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+***The Project Gutenberg Etext of The Antiquities of the Jews***
+#3 in our series by Flavius Josephus translated by William Whiston
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+Title: The Antiquities of the Jews
+
+Author: Flavius Josephus
+
+Translator: William Whiston
+
+Release Date: October 1, 2001  [EBook #2848]
+[Date last updated: September 8, 2006]
+[Most recently updated on August 1, 2007]
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+Edition: 11
+
+Language: English
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+
+***The Project Gutenberg Etext of The Antiquities of the Jews***
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+Prepared by David Reed haradda@aol.com or davidr@inconnect.com
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+
+
+
+The Antiquities of the Jews (1)
+
+by Flavius Josephus
+
+
+
+
+Translated by William Whiston
+
+
+
+
+PREFACE.
+
+
+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.
+
+
+
+
+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 over(1) 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 angels(11) 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 cubits(13) 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.
+
+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 apellation 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 war(17)
+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 Wall.
+
+
+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 the 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 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 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 hospiably 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 fills, 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.
+
+
+
+
+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 undestood: 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.
+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 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
+subtility 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 prevalency 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
+aftrighted 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 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.
+
+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. (35)
+
+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 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 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.
+
+
+
+
+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 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 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, file 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 low 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.
+
+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 bin 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.
+
+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 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 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 Strengh 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 aftrighted 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 aftrighted 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 werre 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.
+
+
+
+
+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 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 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 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
+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 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, wad gathered themselves together after an indecent manner,
+with confusion and disorder. And now all were, in a tumultuous
+manner, raising a 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 the office of
+a priest, he would have raised person to that dignity, and would
+not 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 our
+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 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 aftrighted; 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 Balsam 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 Balsam 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 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 hear 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.
+
+
+
+
+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 thee 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 aftrighted 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 (3)against 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. (8)
+
+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
+aftrighted 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 aftrighted 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 thee, 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 thee. We,
+therefore, return you our thanks for the dangers you have
+undergone with us, and we do it not at this thee 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 thee 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 thee 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 tojudge 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 thee, 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 aftrighted 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 Shecbem 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 aftrighted 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 thee 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' thee, 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 thee, 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 thee; 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 thee 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 thee.
+
+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 thee of
+Solomon's reign; but then the posterity of Eleazar reassumed it.
+
+
+
+
+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
+Ashclod, 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. 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."
+
+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.
+
+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.
+
+
+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 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 aftrighted, 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
+case 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.
+
+
+
+
+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, Abistiai 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 rite 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
+aftrighted 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 bin;, 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 skiliful 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 Amass 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 Amass 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
+(24)came 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 aftrighted 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 Tohis 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.
+
+
+
+
+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 Solonion
+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.
+
+
+
+
+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
+rough 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.
+
+
+
+
+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 cane 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 anti 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
+Caesars, 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 Amntonite 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 all 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 contry 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 soil 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 Ahijah 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 oil 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
+Berthadad, he sent 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 Berthadad returned him thanks, and
+professed that he 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 Micalab 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 Micalab 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 Ahalx 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.
+
+
+
+
+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 aftrighted, 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 aftrighted, 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 pot 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 lm 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 Berthadad 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 Berthadad, 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 Berthadad. 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 Berthadad 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 O 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 Ramorb, 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 hose
+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 Damcenes. 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
+Amatekites, 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 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
+(26) 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 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
+drachme 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 (23) 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.
+
+
+
+
+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 tills 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 religions 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
+Jeholachin 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 aftrighted 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 Relieve 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. And be-
+
+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-Mcrodach 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 rain, 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.
+
+
+
+
+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 drachme; 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 Amlnon, and Moab, and Samaria,
+wrote an epistle to Calnbyses; 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 file 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 my 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
+hearkener 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 ever 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 the 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 all 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 entreared 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 Shechenlites; 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 (24) 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.
+
+
+
+
+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 disoders 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 expeses 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 w
+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
+aftrighted, 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 se 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 contenmed 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 Alexaudria, 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 fbrty 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 contenm
+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 Bethsnra, 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 manyof 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.
+
+
+
+
+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 Tlteodosius 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 Antioehians, 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 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 Ptoeinais 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 trencher, 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 Antlochuswas 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. 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 Parthin,
+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 Parthin, 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 Hyrcaus 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 Antlochus, 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
+Cesarea 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 Aristobutus, 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 no 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 Cyziceius, 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 Mopsuestin
+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 Parthis; 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 Parthis, 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 recieved 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 eiders 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.
+
+
+
+
+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 Nicolatls 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.
+Aristo-bulus 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
+Hyreanus, 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 Colesyria, 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 Caesarea. 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 Now 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
+ill 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 Cesar, 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 Cesar; for those of Pompey's party
+prevented it, and destroyed him by poison; and those of Caesar'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 Caesar When He Fought Against
+Egypt. The Glorious Actions Of Antipater, And His Friendship With
+Caesar. The Honors Which The Jews Received From The Romans And
+Athenians.
+
+
+1. Now after Pompey was dead, and after that victory Caesar had
+gained over him, Antipater, who managed the Jewish affairs,
+became very useful to Caesar 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 Cesar, 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
+Caesar; 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 Caesar, 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 Caesar, 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 Caesar, and openly declared that Antipater was the author of
+this victory, and of his own preservation, insomuch that Caesar
+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 Caesar, 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
+Caesar, 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 Caesar 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, Caesar 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." Hyreanus 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 ethnareh 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 Caesar had settled the affairs of Syria, he sailed
+away. And as soon as Antipater had conducted Caesar 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 Caesar, 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 Caesar, who was a relation of the great Caesar, and was
+now president of Syria. Now Phasaetus, 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 Caesar,
+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 aftrighted 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 Caesar, 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 Caesar 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 Caesar 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 Caesar, which relate to Hyrcanus and to our nation.
+
+2. "Caius Julius Caesar, 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 Caesar, 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 Caesar, 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."
+
+4. "Caius Caesar, 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 Caesar, 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 Caesar, 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 Cqesar, 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 Caesar, 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 Caesar 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
+Mileslans, 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 Caesar, 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 Ceasar, 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 Ceasar'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 Caesar, 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 Caesar 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 Caesar 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
+Caesar: 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 aftrighted, 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 aftrighted 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
+Cussiris 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 Caesar had beaten Cassius near Philippi, as
+others have related; but after the victory, Caesar 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
+Caesar. 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 Sidontans 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. Barzaphanles 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 Caesar 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. Caesar 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 Caesar 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 Caesar, 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 He
+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 its; 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.
+
+
+
+
+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 he 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 Hyreanus, who was first made high priest and
+afterward king, and Herod's brother, Phasaelus captives, and were
+them away into Parthis. 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 Jew 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 Mariarune, 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 Arianflus], 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, Marianme
+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 Archclaus and Nero
+Caesar, 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 Caesar 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 Caesar 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 aftrighted 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 Caesar, And
+Obtained The Kingdom From Him Also; And How A Little Time
+Afterward, He Entertained Caesar 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 Caesar [Octarian]; 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 Caesar, 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
+Caesar'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 Caesar; 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 Caesar; 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 Caesar: 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 Caesar 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 Caesar'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
+Caesar's donation, as well as by that decree of the Romans, which
+Caesar took care to procure for his greater security, he
+conducted Caesar 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
+Caesar would not put to death one Alexander, who had been a
+companion of Antony; but Caesar 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
+Caesar, 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
+Caesar's most cordial friends, and put the army in array, and
+rode along with Caesar, 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 Caesar 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 Caesar 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, mid 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 Caesar], 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 Caesar 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 Caesar, 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 Caesar 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 Caesar 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
+Caesar. 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 Cesarea, 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 Caesar, 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 Caesar, 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 Cesarea. Moreover, he chose out some
+select horsemen, and placed them ill 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 Cesarea, 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 surived 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 Caesar; 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 Caesar, 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 Caesar'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 file 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 Caesar, 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 Caesar 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
+Caesar, 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 Caesar. The city
+itself was called Cesarea, 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 Caesar.
+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
+Caesar; 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 Caesar'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 Caesar about this injustice of
+Zenodorus. When these matters were laid before Caesar, 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 Caesar, 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 Caesar 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 Caesar, 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, Caesar
+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
+Caesar'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, Caesar 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 Caesar 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 Caesar 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 Caesar
+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 Caesar, and then Agrippa,
+who was his principal favorite, Caesar preferred no one to Herod
+besides Agrippa, and Agrippa made no one his greater friend than
+Herod besides Caesar. And when he had acquired such freedom, he
+begged of Caesar 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 Caesar 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 frill 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 Caesar.
+
+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 time 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 filing 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 aftrighted 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 Caesar; 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 Caesar, 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
+Caesar, 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.
+
+
+
+
+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 Caesar, and to see his sons who lived at
+Rome; and Caesar 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 Cesarea, 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 Bosptiorus. 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 Caesar'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 Caesar 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 Caesar? And
+truly I ought before now to have mentioned the epistles which
+Caesar 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 Cesarea 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 east 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 Archclaus, the king
+of Cappadocia, that they should be able by his means to come to
+Caesar, 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 Marianme, 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
+Caesar 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 Caesar'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 Caesar And Accused Them. Alexander's Defense
+Of Himself Before Caesar 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 Caesar,
+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 Caesar
+at the city Aquilei (3) so when he came to the speech of Caesar,
+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 Caesar 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 Caesar, 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 Caesar, 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 Caesar. 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 Caesar 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 Caesar, 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
+Caesar 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 Caesar 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 Caesar, 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, Caesar, 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 Caesar, 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 Caesar 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 Caesar, 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 Caesar, Herod made him a present of three hundred
+talents, as he was then exhibiting shows and largesses to the
+people of Rome; and Caesar 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, Caesar 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
+Caesar'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 Cesarea; 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 Cesarea 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 Caesar, 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, Caesar'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 Caesar 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 heir
+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 Caesar 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 Caesar, Concerning The
+Complaints They Had To Make Against The Greeks; With Copies Of
+The Epistles Which Caesar 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 ill 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 Caesar 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. "Caesar 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) Caesar 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 Caesar.
+
+3. "Caesar 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 Caesar.
+
+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. Caesar 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 Caesar 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
+aftrighted, 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 Marianme 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 Archclaus, 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, her 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 Caesar,
+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 fiattering 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 Archclaus 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 Archclaus 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 Archclaus 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 Archclaus 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 Archclaus, 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 Caesar about these affairs; so
+they went together as far as Antioch, and there Herod made a
+reconciliation between Archclaus 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 Caesar; And How Herod, When Caesar 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 Caesar 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 Caesar'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 Caesar, 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 Caesar 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 Caesar 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; Caesar 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, Caesar, 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 Caesar'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 Caesar's favor used to inspire him;
+for Caesar 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 Caesar, 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 Caesar, 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 Caesar, 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 Caesar 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, Caesar 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 Caesar, and to address themselves to Caesar
+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 Caesar 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 Archclaus, 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 Archclaus, 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 Archclaus, 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 Caesar 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 Caesar; 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 Caesar, 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 Caesar 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 Caesar from Herod, and that
+all that he had said about the actions of Herod were falsities.
+When Nicolaus was come to this topic, Caesar 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 Caesar
+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 Caesar, 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 Caesar 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
+Caesar 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
+Caesar 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 Caesar 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 Caesar 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 CAESAR 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 Caesar 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 Caesar
+gave him. Accordingly Herod, when the letter was brought to him,
+was immediately very glad of Caesar'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 Archclaus; 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 Caesar'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 Cesarea, 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 Alexandraum,
+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.
+
+
+
+
+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 Caesar'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
+Archclaus, 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.
+
+
+
+
+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 horde-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 Caesar, 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 Caesar; 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 Caesar; 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
+Caesar 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 Caesar. 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
+Saturninns, 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 Caesar 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 Caesar, 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 Caesar 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, Caesar 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 Caesar about him, and such messengers withal as should,
+by word of mouth, inform Caesar 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, Caesar'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 Caesar'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 Caesar, 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 Archclaus and Philip, which the calumnies
+of Antipater had raised against them. He also bequeathed a
+thousand talents to Caesar, and five hundred to Julia, Caesar's
+wife, to Caesar'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 Mattbias, 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 Matthius, 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
+Caesar, which, when they were read, their purport was this: That
+Acme was slain by Caesar, out of his indignation at what hand,
+she had in Antipater's wicked practices; and that as to Antipater
+himself, Caesar 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 Archclaus. He also gave Gaulonitis, and Trachonitis,
+and Paneas to Philip, who was his son, but own brother to
+Archclaus (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 Caesar ten millions [of
+drachmae] of coined money, besides both vessels of gold and
+silver, and garments exceeding costly, to Julia, Caesar'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
+Caesar 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 Caesar 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 Caesar'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 Caesar,
+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, Caesar's steward for Syrian affairs, as
+he was making haste into Judea to preserve Herod's effects, met
+with Archclaus at Caesarea; 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
+Caesar should declare his resolution about them; so that, upon
+this his promise, he tarried still at Cesarea. 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 Caesar.
+
+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 Caesar.
+
+5. Now when Archelaus had sent in his papers to Caesar, 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 Caesar 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
+Caesar 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 Caesar,
+by usurping that authority before it was determined for him by
+Caesar; 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 Caesar [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 Caesar. 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 Caesar, 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 Caesar to obtain
+the government by his grant, while he had before acted in all
+things as he could have acted if Caesar 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 Caesar 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
+Caesar 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 Caesar is
+therein left to be the judge and disposer of all therein
+contained; and for Caesar, 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]. Caesar 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 Caesar'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 Caesar'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 Caesar's determination."
+
+7. Now when Nicolaus had laid these things before Caesar, he
+ended his plea; whereupon Caesar 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 Caesar of the revolt of the Jews; for after Archlaus 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
+Antiocli, 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, Caesar'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 Ruffis,
+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 dificulty 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, an 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 aftrighted 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
+Archclaus, 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 Caesar, many of
+whom Caesar 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 Caesar; And How Caesar 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 Caesar 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 Caesar'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
+Caesar, 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 Caesar 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
+Caesar, 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
+Caesar 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, Caesar 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,
+Caesar 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 Caesar, 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 Caesar, 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 Caesar; 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, Caesar 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, Caesar 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 Caesar
+the contrivance, and after what manner and by whom it was laid
+together. So Caesar, 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 Caesar, and that especially because they knew he had
+broken the commands of Caesar, which obliged him to behave
+himself with moderation among them. Whereupon Caesar, 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
+Caesar had sent him about, and hastened him away. And when he was
+come [to Rome], Caesar, 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 beof 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 Caesar 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, Archclaus 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 Caesar to take account of people's
+effects in Syria, and to sell the house of Archelaus.
+
+
+
+
+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 Caesar 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
+Caesar 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-pesuaded 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.
+
+Now Herod And Philip Built Several Cities In Honor Of Caesar.
+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 Caesar'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 Cesarea. He also advanced the
+village Bethsaids, 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 Caesar'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,
+[Caesar'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 Caesar, 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 Caesar, 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
+Cesarea to Jerusalem, to take their winter quarters there, in
+order to abolish the Jewish laws. So he introduced Caesar'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 Cesarea, 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 Caesar, 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 Cesarea.
+
+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 sightest
+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 file 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
+Parthis 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 Caesar 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 Caesar 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 Antipus, 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, Mariarune, 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 ason 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 Caesar;
+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 Caesar'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 Caesar'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 Caesar, 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 Caesar 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 Caesar 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 Caesar's anger,
+but entreated Antonia, the mother of Germanicus, and of Claudius,
+who was afterward Caesar 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 Caesar 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 Caesar, 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 Caesar, 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 wire 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
+dies 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 Caesar 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 bated 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 ovejoyed 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 ill 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 Caesar; 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 Caesar, 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 Caesar; 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 Caesar'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 Caesar 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 Caesar, 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 of 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 rite 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 Caesar); 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 ver 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 Asiueus 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
+Artsbanus, 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 Artsbanus, 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 Aniteus, 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 Parthin, 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 unaprrized 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.
+
+
+
+
+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 Caesar'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 Caesar, 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 trow 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 Minuetanus 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,)
+Minuetanus 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
+Minuclanus 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 Caesar (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 Caesar 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
+stow 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 Caesar, 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 Caesar, 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 Caesar, 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 pro genitors, 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 Caesar'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 spike 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 Saturninns, 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 Caesar 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 [Caesar]; 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 insolene 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, (12) 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 the 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 Caesar 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 Caesar 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 Caesar, 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 Caesar 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 Caesar 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 Caesar
+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 Caesar'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 Caesar, - 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 Caesar 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 Cesarea, 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 Cesarea, which was formerly called Strato's
+Tower; and there he exhibited shows in honor of Caesar, 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 Caesar, 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 Caesar; in which time he
+reigned over the forementioned countries, and also had Judea
+added to them, as well as Samaria and Cesarea. The revenues that
+he received out of them were very great, no less than twelve
+millions of drachme. (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 Archclaus
+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 Cesarea 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 Caesar. And when Caesar was informed that
+Agrippa was dead, and that the inhabitants of Sebaste and Cesarea
+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 Caesar 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 eceased 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 Cesarca 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 Cesarea 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.
+
+
+
+
+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 Caesar 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 Caesar, 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 Caesar, as we said before,) he besought Caesar 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 Caesar 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 Caesar 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 Caesar, 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 Mygodonla. 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
+Handees, 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 Parthis 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 Caesar. 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 Caesar bestowed his
+dominions on Agrippa, junior.
+
+3. Now while the Jewish affairs were under the administration of
+Cureanus, 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 Caesar, as he was journeying, and plundered him of all
+that he had with him; which things when Cureanus 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 Cesarea, 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 Cureanus 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 Caesar. He also
+ordered the principal men, both of the Samaritans and of the
+Jews, as also Cumanus the procurator, and Ceier 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 Caesar'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 Cureanus 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 Caesar,
+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 Caesar, 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
+Archclaus, 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 Caesar 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 Caesar. 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 Caesar 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.
+Caesar 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 Caesar 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 Cesarea, 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 Cesarea, and because he was by
+birth a Jew. Now the Syrians did not deny what was alleged about
+Herod; but they said that Cesarea 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 Cesarea 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 Cesarea 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
+Cesarea 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 Cesarea
+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 Caesar, 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 Cesarea
+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 Caesar, 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 Caesar
+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.
+
+
+
+
+ANT PREFACE FOOTNOTES
+
+
+(1) 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)That is, all the Gentiles, both Greeks and Romans.
+
+(3) 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) 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) Josephus here plainly alludes to the famous Greek proverb, If
+God be with us, every thing that is impossible becomes possible.
+
+(6) 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."
+
+
+
+
+Ant. BOOK 1
+
+
+(1) 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) 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) 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) 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) 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) 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) 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) The number of Adam's children, as says the old tradition was
+thirty-three sons, and twenty-three daughters.
+
+(9) 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) 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) This notion, that the fallen angels were, in some sense, the
+fathers of the old giants, was the constant opinion of antiquity.
+
+(12) 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) A cubit is about 21 English inches.
+
+(14) 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) 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) 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) 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) 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) 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) As to this affliction of Abram's posterity for 400 years,
+see Antiq. B. II. ch. 9. sect. 1.
+
+(21) 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) Of the War, B. IV. ch. 8. sect. 4.
+
+(23) 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) 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) 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) 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) 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) 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) 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) 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) For Seir in Josephus, the coherence requires that we read
+Esau or Seir, which signify the same thing.
+
+(32) 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) 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) 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) 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) 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) 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) 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) 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 2 FOOTNOTES
+
+
+(1) 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) 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) That is, bought it for Pharaoh at a very low price.
+
+(4) 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) 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) 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) 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) Of the precious balsam of Judea, and the turpentine, see the
+note on Antiq. B. VIII. ch. 6. sect. 6.
+
+(9) 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) 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) 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) 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) 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) 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) 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) 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) 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) 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) 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) 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) 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) 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) 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) 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) 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) 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) 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) 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) 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) 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) 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) 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) 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 Caesar 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 3 FOOTNOTES
+
+
+(1) 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)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) 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) 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) 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) 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) 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) 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) 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) 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) 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) 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) 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) 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) 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) 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) 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) 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) 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) 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) 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)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, (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) 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) 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) 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) 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) See Antiq, B. XX. ch. 2. sect, 6. and Acts 11:28.
+
+
+
+
+BOOK 4 FOOTNOTES
+
+
+(1) 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) 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) 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) 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) 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) 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) 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) 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) 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) 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) 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) 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) 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) 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) 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) 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) 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) 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)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) 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) 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) 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) 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) 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) 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) 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) 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) 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 Josehus understood it. It
+seems this was the exposition of the Pharisees in the days of
+Josephus.
+
+(29) 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) This permission of redeeming this penalty with money is not
+in our copies, Exodus 21:24, 25; Leviticus 24:20; Deuteronomy
+19:21.
+
+(31) 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) 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) These laws seem to be those above-mentioned, sect, 4, of
+this chapter.
+
+(34) What laws were now delivered to the priests, see the note on
+Antiq. B. III. ch. 1. sect. 7.
+
+(35) 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) 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 5 FOOTNOTES
+
+
+(1) 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 fercot: 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) 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) 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) 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) 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) I agree here with Dr. Bernard, and approve of Josephus's
+interpretation of Gilgal for liberty. See Joshua 5:9.
+
+(7) 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 thee, 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) 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 thee 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) 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) 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) 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) 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) 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) 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) 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) 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) 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) 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) 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) 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) 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 6 Footnotes
+
+
+(1) 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) 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) 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) 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) 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) 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) 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) 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) 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) 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) 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) 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) 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) 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) 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) 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) 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) 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) 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) 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) 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) 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) 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) 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) 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) 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) 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) 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) 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 7 Footnotes
+
+
+(1) 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) This may be a true observation of Josephus's, that Samuel by
+command from God entailed the crown on David and his posteerity;
+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) 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) 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) 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) 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) 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) 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) 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) 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) 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) 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) 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) 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) 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) 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, (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) 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) 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) 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) 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) 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) 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) 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) 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) 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) 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 8 FOOTNOTES
+
+
+(1) 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) 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) 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) 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) 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) 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) 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) 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) 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) 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) 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) 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) 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) 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) 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) 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) 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) 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) 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) 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) 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) 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) 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) 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) 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) 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) 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 abnudantly
+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) 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) 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) The reader is to remember that Cush is not Ethiopia, but
+Arabia. See Bochart, B. IV. ch. 2.
+
+(31) 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) 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) 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 (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) 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) 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) "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) 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) 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) 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) 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) 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) 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) 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) 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 9 FOOTNOTES
+
+
+(1) 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) Concerning this precious balsam, see the note on Atiq. B.
+VIII. ch. 6. sect. 6.
+
+(3) 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) 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) 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) 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) 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) 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) 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) 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) 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) 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) 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) 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) 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) 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) 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) 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) 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) 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 I
+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) 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) 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) 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) 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 10 FOOTNOTES
+
+
+(1) 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) 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) 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.
+
+(3) 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) 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) 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) 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) It is hard to reconcile the account in the Second Book of
+Kings (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) 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) 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) 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) 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) 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) 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) 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) 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) 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) 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) 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) 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) 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) 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) 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) 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) 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) 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) 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 11 FOOTNOTES
+
+
+(1) 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) 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) 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) 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) 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) 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) The history contained in this section is entirely wanting in
+all our other copies, both of Ezra and Esdras.
+
+(8) 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) 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) 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) 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) 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) 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) 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) 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) 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) 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) 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) 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.
+
+(21) 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) 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) 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) 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 12 FOOTNOTES
+
+
+(1) 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) 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) 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) Although this number one hundred and twenty drachmee [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) 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) 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) 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) 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) They were rather political questions and answers, tending to
+the good and religious government of mankind.
+
+(10) 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) 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) 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) 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) 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) 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) 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) 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) 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) 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) 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) 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) 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) 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) No wonder that Josephus here describes Antiochus Eupator as
+young, and wanting tuition, when he came to the crown, since
+Appian informs us (Syriac. p. 177) that he was then but nine
+years old.
+
+(25) 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) 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) 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) 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) 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 13 FOOTNOTES
+
+
+(1) 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) 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) 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) 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) 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) 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) 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) 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) 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) 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) 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) 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) 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) 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) 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 Parthis: 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) 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) That this Antiochus, the son of Alexader 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) 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) 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) 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) 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) 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) 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) 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) 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) 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) 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) 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) 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) 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) 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) 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) 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) 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) This account of the death of Antiochus Grypus is confirmed
+by Appion, Syriac. p. 132, here cited by Spanheim.
+
+(36) 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) 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) 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) This Theodorus was the son of Zeno, and was in possession of
+Areathus, as we learn from sect. 3 foregoing.
+
+(40) 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) Spanheim takes notice that this Antiochus Dionysus [the
+brother of Philip, and of Demetrius Eucerus, and of two otbsrs]
+was the fifth son of Antiochus Grypus; and that he is styled on
+the coins, "Antiochus, Epiphanes, Dionysus."
+
+(42) 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) 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) 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) 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) 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 14 FOOTNOTES
+
+
+(1) 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) 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) 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) 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) 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) 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) 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) 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) 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) 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) 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) 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) 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 Caesar was consul the
+fifth time." See ch. 10. sect. 5.
+
+(14) 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) 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) This account, as Reland observes, is confirmed by the
+Talmudists, who call this Sameas, "Simeon, the son of Shetach."
+
+(17) That Hyreanus 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
+Caesar supposes, we are further assured by the testimony of
+Strabo, already produced by Josephus, ch. 8. sect. 3.
+
+(18) 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) 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) 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) For Marcus, this president of Syria, sent as successor to
+Sextus Caesar, 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) 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) This clause plainly alludes to that well-known but unusual
+and very long darkness of the sun which happened upon the murder
+of Julius Cesar 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) 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
+Mariarune was betrothed to him, although the marriage was not
+completed till four years afterwards. See Matthew 1:16.
+
+(25) 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) 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) 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) 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) 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) 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 15 FOOTNOTES
+
+
+(1) 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) 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) Of this wicked Dellius, see the note on the War, B. I. ch.
+15. sect. 3.
+
+(4) 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) This entirely confutes the Talmudists, who pretend that no
+one under twenty years of age could officiate as high priest
+among the Jews.
+
+(6) 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) 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) 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) 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) 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) 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) 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) 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) 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) 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) 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) 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 Caesar: "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) Cesarea 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) 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) 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) 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) 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) 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) "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) 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 16 FOOTNOTES
+
+
+(1) 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) 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) 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) 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) 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) 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) Augustus here calls Julius Caesar 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) 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) 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) 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) 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) 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) This oath, by the fortune of Caesar, 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) 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 Caesar; 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) 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 17 FOOTNOTES
+
+
+(1) 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) This is now wanting.
+
+(3) Pheroras's wife, and her mother and sister, and Doris,
+Antipater's mother.
+
+(4)His wife, her mother, and sister.
+
+(5) 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) 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) 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) 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) A place for the horse-races.
+
+(10) 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 Archclaus 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) 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) 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) 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) See Antiq. B. XIV. ch. 13. sect. 10; and Of the War; B. II.
+ch. 12. sect. 9.
+
+(15) 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) 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) See Of the War, B. II. ch. 2. sect. 3.
+
+(18) See the note, Of the War, B. II. ch. 6. sect. 1.
+
+(19) He was tetrarch afterward.
+
+(20) 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) 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 ga ther 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) 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) 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 18 FOOTNOTES
+
+
+(1) 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) 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) 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) 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) 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 Archclaus, 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) Numbers 19:11-14.
+
+(7) This citation is now wanting.
+
+(8) 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) A.D. 33, April 3.
+
+(10) April 5.
+
+(11) 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) 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) 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) 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) This Herod seems to have had the additional name of Philip,
+as Antipus was named Herod-Antipas: and as Antipus 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) 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) 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) 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) The governor of the Jews there.
+
+(20) Tiberius, junior of Germanicus.
+
+(21) 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) 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) Tiberius his own grandson, and Caius his brother Drusus's
+grandson.
+
+(24) So I correct Josephus's copy, which calls Germanicus his
+brother, who was his brother's son.
+
+(25) This is a known thing among the Roman historians and poets,
+that Tiberius was greatly given to astrology and divination.
+
+(26) 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) 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) 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) 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) 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) 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) 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
+intitation 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) 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) 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) 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) 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) 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 19 FOOTNOTES
+
+
+(1) 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) Called Caligula by the Romans.
+
+(3) 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) Here Josephus supposes that it was Augustus, and not Julius
+Caesar, 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) Suetonius says Caius was slain about the seventh hour of the
+day, the ninth. The series of the narration favors Josephus.
+
+(6) The rewards proposed by the Roman laws to informers was
+sometimes an eigth partm as Spanheim assures us, from the
+criminal's goods, as here, and sometimes a fourth part.
+
+(7) 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) 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) 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 Caesar, Pompey, and Crassus.
+
+(10) 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) This Caius was the son of that excellent person Germanicus,
+who was the son of Drusus, the brother of Tiberius the emperor.
+
+(11) The first place Claudius came to was inhabited, and called
+Herincure, as Spanheim here informs us from Suetonius, in Claud.
+ch. 10.
+
+(12) 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) 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) 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) 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) 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) 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) 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 Cesarea 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) 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) 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) 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) 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) 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) 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 20 FOOTNOTES
+
+
+(1) 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) 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) 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) 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) 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) 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) 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) 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) 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) 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) 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) 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) 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) 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) This is now wanting.
+
+(16) This also is now wanting.
+
+(17) 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 Caesar Drusus Germanicus. This
+Soleus as [own Life, sect. 11, as also] by Dio Cassius andTaeims,
+as Dr. Hudson informs us.
+
+(18) 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) 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) 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) 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) 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) 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) 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) 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) 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) 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) See the Life at the beginning of the volume.
+
+(29) 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 Etext of The Antiquities of the Jews
+