The history of the world

§. VII. The conspiracie against ATHALIA.

WHen Athalia had now sixe yeeres and longer worne the Crowne of Iu∣da, and had found neither any forraine enemie, nor domesticall aduer∣sarie to disturbe her possession, suddenly the period of her glory, and reward of her wickednesse meeting together, tooke her away without any warning, by a violent and shamefull death. For the growth of the [unspec 30] yong Prince began to be such, as permitted him no longer to be concealed, and it had been very vnfitting that his education should bee simple, to make him seeme the childe of some poore man (as for his safetie it was requisite,) when his capacitie re∣quired to 〈◊〉〈◊〉 beene indued with the stomake and qualities meete for a King. All this 〈◊〉〈◊〉 the Priest considered, and withall, the great increase of impietie, which taking deepe roote in the Court, was likely to spread it selfe ouer all the Countrie, if care were not vsed to weede it vp very speedily. Wherefore he associated vnto him∣selfe fiue of the Captaines, in whose fidelitie he had best assurance, and hauing taken an oath of them, and shewed them the Kings sonne, he made a Couenant with them, to aduance him to the Kingdome. These drew in others of the principall men, to [unspec 40] countenance the action, procuring at the first onely that they should repaire to Ieru∣salem, where they were further acquainted with the whole matter. There needed not many perswasions to winne them to the businesse: the promise of the Lord vnto the house of Dauid, was enough to assure them, that the action was both lawfull, and likely to 〈◊〉〈◊〉 as they desired.

But in compassing their intent some difficulties appeared: For it was not to bee hoped, that with open force they should bring their purpose to good issue; neither were the Captaines, and other associats of Iehoiada able by close working, to drawe together so many trustie and seruiceable hands as would suffice to manage the busi∣nesse. To helpe in this case, the Priest gaue order to such of the Leuites, as had fini∣shed their courses in waiting on the Diuine seruice at the Temple, and were now re∣lieued [unspec 50] by others that succeeded in their turnes, that they should not depart vntill they knew his further pleasure. So by admitting the new commers, and not dis∣charging the old, he had, without any noise, made vp such a number, as would bee

able to deale with the Queens ordinarie Guard, and that was enough, for if the Ty∣rannesse did not preuaile against them at the first brunt, the fauour of the People was like to shew it selfe on their side, who made head against her. These Leuites were placed in the inner Court of the Temple, about the person of the King, who as yet was kept close; the followers of the Captaines, and other adherents, were be∣stowed in the vtter Courts: As for weapons, the Temple it selfe had store enough; King Dauid had left an Armorie to the place, which was now employed in defence of his issue.

All things being in a readinesse, and the day come, wherein this high designe was to be put in execution; 〈◊〉〈◊〉 deliuered vnto the Captaines, Armour for them [unspec 10] and their adherents; appointed a guard vnto the Kings person; produced him o∣penly, and gaue vnto him the Crowne; vsing all ceremonies accustomed in such so∣lemnities, with great applause of the people. Of these doings, the Queene was the last that heard any word; which is not so strange as it may seeme: for insolent na∣tures, by dealing outragiously with such as bring them ill tidings, doe commonly loose the benefit of hearing what is to bee feared, whilest yet it may bee preuented, and haue no information of danger, till their owne eyes, amazed with the sudden∣nesse, behold it in the shape of ineuitable mischiefe.

All 〈◊〉〈◊〉 was full of the rumour, and entertayned it with very good liking. Some carried home the newes, others ranne forth to see, and the common joy was [unspec 20] so great, that without apprehension of perill, vnder the windowes of the Court, were the people running and praising the King. Athalia hearing and beholding the* 1.1 extraordinarie concourse, and noise, of folkes in the streets, making towards the Temple, with much vnvsuall passion in their lookes, did presently conceiue, that somewhat worthie of her care was happened; though, what it might bee, shee did not apprehend. Howsoeuer it were, shee meant to vse her owne wisedome in loo∣king into the matter, and ordering all as the occasion might happen to require. It may bee, that shee thought it some especiall solemnitie vsed in the Diuine 〈◊〉〈◊〉, which caused this much adoe; and hereof the vnaccustomed number of Leuites, and of other deuout men, about the towne, might giue some presumption. [unspec 30]

Many things argue that shee little thought vpon her owne Tragedie; although Iosephus would make it seeme otherwise. For we finde in the Text, Shee came to the* 1.2 people into the house of the Lord (which was neere to her Palace) and that when shee* 1.3 looked and saw the King stand by his pillar, as the manner was, with the Princes, or great men of the Land by him, and the Trumpetters proclaiming him, shee rent her clothes, and cryed, Treason, Treason. Hereby it appeares that shee was quietly go∣ing, without any mistrust or feare, to take her place, which when shee found occu∣pied by another, then shee begun to afflict her selfe, as one cast away, and cryed out in vaine vpon the Treason, whereby shee saw that shee must perish. But that shee came with a guard of armed men to the Temple, (as Iosephus reporteth) and that [unspec 40] her companie being beaten back, shee entred alone, and commanded the people to kill the yong Tyrant, I finde no where in Scripture, neither doe I hold it credible. For had shee truely knowne how things went, shee would surely haue gathered her friends about her, and vsed those forces in defence of her Crowne, by which shee gat it, and hitherto had held it. Certainely, if it were granted, that shee, like a new Semiramis, did march in the head of her troupe, yet it had beene meere madnesse in her, to enter the place alone, when her assistants were kept out; but if shee percei∣uing that neither her authoritie, nor their owne weapons, could preuaile to let in her guard, would neuerthelesse take vpon her to command the death of the new King, calling a child of seuen yeeres old a Conspirator, and bidding them to kill [unspec 50] him, whom shee saw to bee armed in his defence, may wee not thinke that shee was mad in the most extreme degree? Certaine it is that the counsaile of God would haue taken effect, in her destruction, had shee vsed the most likely meanes to disap∣point it: yet wee neede not so cut her throate with any morall impossibilities. It is

enough to say, that the godly zeale of Iehotada found more easie successe, through her indiscretion, than otherwise could haue beene expected; so that at his appoint∣ment, shee was without more adoe, carried out of the Temple and slaine, yea so, that no bloud, saue her owne, was shed in that quarrell; her small traine, that she brought along with her, not daring to stand in her defence.

Notes

• * 1.1

  2. 〈◊〉〈◊〉. 23. 12.
• * 1.2

  2 Chron 23. 12. & 13. & 2.
• * 1.3

  King. c. 11. v. 13. & 14.