Were For Preserving The Monarchy, Concerning The Slaughter Of
+Caius's Wife And Daughter. A Character Of Caius's Morals.
+
+1. When the public affairs were in this posture, Claudius was on the
+sudden hurried away out of his house; for the soldiers had a meeting
+together; and when they had debated about what was to be done, they saw
+that a democracy was incapable of managing such a vast weight of public
+affairs; and that if it should be set up, it would not be for their
+advantage; and in case any one of those already in the government should
+obtain the supreme power, it would in all respects be to their grief, if
+they were not assisting to him in this advancement; that it would
+therefore be right for them, while the public affairs were unsettled, to
+choose Claudius emperor, who was uncle to the deceased Caius, and of a
+superior dignity and worth to every one of those that were assembled
+together in the senate, both on account of the virtues of his ancestors,
+and of the learning he had acquired in his education; and who, if once
+settled in the empire, would reward them according to their deserts, and
+bestow largesses upon them. These were their consultations, and they
+executed the same immediately. Claudius was therefore seized upon
+suddenly by the soldiery. But Cneas Sentins Saturninus, although he
+understood that Claudius was seized, and that he intended to claim the
+government, unwillingly indeed in appearance, but in reality by his own
+free consent, stood up in the senate, and, without being dismayed, made
+an exhortatory oration to them, and such a one indeed as was fit for men
+of freedom and generosity, and spake thus:
+
+2. "Although it be a thing incredible, O Romans! because of the great
+length of time, that so unexpected an event hath happened, yet are we
+now in possession of liberty. How long indeed this will last is
+uncertain, and lies at the disposal of the gods, whose grant it is; yet
+such it is as is sufficient to make us rejoice, and be happy for the
+present, although we may soon be deprived of it; for one hour is
+sufficient to those that are exercised in virtue, wherein we may live
+with a mind accountable only to ourselves, in our own country, now free,
+and governed by such laws as this country once flourished under. As for
+myself, I cannot remember our former time of liberty, as being born
+after it was gone; but I am beyond measure filled with joy at the
+thoughts of our present freedom. I also esteem those that were born and
+bred up in that our former liberty happy men, and that those men are
+worthy of no less esteem than the gods themselves who have given us a
+taste of it in this age; and I heartily wish that this quiet enjoyment
+of it, which we have at present, might continue to all ages. However,
+this single day may suffice for our youth, as well as for us that are in
+years. It will seem an age to our old men, if they might die during its
+happy duration: it may also be for the instruction of the younger sort,
+what kind of virtue those men, from whose loins we are derived, were
+exercised in. As for ourselves, our business is, during the space of
+time, to live virtuously, than which nothing can be more to our
+advantage; which course of virtue it is alone that can preserve our
+liberty; for as to our ancient state, I have heard of it by the
+relations of others; but as to our later state, during my lifetime, I
+have known it by experience, and learned thereby what mischiefs
+tyrannies have brought upon this commonwealth, discouraging all virtue,
+and depriving persons of magnanimity of their liberty, and proving the
+teachers of flattery and slavish fear, because it leaves the public
+administration not to be governed by wise laws, but by the humor of
+those that govern. For since Julius Cæsar took it into his head to
+dissolve our democracy, and, by overbearing the regular system of our
+laws, to bring disorders into our administration, and to get above right
+and justice, and to be a slave to his own inclinations, there is no kind
+of misery but what hath tended to the subversion of this city; while all
+those that have succeeded him have striven one with another to overthrow
+the ancient laws of their country, and have left it destitute of such
+citizens as were of generous principles, because they thought it tended
+to their safety to have vicious men to converse withal, and not only to
+break the spirits of those that were best esteemed for their virtue, but
+to resolve upon their utter destruction. Of all which emperors, who have
+been many in number, and who laid upon us insufferable hardships during
+the times of their government, this Caius, who hath been slain today,
+hath brought more terrible calamities upon us than did all the rest, not
+only by exercising his ungoverned rage upon his fellow citizens, but
+also upon his kindred and friends, and alike upon all others, and by
+inflicting still greater miseries upon them, as punishments, which they
+never deserved, he being equally furious against men and against the
+gods. For tyrants are not content to gain their sweet pleasure, and this
+by acting injuriously, and in the vexation they bring both upon men's
+estates and their wives; but they look upon that to be their principal
+advantage, when they can utterly overthrow the entire families of their
+enemies; while all lovers of liberty are the enemies of tyranny. Nor can
+those that patiently endure what miseries they bring on them gain their
+friendship; for as they are conscious of the abundant mischiefs they
+have brought on these men, and how magnanimously they have borne their
+hard fortunes, they cannot but be sensible what evils they have done,
+and thence only depend on security from what they are suspicious of, if
+it may be in their power to take them quite out of the world. Since,
+then, we are now gotten clear of such great misfortunes, and are only
+accountable to one another, [which form of government affords us the
+best assurance of our present concord, and promises us the best security
+from evil designs, and will be most for our own glory in settling the
+city in good order,] you ought, every one of you in particular, to make
+provision for his own, and in general for the public utility: or, on the
+contrary, they may declare their dissent to such things as have been
+proposed, and this without any hazard of danger to come upon them,
+because they have now no lord set over them, who, without fear of
+punishment, could do mischief to the city, and had an uncontrollable
+power to take off those that freely declared their opinions. Nor has any
+thing so much contributed to this increase of tyranny of late as sloth,
+and a timorous forbearance of contradicting the emperor's will; while
+men had an over-great inclination to the sweetness of peace, and had
+learned to live like slaves; and as many of us as either heard of
+intolerable calamities that happened at a distance from us, or saw the
+miseries that were near us, out of the dread of dying virtuously,
+endured a death joined with the utmost infamy. We ought, then, in the
+first place, to decree the greatest honors we are able to those that
+have taken off the tyrant, especially to Cherea Cassius; for this one
+man, with the assistance of the gods, hath, by his counsel and by his
+actions, been the procurer of our liberty. Nor ought we to forget him
+now we have recovered our liberty, who, under the foregoing tyranny,
+took counsel beforehand, and beforehand hazarded himself for our
+liberties; but ought to decree him proper honors, and thereby freely
+declare that he from the beginning acted with our approbation. And
+certainly it is a very excellent thing, and what becomes free-men, to
+requite their benefactors, as this man hath been a benefactor to us all,
+though not at all like Cassius and Brutus, who slew Caius Julius
+[Cæsar]; for those men laid the foundations of sedition and civil wars
+in our city; but this man, together with his slaughter of the tyrant,
+hath set our city free from all those sad miseries which arose from the
+tyranny." 8
+
+3. And this was the purport of Sentius's oration, 9 which was received
+with pleasure by the senators, and by as many of the equestrian order as
+were present. And now one Trebellius Maximus rose up hastily, and took
+off Sentius's finger a ring, which had a stone, with the image of Caius
+engraven upon it, and which, in his zeal in speaking, and his
+earnestness in doing what he was about, as it was supposed, he had
+forgotten to take off himself. This sculpture was broken immediately.
+But as it was now far in the night, Cherea demanded of the consuls the
+watchword, who gave him this word, Liberty. These facts were the
+subjects of admiration to themselves, and almost incredible; for it was
+a hundred years since the democracy had been laid aside, when this
+giving the watchword returned to the consuls; for before the city was
+subject to tyrants, they were the commanders of the soldiers. But when
+Cherea had received that watchword, he delivered it to those who were on
+the senate's side, which were four regiments, who esteemed the
+government without emperors to be preferable to tyranny. So these went
+away with their tribunes. The people also now departed very joyful, full
+of hope and of courage, as having recovered their former democracy, and
+were no longer under an emperor; and Cherea was in very great esteem
+with them.
+
+4. And now Cherea was very uneasy that Caius's daughter and wife were
+still alive, and that all his family did not perish with him, since
+whosoever was left of them must be left for the ruin of the city and of
+the laws. Moreover, in order to finish this matter with the utmost zeal,
+and in order to satisfy his hatred of Caius, he sent Julius Lupus, one
+of the tribunes, to kill Caius's wife and daughter. They proposed this
+office to Lupus as to a kinsman of Clement, that he might be so far a
+partaker of this murder of the tyrant, and might rejoice in the virtue
+of having assisted his fellow citizens, and that he might appear to have
+been a partaker with those that were first in their designs against him.
+Yet did this action appear to some of the conspirators to be too cruel,
+as to this using such severity to a woman, because Caius did more
+indulge his own ill-nature than use her advice in all that he did; from
+which ill-nature it was that the city was in so desperate a condition
+with the miseries that were brought on it, and the flower of the city
+was destroyed. But others accused her of giving her consent to these
+things; nay, they ascribed all that Caius had done to her as the cause
+of it, and said she had given a potion to Caius, which had made him
+obnoxious to her, and had tied him down to love her by such evil
+methods; insomuch that she, having rendered him distracted, was become
+the author of all the mischiefs that had befallen the Romans, and that
+habitable world which was subject to them. So that at length it was
+determined that she must die; nor could those of the contrary opinion at
+all prevail to have her saved; and Lupus was sent accordingly. Nor was
+there any delay made in executing what he went about, but he was
+subservient to those that sent him on the first opportunity, as desirous
+to be no way blameable in what might be done for the advantage of the
+people. So when he was come into the palace, he found Cesonia, who was
+Caius's wife, lying by her husband's dead body, which also lay down on
+the ground, and destitute of all such things as the law allows to the
+dead, and all over herself besmeared with the blood of her husband's
+wounds, and bewailing the great affliction she was under, her daughter
+lying by her also; and nothing else was heard in these her circumstances
+but her complaint of Caius, as if he had not regarded what she had often
+told him of beforehand; which words of hers were taken in a different
+sense even at that time, and are now esteemed equally ambiguous by those
+that hear of them, and are still interpreted according to the different
+inclinations of people. Now some said that the words denoted that she
+had advised him to leave off his mad behavior and his barbarous cruelty
+to the citizens, and to govern the public with moderation and virtue,
+lest he should perish by the same way, upon their using him as he had
+used them. But some said, that as certain words had passed concerning
+the conspirators, she desired Caius to make no delay, but immediately to
+put them all to death, and this whether they were guilty or not, and
+that thereby he would be out of the fear of any danger; and that this
+was what she reproached him for, when she advised him so to do, but he
+was too slow and tender in the matter. And this was what Cesonia said,
+and what the opinions of men were about it. But when she saw Lupus
+approach, she showed him Caius's dead body, and persuaded him to come
+nearer, with lamentation and tears; and as she perceived that Lupus was
+in disorder, and approached her in order to execute some design
+disagreeable to himself, she was well aware for what purpose he came,
+and stretched out her naked throat, and that very cheerfully to him,
+bewailing her case, like one that utterly despaired of her life, and
+bidding him not to boggle at finishing the tragedy they had resolved
+upon relating to her. So she boldly received her death's wound at the
+hand of Lupus, as did the daughter after her. So Lupus made haste to
+inform Cherea of what he had done.
+
+5. This was the end of Caius, after he had reigned four years, within
+four months. He was, even before he came to be emperor, ill-natured, and
+one that had arrived at the utmost pitch of wickedness; a slave to his
+pleasures, and a lover of calumny; greatly affected by every terrible
+accident, and on that account of a very murderous disposition where he
+durst show it. He enjoyed his exorbitant power to this only purpose, to
+injure those who least deserved it, with unreasonable insolence and got
+his wealth by murder and injustice. He labored to appear above regarding
+either what was divine or agreeable to the laws, but was a slave to the
+commendations of the populace; and whatsoever the laws determined to be
+shameful, and punished, that he esteemed more honorable than what was
+virtuous. He was unmindful of his friends, how intimate soever, and
+though they were persons of the highest character; and if he was once
+angry at any of them, he would inflict punishment upon them on the
+smallest occasions, and esteemed every man that endeavored to lead a
+virtuous life his enemy. And whatsoever he commanded, he would not admit
+of any contradiction to his inclinations; whence it was that he had
+criminal conversation with his own sister; 10 from which occasion
+chiefly it was also that a bitter hatred first sprang up against him
+among the citizens, that sort of incest not having been known of a long
+time; and so this provoked men to distrust him, and to hate him that was
+guilty of it. And for any great or royal work that he ever did, which
+might be for the present and for future ages, nobody can name any such,
+but only the haven that he made about Rhegium and Sicily, for the
+reception of the ships that brought corn from Egypt; which was indeed a
+work without dispute very great in itself, and of very great advantage
+to the navigation. Yet was not this work brought to perfection by him,
+but was the one half of it left imperfect, by reason of his want of
+application to it; the cause of which was this, that he employed his
+studies about useless matters, and that by spending his money upon such
+pleasures as concerned no one's benefit but his own, he could not exert
+his liberality in things that were undeniably of great consequence.
+Otherwise he was an excellent orator, and thoroughly acquainted with the
+Greek tongue, as well as with his own country or Roman language. He was
+also able, off-hand and readily, to give answers to compositions made by
+others, of considerable length and accuracy. He was also more skillful
+in persuading others to very great things than any one else, and this
+from a natural affability of temper, which had been improved by much
+exercise and pains-taking; for as he was the grandson 11 of the brother
+of Tiberius, whose successor he was, this was a strong inducement to his
+acquiring of learning, because Tiberius aspired after the highest pitch
+of that sort of reputation; and Caius aspired after the like glory for
+eloquence, being induced thereto by the letters of his kinsman and his
+emperor. He was also among the first rank of his own citizens. But the
+advantages he received from his learning did not countervail the
+mischief he brought upon himself in the exercise of his authority; so
+difficult it is for those to obtain the virtue that is necessary for a
+wise man, who have the absolute power to do what they please without
+control. At the first he got himself such friends as were in all
+respects the most worthy, and was greatly beloved by them, while he
+imitated their zealous application to the learning and to the glorious
+actions of the best men; but when he became insolent towards them, they
+laid aside the kindness they had for him, and began to hate him; from
+which hatred came that plot which they raised against him, and wherein
+he perished.
+
+
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER 3. How Claudius Was Seized Upon And Brought Out Of His House And
+Brought To The Camp; And How The Senate Sent An Embassage To Him.
+
+1. Now Claudius, as I said before, went out of that way along which
+Caius was gone; and as the family was in a mighty disorder upon the sad
+accident of the murder of Caius, he was in great distress how to save
+himself, and was found to have hidden himself in a certain narrow place,
+though he had no other occasion for suspicion of any dangers, besides
+the dignity of his birth; for while he was a private man, he behaved
+himself with moderation, and was contented with his present fortune,
+applying himself to learning, and especially to that of the Greeks, and
+keeping himself entirely clear from every thing that might bring on any
+disturbance. But as at this time the multitude were under a
+consternation, and the whole palace was full of the soldiers' madness,
+and the very emperor's guards seemed under the like fear and disorder
+with private persons, the band called pretorian, which was the purest
+part of the army, was in consultation what was to be done at this
+juncture. Now all those that were at this consultation had little regard
+to the punishment Caius had suffered, because he justly deserved such
+his fortune; but they were rather considering their own circumstances,
+how they might take the best care of themselves, especially while the
+Germans were busy in punishing the murderers of Caius; which yet was
+rather done to gratify their own savage temper, than for the good of the
+public; all which things disturbed Claudius, who was afraid of his own
+safety, and this particularly because he saw the heads of Asprenas and
+his partners carried about. His station had been on a certain elevated
+place, whither a few steps led him, and whither he had retired in the
+dark by himself. But when Gratus, who was one of the soldiers that
+belonged to the palace, saw him, but did not well know by his
+countenance who he was, because it was dark, though he could well judge
+that it was a man who was privately there on some design, he came nearer
+to him; and when Claudius desired that he would retire, he discovered
+who he was, and owned him to be Claudius. So he said to his followers,
+"This is a Germanicus; 12 come on, let us choose him for our emperor."
+But when Claudius saw they were making preparations for taking him away
+by force, and was afraid they would kill him, as they had killed Caius,
+he besought them to spare him, putting them in mind how quietly he had
+demeaned himself, and that he was unacquainted with what had been done.
+Hereupon Gratus smiled upon him, and took him by the right hand, and
+said, "Leave off, sir, these low thoughts of saving yourself, while you
+ought to have greater thoughts, even of obtaining the empire, which the
+gods, out of their concern for the habitable world, by taking Caius out
+of the way, commit to thy virtuous conduct. Go to, therefore, and accept
+of the throne of thy ancestors." So they took him up and carried him,
+because he was not then able to go on foot, such was his dread and his
+joy at what was told him.
+
+2. Now there was already gathered together about Gratus a great number
+of the guards; and when they saw Claudius carried off, they looked with
+a sad countenance, as supposing that he was carried to execution for the
+mischiefs that had been lately done; while yet they thought him a man
+who never meddled with public affairs all his life long, and one that
+had met with no contemptible dangers under the reign of Caius; and some
+of them thought it reasonable that the consuls should take cognizance of
+these matters; and as still more and more of the soldiery got together,
+the crowd about him ran away, and Claudius could hardly go on, his body
+was then so weak; and those who carried his sedan, upon an inquiry that
+was made about his being carried off, ran away and saved themselves, as
+despairing of their Lord's preservation. But when they were come into
+the large court of the palace, [which, as the report goes about it, was
+inhabited first of all the parts of the city of Rome,] and had just
+reached the public treasury, many more soldiers came about him, as glad
+to see Claudius's face, and thought it exceeding right to make him
+emperor, on account of their kindness for Germanicus, who was his
+brother, and had left behind him a vast reputation among all that were
+acquainted with him. They reflected also on the covetous temper of the
+leading men of the senate, and what great errors they had been guilty of
+when the senate had the government formerly; they also considered the
+impossibility of such an undertaking, as also what dangers they should
+be in, if the government should come to a single person, and that such a
+one should possess it as they had no hand in advancing, and not to
+Claudius, who would take it as their grant, and as gained by their good-
+will to him, and would remember the favors they had done him, and would
+make them a sufficient recompense for the same.
+
+3. These were the discourses the soldiers had one with another by
+themselves, and they communicated them to all such as came in to them.
+Now those that inquired about this matter willingly embraced the
+invitation that was made them to join with the rest; so they carried
+Claudius into the camp, crowding about him as his guard, and
+encompassing him about, one chairman still succeeding another, that
+their vehement endeavors might not be hindered. But as to the populace
+and senators, they disagreed in their opinions. The latter were very
+desirous to recover their former dignity, and were zealous to get clear
+of the slavery that had been brought on them by the injurious treatment
+of the tyrants, which the present opportunity afforded them; but for the
+people, who were envious against them, and knew that the emperors were
+capable of curbing their covetous temper, and were a refuge from them,
+they were very glad that Claudius had been seized upon, and brought to
+them, and thought that if Claudius were made emperor, he would prevent a
+civil war, such as there was in the days of Pompey. But when the senate
+knew that Claudius was brought into the camp by the soldiers, they sent
+to him those of their body which had the best character for their
+virtues, that they might inform him that he ought to do nothing by
+violence, in order to gain the government; that he who was a single
+person, one either already or hereafter to be a member of their body,
+ought to yield to the senate, which consisted of so great a number; that
+he ought to let the law take place in the disposal of all that related
+to the public order, and to remember how greatly the former tyrants had
+afflicted their city, and what dangers both he and they had escaped
+under Caius; and that he ought not to hate the heavy burden of tyranny,
+when the injury is done by others, while he did himself willfully treat
+his country after a mad and insolent manner; that if he would comply
+with them, and demonstrate that his firm resolution was to live quietly
+and virtuously, he would have the greatest honors decreed to him that a
+free people could bestow; and by subjecting himself to the law, would
+obtain this branch of commendation, that he acted like a man of virtue,
+both as a ruler and a subject; but that if he would act foolishly, and
+learn no wisdom by Caius's death, they would not permit him to go on;
+that a great part of the army was got together for them, with plenty of
+weapons, and a great number of slaves, which they could make use of;
+that good hope was a great matter in such cases, as was also good
+fortune; and that the gods would never assist any others but those that
+undertook to act with virtue and goodness, who can be no other than such
+as fight for the liberty of their country.
+
+4. Now these ambassadors, Veranius and Brocchus, who were both of them
+tribunes of the people, made this speech to Claudius; and falling down
+upon their knees, they begged of him that he would not throw the city
+into wars and misfortunes; but when they saw what a multitude of
+soldiers encompassed and guarded Claudius, and that the forces that were
+with the consuls were, in comparison of them, perfectly inconsiderable,
+they added, that if he did desire the government, he should accept of it
+as given by the senate; that he would prosper better, and be happier, if
+he came to it, not by the injustice, but by the good-will of those that
+would bestow it upon him.
+
+
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER 4. What Things King Agrippa Did For Claudius; And How Claudius
+When He Had Taken The Government Commanded The Murderers Of Caius To Be
+Slain.
+
+1. Now Claudius, though he was sensible after what an insolent manner
+the senate had sent to him yet did he, according to their advice, behave
+himself for the present with moderation; but not so far that he could
+not recover himself out of his fright; so he was encouraged [to claim
+the government] partly by the boldness of the soldiers, and partly by
+the persuasion of king Agrippa, who exhorted him not to let such a
+dominion slip out of his hands, when it came thus to him of its own
+accord. Now this Agrippa, with relation to Caius, did what became one
+that had been so much honored by him; for he embraced Caius's body after
+he was dead, and laid it upon a bed, and covered it as well as he could,
+and went out to the guards, and told them that Caius was still alive;
+but he said that they should call for physicians, since he was very ill
+of his wounds. But when he had learned that Claudius was carried away
+violently by the soldiers, he rushed through the crowd to him, and when
+he found that he was in disorder, and ready to resign up the government
+to the senate, he encouraged him, and desired him to keep the
+government; but when he had said this to Claudius, he retired home. And
+upon the senate's sending for him, he anointed his head with ointment,
+as if he had lately accompanied with his wife, and had dismissed her,
+and then came to them: he also asked of the senators what Claudius did;
+who told him the present state of affairs, and then asked his opinion
+about the settlement of the public. He told them in words that he was
+ready to lose his life for the honor of the senate, but desired them to
+consider what was for their advantage, without any regard to what was
+most agreeable to them; for that those who grasp at government will
+stand in need of weapons and soldiers to guard them, unless they will
+set up without any preparation for it, and so fall into danger. And when
+the senate replied that they would bring in weapons in abundance, and
+money, and that as to an army, a part of it was already collected
+together for them, and they would raise a larger one by giving the
+slaves their liberty,—Agrippa made answer, "O senators! may you be able
+to compass what you have a mind to; yet will I immediately tell you my
+thoughts, because they tend to your preservation. Take notice, then,
+that the army which will fight for Claudius hath been long exercised in
+warlike affairs; but our army will be no better than a rude multitude of
+raw men, and those such as have been unexpectedly made free from
+slavery, and ungovernable; we must then fight against those that are
+skillful in war, with men who know not so much as how to draw their
+swords. So that my opinion is, that we should send some persons to
+Claudius, to persuade him to lay down the government; and I am ready to
+be one of your ambassadors."
+
+2. Upon this speech of Agrippa, the senate complied with him, and he was
+sent among others, and privately informed Claudius of the disorder the
+senate was in, and gave him instructions to answer them in a somewhat
+commanding strain, and as one invested with dignity and authority.
+Accordingly, Claudius said to the ambassadors, that he did not wonder
+the senate had no mind to have an emperor over them, because they had
+been harassed by the barbarity of those that had formerly been at the
+head of their affairs; but that they should taste of an equitable
+government under him, and moderate times, while he should only be their
+ruler in name, but the authority should be equally common to them all;
+and since he had passed through many and various scenes of life before
+their eyes, it would be good for them not to distrust him. So the
+ambassadors, upon their hearing this his answer, were dismissed. But
+Claudius discoursed with the army which was there gathered together, who
+took oaths that they would persist in their fidelity to him; Upon which
+he gave the guards every man five thousand 13 drachmae a-piece, and a
+proportionable quantity to their captains, and promised to give the same
+to the rest of the armies wheresoever they were.
+
+3. And now the consuls called the senate together into the temple of
+Jupiter the Conqueror, while it was still night; but some of those
+senators concealed themselves in the city, being uncertain what to do,
+upon the hearing of this summons; and some of them went out of the city
+to their own farms, as foreseeing whither the public affairs were going,
+and despairing of liberty; nay, these supposed it much better for them
+to be slaves without danger to themselves, and to live a lazy and
+inactive life, than by claiming the dignity of their forefathers, to run
+the hazard of their own safety. However, a hundred and no more were
+gotten together; and as they were in consultation about the present
+posture of affairs, a sudden clamor was made by the soldiers that were
+on their side, desiring that the senate would choose them an emperor,
+and not bring the government into ruin by setting up a multitude of
+rulers. So they fully declared themselves to be for the giving the
+government not to all, but to one; but they gave the senate leave to
+look out for a person worthy to be set over them, insomuch that now the
+affairs of the senate were much worse than before, because they had not
+only failed in the recovery of their liberty, which they boasted
+themselves of, but were in dread of Claudius also. Yet were there those
+that hankered after the government, both on account of the dignity of
+their families and that accruing to them by their marriages; for Marcus
+Minucianus was illustrious, both by his own nobility, and by his having
+married Julia, the sister of Caius, who accordingly was very ready to
+claim the government, although the consuls discouraged him, and made one
+delay after another in proposing it: that Minucianus also, who was one
+of Caius's murderers, restrained Valerius of Asia from thinking of such
+things; and a prodigious slaughter there had been, if leave had been
+given to these men to set up for themselves, and oppose Claudius. There
+were also a considerable number of gladiators besides, and of those
+soldiers who kept watch by night in the city, and rowers of ships, who
+all ran into the camp; insomuch that, of those who put in for the
+government, some left off their pretensions in order to spare the city,
+and others out of fear for their own persons.
+
+4. But as soon as ever it was day, Cherea, and those that were with him,
+came into the senate, and attempted to make speeches to the soldiers.
+However, the multitude of those soldiers, when they saw that they were
+making signals for silence with their hands, and were ready to begin to
+speak to them, grew tumultuous, and would not let them speak at all,
+because they were all zealous to be under a monarchy; and they demanded
+of the senate one for their ruler, as not enduring any longer delays:
+but the senate hesitated about either their own governing, or how they
+should themselves be governed, while the soldiers would not admit them
+to govern, and the murderers of Caius would not permit the soldiers to
+dictate to them. When they were in these circumstances, Cherea was not
+able to contain the anger he had, and promised, that if they desired an
+emperor, he would give them one, if any one would bring him the
+watchword from Eutychus. Now this Eutychus was charioteer of the green-
+band faction, styled Prasine, and a great friend of Caius, who used to
+harass the soldiery with building stables for the horses, and spent his
+time in ignominious labors, which occasioned Cherea to reproach them
+with him, and to abuse them with much other scurrilous language; and
+told them he would bring them the head of Claudius; and that it was an
+amazing thing, that, after their former madness, they should commit
+their government to a fool. Yet were not they moved with his words, but
+drew their swords, and took up their ensigns, and went to Claudius, to
+join in taking the oath of fidelity to him. So the senate were left
+without any body to defend them, and the very consuls differed nothing
+from private persons. They were also under consternation and sorrow, men
+not knowing what would become of them, because Claudius was very angry
+at them; so they fell a reproaching one another, and repented of what
+they had done. At which juncture Sabinus, one of Caius's murderers,
+threatened that he would sooner come into the midst of them and kill
+himself, than consent to make Claudius emperor, and see slavery
+returning upon them; he also abused Cherea for loving his life too well,
+while he who was the first in his contempt of Caius, could think it a
+good thin to live, when, even by all that they had done for the recovery
+of their liberty, they found it impossible to do it. But Cherea said he
+had no manner of doubt upon him about killing himself; that yet he would
+first sound the intentions of Claudius before he did it.
+
+5. These were the debates [about the senate]; but in the camp every body
+was crowding on all sides to pay their court to Claudius; and the other
+consul, Quintus Pomponhis, was reproached by the soldiery, as having
+rather exhorted the senate to recover their liberty; whereupon they drew
+their swords, and were going to assault him, and they had done it, if
+Claudius had not hindered them, who snatched the consul out of the
+danger he was in, and set him by him. But he did not receive that part
+of the senate which was with Quintus in the like honorable manner; nay,
+some of them received blows, and were thrust away as they came to salute
+Claudius; nay, Aponius went away wounded, and they were all in danger.
+However, king Agrippa went up to Claudius, and desired he would treat
+the senators more gently; for if any mischief should come to the senate,
+he would have no others over whom to rule. Claudius complied with him,
+and called the senate together into the palace, and was carried thither
+himself through the city, while the soldiery conducted him, though this
+was to the great vexation of the multitude; for Cherea and Sabinus, two
+of Caius's murderers, went in the fore-front of them, in an open manner,
+while Pollio, whom Claudius, a little before, had made captain of his
+guards, had sent them an epistolary edict, to forbid them to appear in
+public. Then did Claudius, upon his coming to the palace, get his
+friends together, and desired their suffrages about Cherea. They said
+that the work he had done was a glorious one; but they accused him that
+he did it of perfidiousness, and thought it just to inflict the
+punishment [of death] upon him, to discountenance such actions for the
+time to come. So Cherea was led to his execution, and Lupus and many
+other Romans with him. Now it is reported that Cherea bore this calamity
+courageously; and this not only by the firmness of his own behavior
+under it, but by the reproaches he laid upon Lupus, who fell into tears;
+for when Lupus laid his garment aside, and complained of the cold 14 he
+said, that cold was never hurtful to Lupus [i.e. a wolf] And as a great
+many men went along with them to see the sight, when Cherea came to the
+place, he asked the soldier who was to be their executioner, whether
+this office was what he was used to, or whether this was the first time
+of his using his sword in that manner, and desired him to bring him that
+very sword with which he himself slew Caius. 15 So he was happily killed
+at one stroke. But Lupus did not meet with such good fortune in going
+out of the world, since he was timorous, and had many blows leveled at
+his neck, because he did not stretch it out boldly [as he ought to have
+done].
+
+6. Now, a few days after this, as the Parental solemnities were just at
+hand, the Roman multitude made their usual oblations to their several
+ghosts, and put portions into the fire in honor of Cherea, and besought
+him to be merciful to them, and not continue his anger against them for
+their ingratitude. And this was the end of the life that Cherea came to.
+But for Sabinus, although Claudius not only set him at liberty, but gave
+him leave to retain his former command in the army, yet did he think it
+would be unjust in him to fail of performing his obligations to his
+fellow confederates; so he fell upon his sword, and killed himself, the
+wound reaching up to the very hilt of the sword.
+
+
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER 5. How Claudius Restored To Agrippa His Grandfathers Kingdoms
+And Augmented His Dominions; And How He Published An Edict In Behalf.
+
+1. Now when Claudius had taken out of the way all those soldiers whom he
+suspected, which he did immediately, he published an edict, and therein
+confirmed that kingdom to Agrippa which Caius had given him, and therein
+commended the king highly. He also made all addition to it of all that
+country over which Herod, who was his grandfather, had reigned, that is,
+Judea and Samaria; and this he restored to him as due to his family. But
+for Abila 16 of Lysanias, and all that lay at Mount Libanus, he bestowed
+them upon him, as out of his own territories. He also made a league with
+this Agrippa, confirmed by oaths, in the middle of the forum, in the
+city of Rome: he also took away from Antiochus that kingdom which he was
+possessed of, but gave him a certain part of Cilicia and Commagena: he
+also set Alexander Lysimachus, the alabarch, at liberty, who had been
+his old friend, and steward to his mother Antonia, but had been
+imprisoned by Caius, whose son [Marcus] married Bernice, the daughter of
+Agrippa. But when Marcus, Alexander's son, was dead, who had married her
+when she was a virgin, Agrippa gave her in marriage to his brother
+Herod, and begged for him of Claudius the kingdom of Chalcis.
+
+2. Now about this time there was a sedition between the Jews and the
+Greeks, at the city of Alexandria; for when Caius was dead, the nation
+of the Jews, which had been very much mortified under the reign of
+Caius, and reduced to very great distress by the people of Alexandria,
+recovered itself, and immediately took up their arms to fight for
+themselves. So Claudius sent an order to the president of Egypt to quiet
+that tumult; he also sent an edict, at the requests of king Agrippa and
+king Herod, both to Alexandria and to Syria, whose contents were as
+follows: "Tiberius Claudius Cæsar Augustus Germanicus, high priest, and
+tribune of the people, ordains thus: Since I am assured that the Jews of
+Alexandria, called Alexandrians, have been joint inhabitants in the
+earliest times with the Alexandrians, and have obtained from their kings
+equal privileges with them, as is evident by the public records that are
+in their possession, and the edicts themselves; and that after
+Alexandria had been subjected to our empire by Augustus, their rights
+and privileges have been preserved by those presidents who have at
+divers times been sent thither; and that no dispute had been raised
+about those rights and privileges, even when Aquila was governor of
+Alexandria; and that when the Jewish ethnarch was dead, Augustus did not
+prohibit the making such ethnarchs, as willing that all men should be so
+subject [to the Romans] as to continue in the observation of their own
+customs, and not be forced to transgress the ancient rules of their own
+country religion; but that, in the time of Caius, the Alexandrians
+became insolent towards the Jews that were among them, which Caius, out
+of his great madness and want of understanding, reduced the nation of
+the Jews very low, because they would not transgress the religious
+worship of their country, and call him a god: I will therefore that the
+nation of the Jews be not deprived of their rights and privileges, on
+account of the madness of Caius; but that those rights and privileges
+which they formerly enjoyed be preserved to them, and that they may
+continue in their own customs. And I charge both parties to take very
+great care that no troubles may arise after the promulgation of this
+edict."
+
+3. And such were the contents of this edict on behalf of the Jews that
+was sent to Alexandria. But the edict that was sent into the other parts
+of the habitable earth was this which follows: "Tiberius Claudius Cæsar
+Augustus Germanicus, high priest, tribune of the people, chosen consul
+the second time, ordains thus: Upon the petition of king Agrippa and
+king Herod, who are persons very dear to me, that I would grant the same
+rights and privileges should be preserved to the Jews which are in all
+the Roman empire, which I have granted to those of Alexandria, I very
+willingly comply therewith; and this grant I make not only for the sake
+of the petitioners, but as judging those Jews for whom I have been
+petitioned worthy of such a favor, on account of their fidelity and
+friendship to the Romans. I think it also very just that no Grecian city
+should be deprived of such rights and privileges, since they were
+preserved to them under the great Augustus. It will therefore be fit to
+permit the Jews, who are in all the world under us, to keep their
+ancient customs without being hindered so to do. And I do charge them
+also to use this my kindness to them with moderation, and not to show a
+contempt of the superstitious observances of other nations, but to keep
+their own laws only. And I will that this decree of mine be engraven on
+tables by the magistrates of the cities, and colonies, and municipal
+places, both those within Italy and those without it, both kings and
+governors, by the means of the ambassadors, and to have them exposed to
+the public for full thirty days, in such a place whence it may plainly
+be read from the ground." 17
+
+
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER 6. What Things Were Done By Agrippa At Jerusalem When He Was
+Returned Back Into Judea; And What It Was That Petronius Wrote To The
+Inhabitants Of Doris, In Behalf.
+
+1. Now Claudius Cæsar, by these decrees of his which were sent to
+Alexandria, and to all the habitable earth, made known what opinion he
+had of the Jews. So he soon sent Agrippa away to take his kingdom, now
+he was advanced to a more illustrious dignity than before, and sent
+letters to the presidents and procurators of the provinces that they
+should treat him very kindly. Accordingly, he returned in haste, as was
+likely he would, now he returned in much greater prosperity than he had
+before. He also came to Jerusalem, and offered all the sacrifices that
+belonged to him, and omitted nothing which the law required; 18 on which
+account he ordained that many of the Nazarites should have their heads
+shorn. And for the golden chain which had been given him by Caius, of
+equal weight with that iron chain wherewith his royal hands had been
+bound, he hung it up within the limits of the temple, over the treasury,
+19 that it might be a memorial of the severe fate he had lain under, and
+a testimony of his change for the better; that it might be a
+demonstration how the greatest prosperity may have a fall, and that God
+sometimes raises up what is fallen down: for this chain thus dedicated
+afforded a document to all men, that king Agrippa had been once bound in
+a chain for a small cause, but recovered his former dignity again; and a
+little while afterward got out of his bonds, and was advanced to be a
+more illustrious king than he was before. Whence men may understand that
+all that partake of human nature, how great soever they are, may fall;
+and that those that fall may gain their former illustrious dignity
+again.
+
+2. And when Agrippa had entirely finished all the duties of the Divine
+worship, he removed Theophilus, the son of Ananus, from the high
+priesthood, and bestowed that honor of his on Simon the son of Boethus,
+whose name was also Cantheras whose daughter king Herod married, as I
+have related above. Simon, therefore, had the [high] priesthood with his
+brethren, and with his father, in like manner as the sons of Simon, the
+son of Onias, who were three, had it formerly under the government of
+the Macedonians, as we have related in a former book.
+
+3. When the king had settled the high priesthood after this manner, he
+returned the kindness which the inhabitants of Jerusalem had showed him;
+for he released them from the tax upon houses, every one of which paid
+it before, thinking it a good thing to requite the tender affection of
+those that loved him. He also made Silas the general of his forces, as a
+man who had partaken with him in many of his troubles. But after a very
+little while the young men of Doris, preferring a rash attempt before
+piety, and being naturally bold and insolent, carried a statue of Cæsar
+into a synagogue of the Jews, and erected it there. This procedure of
+theirs greatly provoked Agrippa; for it plainly tended to the
+dissolution of the laws of his country. So he came without delay to
+Publius Petronius, who was then president of Syria, and accused the
+people of Doris. Nor did he less resent what was done than did Agrippa;
+for he judged it a piece of impiety to transgress the laws that regulate
+the actions of men. So he wrote the following letter to the people of
+Doris in an angry strain: "Publius Petronius, the president under
+Tiberius Claudius Cæsar Augustus Germanicus, to the magistrates of
+Doris, ordains as follows: Since some of you have had the boldness, or
+madness rather, after the edict of Claudius Cæsar Augustus Germanicus
+was published, for permitting the Jews to observe the laws of their
+country, not to obey the same, but have acted in entire opposition
+thereto, as forbidding the Jews to assemble together in the synagogue,
+by removing Cæsar's statue, and setting it up therein, and thereby have
+offended not only the Jews, but the emperor himself, whose statue is
+more commodiously placed in his own temple than in a foreign one, where
+is the place of assembling together; while it is but a part of natural
+justice, that every one should have the power over the place belonging
+peculiarly to themselves, according to the determination of Cæsar,—to
+say nothing of my own determination, which it would be ridiculous to
+mention after the emperor's edict, which gives the Jews leave to make
+use of their own customs, as also gives order that they enjoy equally
+the rights of citizens with the Greeks themselves,—I therefore ordain
+that Proculus Vitellius, the centurion, bring those men to me, who,
+contrary to Augustus's edict, have been so insolent as to do this thing,
+at which those very men, who appear to be of principal reputation among
+them, have an indignation also, and allege for themselves, 'that it was
+not done with their consent, but by the violence of the multitude, that
+they may give an account of what hath been done. I also exhort the
+principal magistrates among them, unless they have a mind to have this
+action esteemed to be done with their consent, to inform the centurion
+of those that were guilty of it, and take care that no handle be hence
+taken for raising a sedition or quarrel among them; which those seem to
+me to treat after who encourage such doings; while both I myself, and
+king Agrippa, for whom I have the highest honor, have nothing more under
+our care, than that the nation of the Jews may have no occasion given
+them of getting together, under the pretense of avenging themselves, and
+become tumultuous. And that it may be more publicly known what Augustus
+hath resolved about this whole matter, I have subjoined those edicts
+which he hath lately caused to be published at Alexandria, and which,
+although they may be well known to all, yet did king Agrippa, for whom I
+have the highest honor, read them at that time before my tribunal, and
+pleaded that the Jews ought not to be deprived of those rights which
+Augustus hath granted them. I therefore charge you, that you do not, for
+the time to come, seek for any occasion of sedition or disturbance, but
+that every one be allowed to follow their own religious customs."
+
+4. Thus did Petronius take care of this matter, that such a breach of
+the law might be corrected, and that no such thing might be attempted
+afterwards against the Jews. And now king Agrippa took the [high]
+priesthood away from Simon Cantheras, and put Jonathan, the son of
+Ananus, into it again, and owned that he was more worthy of that dignity
+than the other. But this was not a thing acceptable to him, to recover
+that his former dignity. So he refused it, and said, "O king! I rejoice
+in the honor that thou hast for me, and take it kindly that thou wouldst
+give me such a dignity of thy own inclinations, although God hath judged
+that I am not at all worthy of the high priesthood. I am satisfied with
+having once put on the sacred garments; for I then put them on after a
+more holy manner than I should now receive them again. But if thou
+desirest that a person more worthy than myself should have this
+honorable employment, give me leave to name thee such a one. I have a
+brother that is pure from all sin against God, and of all offenses
+against thyself; I recommend him to thee, as one that is fit for this
+dignity." So the king was pleased with these words of his, and passed by
+Jonathan, and, according to his brother's desire, bestowed the high
+priesthood upon Matthias. Nor was it long before Marcus succeeded
+Petronius, as president of Syria.
+
+
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER 7. Concerning Silas And On What Account It Was That King Agrippa
+Was Angry At Him. How Agrippa Began To Encompass Jerusalem With A Wall;
+And What Benefits He Bestowed On The Inhabitants Of Berytus.
+
+1. Now Silas, the general of the king's horse, because he had been
+faithful to him under all his misfortunes, and had never refused to be a
+partaker with him in any of his dangers, but had oftentimes undergone
+the most hazardous dangers for him, was full of assurance, and thought
+he might expect a sort of equality with the king, on account of the
+firmness of the friendship he had showed to him. Accordingly, he would
+no where let the king sit as his superior, and took the like liberty in
+speaking to him upon all occasions, till he became troublesome to the
+king, when they were merry together, extolling himself beyond measure,
+and oft putting the king in mind of the severity of fortune he had
+undergone, that he might, by way of ostentation, demonstrate What zeal
+he had showed in his service; and was continually harping upon this
+string, what pains he had taken for him, and much enlarged still upon
+that subject. The repetition of this so frequently seemed to reproach
+the king, insomuch that he took this ungovernable liberty of talking
+very ill at his hands. For the commemoration of times when men have been
+under ignominy, is by no means agreeable to them; and he is a very silly
+man who is perpetually relating to a person what kindness he had done
+him. At last, therefore, Silas had so thoroughly provoked the king's
+indignation, that he acted rather out of passion than good
+consideration, and did not only turn Silas out of his place, as general
+of his horse, but sent him in bonds into his own country. But the edge
+of his anger wore off by length of time, and made room for more just
+reasonings as to his judgment about this man; and he considered how many
+labors he had undergone for his sake. So when Agrippa was solemnizing
+his birth-day, and he gave festival entertainments to all his subjects,
+he sent for Silas on the sudden to be his guest. But as he was a very
+frank man, he thought he had now a just handle given him to be angry;
+which he could not conceal from those that came for him, but said to
+them, "What honor is this the king invites me to, which I conclude will
+soon be over? For the king hath not let me keep those original marks of
+the good-will I bore him, which I once had from him; but he hath
+plundered me, and that unjustly also. Does he think that I can leave off
+that liberty of speech, which, upon the consciousness of my deserts, I
+shall use more loudly than before, and shall relate how many misfortunes
+I have been delivered from; how many labors I have undergone for him,
+whereby I procured him deliverance and respect; as a reward for which I
+have borne the hardships of bonds and a dark prison? I shall never
+forget this usage. Nay, perhaps, my very soul, when it is departed out
+of the body, will not forget the glorious actions I did on his account."
+This was the clamor he made, and he ordered the messengers to tell it to
+the king. So he perceived that Silas was incurable in his folly, and
+still suffered him to lie in prison.
+
+2. As for the walls of Jerusalem, that were adjoining to the new city
+[Bezetha], he repaired them at the expense of the public, and built them
+wider in breadth, and higher in altitude; and he had made them too
+strong for all human power to demolish, unless Marcus, the then
+president of Syria, had by letter informed Claudius Cæsar of what he was
+doing. And when Claudius had some suspicion of attempts for innovation,
+he sent to Agrippa to leave off the building of those walls presently.
+So he obeyed, as not thinking it proper to contradict Claudius.
+
+3. Now this king was by nature very beneficent and liberal in his gifts,
+and very ambitious to oblige people with such large donations; and he
+made himself very illustrious by the many chargeable presents he made
+them. He took delight in giving, and rejoiced in living with good
+reputation. He was not at all like that Herod who reigned before him;
+for that Herod was ill-natured, and severe in his punishments, and had
+no mercy on them that he hated; and every one perceived that he was more
+friendly to the Greeks than to the Jews; for he adorned foreign cities
+with large presents in money; with building them baths and theatres
+besides; nay, in some of those places he erected temples, and porticoes
+in others; but he did not vouchsafe to raise one of the least edifices
+in any Jewish city, or make them any donation that was worth mentioning.
+But Agrippa's temper was mild, and equally liberal to all men. He was
+humane to foreigners, and made them sensible of his liberality. He was
+in like manner rather of a gentle and compassionate temper. Accordingly,
+he loved to live continually at Jerusalem, and was exactly careful in
+the observance of the laws of his country. He therefore kept himself
+entirely pure; nor did any day pass over his head without its appointed
+sacrifice.
+
+4. However, there was a certain mall of the Jewish nation at Jerusalem,
+who appeared to be very accurate in the knowledge of the law. His name
+was Simon. This man got together an assembly, while the king was absent
+at Cæsarea, and had the insolence to accuse him as not living holily,
+and that he might justly be excluded out of the temple, since it
+belonged only to native Jews. But the general of Agrippa's army informed
+him that Simon had made such a speech to the people. So the king sent
+for him; and as he was sitting in the theater, he bid him sit down by
+him, and said to him with a low and gentle voice, "What is there done in
+this place that is contrary to the law?" But he had nothing to say for
+himself, but begged his pardon. So the king was more easily reconciled
+to him than one could have imagined, as esteeming mildness a better
+quality in a king than anger, and knowing that moderation is more
+becoming in great men than passion. So he made Simon a small present,
+and dismissed him.
+
+5. Now as Agrippa was a great builder in many places, he paid a peculiar
+regard to the people of Berytus; for he erected a theater for them,
+superior to many others of that sort, both in Sumptuousness and
+elegance, as also an amphitheater, built at vast expenses; and besides
+these, he built them baths and porticoes, and spared for no costs in any
+of his edifices, to render them both handsome and large. He also spent a
+great deal upon their dedication, and exhibited shows upon them, and
+brought thither musicians of all sorts, and such as made the most
+delightful music of the greatest variety. He also showed his
+magnificence upon the theater, in his great number of gladiators; and
+there it was that he exhibited the several antagonists, in order to
+please the spectators; no fewer indeed than seven hundred men to fight
+with seven hundred other men 20 and allotted all the malefactors he had
+for this exercise, that both the malefactors might receive their
+punishment, and that this operation of war might be a recreation in
+peace. And thus were these criminals all destroyed at once.
+
+
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER 8. What Other Acts Were Done By Agrippa Until His Death; And
+After What Manner He Died.
+
+1. When Agrippa had finished what I have above related at Berytus, he
+removed to Tiberias, a city of Galilee. Now he was in great esteem among
+other kings. Accordingly there came to him Antiochus, king of Commalena,
+Sampsigeratnus, king of Emesa, and Cotys, who was king of the Lesser
+Armenia, and Polemo, who was king of Pontus, as also Herod his brother,
+who was king of Chalcis. All these he treated with agreeable
+entertainments, and after an obliging manner, and so as to exhibit the
+greatness of his mind, and so as to appear worthy of those respects
+which the kings paid to him, by coming thus to see him. However, while
+these kings staid with him, Marcus, the president of Syria, came
+thither. So the king, in order to preserve the respect that was due to
+the Romans, went out of the city to meet him, as far as seven furlongs.
+But this proved to be the beginning of a difference between him and
+Marcus; for he took with him in his chariot those other kings as his
+assessors. But Marcus had a suspicion what the meaning could be of so
+great a friendship of these kings one with another, and did not think so
+close an agreement of so many potentates to be for the interest of the
+Romans. He therefore sent some of his domestics to every one of them,
+and enjoined them to go their ways home without further delay. This was
+very ill taken by Agrippa, who after that became his enemy. And now he
+took the high priesthood away from Matthias, and made Elioneus, the son
+of Cantheras, high priest in his stead.
+
+2. Now when Agrippa had reigned three years over all Judea, he came to
+the city Cæsarea, which was formerly called Strato's Tower; and there he
+exhibited shows in honor of Cæsar, upon his being informed that there
+was a certain festival celebrated to make vows for his safety. At which
+festival a great multitude was gotten together of the principal persons,
+and such as were of dignity through his province. On the second day of
+which shows he put on a garment made wholly of silver, and of a
+contexture truly wonderful, and came into the theater early in the
+morning; at which time the silver of his garment being illuminated by
+the fresh reflection of the sun's rays upon it, shone out after a
+surprising manner, and was so resplendent as to spread a horror over
+those that looked intently upon him; and presently his flatterers cried
+out, one from one place, and another from another, [though not for his
+good,] that he was a god; and they added, "Be thou merciful to us; for
+although we have hitherto reverenced thee only as a man, yet shall we
+henceforth own thee as superior to mortal nature." Upon this the king
+did neither rebuke them, nor reject their impious flattery. But as he
+presently afterward looked up, he saw an owl 21 sitting on a certain
+rope over his head, and immediately understood that this bird was the
+messenger of ill tidings, as it had once been the messenger of good
+tidings to him; and fell into the deepest sorrow. A severe pain also
+arose in his belly, and began in a most violent manner. He therefore
+looked upon his friends, and said, "I, whom you call a god, am commanded
+presently to depart this life; while Providence thus reproves the lying
+words you just now said to me; and I, who was by you called immortal, am
+immediately to be hurried away by death. But I am bound to accept of
+what Providence allots, as it pleases God; for we have by no means lived
+ill, but in a splendid and happy manner." When he said this, his pain
+was become violent. Accordingly he was carried into the palace, and the
+rumor went abroad every where, that he would certainly die in a little
+time. But the multitude presently sat in sackcloth, with their wives and
+children, after the law of their country, and besought God for the
+king's recovery. All places were also full of mourning and lamentation.
+Now the king rested in a high chamber, and as he saw them below lying
+prostrate on the ground, he could not himself forbear weeping. And when
+he had been quite worn out by the pain in his belly for five days, he
+departed this life, being in the fifty-fourth year of his age, and in
+the seventh year of his reign; for he reigned four years under Caius
+Cæsar, three of them were over Philip's tetrarchy only, and on the
+fourth he had that of Herod added to it; and he reigned, besides those,
+three years under the reign of Claudius Cæsar; in which time he reigned
+over the forementioned countries, and also had Judea added to them, as
+well as Samaria and Cæsarea. The revenues that he received out of them
+were very great, no less than twelve millions of drachmae. 22 Yet did he
+borrow great sums from others; for he was so very liberal that his
+expenses exceeded his incomes, and his generosity was boundless. 23
+
+3. But before the multitude were made acquainted with Agrippa's being
+expired, Herod the king of Chalcis, and Helcias the master of his horse,
+and the king's friend, sent Aristo, one of the king's most faithful
+servants, and slew Silas, who had been their enemy, as if it had been
+done by the king's own command.
+
+
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER 9. What Things Were Done After The Death Of Agrippa; And How
+Claudius, On Account Of The Youth And Unskilfulness Of Agrippa, Junior,
+Sent Cuspius Fadus To Be Procurator Of Judea, And Of The Entire Kingdom.
+
+1. And thus did king Agrippa depart this life. But he left behind him a
+son, Agrippa by name, a youth in the seventeenth year of his age, and
+three daughters; one of which, Bernice, was married to Herod, his
+father's brother, and was sixteen years old; the other two, Mariamne and
+Drusilla, were still virgins; the former was ten years old, and Drusilla
+six. Now these his daughters were thus espoused by their father;
+Marlatone to Julius Archelaus Epiphanes, the son of Antiochus, the son
+of Chelcias; and Drusilla to the king of Commagena. But when it was
+known that Agrippa was departed this life, the inhabitants of Cæsarea
+and of Sebaste forgot the kindnesses he had bestowed on them, and acted
+the part of the bitterest enemies; for they cast such reproaches upon
+the deceased as are not fit to be spoken of; and so many of them as were
+then soldiers, which were a great number, went to his house, and hastily
+carried off the statues 24 of this king's daughters, and all at once
+carried them into the brothel-houses, and when they had set them on the
+tops of those houses, they abused them to the utmost of their power, and
+did such things to them as are too indecent to be related. They also
+laid themselves down in public places, and celebrated general feastings,
+with garlands on their heads, and with ointments and libations to
+Charon, and drinking to one another for joy that the king was expired.
+Nay, they were not only unmindful of Agrippa, who had extended his
+liberality to them in abundance, but of his grandfather Herod also, who
+had himself rebuilt their cities, and had raised them havens and temples
+at vast expenses.
+
+2. Now Agrippa, the son of the deceased, was at Rome, and brought up
+with Claudius Cæsar. And when Cæsar was informed that Agrippa was dead,
+and that the inhabitants of Sebaste and Cæsarea had abused him, he was
+sorry for the first news, and was displeased with the ingratitude of
+those cities. He was therefore disposed to send Agrippa, junior, away
+presently to succeed his father in the kingdom, and was willing to
+confirm him in it by his oath. But those freed-men and friends of his,
+who had the greatest authority with him, dissuaded him from it, and said
+that it was a dangerous experiment to permit so large a kingdom to come
+under the government of so very young a man, and one hardly yet arrived
+at years of discretion, who would not be able to take sufficient care of
+its administration; while the weight of a kingdom is heavy enough to a
+grown man. So Cæsar thought what they said to be reasonable. Accordingly
+he sent Cuspins Fadus to be procurator of Judea, and of the entire
+kingdom, and paid that respect to the deceased as not to introduce
+Marcus, who had been at variance with him, into his kingdom. But he
+determined, in the first place, to send orders to Fadus, that he should
+chastise the inhabitants of Cæsarea and Sebaste for those abuses they
+had offered to him that was deceased, and their madness towards his
+daughters that were still alive; and that he should remove that body of
+soldiers that were at Cæsarea and Sebaste, with the five regiments, into
+Pontus, that they might do their military duty there; and that he should
+choose an equal number of soldiers out of the Roman legions that were in
+Syria, to supply their place. Yet were not those that had such orders
+actually removed; for by sending ambassadors to Claudius, they mollified
+him, and got leave to abide in Judea still; and these were the very men
+that became the source of very great calamities to the Jews in after-
+times, and sowed the seeds of that war which began under Florus; whence
+it was that when Vespasian had subdued the country, he removed them out
+of his province, as we shall relate hereafter.
+
+
+
+
+
+
+FOOTNOTES
+
+
+1 (return) [ In this and the three next chapters we have, I think, a
+larger and more distinct account of the slaughter of Caius, and the
+succession of Claudius, than we have of any such ancient facts
+whatsoever elsewhere. Some of the occasions of which probably were,
+Josephus's bitter hatred against tyranny, and the pleasure he took in
+giving the history of the slaughter of such a barbarous tyrant as was
+this Caius Caligula, as also the deliverance his own nation had by that
+slaughter, of which he speaks sect. 2, together with the great intimacy
+he had with Agrippa, junior, whose father was deeply concerned in the
+advancement of Claudius, upon the death of Caius; from which Agrippa,
+junior, Josephus might be fully informed Of his history.]
+
+
+2 (return) [ Called Caligula by the Romans.]
+
+
+3 (return) [ Just such a voice as this is related to be came, and from
+an unknown original also, to the famous Polycarp, as he was going to
+martyrdom, bidding him "play the man;" as the church of Smyrna assures
+us in their account of that his martyrdom, sect. 9.]
+
+
+4 (return) [ Here Josephus supposes that it was Augustus, and not Julius
+Cæsar, who first changed the Roman commonwealth into a monarchy; for
+these shows were in honor of Augustus, as we shall learn in the next
+section.]
+
+
+5 (return) [ Suetonius says Caius was slain about the seventh hour of
+the day, the ninth. The series of the narration favors Josephus.]
+
+
+6 (return) [ The rewards proposed by the Roman laws to informers was
+sometimes an eighth part as Spanheim assures us, from the criminal's
+goods, as here, and sometimes a fourth part.]
+
+
+7 (return) [ These consuls are named in the War of the Jews, B. II. ch.
+11. sect; 1, Sentius Saturninus and Pomponius Secundus, as Spanheim
+notes here. The speech of the former of them is set down in the next
+chapter, sect. 2.]
+
+
+8 (return) [ In this oration of Sentius Saturninus, we may see the great
+value virtuous men put upon public liberty, and the sad misery they
+underwent, while they were tyrannized over by such emperors as Caius.
+See Josephus's own short but pithy reflection at the end of the chapter:
+"So difficult," says he, "it is for those to obtain the virtue that is
+necessary to a wise man, who have the absolute power to do what they
+please without control."]
+
+
+9 (return) [ Hence we learn that, in the opinion of Saturninus, the
+sovereign authority of the consuls and senate had been taken away just a
+hundred years before the death of Caius, A.D. 41, or in the sixtieth
+year before the Christian saga, when the first triumvirate began under
+Cæsar, Pompey, and Crassus.]
+
+
+10 (return) [ Spanheim here notes from Suetonius, that the name of
+Caius's sister with whom he was guilty of incest, was Drusilla and that
+Suetonius adds, he was guilty of the same crime with all his sisters
+also. He notes further, that Suetonius omits the mention of the haven
+for ships, which our author esteems the only public work for the good of
+the present and future ages which Caius left behind him, though in an
+imperfect condition.]
+
+
+11 (return) [ This Caius was the son of that excellent person
+Germanicus, who was the son of Drusus, the brother of Tiberius the
+emperor. The first place Claudius came to was inhabited, and called
+Herincure, as Spanheim here informs us from Suetonius, in Claud. ch. 10.
+
+
+12 (return) [ How Claudius, another son of Drusus, which Drusus was the
+father of Germanicus, could be here himself called Germanicus, Suetonius
+informs us, when he assures us that, by a decree of the senate, the
+surname of Germanicus was bestowed upon Drusus, and his posterity
+also.—In Claud. ch. 1.]
+
+
+13 (return) [ This number of drachmae to be distributed to each private
+soldier, five thousand drachmae, equal to twenty thousand sesterces, or
+one hundred and sixty-one pounds sterling, seems much too large, and
+directly contradicts Suetonius, ch. 10., who makes them in all but
+fifteen sesterces, or two shillings and four pence. Yet might Josephus
+have this number from Agrippa, junior, though I doubt the thousands, or
+at least the hundreds, have been added by the transcribers, of which we
+have had several examples already in Josephus.]
+
+
+14 (return) [ This piercing cold here complained of by Lupus agrees well
+to the time of the year when Claudius began his reign; it being for
+certain about the months of November, December, or January, and most
+probably a few days after January the twenty-fourth, and a few days
+before the Roman Parentalia.]
+
+
+15 (return) [ It is both here and elsewhere very remarkable, that the
+murders of the vilest tyrants, who yet highly deserved to die, when
+those murderers were under oaths, or other the like obligations of
+fidelity to them, were usually revenged, and the murderers were cut off
+themselves, and that after a remarkable manner; and this sometimes, as
+in the present case, by those very persons who were not sorry for such
+murders, but got kingdoms by them. The examples are very numerous, both
+in sacred and profane histories, and seem generally indications of
+Divine vengeance on such murderers. Nor is it unworthy of remark, that
+such murderers of tyrants do it usually on such ill principles, in such
+a cruel manner, and as ready to involve the innocent with the guilty,
+which was the case here, ch. 1. sect. 14, and ch. 2. sect. 4, as justly
+deserved the Divine vengeance upon them. Which seems to have been the
+case of Jehu also, when, besides the house of Ahab, for whose slaughter
+he had a commission from God, without any such commission, any justice
+or commiseration, he killed Ahab's great men, and acquaintance, and
+priests, and forty-two of the kindred of Ahaziah, 2 Kings 10:11-14. See
+Hosea 1:4. I do not mean here to condemn Ehud or Judith, or the like
+executioners of God's vengeance on those wicked tyrants who had unjustly
+oppressed God's own people under their theocracy; who, as they appear
+still to have had no selfish designs nor intentions to slay the
+innocent, so had they still a Divine commission, or a Divine impulse,
+which was their commission for what they did, Judges 3:15, 19, 20;
+Judith 9:2; Test. Levi. sect. 5, in Authent. Rec. p. 312. See also page
+432.]
+
+
+16 (return) [ Here St. Luke is in some measure confirmed, when he
+reforms us, ch. 3:1, that Lysanias was some time before tetrarch of
+Abilene, whose capital was Abila; as he is further confirmed by Ptolemy,
+the great geographer, which Spanheim here observes, when he calls that
+city Abila of Lysanias. See the note on B. XVII. ch. 11. sect. 4; and
+Prid. at the years 36 and 22. I esteem this principality to have
+belonged to the land of Canaan originally, to have been the burying-
+place of Abel, and referred to as such, Matthew 23:35; Luke 11:51. See
+Authent. Rec. Part. II. p. 883—885.]
+
+
+17 (return) [ This form was so known and frequent among the Romans, as
+Dr. Hudson here tells us from the great Selden, that it used to be thus
+represented at the bottom of their edicts by the initial letters only,
+U. D. P. R. L. P, Unde De Plano Recte Lege Possit; "Whence it may be
+plainly read from the ground."]
+
+
+18 (return) [ Josephus shows, both here and ch. 7. sect. 3, that he had
+a much greater opinion of king Agrippa I. than Simon the learned Rabbi,
+than the people of Cæsarea and Sebaste, ch. 7. sect. 4; and ch. 9. sect.
+1; and indeed than his double- dealing between the senate and Claudius,
+ch. 4. sect. 2, than his slaughter of James the brother of John, and his
+imprisonment of Peter, or his vain-glorious behavior before he died,
+both in Acts 12:13; and here, ch. 4. sect. 1, will justify or allow.
+Josephus's character was probably taken from his son Agrippa, junior.]
+
+
+19 (return) [ This treasury-chamber seems to have been the very same in
+which our Savior taught, and where the people offered their charity
+money for the repairs or other uses of the temple, Mark 12:41, etc.;
+Luke 22:1; John 8:20.]
+
+
+20 (return) [ A strange number of condemned criminals to be under the
+sentence of death at once; no fewer, it seems, than one thousand four
+hundred!]
+
+
+21 (return) [ We have a mighty cry made here by some critics, as the
+great Eusebius had on purpose falsified this account of Josephus, so as
+to make it agree with the parallel account in the Acts of the Apostles,
+because the present copies of his citation of it, Hist. Eceles. B. II.
+ch. 10., omit the words an owl—on a certain rope, which Josephus's
+present copies retain, and only have the explicatory word or angel; as
+if he meant that angel of the Lord which St. Luke mentions as smiting
+Herod, Acts 12:23, and not that owl which Josephus called an angel or
+messenger, formerly of good, but now of bad news, to Agrippa. This
+accusation is a somewhat strange one in the case of the great Eusebius,
+who is known to have so accurately and faithfully produced a vast number
+of other ancient records, and particularly not a few out of our Josephus
+also, without any suspicion of prevarication. Now, not to allege how
+uncertain we are whether Josephus's and Eusebius's copies of the fourth
+century were just like the present in this clause, which we have no
+distinct evidence of, the following words, preserved still in Eusebius,
+will not admit of any such exposition: "This [bird] [says Eusebius]
+Agrippa presently perceived to be the cause of ill fortune, as it was
+once of good fortune, to him;" which can only belong to that bird, the
+owl, which as it had formerly foreboded his happy deliverance from
+imprisonment, Antiq. B. XVIII. ch. 6. sect. 7, so was it then foretold
+to prove afterward the unhappy forerunner of his death in five days'
+time. If the improper words signifying cause, be changed for Josephus's
+proper word angel or messenger, and the foregoing words, be inserted,
+Esuebius's text will truly represent that in Josephus. Had this
+imperfection been in some heathen author that was in good esteem with
+our modern critics, they would have readily corrected these as barely
+errors in the copies; but being in an ancient Christian writer, not so
+well relished by many of those critics, nothing will serve but the ill-
+grounded supposal of willful corruption and prevarication.]
+
+
+22 (return) [ This sum of twelve millions of drachmae, which is equal to
+three millions of shekels, i.e. at 2s. 10d. a shekel, equal to four
+hundred and twenty-five thousand pounds sterling, was Agrippa the
+Great's yearly income, or about three quarters of his grandfather
+Herod's income; he having abated the tax upon houses at Jerusalem, ch.
+6. sect. 3, and was not so tyrannical as Herod had been to the Jews. See
+the note on Antiq. B. XVII. ch. 11. sect. 4. A large sum this! but not,
+it seems, sufficient for his extravagant expenses.]
+
+
+23 (return) [ Reland takes notice here, not improperly, that Josephus
+omits the reconciliation of this Herod Agrippa to the Tyrians and
+Sidoninus, by the means of Blastus the king's chamberlain, mentioned
+Acts 12:20. Nor is there any history in the world so complete, as to
+omit nothing that other historians take notice of, unless the one be
+taken out of the other, and accommodated to it.]
+
+
+24 (return) [ Photius, who made an extract out of this section, says
+they were not the statues or images, but the ladies themselves, who were
+thus basely abused by the soldiers.]
+
+
+
+
+
+
+BOOK XX. Containing The Interval Of Twenty-Two Years.—From Fadus The
+Procurator To Florus.
+
+
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER 1. A Sedition Of The Philadelphians Against The Jews; And Also
+Concerning The Vestments Of The High Priest.
+
+1. Upon the death of king Agrippa, which we have related in the
+foregoing book, Claudius Cæsar sent Cassius Longinus as successor to
+Marcus, out of regard to the memory of king Agrippa, who had often
+desired of him by letters, while he was alive, that he would not suffer
+Marcus to be any longer president of Syria. But Fadus, as soon as he was
+come procurator into Judea, found quarrelsome doings between the Jews
+that dwelt in Perea, and the people of Philadelphia, about their
+borders, at a village called Mia, that was filled with men of a warlike
+temper; for the Jews of Perea had taken up arms without the consent of
+their principal men, and had destroyed many of the Philadelphians. When
+Fadus was informed of this procedure, it provoked him very much that
+they had not left the determination of the matter to him, if they
+thought that the Philadelphians had done them any wrong, but had rashly
+taken up arms against them. So he seized upon three of their principal
+men, who were also the causes of this sedition, and ordered them to be
+bound, and afterwards had one of them slain, whose name was Hannibal;
+and he banished the other two, Areram and Eleazar. Tholomy also, the
+arch robber, was, after some time, brought to him bound, and slain, but
+not till he had done a world of mischief to Idumea and the Arabians. And
+indeed, from that time, Judea was cleared of robberies by the care and
+providence of Fadus. He also at this time sent for the high priests and
+the principal citizens of Jerusalem, and this at the command of the
+emperor, and admonished them that they should lay up the long garment
+and the sacred vestment, which it is customary for nobody but the high
+priest to wear, in the tower of Antonia, that it might be under the
+power of the Romans, as it had been formerly. Now the Jews durst not
+contradict what he had said, but desired Fadus, however, and Longinus,
+[which last was come to Jerusalem, and had brought a great army with
+him, out of a fear that the [rigid] injunctions of Fadus should force
+the Jews to rebel,] that they might, in the first place, have leave to
+send ambassadors to Cæsar, to petition him that they may have the holy
+vestments under their own power; and that, in the next place, they would
+tarry till they knew what answer Claudius would give to that their
+request. So they replied, that they would give them leave to send their
+ambassadors, provided they would give them their sons as pledges [for
+their peaceable behavior]. And when they had agreed so to do, and had
+given them the pledges they desired, the ambassadors were sent
+accordingly. But when, upon their coming to Rome, Agrippa, junior, the
+son of the deceased, understood the reason why they came, [for he dwelt
+with Claudius Cæsar, as we said before,] he besought Cæsar to grant the
+Jews their request about the holy vestments, and to send a message to
+Fadus accordingly.
+
+2. Hereupon Claudius called for the ambassadors; and told them that he
+granted their request; and bade them to return their thanks to Agrippa
+for this favor, which had been bestowed on them upon his entreaty. And
+besides these answers of his, he sent the following letter by them:
+"Claudius Cæsar Germanicus, tribune of the people the fifth time, and
+designed consul the fourth time, and imperator the tenth time, the
+father of his country, to the magistrates, senate, and people, and the
+whole nation of the Jews, sendeth greeting. Upon the presentation of
+your ambassadors to me by Agrippa, my friend, whom I have brought up,
+and have now with me, and who is a person of very great piety, who are
+come to give me thanks for the care I have taken of your nation, and to
+entreat me, in an earnest and obliging manner, that they may have the
+holy vestments, with the crown belonging to them, under their power,—I
+grant their request, as that excellent person Vitellius, who is very
+dear to me, had done before me. And I have complied with your desire, in
+the first place, out of regard to that piety which I profess, and
+because I would have every one worship God according to the laws of
+their own country; and this I do also because I shall hereby highly
+gratify king Herod, and Agrippa, junior, whose sacred regards to me, and
+earnest good-will to you, I am well acquainted with, and with whom I
+have the greatest friendship, and whom I highly esteem, and look on as
+persons of the best character. Now I have written about these affairs to
+Cuspius Fadus, my procurator. The names of those that brought me your
+letter are Cornelius, the son of Cero, Trypho, the son of Theudio,
+Dorotheus, the son of Nathaniel, and John, the son of Jotre. This letter
+is dated before the fourth of the calends of July, when Ruffis and
+Pompeius Sylvanus are consuls."
+
+3. Herod also, the brother of the deceased Agrippa, who was then
+possessed of the royal authority over Chalcis, petitioned Claudius Cæsar
+for the authority over the temple, and the money of the sacred treasure,
+and the choice of the high priests, and obtained all that he petitioned
+for. So that after that time this authority continued among all his
+descendants till the end of the war 1 Accordingly, Herod removed the
+last high priest, called Cimtheras, and bestowed that dignity on his
+successor Joseph, the son of Cantos.
+
+
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER 2. How Helena The Queen Of Adiabene And Her Son Izates, Embraced
+The Jewish Religion; And How Helena Supplied The Poor With Corn, When
+There Was A Great Famine At Jerusalem.
+
+1. About this time it was that Helena, queen of Adiabene, and her son
+Izates, changed their course of life, and embraced the Jewish customs,
+and this on the occasion following: Monobazus, the king of Adiabene, who
+had also the name of Bazeus, fell in love with his sister Helena, and
+took her to be his wife, and begat her with child. But as he was in bed
+with her one night, he laid his hand upon his wife's belly, and fell
+asleep, and seemed to hear a voice, which bid him take his hand off his
+wife's belly, and not hurt the infant that was therein, which, by God's
+providence, would be safely born, and have a happy end. This voice put
+him into disorder; so he awaked immediately, and told the story to his
+wife; and when his son was born, he called him Izates. He had indeed
+Monobazus, his elder brother, by Helena also, as he had other sons by
+other wives besides. Yet did he openly place all his affections on this
+his only begotten 2 son Izates, which was the origin of that envy which
+his other brethren, by the same father, bore to him; while on this
+account they hated him more and more, and were all under great
+affliction that their father should prefer Izates before them. Now
+although their father was very sensible of these their passions, yet did
+he forgive them, as not indulging those passions out of an ill
+disposition, but out of a desire each of them had to be beloved by their
+father. However, he sent Izates, with many presents, to Abennerig, the
+king of Charax- Spasini, and that out of the great dread he was in about
+him, lest he should come to some misfortune by the hatred his brethren
+bore him; and he committed his son's preservation to him. Upon which
+Abennerig gladly received the young man, and had a great affection for
+him, and married him to his own daughter, whose name was Samacha: he
+also bestowed a country upon him, from which he received large revenues.
+
+2. But when Monobazus was grown old, and saw that he had but a little
+time to live, he had a mind to come to the sight of his son before he
+died. So he sent for him, and embraced him after the most affectionate
+manner, and bestowed on him the country called Carra; it was a soil that
+bare amomum in great plenty: there are also in it the remains of that
+ark, wherein it is related that Noah escaped the deluge, and where they
+are still shown to such as are desirous to see them. 3 Accordingly,
+Izates abode in that country until his father's death. But the very day
+that Monobazus died, queen Helena sent for all the grandees, and
+governors of the kingdom, and for those that had the armies committed to
+their command; and when they were come, she made the following speech to
+them: "I believe you are not unacquainted that my husband was desirous
+Izates should succeed him in the government, and thought him worthy so
+to do. However, I wait your determination; for happy is he who receives
+a kingdom, not from a single person only, but from the willing suffrages
+of a great many." This she said, in order to try those that were
+invited, and to discover their sentiments. Upon the hearing of which,
+they first of all paid their homage to the queen, as their custom was,
+and then they said that they confirmed the king's determination, and
+would submit to it; and they rejoiced that Izates's father had preferred
+him before the rest of his brethren, as being agreeable to all their
+wishes: but that they were desirous first of all to slay his brethren
+and kinsmen, that so the government might come securely to Izates;
+because if they were once destroyed, all that fear would be over which
+might arise from their hatred and envy to him. Helena replied to this,
+that she returned them her thanks for their kindness to herself and to
+Izates; but desired that they would however defer the execution of this
+slaughter of Izates's brethren till he should be there himself, and give
+his approbation to it. So since these men had not prevailed with her,
+when they advised her to slay them, they exhorted her at least to keep
+them in bonds till he should come, and that for their own security; they
+also gave her counsel to set up some one whom she could put the greatest
+trust in, as a governor of the kingdom in the mean time. So queen Helena
+complied with this counsel of theirs, and set up Monobazus, the eldest
+son, to be king, and put the diadem upon his head, and gave him his
+father's ring, with its signet; as also the ornament which they call
+Sampser, and exhorted him to administer the affairs of the kingdom till
+his brother should come; who came suddenly upon hearing that his father
+was dead, and succeeded his brother Monobazus, who resigned up the
+government to him.
+
+3. Now, during the time Izates abode at Charax-Spasini, a certain Jewish
+merchant, whose name was Ananias, got among the women that belonged to
+the king, and taught them to worship God according to the Jewish
+religion. He, moreover, by their means, became known to Izates, and
+persuaded him, in like manner, to embrace that religion; he also, at the
+earnest entreaty of Izates, accompanied him when he was sent for by his
+father to come to Adiabene; it also happened that Helena, about the same
+time, was instructed by a certain other Jew and went over to them. But
+when Izates had taken the kingdom, and was come to Adiabene, and there
+saw his brethren and other kinsmen in bonds, he was displeased at it;
+and as he thought it an instance of impiety either to slay or imprison
+them, but still thought it a hazardous thing for to let them have their
+liberty, with the remembrance of the injuries that had been offered
+them, he sent some of them and their children for hostages to Rome, to
+Claudius Cæsar, and sent the others to Artabanus, the king of Parthia,
+with the like intentions.
+
+4. And when he perceived that his mother was highly pleased with the
+Jewish customs, he made haste to change, and to embrace them entirely;
+and as he supposed that he could not be thoroughly a Jew unless he were
+circumcised, he was ready to have it done. But when his mother
+understood what he was about, she endeavored to hinder him from doing
+it, and said to him that this thing would bring him into danger; and
+that, as he was a king, he would thereby bring himself into great odium
+among his subjects, when they should understand that he was so fond of
+rites that were to them strange and foreign; and that they would never
+bear to be ruled over by a Jew. This it was that she said to him, and
+for the present persuaded him to forbear. And when he had related what
+she had said to Ananias, he confirmed what his mother had said; and when
+he had also threatened to leave him, unless he complied with him, he
+went away from him, and said that he was afraid lest such an action
+being once become public to all, he should himself be in danger of
+punishment for having been the occasion of it, and having been the
+king's instructor in actions that were of ill reputation; and he said
+that he might worship God without being circumcised, even though he did
+resolve to follow the Jewish law entirely, which worship of God was of a
+superior nature to circumcision. He added, that God would forgive him,
+though he did not perform the operation, while it was omitted out of
+necessity, and for fear of his subjects. So the king at that time
+complied with these persuasions of Ananias. But afterwards, as he had
+not quite left off his desire of doing this thing, a certain other Jew
+that came out of Galilee, whose name was Eleazar, and who was esteemed
+very skillful in the learning of his country, persuaded him to do the
+thing; for as he entered into his palace to salute him, and found him
+reading the law of Moses, he said to him, "Thou dost not consider, O
+king! that thou unjustly breakest the principal of those laws, and art
+injurious to God himself, [by omitting to be circumcised]; for thou
+oughtest not only to read them, but chiefly to practice what they enjoin
+thee. How long wilt thou continue uncircumcised? But if thou hast not
+yet read the law about circumcision, and dost not know how great impiety
+thou art guilty of by neglecting it, read it now." When the king had
+heard what he said, he delayed the thing no longer, but retired to
+another room, and sent for a surgeon, and did what he was commanded to
+do. He then sent for his mother, and Ananias his tutor, and informed
+them that he had done the thing; upon which they were presently struck
+with astonishment and fear, and that to a great degree, lest the thing
+should be openly discovered and censured, and the king should hazard the
+loss of his kingdom, while his subjects would not bear to be governed by
+a man who was so zealous in another religion; and lest they should
+themselves run some hazard, because they would be supposed the occasion
+of his so doing. But it was God himself who hindered what they feared
+from taking effect; for he preserved both Izates himself and his sons
+when they fell into many dangers, and procured their deliverance when it
+seemed to be impossible, and demonstrated thereby that the fruit of
+piety does not perish as to those that have regard to him, and fix their
+faith upon him only. 4 But these events we shall relate hereafter.
+
+5. But as to Helena, the king's mother, when she saw that the affairs of
+Izates's kingdom were in peace, and that her son was a happy man, and
+admired among all men, and even among foreigners, by the means of God's
+providence over him, she had a mind to go to the city of Jerusalem, in
+order to worship at that temple of God which was so very famous among
+all men, and to offer her thank-offerings there. So she desired her son
+to give her leave to go thither; upon which he gave his consent to what
+she desired very willingly, and made great preparations for her
+dismission, and gave her a great deal of money, and she went down to the
+city Jerusalem, her son conducting her on her journey a great way. Now
+her coming was of very great advantage to the people of Jerusalem; for
+whereas a famine did oppress them at that time, and many people died for
+want of what was necessary to procure food withal, queen Helena sent
+some of her servants to Alexandria with money to buy a great quantity of
+corn, and others of them to Cyprus, to bring a cargo of dried figs. And
+as soon as they were come back, and had brought those provisions, which
+was done very quickly, she distributed food to those that were in want
+of it, and left a most excellent memorial behind her of this
+benefaction, which she bestowed on our whole nation. And when her son
+Izates was informed of this famine, 5 he sent great sums of money to the
+principal men in Jerusalem. However, what favors this queen and king
+conferred upon our city Jerusalem shall be further related hereafter.
+
+
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER 3. How Artabanus, the King of Parthia out of Fear of the Secret
+Contrivances of His Subjects Against Him, Went to Izates, and Was By Him
+Reinstated in His Government; as Also How Bardanes His Son Denounced War
+Against Izates.
+
+1. But now Artabanus, king of the Parthians perceiving that the
+governors of the provinces had framed a plot against him, did not think
+it safe for him to continue among them; but resolved to go to Izates, in
+hopes of finding some way for his preservation by his means, and, if
+possible, for his return to his own dominions. So he came to Izates, and
+brought a thousand of his kindred and servants with him, and met him
+upon the road, while he well knew Izates, but Izates did not know him.
+When Artabanus stood near him, and, in the first place, worshipped him,
+according to the custom, he then said to him, "O king! do not thou
+overlook me thy servant, nor do thou proudly reject the suit I make
+thee; for as I am reduced to a low estate, by the change of fortune, and
+of a king am become a private man, I stand in need of thy assistance.
+Have regard, therefore, unto the uncertainty of fortune, and esteem the
+care thou shalt take of me to be taken of thyself also; for if I be
+neglected, and my subjects go off unpunished, many other subjects will
+become the more insolent towards other kings also." And this speech
+Artabanus made with tears in his eyes, and with a dejected countenance.
+Now as soon as Izates heard Artabanus's name, and saw him stand as a
+supplicant before him, he leaped down from his horse immediately, and
+said to him, "Take courage, O king! nor be disturbed at thy present
+calamity, as if it were incurable; for the change of thy sad condition
+shall be sudden; for thou shalt find me to be more thy friend and thy
+assistant than thy hopes can promise thee; for I will either re-
+establish thee in the kingdom of Parthia, or lose my own."
+
+2. When he had said this, he set Artabanus upon his horse, and followed
+him on foot, in honor of a king whom he owned as greater than himself;
+which, when Artabanus saw, he was very uneasy at it, and sware by his
+present fortune and honor that he would get down from his horse, unless
+Izates would get upon his horse again, and go before him. So he complied
+with his desire, and leaped upon his horse; and when he had brought him
+to his royal palace, he showed him all sorts of respect when they sat
+together, and he gave him the upper place at festivals also, as
+regarding not his present fortune, but his former dignity, and that upon
+this consideration also, that the changes of fortune are common to all
+men. He also wrote to the Parthians, to persuade them to receive
+Artabanus again; and gave them his right hand and his faith, that he
+should forget what was past and done, and that he would undertake for
+this as a mediator between them. Now the Parthians did not themselves
+refuse to receive him again, but pleaded that it was not now in their
+power so to do, because they had committed the government to another
+person, who had accepted of it, and whose name was Cinnamus; and that
+they were afraid lest a civil war should arise on this account. When
+Cinnamus understood their intentions, he wrote to Artabanus himself, for
+he had been brought up by him, and was of a nature good and gentle also,
+and desired him to put confidence in him, and to come and take his own
+dominions again. Accordingly, Artabanus trusted him, and returned home;
+when Cinnamus met him, worshipped him, and saluted him as a king, and
+took the diadem off his own head, and put it on the head of Artabanus.
+
+3. And thus was Artahanus restored to his kingdom again by the means of
+Izates, when he had lost it by the means of the grandees of the kingdom.
+Nor was he unmindful of the benefits he had conferred upon him, but
+rewarded him with such honors as were of the greatest esteem among them;
+for he gave him leave to wear his tiara upright, 6 and to sleep upon a
+golden bed, which are privileges and marks of honor peculiar to the
+kings of Parthia. He also cut off a large and fruitful country from the
+king of Armenia, and bestowed it upon him. The name of the country is
+Nisibis, wherein the Macedonians had formerly built that city which they
+called Antioch of Mygodonia. And these were the honors that were paid
+Izates by the king of the Parthians.
+
+4. But in no long time Artabanus died, and left his kingdom to his son
+Bardanes. Now this Bardanes came to Izates, and would have persuaded him
+to join him with his army, and to assist him in the war he was preparing
+to make with the Romans; but he could not prevail with him. For Izates
+so well knew the strength and good fortune of the Romans, that he took
+Bardanes to attempt what was impossible to be done; and having besides
+sent his sons, five in number, and they but young also, to learn
+accurately the language of our nation, together with our learning, as
+well as he had sent his mother to worship at our temple, as I have said
+already, was the more backward to a compliance; and restrained Bardanes,
+telling him perpetually of the great armies and famous actions of the
+Romans, and thought thereby to terrify him, and desired thereby to
+hinder him from that expedition. But the Parthian king was provoked at
+this his behavior, and denounced war immediately against Izates. Yet did
+he gain no advantage by this war, because God cut off all his hopes
+therein; for the Parthians perceiving Bardanes's intentions, and how he
+had determined to make war with the Romans, slew him, and gave his
+kingdom to his brother Gotarzes. He also, in no long time, perished by a
+plot made against him, and Vologases, his brother, succeeded him, who
+committed two of his provinces to two of his brothers by the same
+father; that of the Medes to the elder, Pacorus; and Armenia to the
+younger, Tiridates.
+
+
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER 4. How Izates Was Betrayed By His Own Subjects, And Fought
+Against By The Arabians And How Izates, By The Providence Of God, Was
+Delivered Out Of Their Hands.
+
+1. Now when the king's brother, Monobazus, and his other kindred, saw
+how Izates, by his piety to God, was become greatly esteemed by all men,
+they also had a desire to leave the religion of their country, and to
+embrace the customs of the Jews; but that act of theirs was discovered
+by Izates's subjects. Whereupon the grandees were much displeased, and
+could not contain their anger at them; but had an intention, when they
+should find a proper opportunity, to inflict a punishment upon them.
+Accordingly, they wrote to Abia, king of the Arabians, and promised him
+great sums of money, if he would make an expedition against their king;
+and they further promised him, that, on the first onset, they would
+desert their king, because they were desirous to punish him, by reason
+of the hatred he had to their religious worship; then they obliged
+themselves, by oaths, to be faithful to each other, and desired that he
+would make haste in this design. The king of Arabia complied with their
+desires, and brought a great army into the field, and marched against
+Izates; and, in the beginning of the first onset, and before they came
+to a close fight, those grandees, as if they had a panic terror upon
+them, all deserted Izates, as they had agreed to do, and, turning their
+backs upon their enemies, ran away. Yet was not Izates dismayed at this;
+but when he understood that the grandees had betrayed him, he also
+retired into his camp, and made inquiry into the matter; and as soon as
+he knew who they were that made this conspiracy with the king of Arabia,
+he cut off those that were found guilty; and renewing the fight on the
+next day, he slew the greatest part of his enemies, and forced all the
+rest to betake themselves to flight. He also pursued their king, and
+drove him into a fortress called Arsamus, and following on the siege
+vigorously, he took that fortress. And when he had plundered it of all
+the prey that was in it, which was not small, he returned to Adiabene;
+yet did not he take Abia alive, because, when he found himself
+encompassed on every side, he slew himself.
+
+2. But although the grandees of Adiabene had failed in their first
+attempt, as being delivered up by God into their king's hands, yet would
+they not even then be quiet, but wrote again to Vologases, who was then
+king of Parthia, and desired that he would kill Izates, and set over
+them some other potentate, who should be of a Parthian family; for they
+said that they hated their own king for abrogating the laws of their
+forefathers, and embracing foreign customs. When the king of Parthia
+heard this, he boldly made war upon Izates; and as he had no just
+pretense for this war, he sent to him, and demanded back those honorable
+privileges which had been bestowed on him by his father, and threatened,
+on his refusal, to make war upon him. Upon hearing of this, Izates was
+under no small trouble of mind, as thinking it would be a reproach upon
+him to appear to resign those privileges that had been bestowed upon him
+out of cowardice; yet because he knew, that though the king of Parthia
+should receive back those honors, yet would he not be quiet, he resolved
+to commit himself to God, his Protector, in the present danger he was in
+of his life; and as he esteemed him to be his principal assistant, he
+intrusted his children and his wives to a very strong fortress, and laid
+up his corn in his citadels, and set the hay and the grass on fire. And
+when he had thus put things in order, as well as he could, he awaited
+the coming of the enemy. And when the king of Parthia was come, with a
+great army of footmen and horsemen, which he did sooner than was
+expected, [for he marched in great haste,] and had cast up a bank at the
+river that parted Adiabene from Media,—Izates also pitched his camp not
+far off, having with him six thousand horsemen. But there came a
+messenger to Izates, sent by the king of Parthia, who told him how large
+his dominions were, as reaching from the river Euphrates to Bactria, and
+enumerated that king's subjects; he also threatened him that he should
+be punished, as a person ungrateful to his lords; and said that the God
+whom he worshipped could not deliver him out of the king's hands. When
+the messenger had delivered this his message, Izates replied that he
+knew the king of Parthia's power was much greater than his own; but that
+he knew also that God was much more powerful than all men. And when he
+had returned him this answer, he betook himself to make supplication to
+God, and threw himself upon the ground, and put ashes upon his head, in
+testimony of his confusion, and fasted, together with his wives and
+children. 7 Then he called upon God, and said, "O Lord and Governor, if
+I have not in vain committed myself to thy goodness, but have justly
+determined that thou only art the Lord and principal of all beings, come
+now to my assistance, and defend me from my enemies, not only on my own
+account, but on account of their insolent behavior with regard to thy
+power, while they have not feared to lift up their proud and arrogant
+tongue against thee." Thus did he lament and bemoan himself, with tears
+in his eyes; whereupon God heard his prayer. And immediately that very
+night Vologases received letters, the contents of which were these, that
+a great band of Dahe and Sacse, despising him, now he was gone so long a
+journey from home, had made an expedition, and laid Parthia waste; so
+that he [was forced to] retire back, without doing any thing. And thus
+it was that Izates escaped the threatenings of the Parthians, by the
+providence of God.
+
+3. It was not long ere Izates died, when he had completed fifty-five
+years of his life, and had ruled his kingdom twenty-four years. He left
+behind him twenty-four sons and twenty-four daughters. However, he gave
+order that his brother Monobazus should succeed in the government,
+thereby requiting him, because, while he was himself absent after their
+father's death, he had faithfully preserved the government for him. But
+when Helena, his mother, heard of her son's death, she was in great
+heaviness, as was but natural, upon her loss of such a most dutiful son;
+yet was it a comfort to her that she heard the succession came to her
+eldest son. Accordingly, she went to him in haste; and when she was come
+into Adiabene, she did not long outlive her son Izates. But Monobazus
+sent her bones, as well as those of Izates, his brother, to Jerusalem,
+and gave order that they should be buried at the pyramids 8 which their
+mother had erected; they were three in number, and distant no more than
+three furlongs from the city Jerusalem. But for the actions of Monobazus
+the king, which he did during the rest of his life, we will relate them
+hereafter.
+
+
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER 5. Concerning Theudas And The Sons Of Judas The Galilean; As
+Also What Calamity Fell Upon The Jews On The Day Of The Passover.
+
+1. Now it came to pass, while Fadus was procurator of Judea, that a
+certain magician, whose name was Theudas, 9 persuaded a great part of
+the people to take their effects with them, and follow him to the river
+Jordan; for he told them he was a prophet, and that he would, by his own
+command, divide the river, and afford them an easy passage over it; and
+many were deluded by his words. However, Fadus did not permit them to
+make any advantage of his wild attempt, but sent a troop of horsemen out
+against them; who, falling upon them unexpectedly, slew many of them,
+and took many of them alive. They also took Theudas alive, and cut off
+his head, and carried it to Jerusalem. This was what befell the Jews in
+the time of Cuspius Fadus's government.
+
+2. Then came Tiberius Alexander as successor to Fadus; he was the son of
+Alexander the alabarch of Alexandria, which Alexander was a principal
+person among all his contemporaries, both for his family and wealth: he
+was also more eminent for his piety than this his son Alexander, for he
+did not continue in the religion of his country. Under these procurators
+that great famine happened in Judea, in which queen Helena bought corn
+in Egypt at a great expense, and distributed it to those that were in
+want, as I have related already. And besides this, the sons of Judas of
+Galilee were now slain; I mean of that Judas who caused the people to
+revolt, when Cyrenius came to take an account of the estates of the
+Jews, as we have showed in a foregoing book. The names of those sons
+were James and Simon, whom Alexander commanded to be crucified. But now
+Herod, king of Chalcis, removed Joseph, the son of Camydus, from the
+high priesthood, and made Ananias, the son of Nebedeu, his successor.
+And now it was that Cumanus came as successor to Tiberius Alexander; as
+also that Herod, brother of Agrippa the great king, departed this life,
+in the eighth year of the reign of Claudius Cæsar. He left behind him
+three sons; Aristobulus, whom he had by his first wife, with
+Bernicianus, and Hyrcanus, both whom he had by Bernice his brother's
+daughter. But Claudius Cæsar bestowed his dominions on Agrippa, junior.
+
+3. Now while the Jewish affairs were under the administration of
+Cumanus, there happened a great tumult at the city of Jerusalem, and
+many of the Jews perished therein. But I shall first explain the
+occasion whence it was derived. When that feast which is called the
+passover was at hand, at which time our custom is to use unleavened
+bread, and a great multitude was gathered together from all parts to
+that feast, Cumanus was afraid lest some attempt of innovation should
+then be made by them; so he ordered that one regiment of the army should
+take their arms, and stand in the temple cloisters, to repress any
+attempts of innovation, if perchance any such should begin; and this was
+no more than what the former procurators of Judea did at such festivals.
+But on the fourth day of the feast, a certain soldier let down his
+breeches, and exposed his privy members to the multitude, which put
+those that saw him into a furious rage, and made them cry out that this
+impious action was not done to approach them, but God himself; nay, some
+of them reproached Cumanus, and pretended that the soldier was set on by
+him, which, when Cumanus heard, he was also himself not a little
+provoked at such reproaches laid upon him; yet did he exhort them to
+leave off such seditious attempts, and not to raise a tumult at the
+festival. But when he could not induce them to be quiet for they still
+went on in their reproaches to him, he gave order that the whole army
+should take their entire armor, and come to Antonia, which was a
+fortress, as we have said already, which overlooked the temple; but when
+the multitude saw the soldiers there, they were affrighted at them, and
+ran away hastily; but as the passages out were but narrow, and as they
+thought their enemies followed them, they were crowded together in their
+flight, and a great number were pressed to death in those narrow
+passages; nor indeed was the number fewer than twenty thousand that
+perished in this tumult. So instead of a festival, they had at last a
+mournful day of it; and they all of them forgot their prayers and
+sacrifices, and betook themselves to lamentation and weeping; so great
+an affliction did the impudent obsceneness of a single soldier bring
+upon them. 10
+
+4. Now before this their first mourning was over, another mischief
+befell them also; for some of those that raised the foregoing tumult,
+when they were traveling along the public road, about a hundred furlongs
+from the city, robbed Stephanus, a servant of Cæsar, as he was
+journeying, and plundered him of all that he had with him; which things
+when Cumanus heard of, he sent soldiers immediately, and ordered them to
+plunder the neighboring villages, and to bring the most eminent persons
+among them in bonds to him. Now as this devastation was making, one of
+the soldiers seized the laws of Moses that lay in one of those villages,
+and brought them out before the eyes of all present, and tore them to
+pieces; and this was done with reproachful language, and much
+scurrility; which things when the Jews heard of, they ran together, and
+that in great numbers, and came down to Cæsarea, where Cumanus then was,
+and besought him that he would avenge, not themselves, but God himself,
+whose laws had been affronted; for that they could not bear to live any
+longer, if the laws of their forefathers must be affronted after this
+manner. Accordingly Cumanus, out of fear lest the multitude should go
+into a sedition, and by the advice of his friends also, took care that
+the soldier who had offered the affront to the laws should be beheaded,
+and thereby put a stop to the sedition which was ready to be kindled a
+second time.
+
+
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER 6. How There Happened A Quarrel Between The Jews And The
+Samaritans; And How Claudius Put An End To Their Differences.
+
+1. Now there arose a quarrel between the Samaritans and the Jews on the
+occasion following: It was the custom of the Galileans, when they came
+to the holy city at the festivals, to take their journeys through the
+country of the Samaritans; 11 and at this time there lay, in the road
+they took, a village that was called Ginea, which was situated in the
+limits of Samaria and the great plain, where certain persons thereto
+belonging fought with the Galileans, and killed a great many of them.
+But when the principal of the Galileans were informed of what had been
+done, they came to Cumanus, and desired him to avenge the murder of
+those that were killed; but he was induced by the Samaritans, with
+money, to do nothing in the matter; upon which the Galileans were much
+displeased, and persuaded the multitude of the Jews to betake themselves
+to arms, and to regain their liberty, saying that slavery was in itself
+a bitter thing, but that when it was joined with direct injuries, it was
+perfectly intolerable, And when their principal men endeavored to pacify
+them, and promised to endeavor to persuade Cumanus to avenge those that
+were killed, they would not hearken to them, but took their weapons, and
+entreated the assistance of Eleazar, the son of Dineus, a robber, who
+had many years made his abode in the mountains, with which assistance
+they plundered many villages of the Samaritans. When Cumanus heard of
+this action of theirs, he took the band of Sebaste, with four regiments
+of footmen, and armed the Samaritans, and marched out against the Jews,
+and caught them, and slew many of them, and took a great number of them
+alive; whereupon those that were the most eminent persons at Jerusalem,
+and that both in regard to the respect that was paid them, and the
+families they were of, as soon as they saw to what a height things were
+gone, put on sackcloth, and heaped ashes upon their heads, and by all
+possible means besought the seditious, and persuaded them that they
+would set before their eyes the utter subversion of their country, the
+conflagration of their temple, and the slavery of themselves, their
+wives, and children, 12 which would be the consequences of what they
+were doing; and would alter their minds, would cast away their weapons,
+and for the future be quiet, and return to their own homes. These
+persuasions of theirs prevailed upon them. So the people dispersed
+themselves, and the robbers went away again to their places of strength;
+and after this time all Judea was overrun with robberies.
+
+2. But the principal of the Samaritans went to Ummidius Quadratus, the
+president of Syria, who at that time was at Tyre, and accused the Jews
+of setting their villages on fire, and plundering them; and said withal,
+that they were not so much displeased at what they had suffered, as they
+were at the contempt thereby showed the Romans; while if they had
+received any injury, they ought to have made them the judges of what had
+been done, and not presently to make such devastation, as if they had
+not the Romans for their governors; on which account they came to him,
+in order to obtain that vengeance they wanted. This was the accusation
+which the Samaritans brought against the Jews. But the Jews affirmed
+that the Samaritans were the authors of this tumult and fighting, and
+that, in the first place, Cumanus had been corrupted by their gifts, and
+passed over the murder of those that were slain in silence;—which
+allegations when Quadratus heard, he put off the hearing of the cause,
+and promised that he would give sentence when he should come into Judea,
+and should have a more exact knowledge of the truth of that matter. So
+these men went away without success. Yet was it not long ere Quadratus
+came to Samaria, where, upon hearing the cause, he supposed that the
+Samaritans were the authors of that disturbance. But when he was
+informed that certain of the Jews were making innovations, he ordered
+those to be crucified whom Cumanus had taken captives. From whence he
+came to a certain village called Lydda, which was not less than a city
+in largeness, and there heard the Samaritan cause a second time before
+his tribunal, and there learned from a certain Samaritan that one of the
+chief of the Jews, whose name was Dortus, and some other innovators with
+him, four in number, persuaded the multitude to a revolt from the
+Romans; whom Quadratus ordered to be put to death: but still he sent
+away Ananias the high priest, and Ananus the commander [of the temple],
+in bonds to Rome, to give an account of what they had done to Claudius
+Cæsar. He also ordered the principal men, both of the Samaritans and of
+the Jews, as also Cumanus the procurator, and Celer the tribune, to go
+to Italy to the emperor, that he might hear their cause, and determine
+their differences one with another. But he came again to the city of
+Jerusalem, out of his fear that the multitude of the Jews should attempt
+some innovations; but he found the city in a peaceable state, and
+celebrating one of the usual festivals of their country to God. So he
+believed that they would not attempt any innovations, and left them at
+the celebration of the festival, and returned to Antioch.
+
+3. Now Cumanus, and the principal of the Samaritans, who were sent to
+Rome, had a day appointed them by the emperor whereon they were to have
+pleaded their cause about the quarrels they had one with another. But
+now Cæsar's freed-men and his friends were very zealous on the behalf of
+Cumanus and the Samaritans; and they had prevailed over the Jews, unless
+Agrippa, junior, who was then at Rome, had seen the principal of the
+Jews hard set, and had earnestly entreated Agrippina, the emperor's
+wife, to persuade her husband to hear the cause, so as was agreeable to
+his justice, and to condemn those to be punished who were really the
+authors of this revolt from the Roman government:—whereupon Claudius was
+so well disposed beforehand, that when he had heard the cause, and found
+that the Samaritans had been the ringleaders in those mischievous
+doings, he gave order that those who came up to him should be slain, and
+that Cumanus should be banished. He also gave order that Celer the
+tribune should be carried back to Jerusalem, and should be drawn through
+the city in the sight of all the people, and then should be slain.
+
+
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER 7. Felix Is Made Procurator Of Judea; As Also Concerning
+Agrippa, Junior And His Sisters.
+
+1. So Claudius sent Felix, the brother of Pallas, to take care of the
+affairs of Judea; and when he had already completed the twelfth year of
+his reign, he bestowed upon Agrippa the tetrarchy of Philip and Batanea,
+and added thereto Trachonites, with Abila; which last had been the
+tetrarchy of Lysanias; but he took from him Chalcis, when he had been
+governor thereof four years. And when Agrippa had received these
+countries as the gift of Cæsar, he gave his sister Drusilla in marriage
+to Azizus, king of Emesa, upon his consent to be circumcised; for
+Epiphanes, the son of king Antiochus, had refused to marry her, because,
+after he had promised her father formerly to come over to the Jewish
+religion, he would not now perform that promise. He also gave Mariamne
+in marriage to Archelaus, the son of Helcias, to whom she had formerly
+been betrothed by Agrippa her father; from which marriage was derived a
+daughter, whose name was Bernice.
+
+2. But for the marriage of Drusilla with Azizus, it was in no long time
+afterward dissolved upon the following occasion: While Felix was
+procurator of Judea, he saw this Drusilla, and fell in love with her;
+for she did indeed exceed all other women in beauty; and he sent to her
+a person whose name was Simon 13 one of his friends; a Jew he was, and
+by birth a Cypriot, and one who pretended to be a magician, and
+endeavored to persuade her to forsake her present husband, and marry
+him; and promised, that if she would not refuse him, he would make her a
+happy woman. Accordingly she acted ill, and because she was desirous to
+avoid her sister Bernice's envy, for she was very ill treated by her on
+account of her beauty, was prevailed upon to transgress the laws of her
+forefathers, and to marry Felix; and when he had had a son by her, he
+named him Agrippa. But after what manner that young man, with his wife,
+perished at the conflagration of the mountain Vesuvius, 14 in the days
+of Titus Cæsar, shall be related hereafter. 15
+
+3. But as for Bernice, she lived a widow a long while after the death of
+Herod [king of Chalcis], who was both her husband and her uncle; but
+when the report went that she had criminal conversation with her
+brother, [Agrippa, junior,] she persuaded Poleme, who was king of
+Cilicia, to be circumcised, and to marry her, as supposing that by this
+means she should prove those calumnies upon her to be false; and Poleme
+was prevailed upon, and that chiefly on account of her riches. Yet did
+not this matrimony endure long; but Bernice left Poleme, and, as was
+said, with impure intentions. So he forsook at once this matrimony, and
+the Jewish religion; and, at the same time, Mariamne put away Archelaus,
+and was married to Demetrius, the principal man among the Alexandrian
+Jews, both for his family and his wealth; and indeed he was then their
+alabarch. So she named her son whom she had by him Agrippinus. But of
+all these particulars we shall hereafter treat more exactly. 16
+
+
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER 8. After What Manner Upon The Death Of Claudius, Nero Succeeded
+In The Government; As Also What Barbarous Things He Did. Concerning The
+Robbers, Murderers And Impostors, That Arose While Felix And Festus Were
+Procurators Of Judea.
+
+1. Now Claudius Cæsar died when he had reigned thirteen years, eight
+months, and twenty days; 17 and a report went about that he was poisoned
+by his wife Agrippina. Her father was Germanicus, the brother of Cæsar.
+Her husband was Domitius Aenobarbus, one of the most illustrious persons
+that was in the city of Rome; after whose death, and her long
+continuance in widowhood, Claudius took her to wife. She brought along
+with her a son, Domtitus, of the same name with his father. He had
+before this slain his wife Messalina, out of jealousy, by whom he had
+his children Britannicus and Octavia; their eldest sister was Antonia,
+whom he had by Pelina his first wife. He also married Octavia to Nero;
+for that was the name that Cæsar gave him afterward, upon his adopting
+him for his son.
+
+2. But now Agrippina was afraid, lest, when Britannicus should come to
+man's estate, he should succeed his father in the government, and
+desired to seize upon the principality beforehand for her own son
+[Nero]; upon which the report went that she thence compassed the death
+of Claudius. Accordingly, she sent Burrhus, the general of the army,
+immediately, and with him the tribunes, and such also of the freed-men
+as were of the greatest authority, to bring Nero away into the camp, and
+to salute him emperor. And when Nero had thus obtained the government,
+he got Britannicus to be so poisoned, that the multitude should not
+perceive it; although he publicly put his own mother to death not long
+afterward, making her this requital, not only for being born of her, but
+for bringing it so about by her contrivances that he obtained the Roman
+empire. He also slew Octavia his own wife, and many other illustrious
+persons, under this pretense, that they plotted against him.
+
+3. But I omit any further discourse about these affairs; for there have
+been a great many who have composed the history of Nero; some of which
+have departed from the truth of facts out of favor, as having received
+benefits from him; while others, out of hatred to him, and the great
+ill-will which they bare him, have so impudently raved against him with
+their lies, that they justly deserve to be condemned. Nor do I wonder at
+such as have told lies of Nero, since they have not in their writings
+preserved the truth of history as to those facts that were earlier than
+his time, even when the actors could have no way incurred their hatred,
+since those writers lived a long time after them. But as to those that
+have no regard to truth, they may write as they please; for in that they
+take delight: but as to ourselves, who have made truth our direct aim,
+we shall briefly touch upon what only belongs remotely to this
+undertaking, but shall relate what hath happened to us Jews with great
+accuracy, and shall not grudge our pains in giving an account both of
+the calamities we have suffered, and of the crimes we have been guilty
+of. I will now therefore return to the relation of our own affairs.
+
+4. For in the first year of the reign of Nero, upon the death of Azizus,
+king of Emesa, Soemus, his brother, succeeded in his kingdom, and
+Aristobulus, the son of Herod, king of Chalcis, was intrusted by Nero
+with the government of the Lesser Armenia. Cæsar also bestowed on
+Agrippa a certain part of Galilee, Tiberias, and Tarichae, 18 and
+ordered them to submit to his jurisdiction. He gave him also Julias, a
+city of Perea, with fourteen villages that lay about it.
+
+5. Now as for the affairs of the Jews, they grew worse and worse
+continually, for the country was again filled with robbers and
+impostors, who deluded the multitude. Yet did Felix catch and put to
+death many of those impostors every day, together with the robbers. He
+also caught Eleazar, the son of Dineas, who had gotten together a
+company of robbers; and this he did by treachery; for he gave him
+assurance that he should suffer no harm, and thereby persuaded him to
+come to him; but when he came, he bound him, and sent him to Rome. Felix
+also bore an ill-will to Jonathan, the high priest, because he
+frequently gave him admonitions about governing the Jewish affairs
+better than he did, lest he should himself have complaints made of him
+by the multitude, since he it was who had desired Cæsar to send him as
+procurator of Judea. So Felix contrived a method whereby he might get
+rid of him, now he was become so continually troublesome to him; for
+such continual admonitions are grievous to those who are disposed to act
+unjustly. Wherefore Felix persuaded one of Jonathan's most faithful
+friends, a citizen of Jerusalem, whose name was Doras, to bring the
+robbers upon Jonathan, in order to kill him; and this he did by
+promising to give him a great deal of money for so doing. Doras complied
+with the proposal, and contrived matters so, that the robbers might
+murder him after the following manner: Certain of those robbers went up
+to the city, as if they were going to worship God, while they had
+daggers under their garments, and by thus mingling themselves among the
+multitude they slew Jonathan 19 and as this murder was never avenged,
+the robbers went up with the greatest security at the festivals after
+this time; and having weapons concealed in like manner as before, and
+mingling themselves among the multitude, they slew certain of their own
+enemies, and were subservient to other men for money; and slew others,
+not only in remote parts of the city, but in the temple itself also; for
+they had the boldness to murder men there, without thinking of the
+impiety of which they were guilty. And this seems to me to have been the
+reason why God, out of his hatred of these men's wickedness, rejected
+our city; and as for the temple, he no longer esteemed it sufficiently
+pure for him to inhabit therein, but brought the Romans upon us, and
+threw a fire upon the city to purge it; and brought upon us, our wives,
+and children, slavery, as desirous to make us wiser by our calamities.
+
+6. These works, that were done by the robbers, filled the city with all
+sorts of impiety. And now these impostors and deceivers persuaded the
+multitude to follow them into the wilderness, and pretended that they
+would exhibit manifest wonders and signs, that should be performed by
+the providence of God. And many that were prevailed on by them suffered
+the punishments of their folly; for Felix brought them back, and then
+punished them. Moreover, there came out of Egypt 20 about this time to
+Jerusalem one that said he was a prophet, and advised the multitude of
+the common people to go along with him to the Mount of Olives, as it was
+called, which lay over against the city, and at the distance of five
+furlongs. He said further, that he would show them from hence how, at
+his command, the walls of Jerusalem would fall down; and he promised
+them that he would procure them an entrance into the city through those
+walls, when they were fallen down. Now when Felix was informed of these
+things, he ordered his soldiers to take their weapons, and came against
+them with a great number of horsemen and footmen from Jerusalem, and
+attacked the Egyptian and the people that were with him. He also slew
+four hundred of them, and took two hundred alive. But the Egyptian
+himself escaped out of the fight, but did not appear any more. And again
+the robbers stirred up the people to make war with the Romans, and said
+they ought not to obey them at all; and when any persons would not
+comply with them, they set fire to their villages, and plundered them.
+
+7. And now it was that a great sedition arose between the Jews that
+inhabited Cæsarea, and the Syrians who dwelt there also, concerning
+their equal right to the privileges belonging to citizens; for the Jews
+claimed the pre-eminence, because Herod their king was the builder of
+Cæsarea, and because he was by birth a Jew. Now the Syrians did not deny
+what was alleged about Herod; but they said that Cæsarea was formerly
+called Strato's Tower, and that then there was not one Jewish
+inhabitant. When the presidents of that country heard of these
+disorders, they caught the authors of them on both sides, and tormented
+them with stripes, and by that means put a stop to the disturbance for a
+time. But the Jewish citizens depending on their wealth, and on that
+account despising the Syrians, reproached them again, and hoped to
+provoke them by such reproaches. However, the Syrians, though they were
+inferior in wealth, yet valuing themselves highly on this account, that
+the greatest part of the Roman soldiers that were there were either of
+Cæsarea or Sebaste, they also for some time used reproachful language to
+the Jews also; and thus it was, till at length they came to throwing
+stones at one another, and several were wounded, and fell on both sides,
+though still the Jews were the conquerors. But when Felix saw that this
+quarrel was become a kind of war, he came upon them on the sudden, and
+desired the Jews to desist; and when they refused so to do, he armed his
+soldiers, and sent them out upon them, and slew many of them, and took
+more of them alive, and permitted his soldiers to plunder some of the
+houses of the citizens, which were full of riches. Now those Jews that
+were more moderate, and of principal dignity among them, were afraid of
+themselves, and desired of Felix that he would sound a retreat to his
+soldiers, and spare them for the future, and afford them room for
+repentance for what they had done; and Felix was prevailed upon to do
+so.
+
+8. About this time king Agrippa gave the high priesthood to Ismael, who
+was the son of Fabi. And now arose a sedition between the high priests
+and the principal men of the multitude of Jerusalem; each of which got
+them a company of the boldest sort of men, and of those that loved
+innovations about them, and became leaders to them; and when they
+struggled together, they did it by casting reproachful words against one
+another, and by throwing stones also. And there was nobody to reprove
+them; but these disorders were done after a licentious manner in the
+city, as if it had no government over it. And such was the impudence 21
+and boldness that had seized on the high priests, that they had the
+hardiness to send their servants into the threshing-floors, to take away
+those tithes that were due to the priests, insomuch that it so fell out
+that the poorest sort of the priests died for want. To this degree did
+the violence of the seditious prevail over all right and justice.
+
+9. Now when Porcius Festus was sent as successor to Felix by Nero, the
+principal of the Jewish inhabitants of Cæsarea went up to Rome to accuse
+Felix; and he had certainly been brought to punishment, unless Nero had
+yielded to the importunate solicitations of his brother Pallas, who was
+at that time had in the greatest honor by him. Two of the principal
+Syrians in Cæsarea persuaded Burrhus, who was Nero's tutor, and
+secretary for his Greek epistles, by giving him a great sum of money, to
+disannul that equality of the Jewish privileges of citizens which they
+hitherto enjoyed. So Burrhus, by his solicitations, obtained leave of
+the emperor that an epistle should be written to that purpose. This
+epistle became the occasion of the following miseries that befell our
+nation; for when the Jews of Cæsarea were informed of the contents of
+this epistle to the Syrians, they were more disorderly than before, till
+a war was kindled.
+
+10. Upon Festus's coming into Judea, it happened that Judea was
+afflicted by the robbers, while all the villages were set on fire, and
+plundered by them. And then it was that the sicarii, as they were
+called, who were robbers, grew numerous. They made use of small swords,
+not much different in length from the Persian acinacae, but somewhat
+crooked, and like the Roman sicae, [or sickles,] as they were called;
+and from these weapons these robbers got their denomination; and with
+these weapons they slew a great many; for they mingled themselves among
+the multitude at their festivals, when they were come up in crowds from
+all parts to the city to worship God, as we said before, and easily slew
+those that they had a mind to slay. They also came frequently upon the
+villages belonging to their enemies, with their weapons, and plundered
+them, and set them on fire. So Festus sent forces, both horsemen and
+footmen, to fall upon those that had been seduced by a certain impostor,
+who promised them deliverance and freedom from the miseries they were
+under, if they would but follow him as far as the wilderness.
+Accordingly, those forces that were sent destroyed both him that had
+deluded them, and those that were his followers also.
+
+11. About the same time king Agrippa built himself a very large dining-
+room in the royal palace at Jerusalem, near to the portico. Now this
+palace had been erected of old by the children of Asamoneus and was
+situate upon an elevation, and afforded a most delightful prospect to
+those that had a mind to take a view of the city, which prospect was
+desired by the king; and there he could lie down, and eat, and thence
+observe what was done in the temple; which thing, when the chief men of
+Jerusalem saw they were very much displeased at it; for it was not
+agreeable to the institutions of our country or law that what was done
+in the temple should be viewed by others, especially what belonged to
+the sacrifices. They therefore erected a wall upon the uppermost
+building which belonged to the inner court of the temple towards the
+west, which wall when it was built, did not only intercept the prospect
+of the dining-room in the palace, but also of the western cloisters that
+belonged to the outer court of the temple also, where it was that the
+Romans kept guards for the temple at the festivals. At these doings both
+king Agrippa, and principally Festus the procurator, were much
+displeased; and Festus ordered them to pull the wall down again: but the
+Jews petitioned him to give them leave to send an embassage about this
+matter to Nero; for they said they could not endure to live if any part
+of the temple should be demolished; and when Festus had given them leave
+so to do, they sent ten of their principal men to Nero, as also Ismael
+the high priest, and Helcias, the keeper of the sacred treasure. And
+when Nero had heard what they had to say, he not only forgave 22 them
+what they had already done, but also gave them leave to let the wall
+they had built stand. This was granted them in order to gratify Poppea,
+Nero's wife, who was a religious woman, and had requested these favors
+of Nero, and who gave order to the ten ambassadors to go their way home;
+but retained Helcias and Ismael as hostages with herself. As soon as the
+king heard this news, he gave the high priesthood to Joseph, who was
+called Cabi, the son of Simon, formerly high priest.
+
+
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER 9. Concerning Albinus Under Whose Procuratorship James Was
+Slain; As Also What Edifices Were Built By Agrippa.
+
+1. And now Cæsar, upon hearing the death of Festus, sent Albinus into
+Judea, as procurator. But the king deprived Joseph of the high
+priesthood, and bestowed the succession to that dignity on the son of
+Ananus, who was also himself called Ananus. Now the report goes that
+this eldest Ananus proved a most fortunate man; for he had five sons who
+had all performed the office of a high priest to God, and who had
+himself enjoyed that dignity a long time formerly, which had never
+happened to any other of our high priests. But this younger Ananus, who,
+as we have told you already, took the high priesthood, was a bold man in
+his temper, and very insolent; he was also of the sect of the Sadducees,
+23 who are very rigid in judging offenders, above all the rest of the
+Jews, as we have already observed; when, therefore, Ananus was of this
+disposition, he thought he had now a proper opportunity [to exercise his
+authority]. Festus was now dead, and Albinus was but upon the road; so
+he assembled the sanhedrim of judges, and brought before them the
+brother of Jesus, who was called Christ, whose name was James, and some
+others, [or, some of his companions]; and when he had formed an
+accusation against them as breakers of the law, he delivered them to be
+stoned: but as for those who seemed the most equitable of the citizens,
+and such as were the most uneasy at the breach of the laws, they
+disliked what was done; they also sent to the king [Agrippa], desiring
+him to send to Ananus that he should act so no more, for that what he
+had already done was not to be justified; nay, some of them went also to
+meet Albinus, as he was upon his journey from Alexandria, and informed
+him that it was not lawful for Ananus to assemble a sanhedrim without
+his consent. 24 Whereupon Albinus complied with what they said, and
+wrote in anger to Ananus, and threatened that he would bring him to
+punishment for what he had done; on which king Agrippa took the high
+priesthood from him, when he had ruled but three months, and made Jesus,
+the son of Damneus, high priest.
+
+2. Now as soon as Albinus was come to the city of Jerusalem, he used all
+his endeavors and care that the country might be kept in peace, and this
+by destroying many of the Sicarii. But as for the high priest, Ananias
+25 he increased in glory every day, and this to a great degree, and had
+obtained the favor and esteem of the citizens in a signal manner; for he
+was a great hoarder up of money: he therefore cultivated the friendship
+of Albinus, and of the high priest [Jesus], by making them presents; he
+also had servants who were very wicked, who joined themselves to the
+boldest sort of the people, and went to the thrashing-floors, and took
+away the tithes that belonged to the priests by violence, and did not
+refrain from beating such as would not give these tithes to them. So the
+other high priests acted in the like manner, as did those his servants,
+without any one being able to prohibit them; so that [some of the]
+priests, that of old were wont to be supported with those tithes, died
+for want of food.
+
+3. But now the Sicarii went into the city by night, just before the
+festival, which was now at hand, and took the scribe belonging to the
+governor of the temple, whose name was Eleazar, who was the son of
+Ananus [Ananias] the high priest, and bound him, and carried him away
+with them; after which they sent to Ananias, and said that they would
+send the scribe to him, if he would persuade Albinus to release ten of
+those prisoners which he had caught of their party; so Ananias was
+plainly forced to persuade Albinus, and gained his request of him. This
+was the beginning of greater calamities; for the robbers perpetually
+contrived to catch some of Ananias's servants; and when they had taken
+them alive, they would not let them go, till they thereby recovered some
+of their own Sicarii. And as they were again become no small number,
+they grew bold, and were a great affliction to the whole country.
+
+4. About this time it was that king Agrippa built Cæsarea Philippi
+larger than it was before, and, in honor of Nero, named it Neronlas. And
+when he had built a theater at Berytus, with vast expenses, he bestowed
+on them shows, to be exhibited every year, and spent therein many ten
+thousand [drachmae]; he also gave the people a largess of corn, and
+distributed oil among them, and adorned the entire city with statues of
+his own donation, and with original images made by ancient hands; nay,
+he almost transferred all that was most ornamental in his own kingdom
+thither. This made him more than ordinarily hated by his subjects,
+because he took those things away that belonged to them to adorn a
+foreign city. And now Jesus, the son of Gamaliel, became the successor
+of Jesus, the son of Damneus, in the high priesthood, which the king had
+taken from the other; on which account a sedition arose between the high
+priests, with regard to one another; for they got together bodies of the
+boldest sort of the people, and frequently came, from reproaches, to
+throwing of stones at each other. But Ananias was too hard for the rest,
+by his riches, which enabled him to gain those that were most ready to
+receive. Costobarus also, and Saulus, did themselves get together a
+multitude of wicked wretches, and this because they were of the royal
+family; and so they obtained favor among them, because of their kindred
+to Agrippa; but still they used violence with the people, and were very
+ready to plunder those that were weaker than themselves. And from that
+time it principally came to pass that our city was greatly disordered,
+and that all things grew worse and worse among us.
+
+5. But when Albinus heard that Gessius Florus was coming to succeed him,
+he was desirous to appear to do somewhat that might be grateful to the
+people of Jerusalem; so he brought out all those prisoners who seemed to
+him to be most plainly worthy of death, and ordered them to be put to
+death accordingly. But as to those who had been put into prison on some
+trifling occasions, he took money of them, and dismissed them; by which
+means the prisons were indeed emptied, but the country was filled with
+robbers.
+
+6. Now as many of the Levites, 26 which is a tribe of ours, as were
+singers of hymns, persuaded the king to assemble a sanhedrim, and to
+give them leave to wear linen garments, as well as the priests for they
+said that this would be a work worthy the times of his government, that
+he might have a memorial of such a novelty, as being his doing. Nor did
+they fail of obtaining their desire; for the king, with the suffrages of
+those that came into the sanhedrim, granted the singers of hymns this
+privilege, that they might lay aside their former garments, and wear
+such a linen one as they desired; and as a part of this tribe ministered
+in the temple, he also permitted them to learn those hymns as they had
+besought him for. Now all this was contrary to the laws of our country,
+which, whenever they have been transgressed, we have never been able to
+avoid the punishment of such transgressions.
+
+7. And now it was that the temple was finished. So when the people saw
+that the workmen were unemployed, who were above eighteen thousand and
+that they, receiving no wages, were in want because they had earned
+their bread by their labors about the temple; and while they were
+unwilling to keep by them the treasures that were there deposited, out
+of fear of [their being carried away by] the Romans; and while they had
+a regard to the making provision for the workmen; they had a mind to
+expend these treasures upon them; for if any one of them did but labor
+for a single hour, he received his pay immediately; so they persuaded
+him to rebuild the eastern cloisters. These cloisters belonged to the
+outer court, and were situated in a deep valley, and had walls that
+reached four hundred cubits [in length], and were built of square and
+very white stones, the length of each of which stones was twenty cubits,
+and their height six cubits. This was the work of king Solomon, 27 who
+first of all built the entire temple. But king Agrippa, who had the care
+of the temple committed to him by Claudius Cæsar, considering that it is
+easy to demolish any building, but hard to build it up again, and that
+it was particularly hard to do it to these cloisters, which would
+require a considerable time, and great sums of money, he denied the
+petitioners their request about that matter; but he did not obstruct
+them when they desired the city might be paved with white stone. He also
+deprived Jesus, the son of Gamaliel, of the high priesthood, and gave it
+to Matthias, the son of Theophilus, under whom the Jews' war with the
+Romans took its beginning.
+
+
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER 10. An Enumeration Of The High Priests.
+
+1. And now I think it proper and agreeable to this history to give an
+account of our high priests; how they began, who those are which are
+capable of that dignity, and how many of them there had been at the end
+of the war. In the first place, therefore, history informs us that
+Aaron, the brother of Moses, officiated to God as a high priest, and
+that, after his death, his sons succeeded him immediately; and that this
+dignity hath been continued down from them all to their posterity.
+Whence it is a custom of our country, that no one should take the high
+priesthood of God but he who is of the blood of Aaron, while every one
+that is of another stock, though he were a king, can never obtain that
+high priesthood. Accordingly, the number of all the high priests from
+Aaron, of whom we have spoken already, as of the first of them, until
+Phanas, who was made high priest during the war by the seditious, was
+eighty-three; of whom thirteen officiated as high priests in the
+wilderness, from the days of Moses, while the tabernacle was standing,
+until the people came into Judea, when king Solomon erected the temple
+to God; for at the first they held the high priesthood till the end of
+their life, although afterward they had successors while they were
+alive. Now these thirteen, who were the descendants of two of the sons
+of Aaron, received this dignity by succession, one after another; for
+their form of government was an aristocracy, and after that a monarchy,
+and in the third place the government was regal. Now the number of years
+during the rule of these thirteen, from the day when our fathers
+departed out of Egypt, under Moses their leader, until the building of
+that temple which king Solomon erected at Jerusalem, were six hundred
+and twelve. After those thirteen high priests, eighteen took the high
+priesthood at Jerusalem, one in succession to another, from the days of
+king Solomon, until Nebuchadnezzar, king of Babylon, made an expedition
+against that city, and burnt the temple, and removed our nation into
+Babylon, and then took Josadek, the high priest, captive; the times of
+these high priests were four hundred and sixty-six years, six months,
+and ten days, while the Jews were still under the regal government. But
+after the term of seventy years' captivity under the Babylonians, Cyrus,
+king of Persia, sent the Jews from Babylon to their own land again, and
+gave them leave to rebuild their temple; at which time Jesus, the son of
+Josadek, took the high priesthood over the captives when they were
+returned home. Now he and his posterity, who were in all fifteen, until
+king Antiochus Eupator, were under a democratical government for four
+hundred and fourteen years; and then the forementioned Antiochus, and
+Lysias the general of his army, deprived Onias, who was also called
+Menelaus, of the high priesthood, and slew him at Berea; and driving
+away the son [of Onias the third], put Jaeimus into the place of the
+high priest, one that was indeed of the stock of Aaron, but not of that
+family of Onias. On which account Onias, who was the nephew of Onias
+that was dead, and bore the same name with his father, came into Egypt,
+and got into the friendship of Ptolemy Philometor, and Cleopatra his
+wife, and persuaded them to make him the high priest of that temple
+which he built to God in the prefecture of Heliopolis, and this in
+imitation of that at Jerusalem; but as for that temple which was built
+in Egypt, we have spoken of it frequently already. Now when Jacimus had
+retained the priesthood three years, he died, and there was no one that
+succeeded him, but the city continued seven years without a high priest.
+But then the posterity of the sons of Asamoneus, who had the government
+of the nation conferred upon them, when they had beaten the Macedonians
+in war, appointed Jonathan to be their high priest, who ruled over them
+seven years. And when he had been slain by the treacherous contrivance
+of Trypho, as we have related some where, Simon his brother took the
+high priesthood; and when he was destroyed at a feast by the treachery
+of his son-in-law, his own son, whose name was Hyrcanus, succeeded him,
+after he had held the high priesthood one year longer than his brother.
+This Hyrcanus enjoyed that dignity thirty years, and died an old man,
+leaving the succession to Judas, who was also called Aristobulus, whose
+brother Alexander was his heir; which Judas died of a sore distemper,
+after he had kept the priesthood, together with the royal authority; for
+this Judas was the first that put on his head a diadem for one year. And
+when Alexander had been both king and high priest twenty-seven years, he
+departed this life, and permitted his wife Alexandra to appoint him that
+should be high priest; so she gave the high priesthood to Hyrcanus, but
+retained the kingdom herself nine years, and then departed this life.
+The like duration [and no longer] did her son Hyrcanus enjoy the high
+priesthood; for after her death his brother Aristobulus fought against
+him, and beat him, and deprived him of his principality; and he did
+himself both reign, and perform the office of high priest to God. But
+when he had reigned three years, and as many months, Pompey came upon
+him, and not only took the city of Jerusalem by force, but put him and
+his children in bonds, and sent them to Rome. He also restored the high
+priesthood to Hyrcanus, and made him governor of the nation, but forbade
+him to wear a diadem. This Hyrcanus ruled, besides his first nine years,
+twenty-four years more, when Barzapharnes and Pacorus, the generals of
+the Parthians, passed over Euphrates, and fought with Hyrcanus, and took
+him alive, and made Antigonus, the son of Aristobulus, king; and when he
+had reigned three years and three months, Sosius and Herod besieged him,
+and took him, when Antony had him brought to Antioch, and slain there.
+Herod was then made king by the Romans, but did no longer appoint high
+priests out of the family of Asamoneus; but made certain men to be so
+that were of no eminent families, but barely of those that were priests,
+excepting that he gave that dignity to Aristobulus; for when he had made
+this Aristobulus, the grandson of that Hyrcanus who was then taken by
+the Parthians, and had taken his sister Mariarmne to wife, he thereby
+aimed to win the good-will of the people, who had a kind remembrance of
+Hyrcanus [his grandfather]. Yet did he afterward, out of his fear lest
+they should all bend their inclinations to Aristobulus, put him to
+death, and that by contriving how to have him suffocated as he was
+swimming at Jericho, as we have already related that matter; but after
+this man he never intrusted the priesthood to the posterity of the sons
+of Asamoneus. Archelaus also, Herod's son, did like his father in the
+appointment of the high priests, as did the Romans also, who took the
+government over the Jews into their hands afterward. Accordingly, the
+number of the high priests, from the days of Herod until the day when
+Titus took the temple and the City, and burnt them, were in all twenty-
+eight; the time also that belonged to them was a hundred and seven
+years. Some of these were the political governors of the people under
+the reign of Herod, and under the reign of Archelaus his son, although,
+after their death, the government became an aristocracy, and the high
+priests were intrusted with a dominion over the nation. And thus much
+may suffice to be said concerning our high priests.
+
+
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER 11. Concerning Florus The Procurator, Who Necessitated The Jews
+To Take Up Arms Against The Romans. The Conclusion.
+
+1. Now Gessius Florus, who was sent as successor to Albinus by Nero,
+filled Judea with abundance of miseries. He was by birth of the city of
+Clazomene, and brought along with him his wife Cleopatra, [by whose
+friendship with Poppea, Nero's wife, he obtained this government,] who
+was no way different from him in wickedness. This Florus was so wicked,
+and so violent in the use of his authority, that the Jews took Albinus
+to have been [comparatively] their benefactor; so excessive were the
+mischiefs that he brought upon them. For Albinus concealed his
+wickedness, and was careful that it might not be discovered to all men;
+but Gessius Florus, as though he had been sent on purpose to show his
+crimes to every body, made a pompous ostentation of them to our nation,
+as never omitting any sort of violence, nor any unjust sort of
+punishment; for he was not to be moved by pity, and never was satisfied
+with any degree of gain that came in his way; nor had he any more regard
+to great than to small acquisitions, but became a partner with the
+robbers themselves. For a great many fell then into that practice
+without fear, as having him for their security, and depending on him,
+that he would save them harmless in their particular robberies; so that
+there were no bounds set to the nation's miseries; but the unhappy Jews,
+when they were not able to bear the devastations which the robbers made
+among them, were all under a necessity of leaving their own habitations,
+and of flying away, as hoping to dwell more easily any where else in the
+world among foreigners [than in their own country]. And what need I say
+any more upon this head? since it was this Florus who necessitated us to
+take up arms against the Romans, while we thought it better to be
+destroyed at once, than by little and little. Now this war began in the
+second year of the government of Florus, and the twelfth year of the
+reign of Nero. But then what actions we were forced to do, or what
+miseries we were enabled to suffer, may be accurately known by such as
+will peruse those books which I have written about the Jewish war.
+
+2. I shall now, therefore, make an end here of my Antiquities; after the
+conclusion of which events, I began to write that account of the war;
+and these Antiquities contain what hath been delivered down to us from
+the original creation of man, until the twelfth year of the reign of
+Nero, as to what hath befallen the Jews, as well in Egypt as in Syria
+and in Palestine, and what we have suffered from the Assyrians and
+Babylonians, and what afflictions the Persians and Macedonians, and
+after them the Romans, have brought upon us; for I think I may say that
+I have composed this history with sufficient accuracy in all things. I
+have attempted to enumerate those high priests that we have had during
+the interval of two thousand years; I have also carried down the
+succession of our kings, and related their actions, and political
+administration, without [considerable] errors, as also the power of our
+monarchs; and all according to what is written in our sacred books; for
+this it was that I promised to do in the beginning of this history. And
+I am so bold as to say, now I have so completely perfected the work I
+proposed to myself to do, that no other person, whether he were a Jew or
+foreigner, had he ever so great an inclination to it, could so
+accurately deliver these accounts to the Greeks as is done in these
+books. For those of my own nation freely acknowledge that I far exceed
+them in the learning belonging to Jews; I have also taken a great deal
+of pains to obtain the learning of the Greeks, and understand the
+elements of the Greek language, although I have so long accustomed
+myself to speak our own tongue, that I cannot pronounce Greek with
+sufficient exactness; for our nation does not encourage those that learn
+the languages of many nations, and so adorn their discourses with the
+smoothness of their periods; because they look upon this sort of
+accomplishment as common, not only to all sorts of free-men, but to as
+many of the servants as please to learn them. But they give him the
+testimony of being a wise man who is fully acquainted with our laws, and
+is able to interpret their meaning; on which account, as there have been
+many who have done their endeavors with great patience to obtain this
+learning, there have yet hardly been so many as two or three that have
+succeeded therein, who were immediately well rewarded for their pains.
+
+3. And now it will not be perhaps an invidious thing, if I treat briefly
+of my own family, and of the actions of my own life 28 while there are
+still living such as can either prove what I say to be false, or can
+attest that it is true; with which accounts I shall put an end to these
+Antiquities, which are contained in twenty books, and sixty thousand
+verses. And if God permit me, I will briefly run over this war 29, and
+to add what befell them further to that very day, the 13th of Domitian,
+or A.D. 03, is not, that I have observed, taken distinct notice of by
+any one; nor do we ever again, with what befell us therein to this very
+day, which is the thirteenth year of the reign of Cæsar Domitian, and
+the fifty-sixth year of my own life. I have also an intention to write
+three books concerning our Jewish opinions about God and his essence,
+and about our laws; why, according to them, some things are permitted us
+to do, and others are prohibited.
+
+
+
+
+
+
+FOOTNOTES
+
+
+1 (return) [ Here is some error in the copies, or mistake in Josephus;
+for the power of appointing high priests, alter Herod king of Chalcis
+was dead, and Agrippa, junior, was made king of Chalcis in his room,
+belonged to him; and he exercised the same all along till Jerusalem was
+destroyed, as Josephus elsewhere informs us, ch. 8. sect., 11; ch. 9.
+sect. 1, 4, 6, 7.]
+
+
+2 (return) [ Josephus here uses the word monogene, an only begotten son,
+for no other than one best beloved, as does both the Old and New
+Testament, I mean where there were one or more sons besides, Genesis
+22:2; Hebrew 11:17. See the note on B. I. ch. 13. sect. 1.]
+
+
+3 (return) [ It is here very remarkable, that the remains of Noah's ark
+were believed to be still in being in the days of Josephus. See the note
+on B. I. ch. 3. sect. 5.]
+
+
+4 (return) [ Josephus is very full and express in these three chapters,
+3., 4., and 5., in observing how carefully Divine Providence preserved
+this Izates, king of Adiabene, and his sons, while he did what he
+thought was his bounden duty, notwithstanding the strongest political
+motives to the contrary.]
+
+
+5 (return) [ This further account of the benefactions of Izates and
+Helena to the Jerusalem Jews which Josephus here promises is, I think,
+no where performed by him in his present works. But of this terrible
+famine itself in Judea, take Dr. Hudson's note here:—"This [ says he ]
+is that famine foretold by Agabus, Acts 11:28, which happened when
+Claudius was consul the fourth time; and not that other which happened
+when Claudius was consul the second time, and Cesina was his colleague,
+as Scaliger says upon Eusebius, p. 174." Now when Josephus had said a
+little afterward, ch. 5. sect. 2, that "Tiberius Alexander succeeded
+Cuspius Fadus as procurator," he immediately subjoins, that" under these
+procurators there happened a great famine in Judea." Whence it is plain
+that this famine continued for many years, on account of its duration
+under these two procurators. Now Fadus was not sent into Judea till
+after the death of king Agrippa, i.e. towards the latter end of the 4th
+year of Claudius; so that this famine foretold by Agabus happened upon
+the 5th, 6th, and 7th years of Claudius, as says Valesius on Euseb. II.
+12. Of this famine also, and queen Helena's supplies, and her monument,
+see Moses Churenensis, p. 144, 145, where it is observed in the notes
+that Pausanias mentions that her monument also.]
+
+
+6 (return) [ This privilege of wearing the tiara upright, or with the
+tip of the cone erect, is known to have been of old peculiar to great
+kings, from Xenophon and others, as Dr. Hudson observes here.]
+
+
+7 (return) [ This conduct of Izates is a sign that he was become either
+a Jew, or an Ebionite Christian, who indeed differed not much from
+proper Jews. See ch. 6. sect. 1. However, his supplications were heard,
+and he was providentially delivered from that imminent danger he was
+in.]
+
+
+8 (return) [ These pyramids or pillars, erected by Helena, queen of
+Adiabene, near Jerusalem, three in number, are mentioned by Eusebius, in
+his Eccles. Hist. B. II. ch. 12, for which Dr. Hudson refers us to
+Valesius's notes upon that place.—They are also mentioned by Pausanias,
+as hath been already noted, ch. 2. sect. 6. Reland guesses that that now
+called Absalom's Pillar may be one of them.]
+
+
+9 (return) [ This Theudas, who arose under Fadus the procurator, about
+A.D. 45 or 46, could not be that Thendas who arose in the days of the
+taxing, under Cyrenius, or about A.D. 7, Acts v. 36, 37. Who that
+earlier Theudas was, see the note on B. XVII. ch. 10. sect. 5.]
+
+
+10 (return) [ This and many more tumults and seditions which arose at
+the Jewish festivals, in Josephus, illustrate the cautious procedure of
+the Jewish governors, when they said, Matthew 26:5, "Let us not take
+Jesus on the feast-day, lest there be an up roar among the people;" as
+Reland well observes on tins place. Josephus also takes notice of the
+same thing, Of the War, B. I. ch. 4. sect. 3.]
+
+
+11 (return) [ This constant passage of the Galileans through the country
+of Samaria, as they went to Judea and Jerusalem, illustrates several
+passages in the Gospels to the same purpose, as Dr. Hudson rightly
+observes. See Luke 17:11; John 4:4. See also Josephus in his own Life,
+sect. 52, where that journey is determined to three days.]
+
+
+12 (return) [ Our Savior had foretold that the Jews' rejection of his
+gospel would bring upon them, among other miseries, these three, which
+they themselves here show they expected would be the consequences of
+their present tumults and seditions: the utter subversion of their
+country, the conflagration of their temple, and the slavery of
+themselves, their wives, and children See Luke 21:6-24.]
+
+
+13 (return) [ This Simon, a friend of Felix, a Jew, born in Cyprus,
+though he pretended to be a magician, and seems to have been wicked
+enough, could hardly be that famous Simon the magician, in the Acts of
+the Apostles, 8:9, etc., as some are ready to suppose. This Simon
+mentioned in the Acts was not properly a Jew, but a Samaritan, of the
+town of Gittae, in the country of Samaria, as the Apostolical
+Constitutions, VI. 7, the Recognitions of Clement, II. 6, and Justin
+Martyr, himself born in the country of Samaria, Apology, I. 34, inform
+us. He was also the author, not of any ancient Jewish, but of the first
+Gentile heresies, as the forementioned authors assure us. So I suppose
+him a different person from the other. I mean this only upon the
+hypothesis that Josephus was not misinformed as to his being a Cypriot
+Jew; for otherwise the time, the name, the profession, and the
+wickedness of them both would strongly incline one to believe them the
+very same. As to that Drusilla, the sister of Agrippa, junior, as
+Josephus informs us here, and a Jewess, as St. Luke informs us, Acts
+24:24, whom this Simon mentioned by Josephus persuaded to leave her
+former husband, Azizus, king of Emesa, a proselyte of justice, and to
+marry Felix, the heathen procurator of Judea, Tacitus, Hist. V. 9,
+supposes her to be a heathen; and the grand-daughter of Antonius and
+Cleopatra, contrary both to St. Luke and Josephus. Now Tacitus lived
+somewhat too remote, both as to time and place, to be compared with
+either of those Jewish writers, in a matter concerning the Jews in Judea
+in their own days, and concerning a sister of Agrippa, junior, with
+which Agrippa Josephus was himself so well acquainted. It is probable
+that Tacitus may say true, when he informs us that this Felix [who had
+in all three wives, or queens, as Suetonius in Claudius, sect. 28,
+assures us] did once marry such a grandchild of Antonius and Cleopatra;
+and finding the name of one of them to have been Drusilla, he mistook
+her for that other wife, whose name he did not know.]
+
+
+14 (return) [ This eruption of Vesuvius was one of the greatest we have
+in history. See Bianchini's curious and important observations on this
+Vesuvius, and its seven several great eruptions, with their remains
+vitrified, and still existing, in so many different strata under ground,
+till the diggers came to the antediluvian waters, with their
+proportionable interstices, implying the deluge to have been above two
+thousand five hundred years before the Christian era, according to our
+exactest chronology.]
+
+
+15 (return) [ This is now wanting.]
+
+
+16 (return) [ This also is now wanting.]
+
+
+17 (return) [ This duration of the reign of Claudius agrees with Dio, as
+Dr. Hudson here remarks; as he also remarks that Nero's name, which was
+at first L. Domitius Aenobarbus, after Claudius had adopted him was Nero
+Claudius Cæsar Drusus Germanicus. This Soleus as [own Life, sect. 11, as
+also] by Dio Cassius and Taeims, as Dr. Hudson informs us.]
+
+
+18 (return) [ This agrees with Josephus's frequent accounts elsewhere in
+his own Life, that Tibetans, and Taricheae, and Gamala were under this
+Agrippa, junior, till Justus, the son of Pistus, seized for the Jews,
+upon the breaking out of the war.]
+
+
+19 (return) [ This treacherous and barbarous murder of the good high
+priest Jonathan, by the contrivance of this wicked procurator, Felix,
+was the immediate occasion of the ensuing murders by the Sicarii or
+ruffians, and one great cause of the following horrid cruelties and
+miseries of the Jewish nation, as Josephus here supposes; whose
+excellent reflection on the gross wickedness of that nation, as the
+direct cause of their terrible destruction, is well worthy the attention
+of every Jewish and of every Christian reader. And since we are soon
+coming to the catalogue of the Jewish high priests, it may not be amiss,
+with Reland, to insert this Jonathan among them, and to transcribe his
+particular catalogue of the last twenty-eight high priests, taken out of
+Josephus, and begin with Ananelus, who was made by Herod the Great. See
+Antiq. B. XV. ch. 2. sect. 4, and the note there. 1. Ananelus. 2.
+Aristobulus. 3. Jesus, the son of Fabus. 4. Simon, the son of Boethus.
+5. Marthias, the son of Theophiltu. 6. Joazar, the son of Boethus. 7.
+Eleazar, the son of Boethus. 8. Jesus, the son of Sic. 9. [Annas, or]
+Ananus, the son of Seth. 10. Ismael, the son of Fabus. 11. Eleazar, the
+son of Ananus. 12. Simon, the son of Camithus. 13. Josephus Caiaphas,
+the son-in-law to Ananus. 14. Jonathan, the son of Ananus. 15.
+Theophilus, his brother, and son of Ananus. 16. Simon, the son of
+Boethus. 17. Matthias, the brother of Jonathan, and son of Ananus. 18.
+Aljoneus. 19. Josephus, the son of Camydus. 20. Ananias, the son of
+Nebedeus. 21. Jonathas. 22. Ismael, the son of Fabi. 23. Joseph Cabi,
+the son of Simon. 24. Ananus, the son of Artanus. 25. Jesus, the son of
+Damnetas. 26. Jesus, the son of Gamaliel. 27. Matthias, the son of
+Theophilus. 28. Phannias, the son of Samuel. As for Ananus and Joseph
+Caiaphas, here mentioned about the middle of this catalogue, they are no
+other than those Annas and Caiaphas so often mentioned in the four
+Gospels; and that Ananias, the son of Nebedeus, was that high priest
+before whom St. Paul pleaded his own cause, Acts 24.]
+
+
+20 (return) [ Of these Jewish impostors and false prophets, with many
+other circumstances and miseries of the Jews, till their utter
+destruction, foretold by our Savior, see Lit. Accompl. of Proph. p. 58-
+75. Of this Egyptian impostor, and the number of his followers, in
+Josephus, see Acts 21:38.]
+
+
+21 (return) [ The wickedness here was very peculiar and extraordinary,
+that the high priests should so oppress their brethren the priests, as
+to starve the poorest of them to death. See the like presently, ch. 9.
+sect. 2. Such fatal crimes are covetousness and tyranny in the clergy,
+as well as in the laity, in all ages.]
+
+
+22 (return) [ We have here one eminent example of Nero's mildness and
+goodness in his government towards the Jews, during the first five years
+of his reign, so famous in antiquity; we have perhaps another in
+Josephus's own Life, sect. 3; and a third, though of a very different
+nature here, in sect. 9, just before. However, both the generous acts of
+kindness were obtained of Nero by his queen Poppea, who was a religious
+lady, and perhaps privately a Jewish proselyte, and so were not owing
+entirely to Nero's own goodness.]
+
+
+23 (return) [ It hence evidently appears that Sadducees might be high
+priests in the days of Josephus, and that these Sadducees were usually
+very severe and inexorable judges, while the Pharisees were much milder,
+and more merciful, as appears by Reland's instances in his note on this
+place, and on Josephus's Life, sect. 31, and those taken from the New
+Testament, from Josephus himself, and from the Rabbins; nor do we meet
+with any Sadducees later than this high priest in all Josephus.]
+
+
+24 (return) [ Of this condemnation of James the Just, and its causes, as
+also that he did not die till long afterwards, see Prim. Christ.
+Revived, vol. III. ch. 43-46. The sanhedrim condemned our Savior, but
+could not put him to death without the approbation of the Roman
+procurator; nor could therefore Ananias and his sanhedrim do more here,
+since they never had Albinus's approbation for the putting this James to
+death.]
+
+
+25 (return) [ This Ananias was not the son of Nebedeus, as I take it,
+but he who was called Annas or Ananus the elder, the ninth in the
+catalogue, and who had been esteemed high priest for a long time; and,
+besides Caiaphas, his son-in-law, had five of his own sons high priests
+after him, which were those of numbers 11, 14, 15, 17, 24, in the
+foregoing catalogue. Nor ought we to pass slightly over what Josephus
+here says of Annas, or Ananias, that he was high priest a long time
+before his children were so; he was the son of Seth, and is set down
+first for high priest in the foregoing catalogue, under number 9. He was
+made by Quirinus, and continued till Ismael, the 10th in number, for
+about twenty-three years, which long duration of his high priesthood,
+joined to the successions of his son-in-law, and five children of his
+own, made him a sort of perpetual high priest, and was perhaps the
+occasion that former high priests kept their titles ever afterwards; for
+I believe it is hardly met with be fore him.]
+
+
+26 (return) [ This insolent petition of some of the Levites, to wear the
+sacerdotal garments when they sung hymns to God in the temple, was very
+probably owing to the great depression and contempt the haughty high
+priests had now brought their brethren the priests into; of which see
+ch. 8. sect. 8, and ch. 9, sect. 2.]
+
+
+27 (return) [ Of these cloisters of Solomon, see the description of the
+temple, ch. 13. They seem, by Josephus's words, to have been built from
+the bottom of the valley.]
+
+
+28 (return) [ See the Life at the beginning of the volume.]
+
+
+29 (return) [ What Josephus here declares his intention to do, if God
+permitted, to give the public again an abridgement of the Jewish War
+hear of it elsewhere, whether he performed what he now intended or not.
+Some of the reasons of this design of his might possibly be, his
+observation of the many errors he had been guilty of in the two first of
+those seven books of the War, which were written when he was
+comparatively young, and less acquainted with the Jewish antiquities
+than he now was, and in which abridgement we might have hoped to find
+those many passages which himself, as well as those several passages
+which others refer to, as written by him, but which are not extant in
+his present works. However, since many of his own references to what he
+had written elsewhere, as well as most of his own errors, belong to such
+early times as could not well come into this abridgement of the Jewish
+War; and since none of those that quote things not now extant in his
+works, including himself as well as others, ever cite any such
+abridgement; I am forced rather to suppose that he never did publish any
+such work at all; I mean, as distinct from his own Life, written by
+himself, for an appendix to these Antiquities, and this at least seven
+years after these Antiquities were finished. Nor indeed does it appear
+to me that Josephus ever published that other work here mentioned, as
+intended by him for the public also: I mean the three or four books
+concerning God and his essence, and concerning the Jewish laws; why,
+according to them, some things were permitted the Jews, and others
+prohibited; which last seems to be the same work which Josephus had also
+promised, if God permitted, at the conclusion of his preface to these
+Antiquities; nor do I suppose that he ever published any of them. The
+death of all his friends at court, Vespasian, Titus, and Domitian, and
+the coming of those he had no acquaintance with to the crown, I mean
+Nerva and Trajan, together with his removal from Rome to Judea, with
+what followed it, might easily interrupt such his intentions, and
+prevent his publication of those works.]
+
+
+*** END OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK ANTIQUITIES OF THE JEWS ***
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