The famous and memorable vvorkes of Iosephus, a man of much honour and learning among the Iewes. Faithfully translated out of the Latin, and French, by Tho. Lodge Doctor in Physicke

CHAP. II.

Ioram obtaining the kingdome of Ierusalem, slewe his brothers and his fa∣thers friends.

HE left behind him diuers children, the eldest of whom he appointed his successor in the [ L] kingdome, who was called Ioram (as his vncle was, who was his mothers brother and Achabs sonne whilome king of Israel.) The king of the ten lines returning backe vnto Samaria, kept with him the Prophet Elizaeus, whose actions I wil heere recite, because they are no∣table & deserue to be registred in writing, according as we haue gathered them out of holy scrip∣tures. Obedias wife (who was sometime steward of Achabs house) came vnto him and told him, that he was not ignorant that in that persecution wherin Iezabel sought to murther the Prophets, how her husband saued one hundreth of them, for whose priuat maintenance he had borrowed much money of other men, and that now he being dead, his creditors stroue to draw both her and her children into seruitude. For which cause she besought him in consideration of this act, to haue compassion on her husband, and to yeeld her some succour. Hereon Elizeus asked her if she had [ M] any thing in her house: who answered him, that she had nothing but a verie little oyle left her in a earthen pot. Whereupon the Prophet commaunded her to depart, and to borrow diuers empty vessels of her neighbour: that done, he willed her to locke vp her doores; and to poure oyle into the vessels, in that it was Gods pleasure to fill them all. The woman did according as he had com∣maunded her, and all the vessels were found full, so as none of them were emptie: whereof when she had certified the Prophet, he aduised her to goe and deliuer her oyle, and pay her debts,

and when all was paide, he assured her that there would be some remainder, that might serue to [ A] sustaine both her and her children.

By this meanes Elizeus discharged the widow of her debts; and that trouble which her credi∣tors intended against her. He admonished Ioram likewise, by certaine messengers, that he should take heed of a certaine place wherein the Syrians lay in ambush, intending to slay him: by means of which admonition the king went not out on hunting. But Adad being sore displeased, because his ambushment was discouered, began to suspect his owne followers: whereupon calling vnto him his houshold seruants, he maliciously termed them traitors; and furthermore threatned them with death, for that they had discouered a matter, which was only committed to their trust, vnto his enemy. Whereupon one of the assistants told him, that he ought not to conceiue that false opinion of them, neither suspect that they had discouered his intended ambush to cut off his ene∣mie: [ B] but rather that he ought to conceiue, that the Prophet Elizeus had discouered and discour∣sed all that which was intended against him. Whereupon he sent out his souldiers with an expresse charge, to know in what Citie Elizeus made his ordinarie aboad, who returning backe, brought him newes that he remained in Dothaim: For which cause Adad sent a great number of horse∣men and chariots to Dothaim to lay hold on Elizeus, who begirt the Citie by night, and laide watch round about the walles, that no man might escape them. Early in the morning when the Prophets seruant had notice hereof, and was aduertised that the enemies sought to surprise Eli∣zeus, he fearfully hasted and discouered their intent vnto his master; who encouraged him and commanded him to shake off his feare, for that he held himselfe both secured & assured of Gods help: whereupon he praied God that at that present he would shew his power and assistance both [ C] toward the reliefe of his necessitie, and the confirmation and incouragement of his seruant. At that time God hearing his prayer, presented to the Prophets seruants sight a number of chariots, and horsemen that inuironed Elizeus: so that he laid his feare aside, and was assured when he per∣ceiued these succours. That done, Elizeus besought God againe that hee would blinde his ene∣mies eies, and to cause a thicke cloud to fall vpon them, to the end they might not discouer him. Which done, he presently thrust himselfe amongst the thickest of his enemies, demanding of thē whom they came to seeke for? They answering him that they sought for the Prophet Elizeus: he promised them to deliuer him into their hands, if so be they would come with him into the Ci∣tie where he was. They blinded in eies, and depraued in vnderstanding by God, followed the Prophet willingly, who marched before them. When as therefore Elizeus had brought them [ D] into Samaria, he willed king Ioram to locke the gates and to inuiron the Syrians with his souldi∣ers. This performed, he prayed God that he would cleere the Syrians sight, and take away the cloud that obscured their eies: who being deliuered from their blindnesse, perceiued that they were in the midst of their enemies. Whereat being sore astonied, and vncertaine whence this diuine and vnexpected act had befallen them, King Ioram asked the Prophet whether he should kill them with darts. But Elizeus forbad him to doe so: for (said he) it is a iust and conuenient matter, that they who are taken by order of warre should lose their life, but that they had done no euill vnto his country; but by Gods prouidence came thither without their owne knowledge: for which cause he counsailed him to giue them presents and present them meat, and afterwards to suffer them to depart without any iniurie. [ E]

Ioram giuing credit to the Prophets words, entertained the Syrians magnificently and with great humanitie, and sent them backe vnto Adad their king, to whom vpon their arriuall they declared all that which had hapned vnto them. Adad astonished at this vnexpected euent, and wondring at the apparition and power of the God of the Israelites; lastly admiring the Pro∣phet whom God so wondrously assisted; he concluded from that time forward, neuer more to at∣tempt the king of Israel in secret, because he feared Elizeus: but concluded to make open warre against him, hoping to haue the vpper hand of his enemies, by meanes of the great number and force of his army: So that he issued out with a mighty power against Ioram, who supposing him∣selfe to be ouermatched by the Syrian army, locked himselfe vp within Samaria, putting his trust and confidence in the fortification and strength of the wals thereof. Adad hoping to surprise the [ F] citie if not by engins, at leastwise by famine & default of things necessarie, drew neere vnto Sama∣ria to besiege it. But Ioram was so destitute of conuenient supplies, that by reason of the incredi∣ble want of victuals, an Asses head was sold in Samaria for eighty pieces of siluer, and a measure of pigeons doung at fiue pieces of siluer, which they vsed in steed of salt: neither was there any thing that more troubled the king, then that he feared least some one constrained by famine, should deliuer or betray the Citie vnto the enemy. For which cause he euery day walked the

round about the walles, and visited the sentinels of the Citie, for feare least any one should lie hid∣den [ G] within: and with all care and diligence he gaue order, that if any one had such a sinister in∣tent, the meanes to execute the same should be taken from him. And whereas a certaine woman cried out vnto him, Haue mercie vpon me (O King) he incensed with wrath, and supposing that she asked him some meate, began to raile on her, telling her that he had neither graunge nor presse whereby he might any waies supply her necessitie. The woman answered him, that she had no need thereof, and that she was not troubled for want of food, but onely desired that hee would determine a debate betwixt her and an other woman: Whereupon he commanded her to expresse and declare what she required. Hereupon she said, that she had made an accord with an other woman her neighbour and friend, that since the famine and scarcitie was such, as they could find no redresse for the same, that they should kill their children (for each of them had [ H] one) and in this sort should nourish one another euery day. As for my selfe (said she) I haue first of all strangled mine, and we haue both of vs yesterday eaten thereof: but now she will not doe the like, but breaketh the accord betwixt vs, and concealeth her childe. Ioram was grieuously tormented to heare these words, and rent his garments, and cried out with a loud voice, and af∣terwards wholy enraged against the Prophet, he deuised in his heart to put him to death, because he praied not vnto God to grant him meanes to escape those euils that inuironed them round a∣bout: so that he sent a man presently to cut off his head; who prepared himselfe with all expedi∣tion to the slaughter. But Elizeus was not ignorant of this resolution of the kings: for sitting at home with his disciples in his house, he told them that Ioram the murtherers sonne sent a man to take away his head: but (said he) when as he that hath the matter in charge shall come hither, [ I] suffer him not to enter, but make him attend and stay at the gate; for the king will follow him, and will resort vnto me in his owne person, hauing altered his resolution: and they according as they were commanded, shut him out of the doores whom the king had sent. Ioram repenting himselfe of that displeasure which he had conceiued against the Prophet, and fearing least he that had the commission to murther him should speedily execute the same, hasted himselfe all that he might to hinder the slaughter, and saue Elizeus. When as therfore he came into his presence, he accused him, for that he had not besought God to deliuer them from those many euils which they suffered, considering that he himselfe was an eie-witnesse, they were miserably consumed by them. Elizeus promised him the next day (about the same houre that the king came vnto him) that he should haue so great aboundance of victuals, that two measures of barley should be sold [ K] in the market for a sicle, and a measure of flower for a sicle.

By these wordes of his, the king with all his attendants were wonderfully comforted, and made no difficultie to beleeue the Prophet, because that before time they had beene ascertained by their experience of the truth of his prophecies; and the expectation of this day was the cause that the necessitie and miserie of the present was more patiently endured. But a certaine friend of the kings, and the gouernour of the third part of his army (on whose shoulder the king at that time hapned familiarly to leane) spake vnto him after this manner:

Prophet, thou tellest vs incredible matters: for as it is impossible that God should raine downe heapes of barley and flower from heauen, so cannot that which thou speakest come to passe. To whom the Prophet replied: Thou thy selfe (said he) shalt see the issue hereof, but shalt partake no part thereof.

Which [ L] prediction of his had a most certaine effect, according as hereafter it appeareth. It was a cu∣stome in Samaria, that they that were defiled with a leprosie should liue without the Citie walles, for feare least their conuersation might infect others: And at that time also there were some who for this cause had their dwelling without the gate. These, for that (by reason of the extreme fa∣mine that raigned within the Citie) they receiued no reliefe or sustenance out of the same, and whether they had licence to returne into the Citie, or whether they contained themselues in their houses, they knew that they should assuredly perish by famine, decreed amongst themselues to submit themselues to the enemies mercie, to the end that if they spared them, they might liue; and if it hapned otherwaies, that they might die with lesse torture. Now hauing resolued vpon this deliberation amongst themselues, they repaired by night vnto the enemies campe. At that [ M] time God began to terrifie and trouble the Syrians, and to fill their eares with a noise of chariots and armes, as if an army had violently charged them. Wherupon they grew suspitious, and were so moued, that they forsooke their tents, and ranne vnto Adad, and told him that Ioram King of the Israelites had entertained the king of Aegypt, and the king of the Isles for his confederates, whom he led out against them, and how already they had heard the noise of them that approched to bid them the battell. Adad (whose eares w•…•… filled with no lesse rumour then those of the

people) was amated and amazed at their sayings: so that all of them abandoned their campe, [ A] their horses, beasts of cariage and riches, and betooke them to flight with disorder and confusion. Those leape•…•…s that were retired from Samaria into the enemies campe (and of whom we haue hertofore made some mention) being neere vnto the camp, perceiued that there was great silence in the same, and no lesse aboundance of all things: for which cause approching the same, and entring into a tent, they found no body therein: for which cause they fell to eating and drinking; and that done, to beare away a quantity of rayment, and gold which they hid without the campe. Afterward resorting to an other tent, they bare away likewise that which was therin, and did the like by foure others without any encountrie or contradiction of any man: and coniecturing ther∣by that the enemies were retired, they began to accuse themselues, because they had not giuen notice thereof to Ioram and the inhabitants of Samaria. For which cause drawing neere vnto the [ B] walles of the Citie, they cried out vnto the watch, giuing them to vnderstand in what state they had found the enemies campe, who signified no lesse to Iorams guard, so that at last it came vnto his eares. Whereupon he presently sent for his friends and captaines, and told them that the de∣parture of the Syrians made him suspect some stratageme or ambush: for they (said he) hauing lost their hope to surprise vs by famine, are retired vnder an intent, that when we shall issue and fall a spoiling of their campe, they may come vpon vs, and kill vs; and afterwards take our Citie without any stroke strooken. For which cause (said he) I aduise you to keepe good guard within the Citie, and let this retreat of our enemies make vs the more considerate. Some one of his counsaile praised this aduise of his, and allowed his foresight, aduising him to send out two scouts vpon horsebacke, to search euerie quarter betwixt that and Iordan, to the end that if they should [ C] be taken and slaine by the enemies ambushment, their fall might be a president to the whole ar∣my to stand vpon their guard (for feare least they should be surprised in like manner:) vrging this for a conclusion, that the losse of two horsemen should not be very great, since perhaps they might otherwaies haue been cut off by famine. This aduise of his was allowed by the king, and ratified by his assistance: so that presently there were two spies sent out, who rode along without encountring any enemy; but they met with great quantitie of victuals, and armes cast away and abandoned by the Syrians, to the intent they might flie away the more lightly. Which when the king vnderstood, he suffered the people to issue out, and spoile the campe, who recouered things of no small valew therein, but much gold and siluer, and troupes of all sorts of cattell: and besides that, they found so great a quantitie of wheate and barley, that had they dreamed thereof, [ D] they could not hope or imagine the like. Thus were they deliuered from all their precedent affli∣ctions: for there was so great quantitie of corne, that two measures of barley were sold but for one sicle, and a measure of wheate flower for a sicle, according as Elizeus had prophecied. Now the measure which we call Sat containeth an Italian bushell and the halfe. But the captaine of the third part of the army, was he only that enioyed no part of this benefit: for being appointed by the king to haue the keeping of the gate, and to restrain the multitude from headlong pressing out, for feare least thrusting one an other, some of them should be troden vnder foot and slaine, he himselfe was trode vpon and slaine (according as the Prophet had foretold) for that he only amongst the rest, would not giue credit to that which he had said, as touching the great aboun∣dance of victuals that should happen. [ E]

When Adad king of the Syrians was safely returned to Damasco, and knew that God had suffered such a confusion and feare to fall both on him and his army, and that it had not hapned by reason that the enemy sallied out vpon him; he was sore discouraged to see that God was so displeased with him, and through anguish and agonie of minde fell sicke: And for that (at that verie time) Elizeus was come into Damasco; Adad vnderstanding thereof, sent Azael (who was one of his most trustie seruants) vnto him to present him, and to consult with him vpon his sicknes, whether he should recouer or no.

Hereupon Azael loaded fortie camels with the most fairest and most honourablest presents, that either Damasco, or the princes royall court affoorded; and repairing to Elizeus, saluted him verie courteously, telling him that he was •…•…nt vnto him by king Adad, first of all to present [ F] him, and afterwards to aske counsaile of him 〈◊〉〈◊〉 touching his malady, whether he might easily be healed. The Prophet commanding the messenger to carrie no euill tydings vnto the king, did notwithstanding tell him that he should die. A•…•…ael hearing thereof was sore grieued, and Eli∣zeus himselfe began to weepe, so that the teares fell from his eies aboundantly, in that he foresaw how many euils the people should suffer after the decease of Adad. And when as Azael deman∣ded him the cause wherefore he was so discomforted? I weepe (said he) for the compassion that I

haue of the people of Israel, by reason of those calamities which they shall endure by thy meanes▪ [ G] For thoushalt kill the better sort of them, and shalt burne their strongest Cities: thou shalt mur∣ther their infants, and dash them against the stones, and shalt open the womens wombes that are with child. Azael answered, what force is there in me to execute these things? Elizeus said vnto him, that God had certified him that he should be king of Syria. When Azael was re∣turned backe vnto Adad, he signified nothing vnto him but glad tidings, as touching his sick∣nes: but the next day he cast a wet net vpon him & strangled him, and seazed the kingdome into his owne hands. This Prince was a man of execution, and well beloued amongst the Syrians, and common people of Damasco, who euen vntill this day honour Adad and Azael his succes∣sour as gods, by reason of their benefits and those temples which were builded by them, which adorne the Citie of Damasco. For euery day do they celebrate feasts in memorie of these kings, [ H] and honour them, by reason of their antiquitie, not knowing that they were moderne, and such as raigned not past eleuen hundreth yeers since. But Ioram king of Israel hearing of the death of Adad, began to giue ouer his feare, and cast off that suspition which he had conceiued of him, reioycing that yet at last he might haue libertie to liue in peace. The other Ioram king of Ie∣rusalem (for he likewise was so called, as we haue heretofore declared) by murthering of his bre∣thren and his fathers friends, who were gouernours, obtained the kingdome, and became so wic∣ked and impious, as he differed in nothing from the kings of Israel, who transgressed the first lawes and ordinances of the Hebrewes, and peruerted the seruice of God. For Athalia Achabs daughter his wife taught him to execute diuers mischiefes, and amongst the rest to adore strange gods. This notwithstanding God would not altogither abolish his race, by reason of his pro∣mise [ I] made vnto Dauid, yet intermitted he not daily to introduce new impieties; and soile the ancient lawes of his forefathers with new corruptions. Meane while it came to passe that the Idu∣maeans reuolted and slue their king, who had beene before time subiect vnto Iosaphat Io∣rams father, and in his place established an other to their owne liking. For which cause Ioram inuaded Idumaea by night with his horses and chariots, and spoyled the countrey round a∣bout his kingdome, without passing any farther: yet profited he nothing in so doing, for all of them reuolted from him, and amongst the rest the inhabitants of the countrey of Labina.

But so great was the fury of this man, that he constrained the people to ascend the high mountaines, and adore straunge gods. Yet whilest he behaued himselfe in this manner, and [ K] vtterly rooted out of his thought the lawes of his forefathers, there was a letter brought vnto him from the Prophet Elias, which •…•…ertified him that God would doe great iustice vpon him, because hee had forsaken the waies of his forefathers, and followed the impieties of the kings of Israel, constraining the Tribe of Iuda and the inhabitants of Ierusalem to forsake the pure seruice of their God to serue Idols, 〈◊〉〈◊〉 Achab had constrained the Israelites to doe. Fur∣thermore, because hee had murthered his brethren, and slaine vpright and vertuous men: The Prophet likewise certified him by letters, what punishment he should endure, namely the ruine of his people, the death of his wiues and children, and lastly his owne death: which should happen vnto him by a sicknesse in his belly, wherewith hee should be so tormented, that his entrailes strangely rotting within him, should drop out of his belly, and that he himselfe should [ L] see his misery; which should be such as neither might be recouered by medicine, or should euer leaue him vntill he had finished his daies. These things did Elias denounce vnto him by his letters.

Notes

• The yeare of the world. 3050. be∣fore the birth of Christ. 914. Ioram Iosa∣phats sonne king of Ieru∣salem. 4. Reg. 4.
• Elizaeus com∣mandeth the widow to fill her empty ves∣sels with oyle.
• The yeare of the world, 3050. be∣fore Christs Na∣tiuitie, 914. Elizeus adui∣seth Ioram to auoid Adads ambush, who lay in wait to kill him.
• 4. Reg 6. Elizaeus is be∣sieged in Do∣thaim by his enemie.
• The Angels a∣bout Elizaeus the prophet
• Elizeus lea∣deth the Syri∣ans blinded into Samaria where by his perswasion they are cour∣teously enter∣tained and presented by Ioram, and sent home.
• Hedio & Ruf∣finus, chap. 4.
• Samaria be∣sieged by the Syrians.
• The yeare of the world, 3050 be∣fore Christs birth 914.
• The famine so great in Sama∣ria, that wo∣men eate their owne children.
• Ioram threat∣neth Elizaeus death. 3. Reg. 7.
• 4. Reg. 7.
• The enemies flight by rea∣son of a terror that God sent among them.
• The yeare of the world. 3050. be∣fore Christs birth 914.
• The lepers certifie the Sa∣maritanes of the flight of their enemies.
• Spies sent a∣broad.
• The enemies campe spoiled by the Sama∣ritanes.
• The truth of Gods oracles. The punish∣ment of incre∣dulitie. 4. Reg. 8.
• Elizeus is sen•…•… vnto by Adad▪ to enquire counsell of him as touching his sicknes.
• The yeare of the world. 3055. before Christs Natiuity 909. The prophecy of Adads death, and A∣zaels gouern∣ment.
• Hedio & Ruf∣finus, chap. 5.
• 4. Reg. 8.
• Iorams impie∣tie.
• The yeare of the world. 3057. be∣fore Christs birth 907
• The Idumae•…•…s reuolt.
• Iorams wic∣kednes repro∣ued by Elias letters.