The history of the world

§. III. Of the Amalekites and Ismaelites.

OF the Kings of the Amalekites and Ismaelites, I finde few that are na∣med, and though of the Ismaelites there were more in number than of the rest (for they were multiplied into a greater Nation, according to [unspec 40] * 1.1 the promise of God made vnto Abraham) yet the Amalekites, who to∣gether with the Midianites were numbred among them, were more re∣nowned* 1.2 in Moses time than the rest of the Ismaelites. So also were they when Saul gouerned Israel. For Saul pursued them from Sur vnto Hauilah, to wit, ouer a great part of Arabia Petraea, and the Desart. The reason to me seemeth to bee this: That the twelue Princes which came of Ismael, were content to leaue those barren Desarts of Arabia Petraea, called Sur, Paran, and Sin, to the issue of Abraham by Cetura, that ioyned with them (for so seeme the Amalekites to haue beene, and so were the Ma∣dianites:) themselues taking possession of a better soile in Arabia the Happie, and about the Mountaines of Galaad in Arabia Petraea. For Nabaioth the eldest of those [unspec 50] twelue Princes planted that part of Arabia Petraea, which was very fruitfull though adioyning to the Desart, in which Moses wandred, afterward called Nabathea: the same which neighboureth Iudaea on the East side. They also peopled a Prouince in Arabia the Happie, whereof the people were in after-times called Napathei (B) chan∣ged into (P).

Kedar, the second of Ismaels Sonnes, gaue his owne name to the 〈◊〉〈◊〉 part of Basan, or Batanea, which was afterward 〈◊〉〈◊〉 by Manasse, so much thereof as lay within the Mountaines Traconi, or Gilead. Which Nation Lampridius calleth Kedarens, and Plinie 〈◊〉〈◊〉.

Adbeel sate downe in the Desart Arabia, neere the Mountaines which diuide it from the Happie: and gaue name to the Adubens, which Ptolomie calleth Agu∣bens.

Mibsam was the Parent of the Masamancuses, neere the Mountaine Zamath, in the same Arabia the Happie.

The Raabens were of Mishma: who ioyned to the Orchens, neere the Arabian gulfe, [unspec 10] where Ptolomie setteth Zagmais.

Of Duma were the Dumaeans, betweene the Adubens and Raabens: where the Citie Dumeth sometimes stood.

Of Massa the Massani, and of Hadar, or Chadar the 〈◊〉〈◊〉, who bordered the Na∣patheans in the same Happie Arabia.

Thema begat the Themaneans, among the Arabian Mountaines, where also the Ci∣tie of Thema is seated.

Of Ietur the Ituraeans, or Chamathens: of whom Tohu was King in Dauids time.

Of Naphri the Nubeian Arabians: inhabiting Syria Zoba: ouer whom 〈◊〉〈◊〉 [unspec 20] * 1.3 commanded, while Dauid ruled Israel.

Cadma, the last and twelfth of Ismaels sonnes, was the Ancestor of the Cadmonaeans: who were afterward called Asitae: because they worshipped the fire with the Baby∣lonians.* 1.4

The Amalekites gaue their Kings the name of 〈◊〉〈◊〉, as the 〈◊〉〈◊〉 the name of Pharaoh to theirs, and the ancient Syrians Adad to theirs, and the Arabian Naba∣theans, Aretas, as Names of Honour.

The Amalekites were the first that fought with Moses, after he past the Red Sea:* 1.5 when of all times they flourished most, and yet were vanquished.

Afterward they ioyned with the Canaanites, and beate the Israelites neere Cades∣barne. [unspec 30] * 1.6 After the Gouernement of Othoniel, they ioyned them with the Moabites: after Barac with the Madianites: and inuaded Israel. God commanded that as soone as Israel had rest; they should roote out the name of the 〈◊〉〈◊〉: which Saul exe∣quuted in part, when hee wasted them from the border of Aegypt, to the border of 〈◊〉〈◊〉: from 〈◊〉〈◊〉 to Shur.

In Dauids time they tooke Siklag in Simeon: but Dauid followed them, and surprised* 1.7 them, recouering his prisoners and spoiles. And yet, after Dauid became King, they* 1.8 againe vexed him, but to their owne losse.

In Ezekias time as many of them as ioyned to Edumaea were wasted and displanted* 1.9 by the children of Simeon. [unspec 40]

Notes

• * 1.1

  〈◊〉〈◊〉. 17. 20.
• * 1.2

  〈◊〉〈◊〉. 6. 7.
• * 1.3

  〈◊〉〈◊〉. l. 6. c. 28.
• * 1.4

  〈◊〉〈◊〉.
• * 1.5

  Exod. 17.
• * 1.6

  Num. 14.
• * 1.7

  1. Sam. 30.
• * 1.8

  2. Sam. 8. 12.
• * 1.9

  1. Chron. 4.