The history of the world

§. VI. How AHAZIA perished with the house of AHAB: and how that Familie was destroyed by IEHV.

THe whole Armie of Israel, with all the principall Captaines lying in Ra∣moth [unspec 50] Gilead, a Disciple of Elizeus the Prophet came in among the Cap∣taines that were sitting together, who calling out from among them Iehu, a principall man, tooke him apart, and anointed him King ouer Israel, rehearsing vnto him the prophecie of Elias against the house of

Ahab, and letting him vnderstand that it was the pleasure of God to make him exe∣cutioner of that sentence. The fashion of the Messenger was such as bred in the Captaines a desire to know his 〈◊〉〈◊〉, which Iehu thought meete to let them know, as doubting whether they had ouer-heard all the talke or no. When hee had ac∣quainted them with the whole matter, they made no delay, but foorth-with pro∣claimed him King. For the prophecie of Elias was well knowne among them, nei∣ther durst any one oppose himselfe against him, that was by God ordained to per∣forme it.

Iehu, who had vpon the sudden this great honour throwne vpon him, was not slow to put himselfe in possession of it, but vsed the first heate of their affections who [unspec 10] ioyned with him, in setting on foote the businesse which neerely concerned him, and was not to be fore-slowed, being no more his owne than Gods.

The first care taken was that no newes of the reuolt might bee carried to Izreel, whereby the King might haue had warning either to fight or flee: this being fore∣seene, hee marched swiftly away, to take the Court while it was yet secure. King Iehoram was now so well recouered of his wounds, that hee could endure to ride a∣broad, for which cause it seemes that there was much feasting, and ioy made, espe∣cially by Queene Iezabel, who kept her state so well, that the brethren of Ahazia comming thither at this time, did make it as well their errand to salute the Queene, as to visit the King. [unspec 20]

Certaine it is, that since the rebellion of Moab against Israel, the house of Ahab did neuer so much flourish as at this time. Seuenty Princes of the bloud Royall there were that liued in Samaria; Iehoram the sonne of Queene Iezabel had wonne Ramoth Gilead, which his Father had attempted in vaine, with losse of his life; and he wonne it by valiant fight, wherein he receiued wounds, of which the danger was now past, but the honour likely to continue. The 〈◊〉〈◊〉 was so great betweene Is∣rael and Iuda, that it might suffice to daunt all their common enemies, leauing no hope of successe, to any rebellious enterprizer: so that now the prophecie of Elias might be forgotten, or no otherwise remembred, than as an vnlikely tale by them that 〈◊〉〈◊〉 held the maiesticall face of the Court, wherein so great a friend as the King of [unspec 30] Iuda was entertained, and fortie Princes of his bloud expected.

In the midst of this securitie, whilest these great Estates were (perhaps) either consulting obout prosequution of their intents, first against the Aramites, and then against Moab, Edom, and other rebells and enemies: or else were triumphing in ioy of that which was already well atchieued, and the Queene Mother dressing her selfe in the brauest manner to come downe amongst them; tidings were brought in, that the watchman had from a Tower discouered a company comming. These newes were not very troublesome: for the Armie that lay in Ramoth Gilead, to bee rea∣die against all attempts of the Aramites, was likely enough to bee discharged vpon some notice taken that the enemie would not, or could not stirre. Onely the King [unspec 40] sent out an Horse-man to know what the matter was, and to bring him word. The messenger comming to Iehu, and asking whether all were well, was retained by him, who intended to giue the King as little warning as might bee. The seeming negli∣gence of this fellow in not returning with an answere, might argue the matter to bee of small importance: yet the King to bee satisfied, sent out another that should bring him word how all went; and he was likewise detained by Iehu. These dumbe showes bred some suspicion in Iehoram, whom the watchmen certified of all that happened. And now the company drew so neere, that they might, though not perfectly, be 〈◊〉〈◊〉, and notice taken of Iehu himselfe by the furious manner of his marching. Wherefore the King that was loth to discouer any 〈◊〉〈◊〉, cau∣sed his Chariot to be made ready, and issued forth with 〈◊〉〈◊〉 King of Iuda in his [unspec 50] company, whose presence added maiestie to his traine, when strength to resist, or expedition to flee had been more needfull. This could not be 〈◊〉〈◊〉 so hastily, but that Iehu was come euen to the Townes end, and there they met each other in the

field of Naboth. Iehoram beganne to salute Iehu with termes of peace, but receiuing a bitter answere, his heart failed him, so that crying out vpon the treason to his fel∣low King, he turned away to haue fled. But Iehu soone ouertooke him with an ar∣row, where-with he strooke him dead, and threw his carkasse into that field, which, purchased with the bloud of the rightfull owner, was to bee watered with bloud of the vniust possessour. Neither did Ahazia escape so well, but that he was arrested by a wound, which held him till death did seize vpon him.

The Kings Palace was ioyning to the wall, by the gate of the Citie, where Ieza∣bel might soone be aduertised of this calamitie, if shee did not with her owne eyes behold it. Now it was high time for her to call to God for mercie, whose iudge∣ment, [unspec 10] pronounced against her long before, had ouer-taken her, when shee least ex∣pected it. But shee, full of indignation, and proud thoughts, made her selfe readie in all haste, and painted her face, hoping with her stately and imperious lookes to daunt the Traitour, or at the least to vtter some Apophthegme, that should expresse her braue spirit, and brand him with such a reproach as might make him odious for euer. Little did shee thinke vpon the hungrie dogs, that were ordained to deuoure her, whose paunches the 〈◊〉〈◊〉, with which shee besmeared her eyes, would more offend, than the scolding language where-with shee armed her tongue, could trou∣ble the eares of him that had her in his power. As Iehu drew neere, she opened her window, and looking out vpon him, beganne to put him in minde of Zimri, that had not long inioyned the fruits of his treason, and murther of the King his Master. [unspec 20] This was in meere humane valuation stoutly spoken, but was indeede a part of mi∣serable 〈◊〉〈◊〉, as are all things, howsoeuer laudable, if they haue an ill relation to God the Lord of all. Her owne Eunuches that stood by and heard her, were not affe∣cted so much as with any compassion of her fortune; much lesse was her enemie daunted with her proud spirit. When Iehu saw that shee did vse the little remainder of her life in seeking to vexe him; hee made her presently to vnderstand her owne estate, by deedes and not by words. He onely called to her seruants to know which of them would be of his side, and soone found them readie to offer their seruice, be∣fore the very face of their proud Ladie. Hereupon he commanded them to cast her [unspec 30] downe head-long: which immediately they performed without all regard of her greatnesse and estate, wherein shee had a few houres before shined so gloriously in the eyes of men; of men that considered not the iudgements of God that had beene denounced against her.

So perished this accursed woman by the rude hands of her owne seruants, at the commandement of her greatest enemie, that was yesterday her subiect, but now her Lord: and shee perished miserably struggling in vaine with base groomes, who con∣tumeliously did hale and thrust her, whilest her insulting enemie sate on horse-back, adding indignitie to her griefe by scornefull beholding the shamefull manner of her fall, and trampling her bodie vnder foote. Her dead carcasse that was left with∣out [unspec 40] the walls was deuoured by dogges, and her very memorie was odious. Thus the vengeance of God rewarded her Idolatrie, murther, and oppression, with slow, but sure paiment, and full interest.

Ahazia King of Iuda fleeing a-pace from Iehu, was ouer-taken by the way where he lurked; and receiuing his deadly wound in the Kingdome of Samaria, was suffe∣red to get him gone (which he did in all haste) and seeke his buriall in his owne king∣dome: and this fauour hee obtained for his grand-fathers sake, not for his fathers, nor his owne. He died at 〈◊〉〈◊〉, and was thence carried to Ierusalem, where hee was enterred with his Ancestors, hauing raigned about one yeere. [unspec 50]