The holie Bible faithfully translated into English, out of the authentical Latin. Diligently conferred with the Hebrew, Greeke, and other editions in diuers languages. With arguments of the bookes, and chapters: annotations. tables: and other helpes ... By the English College of Doway

THE SECOND PART OF THE OLD TESTAMENT: CONTEINING HISTORICAL BOOKES. (Book 2)

The argument of the booke of Iosue.

VVHETHER Iosue himself writ this booke (which is the com∣mon* 1.1 * 1.2 opinion) or some other, it was euer held vndoubtedly by al, for Canonical Scripture: and according to the distribution of the whole Bible into Legal, Historical, Sapiential, and Prophetical Bookes, this is the first of the historical sorte. But as the fiue procedent called Legal, besides the Law, comprehend also the historie of the Church, from the beginning of* 1.3 the world nere 2500. yeares, and withal conteine much diuine Wisdome, & Prediction of thinges to come: so these bookes now folowing called Hi∣storical, and likewise the Sapiential and Prophetical ensuing after, par∣ticipate each with others in their seueral argumentes: euerie one more or lesse inducing Gods seruantes to keepe his Law; recording thinges donne; teaching what is most meete to be donne; and foreshewing before hand, thinges donne afterwardes, or which yet shal come to passe. So this booke doth not only set forth the Actes of Iosue, who succeded Moyses in tēporal gouernment of Gods* 1.4 people, commanding and directing them by lawe and wisedome; but also* 1.5 the same thinges donne by him, and his verie name (as S. Hierom, & other Fathers teach) prefigure our Lord IESVS Christ. For in Hebrew IEHOSVA is the name both of this Capitaine General, the leader of The Israelites ouer Iordan into the Land of promise, and of our Lord and SAVIOVR, who by his Baptisme, and other Sacramentes bringeth his people of al Nations, into the true Land of the liuing, where is life and felicitie euer∣lasting. Touching th••fore the historie, these foure special thinges are here de∣scribed.* 1.6 First, the passage of the Israelites ouer Iordan. In the five first chap∣ters. Secondly, their conquest of the promised Land. In the seuen chapters fo∣lowing. Thirdly, the partition of the same Land amongst nine Tribes and a half. from the. 13. chap. to the 22. Fourthly, In the three last chapters, the returne of the other two Tribes and a half to their possessions, on the east side of Iordan; with Iosues last admonition to them al, to serue God sincerly; and his, and Eleazars death.

THE BOOKE OF IOSVE, IN HEBREW IEHOSVA.

CHAP. I. Iosue encoreged by our Lord, 10. admonisheth the people to prepare themselues to passe ouer Iordan; 12. and al the able men of the tribes of Ruben, Gad, and half▪ Manasses to march armed before the rest. 16. Al promise to doe whatsoeuer he commandeth.* 1.7

AND it came to passe after the death [ 1] of Moyses the seruant of our Lord, that our Lord spake to Iosue the sonne of Nun, the minister of Moyses, and said to him: † Moyses my seruant is [ 2] deade: arise, and passe ouer this Ior∣dan thou and al the people with thee, into the Land, which I wil geue to the children of Israel. † Euerie place, the steppe of your foote [ 3] shal treade, wil I deliuer to you, as I haue spoken to Moyses. † From the desert and Libanus vnto the great riuer Euphra∣tes, [ 4] al the land of the Hetheites vnto the great sea against the going downe of the sunne, shal be your border. † No man [ 5] shal be able to resist you al the daies of thy life: as I haue beene with Moyses, so wil I be with thee: I wil not leaue, nor forsake thee, † Take courage, and be strong: for thou [ 6] shalt by lotte diuide to this people the Land, for the which I sware to their fathers, that I would deliuer it to them. † Take courage therfore, and be very strong: that thou keepe [ 7] and doe al the Law, which Moyses my seruant hath com∣manded thee: decline not from it to the right hand or to the left, that thou mayest vnderstand al thinges which thou doest. † Let not the volume of this law depart from thy [ 8] mouth: but thou shalt meditate in it daies and nightes, that

thou maiest keepe and doe al thinges that be written in it: then shalt thou direct thy way, and vnderstand it. † Behold [ 9] I command thee, take courage, and be strong. Feare not, and dreade not: because the Lord thy God is with thee in al the thinges to whatsoeuer thou shalt goe. † And Iosue comman∣ded [ 10] the princes of the people, saying: Passe through the middes of the campe, and command the people, and say: † Prepare [ 11] for your selues :: 1.8 victuals: for after the third day you shal passe ouer Iordan, and shal enter to possesse the Land, which our Lord your God wil geue you. † To the Rubenites also [ 12] and Gaddites, and halfe tribe of Manasses he said: † Re∣member [ 13] the word, which Moyses the seruant of our Lord commanded you, saying: Our Lord your God hath geuen you rest, and al this Land. † Your wiues, and children, and [ 14] cattel shal tarie in the Land, which Moyses deliuered to you beyond Iordan: but passe you ouer armed before your bre∣thren, al that are strong of hand, & fight for them, † vntil our [ 15] Lord geue rest to your brethren as to you also he hath geuen, and they also possesse the Land which our Lord your God wil geue them: and so returne into the Land of your possession, and you shal dwel in it, which Moyses the seruant of our Lord gaue you beyond Iordan, against the rysing of the sunne. † And they made answer to Iosue, and said: Al thinges, that [ 16] thou hast commanded vs we wil doe: and whither soeuer thou shalt send vs, we wil goe. † As we obeyed Moyses in [ 17] al thinges, so wil we obey thee also: only be our Lord thy God with thee, as he was with Moyses. † He that shal gaine∣say [ 18] thy mouth, and not obey al thy wordes, that thou shalt command him, let him die. thou only take courage, and doe manfully.

CHAP. II. Two discoueres sent into Hiericho are hid, and concealed by Rahab: 8. and vpon promise of like safetie to her whole samilie, 21. she helpeth them secretly away.

THERFORE Iosue the sonne of Nun sent from Setim [ 1] two men, to spie in secrete: and said to them: Goe, and view the Land, and the citie of Iericho. Who going entred into the house of a woman a harlot, named Rahab, and rested with her. † And it was told the king of Iericho, and said: [ 2] Behold there are men come in hither by night of the children

of Israel, to spie the Land. † And the king of Iericho sent to [ 3] Rahab, saying: Bring forth the men, that came to thee, and are entred into thy house: for they be spies, and are come to view al the Land. † And the woman taking the men, hid [ 4] them, and said: I confesse they came to me, but :: 1.9 I knew not whence they were: † and when the gate was a shutting in [ 5] the darke, and they withal went out, I know not whither they be gone: pursew quickly, and you shal ouertake them. † But she made the men to goe vp into the roofe of her [ 6] house, and couered them with the stalke of flaxe, which was there. † And they that were sent, folowed them, the way that [ 7] leadeth to the ford of Iordan: and they being gone out the gate for with was shutte. † Neither were they yet a sleepe [ 8] that lay hidde, and behold the woman went vp to them, and said: † I know that the Lord hath geuen this Land to you: for [ 9] your terrour is fallen vpon vs, and al the inhabitantes of the Land are become fainte. † We haue heard that the Lord [ 10] dried vp the water of the Redsea at your entring, when you came out of Aegypt: and what thinges you did to the two kinges of the Amorrheites, that were beyond Iordan: Sehon and Og, whom you slew. † And hearing these thinges we [ 11] greatly feared, and our hart fainted, neither did there remaine spirite in vs at your entring in: for the Lord your God he is God in heauen aboue, & in the earth beneth. † Now therfore [ 12] sweare to me by the Lord, that as I haue done mercie with you, so you also doe with my fathers house: and you geue me a true signe, † that you saue my father and mother, my bre∣thren [ 13] and sisters, and al thinges that he theirs, and deliuer our soules from death. † Who answered her: Be our liues for [ 14] you vnto death, only if thou betray vs not. And when our Lord shal haue deliuered vs the land, we wil doe in thee mer∣cie and truth † She therfore did let them downe by a corde [ 15] out of a window: for her house ioyned fast to the wall. † And [ 16] she said to them: Goe vp to the mountaines, lest perhaps they meete you returning: and there lie hid three daies, til they returne, and so you shal goe on your way. † Who said to her. [ 17] We shal be quitte from this oath, wherwith thou hast sworne vs: † if we entring the Land, there be this purple corde a [ 18] signe, and thou tie it in the window, by the which thou hast let vs downe: and gather thy father and mother, and brethren and al thy kindred into thy house. † He that shal goe forth [ 19]

of the doore of thy house, his bloud shal be vpon his head, and we shal be quitte. But the bloud of al, that shal be with thee in the house, shal redound vpon our head, if any man touch them. † But if thou wilt betray vs, and vtter this talke [ 20] abroade, we shal be quitte from this oath, wherwith thou hast adiured vs. † And she answered: As you haue spoken, [ 21] so be it done, and dismissing them to goe, she hong the purple corde in the window. † But they walking came to the [ 22] mountaines, and ••aried there three dayes, til they returned that pursewed them: for seeking euerie way, they found them not. † Who being entred into the citie, the discouerers retur∣ned, [ 23] and came downe from the mountaine: and passing ouer Iordan, they came to Iosue the sonne of Nun, and told him al thinges that had chanced to them, † and said: Our Lord [ 24] hath deliuered al this land into our handes, and al the inha∣bitantes therof are ouerthrowen with feare.

CHAP. III. After three dayes abode by the bankes of Iordan, 3. the Priestes with the Arke of God entering first into the riuer, 15. the vpper part miraculously standeth and swelleth, the lower running away, they goe into the midde chanel, and there stay, whiles al the people passe ouer drie foote.

IOSVE therfore rysing vp in the night, remoued the [ 1] campe: and departing from Setim, they came to Iordan, he, and al the children of Israel, and abode there for three dayes. † Which being passed, the herauldes went through [ 2] the middes of the campe, † and beganne to proclaime: [ 3] :: 1.10 When you shal see the arke of couenant of our Lord your God, and :: 1.11 the priestes of the Leuitical stocke carying it, ryse you also, and folow them going before: † and let there [ 4] be betwen you and the arke the space of two thousand cu∣bites: that you may see it a farre of, and know which way you may goe: because you haue not walked by it before: and beware you approch not to the arke. † And Iosue said to the [ 5] people: Be sanctified: for to morrow our Lord wil doe a∣mong you merueilous thinges. † And he said to the priestes: [ 6] Take vp the arke of the couenant, & goe before the people. Who fulfilling his commandementes, tooke it, and walked before them. † And our Lord said to Iosue: This day wil I [ 7] beginne to exalt thee before al Israel: :: 1.12 that they may know as I was with Moyses, so am I with thee also. † And doe [ 8]

thou“ command the priestes, that carie the arke of the testa∣ment, and say to them: When you shal be entred into part of the water of Iordan, stand in it. † And Iosue said to the chil∣dren [ 9] of Israel: Come hither, and heare the word of our Lord your God. † And againe he said: In this you shal know that [ 10] our Lord the liuing God is in the middes of you, and shal de∣stroy in your sight the Chananeite and Hetheite, the Heueite and Pherezeite, the Gergeseite also and the Iebuseire, and the Amorrheite. † Behold the arke of the couenant of the Lord [ 11] of al the earth shal goe before you into Iordan. † Prepare [ 12] twelue men of the tribes of Israel, one of euerie tribe. † And [ 13] when the priestes that carie the arke of the Lord of the whole earth shal sette the steppes of their feete in the waters of Iordan, the waters, that are beneath, shal runne downe and decay: and those that come from aboue, shal stand toge∣ther in one heape. † Therfore the people went out of their [ 14] tabernacles, to passe ouer Iordan: and the priestes, that ca∣ried the arke of the couenant, went on before them. † And [ 15] they being entered into Iordan, and their feete dipped in part of the water (and Iordan in the haruest time had filled the bankes of his chanel) † the waters that came downeward [ 16] stoode in one place, and like a mountaine swelling vp appea∣red farre from the citie, that is called Adom to the place of Sarthan: but those that were beneth, ranne downe into the Sea of the wildernes (which now is called the dead sea) vntil they wholy decayed. † And the people went against Iericho: [ 17] and the priestes that caried the arke of the couenant of our Lord, stoode girded vpon the drie ground in the middes of Iordan, and al the people passed ouer through the drie chanel.

ANNOTATIONS. CHAP. III.

8. Command the priestes.] Because Iosue commanded the priestes to take* 1.13 the arke, and stand with it in Iordan; for that also (chap. 5) he ministred, or appointed others to minister, the Sacrament of Circūcision; Likewise (chap. 8.) blessed the people; and (chap. 24.) renewed Gods couenant with them; English Protestantes inferre, that he was chief superior in spiritual causes; and therfore lay princes are supreme heades, & gouerners of the Church immediatly vnder God. But none of these actions, nor al put together do proue their purpose.* 1.14 For notwithstanding he very lawfully did these, and other like thinges, yet he

had a spiritual superior in earth, which was Eleazar the high priest For Moyses* 1.15 being extraordinarie superior of al, both in spiritual and temporal causes, the ordinarie priesthood, and spiritual supremacie was established in Aaron and his sonnes, as appeareth Leuit. 8. Num. 20. and other places: and the temporal gouernment after Moyses was geuen to Iosue, succeding to him (Num. 27.)* 1.16 not in al, but in part of his glorie (or authoritie) his whole honour (or power) being destributed betwen the high Priest, and the temporal Prince, as learned Theodoret (q. 48 in Num.) noteth vpon the sacred text; expresly distinguishing their offices (v. 21.) that Eleazar the priest should consult our Lord for him (and so receiue answer in doctrin and veritie, Exod. 28. Leuit. 8.) and that Io••ue should goe out and goe in, and al the children of Israel vvith him (that is, lead and gouerne the people) at Eleazars vvord. VVhere it is manifest that Iosue was not set ouer Eleazar, but Eleazar ouer him. That therfore which Iosue did in spiritual af∣faires, was in subordination to the high priest; by whose direction, approba∣tion, or ratihabition, he commanded some of the priestes to carie the arke, and with it to goe into Iordan, and coming into the m••dde chanel to stand there, whiles al the armie and people passed ouer: also gaue order that al should be* 1.17 circumcised; blessed the people; read the law; and after godlie exhortations, renewed the couenant betwen God and them; al in way of execution of Gods wil & cōmandementes, not by anie pretended iurisdiction in spiritual thinges.

In like sorte manie other good temporal Princes, as wel in the old as the new Testament, haue disposed and executed diuers thinges perteining to Gods ser∣uice: their office requiring that they should set forward, maintaine and defend* 1.18 true faith and religion. Especially Christian Princes, of whom Esai propheciced (chap. 49.) that Kinges should be softer fathers, and Queenes the nources of the Church.

Conformably wherto S Augustin teacheth (li. 3 c. 51. cont. Crescon) that Kinges, in that they are Kinges, serue God by commanding good thinges, and forbidding euel, not only perteining to humaine societie, but also belonging to Gods religion. To this effect Constantin the great did manie religious actes: yea euen those thinges which our aduersaries wrest to their owne sense, shew euidently his due submission to his spiritual pastors. As when vrged by the Do∣natistes peruerse importunitie, and being desirous (as S. Augustin testifieth, Epist 166.) to bridle so great impudencie, he heard and iudged Bishop Ceci∣lians cause, after other Bishops sentence for him against the heretikes; where he both gaue iudgement agreable to the Bishops, and yet pleading parden, ex∣cused himself for this fact. VVhich had not neded, if he had bene the ordinarie* 1.19 * 1.20 or competent iudge. Optatus also writeth (li. 1. cont. Parmen.) that the same Emperour Constantin exclamed against the appellantes in these wordes: O ra∣••ida furoris audacia! sicut in causis Gentilium s••••ri solet, appellationem interposuerunt. O outragious boldnes of furie! like as in causes of Gentiles is wont, they haue interposed an appeal. The like good offices did Iustinian, and Charles the great, and manie other Christian Emperours and Kinges; for which they are much renowmed in the whole Church; and some haue benne honoured for their religious zele, with glorious titles geuen to them and their successors. To the Kinges of Spaine, from the time of Al••onsus King of Castil, aboue eight hundred yeares agone, for expelling the Arians, was geuen the title of Cathoque as Michael Ritins a Neapolit••n writeth. To the French Kinges the title of most Christian, from the time of Philip the Emperour, about 400. yeares since, for expelling the Albigenses, as recordeth Nicholaus Gillius. To our King Henrie the eight of England, for his booke of the Sacramentes against Luther,* 1.21 Pope Leo the tenth gaue the title: Defender of the saith.

CHAP. IIII. In memorie of their miraculous passage, twelue chief men, of the twelue tribes, ••uke so manie great stones from the middes of Iordan, 9. and put o∣ther twelue, where the priestes stood with the arke. 18. The waters returne to their former course. And the twelue stones are erected for a monument.

VVHo being passed ouer, our Lord said to Iosue: [ 1] † Choose twelue men one in euerie tribe: † and [ 2] command them that they take vp out of the middes of the [ 3] chanel of Iordā, where the feete of the priestes stoode, twelue most hard stones, which you shal put in the place of the campe, where you shal pitch tentes this night. † And Iosue [ 4] called twelue men, whom he had chosen out of the children of Israel, one of euerie tribe, † and he said to them: Goe [ 5] before the arke of our Lord your God to the middes of Ior∣dan, and carrie from thence euerie man a stone on your shoulders, according to the number of the children of Israel, † that it may be :: 1.22 a signe among you: and when your chil∣dren [ 6] shal aske you to morrow, saying: What meane these stones? † You shal answer them: The waters of Iordan de∣cayed [ 7] before the arke of the couenant of our Lord, when it passed ouer the same: therfore were these stones sette for a monument of the children of Israel for euer. † The chil∣dren [ 8] of Israel therfore did as Iosue commanded them, cary∣ing out of the chanel of Iordan twelue stones, as our Lord had commanded him, according to the number of the chil∣dren of Israel, vnto the place, wherein they camped, and there they sette them. † Other twelue stones also Iosue put in [ 9] the middes of the chanel of Iordan, where the priestes stoode, that caried the arke of the couenant: and they be there vntil this present day. † But the priestes that caried [ 10] the arke, stoode in the middes of Iordan, til al thinges were accomplished, which our Lord had commanded Iosue, to speake to the people, and Moyses had said to him. And the people made hast, and passed ouer. † And when they had al [ 11] passed ouer, the arke also of our Lord passed ouer, the priestes also went before the people. † The children of Ruben also [ 12] and Gad, and the half tribe of Manasses, went armed before the children of Israel, as Moyses had commanded them: † and fourtie thousand fighting men by troupes, and bandes, [ 13]

marched through the plaine and champion countrie of the citie of Iericho. † In that day our Lord magnified Iosue be∣fore [ 14] al Israel, that they should feare him, as they had feared Moyses, whiles he yet liued. † And he said to him: † Com∣mand [ 15 16] the priestes, that carie the arke of the couenant, that they comme vp out of Iordan. † Who commanded them, [ 17] saying: Come ye vp out of Iordan. † And when they that [ 18] caried the arke of the couenant of our Lord, were come vp, and began to treade on the drie ground, the waters returned into their chanel, and ranne as they were wont before. † And the people came vp out of Iordan, the tenth day of the [ 19] first moneth, and camped in Galgal against the East side of the citie of Iericho. † the twelue stones also, which they [ 20] had taken out of the chanel of Iordan, Iosue sette in Galgal, † and said to the children of Israel: When your children shal [ 21] aske their fathers to morrow, and shal say to them: What meane these stones: † You shal teach them, and say: By the [ 22] drie chanel did Israel passe ouer this Iordan, † your Lord God [ 23] drying the waters therof in your sight, vntil you passed ouer: † as he had done before in the readsea, which he dried til [ 24] we passed throuh: † that al the people of the earth may learne [ 25] the most strong hand of our Lord, that you also may feare our Lord your God.

CHAP. V. The kinges of Chanaan are sore, frighted with the newes of Israels passage ouer Iordan. 2. Circumcision is againe commanded, and obserued, which had bene ommitted in the desert fourtie yeares. 10 They make their Pasch. 12. Manna ceaseth. 13. And an Angel appeareth to Iosue.

THERFORE after that al the kinges of the Ammorrhei∣tes, [ 1] which dwelt beyond Iordan at the west side, and al the kinges of Chanaan, which possessed the places nigh to the great sea, had heard that our Lord had dried the streames of Iordan before the children of Israel, til they passed ouer, their hart failed, and there remained no spirit in them, fea∣ring the entring of the children of Israel. † At that time our [ 2] Lord said :: 1.23 to Iosue: Make thee kniues of stone, and cir¦cumcise :: 1.24 the second time the children of Israel. † He did [ 3] that which our Lord had commanded, and he circumcised the children of Israel in the hil of the prepuces. † And this [ 4] is the cause of the second circumcision: Al the people, that

came out of Aegypt of the malekinde, al the fighting men, died in the desert by the long circuites of the way, † who [ 5] were al circumcised. But the people that was borne in the desert, † during the fourtie yeares of the iourney in the wide [ 6] wildernes was incircumcised: til they were consumed that had not heard the voice of our Lord, and to whom he had sworne before, that he would not shew them a land flowing with milke and honie. † The children of these succeded in [ 7] the place of the fathers, and were circumcised of Iosue: for they were in the prepuce euen as they were borne, neither had any circumcised them in the way. † And after that they [ 8] were al circumcised, they abode in the same place of the campe, vntil they were whole. † And our Lord said to Iosue: [ 9] This day haue I taken away the reproch of Aegypt from you. And the name of that place was called Galgal, vntil this pre∣sent day. † And the children of Israel abode in Galgal, & they [ 10] made the Phase▪ the fourtenth day of the moneth at euen in the champion of Iericho: † and they did eate of the corne [ 11] of the Land the next day, azyme loaues and* 1.25 polēt of the same yeare. † And Manna failed after they did eate of the corne of [ 12] the Land, neither did the children of Israel vse that meate any more, but they did eate of the corne of the present Land of Chanaan. † And when Iosue was in the field of the citie of [ 13] Iericho, he lifted vp his eies, and saw a man standing against him, holding a drawen sword, and he went to him, and said: Art thou ours, or our aduersaries? † Who answered: No: but [ 14] I am a:: 1.26 prince of the host of our Lord, and now I come. † Iosue fel flatte on the ground. And“ adoring he said: What [ 15] speaketh my Lord to his seruant? †“ Loose, sayth he, thy [ 16] shoe from thy feete: for the place wherein thou dost stand, is holie. And Iosue did as it was commanded him.

ANNOTATIONS. CHAP. V.

15. Adoring.] Iosue knowing that the person which appeared, was an Angel and not God, nor a man, neither adored him with godlie honour, for that had bene idolatrie, nor with ciuil, for that perteineth to wordlie and temporal ex∣cellencie.* 1.27 and is not competent to sacred thinges, especialy to immortal and* 1.28 glorious spirites; and therfore the honour he did to this Angel, was religious honour infinitly inferior to diuine, and yet much greater then ciuil.

16. Loose thy shoe.] The Angel did not only accept of the honour donne* 1.29 vnto him, but also required more, shewing that the verie place was holie for his presence, being otherwise the common field of Iericho.

CHAP. VI. Some priestes carying the arke, others sounding Iubilee trumpetes, ••r••ed m•••• going before, and the rest of the people folowing, goe euerie day once, six* 1.30 dayes together, and the seuenth day, seuen times, round about Iericho. 16. at last al making a great shoote, the walles fal downe, and they entering 〈◊〉〈◊〉 kil and destroy al (22. sauing Rahab and her kinred.) The gold, siluer, brasse, and iron are brought into the treasurie. 26. And he is cursed that shal build the citie againe.

AND Iericho was shut and ••ensed, for feare of the chil∣dren [ 1] of Israel, and no man durst goe out or come in. † And our Lord said to Iosue: Behold I haue geuen into thy [ 2] handes Iericho, and the king therof, and al the valiant men. † :: 1.31 Goe round about the citie al you that be men of warre [ 3] once a day: so shal you doe six daies. † And the seuenth day the [ 4] priestes shal take vp the seuen trumpettes, which are vsed in the Iubilee, and shal goe before the arke of the couenant: and you shal goe about the citie seuen times, and the priestes shal sound with trumpetes. † And when the voice of the trumpet [ 5] shal sound in length and with a broken tune, and shal sound in your eares, al the people shal crie together with a verie greate shoote, and the walles of the citie shal fall to the ground, and they shal enter in euerie one at the place against which they [ 6] shal stād. † Iosue therfore the sonne of Nun called the priestes, and said to them: Take vp the arke of the couenant: and let se∣uen other priestes take vp the seuen trūpe••tes of the iubilees, and march before the arke of our Lord. † To the people also [ 7] he said: Goe, and cōpasse the citie, the armed going before the arke of our Lord. † And when Iosue had ended his wordes, [ 8] and the seuen priestes sounded with seuen trumpettes before the arke of the couenant of ou•• Lord, † and al the armed hoste [ 9] went before, the rest of the commō people folowed the arke, and al places sounded with the trumpettes. † But Iosue had [ 10] commanded the people, saying: You shal not crie, neither shal your voice be heard, nor any word goe out of your mouth: vntil the day come wherin I shal say to you: Crie, and shoote. † Therfore the arke of our Lord went about the [ 11] citie once a day, and returning into the campe, abode there. † Iosue therfore rysing in the night, the priestes tooke the [ 12] arke of our Lord, † and seuen of them seuen trumpettes, [ 13] which are vsed in the iubilee: and they went before the arke of our Lord walking and sounding: and the armed people

went before them, and the rest of the common people fo∣lowed the arke, and they sounded with trumpettes. † And [ 14] they went round about the citie the second day once, and returned into the campe. So did they six daies. † But the [ 15] seuenth day, rysing vp early, they went about the citie, as it was ordained, seuen times. † And when in the seuenth going [ 16] about the priestes sounded with the trumpettes, Iosue said to al Israel: Make a shoote: for our Lord hath deliuered to you the citie: † and let this citie be anathema: and al thinges [ 17] that are in it, to our Lord. onlie Rahab the harlot let her liue, with al that be with her in the house: for she hidde the mes∣sengers whom we sent. † But you beware you touch not [ 18] ought of those rhinges, that are commanded, and be guiltie of preuarication, and :: 1.32 al the campe of Israel be vnder sinne, and be trubled. † But whatsoeuer gold or siluer there shal [ 19] be, and of brasen vessels and yron, let it be consecrated to our Lord, layd vp in his treasures. † Therfore al the people ma∣king [ 20] a shoote, and the trumpettes sounding, after that the voice and the sound thundred in the eares of the multitude, the walles forthwith fell: and euerie man went vp by the place, that was against him: and they tooke the citie, † and killed al thinges that were in it, from man to woman, [ 21] from the infant to the old man. The oxen also and sheepe, and the asses they stroke in the edge of the sword. † But to [ 22] the two men that had bene sent for spies, Iosue said: Goe into the house of the woman the harlotte, and bring her forth, and al thinges that be hers, as you assured her by oath. † And the young men going in, brought out Rahab, and her [ 23] parentes, her brethren also and al her stuffe and kinred, and made them to tarie without the campe. † But the citie, and [ 24] al thinges, that were found therein they burnt; except the gold and siluer, and brasen vessels, and yron, which they con∣secrated vnto the treasurie of our Lord. † But Rahab the [ 25] harlotte and the house of her father, and al that she had, Iosue caused to liue, and they dwelt in the middes of Israel vntil this present day: for that she hidde the messengers, which he had sent to view Iericho. At that time, Iosue pronounced a curse, saying: † :: 1.33 Cursed be the man before our Lord, that [ 26] shal rayse vp and build the citie of Iericho. In his first borne lay he the fundations therof, and in the last of his children sette he vp the gates therof. † Our Lord therfore was with Iosue, and his name was bruited in al the earth.

CHAP. VII. For the sinne of Achan, reseruing secretly to himself certaine money, and o∣ther precious thinges, the Israelites are beaten in battel. 13. But the offen∣der being found out, and stoned to death, Gods wrath is turned from them.

BVT the children of Israel transgressed the command∣ment, [ 1] & vsurped of the anathema. For Achan the sonne of Charmi, the sonne of Zabdi, the sonne of Zare of the tribe of Iuda, tooke somewhat of the anathema: and our Lord was angrie against the children of Israel. † And when Iosue sent [ 2] from Iericho men against Hai, which is beside Bethauen, at the East side of the towne of Bethel, he said to them: Goe vp, and view the Land: who accomplishing his command∣mentes, viewed Hai. † And returning they said to him: Let [ 3] not al the people goe vp, but let two or three thousand men goe, and destroy the citie: why shal al the people be vexed in vaine against verie few enemies? † There went vp ther∣fore [ 4] three thousand fighting men. Who immediatly turning their backes, † were strooken of the men of the citie of [ 5] Hai, and there fel of them :: 1.34 six and thirtie men: and the ad∣uersaries pursewed them from the gate as farre as Sabarim, and they stricke them flying away by the descent: and the hart of the people was much afrayd, and melted like vnto water. † But Iosue rent his garmentes, and fel flatte on the [ 6] ground before the arke of our Lord vntil euening, as wel he as al the ancientes of Israel: and they cast dust vpon their heades, † and Iosue said: Alas ô Lord God, why wouldest [ 7] thou bring this people ouer the riuer of Iordan, to deliuer vs into the handes of the Amorrheite, and to destroy vs, would God as we beganne, we had taried beyond Iordan. † My Lord [ 8] God what shal I say, seeing Israel turning their backes to their enemies? † The Chananeites shal heare of it, and al [ 9] the inhabitantes of the Land, and being gathered together in a plumpe shal compasse vs about, & shal destroy our name from the earth: and what wilt thou doe to thy greate name? † And our Lord said to Iosue: Arise, :: 1.35 why liest thou [ 10] flatte on the ground? † Israel hath sinned, and transgressed [ 11] my couenant: and they haue taken of the anathema, and haue stolen and lyed, and haue hid it among their vessel. † Neither can Israel stand before his enemies, and he shal [ 12] flee them: because he is polluted with the anathema. I wil

be no more with you, til you dispatch him, that is guiltie of this wicked fact. † Arise, sanctifie the people, and say to [ 13] them: Be sanctified against to morrow: for thus saith our Lord God of Israel: There is anathema in the middes of thee o Israel: thou canst not stand before thyne enemies, til he be destroyed out of thee that is contaminated with this wicked fact. † And you shal come in the morning euerie one by [ 14] your tribes: and what tribe soeuer the lote shal finde, it shal come by the kindredes therof, the kinred by the houses, and the house by the men. † And whosoeuer he be that shal be [ 15] taken in this fact, he shal be burnt in the fyre with al his sub∣stance, because he hath transgressed the couenāt of our Lord, and hath done abomination in Israel. † Iosue therfore rysing [ 16] in the morning, made Israel to come by their tribes, and it was found the tribe of Iuda. † Which being presented by [ 17] the families therof, it was found the familie of Zare. Pre∣senting that also by the houses, he found it Zabdi: † whose [ 18] house diuiding into euerie man, he found Achan the sonne of Charmi, the sonne of Zabdi: the sonne of Zare of the tribe of Iuda. † And Iosue said to Achan: My sonne, geue [ 19] glorie to our Lord God of Israel, and confesse, and tel me what thou hast done, hide it not. † And Achan answered Iosue, and said to him: In deede I haue sinned to our Lord the God of Israel, and thus and thus haue I done. † For I saw [ 21] among the spoiles a cloke of scarlet verie good, and two hun∣dred sicles of siluer, and a golden rule of fiftie sicles: and co∣ueting I tooke it away, and hid it in the ground against the middes of my tabernacle, and the siluer I couered with the earth digged vp. † Iosue therfore sent ministers: who run∣ning [ 22] to his tabernacle, found al thinges hid in the same place, and the siluer withal. † And taking it away out of the rent, [ 23] brought it to Iosue, and to al the children of Israel, and threw it before our Lord. † Iosue therfore taking Achan [ 24] the sonne of Zare, and the siluer and the cloke, and the golden rule, his sonnes also and daughters, his oxen and asses, and sheepe, and the tabernacle it self, and al the stuffe: (and al Israel with him) they brought them to the valley of Achor: † where Iosue said: Because thou hast disturbed vs, our Lord [ 25] disturbe thee in this day. And al Israel stoned him: and al thinges that were his, were consumed with fyre. † And [ 26] gathered together vpon him a greate heape of stones, which

remaineth vntil this present day. And the furie of our Lord was auerted from them. And the name of that place was called, The valley of Achor, vntil this day.

CHAP. VIII. By stratageme of an ambushment the citie of Hai is taken and burned, and al the inhabitantes slaine. 29. the king hanged. 30. An Altar built, Sacri∣fice offered, 32. the law written in stones, the people blessed, and the bles∣singes and cursinges read before them al.

AND our Lord said to Iosue: Feare not, neither doe [ 1] thou dread: take with thee al the multitude of fighting men, and rysing goe vp vnto the towne of Hai. behold I haue deliuered into thy hand the King therof, & the people, and the citie and the land. † And thou shalt do to the citie [ 2] of Hai, and to the King therof, as thou hast done to Iericho, and to the King therof: but the praye and al the cattel you shal spoyle for your selues: :: 1.36 lay ambushmentes to the citie behind it. † And Iosue arose, and al the hoste of the men of [ 3] warre with him, to goe vp into Hai: and thirtie thousand chosen valiant men he sent in the night, † and commanded [ 4] them, saying: Lay ambushmentes behinde the citie: neither retyre you farre of: and you shal al be readie. † But I and [ 5] the rest of the multitude, which is with me, wil goe vp on the contrarie side against the citie. And when they shal issue out against vs, as we did before, we wil flee, and turne our backes: † til pursewing they be drawen forward farre from [ 6] the citie: for they wil thinck that we flee as before. † We [ 7] therfore fleeing, and they pursewing, you shal rise out of the ambushmentes, and shal waist the citie: and our Lord your God wil deliuer it into your handes. † And when you shal [ 8] take it, burne it, and you shal doe al thinges so, as I haue commanded. † And he dismissed them away, and they went [ 9] on to the place of the ambushment, and sate betwen Bethel and Hai, at the West side of the citie of Hai. But Iosue that night stayed in the middes of the people, † and rysing early [ 10] he mustered his soldiars, and went vp with the ancientes in the fronte of the hoste, enuironed with the ayde of the fight∣ing men. † And when they were come, and were gone vp [ 11] directly against the citie, they stoode on the North side of the citie, betwen which and them was a valley in the middes. † And :: 1.37 fiue thousand men had he chosen, and sette in the [ 12]

embushmentes betwen Bethel and Hai on the West side of the same citie: † but al the rest of the hoste went in battel [ 13] aray on the North side, so that the last of the multitude did reach to the West side of the citie. Iosue therfore went that night, and stoode in the middes of the valley. † Which [ 14] when the King of Hai had seene, he made hast in the mour∣ning, and issued forth with al the host of the citie, and bent his armie toward the desert, being ignorant that there lay embushmentes secretly behind his backe. † But Iosue, [ 15] and al Israel gaue backe, feyning feare, and fleeing by the way of the wildernes. † But they cried alowde together, and [ 16] encouraging one an other, pursewed them. And when they were gone from the citie, † and :: 1.38 not one remained in the [ 17] citie of Hai and Bethel, that pursewed not Israel (euen as they had rushed out leauing the townes open,) † our Lord [ 18] said to Iosue: :: 1.39 Lift vp the shield, that is in thy hand, against the citie of Hai, for I wil deliuer it to thee. † And when he [ 19] had lifted vp his shield against the citie, the embushementes, that lay hidde, rose vp immediately: and going to the citie, tooke and burnt it. † And the men of the citie, that pur∣sewed [ 20] Iosue, looking backe and seeing the smoke of the citie rise vp euen to heauen, they could no more flee hither and thi••her: especially whereas they, that had feyned running away, and went toward the wildernes, most valiantly resisted against the pursewe••s. † And Iosue and al Israel seeing that [ 21] the citie was taken, and the smoke of the citie rose vp, retur∣ning he stroke the men of Hai. † For they also that had [ 22] taken and burnt the citie, issuing out of the citie against their owne men, beganne to strike the enemies in the middes of them. When the aduersaries therfore were slaine on both sides, so that none of so great a multitude was saued, † they [ 23] tooke the King of the citie of Hai aliue, and presented him to Iosue. † Therfore al being slaine, that had pursewed [ 24] Israel fleeing to the desertes, and falling by the sword in the same place, the children of Israel returning stoke the citie. † And there were that fel that same day from man vnto wo∣man, [ 25] twelue thousand men, al of the citie of Hai. † But [ 26] Iosue plucked not in his hand, which he had strethched forth on high, holding the shield til al the inhabitantes of Hai were slaine. † And the cattel and the praye of the citie the [ 27] children of Israel diuided among them, as our Lord had com∣manded

Iosue. † Who burnt the citie, and made it a heape [ 28] for euer: † the king also therof he hong on a gibbet vntil [ 29] euening and the going downe of the sunne. And he com∣manded, and they tooke downe his corps from the gibbet: and threw it in the verie entring of the citie, heaping vpon it a great heape of stones, which remaineth vntil this present day. † Then Iosue built an altar to our Lord the God of Israel [ 30] in mount Hebal, † as Moyses the seruant of our Lord had [ 31] commanded the children of Israel, and it is written in the volume of the law of Moyses: an Altar of vnhewed stones which yron hath not touched; and he offered vpon it holo∣caustes to our Lord, and immolated pacifique victimes. † And [ 32] he wrote vpon stones the Deuterenomie of the law of Moy∣ses, which he had ordered before the children of Israel. † And al the people, and the ancientes, and the princes and [ 33] iudges stoode on both sides of the arke, in the sight of the priestes that caried the arke of the couenant of our Lord, as wel the stranger as also the man of the same countrie. the half part of them beside mount Garizim, and halfe beside mount* 1.40 Hebal, as Moyses the seruant of our Lord had commanded. And first in deede he :: 1.41 blessed the people of Israel. † After [ 34] this he reade al the wordes of the blessing & the cursing, and al thinges that were written in the volume of the law. † No∣thing [ 35] of those thinges, which Moyses had commanded, did he leaue vntouched, but he repeated al thinges before al the multitude of Israel, the wemen and children and stran∣gers, that dwelt among them.

CHAP. IX. Other nations fearing Israel ioyne their forces to fight against them, 3. but the Gabaonites send embassadors, feyning craftily to come farre of, 14. with whom Iosue and the ancientes of Israel make league binding it by oath. 16. within three dayes they are detected to be nere inhabitantes. VVherupon the people murmur against their princes. VVho yet for their oath, let the Gabaonites liue. 20. only making them and their progenie perpetual seruantes, to cutte wood, and carie water.

VVHICH thinges being heard, al the kinges beyond [ 1] Iordan, that dwelt in the mountaines and cham∣pion countries, in the places by the sea side and the shore of the great sea, they also that dwelt beside Libanus, the He∣theite and Amorreite, the Chananeite, the Pherezeite, and

the Heueite, and the Iebus eite, † were gathered, to fight [ 2] against Iosue and Israel with one minde, and one sentence. † But they that dwelt in Gabaon, hearing al thinges that [ 3] Iosue had done to Iericho and Hai: † subtelly deuising tooke [ 4] prouision for them selues, laying old sackes vpon their asses, and bottels of wine rent and sowed againe, † and shoes very [ 5] old which for a shew of oldenesse were clouted with speckes, putting on them old garmentes: the loaues also, which they caried for prouision by the way, were heard, and broken into peeces: † and they went on to Iosue, who then abode in [ 6] the campe at Galgal, and said to him, and withal to al Israel: We are come from a farre countrie, desirous to make peace with you. And the children of Israel answered them, and said: † Lest perhaps you dwel in the Land which is dew to vs by [ 7] lotte, and we can not enter a league with you. † But they said [ 8] to Iosue: We are thy seruantes. To whom Iosue said: Who are you? and whence came you? † they answered: From a [ 9] very farre countrie are thy seruantes come in the name of the Lord thy God. For we haue heard the fame of his might, al thinges that he did in Aegypt, † and to the two kinges of [ 10] the Amorrheites that were beyond Iordan, Sehon the king of Hesebon, and Og the king of Basan, that were in Asta∣roth: † and our ancientes, and al the inhabitantes of our [ 11] Land said to vs: Take in your handes victuals for a very long way, and goe meete them, and say: We are your seruantes, enter a league with vs. † Behold, these loaues we tooke [ 12] hotte, when we departed from our houses to come to you, now they are become drie, and broken for ouer much olde∣nesse. † the bottels of wine we filled being new, now they [ 13] are burst & dissolued. The garmentes and shoes that we haue vpon vs, and which we haue on our feete, for the length of the long way are worne, and almost consumed. † They tooke [ 14] therfore of their victuals, and :: 1.42 asked not the mouth of our Lord. † And Iosue made peace with them, and entring a [ 15] league promised that they should not be slaine: the princes also of the multitude sware to them. † But three daies after [ 16] that the league was made, they heard that they dwelt nigh, and they should be among them. † And the children of Israel [ 17] remoued the campe, and came into their cities the third day, whose names are these, Gabaon, and Chaphira, and Beroth, and Chariathiarim. † And they stroke them not, because [ 18]

the princes of the multitude had sworne in the name of our Lord the God of Israel. Therfore al the common people murmured against the princes. † Who answered them: We [ 19] haue sworne to them in the name of our Lord the God of Israel, and therfore we may not touch them. † But this we [ 20] wil doe to them: Let them be reserued in dede aliue, lest the wrath of God be stirred against vs, if we shal be forsworne: † but so let them liue, that for the vses of the whole multi∣tude [ 21] they hew wood, and carie in water. Who speaking these thinges, † Iosue called the Gabaonites, and said to them: [ 22] Why would you deceiue vs by fraude to say: We dwel very farre of from you, wheras you are in the middes of vs? † Therfore you shal be vnder a curse, and there shal not faile [ 23] of your stocke a hewer of wood, and a carier of water into the house of my God. † Who answered: It was told vs thy [ 24] seruantes, that the Lord thy God had promised Moyses his seruant, that he would deliuer you al the Land, and would destroy al the inhabitantes therof. Therfore we feared ex∣cedingly and prouided for our liues, cōpelled by your terrour, and we tooke this counsel. † And now we are in thy hand: [ 25] that which seemeth vnto thee good and right, doe to vs. † Iosue therfore did as he had said, and deliuered them from [ 26] the hand of the children of Israel, that they should not be slaine. † And he decreed in that day, that :: 1.43 they should be in [ 27] the ministerie of al the people, and of the altar of our Lord, hewing wood, and carying water, vntil this present time, in the place which our Lord hath chosen.

CHAP. X. ••iue kinges of the Amorrheites besieging Gabaon, because it is confederate with Israel, 6. Iosue with his armie defeateth theirs, killing and pursewing them. 11. manie also are slaine with haile stones. 12, At the prayer of Iosue the sunne and moone stand stil the space of one day. 22. The fiue kinges are hanged on gibbetes. 28. He taketh also and subdueth diuers cities. 40. and countries.

VVHICH thinges when Adonisedec king of Ieru∣salem [ 1] had heard, to witte, that Iosue had taken Hai, and had subuerted it (for as he had done to Iericho & the king therof, so did he to Hai, & their king) and that the Ga∣baonites were fled to Israel, and were their confederates, † he [ 2] was sore afrayd. For Gabaon was a great cititie, and one of

the kinglie cities, and greater then the towne of Hai, and al their men of warre most valiant. † Therfore Adonisedec [ 3] king of Ierusalem sent to Oham king of Hebron, and to Pha∣ram king of Ierimoth, to Iaphia also king of Lachis, and to Dabir king of Eglon, saying: † Come vp to me, and bring [ 4] ayde, that we may ouercome Gabaon, because it reuolted to Iosue, & to the children of Israel. † Therfore the fiue kinges [ 5] of the Amorrheites being assembled went vp: the king of Ierusulem, the king of Hebron, the king of Ierimoth, the king of Lachis, the king of Eglon, together with their hostes, & camped about Gabaon, assaulting it. † But the inhabitantes [ 6] of the citie Gabaon which was besieged, sent to Iosue, who then abode in the campe at Galgal, & said to him: withdraw not thy handes from the helpe of thy seruantes: come vp quickly and deliuer vs, and bring ayde: for there are assembled against vs al the kinges of the Ammorrheites, which dwel in the mountaines. † And Iosue went vp from Galgal, and al [ 7] the hoste of the men of warre with him most valiant men. † And our Lord said to Iosue: Feare them not: for I haue de∣liuered [ 8] them into thy handes: none of them shal be able to resist thee. † Iosue therfore came in vpon them sodenly, [ 9] going vp al the night from Galgal † And our Lord trubled [ 10] them at the sight of Israel: and destroyed them with a greate slaugher in Gabaon, and pursewed them by the way of the ascent to Bethoron, and stroke them vnto Azeca and Maceda † And when they fled the children of Israel, and were in the [ 11] descent of Bethhoron, our Lord sent vpon them greate stones from heauen as farre as Azeca: and there died farre more with the stones of haile, then they whom the children of Israel had strooken with the sword. † Then spake Iosue to [ 12] our Lord in the day, that he deliuered the Amorreite in the sight of Israel, and said before them: Thou Sunne against Gabaon moue not, and thou :: 1.44 Moone against the valley of Aialon. † And the Sunne and Moone stoode stil, til the people [ 13] reuenged themselues of their enemies. Is not this writ∣ren in the booke of the iust? The Sunne therfore stood stil in the middes of heauen, and hastened not to goe downe the space of one day. † There was not before nor :: 1.45 after so long a [ 14] day, our Lord :: 1.46 obeying the voice of a man, and fighting for Israel. † And Iosue returned with al Israel into the campe of [ 15] Galgal. † For the fiue kinges were fled, and had hid themselues [ 16]

in a caue of the citie of Maceda. † And it was told Iosue that [ 17] the fiue kinges were found lying hid in a caue of the citie of Maceda. † Who commanded them saying: Rowle great stones [ 18] into the mouth of the caue, and sette industrious men, which may keepe them shut in: † and stand not you stil, but pur∣sew [ 19] the enemies, and kil al the hindermost of them that flee, neither let them enter into the ••ortes of their cities, whom our Lord God hath deliuered into your handes. † The ad∣uersaries [ 20] therfore being slaine with a great slaughter, and al∣most consumed to vtter destruction, they that could escape from Israel, :: 1.47 entered into fensed cities. † And al the hoste [ 21] returned to Iosue in Maceda, where then the campe was, safe and the ful number: and no man durst once mutter a∣gainst the children of Israel? † And Iosue commanded, say∣ing: [ 22] Open the mouth of the caue, and bring forth to me the fiue kinges, that lie hid therin. † And the ministers did as it [ 23] was commanded them: and they brought to him the fiue kinges out of the caue, the king of Ierusalem, the king of Hebron, the king of Ierimoth, the king of Lachis, the king of Eglon. † And when they were brought forth to him, he [ 24] called al the men of Israel, and said to the princes of the hoste that were with him: Goe, and sette your feete vpon the neckes of these kinges. Who when they had gone, and troden with their feete the neckes of them lying vnder, † againe he said to them: Feare ye not, neither dread, take [ 25] courage and be strong: for so wil our Lord doe to al your enemies, against whom you fight. † And Iosue stroke, and [ 26] slew them, and hanged them vpon fiue gibbettes: & they hung vntil euening. † And when the sunne was downe, he [ 27] commanded the soldiars to take them downe from the gib∣bettes Who cast them being taken downe into the caue, wher∣in they had lyen hid, & put on the mouth therof great stones, which continew vntil this present. † The same day Iosue [ 28] tooke Maceda and stroke it in the edge of the sword, & killed the king & al the inhabitantes therof: he left not in it so much as sm••le reliques. And he did to the king of Maceda, as he had done to the king of Iericho▪ † and he passed with al Israel from [ 29] Maceda vnto Lebna, and fought against it: † which our [ 30] Lord deliuered with the king therof into the handes of Israel: and they stroke the citie in the edge of the sword, and al the inhabitantes therof▪ they left not in it anie remaines. And

they did to the king of Lebna, as they had done to the king of Iericho. † From Lebna he passed vnto Lachis with al Is∣rael: [ 31] and placing the hoste round about assaulted it. † And [ 32] our Lord deliuered Lachis into the handes of Israel, and he tooke it the day folowing, and stroke it in the edge of the sword, and euerie soule, that was in it, as he had done to Lebna. † At that time went vp Horam the king of Gazer, [ 33] to ayde Lachis: whom Iosue stroke with al his people to vtter destruction. † And he passed from Lachis vnto Eglon, and [ 34] compassed it, † and wonne it the same day: & stroke in the [ 35] edge of the sword al the soules, that were in it according to al thinges that he had done to Lachis. † He went vp also with [ 36] al Israel from Eglon vnto Hebron, and fought against it: † tooke it, and stroke it in the edge of the sword, the king also [ 37] therof, and al townes of that countrie, & al the soules, that remained in it: he left not therein anie remaynes: as he had done to Eglon, so did he also to Hebron, al thinges that he found in it consumning with the sword. † Thence returning [ 38] vnto Dabir, † he tooke it, and wasted it: the king also therof [ 39] and al the townes round about he stroke in the edge of the sword: he left not in it anie remaines: as he had done to He∣bron and Lebna and to their kinges, so did he to Dabi•• and the king therof. † Iosue therfore stroke al the hillie countrie [ 40] and south and champaine, and Asedoth with their kinges: he left not in it anie reliques, but euerie thing that could breath he slew, as our Lord the God of Israel had commanded him, † from Cadesbarne vnto Gaza. Al the Land of Gosen [ 41] vnto Gabaon, † and al their kinges, and countries he tooke [ 42] and wasted at one assault: for our Lord the God of Israel suoght for him. † And he returned with al Israel to the place [ 43] of the campe in Galgal.

CHAP. XI. Iabin a more principal king somoneth other kinges to ioyne with him a∣gainst Israel. 6. Iosue animated with Gods promise of victorie, 7. ouer∣throweth them al. 16. Subdueth their countries 12. killeth also manie of the giantes stocke.

VVHICH thinges when Iabin the king of Asor [ 1] had heard, he sent to Iobab the king of Madon, and to the king of Semeron, and to the king of Achsaph: † to the kinges also of the North, that dwelt in the moun∣taines [ 2]

and in the plaine against the south side of Ceneroth, in the champaine also and countries of Dor by the sea side: † the Chananeite also on the East and West, and the Amor∣rheite [ 3] and Hetheite and Pherezeite & Iebuseite in the moun∣taines: the Heueite also which dwelt at the foote of Hermon in the Land of Maspha. † And they issued forth al with their [ 4] troupes, a people exceeding manie as the sand, that is in the shore of the sea, their horses also and chariottes of passing great multitude. † And al these kinges assembled together [ 5] in one at the Waters of Merom, to fight against Israel. † And [ 6] our Lord said to Iosue: Feare them not: for to morrow this selfe same houre wil I deliuer al these to be wounded in the sight of Israel: their horses thou shalt hoghsinew, and their chariottes thou shalt burne with fire. † And Iosue came, and [ 7] al the hoste with him against them to the Waters of Merom sodenly, and ranne in vpon them, † and our Lord deliuered [ 8] them into the handes of Israel. Who stroke them, and pur∣sewed them as farre as great Sidon, and the Waters of Mase∣rephoth, and the field of Masphe, which is on the East side therof. Therfore he stroke al, so that he le••t no reliques of them: † and he did as our Lord had commanded him, [ 9] their horses he hoghsinewed, and their chariottes he burnt. † And returning immediatly he tooke Asor: and the king [ 10] therof he stroke with the sword. For Asor in old time a∣mong al these kingdomes held the principalitie. † And he [ 11] stroke al the soules, that abode there: he left not in it anie remaines, but to vtter destruction he wasted al thinges, and the citie it selfe he destroyed with fyre. † And al the cities [ 12] round about, their kinges also he tooke, stroke & destroyed, as Moyses the seruant of God had commanded him. † Except [ 13] the cities, that were situated on hilles and higher ground, the rest Israel burnt: one onlie Asor verie wel fensed he consu∣med with fyre. † And al the praye of these cities and the [ 14] cattel the children of Israel diuided among them selues, al the men being slaine. † As our Lord had commanded Moyses [ 15] his seruant, so did Moyses command Iosue, and he accom∣plished al thinges: he ommitted not of al the commande∣mentes, not so much as one word, which our Lord had com∣manded Moyses. † Iosue therfore tooke al the hillie countrie, [ 16] and south, and the land of Gosen, and plaine, and the West quarter, and the mountaine of Israel, and the champaine

countrie therof: † and the part of the mountaine, that goeth [ 17] vp to Seir as farre as Baalgad by the plaine of Libanus vnder mount Hermon: al their kinges he tooke, stroke, and slew. † :: 1.48 A great time did Iosue fight against these kinges. [ 18] † There was not a citie that did deliuer it selfe to the children [ 19] of Israel, except the Heueite, which dwelt in Gabaon: for he tooke al by fight. † For it was :: 1.49 the sentence of our Lord, that [ 20] their hartes should be indurate, and they should fight against Israel, and fall, and should not deserue anie clemencie, and should perish, as our Lord had commanded Moyses. † At [ 21] that time Iosue came, and slew the Enacimes of the moun∣taines, of Hebron, and Dabir, and Anab, and from al the mountaine of Iuda and Israel, and destroyed their cities. † He leift not any of the stocke of Enacimes, in the Land of [ 22] the children of Israel: sauing the cities of Gaza, and Geth, and Azotus, in the which onlie they were leift. † Iosue ther∣fore [ 23] tooke al the Land, as our Lord spake to Moyses, and de∣liuered it in possession to the children of Israel, according to their partes and tribes▪ and :: 1.50 the Land rested from battels.

CHAP. XII. Besides Sehon and Og kinges of Hesebon and Basan slaine by Moyses, 7. are reckened thirtie one kinges slaine by Iosue.

THESE are the kinges, which the children of Israel [ 1] stroke, and possessed, their Land beyond Iordan toward the rysing of the sunne, from the torrent Arnon vnto mount Hermon, and al the East part, that looketh toward the wil∣dernes. † Sehon the king of the Amorrheites, which dwelt [ 2] in Hesebon, had dominion from Aroer, which is situated* 1.51 vpon the banke of the torrent Arnon, and of the middel part in the valley and of halfe Galaad, as farre as the torrent Iaboc, which is the border of the children of Ammon. † and from [ 3] the wildernes vnto the sea of Ceneroth against the East, and vnto the Sea of the wildernes, which is the most salt sea, on the East side by the way that leadeth to Besimoth: and on the South side, which lyeth vnder Asedoth, as farre as Phasga. † The border of Og the king of Basan, of the remnant of [ 4] the Raphaims who dwelt in Astaroth, and in Edrai, and had dominion in mount Hermon, and in Salecha, and in al Basan, vnto the borders † of Gessuri, and Machati, and of the halfe [ 5] part of Galaad: the borders of Sehon the king of Hesebon.

† Moyses the seruant of our Lord, and the children of Israel [ 6] stroke them, and Moyses deliuered their Land in possession to the Rubenites, and Gadites, and the half tribe of Manasses. † These are the Kinges of the Land, whom Iosue stroke and [ 7] the children of Israel beyond Iordan on the West side, from Balaalgad in the field of Libanus, vnto the mount, part wher∣of goeth vp into Seir: and Iosue deliuered it in possession to the tribes of Israel, to euerie one their portions, † as wel [ 8] in the mountaines as in the plaine and champaine countries. In Asedoth, and in the wildernes, and in the south was the Hetheite and the Amorrheite, the Chananeite, and the Phe∣rezeite, the Heueite, and the Iebuseite. † The king of Ie∣richo [ 9] one: the king of Hai, which is on the side of Bethel, one: † the king of Ierusalem one, the king of Hebron one, [ 10] † the King of Ierimoth one, the King of Lachis one, † the [ 11 12] King of Eglon one, the King of Gazer one, † the King of [ 13] Dabir one, the King of Gader one, † the King of Herma [ 14] one, the King of Hered one, † the King of Lebna one, the [ 15] King of Adullam one, † the King of Maceda one, the King [ 16] of Bethel one, † the King of Taphua one, the King of Opher [ 17] one, † the King of Aphec one, the King of Saron one, † the [ 18 19] King of Madon one, the King of Asor one † the King of [ 20] Semeron one, the King of Acsaph one, † the King of Thenac [ 21] one, the King of Mageddo one, † the King of Cades one, the [ 22] King of Iachanan one, † the King of Carmel one, the King [ 23] of Dor, and of the prouince of Dor one, the King of the Na∣tions of Galgal one, † the King of Thersa one: al the [ 24] Kinges :: 1.52 thirtie one.

CHAP. XIII. God commandeth Iosue to diuide the land (describing the limites therof)* 1.53 amongst nine tribes and a half. 8. with a recapitulation of the partes already geuen, on the other side Iordan, to the other two tribes and a half. The tribe of Leui (v. 14. &. 33.) hath their prouision in other maner.

IOSVE was old, and striken in age, and our Lord said to [ 1] him: Thou art old, and of a great age, and there is a verie large countrie left, which is not yet diuided by lotte: † to [ 2] witte, al Galilee, Philisthijm, and al Gessuri. † From the [ 3] trubled riuer, that watereth Aegypt, vnto the borders of Ac∣caron against the North: the Land of Chanaan, which is di∣uided vnto fiue Lordes of the Philisthiimes, the Gazeites, the

Azotians, the Ascalonites, the Getheites, and the Accaro∣nites. † But on the South side are the Heueites, al the Land [ 4] of Chanaan, and Maara of the Sidonians as farre as Apheca, and the borders of the Amorrheite, † and his confines. The [ 5] countrie also of Libanus against the East from Baalgad vnder mount Hermon, til thou enter into Emath. † Of al that dwel [ 6] in the mountaine from Libanus, vnto the Waters Masere∣photh, and al the Sidonians. I am he that wil destroy them from the face of the children of Israel. :: 1.54 Let it come therfore into a portion of the inheritance of Israel, as I haue comman∣ded thee. † And now diuide the Land in possession to the [ 7] nine tribes, and to the half tribe of Manasses, † with the [ 8] which Ruben & Gad haue possessed the Land, which Moyses the seruant of our Lord deliuered to them beyond the strea∣mes of Iordan, on the east side. † From Aroer, which is si∣tuate [ 9] on the banke of the torrent Arnon, and in the middes of the valley, and al the champayne of Medaba, as farre as Dibon: † and al the cities of Cehon, the King of the Amor∣rheite, [ 10] which reigned in Hesebon vnto the borders of the children of Ammon. † And Galaad, and the border of Ges∣suri [ 11] and Maccati, and al mount Hermon, and al Basan, as farre as Salecha, † al the Kingdome of Og in Basan, which [ 12] reigned in Astaroth and Edrai, he was of the reliques of the Raphaims: and Moyses stroke, and destroyed them. † And [ 13] the children of Israel would not destroy Gessuri and Machati: and they haue dwelt in the middes of Israel vntil this present day. † But to the tribe of Leui he gaue no possession: but the [ 14] sacrifices and victimes of our Lord the God of Israel, that is his inheritance, as he spake to him. † Moyses therfore gaue [ 15] possession to the children of Ruben according to their kin∣redes. † And their border was from Aroer, which is situate [ 16] on the banke of the torrent Arnon, and in the middes of the valley of the same torrent: al the plaine, that leadeth to Me∣daba, † and Hesebon, and al their villages, which are in the [ 17] champayne. Dibon also, and Bamothbaal, and the towne Ba••••maon, † and Iassa, and Cedimoth, and Mephaath, [ 18] † and Cariathaim, and Sabama, and Sarathasar in the moun∣taine [ 19] of the Valley. † Bethfogor and Asedoth, Phasga and [ 20] Bethiesimoth, † and al the champayne cities, and al the [ 21] Kingdomes of Sehon the King of the Amorrheite, that rei∣gned in Hesebon, whom Moyses stroke with the princes of

Ma ian: the Heueite, & Recem, and Sur, and Hur, and Rebe Dukes of Sehon inhabitantes of the Land. † And Balaam [ 22] the sonne of Beor the soothsayer, did the children of Israel kil by the sword with the rest that were slayne. † And the [ 23] riuer of Iordan was made the border of the children of Ru∣ben. This is the possession of the Rubenites by their kinredes of cities and villages. † And Moyses gaue to the tribe of Gad [ 24] and to his children possession by their kinredes, the diuision wherof is this. † The border of Iaser, and al the cities of Ga∣laad, [ 25] and the half part of the Land of :: 1.55 the children of Ammon: as farre as Aroer, which is against Rabba: † and [ 26] from Hesebon vnto Ramoth, Masphe and Betonim: and from Manaim vnto the borders of Dabir. † In the valley alo Beth∣hara, [ 27] and Bethnemra, and Socoth, and Saphon the other part of the Kingdom of Sehon the King of Hesebon: the end of this also is Iordan, vnto the vttermost part of the sea Cenereth beyond Iordan on the east side. † This is the pos∣session [ 28] of the children of Gad by their families, their cities, and villages. † He gaue also to the half tribe of Manasses, [ 29] and their children possession according to their kinredes, † the beginning wherof is this: from Manaim al Basan, and [ 30] al the kingdoms of Og the King of Basan, and al the villages of Iair, which are in Basan, threescore townes. † And the [ 31] half part of Galaad, and Astaroth, and Edrai, cities of the kingdom of Og in Basan: to the children of Machir, the sonne of Manasses to the half part of the children of Machir according to their kinredes. † This possessiō diuided Moyses [ 32] in the champayne countries of Moab, beyond Iordan, against Iericho on the East side. † But to the tribe of Leui he gaue [ 33] no possession: because our Lord the God of Israel him self is their possession, as he spake to them.

CHAP. XIIII. Caleb of the tribe of Iuda (s••ing some knew their lottes already, and that the whole land was now to be diuided) 6. demandeth, according to Gods promise made by Moyses (for his true and good report of the same land, when he with others viewed it) that Hebron be geuen him, and his seede to inherite, 13. which Iosue confirmeth vnto him.

THIS is it, which the children of Israel possessed in the [ 1] Land of Chanaan, which Eleazar the priest, and Iosue the sonne of Nun, & the princes of the families by the tribes

of Israel gaue to them: † diuiding al thinges by lotte, as our [ 2] Lord had commanded in the hand of Moyses, to the nine tribes, and the half tribe. † For to two tribes and a half [ 3] Moyses had geuen possession beyond Iordan: besides the Le∣uites, which receiued no land among their brethren: † but [ 4] :: 1.56 into their place succeded the children of Ioseph diuided into two tribes, of Manasses and Ephraim: neither did the Leuites receiue other portion in the Land, but cities to inha∣bite, and their suburbes to feede their beastes and cattel. † As [ 5] our Lord had commanded Moyses, so did the children of Israel, and they diuided the Land. † Therfore the children [ 6] of Iuda came to Iosue in Galgal, and Caleb the sonne of Ie∣phone the Cenezeite spake to him: Thou knowest what our Lord spake to Moyses the man of God concerning me & thee in Cadesbarne. † Fourtie yeares old was I when Moyses the [ 7] seruant of our Lord sent me from Cadesbarne, to view the Land, and I reported to him that which to me semed true. † But my brethren, that had gone vp with me, discouraged [ 8] the hart of the people: and I neuertheles folowed our Lord my God. † And Moyses sware in that day, saying: The Land, [ 9] which thy foote hath troden, shal be thy possession, and thy childrens for euer, because thou hast folowed our Lord my God. † Our Lord therfore hath granted me life, ••s he promi∣sed [ 10] vntil this present day. It is :: 1.57 fourtie and fiue yeares, since our Lord spake this worde to Moyses, when Israel walked through the wildernes: this day am I eightie and fiue yeares old † so ••ustie, as I was at that time when I was sent to view: [ 11] the strength of that time contineweth in me vntil this day, as wel to fight as to goe. † Geue me therfore this mountaine, [ 12] which our Lord promised, thy selfe also hearing it, wherein are the Enacims, and great cities and fensed: :: 1.58 if perhaps our Lord be with me, and I shal be able to destroy them, as he promised me. † And Iosue blessed him, and deliuered to him [ 13] Hebron in possession. † And from thence forth :: 1.59 Hebron be∣longed [ 14] to Caleb the sonne of Iephone the Cenezeite, vntil this present day: because he folowed our Lord the God of Israel † The name of Hebron before was called Cariath [ 15] Arbe: Adam the greatest among the Enacims was layd there: and c 1.60 the Land ceased from battels.

CHAP. XV. The borders of the lotte of Iuda, 13. including Calebs particular inheritance (16. out of which he geueth Cariath Sepher, and his daughter to Othoniel, for winning it:) 21. with the names of the cities therof. 63. the Iebuseite yet dwelling with Iuda in Hierusalem.

THERFORE the lotte of the children of Iudas by their [ 1] kinredes was this: From the border of Edom, vnto the desert of Sin against the South, and vnto the vttermost part of the south coaste. † the beginning therof was from the [ 2] toppe of the most salt sea, and from the brinke therof, that looketh to the South. † And it goeth forth against the As∣cent [ 3] of the Scorpion, and passeth through into Sina: and ryseth vp into Cadesbarne, & reacheth into Esron, ascending to Addar, and cōpassing Carcaa, † and thence passing through [ 4] into Asemona, and reaching to the Torrent of Aegypt: and the borders therof shal be the great sea. this shal be the end of the south coast. † But on the East side the beginning [ 5] shal be the most salt sea vnto the vtmost partes of Iordan: and those places that looke to the North from the brinke of the sea vnto the same riuer of Iordan. † And the border goeth [ 6] vp into Beth hagla, and passeth from the north into Beth Araba: ascending to the stone of Bohen the sonne of Ruben. † And reaching as farre as the borders of Debera from the [ 7] Valley of Achor, against the North looking toward Galgal, which is opposite to the Ascent of Adommim, on the south side of the torrent: and passeth the waters, that are called The Fountayne of the sunne: and the endes therof shal be to the Fountayne rogel. † And it ascendeth by the [ 8] valley of the sunne of Ennom on the side of the Iebuseite toward the South, this is Ierusalem: and thence rearing it self to the toppe of the mountayne, which is against Geennom toward the West in the toppe of the Valley of Raphaim against the North. † And it passeth through from [ 9] the toppe of the mountaine to the fountaine of the water Nephtoa: and reacheth to the townes of mount Ephron: and bendeth into Baala, which is Cariathiarim, that is to say, a citie of wooddes. † And it compasseth from Baala against [ 10] the West, vnto mount Seir: and passeth by the side of mount Iarim toward the North into Ches••on: and goeth downe into Bethsames, and passeth into Thamna. † And it reacheth [ 11]

toward the North coast of a part of Accaron at the side: and bendeth to Sechrona, and passeth mount Baala: and cometh into Iebneel, and is shut vp with the end of the great sea to∣ward the West. † These are the borders of the children of [ 12] Iudas in circuite in their kinredes. † But to Caleb the sonne [ 13] of Iephone he gaue a portion in the middes of the children of Iudas, as our Lord had commanded him: Cariath Arbe the father of Enac, that is Hebron. † And Caleb destroyed out [ 14] of it the three sonnes of Enac, Sesai and Ahiman & Tholmai of the stocke of Enac. † And from thence going vp he came [ 15] to the inhabitantes of Dabir, which before was called Ca∣riath sepher, that is to say, a citie of letters. † And Caleb [ 16] said: He that shal strike Cariath-sepher, and take it, I wil geue him Axa my daughter to wife. † And Othoniel the sonne [ 17] of Cenez, the yonger brother of Caleb tooke it: and he gaue him :: 1.61 Axa his daughter to wife † Who going together, she [ 18] was moued by her husband to aske a field of her father, and she sighed as she sate on her asse. To whom Caleb said: What aileth thee? † But she answered: Geue me a blessing: ^:: a [ 19] South and drie Land thou hast geuen me, ioyne also a waterie. Caleb therfore gaue her a waterie ground aboue & beneath. † This is the possession of the tribe of the children of Iudas [ 20] by their kinredes. † And the cities from the vttermost partes [ 21] of the children of Iudas by the borders of Edom on the South: were Gabseel and Eder and Iagur, † and Cina and [ 22] Dimona and Adada, † and Cades, and Asor, and Iethnan, [ 23] † Ziph and Telem and Baloth, † Asor the new and Carioth, [ 24 25] Hesron, this is Asor. † Amam, Sama, and Molada, † and [ 26 27] Asergadda and Hassemon and Bethphelet, † and Hasersual [ 28] and Bersabee and Baziothia † and Baala and Iim an Esem, [ 29] † and Eltholad and Cesil and Harma † and Siceleg, and Me∣demena [ 30 31] and Sensenna, † Labaoth and Selim and Aen and [ 32] Remon. al the cities twentie nine, and their villages. † But in [ 33] the champayne countries: Estaol and Sarea and Asena, † and [ 34] Sanoc & Engannim and Taphua and Enaim, † and Ierimoth, [ 35] and Adullam, Socho and Azeca, † and Saraim and Adithaim [ 36] and Gedera and Gederothaim: fourteene cities, and their vil∣lages. † Sanan and Hadasta and Magdalgad, † Delean and [ 37 38] Masepha and Iecthel, † Lachis and Bascath and Eglon, [ 39] † Chebbon and Leheman and Cethlis † and Gideroth and [ 40] Bethdagon and Naama and Maceda: sixtene cities, and their [ 41]

villages. † Labana and Ether and Asan, † Iephtha and Esna [ 42 43] and Nesib, † and Ceila and Achzib and Mareza: nine cities, [ 44] and their villages. † Accaron with the townes and villages [ 45] therof. † From Accaron vnto the sea: al places that bend [ 46] toward Azotus and the villages therof. † Azotus with the [ 47] townes and villages therof. Gaza with the townes and vil∣lages therof, vnto the torrent of Aegypt, and the great sea is the border therof. † And in the mountayne: Samir and [ 48] Iether and Socoth † and Danna and Cariath senna, this is [ 49] Dabir: † Anab and Istemo and Anim, † Gosen and Olon [ 50 51] and Gilo: eleuen cities and their villages. † Arab and Ruma [ 52] and Esaan, † and Ianum and Beth thaphua and Apheca, [ 53] † Athmatha and Cariath-arbe, this is Hebron, and Sior: nine [ 54] cities and their villages. † Maon and Carmel and Ziph and [ 55] Iota, † Iezrael and Iucadam and Zanoe, † Accain, Gabaa [ 56 57] and Thamna: ten cities and their villages. † Halhul, and [ 58] Bethsur, and Gedor, † Mareth, and Beth-anoth, & Eltecon: [ 59] six cities and their villages. † Cariathbaal, this is Cariath∣iarim [ 60] the citie of wooddes, and Arebba: two cities and their villages. † In the desert Beth-araba, meddin, and Sachacha, [ 61] † and Nebsan, and the citie of salt, and Engaddi: six cities, [ 62] and their villages. † But the Iebuseite the inhabitant of Ie∣rusalem [ 63] the children of Iudas :: 1.62 could not destroy: and the Iebuseite dwelt with the children of Iudas in Ierusalem vntil this present day.

CHAP. XVI. The tribe of Ephraim, (younger sonne of Ioseph) receiue their lotte. 10. The Chananeite yet dwelleth with them paying tribute.

THE lotte also of :: 1.63 the children of Ioseph fel from Ior∣dan [ 1] against Iericho and the Waters therof, on the east: the wildernes which goeth vp from Iericho to the moun∣taine of Bethel: † and goeth out from Bethel to Luza: and [ 2] passeth the border of Archia, to Atharoth. † And descendeth [ 3] Westward, by the border of Iephleti, vnto the borders of Beth horon the lower, and to Gazer: and their countries are ended by the great sea: † and Manasses and Ephraim the [ 4] children of Ioseph possessed it. † And the border of the chil∣dren [ 5] of Ephraim was made according to their kinredes: and their possession toward the East was Ataroth addar vnto Beth-horon the higher. † And the confines goe out vnto the [ 6]

sea: but Machmethath looketh to the North, and it compas∣seth the borders against the East into Thanath-selo: and pas∣seth through on the East side to Ianoe. † and it goeth [ 7] downe from Ianoe into Ataroth & Naaratha: and it cometh into lericho, and goeth our to Iordan. † From Taphua it [ 8] passeth through against the sea into the Valley of reedes, and the issues therof are into the most salt sea. this is the possession of the tribe of the children of Ephraim by their families. † And cities with their villages were separated to the chil∣dren [ 9] of Ephraim in the middes of the possession of the chil∣dren of Manasses, † and the children of Ephraim slew not [ 10] the Chananeite, which dwelt in Gazer: and the Chananeite dwelt in the middes of Ephraim vntil this dav tributarie.

CHAP. XVII. The half tribe of Manasses (eldest sonne of Ioseph) receiue their lotte. 3. in∣cluding the daughters of Salphaad. 14. with an enlargement of inheri∣tance to the same tribes of Ephraim and Manasses.

AND this lotte fel to the tribe of Manasses (for he is the [ 1] first borne of Ioseph) to Machir the first borne of Ma∣nasses the father of Galaad, who was a warlike man, and had for possession Galaad and Basan: † and to the rest of the chil∣dren [ 2] of Manasses according to their families, to the children of Abiezer, and to the children of Helec, and to the children of Esriel, and to the children of Sechem, and to the children of Hepher, and to the children of Semida. these are the chil∣dren of Manasses the sonne of Ioseph, males by their kin∣redes. † But Salphaad the sonne of Hepher the sonne of Ga∣laad [ 3] the sonne of Machir the sonne of Manasses had no sonnes, but onlie daughters: whose names be these, Maala, and Noa and Hegla and Melcha and Thersa. † And they [ 4] came in the presence of Eleazar the priest, and of Iosue the sonne of Nun, and of the princes, saying: Our Lord com∣manded by the hand of Moyses, that a possession should be geuen vs in the middes of our brethren. And he gaue them according to the commandement of our Lord a possession in the middes of their fathers brethren. † And the cordes fel [ 5] to Manasses ten, beside the Land of Galaad and Basan beyond Iordan. † For the daughters of Manasses possessed inheri∣tance [ 6] in the middes of his sonnes. And the Land of Galaad fel to the lotte of the children of Manasses that remayned. † And the border of Manasses from Aser, was Machmat hath [ 7]

which looketh to Sichem: and goeth out on the right hand beside the inhabitantes of the Fountaine of Taphua. † For in the lotte of Manasses was fallen the Land of [ 8] Taphua, :: 1.64 which is beside the borders of Manasses, the childrens of Ephraim. † And the border of the [ 9] Reede valley went downe into the south of the torrent of the cities of Ephraim, which are in the middes of the cities of Manasses: the border of Manasses on the North of the torrent, and the issue therof goeth to the sea: † so that the [ 10] possession of Ephraim is on the South, and on the North of Manasses, and the sea incloseth both, and they be ioyned one to an other in the tribe of Aser on the Noth, and in the tribe of Islachar on the East. † And the inheritance of Manasses [ 11] in Issachar and in Aser was Bethlan and the villages therof, and Ieblaam with the villages therof, and the inhabitantes of Dor, with the townes therof, the inhabitantes also of Endor with the townes therof. and in like maner the inhabitantes of Thenac with the townes therof, and the inhabitantes of Mageddo with the townes therof, and the third part of the citie of Nopheth. † Neither could the children of Manasses [ 12] ouerthrow the cities, but the Chananeite began to dwel in :: 1.65 his Land. † But after that the children of Israel grew to [ 13] be strong, they subdewed the Chananeites, and made them their tributaries, neither did they kil them. † And the chil∣dren [ 14] of Ioseph spake to Iosue, and said: Why hast thou geuen me the possession of one lotte and corde, wheras I am of so great a multitude, and our Lord hath blessed me? † To whom [ 15] Iosue said: If thou be a great people, goe vp into the wood, and cutte thee roome in the Land of the Pherezeite and Ra∣phaims: because the possession of mount Ephraim is narrow for thee. † To whom the children of Ioseph answered: [ 16] We can not goe vp to the mountaines, wheras the Chananeite that dwel in the champayne countrie, wherein are situated Bethsan with the townes therof, and Iezrael possessing the middes of the valley, vse yron chariottes. † And Iosue said [ 17] to the house of Ioseph, of Ephraim and Manasses: Thou art a great people, and of great strength, thou shalt not haue one lotte, † but thou shalt passe to the mountaine, and shalt cutte [ 18] and make glades for thee to inhabite: and mayest procede farder, when thou hast subuerted the Chananeite, whom thou sayest to haue yron chariotes, and to be very strong.

CHAP. XVIII. From the campe of Israel in Silo surueyers are sent to diuide the rest of the Land into seuen partes, for the seuen tribes yet without portions. 10. VVhich being donne, Iosue casteth lottes for them, 11. and the first lotte falleth to Beniamim, 12. Whose part is described by the limites, 21. with the names of the principal cities.

AND al the children of Israel were assembled in Silo, [ 1] and there they pitched the tabernacle of the testimony, and the Land was subdewed to them. † But there remained [ 2] seuen tribes of the children of Israel, which as yet had not receiued their possessions. † To whom Iosue said: How long [ 3] are you slack with cowardenes, and enter not to possesse the Land, which our Lord the God of your fathers hath geuen you? † Choose of euerie tribe three men, that I may send [ 4] them, and they may goe and circuite the Land, and marke it out according to the number :: 1.66 of euerie multitude: and report vnto me that which they haue marked out. † Diuide [ 5] vnto you the Land into seuen partes: let Iudas be in his boundes on the south quarter, and the house of Ioseph on the North. † the Land in the middes betwen these marke [ 6] out into seuen partes: and you shal come hither to me, that :: 1.67 before our Lord your God I may cast the lotte for you: † for the Leuites part is not among you, but the priesthood [ 7] of our Lord is their inheritance. And Gad and Ruben, and the half tribe of Manasses had now receiued their possessions beyond Iordan at the East side: which Moyses the seruant of our Lord gaue them. † And when the men were rysen vp, [ 8] that they might goe to marke out the land, Iosue com∣manded them, saying: Circuite the Land and marke it out, and returne to me: that here before our Lord, in Silo I may cast the lotte for you. † They therfore went on: and going [ 9] ouer it, diuided it into seuen partes, writing it in a volume. And they returned to Iosue into the campe in Silo. † Who [ 10] did cast lottes before our Lord in Silo, and diuided the Land to the children of Israel into seuen partes. † And first came [ 11] vp the lotte of the children of Beniamin by their families, to possesse the Land betwen the children of Iudas and the chil∣dren of Ioseph. † And their border was against the North [ 12] from Iordan: going forward by the side of Iericho on the north quarter, and thence▪ Westward rysing vp vnto the

mountaines, and reaching to the wildernes of Bethauen, † & passing through by Luza to the South, the same is Bethel: [ 13] and goeth downe into Ataroth addar vnto the mountaine, that is on the South of Bethhoron the lower. † And it ben∣deth [ 14] compassing against the sea, South ward of the mountaine that looketh to Bethhoron against the South: and the issues therof are into Cariathbaal, which is called also Cariathbaal which is called also Cariathiarim, a citie of the children of Iudas. This is their coast against the sea, toward the West. † But on the South from part of Cariathiarim the border [ 15] issueth forth against the sea, and cometh to the fountaine of the waters of Neph••oa. † And it goeth downe into part of [ 16] the mountaine that looketh toward the Valley of the chil∣dren of Ennom: and is against the north quarter in the vt∣termost part of the Valley raphaim, And it goeth downe into Gehennom (that is, the valley of Ennom) by the side of the Iebuseite to the South: and cometh to the Fountaine of Rogel, † pasling to the north, and going forth to Ensemes, [ 17] that is to say, the fountaine of the sunne: † and it pas∣seth [ 18] vnto the litle hilles, that are against the ascent of Adom∣mim: and goeth downe to Abenboen, that is, the stone of Boen the sonne of Ruben: and it passeth on the north side to the champaine countries: and goeth downe into the playne, † and passeth by against the North of Bethagla: [ 19] and the issues therof are against the brincke of the most salt sea on the North in the end of Iordan to the south quarter: † which is the border therof on the East. This is the posses∣sion [ 20] of the children of Beniamin by their borders round about, and their families. † And their cities were, Iericho [ 21] and Bethhagla and Vallis Casis, † Beth Araba and Samaraim [ 22] and Bethel, † and Auim and Aphara and Ophera, † Towne [ 23 24] Emona and Ophni and Gabee: twelue cities, & their townes. † Gabaon and Rama and Beroth, † and Mesphe, and Ca∣phara, [ 25 26] and Amosa, † and Recem, Iarephel and Tharela, [ 27] † and Sela, Eleph, and Iebus, which is Ierusalem, Gabaath [ 28] and Cariath: fourteenne cities, and their townes. This is the possession of the children of Beniamin by their families.

CHAP. XIX. The second lotte falleth to the tribe of Simeon, the situation of whose inheri∣tance is described, with the names of their principal cities. 10. The third

in like sorte, to Zabulon. 17. The fourth to Issachar. 24. The fifth to Aser. 32. The sixt to Nepthali 40. And the seuenth to Dan. 49. Al the Land being distributed among the tribes, with common consent they geue a special citie to Iosue, in the middes of them.

AND the second lotte came forth of the children of [ 1] Simeon by their kinreddes: and their inheritance was, † in the middes of the possession of the children of Iudas: [ 2] Bersabee and Sabee and Molada, † and Hasersual, Bala and [ 3] Asem, † and Eltholad, Bethul and Harma, † and Siceleg [ 4 5] and Bethmarchaboth and Hasersusa, † and Bethlebaoth and [ 6] Sa••ohen: thirtene cities, and their townes. † Ain and Rem∣mon [ 7] and Athor and Asan: foure cities, and their townes: † al the litle townes round about these cities vnto Baalath [ 8] Beer Ramath against the south quarter. This is the inheri∣tance of the children of Simeon according to their kinredes, † in the possession and corde of the children of Iudas: be∣cause [ 9] it was greater. and therfore the children of Simeon possessed in the middes of their inheritance. † And the third [ 10] lotte fel of the children of Zabulon by their kinredes: and the border of their possession was made as farre as Sarid. † And it went vp from the sea and Merala, and came into [ 11] Debbaseth: as farre as the torrent, which is against Ieconam. † And it returneth from Sared against the East into the endes [ 12] of Ceseleth thabor: and it goeth out to Dabereth, and ryseth vp against Iaphie. † And thence it passeth along to the east [ 13] side of Geth hepher and Thacasim: and goeth out into Rem∣mon, Amthar and Noa. † And it compasseth to the North [ 14] of Hanathon: and the issues therof are the valley Iephtahel, † and Cateth and Naalol and Semeron and I••rala and Beth∣lehem: [ 15] twelue cities, and their townes. † This is the inheri∣tance [ 16] of the tribe of the children of Zabulon by their kin∣redes, the cities and their litle townes. † The fourth lotte [ 17] came forth to Issachar by their kinredes. † and his inheri∣tance [ 18] was Iezrael and Casaloth and Sunem, † and Hapha∣raim [ 19] and Sehon, and Anaharath † and Rabboth and Cesion, [ 20] Abes, † and Rameth, and Engannim, and Enhadda and [ 21] Bethpheses. † And the border therof cometh to Thabor [ 22] and Sehesema and Bethsames: and their issues were Iordan: sixtene cities, and their townes. † This is the possession of [ 23] Issachar by their kinredes, the cities, and their litle townes.

† And the fifth lotte fel to the tribe of the children of Aser [ 24] by their kinredes: † and their border was Halcath and Chali [ 25] and Beten and Axaph, † and Elmelec and Amaad and Messal: [ 26] and it reacheth to Carmel of the sea and Sihor and Labanath. † And it returneth against the east of Bethdagon: and pas∣seth [ 27] along to Zabulon and the Valley Iephthael against the North into Bethemec and Nehiel. And it goeth out to the left side of Cabul, † and Abran and Rohob and Hamon and [ 28] Cana, as farre as great Sidon. † And it returneth into Horma [ 29] vnto the verie wel fensed citie Tyre, and vnto Hosa: and the issues therof shal be into the sea from the corde of Achziba: † and Amma and Aphec and Rohob. cities twentie two, [ 30] and their townes. † This is the posseffion of the children of [ 31] Aser by their kinredes, and the cities and their townes. † Of [ 32] the sonnes of Nepthali fel the sixt lotte by their families: † and the border beganne from Heleph and Elon into Saa∣naim, [ 33] and Adami, which is Neceb, and Iebnael vnto Lecum: and their issues vnto Iordan: † and the border returneth [ 34] against the West into Azanoththabor, and thence goeth out into Hucuca, and passeth along into Zabulon against the South, and into Azer against the West, and into Iuda vnto Iordan against the rising of the sunne. † cities very wel fen∣sed, [ 35] Assedim, Ser, and Emath, and Reccath and Cenereth, † and Edema and Arama, Asor † and Cedes and Edrai, En∣hasor [ 36 37] † and Ieron and Magdalel, Horem and Bethanath [ 38] and Bethsames: ninetene cities, and their townes. † This [ 39] is the possession of the tribe of the children of Nephthali by their kinredes, the cities and their townes. † To the tribe [ 40] of the children of Dan by their families came forth the se∣uenth lotte: † and the border of their possession was Sara [ 41] and Esthaol, and Hirisemes, that is the sunne. † Selebin and [ 42] Aialon and Iethela, † Elon and Themna and Acron, † El∣thece, [ 44 43] Gebbethon and Balaath, † and Iud and Bane and Barac [ 45] and Gethremmon: † and Meiarcon & Arecon, with the bor∣der [ 46] that looketh toward Ioppe, † and is shut vp with the same [ 47] end. And the children of Dan went vp, and fought against Le∣sem, and they tooke it: and they stroke it in the edge of the sword, and possessed, and dwelt in it, calling the name of it Lesem Dan, by the name of Dan the father therof. † This [ 48] is the possession of the tribe of the sonnes of Dan, by their kin∣redes, the cities and their townes. † And when he had made [ 49]

an end of diuiding the Land by lotte to euerie one by their tribes, :: 1.68 the children of Israel gaue possession to Iosue the sonne of Nun in the middes of them, † according to the [ 50] commandement of our Lord, the citie which he requested, Thamnath Saraa in mount Ephraim: and he built the citie, and dwelt in it. † These are the possessions, which Eleazar [ 51] the priest, and Iosue the sonne of Nun, and the princes of the families, and of the tribes of the children of Israel, diuided by lotte in Silo, before our Lord at the doore of the taber∣nacle of testimonie, and they parted the Land.

CHAP. XX. Six cities of refuge for such as commit casual manslaughter are named, 6▪ in which remayning til the death of the high priest, they may then returne to their proper dwelling place, and be safe.

AND our Lord spake to Iosue, saying: Speake to the [ 1] children of Israel, and say to them: † Separate the ci∣ties [ 2] of the fugitiues, of the which I spake to you by the hand of Moyses; † that he may flee to them whosoeuer shal [ 3] strike a soule vnwitting: and may escape the wrath of the nigh kinseman, which is the reuenger of bloud: † when he [ 4] shal be fled to one of these cities: he shal stand before the gate of the citie, and shal speake to the ancientes of that citie :: 1.69 those thinges, that may proue him selfe innocent: and so they shal receiue him, and geue him place to inhabite. † And [ 5] when the reuenger of the bloud shal pursew him, they shal not deliuer him into his handes: because he stroke his neigh∣bour by ignorance, neitheir is he proued to be his enemie two or three dayes before. † And he shal dwel in that citie, til he [ 6] stand before iudgement rendring a cause of his fact, and the high priest die, which shal be at that time: then shal the manslaer returne, and enter into the citie and his house out of the which he had fled. † And they appointed Cedes in [ 7] Galilee of the mount of Nepthali, and Sichem in the mount of Ephraim, and Cariatharbee, the same is Hebron in the mount of Iuda † And beyond Iordan against the East quar∣ter [ 8] of Iericho, they appointed Bosor, which is situated in the champaine wildernes of the tribe of Ruben, and Ramoth in Galaad of the tribe of Gad, and Gaulon in Basan of the tribe of Manasses. † These cities were appointed to al the [ 9] children of Israel, and to the strangesrs, that dwelt among

them: that he might flee to them which vnwittingly had striken a soule, and might not die in the hand of the kinse∣man, coue••ing to reuenge the bloud shed, vntil he might stand before the people to declare his cause.

CHAP. XXI. Cities with suburbes are assigned to the tribe of Leui. 4. To the sonnes of Caath by the line of Aaron being priestes, thirtenne, 5. to the rest of Caaths progenie, being Leuites, tenne. 6. To the sonnes of Gerson Leuites thirte••ne 7. To the sonnes of Merari Leuites (34. of a lower degree) twelue. 9. with the names of al the cities: 39. in al fourtie eight. 41. So Gods pro∣mise is fully performed hauing geuen the whole Land to Israel in peaceable possession.

AND the princes of the families of the Leui came to [ 1] Eleazar the priest, and Iosue the sonne of Nun, and to the chief of the kinredes in euerie tribe of the children of Israel: † and they spake to them in Silo of the Land of [ 2] Chanaan, and said: Our Lord commanded by the hand of Moyses, that cities should be geuen vs to inhabite, and their suburbes to feede cattel. † And the children of Israel gaue [ 3] of their possessions according to the commandement of our Lord, cities and their suburbes. † And the lotte came forth [ 4] vnto the familie of Caath of the children of Aaron the priest out of the tribe of Iudas, and Simeon, and Beniamin, thirtene cities. † And to the rest of the children of Caath, that is to [ 5] the Leuites, which remayned, out of the tribes of Ephraim, and Dan, and the halfe tribe of Manasses, ten cities. † More∣ouer [ 6] to the children of Gerson came forth a lotte, that they should take of the tribes of Issachar and Aser and Neph∣thali, and the halfe tribe of Manasses in Basan, cities in num∣ber thirtene. † And to the sonnes of Merari by their kin∣redes, [ 7] of the tribe of Ruben and Gad and Zabulon, twelue cities. † and the children of Israel gaue to the Leuites cities [ 8] and their suburbes, as our Lord commanded by the hand of Moyses, geuing to euerie one by lotte. † Of the tribes of the [ 9] children of Iudas and Simeon Iosue gaue cities: whose names be these, † to the children of Aaron by the families of Caath [ 10] of the Leuitical stocke (for the first lotte came forth to them) † Cariatharbe the father of Enac, which is called Hebron, [ 11] in the mountaine of Iudas, and the suburbes therof round about. † But the fieldes and the townes therof he had geuen [ 12]

to Caleb the sonne of Iephone to possesse. † He gaue therfore [ 13] to the children of Aaron the priest Hebron a citie of refuge, and the suburbes therof: & Lobna with the suburbes therof: ( [ 16] † and Iether and Estemo, † and Holon, and Dabir, † and Ain, [ 14 15] and Ieta, and Bethsames, with the suburbes therof: nine cities of two tribes, as hath bene said. † And of the tribe of the chil∣dren [ 17] of Beniamin, Gabaon, and Gabae, † and Anathoth and [ 18] Almon, with their suburbes: foure cities. † Al the cities to∣gether [ 19] of the children of Aaron the priest, thirtene, with their suburbes. † But to the rest by the families of the children of [ 20] Caath of the Leuitical stocke was geuen this possession. † Of [ 21] the tribe of Ephraim, the cities of refuge, Sichem with the suburbes therof in the mountayne of Ephraim, and Gazer † and Cibsaim, and Beth horon, with the suburbes therof, [ 22] foure cities. † Of the tribe of Dan also, Eltheco and Gaba∣thon, [ 23] † and Aialon and Gethremmon, with the suburbes [ 24] therof, foure cities. † Moreouer of the half tribe of Ma∣nasses, [ 25] Thanac and Gethremmon, with their suburbes two cities. † Al the cities ten, and their suburbes, were geuen to [ 26] the children of Caath of the inferiour degree. † To the chil∣dren [ 27] of Gerson also of the Leuitical stocke he gaue of the half tribe of Manasses the cities of refuge, Gaulon in Basan, and Bosram, with their suburbes, two cities. † Moreouer of the [ 28] tribe of Issachar, Cesion, and Dabereth, † and Iaramoth, [ 29] and Engannim, with their suburbes, foure cities. † And of [ 30] the tribe of Aser, Masal and Abdon, † and Helcath, and [ 31] Rohob, with their suburbes, foure cities. † Of the tribe [ 32] also of Nephthali the cities of refuge, Cedes in Galilee: and Hammoth Dor, and Carthan, with their suburbes, three cities. † Al the cities of the families of Gerson, [ 33] thirtene, with their suburbes. † And to the children of [ 34] Merari Leuites of the inferiour degree by their families was geuen of the tribe of Zabulon, Iecnam and Cartha † and Damna and Naalol, foure cities with their suburbes. [ 35] † Of the tribe of Ruben beyond Iordan against Iericho the [ 36] cities of refuge, Bosor in the wildernes, Misor and Iaser and Iethson and Mephaath, foure cities with their suburbes. † Of the tribe of Gad the cities of refuge, Ramoth in Galaad, [ 37] and Manaim and Hesebon and Iaser, foure cities with their suburbes † Al the cities of the children of Merari by their [ 38] families and kinredes, twelue. † Therfore al the cities of the [ 39]

Leuites in the middes of the possession of the children of Is∣rael were fourtie eight † with their suburbes, euerie one [ 40] distributed by the families. † And our Lord God gaue to Is∣rael [ 41] :: 1.70 al the Land, that he had sworne he would geue to their fathers: and they possessed it, and dwelt in it. † And peace [ 42] was geuen by him on al nations round about: and none of their enemies durst resist them, but al were brought into their dominion. † Not so much certes as one word, which [ 43] he had promised, that he would performe vnto them, was frustrate, but al thinges were accomplished in deedes.

CHAP. XXII. The tribes of Ruben and Gad, and half Manasses returne to their possessions.* 1.71 10. VVho building an altar by the side of Iordan, the other tribes suspect that they wil make a schisme, and therfore purpose to fight against them. 13. But first sending an ambassage to admonish them, 21. they answer that they made not an altar, for sacrifice, but only for a monument, that not∣withstāding they dwel on the other side of Iordan, yet they are of the same people of God, 30. wherwith al Israel is satisfied.

THE same time Iosue called the Rubenites, and Gadites, [ 1] and the halfe tribe of Manasses, † and said to them: [ 2] You haue done al thinges that Moyses the seruant of our Lord cōmanded you: me also haue you obeyed in al thinges, † neither haue you left your brethren a long time, vntil this [ 3] present day, keeping the commandement of our Lord your God. † Therfore because our Lord your God hath geuen [ 4] your brethren quietnes and peace, as he promised: returne, and goe into your tabernacles, and to the land of your pos∣session, which Moyses the seruant of our Lord deliuered to you beyond Iordan: † :: 1.72 alwayes so that you keepe atten∣tiuely, [ 5] and in worke fulfil the commandement, and the law which Moyses the seruant of our Lord commanded you, that you loue our Lord your God, and walke in al his wayes, and obserue al his commandementes, & cleaue to him, and serue him in al your hart, and in al your soule. † And Iosue :: 1.73 blessed [ 6] them, and dismissed them. Who returned into their taber∣nacles. † And to the halfe tribe of Manasses Moyses had ge∣uen [ 7] possession in Basan: and therfore to the halfe that re∣mayned, Iosue gaue a lotte among the rest of their brethren beyond Iordan at the West side. And when he dismissed them into their tabernacles, & had blessed them, † he said to them: [ 8]

In much substance and riches returne to your seates, with siluer and gold, brasse and yron, and varietie of rayment: di∣uide the praye of your enemies with your brethren. † And [ 9] the children of Ruben, and the children of Gad, and the halfe tribe of Manasses returned, and went from the children of Israel in Silo, which is situated in Chanaan, to enter into Galaad the Land of their possession, which they had obtey∣ned according to the commandement of our Lord in the hand of Moyses. † And when they were come to the litle banckes [ 10] of Iordan, into the Land of Chanaan, they built beside Ior∣dan an altar of an infinite greatnes. † :: 1.74 Which thing when [ 11] the children of Israel had heard, and certaine messengers had reported to them that the children of Ruben, and Gad, and the halfe tribe of Manasses had builded an altar in the Land of Chanaan, vpon the litle banckes of Iordan, against the children of Israel: † they assembled al in Silo, that they might [ 12] goe vp, and fight against them. † And in the meane time they [ 13] sent to them into the Land of Galaad, Phinees the sonne of Eleazar the priest, † and ten princes with him, one of euerie [ 14] tribe. † Who came to the children of Ruben, and Gad, and [ 15] the halfe tribe of Manasses into the Land of Galaad, and said to them: † This message doth al the people of our Lord send [ 16] to you: What is this transgression? Why haue you forsaken our Lord the God of Israel, building a sacrilegious altar, and reuolting from the worshippe of him? † Is it a smale thing [ 17] to you that :: 1.75 you sinned in Beelphegor, and vntil this pre∣sent day the spotte of this abomination abideth in vs? and many of the people fel dead. † And you to day haue forsaken [ 18] our Lord, and to morow his wrath wil rage :: 1.76 against al Israel. † But if you thinke the land of your possession to be vn∣cleane, [ 19] passe to the Land, wherein is the tabernacle of our Lord, and dwel among vs: only that you depart not from our Lord, and from our companie, an altar being built beside the altar of our Lord God. † Did not Achan the sonne of [ 20] Zare transgress the commandement of our Lord, and his* 1.77 wrath lay vpon al the people of Israel? And he was one man, and I would he alone had perished in his wicked fact. † And [ 21] the children of Ruben, and Gad, and of the halfe tribe of Man••sses answered the princes of the legacie of Israel: † The [ 22] most mightie God our Lord, The most mightie God our Lord, him selfe knoweth, and Israel together shal vnderstand: If

with the mind of preuarication we haue erected this altar, let him not keepe vs, but punish vs presently: † and if we did [ 23] it with that minde, that we might lay vpon it holocaustes, and sacrifice, and pacifique victimes, let him selfe examine it and iudge: † and not rather with that meaning and delibe∣ration, [ 24] that we said: To morrow your children wil say to our children: What haue you to doe with our Lord the God of Israel? † Our Lord hath put a border betwen vs and you, [ 25] O ye children of Ruben, and children of Gad, the riuer Ior∣dan: and therfore you haue no part in our Lord. And by this occasion your children shal auert our children from the feare of our Lord. We therfore thought it better, † and said: Let [ 26] vs build vs an altar, :: 1.78 not for holocaustes, nor to offer victi∣mes, † but for a testimonie betwen vs and you, and our issue [ 27] and your progenie, that we may serue our Lord, and it may be our right to offer both holocaustes, and victimes, and pa∣cifique hostes: and that your children to morrow say not to our children: You haue no part in our Lord. † And if they [ 28] wil say so, they shal answer them: Behold the altar of our Lord, which our fathers made, not for holocaustes, nor for sacrifice, but for our testimonie and yours. † God saue vs [ 29] from this abomination that we should reuolt from our Lord, and leaue his steppes, erecting an altar to offer holocaustes, and sacrifices, and victimes, beside the altar of our Lord God, which is erected before his tabernacle. † Which thinges [ 30] being heard, Phinees the priest, and the princes of the lega∣cie, which were with him, were pacified: and they admitted most willingly the wordes of the children of Ruben, & Gad, and of the halfe tribe of Manasses. † And Phinees the priest [ 31] the sonne of Eleazar said to them: Now we know that our Lord is with vs, because you are not culpable of this preua∣rication, and haue deliuered the children of Israel from the hand of our Lord. † And he returned with the princes from [ 32] the children of Ruben and Gad, out of the Land of Galaad, into the Land of Chanaan, to the children of Israel, and repor∣ted to them. † And the saying pleased al that heard it. And [ 33] the children of Israel praysed God, and they did no more say, that they would goe vp against them, and fight, and destroy the Land of their possession. † And the children of Ruben, [ 34] & the children of Gad called the altar, which they had built, Our testimonie, that our Lord he is God.

CHAP. XXIII. Iosue being old admonisheth the people to keepe▪ Gods commandementes. 12. and to auoide mariages, and al societie with gentiles, lest falling to ido∣latrie God as certainly punish them, as he hath benne benificial, and boun∣tiful to them.

AND when much time was passed, after that our Lord [ 1] had geuen peace to Israel, al the nations being sub∣dewed round about, and Iosue now verie ancient, and of a great age: † Iosue called al Israel, and the elders, and the [ 2] princes and the iudges, and the maisters, and said to them: I am old, and farre gone in age: † and you see al thinges, [ 3] that our Lord your God hath done to al the nations round about, :: 1.79 how him selfe hath fought for you: † and now [ 4] because he hath by lotte diuided to you al the Land, from the East part of Iordan vnto the great sea, and manie nations yet remaine: † Our Lord your God wil destroy them, and take [ 5] them away from your face, and you shal possesse the Land, as he hath promised you. † Onlie take courage, and be careful, [ 6] that you keepe al thinges which be written in the volume of the law of Moyses: and decline not from them neither to the right hand nor to the left: † lest after that you are entred in [ 7] to the Gentiles, which shal be among you, you sweare in the name of their goddes, and serue them, and adore them: † but [ 8] cleaue to our Lord your God: which you haue done vntil this day. † And then our Lord God wil take away in your sight [ 9] the great nations and very strong, and no man shal be able to resist you. † One of you shal pursew a thousand men of the [ 10] enemies: because our Lord your God him self wil fight for you, as he hath promised. † This onlie beware very dili∣gently [ 11] before hand, that you loue our Lord your God. † But [ 12] if you wil cleaue to the errour of these nations, that dwel a∣mong you, and make mariages with them, and ioyne amitie: † euen now know ye that our. Lord your God wil not destroy [ 13] them before your face, but they shal be a pitte and a snare for you, and a stumbling blocke at your side, and stakes in your eies, til he take you away and destroy you from this excellent Land, which he hath deliuered to you. † Behold I this day [ 14] enter into the way of al flesh, and you shal know with al your minde that al the wordes, which our Lord promised that he would performe to you, one is not escaped without effect.

† Therfore as he hath fulfilled in deede that which he pro∣mised, [ 15] and al thinges prosperous haue come: so wil he bring vpon you what euils soeuer he hath threatened, til he take you away and destroy you from this excellent Land, which he hath deliuered to you, † because you haue transgressed [ 16] the couenant of our Lord your God, which he hath made with you, and haue serued strange goddes, and adored them: quickly and in hast shal the furie of our Lord ryse against you, and you shal be taken away from this excellent Land, which he hath deliuered to you.

CHAP. XXIIII. In consideration of diuers principal benefites here recited, 14. Iosue exorteth the people to serue God sincerly, seing it is in their choise to do wel or euil. 16. they promise al true seruice and obedience to God. 25. VVherupon he reneweth the pact betwen God and them, writing it in the volume of the law, and erecting a great stone in testimonie. 29. He dieth and is buried in mount Ephraim. 32. Iosephs bones are buried in Sichem. 33. Eleazar the high priest also dieth and is buried in Ephraim.

AND Iosue gathered together al the tribes of Israel into [ 1] Sichem, and called the ancientes, and princes, and iudges, and maisters: and they stoode in the sight of our Lord: † and to the people he spake in this maner: Thus saith our [ 2] Lord the God of Israel: Beyond the riuer did your fathers dwel from the beginning, Thare the father of Abraham, and :: 1.80 of Nachor: and“ they serued strange goddes. † I tooke [ 3] therfore your father Abraham from the coastes of Mesopo∣tamia: and brought him into the Land of Chanaan: and mul∣tiplied his seede, † and gaue him Isaac: and againe to him [ 4] I gaue Iacob and Esau. Of whom, to Esau I gaue mount Seir to possesse: but Iacob, and his children went downe into Aegypt. † And I sent Moyses and Aaron, and stroke Aegypt [ 5] with many signes and wonders. † And I brought you and [ 6] your fathers out of Aegypt, and you came to the sea: and the Aegyptians pursewed your fathers with chariotes and horse∣men, as farre as the Read sea. † And the children of Israel [ 7] cried to the Lord: who did put darkenes betwen you and the Aegyptians, and brought the sea vpon them, & ouerwhelmed them. Your eies saw al thinges that I did in Aegypt, and you dwelt in the wildernes a great time: † and I brought you [ 8] into the Land of the Amorrheite, which dwelt beyond Iordan. And when they fought against you, I deliuered them

into your handes, and you possessed their Land, and slew them. † And there rose Balac the sonne of Sephor king of [ 9] Moab, and fought against Israel. And he sent and called Balaam the sonne of Beor, that he might curse you: † and [ 10] I would not heare him, but contrariwise by him I blessed you, and deliuered you out of his hand. † And you passed Iordan, [ 11] and came to Iericho. And the men of that citie fought against you, the Amorrheite, and Pherezeite and Chananeite, and the Hetheite, and Gergeseite, and the Heueite, and Iebuseite: and I deliuered them into your handes. † And I sent before [ 12] you hornettes: and I cast them forth out of their places, the two Kinges of the Amorrheites, not in thy sword and bow. † And I gaue you the Land, wherein you laboured not, and [ 13] the cities which you built not, to dwel in them: vineyardes and oliue trees, which you planted not. † Now therfore [ 14] feare our Lord and serue him with a perfect and verie true hart: and:: 1.81 take away the goddes, which your fathers serued in Mesopotamia and in Aegypt, and serue our Lord. † But [ 15] if it like you not to serue our Lord, choise is geuen you: choose this day that which pleaseth you, whom you ought especially to serue, whether the goddes, which your fathers serued in Mesopotamia, or the goddes of the Amorrheites, in whose Land you dwel: but I and my house wil serue our Lord. † And the people answered, and said: God forbid we [ 16] should leaue our Lord, and serue strange goddes. † Our [ 17] Lord God he brought vs, and our fathers out of the Land of Aegypt, out of the house of seruitude: and did in our sight great signes, and kept vs in al the way, by the which we walked, and among al the peoples, through which we passed. † And he hath cast out al the nations, the Amorrheite inha∣biter [ 18] of the Land, which we haue entred. We therfore wil serue our Lord, because he is our God. † And Iosue said to [ 19] the people: You can not serue our Lord: for God is holie, and a mightie aemulator, neither wil he pardon your wicked∣nes and sinnes. † If you leaue our Lord, and serue strange [ 20] goddes, he wil turne him self, and wil afflict you, and ouer∣throw you after he hath geuen you good thinges. † And the [ 21] people said to Iosue: No, it shal not be so as thou speakest, but we wil serue our Lord. † And Iosue said to the people: [ 22] You are witnesses, that your selues haue chosen to you our Lord for to serue him. And they answered: Witnesses.

† Now therfore, quoth he, take away strange goddes our [ 23] of the middes of you, and incline your hartes to our Lord the God of Israel. † And the people said to Iosue: We wil serue [ 24] our Lord God, and wil be obedient to his preceptes. † Iosue [ 25] therfore in that day :: 1.82 made a couenant, and proposed to the people preceptes and iudgementes in Sichem. † He wrote [ 26] also al these wordes in the volume of the law of our Lord: and he tooke a very great stone, and put it vnder the oke, that was in the Sanctuarie of our Lord: † and said to al the people: [ 27] Behold this stone shal be a testimonie for you, that :: 1.83 it hath heard al the wordes of our Lord, which he hath spoken to you: lest perhaps hereafter you wil denie, and lye to our Lord your God. † And he dismist the people, euerie one into their [ 28] possession. † :: 1.84 And after these thinges Iosue the sonne of [ 29] Nun the seruant of our Lord died, being a hundred and ten yeares old: † and“ they buried him in the coastes of his pos∣session [ 30] in Thamnathsare, which is situated in the mountaine of Ephraim, on the North part of mount Gaas. † And Israel [ 31] serued our Lord al the daies of Iosue, and of the ancientes, that liued a long time after Iosue, and that had knowen al the workes of our Lord which he had done in Israel. † The [ 32] :: 1.85 bones also of Ioseph which the children of Israel had taken* 1.86 out of Aegypt, they buried in Sichem, in part of the field, which Iacob had bought of the sonnes of Hemor the father of Sichem, for a hundred yong ewes, and it was in the pos∣session of the sonnes of Ioseph. † Eleazar also the sonne of [ 33] Aaron died: and they buried him in Gabaath of Phinees his sonne, which was geuen him in mount Ephraim.

ANNOTATIONS. CHAP. XXIIII.

2. They serued false goddes.] It is euident by this place, that Thare, and some* 1.87 other progenitors of Israel sometimes serued false goddes, from which they were reduced: but Abraham was euer preserued in true religion; and the whole familie of Thare was therfore persecuted in Chaldea▪ as S. Augustin sheweth li. 16. c. 13. de ciuit. Likwise Theodoret, q. 18. in Iosue, and other both ancient and late writers teach the same as is already noted. pag. 203.

30. They buried.] In that no mention is made of mourning for Iosue, S. Hie∣rom* 1.88 noteth a mysterie, and a special point of Chistian doctrin: It semeth to me (saieth he Epist. de 42. Maus. mans. 33.) that in Marie prophecie is dead, in Moyses and Aaron, an end is put to the law and priesthood of the Iewes. For so much as they could neither passe into the land of promise, nor bring the beleuing people out of the wildernes of this world. And (Mans 34.) Aaron (sayeth he) was mourned, (and so was Moyses) Iesus is not mourned that is, in the law was descentinto hel (called limbus) in the Gospel is passage to paradise.

THE ARGVMENT OF THE BOOKE OF IVDGES.

SAINCT Hierom geuing this general rule (Epist. ad Eustoch. virg.) that* 1.89 in reading historical bookes of holie Scripture, the historie, as fundation of veritie, is to be loued, but the spiritual vnderstan∣ding rather to be folowed: agreably therto teacheth (Epist ad Paulin.) that in this booke of Iudges there be as manie figures, as princes of the people. Neither doth he meane that there were no more, but for ex∣ample sake affirmeth that these Iudges, raised vp after Iosue, and sent of God* 1.90 to deliuer the people fallen for their sinnes into afflictions, were types and figures of the Apostles and Apostolical men, sent by Christ to propagate and defend his Church of the new Testament. For albeit diuers of these Iudges were sometimes great offenders, yet they were reclamed by Gods special grace, and so amending their errors did great thinges, to the singular honour of God: and are renowmed among the holie Patriarces and Prophetes, particularly praysed in bolie Scipture, saying: And the Iudges, euerie one by his name,* 1.91 * 1.92 whose hart was not corrupt: Who were not auerted from our Lord, that their memorie may be blessed, and their bones spring out from their place, and their name remaine for euer, the glorie of holie men remaining to their children. After Iosue therfore, who it semeth guided and ruled the people 32. yeares, this booke, written (as is* 1.93 most probable) by Samuel, shewing the famouse Actes of these Iudges of Israel, prosecuteth the historie of the Church the space of 288. yeares more. And may be diuided into three partes. First, is described in general the state of the people, * 1.94 sometimes wel and sincerly seruing God, other times falling to great sinnes. in the two first chapters. Secondly, their offences, afflictions, repentance, and deliuerie from their enemies are more particularly reported from the third chap. to the 17. Thirdly, other special accidents, which happened within the same time, are recorded▪ in the last fiue chapters.

THE BOOKE OF IVDGES, IN HEBREW SOPHETIM.

CHAP. I. Vnder a general captaine of the tribe of Iuda, assisted by the tribe of Simeon,* 1.95 Israel subdueth diuers cities of the gentiles (12. Othoniel taking Cariath sepher possesseth it, and marieth Calebs daughter, obtainig also addition of her dowrie) 21. Iebuseites yet dwel in Hierusalem with Beniamin, 27. and the Chananeites with diuers of the tribes.

AFTER the death of Iosue the children of Israel [ 1] :: 1.96 consulted our Lord, saying: Who shal goe vp before vs against the Chananeite, and shal be captaine of the warre? † And our Lord said: [ 2] :: 1.97 Iudas shal goe vp: behold I haue deliuered the Land into his handes, † And Iudas said to Simeon his brother: [ 3] Come vp with me into my lotte, and fight against the Chana∣neite, that I also may goe forward with thee into thy lotte. And Simeon went with him. † And Iudas went vp, and our [ 4] Lord deliuered the Chananeite, and the Pherezeite into their handes: and they stroke in Bezec ten thousand men. † And [ 5] they found Adonibezec in Bezec, and fought against him, and stroke the Chananeite, and the Pherezeite. † And Adoni∣bezec [ 6] fled: whom pursewing they tooke, cutting of the ex∣treme partes of his handes and feere. † And Adonibezec [ 7] said: Seuentie kinges hauing the extreme partes of their handes and seete cut of, gathered vp the reliques of meates vnder my table: as I haue done, so hath God repayed me. And they brought him into Ierusalem, and there he died. † Ther∣fore [ 8] the children of Iudas assaulting Ierusalem, tooke it, and stroke it in the edge of the sword, setting the whole citie on fyre. † And afterward going downe they fought against the [ 9] Chananeite, which dwelled in the mountaines, and south∣ward, and in the champaine countries. † And Iudas going [ 10] forward against the Chananeite, that dwelled in Hebron (the name wherof was before time Cariatharbe) stroke Sesai, and Ahiman, and Tholmai: † and departing thence went [ 11] to the inhabitantes of Dabir, the old name wherof was Ca∣riath Sepher, that is, a citie of letters. † And Caleb said: He [ 12]

that shal strike Cariath Sepher, and spoile it, I wil geue him Axa my daughter to wife. † And when Othoniel the sonne of Cenez, the yonger brother of Caleb had taken it, he gaue him Axa his daughter to wife. † Whom going on her [ 14] way her husband admonished to aske a field of her father. To whom, when she had sighed sitting on her asse, Caleb said: What aileth thee? † But she answered: Geue me a blessing, for [ 15] a drie land thou haft geuen me: geue me also a waterie. Caleb therfore gaue her a watrie ground aboue, & waterie beneath. † And the children of the Cineite the cosin of Moyses went [ 16] vp from the citie of palmes, with the children of Iudas into the deset of his lotte, which is at the south side of Arad, and dwelt with him. † But Iudas went with Simeon his brother, [ 17] and together they stroke the Chananeite that dwelt in Se∣phaath, and slew him. And the name of the citie was called, Horma, that is, Anathema. † And Iudas tooke Gaza with the [ 18] coastes therof, & Ascalon, and Accaron with their boundes. † And our Lord was with Iudas, and he posessed the moun∣taines: [ 19] neither could he destroy the inhabitantes of the valley, because they had manie :: 1.98 hooked chariotes. † And [ 20] they gaue to Galeb Hebron, as Moyses had said, who de∣stroyed out of it the three sonnes of Enac. † But the Iebu∣seite [ 21] the inhabiter of Ierusalem the children of Beniamin destroyed not: and the Iebuseite dwelt with the children of Beniamin in Ierusalem vntil this present day. † The house [ 22] also of Ioseph went vp into Bethel, and our Lord was with them. † For when they besieged the citie, which before was [ 23] called Luza, † they saw a man comming out of the citie, and [ 24] said to him: Shew vs the entrrance of the citie, and we wil shew thee mercie. † Who when he had shewed them, they [ 25] stroke the citie in the edge of the sword: but that man, and al his kinred they dismissed. † Who being dismist, went into the [ 26] Land of the Hetthims, and built there a citie, and called it Luza: which is so called vntil this present day. † Manasses [ 27] also destroyed not Bethsan, and Thanac with their litle townes, and the inhabitantes of Dor, and Ieblaam, and Mageddo with their litle townes. And the Chananeite began to dwel with them. † But after that Israel was waxen strong, [ 28] he made them tributaries, and would not destroy them. † Ephraim also killed not the Chananeite, that dwelt in [ 29] Gazer, but dwelt with him. † Zabulon destroyed not the [ 30]

inhabitantes of Cetron, & Naalol: but the Chananeite dwelt in the middes of him, and was made tributarie to him. † Aser [ 31] also destroyed not the inhabitantes of Accho, and of Sidon, of Ahalab, and Achazib, and Helba, and Aphec, and Rohob: † and he dwelt in the middes of the Chananeite the inhabiter [ 32] of that Land, neither did he kil them. † Nepthali also de∣stroyed [ 33] not the inhabitantes of Bethsames, & Bethanath: and he dwelt in the middes of the Chananeite the inhabiter of the Land, and the Bethsamites & Bethanites were tributaries to him. † And the Amorrheite straytened the children of Dan [ 34] in the mountaine, and gaue them not place to goe downe to the playne: † and he dwelt in mount Hares which is inter [ 35] preted shelles, in Aialon and Salebim. And the hand of the house of Ioseph was agrauated, and he became tributarie to him. † And the border of the Amorrheite was from the As∣cent [ 36] of the Scorpion, the rocke, and the higher places.

CHAP. II. An Angel reciting manie benefites of God towardes Israel, and their ingra∣titude, 4. they weepe for their faultes. 10. After the death of Iosue and other antientes of his time, the people often fal, and repenting are de∣liuered from afflictions. 19. but stil fal againe worse and worse.

AND the :: 1.99 Angel of our Lord went vp from Galgal to [ 1] the place of weepers, and said: I brought you out of Aegypt, and haue brought you into the Land, for the which I sware to your fathers: and I promised that I would not make frustrate my couenant with you for euer: † onlie so [ 2] that you should not make a league with the inhabitantes of this Land, but should ouerthrow their altares: and you would not heare my voice: why haue you done this? † For the [ 3] which cause I would not destroy them from before your face: that you may haue enemies, and their goddes may be a ruine vnto you. † And when the Angel of our Lord spake [ 4] these wordes to al the children of Israel: they lifted vp their voice, and wept. † And the name of that place was called, [ 5] the place of weepers, or of teares: and :: 1.100 there they immo∣lated hostes to our Lord. † Iosue therfore dismissed the [ 6] people, and the children of Israel went euerie one into his possession, to obtayne it: † and they serued our Lord al his [ 7] daies, and the daies of the ancientes, of them that liued a long time after him, and knew al the workes of our Lord, which

he had done with Israel. † And Iosue the sonne of Nun, the [ 8] seruant of our Lord, died, being a hundred and ten yeares old, † and they buried him in the borders of his possession in [ 9] Thamnathsare in the mount of Ephraim, on the North side of mount Gaas. † And al that generation was gathered to [ 10] to their fathers: and there rose others, that knew not our Lord, and the workes which he had done with Israel. † And [ 11] the children of Israel did euil in the sight of our Lord, and serued Baalim. † And they left our Lord the God of their [ 12] fathers, that had brought them out of the Land of Aegypt: and folowed strange goddes, and the goddes of the peoples, that dwelt round about them, and adored them: and they prouoked our Lord to anger, † leauing him, and seruing [ 13] Baal and Astaroth. † And our Lord being wrath against Is∣rael, [ 14] deliuered them into the handes of ransackers: who tooke them and sold them to the enemies, that dwelt round about: neither could they resist their aduersaries: † but whi∣ther [ 15] soeuer they had meant to goe, the hand of our Lord was vpon them, as he spake, and sware to them: and they were vehemently afflicted. † And our Lord:: 1.101raysed vp Iudges, [ 16] that should deliuer them from the handes of the wasters: but neither would they heare them, † fornicating with strange [ 17] goddes, and adoring them. They did quickly forsake the way, in the which their fathers had gone: and hearing the commandementes of our Lord, they did al thinges contrarie. † And when our Lord raysed vp Iudges, in their daies he was [ 18] moued with mercie, and heard the groninges of the afflicted, and deliuered them from the slaughter of the wasters. † But [ 19] after the Iudge was dead, they returned, and did much worse things then their fathers had done, folowing strange goddes seruing them, and adoring them. They left not their inuen∣tions, and the verie hard way, by which they were accusto∣med to walke. † And the furie of our Lord was angrie a∣gainst [ 20] Israel, & said: Because this nation hath made my coue∣nāt frustrate, which I had made with their fathers, & hath cō∣temned my voice: † I also wil not destroy the nations which [ 21] Iosue did let alone, and died: † that in them I may trie Israel, [ 22] whether they wil keepe the way of the Lord, and walke in it, as their fathers kept it, or no. † Our Lord therfore left al [ 23] these nations, and would not quickly ouerthrow them, nei∣ther deliuered them into the handes of Iosue.

CHAP. III. The people associating them selues with Gentiles, against whom they ought to* 1.102 fight. 8. are inuaded by forraine kinges: 9. but repenting are deliuered by Othoniel. 12. Falling againe, afflicted, and repenting, 15. are deliuered by Aod, 21. secretely killing Eglon their enemie. 31. After him Samgar de∣fendeth Israel against the Philisthimes.

THESE are the Nations, which our Lord left, that in [ 1] them he might instruct Israel, and al that had not kno∣wen the warres of the Chananeites: † that afterward their [ 2] children might lerne to fight with their enemies, and to be accustomed to warre: † the fiue princes of the Philisthimes, [ 3] and the Chananeite, and Sidonian, and Heueite, that dwelt in mount Libanus, from mount Baal Hermon to the entring into Emath. † And he left them, that in them he might trie [ 4] Israel, whether they would heare the commandementes of our Lord, which he had commanded their fathers by the hand of Moyses, or not. † Therfore the children of Israel dwelt [ 5] in the middes of the Chananeite, and Hetheite, and Amor∣rheite, and Pherezeite, and Heueite, and Iebuseite: † and [ 6] they tooke their daughters to wiues, and them selues gaue their owne daughters to their sonnes, & serued their goddes. † And they did euil in the sight of our Lord, and forgat their [ 7] God, seruing Baalim and Astaroth. † And our Lord being [ 8] wrath against Israel, deliuered them into the handes of Chu∣san Rasathaim the king of Mesopotamia, and they serued him eight yeares. † And they cried to our Lord: who raysed [ 9] them vp :: 1.103 a sauiour, and deliuered them, to witte, Othoniel the sonne of Cenez, the yonger brother of Caleb: † and the [ 10] Spirit of our Lord was in him, and he iudged Israel. And he went forth to fight, and our Lord deliuered into his handes Chusan Rasathaim the king of Syria, and oppressed him. † And the land rested :: 1.104 fourtie yeares, and Othoniel the [ 11] sonne of Cenez died. † And the children of Israel added to [ 12] doe euil in the sight of our Lord: who strengthned against them Eglon the king of Moab: because they did euil in his sight. † And he ioyned to him the children of Ammon, and [ 13] Amalec: and he went and stroke Israel, and possessed the Citie of palmes. † And the children of Israel serued Eglon [ 14] the king of Moab eightene yeares: † and afterward they [ 15] cried to our Lord: who raysed vp vnto them a sauiour called Aod, the sonne of Gera, the sonne of Iemini, who vsed both

handes for the right. And the children of Israel sent by him presentes to Eglon the king of Moab. † Who made him self [ 16] a two edged sword, hauing in the middes a hafte in length the palme of a hand, and was girded therwith vnder his cas∣socke on the right thigh. † And he presented the giftes to [ 17] Eglon the king of Moab. And Eglon was exceeding grosse. † And when he had presented the giftes vnto him, he [ 18] brought his felowes on the way that came with him. † And [ 19] returning from Galgal, where the Idols were, he said to the King: I haue a secrete message to thee ô king. And he com∣manded silence: and al being gone forth, that were about him, † Aod went in to him: and he sate in a sommer cham∣ber [ 20] alone, and he said: :: 1.105 A word from God I haue to thee. Who forthwith rose out of his throne. † And Aod put forth [ 21] his left hand, and tooke the dagger from his right thigh, and fastened it into his bellie † so mightely that the haft folowed [ 22] the blade in the wound, and was closed vp fast with the most fatte grease. Neither did he plucke out the dagger, but as he had striken so leift it in the bodie: and forthwith by the secrete partes of nature the ordure of the bellie came forth. † But Aod shutting the doores of the chamber very [ 23] diligently, and locking them sure, † went out by a posterne [ 24] doore. And the kinges seruantes going in, saw the doores of the chamber shut, and they said: Peraduenture he purgeth his bellie in the sommer chamber. † And expecting long til [ 25] they were ashamed, and seeing that no man did open, they tooke a key: and opening they found their lord on the earth lying dead. † But Aod, whiles they were trubled, escaped, [ 26] and passed by the Place of Idols, whence he had returned. And he came into Seirath: † and forthwith the trumpet sounded [ 27] in the mount of Ephraim: and the children of Israel went downe with him, him self going in the front. † Who said to [ 28] them: Folow me: for our Lord hath deliuered our enemies the Moabites into our handes. And they went downe after him, and occupied the fordes of Iordan, which bring ouer into Moab: and they suffered no man to passe: † but they stroke [ 29] the Moabites at that time, about ten thousand, al stoute and strong men, none of them could escape. † And Moab was [ 30] humbled that day vnder the hand of Israel: and the Land rested eightie yeares. † After him was Samgar the sonne of [ 31] Anath, who stroke, of the Philisthimes six hundred men with the culter of a ploughe: and he also defended Israel.

CHAP. IIII. Againe the people sinning are oppressed, and crying to God, 4. by direction of Debbora a prophetesse, Barac fighteth against Sisara their enemie. 15. who stricken with feare, and fleeing away, 17. Iahel pretending his saftie killeth him in her house.

AND the children of Israel added to doe euil in the sight [ 1] of our Lord after the death of Aod, † and our Lord de∣liuered [ 2] them into the handes of Iabin the king of Chanaan, which reigned in Asor: and he had a captaine of his armie named Sisara, and he dwelt in Haroseth of the gentiles. † And [ 3] the children of Israel cried to our Lord: for he had nine hundred yron hooked chariottes, and for twentie yeres had vehemently oppressed them. † And there was one Debbora [ 4] a prophetese the wife of Lapidoth, which :: 1.106 iudged the people at that time. † And she sate vnder a palme tree, which was [ 5] called by her name, betwen Rama and Bethel in the mount of Ephraim: and the children of Israel went vp to her for al iudgement. † Who sent, and called Barac the sonne of A∣binoem [ 6] of Cedes in Nepthali: and she said to him: Our Lord God of Israel hath commanded thee, Goe, and lead an armie into mount Thabor, and thou shalt take with thee ten thousand fighting men of the children of Nepthali, and of the children of Zabulon: † and I wil bring vnto thee in the [ 7] place of the Torrent Cison, Sisara the prince of the hoste of Iabin, and his chariotes, and al the multitude, and wil deliuer them in thy hand. † And Barac said to her: If thou come [ 8] with me, I wil goe: If thou wilt not come with me, I wil not goe. † Who said to him: I wil goe in deede with thee, [ 9] but at this time the victorie shal not be imputed to thee, because Sisara shal be deliuered into the hand of a woman. Debbora therfore arose, and went with Barac into Cedes. † Who calling vnto him Zabulon and Nepthali, went vp [ 10] with ten thousand fighting men, hauing Debbora in his com∣panie. † And Habet the Cineite was in time past departed [ 11] from the rest of the Cineites his brethren of Hobab, the cosin of Moyses: and had pitched his tentes vnto the valley, which is called Sennim, and was nere Cedes. † And it was told [ 12] Sisara, that Barac the sonne of Abinoem was gone vp into mount Thabor: † and he gathered nine hundred yron hoo∣ked [ 13] chariottes, and al his armie from Haroseth of the gentiles

to the torrent Cison. † And Debbora said to Barac: Arise, for [ 14] this is the day, wherin our Lord hath deliuered Sisara into thy handes: behold he is thy leader. And Barac went downe from mount Thabor, and ten thousand fighting men with him. † And our Lord terrified Sisara, and al his chariotes, [ 15] and al the multitude in the edge of the sword at the sight of Barac: in so much, that Sisara leaping downe from his cha∣riote, fled a foote, † and Barac pursewed the chariotes flee∣ing, [ 16] and the armie vnto Haroseth of the gentiles, and al the multitude of the enemies was vtterly destroyed. † But Sisara [ 17] fleeing came to the tent of Iahel the wife of Haber the Ci∣neite. for there was peace betwixt Iabin the king of Asor, and the house of Haber the Cineite. † Iahel therfore going forth [ 18] to meete Sisara, said to him: Come in to me my Lord, come in, feare no••. Who being entred into her tabernacle, and co∣uered of her with a cloke, † said to her: Geue me, I beseech [ 19] thee, a little water, for I am very thirstie. Who opened a bottle of milke, and gaue him to drinke, and couered him. † And [ 20] Sisara said to her: Stand before the doore of the tabernacle, and when any shal come asking thee, and saying: Is there any man here? Thou shalt say: There is none. † :: 1.107 Iahel ther∣fore [ 21] the wife of Haber tooke a nayle of the tabernacle, ta∣king with al a hammer also: and going in secretely, and with silence she put the naile vpon the temple of his head, and stri∣king it with the hammer, fastened it into his braine euen to the ground: who ioyning deepe sleepe and death together, faynted, and died. † And behold Barac folowing Sisara [ 22] came: & Iahel going forth to meete him, said to him: Come, and I wil thew thee the man whom thou seekest. Who when he was entered in vnto her, saw Sisara lying dead, and the nayle fastened in his temples. † Therfore God that day hum∣bled [ 23] Iabin the king of Chanaan before the children of Israel: † which increased daily, and with strong hand oppressed [ 24] Iabin the king of Chanaan, til they destroyed him.

CHAP. V. The Canticle of Debbora and Barac geuing thankes after their victorie.

[ 1] AND Debbora and Barac the sonne of Abinoem sang in that day, saying:

[ 2] † You that of Israel haue voluntarily offered your liues to peril, :: 1.108 blesse our Lord.

[ 3]

† Heare you kinges, and geue eare ye princes: I am, :: 1.109 I am she, that wil sing to our Lord, I wil chaunte to our Lord the God of Israel.

[ 4] † Lord when thou wentst out of Seir, and didst passe by the countries of Edom, the earth was moued, & the heauens and cloudes distilled waters.

[ 5] † The mountaines melted before the face of our Lord, and Sinai before the face of our Lord God of Israel.

[ 6] † In the daies of Samgar the sonne of Anath, in the daies of Iahel the pathes rested: and they that went by them, wal∣ked by by waies.

[ 7] The valiantes in Israel ceased, and rested: vntil Debbora arose, a mother rose in Israel.

[ 8] Our Lord chose new warres, and the gates of the enemies him selfe subuerted: shield and speare if there appeared a∣mong fourtie thousand of Israel.

[ 9] † My hart loueth the princes of Israel: you that of your owne good wil offered your selues to danger, blesse our Lord.

[ 10] † You that ride vpon your :: 1.110 faire asses, and sitte in iudge∣ment, and walke in the way, speake.

[ 11] † Where the chariottes were frushed together, and the armie of the enemie was suffocated, there let the iustices of our Lord be told, and his clemencie toward the valiantes of Israel: then did the people of our Lord goe downe to the gates, and obteyned the principalitie.

[ 12] † Arise, arise Debbora, arise, arise, and speake a canticle: Arise Barac, and apprehend thy captiues thou sonne of Abi∣noem.

[ 13] The remnant of the people is saued, our Lord hath fought in the valiantes.

[ 14] Out from Ephraim he destroyed them into Amalec, and after him out from Beniamin into thy peoples O Amalec: Out from Machir there descended princes, and our from Za∣bulon they that led the armie to fight.

[ 15] † The captaines of Issachar were with Debbora, and fo∣lowed the steppes of Barac, who as it were into a headlong and bottomeles pitte gaue him self to danger: Ruben being diuided against it self, there was found contention of cou∣ragious persons.

[ 16] Why dwellest thou betwen the two boundes, that thou mayest heare the whistlinges of the flockes? Ruben being

diuided against it self, there was found contention of coura∣gious men.

[ 17] † Galaad rested beyond Iordan, and Dan gaue him self to shippes: Aser dwelt in the sea shore, and abode in hauens.

[ 18] † But Zabulon and Nepthali offered their liues to death in their countrie of Merome.

[ 19] † The kinges came and fought, the kinges of Chanaan fought in Thanac besides the waters of Mageddo, and yet going a praying they tooke nothing.

[ 20] † From heauen they fought against them: the starres re∣mayning in their order and course, fought against Sisara.

[ 21] † The torrent of Cison drew their carcasses, the torrent of Cadumim, the torrent of Cison: my soule tread downe the strong ones.

[ 22] † The hoofes of the horses fel of, the strongest of the ene∣mies fleeing violently, and falling downe headlong.

[ 23] † Curse ye the land of Meroz, said the Angel of our Lord: Curse the inhabitantes therof, because they came not to help our Lord, to aide his most mightie ones.

[ 24] † :: 1.111 Blessed among wemen be Iahel the wife of Haber the Cineite, and blessed be she in her tabernacle.

[ 25] † To him that asked water she gaue milke, and in the phial of princes she offered butter.

[ 26] † Her left hand she put to the maile, and her right hand to the smithes hammer, and stroke Sisara, seeking in his head a place for the wound, and piercing valiantly through his temple.

[ 27] † Betwen her feete he fel: he failed, and died: he was row∣led before her feete, and he lay without life and miserable.

[ 28] † Looking through a window, his mother howled: & she spake out of a higher chamber: Why lingereth his chariote to come backe? Wherfore are the feete of his waggans slow?

[ 29] † One wiser then the rest of his wiues, answered these wordes to her mother in law:

[ 30] † Peraduenture now he diuideth the spoyles, and the fay∣rest of the wemen is chosen for him: garmentes of sundrie colours are deliuered to Sisara for a praye, and diuerse furni∣ture is laid together to adorne the neckes.

[ 31] † So perish al thine enemies O Lord: but they that loue thee, as the Sunne shineth in his rysing, so let them glitter.

† And the Land rested for fourtie yeares. [ 32]

CHAP.

CHAP. VI. The people falling againe to sinne, are oppressed by the Madianites. 12. An Angel appearing to Gedeon, sendeth him to deliuer Israel, 17. confirming his mission by miracle. 25. So he first destroyeth Baals altar. 34. then gathe∣reth an armie against Idolaters. 36. and is assured againe of Gods prote∣ction by two miracles in a fleec•• of woolle.

AND the children of Israel did euil in the sight of our [ 1] Lord: who deliuered them into the hand of Madian seuen yeares, † & they were sore oppressed of them. And they [ 2] made them selues dennes and caues in the mountaines, and very wel fensed places to resist. † And when Israel had [ 3] sowen, Madian came vp and Amalec, and the rest of the East nations: † and pitching their tentes by them wasted al thin∣ges [ 4] as they were in the blade vnto the entring of Gaza: and they left nothing at al in Israel that perteyned to mans life, not sheepe, not oxen, not asses. † For they and al their flockes [ 5] came with their tabernacles, and like vnto locustes filled al places, an inumerable multitude of men, and of camels, wa∣sting whatsoeuer they touched. † And Israel was sore hum∣bled [ 6] in the sight of Madian. † And he cried to our Lord de∣siring [ 7] helpe against the Madianites. † who sent vnto them [ 8] :: 1.112 a man that was a prophet, and he spake: Thus sayeth our Lord the God of Israel: I made you to come vp out of Aegypt, and brought you out of the house of seruitude, † and deli∣uered [ 9] you out of the handes of the Aegyptians, and of al the enemies, that afflicted you: and I cast them out at your en∣tring, and deliuered you their Land. † And I said▪ I the Lord [ 10] your God, feare not the goddes of the Amorrheites, in whose land you dwel. And you would not heare my voice. † And [ 11] an Angel of our lord came, and sate vnder an oke, that was in Ephra, and perteyned to Ioas the father of the familie of Ezri. And when Gedeon his sonne did thresh and purge wheate in a winepresse, to flee Madian, † the Angel of our [ 12] Lord appeared to him, and said: Our Lord be with thee ô most valiant of men. † And Gedeon said to him: I besech [ 13] thee my Lord, if our Lord be with vs, why hane these euils apprehended vs? where are his meruelous workes, which our fathers haue told vs, and said: Out of Aegypt did our Lord bring vs? but now our Lord hath forsaken vs, and deliuered vs into the hande of Madian. † And our Lord looked [ 14]

to ward him, and said: Goe in this thy strength, and thou shalt deliuer Israel out of the hand of Madian: know that I haue sent thee. † Who answering said: I besech thee, my Lord, [ 15] wherein shal I deliuer Israel? behold my familie is the meanest in Manasses, and I the least in my fathers house. † And our [ 16] Lord said to him: I wil be with thee: and thou shalt strike Madian as it were one man. † And he said: If I haue found, [ 17] quoth he, grace before thee, geue me a signe that it is thou which speakest to me. † Neither depart thou hence, til I [ 18] returne to thee, bringing a sacrifice, and offering :: 1.113 to thee. Who answered: I wil tarie thy coming. † Gedeon therfore [ 19] went in, and boyled a kidde, and of a bushel of flowre baked vnleuened loaues: and putting the flesh in a basket, and the broth of the flesh into a potte, he caried al vnder the oke, and offered to him. † To whom the Angel of our [ 20] Lord said: Take the flesh and the vnleuened loaues, and put them vpon that rocke, and powre out the broth theron. And when he had done, † the Angel of our Lord stretched [ 21] forth the tippe of the rodde, which he held in his hand, and touched the flesh and the vnleuened loaues: and there arose a fyre from the rocke, and consumed the flesh, and the le∣uened loaues: and the Angel of our Lord vanished from his eies. † And Gedeon seeing that it was the Angel of our [ 22] Lord, said: Alas my Lord God: that I haue seene the Angel our Lord face to face. † And our Lord said to him: Peace [ 23] be with thee: feare not, thou shalt not die. † And Gedeon [ 24] built there :: 1.114 an altar to our Lord, and called it, our Lords peace, vntil this present day. And when he was yet in Ephra, which is of the familie of Ezri, † that night our [ 25] Lord said to him: Take a bullocke of thy fathers, and an other bullocke of seuen yeares, and thou shalt destroy the altar of Baal, which is thy fathers: and cut downe the groue, that is about the altar: † and thou shalt build an altar to the Lord [ 26] thy God in the toppe of this rocke, whereupon thou didst lay the sacrifice before: and thou shalt take the second bullocke, and shalt offer an holocauste vpon a pile of the wood, which thou shalt ••nt downe out of the groue. † Gedeon therfore [ 27] taking to him ten men of his seruantes, did as our Lord had commanded him. But fearing his fathers house, and the men of that citie, he would not doe it by day, but accomplished al thinges by night. † And when the men of that towne were [ 28]

risen in the morning, they saw the altar of Baal destroyed, and the groue cut downe, and the other bullocke laid vpon the altar, which then was built, † They said one to an other: [ 29] who hath done this? And when they inquired for the author of the fact, it was said: Gedeon the sonne of Ioas did al these thinges. † And they said to Ioas: Bring forth thy sonne hi∣ther, [ 30] that he may die: because he hath destroyed the altar of Baal, and hath cut downe his groue. † To whom he answe∣red: [ 31] Why are you reuengers of Baal, that you fight for him? he that is his aduersarie, let him die before to morrow light appeare: if he be God, reuenge he him self, on him that hath raysed his altar. † From that day Gedeon was called :: 1.115 Iero∣baal, [ 32] because Ioas had said: Let Baal reuenge him self on him, that hath raysed his altar. † Therefore al Madian, and [ 33] Amalec, and the east peoples were gathered together, and pas∣sing ouer Iordan, camped in the vaile Iezrael. † But the spirit [ 34] of our Lord reuested Gedeon, who sounding with a trumpet called together the house of Abiezer, to folow him. † And [ 35] he sent messengers into al Manasses, which it selfe also did folow him: and other messengers into Aser and Zabulon and Nepthali, which mette him. † And Gedeon said to God: If [ 36] thou saue Israel by my hand, as thou hast spoken, † I wil putte [ 37] this fleece of wool on the floore: if there shal be :: 1.116 dew in the fleece onlie, and on al the ground drienes, I shal know that by my hand, as thou hast spoken, thou wilt deliuer Israel. † And it came so to passe. And rysing in the night wringing [ 38] the fleece, he filled a vessel with the dew. † And he said [ 39] againe to God: Let not thy furie be angry against me if I tempt once againe, seeking a signe in the fleece. I desire that the fleece onlie may be drie, and al the ground wette with dew. † And God did that night as he had requested: and there was [ 40] drienes in the fleece onlie, and dew on al the ground.

CHAP. VII. Gedeon marching with thirtie two thousand men, al that are fearful, and that drinke water kneeling are dimissed, & onlie three hundred that drinke litle remaine, 9 By a Madianites dreame Gedeonis encouraged. 16 By a stratageme the enemie is frihgted & ouerthrowne. 24. The Ephraites kil Oreb and Zeb.

THERFORE, Ierobaal, which is also Gedeon, rysing [ 1] in the night, and al the people with him, came to the fountaine that is called Harad▪ and the campe of Madian was

in the valley on the North side of the high hil. † And our [ 2] Lord said to Gedeon: There is much people with thee, nei∣ther shal Madian be deliuered into their hand: lest Israel glorie against me, and say: By myne owne force I am deliue∣red. † Speake to the people, and proclame in al their hea∣ring: [ 3] He that is fearful and timorous, let him returne. And they departed from mount Galaad, and there returned two and twentie thousand men, and onlie ten thousand remained. † And our Lord said to Gedeon: Yet there is a great multi∣tude, [ 4] leade them to the waters, and there I wil proue them: and of whom I shal tel thee that he goe with thee, let him goe: whom I shal forbid to goe, let him returne. † And when [ 5] the people were come downe to the waters, our Lord said to Gedeon: They that shal lappe the water with their tongues, as dogges are wont to lappe, thou shalt separate them apart: but they that shal drinke bowing downe their knees, shal be on the other part. † The number therfore of them that had [ 6] lapped watter, their hand casting it to their mouth, was three hundred men: and al the rest of the multitude had drunck kneeling. † And our Lord said to Gedeon: In the three [ 7] hundred men, that lapped water, I wil deliuer you, and geue Madian in thy hand: but let al the rest of the multitude re∣turne into their place. † Taking therfore victuals and trum∣pettes [ 8] according to the number, al the rest of the multitude he commanded to depart to their tabernacles: and him selfe with the three hundred gaue him selfe to the battel. And the campe of Madian was beneath in the valley. † The same [ 9] night our Lord said to him: Arise, and goe downe into the campe: because I haue deliuered them into thy hand. † But [ 10] if thou be afraid to goe alone, let Phara thy seruant goe downe with thee. † And when thou shalt heare what they [ 11] speake, then shal thy handes be strengthned, and thou shalt goe downe more secure to the enemies campe. He therfore went downe and Phara his seruant into part of the campe, where the watch was of men in armes. † But Madian and [ 12] Amalec, and al the East peoples lay scattered in the valley, as a multitude of locustes▪ their camels also were innumerable, as the sand that lieth in the sea shore. † And when Gedeon was [ 13] come, one told his neighbour :: 1.117 a dreame: & in this manner he reported that which he had seene: I ••aw a dreame, & there se∣med to me as it were a harth loafe of barlie to roll, & to come

into the campe of Madian: and when it was come to the ta∣bernacle, it stroke it, and ouerthrew it, and beate it al flatte with the earth. † He to whom he spake, answered: This [ 14] is no other thing, but the sword of Gedeon the sonne of Ioas the man of Israel. For the Lord hath deliuered Ma∣dian into his handes, and al their campe. † And when [ 15] Gedeon had heard the dreame, and the interpretation therof, he adored: and turned to the campe of Israel, and said: Arise ye, for our Lord hath deliuered the campe of Madian into our handes. † And he diuided the three hundred men into three [ 16] partes, and gaue them trumpettes in their handes, and :: 1.118 emptie pitchers, and lampes in the middes of their pitchers. † And he said to them: What you shal see me doe, that doe [ 17] ye: I wil enter into part of the campe, and that which I shal doe folow you. † When the trumpet shal sound in my hand, [ 18] doe you also sound and crie together round about the campe: To our Lord :: 1.119 and to Gedeon. † And Gedeon went in, and [ 19] the three hundred that were with him, into part of the campe, the watch of midnight beginning, and raysing vp the watch men they began to sound with their :: 1.120 trumpettes, and to clappe the pitchers one against an other. † And when they [ 20] sounded in three places round about the campe, and had broken the pitchers, they held the lampes in the left handes, and with the right they sounded the trumpettes, and cried: The sword of our Lord and of Gedeon: † standing euerie [ 21] one in his place round about the enemies campe. Therfore the whole campe was trubled, and crying out and howling they fled: † and the three hundred men neuertheles per∣sisted [ 22] sounding with the trumpettes. And our Lord sent in the sword in al the campe, and they murdered one an other, † fleeing as farre as Bethsetta, and the brinke of Abelmehula [ 23] in Tebbath. But the men of Israel of Nephthali, and Aser shoutting together, and al Manasses pursewed Madian. † And Gedeon sent messengers into al mount Ephraim, [ 24] saying: Come downe to meete Madian, and take the waters before them to Bethbera and Iordan. And al Ephraim shou∣ted, and tooke the waters before them and Iordan vnto Bethbera. † And two men that were apprehended of Madian, [ 25] Oreb, and Zeb: Oreb he slew in the Rocke of Oreb, Zeb ••n the Presse of Zeb. And they pursewed Madian, carying the heades of Oreb and Zeb to Gedeon beyond the streames of Iordan.

CHAP. VIII. The Ephr••imites quareling because they were not called to the Warres, are paci∣fied by Gedeon. 4. The men of Soccoth and Phanuil denying victuals for the campe, Gedeon (in the meane time (10.) ouerthrowing the enemie) 15. reuengeth their reprochful contempt. 18. killeth Sebee and Salmana. 22. re∣fuseth dominion, 24. but receiueth as a gift, the Iewels taken in the praye. 27. maketh therof an Ephod, which turneth to the ruine of his familie, 30. Hauing seuentie sonnes by his wiues, and one by a concubine, dieth in good old age. 33. and the people fal againe to idolatrie.

AND the men of Ephraim said to him: What is this that [ 1] thou didst meane to doe, that thou wouldest not cal vs when thou didst goe to fight against Madian? chyding bitterly and almost offering violence. † To whom he answered: [ 2] :: 1.121 What could I haue done like to that, which you haue done. Is not the cluster of Ephraim better then the vintages of Abiezer? † Into your handes hath our Lord deliuered the [ 3] princes of Madian, Oreb and Zeb, what could I haue done the like as you haue done? Which when he had spoken, their spirit rested, wherwith they did swel against him. † And [ 4] when Gedeon was come to Iordan, he passed ouer it with the three hundred men, that were with him: and for wearines, they could not pursew them that fled. † And he said to the [ 5] men of Soccoth: Geue, I beseech you, bread to the people, that is with me, because they are verie faint: that we may pursew Zebee, and Salmana the kinges of Madian. † The [ 6] princes of Soccoth answered: Peraduenture the palmes of the handes of Zebee and Salmana are in thy hand, & therfore thou requirest that we geue bread to thy armie. † To whom he [ 7] said: When our Lord therfore shal haue deliuered Zebee and Salmana into my handes, I wil teare your flesh with the thornes, and briers of the desert. † And going vp from [ 8] thence, he came into Phanuel: and he spake to the men of that place the like thinges. To whom they also answered, as the men of Soccoth had answered. † He said therfore to [ 9] them also: When I shal be returned conquerour in peace, I wil destroy this towre. † But Zebee and Salmana rested [ 10] with al their armie. For fiftene thousand men were remay∣ning of al the troupes of the East peoples, an hundred and twentie thousand fighting men and those that drew sword, being slayne. † And Gedeon going vp by the way of them, [ 11]

that dwelt in tabernacles, on the East side of Nobe, and Iegbaa, stroke the campe of the enemies, which were secure, and suspected no mischance. † And Zebee and Salmana fled, [ 12] whom Gedeon pursewing apprehended, al their hoste being put out of aray. † And returning from the battel before [ 13] sunne rysing, † he tooke a boy of the men of Soccoth: and [ 14] he asked him the names of the princes and ancientes of Soc∣coth, and he described seuentie seuen men. † And he came [ 15] to Soccoth, and said to them: Behold Zebee, and Salmana concerning whom you vpbraided me, saying: Peraduenture the handes of Zebee and Salmana are in thy handes, and therfore thou desirest that we geue bread to the men that be∣wearie, and are fainte. † He tooke therfore the ancientes of [ 16] the citie, and thornes and briers of the desert, and tore them with the same, and cut the men of Soccoth into pieces. † The tower also of Phanuel he ouerthrew, killing the inha∣bitantes [ 17] of the citie. † And he said to Zebee and Salmana: [ 18] What manner of men were they, whom you slew in Thabor? Who answared: Like vnto thee, and one of them as it were the sonne of a king. † To whom he answered: They were [ 19] my brethren, the sonnes of my mother. Our Lord liueth, that if you had saued them, :: 1.122 I would not kil you. † And he said [ 20] to Iether his eldest sonne: Arise, and kil them. Who drew not out his sword: for he was afraid, because he was yet a boy. † And Zebee and Salmana said: Doe thou rise, and runne [ 21] vpon vs: because according to his age is the strength of a man. Gedeon rose vp, and slew Zebee and Salmana: and he tooke the ornamentes and bosses, wherwith the neckes of kinges camels are wont to be adorned. † And al the men of Israel [ 22] said to Gedeon: :: 1.123 Rule thou ouer vs, and thy sonne, and thy sonnes sonne: because thou hast deliuered vs from the hand of Madian. † To whom he said: I wil not rule ouer you, [ 23] neither shal my sonne rule ouer you, but our Lord shal rule ouer you. † And he said to them: One petition I request of [ 24] you: Geue me the earlettes of your praye. For the Ismalites were accustomed to haue golden earlettes. † Who answered: [ 25] we wil geue them most willingly. And spreading a mantel on the ground, they cast on it the earlettes of the praye: † and the weight of the earlettes that he desired, was a thou∣sand [ 26] fiue hundred sicles of gold, besides the ornamentes, and iewels, and purple vesture, which the kinges of Madian were

wont to vse, and besides the golden chaines of the camels, † And Gedeon made therof an Ephod, and put it in his citie [ 27] Ephra. And al Israel did fornicate in it, and it became a ruine to Gedeon and to al his house. † But Madian was humbled [ 28] before the children of Israel, neither could they any more lift vp their neckes: but the land rested for fourtie yeares, wherin Gedeon ruled. † Ierobaal therfore the sonne of Ioas [ 29] went, and dwelt in his owne house: † and he had seuentie [ 30] sonnes, which came out of his thigh, because he had manie wiues. † And his :: 1.124 concubine, which he had in Sichem, [ 31] bare him a sonne named Abimelec. † And Gedeon the sonne [ 32] of Ioas died in a good old age, & was buried in the sepulchre of his father in Ephra of the familie of Ezri. † But after that [ 33] Gedeon was dead, the children of Israel were auerted, and did fornicate with Baalim. And they made a couenant with Baal, that he should be their God: † neither did they remember our [ 34] Lord their God, which deliuered them out of the handes of al their enemies round about: † neither did they mercie with [ 35] the house of Ierobaal Gedeon, according to al the benefites that he had done to Israel.

CHAP. IX. Abimelech Gedeons concubins sonne killeth his brethren, 7. onlie the yongest escapeth, & by aparable expostulateth the iniurie donne to his fathers house. 23. Shortly the Sichemites detest Abimelech. 26. Ga••l conspireth against him, but is ouercome. 50. Finally Abimalech is wounded to death by a woman.

AND :: 1.125 Abimelech the sonne of Ierobaal went into [ 1] Sichem to his mothers brethren and spake to them, and to al the kinred of the house of his mothers father, saying: † Speake to al the men of Sichem: whether is better [ 2] for you, that seuentie men haue dominion ouer you al the sonnes of Ierobaal, or that one man haue dominion ouer you? and withal consider that I am your bone, and your flesh. † And his mothers brethren spake of him to al the men of [ 3] Sichem, al these wordes, and inclined their hartes after Abi∣melech, saying: He is our brother. † And they gaue him se∣uentie [ 4] weight of siluer out of the temple of Baalberit. Who hyred therewith vnto him self needie men and vagaboundes, and they folowed him. † And he came into his fathers house [ 5] in Ephra, and murdered his brethren the sonnes of Ierobaal

seuentie men, vpon one stone: and there remayned Ioatham the youngest sonne of Ierobaal, and was hidde. † And al the [ 6] men of Sichem assembled together al the families of the citie of Mello: and they went & made Abimelech king, beside the oke, that stood in Sichem. † Which being told to Ioatham, [ 7] he went,:: 1.126 and stoode in the toppe of mount Garizim: and lifting vp his voice, he cried, and said: Heare me ye men of Sichem, so as God may heare you. † “The trees went to [ 8] anointe a king ouer them: and they said to the :: 1.127 oliue tree: Reigne ouer vs. † Which answered: Can I forsake my fat∣nes, [ 9] which both goddes do vse, and men, and come to be promoted among the trees? † And the trees said to the [ 10] :: 1.128 figge tree: Come, and take the kingdome ouer vs. † Which [ 11] answered them: Can I forsake my sweetenes, and my most sweete fruites, and go to be promoted among the other trees? † And the trees spake to the :: 1.129 vine: Come, and reigne ouer [ 12] vs. † Which answered them: Can I forsake my wine, that [ 13] chereth God and men, & be promoted among the other trees? † And the trees said to :: 1.130 the * 1.131 rhamnus: Come, and reigne [ 14] ouer vs. † Who answered them: If in deede you make me [ 15] your king, Come, and rest vnder my shadow: but if you meane it not, let there fyre issue forth of the rhamnus, and deuoure the ceders of Libanus. † Now therfore, if you haue [ 16] wel, and without sinne appointed Abimelech king ouer you, and haue dealt wel with Ierobaal, and with his house, and haue requitted him the like for his benefites, who fought for you, † and put his life in dangers, that he might deliuer [ 17] you from the hand of Madian, † who now are risen against [ 18] my fathers house, and haue killed his sonnes seuentie men vpon one stone, and haue made Abimelech the sonnè of his handmaide king ouer the inhabitantes of Sichem, because he is your brother. † If therfore you haue dealt wel, and with∣out [ 19] fault with Ierobaal, and his house, reioyse this day in Abimelech, and reioyse he in you. † But if vniustly: let there [ 20] fyre issue forth from him, and consume the inhabitantes of Sichem, and towne of Mello: and let there fire goe forth from the men of Sichem, and from the towne of Mello, and deuoure Abimelech. † Which thinges when he had said, he [ 21] fled, and went into Bera: and dwelt there for feare of Abi∣melech his brother. † Abimelech therfore reigned ouet Israel [ 22] three yeares. † And our Lord sent :: 1.132 a verie euil spirit betwen [ 23]

Abimelech and the inhabitantes of Sichem: Who began to detest him, † and to lay the wickednes of the murdering of [ 24] the seuentie sonnes of Ierobaal, and the sheading of their bloud vpon Abimelech their brother, and vpon the rest of the princes of the Sichimites, that had holpen him. † And they [ 25] sette an ambushment against him on the toppe of the moun∣taines: and whiles they taryed for his coming, they com∣mitted robberies, taking prayes of them that passed by: and it was told Abimelech. † And Gaal the sonne of Obed came [ 26] with his brethen, and passed into Sichem. At whose coming the inhabitantes of Sichem taking courage, † issued forth [ 27] into the fieldes, wasting the vineyardes, and treading the grapes: and gathering companies of musicions went into the temple of their god, and in their bankettes and cuppes cursed Abimelech, † Gaal the sonne of Obed crying: Who is Abi∣melech, [ 28] and what is Sichem, that we should serue him? Is he not the sonne of Ierobaal, and hath made Zebul his seruant prince ouer the men of Empor the father of Sichem? Why then shal we serue him? † would God that some man would geue [ 29] this people vnder my hand, that I might take Abimelech out of the way. And some said to Abimelech: Gather together a multitude of an armie, and come. † For Zebul the prince of [ 30] the citie, hearing the wordes of Gaal the sonne of Obed, was very wrath, † and sent messengers secretely to Abimelech, [ 31] saying: Behold, Gaal the sonne of Obed is come into Sichem with his brethren, and rayseth the citie against thee † Arise [ 32] therfore in the night with the people, that is with thee, and lie hidde in the field: † and betimes in the morning at sunne [ 33] rysing, sette vpon the citie. And when he issueth forth a∣gainst thee with his people, do to him what thou shalt be able. † Abimelech therfore arose with al his armie in the night, and [ 34] laide ambushementes nere to Sichem in foure places. † And [ 35] Gaal the sonne of Obed went forth, & stoode in the entrance of the gate of the citie. And Abimelech rose, and al his armie with him from the place of the ambushmentes. † And when [ 36] Gaal had seene the people, he said to Zebul: Behold a multi∣tude cometh downe from the mountaines. To whom he an∣swered: Thou seest the shadowes of the mountaines as it were heades of men, and with this errour thou art deceiued. † Againe Gaal said: Behold there cometh downe people from [ 37] the nauel of the land, and one trouppe cometh by the way,

that looketh to the oke. † To whom Zebul said: Where is [ 38] now thy mouth, wherwith thou didst speake? Who is Abi∣melech that we should serue him? Is not this the people, which thou didst despise? Goe forth, and fight against him. † Gaal therfore went, the people of the Sichimites looking [ 39] on, and fought against Abimelech, † who pursewed him [ 40] fleeing, and driue him into the citie: and there were slaine of his part manie, vnto the gate of the citie: † and Abi∣melech [ 41] sate in Ruma: but Zebul expelled Gaal, and his companions out of the citie, neither did he suffer them to abide in it. † Therfore the day folowing the people went [ 42] forth into the field. Which being told to Abimelech, † he [ 43] tooke his armie, and diuided it into three troupes, setting ambushmentes in the fieldes. And seeing that the people came out of the citie, he arose, & set vpon them † with his owne [ 44] troupe, oppugning and besieging the citie: and two troupes scattered through the field pursewed the aduersaries. † More∣ouer [ 45] Abimelech al that day oppugned the citie: which he tooke, & killed the inhabitantes therof, and destroyed it, so that he :: 1.133 sowed salt in it. † Which when they had heard [ 46] that dwelt in the towre of Sichem, they entered into the temple of their god Berith, where they had made a couenant with him, and therof the place had taken his name, which was exceding wel fensed. † Abimelech also hearing that the [ 47] men of the towre of Sichem were gathered together, † he [ 48] went vp into mount Selmon with al his people: and taking an axe, he cut of the bough of a tree, and laying it on his shoulder & carying it, he said to his companions: That which you see me do, doe ye out of hand. † They therfore cut∣ting [ 49] of boughes from the trees, euerie man as fast as he could, folowed their captaine. Who compassing the forte burnt it: and so it came to passe, that with the smoke and the fyre a thousand persons were slaine, men and wemen together, of the inhabitantes of the towre of Sichem. † And Abimelech [ 50] departing thence came to the towne of Thebes, which com∣passing he besieged with his armie. † And there was in the [ 51] middes of the citie an high towre, to the which were fled both men and wemen together, and al the princes of the citie, the gate being shut very strongly, and they stan∣ding vpon the batlementes of the towre by the bulwarkes. † And Abimelech coming nere the towre, fought manfully: [ 52]

and approching to the doore, endeuoured to put fire vnder it: † and behold one woman casting from aboue a peece of a [ 53] milstone, :: 1.134 dashed it against the head of Abimelech, and brake his brayne. † Who called by and by his esquire, and [ 54] said to him: Draw out thy sword, and strike me: lest perhaps it be said that I was slaine of a woman. Who doing as he was commanded slew him. † And when he was dead, al that [ 55] were with him of Israel, returned into their seates: † and [ 56] God repayed the euil, that Abimelech had done against his father, killing his seuentie brethren. † The Sichemites were [ 57] also rewarded for that which they had wrought, and the curse of Ioatham the sonne of Ierobaal came vpon them.

ANNOTATIONS. CHAP. IX.

8. The trees went to annoint a king.] According to the historie Ioatham Ge∣deons* 1.135 youngest sonne, by a parable iustly expostulateth the iniurie donne by the Sichemites to his fathers house, in preferring a base bound womans sonne, and cruelly murdering the rest of his sonnes: who with much trauel, and manie dangers of his owne life, had deliuered them from seruitude. But in the spiri∣tual sense, which (as the ancient fathers note) is chiefly intended, Idolaters and Heretikes are reproued, who rather accept of vniust vsu••pe••s, that wil serue* 1.136 their licentious appetites, and mantaine vice and wickednes, then to be ruled by iust and lawful Superiors, appointed by Gods ordinance, indued with grace of the Holie Ghost (signified by the oliue tree;) such as bring forth wholsome swete vertues (signified by the sigge tree;) and are replenished with admirable for∣titude (signified by the vine tree▪) and in their places set vp base, ambitious,* 1.137 crnel, and crabbed spirites, signified by the bramble, or brere. Thus Nemrod, Abimelech, Mahomet, and innumerable other tyrantes haue benne aduanced, & especially Antichrist shal be extolled aboue al that is called God, or is vvorshipped, and* 1.138 shal most cruelly persecute al Chatholiques, that wil not conforme them selues to his procedings. But in fine (as here is prefigured in Abimelech) sire shal rise against this bramble Antichrist, and shal denoure him and al his together. S. Beda. 99. in lib. Iudic. c. 6.

CHAP. X. Thola ruleth in Israel twentie three yeares. 3. lair twentie two. 6. The people fal againe to idolatrie, are afflicted by the Philisthimes, and Ammonites. 10. they▪ crie to God for helpe, who biddeth them cal for helpe to the goddes whom they haue serued. 16. but crying stil to God, and throwing away their idoles, he hath compassion of them.

AFTER Abimelech there arose Ruler in Israel Thola the [ 1] sonne of Phua the vncle of Abimelech, a man of Issa∣char, which dwelt in Samir of mount Ephraim: † and iudged [ 2]

Israel three and twentie yeares, and died and was buried in Samir. † After him succeded Iair the Galaadite, who iudged [ 3] Israel for two and twentie yeares, † hauing thirtie sonnes sit∣ting [ 4] vpon thirtie asse coltes, & princes of thirtie cities, which of his name were called Hauoth Iair, that is, the townes of Iair, vntil this present day in the Land of Galaad. † And [ 5] Iair died; and was buried in the place, which is called Camon. † But the children of Israel ioyning new sinnes to [ 6] their old, did euil in the sight of our Lord, & serued the Idols, Baalim and Astaroth, & the goddes of Syria and of Sidon and of Moab and of the children of Ammon and of the Philist∣himes: and they left our Lord, and did not serue him. † A∣gainst [ 7] whom our Lord being wrath, deliuered them into the handes of the Philisthijms and of the children of Ammon. † And they were afflicted, and sore opressed for eightene [ 8] yeares, al that dwelt beyond Iordan in the Land of the Amorrheite, which is in Galaad: † in so much, that the chil∣dren [ 9] of Ammon passing ouer Iordan, wasted Iudas and Benia∣min and Ephraim: and Israel was afflicted exceedingly. † And [ 10] crying to our Lord, they said: We haue sinned to thee, be∣cause we haue forsaken our Lord God & haue serued Baalim. † To whom our Lord spake: Haue not the Aegyptians and [ 11] the Ammorrheites, and the children of Ammon and the Phi∣listhijms, † the Sidonians also and Amalech and Chanaan [ 12] oppressed you, & you cried to me, and I deliuered you out of their hand? † And yet you haue forsaken me, and haue wor∣shipped [ 13] strange goddes: therfore I wil not adde to deliuer you any more: † goe and inuocate the goddes which you [ 14] haue chosen: let them deliuer you in the time of distresse. † And the children of Israel said to our Lord: We haue sinned, [ 15] render to vs whatsoeuer pleaseth thee: only now deliuer vs. † In saying which thinges, :: 1.139 they threw away out of their [ 16] coastes al the idols of strange goddes, and serued our Lord God: who sorowed for their miseries. † Therfore the chil∣dren [ 17] of Ammon crying together pitcht their tentes in Ga∣laad: against whom the children of Israel being assembled camped in Maspha. † And the princes of Galaad said euerie [ 18] one to their neighbours: Who of vs shal first beginne to fight against the children of Ammon, shal be the duke of the people of Galaad.

CHAP. XI. Iephte reiected by his brethrens, is intreated by the ancientes of Galaad to re∣turne and fight for them against the Ammonites. 12. with whom he first pleadeth the cause of Israel by iust reasons, 26. and long prescription. But they persisting obstinate, he (30. inconsideratly vowing) 32. ouerthrow∣eth them, 34. and sacrificeth his onlie daughter.

THERE was at that time Iephte the Galaadite a most va∣liant [ 1] man and a warrier, the sonne of a woman that was :: 1.140 an harlot, who was borne of Galaad. † And Galaad had a [ 2] wife of whom he had sonnes: who after they were growen, cast out Iepthte, saying: Thou canst not be heyre in the house of our father, because thou art borne of an other mother. † Whom he fleeing and auoyding, dwelt in the Land of Tob: [ 3] and there were gathered to him needie men, and theeui••h, and folowed him as their prince. † In those dayes the children of [ 4] Ammon fought against Israel. † who pressing sore vpon them, [ 5] the ancientes of Galaad went to take Iephte out of the Land of Tob to helpe them: † and they saied to him: Come and be [ 6] our prince, and fight against the children of Ammon. † To [ 7] whom he answered: Are not you they that hated me, and cast me out of my fathers house, and now are come to me forced by necessitie. † And the princes of Galaad said to Iephte: For [ 8] this cause be we now :: 1.141 come to thee, that thou goe forth with vs, and fight against the children of Ammon, and be the captaine of al that dwell in Galaad. † Iephte also said to them: [ 9] If you be come to me sincerly, that I should fight for you against the children of Ammon, and if our Lord deliuer them into my handes, shal I be your prince? † Who answered him: [ 10] Our Lord which heareth these thinges, him selfe is media∣tour and witnes that we wil doe as we haue promised. † Iephte therfore went with the princes of Galaad, and al [ 11] the people made him their prince. And Iephte spake al his wordes before our Lord in Maspha. † And he sent messen∣gers [ 12] to the king of the children of Ammon, which should say in his person: What is betwen me and thee, that thou art come against me, to wast my Land? † To whom he answered: [ 13] Because Israel tooke my land, when he ascended out of Ae∣gypt, from the coasts of Arnon vnto Iaboc and Iordan▪ now therfore with peace restore the same to me. † By whom Iephte [ 14] againe sent word, and commanded them that they should say

to the king of Ammon: † Thus sayth Iephte: Israel did not [ 15] take the Land of Moab, nor the Land of the children of Am∣mon: † but when they ascended out of Aegypt, he walked [ 16] through the desert vnto the Readsea, and came into Cades. † And he sent messengers to the king of Edom, saying: Suf∣fer [ 17] * 1.142 me that I may passe through thy land. Who would not condescend to his requestes. He sent also to the king of Moab, who also him selfe contemned to geue passage. He abode therfore in Cades, † and compassed the Land of Edom at the [ 18] side, and the land of Moab: and came against the East quarter of the Land of Moab, and camped beyond Arnon: neither would he enter the boundes of Moab: for Arnon is the bor∣der of the Land of Moab. † Israel therfore sent messengers to [ 19] Sehon the king of the Ammorrhei••es, who dwelt in Hese∣bon, and they said to him▪ Suffer me to passe through thy land vnto the riuer. † Who also him selfe despising the wordes of [ 20] Israel, suffered him not to passe through his borders: but ga∣thering an infinite multitude went forth against him into Iasa, and resisted strongly. † And our Lord deliuered him into [ 21] the handes of Israel with al his armie, and he stroke him, and possessed al the Land of the Ammorrheite the inhabiter of that countrie, † and al the coastes therof from Arnon vnto [ 22] Iaboc, & from the wildernes vnto Iordan. † Our Lord ther∣fore [ 23] the God of Israel subuerted the Amorrheite, his people of Israel fighting against him, and wilt thou now possesse his land? † Are not those thinges which :: 1.143 Chamos thy God pos¦sessed, [ 24] dew to thee by right? But the thinges that our Lord God hath obteyned conquerour, shal come to our possession: † vnlesse perhaps thou be better then Balac the sonne of Se∣phor [ 25] the king of Moab: or canst shew, that he wrangled a∣gainst Israel, and fought against him, † when he dwelt in He∣sebon, [ 26] and the litle to w••es therof, and in Aroer, and the tow∣nes therof, or in al the cities nere Iordan, for :: 1.144 three hundred yeares. Wherfore haue you so long attempted nothing for re∣claime? † Therfore I doe not sinne against thee, but thou [ 27] doest euil against me, denouncing me vniust warres. Our Lord be iudge the arbiter of this day betwen Israel, and betwen the children of Ammon. † And the king of the children of [ 28] Ammon would not harken to the wordes of Iephte, which he sent him by the messengers. † Therfore the spirite of our [ 29] Lord came vpon Iephte, and circuiting Galaad, and Manasses.

Maspha also of Galaad, and thence passing to the children of Ammon, † he vowed a vow to our Lord, saying: If thou [ 30] wil•• deliuer the children of Ammon into my handes, † :: 1.145 whosoeuer shal first come forth out of the doores of my [ 31] house, and shal meete me returning with peace from the children of Ammon, him wil I offer an holocauste to our Lord. † And Iephte passed to the children of Ammon, to fight [ 32] against them: whom our Lord deliuered into his handes. † and he stroke from Aroer til thou come to Mennith, [ 33] twentie cities, and as farre as Abel, which is sette with vine∣yardes, with a very great plague. and the children of Ammon were humbled by the children of Israel. † But Iephte retur∣ning [ 34] into Maspha to his house, his onlie begotten daughter mette him with tymbrels and daunces. for he had not other children. † Whom when he saw, he rent his gatmentes, [ 35] and said: Wo is me my daughter thou hast deceiued me, and thy self art deceiued: for I haue opened my mouth to our Lord, and I can doe no other thing. † To whom she an∣swered: [ 36] My father, if thou hast opened thy mouth to our Lord, do vnto me whatsoeuer thou hast promised, the re∣uenge and victorie of thyne enemies being granted to thee. † And she said to her father: This only graunt me which I [ 37] desire: Suffer me that two monethes I may goe about the mountaines, and :: 1.146 bewayle my virginitie with my felowes. † To whom he answered: Goe. And he dismissed her two [ 38] monethes. And when she was gone with her felowes and companions, she mourned her virginitie in the mountaines. † And the two monethes being expired, she returned to [ 39] her father, and he“ did to her as he had vowed, who knew not man. Thence forth a fashion in Israel, and a custome was kept: † that after the compasse of a yeare the daughters of [ 40] Israel assemble together, and mourne the daughter of Iephte the Galaadite foure dayes.

ANNOTATIONS. CHAP. XI.

••9. Did to her as he had vovved▪] VVhether Iephte did wel or no in sacrificing his daughter, hauing vowed to offer in sacrifice whosoeuer (or whatsoeuer) should first mete him returning with victorie, as it hapened she did, is a great and hard question, saieth S. Augustin (q. 49. in lib. Iudic) and not easily decided, the holie* 1.147 scripture neither approuing nor reprouing his fact▪ Neuertheles by conference of other scriptures and discourse of reason, he iudgeth it most probablo that

Iephte offended in vowing without special warrant from God, to sacrifice, that which by the law was not sacrificable; yet ••inned not in performing his vow, but rather pacified God therby, whose wil it semed to be, that for punishment of his sinne he should sacrifice his daughter, because by his diuine prouidence she first mette him: and the omission might rather haue benne for his natural loue towards his onlie childe, then for the vnlawfulnes of the sacrifice: seing it once pleased God to command Abraham to immolate his sonno Isaac, though when it came to execution▪ he forbade the same, appointing an other hoste in place of the childe, which here he did not. Neither was it iniurious to the daughter, seing she, as al mankinde, must once die when God appointeth. Yea further* 1.148 she offered her self freely (which semed to be by Gods instinct) willing her father to do to her whatsoeuer he had promised to God. This is the summe of S. Augustins large discourse. Likewise S. Ambrose (li. 3. de Officiis c. 12.) supposeth assuredly that this prince Iephte offended in vowing vn••duisedly, for* 1.149 it also repented him, when his daughter first mette him: yet that with godlie feare and dreade he performed to his owne bitter paine that which he had pro∣mised: inst••••••ting an anniuersarie lamentation of his daughter, for a warning to posteri•••••• of more circumspection in making vowes. S. Hierom also (li. 1. aduers. Io••i••••••••.) approueth their opinion that say: It was Gods ordinance Iephte* 1.150 should se••••e the errour of his vnaduised vow, by the death of his daughter, for a document to others. The very same teacheth S. Chrisostom, (••o. 14. ad pop. Antioch.) that God would haue this errour to be thus punished, that others* 1.151 might be warned from vowing the like. S. Gregoire Naziazen (orat. de ••acha∣b••••••) preferring the martyrdome of the seuen brothers and their mother, be∣for this sacrifice of Iephte as more aduised, and more honorable, yet condemneth* 1.152 not this, but recounteth it amongst other commendable actes. Theodoret (q. 19. in Iudic.) and al the afore said fathers do highly commend the daugh∣ters* 1.153 promptnes in offering her self to be sacrificed, which either much exte∣nuated he•• fathers fault, or wholly iustified his fact. Thus the ancient fathers moderate their censures. Yet a new glosser of the English Bible without scruple* 1.154 * 1.155 sayeth, that by his ••ash vow, and vvicked performance his victorie vvas defaced; and againe, that he was ouercome vvith blinde Zele, not considering whether the vow was lawful or no.

CHAP. XII. Ephraites rising against Iephte, fourtie two thousand of them are slaine. 8. Abesan is Iudge. 11. After him Abialon 13. Then Abdon.

BVT behold in Ephraim there arose a sedition. For they [ 1] passing against the North, said to Iephte: Going to fight against the children of Ammon, why wouldst thou not cal vs, that we might goe with thee? Therfore we wil burne thy house. † To whom he answered: I and my people were at [ 2] great strife against the children of Ammon: and I called you, that you should ayde me, and you would not doe it. † Which [ 3] I seeing :: 1.156 put my life in myne owne handes, and passed to the children of Ammon, and our Lord deliuered them into my handes. What haue I deserued, that you rise against me in battel. † Therfore al the men of Galaad being called to him, [ 4]

he fought against Ephraim: and the men of Galaad stroke Ephraim, because he had said: :: 1.157 Galaad is a fugitiue of Ephraim, and dwelleth in the middes of Ephraim and Ma∣nasses. † And the Galaadites tooke the fordes of Iordan, by [ 5] the which Ephraim was to returne. And when there had come to the same one of the number of Ephraim, fleeing and had said: I besech you let me passe: The Galaadites said to him: Art thou not an Ephraite? Who saying: I am not: † they [ 6] asked him: Say then Schibboleth, which is interpreted an Eare of corne. Who answered, Sibboleth, not being able by the same letter to expresse, an eare of corne. And immediatly being apprehended they killed him in the very passage of Iordan. And there fel at that time of Ephraim two and four∣tie thousand. † Therfore Iephte the Galaadite iudged Israel [ 7] six yeares: and he died, and was buried in his citie of Galaad. † After him Abesan of Bethlehem iudged Israel: † who had [ 8 9] thirtie sonnes, and as manie daughters, which he sending abrode, gaue to husbandes, and tooke wiues for his sonnes of the same number, bringing them into his house. Who iudged Israel seuen yeares: † and died and was buried in Bethlehem. [ 10] † To whom succeeded Ahialon a Zabulonite: and he iudged [ 11] Israel ten yeares: † and he died and was buried in Zabulon. [ 12] † After him Abdon iudged Israel, the sonne of Illel a Phara∣thonite: [ 13] † who had fourtie sonnes, and of them thirtie ne∣phewes, [ 14] mounting vpon seuentie asse coltes, and he iudged Israel eight yeares: † and he died, and was buried in Phara∣thon [ 15] of the Land of Ephraim, in the mount of Amalec.

CHAP. XIII. The people fal againe to idolatrie and are afflicted by the Philisthims. 3. An Angel fortelleth Manue his wife, that she shal haue a sonne, and that he shal be a Nazareite from his birth. 11. confirmeth the same to Manue. 16. They offer sacrifice to God. 24. The childe is borne, called Samson, and blessed of God.

AND againe the children of Israel did euil in the sight of [ 1] our Lord: who deliuered them into the handes of the Philisthimes fourtie yeares. † And there was a certaine man [ 2] of Saraa, and of the stocke of Dan, named Manue, hauing a wife barren, † To whom an Angel of our Lord appeared, [ 3] and said to her: Thou art barren and without children: but thou shalt conceiue & beare a sonne: † beware therfore that [ 4]

thou :: 1.158 drinke not wine & sicer, nor eate any vncleane thing: † because thou shalt conceiue and beare a sonne, whose head [ 5] the raser shal not touch: for he shal be a Nazareite of God, :: 1.159 from his infancie, and from his mothers wombe, and he shal beginne to deliuer Israel from the handes of the Phili∣stijmes. † Who when she was come to her husband, said to [ 6] him: A man of God came to me, hauing an Angelical con∣tenance, exceeding terrible. Whom when I had asked, who he was, and whence he came, and by what name he was cal∣led, he would not tel me: † but this he answered: Behold [ 7] thou shalt conceiue and beare a sonne: beware thou drinke not wine, nor sicer, and that thou eate not any vncleane thing: for the child shal be the Nazereite of God from his infancie, and from his mothers wombe vntil the day of his death. † Manue therfore prayed to our Lord, and said: I [ 8] besech thee ô Lord, that the man of God, whom thou didst send, may come againe, and teach vs what we ought to doe concerning the child, that shal be borne. † And our Lord [ 9] heard Manue praying, and the Angel of our Lord appeared againe to his wife sitting in the field. but Manue her husband was not with her. Who when she had seene the Angel, † ha∣stened, [ 10] and ranne to her husband: and she told him, saying: Behold “ the man hath appeared to me, whom I saw before. † Who rose, and folowed his wife: and comming to the man, [ 11] said to him: Art thou he that didst speake to the woman? And he answered: I am. † To whom Manue, when, sayd he, [ 12] thy word shal be fulfilled, what wilt thou that the child doe? or from what shal he keepe him self? † And the Angel of [ 13] our Lord said to Manue: From al thinges, which I haue spo∣ken to thy wife, let him refraine him self: † and whatsoeuer [ 14] groweth of the vineyard, let him not eate: wine and sicer let him not drinke, let him not eate any vncleane thing: and whatsoeuer I haue commanded her, let him fulfil and keepe. † And Manue said to the Angel of our Lord: I besech thee [ 15] that thou condescend to my petitions, and let vs :: 1.160 make to thee a kidde of goates. † To whom the Angel answered: If [ 16] thou constraine me, I wil not eate thy breade: but if thou wilt make holocaust, offer it to our Lord. And Manue knew not that it was an Angel of our Lord. † And he said to him: [ 17] What is thy name, that, if thy word shal be fulfilled, we may honour thee? † To whom he answered: Why askest thou [ 18]

my name, which is merueilous? † Manue therfore tooke a [ 19] kidde of the goates, and the libamentes, and put them vpon a rocke, offering to our Lord, who doeth meruelous thinges: and he and his wife looked on. † And when the flame of [ 20] the altar ascended into heauen, the Angel of our Lord ascen∣ded together in the flame. Which when Manue and his wife had seene, they fel flatte on the ground, † and the Angel of [ 21] our Lord appeared to them no more. And forthwith Manue vnderstood that it was an Angel of our Lord, † and he said to [ 22] his wife: Dying we shal die, because we haue seene :: 1.161 God. † To whom his wife answered: If our Lord would haue kil∣led [ 23] vs, he would not haue taken of our handes holocaustes and libamentes, neither would he haue shewed vs al these thinges, nor haue told vs these thinges that are to come. † She [ 24] therfore bare a sonne, and called his name Samson. And the child grewe, and our Lord blessed him. † And the Spirit of [ 25] our Lord beganne to be with him in the campe of Dan betwixt Saraa and Esthaol.

ANNOTATIONS. CHAP. XIII.

10. The man hath appeared.] Al ancient fathers and Catholique writers say, this was an Angel, which appeared in the forme of a man, and it is plaine by* 1.162 the text. Yet some protestantes wil haue this person to be Christ, the eternal vvord of God. VVho afterwardes became man. And neuertheles where by & by* 1.163 (v. 16.) he admonisheth Manue to offer sacrifice to God, they note that he sought not his ovvne honour but Gods, vvhose messenger he vvas: either plainly con∣tradicting themselues, or els teaching Arrianisme, as though the Sonne of God were not God; or inferiour to God the Father.

CHAP. XIIII. Samson desirous to marrie a Philisthime woman 5. by the way killeth a lion. 8. In whose mouth after few dayes, finding honey, 12. he proposeth therof a riddle to the Philisthiims for a wager: 15. which reueling to his wife, she telleth it to his aduersaries. 19. He killeih and spoyleth thirtie men, so payeth the wager: and his wife taketh an other man.

SAMSON therfore went downe into Thamnatha, and [ 1] seeing there a woman of the daughters of the Philisthims, † he went vp, and told his father and his mother, saying: I [ 2] saw a woman in Thamnatha of the daughters of the Phili∣sthijms: which I besech you take for me to wife. † To whom [ 3]

his father and mother said: :: 1.164 Is there not a woman among the daughters of thy bretheren, and in al my people, that thou wilt take a wife of the Philisthijms, which are vncir∣cumcised? And Samson said to his father: Take this for me: because she hath pleased mine eyes. † But his parentes knew [ 4] not that the thing was done of our Lord, and he sought an occasion against the Philisthims. for at that time the Phili∣sthiims had dominion ouer Israel. † Samson therfore went [ 5] downe with his father and mother into Thamnatha. And when they were come to the vineyardes of the towne, there appeared a lions whelpe cruel, and roaring, and mette him. † And the Spirit of our Lord came vpon Samson, [ 6] and he tore the lion, as if he should teare a kidde into peeces, hauing nothing at al in his hand: and this thing he would not tel to his father and mother. † And he went downe and [ 7] spake to the woman, that had pleased his eies. † And after [ 8] some dayes returning to take her, he went aside to see the carcasse of the lion, and behold there was a swarme of bees in the mouth of the lion and a honie combe. † Which when [ 9] he had taken in his handes, he did eate in the way: and co∣ming to his father and other, he gaue them part, who also them selues did eate: neither would he for al that tel them, that he had taken the honie from the bodie of the lion. † His father therfore went downe to the woman, and made [ 10] his sonne Samson a feast. for so yong men were accusto∣med to doe. † When the citizens therfore of that place had [ 11] seene him, they gaue him thirtie companions to be with him. † To whom Samson spake: I wil propose you a riddle, [ 12] which if you shal solue me within the seuen dayes of the feast, I wil geue you thirtie sindones, and as many coates: † but if you shal not be able to solue it, you shal geue [ 13] me thirtie sindones, and cotes of the same number. Who answered him: Propound the riddle, that we may heare it. † And he said to them: Out of the eater came forth meate, [ 14] and out of the strong issued forth sweetenes. neither could they for three dayes solue the proposition. † And when the [ 15] seuenth day was come, they said to the wife of Samson: Speake to thy husband, and vse perswasion to him, that he tel thee what the riddle signifieth. Which thing :: 1.165 if thou wilt not doe, we wil burne thee, and thy fathers house: haue you therfore called vs to the bridal that you might spoyle vs?

† Who shed teares before Samson, and complained saying: [ 16] Thou hatest me, and louest me not: therfore the probleme, which thou hast propounded to the sonnes of my people, thou wilt not expound to me. But he answered: I would not tel it to my father and mother: and can I tel it to thee? † The [ 17] seuen daies therfore of the feast she wept before him: and at the length the seuenth day for that she molested him he expounded it. Who immediately told her countrie men. † And they told it him the seuenth day before the going [ 18] downe of the sunne: What is sweeter then honie, and what stronger then a lyon? Who said to them: If you had not ploughed with my hayfer, you had not found out my propo∣sition. † The Spirit therfore of our Lord came vpon him, [ 19] and he went downe to Ascalon, and stroke there thirtie men, whose garmentes being taken away he gaue to them, that had solued the probleme. And being exceding wrath he went vp into his fathers house: † but his wife tooke a husband [ 20] one of his friendes and bridal companions.

CHAP. XV. Samson tying firebrandes to foxes tayles burneth the Philisthi••m•• corne. 6. they burne his wife and her father. 8. he beateth them and hideth him selfe. 10. His owne countrimen to get peace with the Philisthimes, take and bind him, so meaning to deliuer him. 14. but he breaketh the cordes, and with the iaw bone of an asse killeth a thousand of his enemies. 18. Being exce∣ding drie, is refreshed with water, from the tooth of the same iaw.

AND after a certaine time, when the dayes of wheate [ 1] haruest were at hand, Samson came, meaning to visite his wife, and he brought her a kidde of goates. And when he would enter into her chamber as he was wont, her father pro∣hibited him, saying: † I thought that thou hadst hated her, [ 2] and therfore I deliuered her to thy friend: but she hath a sister, which is yonger & fayrer then she, let this be thy wife in steade of her. † To whom Samson answered: From this [ 3] day there shal be no fault in me against the Philisthimes: for I wil doe you euils. † And he went, :: 1.166 caught three hun∣dred [ 4] foxes, and he coupled them tayle to tayle, and tyed fyre∣brandes in the middes: † which kindling with fyre, he let [ 5] them goe, that they might runne abroade hither and thither. Who immediately went on into the corne of the Philisthimes.

which being sette on fire, both the corne now caried toge∣ther, and that which yet stoode in the stalke, was alburnt, in so much, that the flame consumed the vineyardes also and the oliuetes. † And the Philisthijmes said: Who hath done [ 6] this thing? To whom it was said: Samson the sonne in law of the Thamnathate: because he tooke his wife, and gaue her to an other, he hath wrought these thinges. And the Philisthims went vp, and burnt both the woman and her fa∣ther. † To whom Samson said: Although you haue done [ 7] these thinges, notwithstanding yet wil I require reuenge of you, and then I wil rest. † And he stroke them with a great [ 8] plague, so that astonied they laid the calfe of the leg vpon the thigh. And going downe he dwelt in the caue of the rocke Etam. † Therfore the Philisthijms going vp into the Land of [ 9] Iuda camped in the place, which afterward was called Lechi, that is, the iaw bone, where their armie was spred abrode. † And they of the tribe of Iuda said to them: Why are you [ 10] come vp against vs? Who answered: That we may bind Sam∣son, we are come, and may repay him the thinges that he hath wrought against vs. † There went downe therfore three [ 11] thousand men of Iuda, to the caue of the flint Etam, and said to Samson: knowest not thou that the Philisthijms reigne ouer vs? Why wouldest thou doe this thing? To whom he said: As they did to me so haue I done to them. † To bind [ 12] thee, quoth they, we are come, and to deliuer thee into the handes of the Philisthijms. To whom Samson: Sweare, quoth he, & promise me that you kil me not. † They said: We [ 13] wil not kil thee, but wil deliuer the bound. And they bound him with two new cordes, and tooke him from the rocke Etam. † Who when he was come to the place of the Iawe∣bone [ 14] and the Philisthijms shouting were come against him, the Spirit of our Lord fel vpon him: and as flax is wont to be consumed at the sauour of fyre, so the bandes wherwith he was bound, were dissipated and loosed. † And finding [ 15] a iawe bone, to witte, the iawe bone of an asse, which lay there, catching it, :: 1.167 he slewe therwith a thousand men, † and said: In the iawe bone of an asse, in the iawe of the [ 16] colt of she asses haue I destroyed them, and haue strooke a thousand men. † And when he had ended these wordes [ 17] singing, he threw the iaw bone out of his hand, and called the name of that place Ramathlochi, which is interpreted the

lifting vp of the iaw bone. † And being very thirstie, he [ 18] cried to our Lord, and said: Thou hast geuen in the hand of thy seruant this very great saluation and victorie: and behold I die for thirst, and shal fal into the handes of the vncircum∣cised. † Our Lord therfore :: 1.168 opened a great tooth in the [ 19] iawe of the asse, & there issued out of it waters▪ which being drunke, he refreshed his spirit, and receiued strength againe. Therfore the name of that place was called: The fountaine of him that inuocated from the iawbone, vntil this present day. † And he iudged Israel in the daies of the Philisthijms [ 20] twentie yeares.

CHAP. XVI. Samson enuironed in a citie taketh away the gates, and carieth them on his shoulders into a mountaine. 4. Is at last deceiued by Dalila, 21. his eyes put out, and scornfully abused. 26. But finally God restoring his strength, he striking two pillers the house falleth, and with himself, killeth three thousand Philisthiims.

HE went also into Gaza, and saw there a woman that [ 1] was * 1.169 an harlot, and went in vnto her. † Which when the Philisthiims had heard, and it was bruted among them, that Samson was entered into the citie, they compassed him, keepers being sette in the gate of the citie: and there al the night wayting with silence, that in the morning they might kil him going out. † But Samson slept vntil midnight, and [ 3] then arising he :: 1.170 tooke both the leaues of the gate, with their postes and locke, and laying them on his shoulders, caried them to the toppe of the mountaine, which looketh toward Hebron. † After these thinges he loued a woman, [ 4] which dwelt in Valley Sorec, and she was called Dalila. † And the princes of the Philisthiims came to her, and said: [ 5] Deceiue him, and learne of him, wherein he hath so great strength, and how we may be able to ouercome him, and being bound to afflict him. which if thou shalt doe, we wil geue thee euerie one a thousand and an hundred peeces of siluer. † Dalila therfore spake to Samson: Tel me, I besech [ 6] thee, wherein thy greatest strength is, and what it is where∣with being bound thou canst not breake forth. † To whom [ 7] Samson answered: If I shal be bound with seuen cordes of sinewes not yet drie, and moyste as yet, I shal be weake as ot hermen. † And the princes of the Philisthimesbrought [ 8]

vnto her seuen cordes, as he had said: with the which she bound him, † ambushementes lying secretely in wayte neere [ 9] her, and in the chamber expecting the end of the thing, and she cried to him: The Philisthijms vpon thee Samson. Who brake the bandes, as if a man should breake a thread of to•• twyned with spittle, when it hath taken the sauor of fyre: and it was not knowen wherein his strength was. † And [ 10] Dalila said to him: Behold thou hast deluded me, and hast spoken false: now at the least tel me wherwith thou mayest be bound. † To whom he answered: If I shal be bound with [ 11] new cordes, that were neuer occupied, I shal be weake, and like to other men. † With the which Dalila againe bound [ 12] him, and cried: The Philisthijmes vpon thee Samson, ambu∣shementes being prepared in the chamber. Who did so breake the bandes as threades of linnen cloth. † And Dalila said to [ 13] him againe: How long deceiuest thou me, and speakest false? Shew wherewith thou mayest be bound. To whom Samson answered: If thou platte seuen heares of my head with a heare lase, and fasten a nayle tyed round about them in the ground, I shal be weake. † Which when Dalila had done, [ 14] she said to him: The Philisthijms vpon thee Samson. Who rysing vp from sleepe drew out the nayle with the heares and the heare lase. † And Dalila said to him: How doest thou say [ 15] that thou louest me, whereas thy mind is not with me? These three times thou hast lied to me, & wouldest not tel wherein thy greatest strength is. † And when she molested him, and [ 16] continually hong vpon him for many daies, not geuing him space to rest, his soule faynted, and was wearied euen vnto death. † Then opening the truth of the thing, he said to her: [ 17] There neuer came yron vpon my head, because I am a Naza∣reite, that is to say, consecrated to God from my mothers wombe: if my head shal be shauen, :: 1.171 my strength shal de∣part from me, and I shal fayle, and shal be as other men. † And she seing that he had confessed to her al his minde, [ 18] sent to the princes of the Philisthijms and willed them: Come vp yet once more, for now he hath opened his hart to me. Who went vp taking with them the money which they had promised. † But she made him to sleepe vpon her knees, and [ 19] to lay his head in her bosome. And she called a barber, and shaued his seuen heares, and beganne to driue him away, and thrust him from her: for immediately the streingth departed

from him: † and she said: The Philisthijms vpon thee Sam∣son. [ 20] Who arysing from sleepe, said in his mind: I wil goe forth as I did before, and wil shake my self, not knowing that our Lord was departed from him. † Whom when the Phili∣sthijmes [ 21] had apprehended, forthwith they plucked forth his eies, and led him to Gaza bound with chaynes, and being shut vp in prison they made him grinde. † And now his hea∣res [ 22] had begone to grow againe, † and the princes of the [ 23] Philisthijms assembled in one, that they might immolate ma∣gnifical hostes to Dagon their god, and might feast, saying: Our God hath deliuered our enemie Samson into our handes. † Which thing the people also seing, praysed their god, and [ 24] said the same thinges: Our God hath deliuered our aduersarie into our handes, who destroyed our countrie, and killed verie manie. † And reioysing through out their bankettes, when [ 25] they had now taken their good cheere, they commanded that Samson should be called, and should play before them. Who being brought out of prison played before them, and they made him to stand betwen two pillers. † Who said to the [ 26] seruant that gouerned his steppes: Suffer me to touch the pillers, on which al the house stayeth, and let me leane vpon them, and rest a litle. † And the house was ful of men and [ 27] wemen, and there were al the princes of the Philisthijms, also from the roofe and higher part, about three thousand of both sexe beholding Samson playing. † But he inuocating [ 28] our Lord, said: Lord God remember me, & restore now to me myne old strength my God, that I may :: 1.172 reuenge me of myne enemies, and for the losse of two eies may receiue one re∣uenge. † And taking both the pillers, on which the house [ 29] rested, and holding the one in his right hand, and the other in his left, † he said: “Let me die with the Philisthijms. And [ 30] the pillers being strongly shaken, the house fel vpon al the princes, and the rest of the multitude, that was there: and he killed manie moe dying, then before he had killed liuing. † And his brethren going downe and al his kindred, they [ 31] tooke his bodie, and buried it betwixt Saraa and Esthaol in the sepulchre of his father Manue, and he iudged Israel twentie yeares.

ANNOTATIONS. CHAP. XVI.

30. Let me die vvith the Philisthiims.] Manie thinges do iustifie Samsons fact* 1.173 in killing himself with the Philisthiims. First it appeareth by the miracle, that

God directly and extraordinarily concurred by restoring in that moment his admirable streingth, that he could pull downe two such pillers. And confor∣mably we may gather, that God inspired his mind to attempt this fact, and so he erred not, but obeyed God herein: as S. Augustin noteth. li. 1. c. 21. & 26. de ciuit. Dei. Secondly he was moued with zele of Gods honour, hearing the Ido∣laters praise their false god Dagon. Thirdly, he had a good and pure intention to reuenge him selfe for Gods more glorie, praying to him for restauration of streingth. Fourthy he did not directly desire to kil himselfe, but to kil the Phi∣listhims,* 1.174 though himselfe must also die with them. And in this act especially he was a figure of Christ, who chiefly by his death conquered his enemies.

CHAP. XVII. Michas and his mother cause a grauen, and a molten idol to be made of siluer.* 1.175 5. He maketh one of his sonnes priest for the idol, 10. and for the same pur∣pose hyreth also a Leuite.

THERE was at that time a certaine man of mount [ 1] Ephraim named Michas, † who said to his mother: [ 2] The thousand and hundred siluer peeces, which thou hadst separated to thy selfe, and concerning the which thou didst sweare in my hearing, behold I haue, and they are with me. To whom she said: Blessed be my sonne to the Lord. † He [ 3] therfore rendred them to his mother, who had said to him: I haue consecrated and vowed this siluer to the Lord, that my sonne may receiue it of my hand, and make :: 1.176 a grauen and :: a molten (god) and now I deliuer that to thee. † He ren∣dred [ 4] them therfore to his mother: who tooke two hundred siluer peeces and gaue them to the siluersmith, that he might make of them a grauen and a molten (god) which was in the house of Michas. † Who separated also therein a litle house [ 5] to the God, and made an Ephod, and Theraphim, that is to say, a priestlie vestiment, and idoles: and he :: 1.177 filled the hand of one of his sonnes, and he became his priest. † In those [ 6] daies there was not a king in Israel, but euerie one did that, which semed right to him self. † There was also an other [ 7] yong man of Bethelem Iuda, of the kinred therof: and he was a Leuite, and dwelt there. † And going forth out of the [ 8] citie of Bethelehem, he would seiourne wheresoeuer he should find it comodious for him. And when he was come into mount Ephraim, making his iourney, and had turned aside a little into the house of Michas, † he was deman∣ded [ 9] of him whence he came. Who answered: I am a Le∣uite of Bethlehem Iuda, and I goe to dwel where I shal be able, and shal perceiue it to be profitable for me. † And [ 10]

Michas said: Abide with me, and be to me a father and a priest, and I wil geue thee euerie yeare tenne siluer peeces, and duble liuerie, and the thinges that be necessarie for victual. † He was content, and abode with the man, and was [ 11] vnto him as one of his sonnes. † And Michas filled his hand, [ 12] and had the yong man for a priest with him, saying: † Now [ 13] I know that God wil do me good b 1.178 hauing a priest of the Leuitical kinde.

CHAP. XVIII. First sending spie to discouer, 11 six hundred armed men of the tribe of Dan goe to seeke possessions. 14. By the way they take the idol, and idolatrical priest from Michas. 27. surprise the towne of Lais, 30. and there set vp idolatrie.

IN those dayes there was not a king in Israel, and the tribe [ 1] of Dan sought possession for it selfe, that it might dwel therein: for vntil that day it had c 1.179 not receiued a lotte among the other tribes. † Therfore the children of Dan sent fiue [ 2] men of their stocke and familie most valiant from Saraa and Esthaol, that they might view the land, and diligently behold it, and they said to them: Goe, and consider the land. Who going forward when they were come into mount Ephraim, and had entered into the house of Michas, they rested there: † and knowing the voice of the yong man the Leuite, and [ 3] vsing his lodging, they said to him: Who brought thee hither? What doest thou here? For what cause wouldest thou come hither? † Who answered them: These, and these thinges hath [ 4] Michas done to me, & hath hyred me for wages to be his priest. † And they desired him that he would consult d 1.180 the Lord, that [ 5] they might know whether they should goe on a prosperous iourney, and the thing should haue effect. † e 1.181 Who answered [ 6] them: Goe in peace: The Lord regardeth your way, and the iourney that you goe. † The fiue men therfore going came to [ 7] Lais, & they saw the people dwelling in it without any feare, according to the custome of the Sidonians. secure and quiet, no man at al resisting them, & of greate riches, and separated farre from Sidon and from al men. † And returning to their [ 8] brethren in Saraa and Estaol, and asking what they had done they answered them: † Arise, and let vs goe vp to them: for [ 9] we haue seene the Land exceding rich and plentiful: neglect not, slacke not: let vs goe, and possesse it, it wil be no labour.

† We shal enter vnto them being secure, into a most large [ 10] countrie, and our Lord wil deliuer to vs the place, wherein is penurie of nothing, of those thinges that grow on the earth. † There departed therfore from the kinred of Dan, [ 11] that is to say, from Saraa and Esthaol six hundred men, fur∣nished with warlike armour, † and going vp they taried in [ 12] Cariathiarim of Iuda: which place from that time tooke the name of the Tentes of Dan, and it is at the backe of Cariathia∣rim. † Thence they passed into mount Ephraim. And when [ 13] they were come to the house of Michas, † the fiue men, that [ 14] before had been sent to view the Land of Lais, said to the rest of their brethren: You know that in these houses there is an Ephod, and Theraphim, and a grauen, and molten god: See what pleaseth you. † And when they had turned a litle aside, [ 15] they entred into the house of the yong man the Leuite, which was in the house of Michas: and saluted him with peaceable wordes. † And the six hundred men so as they were armed, [ 16] stoode before the doore. † But they, that were entred the [ 17] house of the yong man, endeuoured to take away the grauen, the Ephod, and the idols, and molten god, and thepriest stoode before the doore, the six hundred most valiant men expecting not farre of. † They therfore that were entred tooke the gra∣uen, [ 18] the Ephod, the theraphim and molten god. To whom the priest said: What doe you? † To whom they answered: [ 19] Hold thy peace, and put thy finger vpon thy mouth and come with vs, that we may haue thee for a father, and a priest. Whe∣ther is better for thee, that thou be a priest in the house of one man, or in one tribe and familie in Israel? † Which when he [ 20] had heard, he agreed to their wordes, and tooke the Ephod, and idols, and grauen god, and departed with them. † Who [ 21] when they went forward, and had made the children and the cattel to goe before them, and al that was percious, † and [ 22] were now farre from the house of Michas, the men that dwelt in the house of Michas crying out together folowed, † and [ 23] at their backe began to shoute. Who looking backe, said to Michas: What meanest thou? Why doest thou crie? † Who [ 24] answered: My Goddes, which I made me, you haue taken away, and the priest, and al that I haue, and doe you say: What aileth thee? † And the children of Dan said to him: [ 25] Beware thou speake no more vnto vs, and there come vnto thee men prouoked in mind, and thou with al thy house

perish. † And so they went on their iourney begone. But [ 26] Michas seing that they were stronger then he, returned into his house. † And the six hundred men tooke the priest, and [ 27] the thinges which we spake of before, and came into Lais to a people that was quiet and secure, and stroke them in the edge of the sword: and the citie they deliuered to fyre, † no [ 28] man at al bringing them succour, for that they dwelt farre from Sidon, and had with no men anie societie and affayres. And the citie was situated in the countrie of Rohob: which building agayne they dwelt in it, † calling the name of the [ 29] citie Dan, according to the name of their father, whom Israel had begotten, which before was called Lais. † And they [ 30] sette vp to them selues the :: 1.182 grauen idol, and Ionathan the sonne of Gerson the sonne of Moyses, and his sonnes priestes in the tribe of Dan, vntil the day of their captiuitie. † And [ 31] the idol of Michas remayned with them al the time, that the house of God was in Silo. In those daies there was not a king in Israel.

CHAP. XIX. A Leuite bringing homeward his reconciled wife, 15. at Gabaa in the tribe of Beniamin hardly getteth lodging. 25. his wife is there vilanously abused by wicked men, and in the morning found dead. 29. whereupon her hus∣band cutteth her bodie, and sendeth peeces to euerie tribe of Israel, requi∣ring them to reuenge the wicked fact.

THERE was a certaine man a Leuite, dwelling on the [ 1] side of mount Ephraim, who tooke a wife of Bethlehem Iudae. † which left him, and returned vnto her fathers house [ 2] into Bethlehem, and abode with him foure monethes. † And [ 3] her husband folowed her, willing to be reconciled vnto her, and to speake her fayre, and to bring her backe with him, hauing in his companie a seruant and two asses: who re∣ceiued him, and brought him into her fathers house. Which when his father in law had heard, and had seene him, he mette him ioyful, † and embraced the man. And the sonne [ 4] in law taried in the house of his father in law three daies, eating with him and drinking familiarly. † But the fourth [ 5] day arysing before day, he would depart. Whom his father in law held, and said to him: Tast first a litle bread, & strengthen thy stomacke, and so thou shalt depart. † And they sate to∣gether, [ 6] and did eate and drinke. And the father of the yong

woman said to his sonne in law: I besech thee that thou tarie here to day, and let vs make merie together. † But he ry∣sing [ 7] vp, beganne as if he would depart. And neuertheles with much adoc his father in law stayed him, and made him to tarie with him. † But when morning was come, the Leuite [ 8] prepared to goe his iourney. To whom his father in law againe: I besech thee, quoth he, that thou take a litle meate, and making thy self strong, til the day be farder spent, after∣ward thou mayest depart. They did eate therfore together. † And the yong man arose, that he might sette forward with [ 9] his wife and his seruant. To whom his father in law spake againe: Consider that the day is more declining to the west, and draweth nigh to euening: tarie with me to day also, and spend the day in mirth, and to morrow thou shalt depart that thou mayst goe into thy house. † His sonne in law would [ 10] not condescend to his wordes: but forthwith went forward, and came ouer against Iebus, which by an other name is cal∣led Ierusalem, leading with him two asses loden, and his :: 1.183 concubine. † And now they were come nigh to Iebus and [ 11] the day changed into night: & the seruant said to his maister: Come, I besech thee, let vs turne into the citie of the Iebu∣seites, and tarie in it. † To whom his maister answered: I wil [ 12] not enter into the towne of a strange nation, which is not of the children of Israel, but I wil passe as farre as Gabaa: † and [ 13] when I shal come thither, we wil lodge in it, or at the least in the citie of Rama. † They passed therfore by Iebus, and went [ 14] on their iourney begone, and the sonne went downe to them byside Gabaa, which is in the tribe of Beniamin: † and they [ 15] turned into it, that they might lodge there. Whither when they were entred, they sate in the streate of the citie, and no man would receiue them to lodge. † And behold there ap∣peared [ 16] an old man, returning out of the field and from his worke in the euening, who him self also was of mount Ephraim, and dwelt as a stranger in Gabaa, but the men of that countrie were the children of Iemini. † And lifting vp [ 17] his eies, the old man saw the man sitting with his fardels in the streate of the citie, and said to him: Whence comest thou? and whither goest thou? † Who answered him: We depar∣ted [ 18] from Bethlehem Iuda, and we goe to our place, which is on the side of mount Ephraim, from whence we went into Bethlehem: and now we goe to the house of God, and none

wil receiue vs vnder his roofe, † hauing straw and hay for [ 19] prouender of the asses, and bread and wine for the vse of my self and of thy handmaid, and of the seruant that is with me: we lacke nothing but lodging. † To whom the old man [ 20] answered: Peace be with thee, I wil geue al thinges that are necessarie: only, I besech thee, tarie not in the streate. † And [ 21] he brought him into his house, and gaue prouender to his asses: and after they had washed their feete, he receiued them to a bankette. † They making merie, and after the labour of [ 22] their iourney, refreshing their bodie with meate and drinke, there came men of that citie, the children of Belial (that is to say, without yoke) and besetting the old mans house, be∣ganne to knocke at the doores, crying to the maister of the house, and saying: Bring forth the man, that entred into thy house, that we may abuse him. † And the old man went out [ 23] to them, and said: Doe not so brethren, doe not this euil: be∣cause this man is entered to my lodging, and cease from this folie: † I haue a daughter that is a virgin, and this man hath [ 24] a concubine, I wil bring them forth to you, that you may humble them, & fulfil your lust: only, I beseche you, worke not this wickednes against nature on the man. † They would [ 25] not agree to his wordes. which the man seing, he brought forth his concubine to them, and he deliuered her to them to be illuded: whom when they had abused al the night, they let her goe in the morning. † But the woman, when the [ 26] darkenes departed, came to the doore of the house, where her lord lodged, and there fel downe. † Morning being [ 27] come, the man arose, and opened the doore, that he might finish his iourney begone: and behold his concubine lay be∣fore the doore, her handes spredde on the threshold. † To [ 28] whom he, thinking that she tooke her rest, spake: Arise, and let vs walke. Who answering nothing, perceiuing that she was dead; he tooke her, and laid her vpon his asse, & returned into his house. † Which when he was entered vnto, he tooke [ 29] asword, and cutting the carcasse of his wife with her bones into twelue partes and peeces, he sent them into al the bor∣ders of Israel. † Which when euerie one had seene, they [ 30] cried together: There was neuer such a thing done in Israel from that day, when our fathers ascended out of Aegypt, vntil this present time: geue sentence, and decree in common what is needeful to be done.

CHAP. XX. Al the other tribes fighting against Beniamin, 13. because they wil not punish the malefactors, 21. haue the worse, 25. also the second time. 29. but the third time the Beniamites are al slaine sauing six hundred men.

THERFORE al the children of Israel went forth, and [ 1] were gathered together, as it were one man, from Dan to Bersabee, and the Land of Galaad, to our Lord in Maspha: † and al the corners of the people, and al the tribes of Israel [ 2] assembled into the church of the people of God foure hun∣dred thousand footemen warriers. († Neither were the [ 3] children of Beniamin ignorant that the children of Israel were come vp into Maspha.) And the Leuite the husband of the woman that was killed being asked, how so great wic∣kednes had beene cōmitted, † answered: I came into Gabaa [ 4] of Beniamin with my wife, and there I tooke my lodging: † and behold the men of that citie by night besette the house [ 5] wherein I taried, meaning to kil me, and vexing my wife with incredible furie of lust, finally she died. † Whom being [ 6] taken I did cutte into peeces, and sent the partes into al the borders of your possession: because neuer was there so hei∣nous an offense, and so greate an abomination done in Israel. † You are al present the children of Israel, determine what [ 7] you ought to doe. † And al the people standing, answered as [ 8] it were by the word of one man: we wil not depart into our tabernacles, neither shal any man enter into his house: † but [ 9] this wil we doe in common against Gabaa. † Let ten men be [ 10] chosen of an hundred out of al the tribes of Israel, and an hundred of a thousand, and a thousand of ten thousand, to bring victuals for the armie, and that we may fight against Gabaa of Beniamin, & render to it for the wicked fact, which it deserueth. † And al Israel assembled to the citie, as it were [ 11] one man with one minde, and one counsel: † and they sent [ 12] messengers to al the tribe of Beniamin, which should say▪ Why is there soe great abomination found in you? † Deliuer the [ 13] men of Gabaa, that haue committed this heinous fact, :: 1.184 that they may die, and the euil may be taken away out of Israel▪ Who would not heare the commandment of their brethren the children of Israel: † but o•••• of al cities, which were of [ 14] their lotte, they assem〈…〉〈…〉 Gabaa▪ to avde them, and to fight against a•• the 〈…〉〈…〉▪ † ••nd there were found [ 15]

fiue and twentie thousand of Beniamin of them that drew sword, beside the inhabitantes of Gabaa, † which were [ 16] seuen hundred most valiant men, so fighting with the left hand as with the right: and so directly casting stones with ••••inges, that they could strike a heare also, and the stroke of the stone should not be caried awry on either part. † Of the [ 17] men of Israel also, beside the children of Beniamin, were found foure hundred thousande of them that drew swordes, & were prepared to fight. † Who rising came into the house [ 18] of God, that is, into Silo: and they consulted God, and said: Who shal be in our armie general of the battel against the children of Beniamin? To whom our Lord answered: Let :: 1.185 Iudas be your captayne. † And forth with the children of [ 19] Israel arysing in the morning, camped beside Gabaa: † and [ 20] thence proceeding to fight against Beniamin, beganne to assault the citie. † And the children of Beniamin issuing out [ 21] of Gabaa, slew of the children of Israel that day two and twentie thousand men. † Agayne Israel hauing confidence [ 22] :: 1.186 in their strength and number, sette the armie in aray in the same place, wherein they had fought before: † yet so that [ 23] they did first goe vp and weepe before our Lord vntil night: and consulted him, and said: Shal I procede any more to fight against the children of Beniamin my brethren, or not? To whom he answered: :: 1.187 Goe vp to them, and enter battel. † And when the children of Israel the next day had proceded [ 24] against the children of Beniamin to battel, † the children of [ 25] Beniamin brake forth out of the gates of Gabaa: and meeting them they raged with so great a slaughter against them, that they ouerthrew eightene thousand men that drew swotd. † For the which thing al the children of Israel came into the [ 26] house of God, and sitting wept before our Lord: and they fasted that day vntil euening, and offered to him holocaustes, and pacifique victimes, † and asked him concerning their [ 27] state. At that time the arke of the couenant of our Lord was there, † and :: 1.188 Phinees the sonne of Eleazarus the sonne of [ 28] Aaron prouost of the house. They therfore consulted our Lord, and said: Shal we goe forth any more to fight against the children of Beniamin our brethren, or rest? To whom our Lord said: Goe vp, for to morrow I wil deliuer them into your handes. † And the children of Israel sette ambush∣mentes [ 29] round about the citie of Gabaa: † and the third time, [ 30]

as once and twise, they brought forth their armie against Beniamin. † But the children of Beniamin also issued forth [ 31] boldly out of the citie, and pursewed a long way the aduer∣saries fleeing, so that they wounded of them, as the first day and the second, and slew them turning their backes by two wayes, wherof the one went into Bethel, and the other into Gabaa, and ouerthrew about thirtie men: † for they thought [ 32] to kil them after their accustomed maner. Who feyning arti∣ficially as though they fled tooke aduise to draw them away from the citie, & as it were fleing to bring them to the pathes aforesayd. † Therfore al the children of Israel rysing out of [ 33] their seates, sette their armie in battel aray, in the place which is called Baalthamar. The ambushmentes also, which were about the citie, began by litle and litle to open them selues, † and to proceede from the West part of the citie. Yea and [ 34] other ten thousand men of al Israel prouoked the inhabitan∣tes of the citie to skit mishes. And the battel grew sore against the children of Beniamin: and they vnderstoode not that on euerie side destruction hong ouer them. † And our Lord [ 35] stroke them in the sight of the children of Israel, and they slew of them in that day fiue and twentie thousand, and an hundred men, al warryers and that drew sword. † But the [ 36] children of Beniamin when they saw them selues to be infe∣riour, beganne to flee. Which the children of Israel seing, gaue them place to flee, that they might come to the ambushmen∣tes prepared, which they had sette neere the citie. † Who [ 37] when they had sodenly risen out of their dennes, and Benia∣min turned their backes to the sleaers, they entred the citie, and stroke it in the edge of the sword. † And the children of [ 38] Israel had geuen a signe to them, whom they had laid in the ambushementes, that after they had taken the citie, they should kindle a fire: that the smoke ascending on high, they might shew that the citie was taken. † Which when the [ 39] children of Israel saw being in the verie fight (for the chil∣dren of Beniamin thought that they fled, and pursewed more instantly, hauing slaine thirtie men of their armie.) † and [ 40] they saw as it were a piller of smoke to rise vp from the citie. Beniamin also looking backe, when he saw the citie taken, and the flames caried on high: † they that before had feyned [ 41] as if they fled, turning their face resisted more manfully. Which when the children of Beniamin had sene, they were

turned into flight, † and beganne to goe the way of the de∣sert, [ 42] the aduersaries pursewing them thither also. But they also that had fyred the citie, mette them. † And so it came to [ 43] passe, that on both sides they were slaine of the enemies, nei∣ther was there any rest of men dying. They fel, and were ouerthrowen on the east side of the citie of Gabaa. † And [ 44] there were that were slaine in the same place, eightene thou∣sand men, al most valiant warryers. † Which when they had [ 45] seene, that were remayning of Beniamín, they fled into the wildernes, and went on to the rocke, the name wherof is Remmon. In that flight also stragling, and going diuers waies, they slew fiue thousand men. And whereas they went farder, they pursewed them, and slew also other two thou∣sand. † And so it came to passe, that al which were slaine of [ 46] Beniamin in diuerse places, were fiue and twentie thousand one hundred fighting men, most prompt to warres. † There [ 47] remayned therfore of al the number of Beniamin that could escape, and flee into the wildernes, six hundred men: and they abode in the Rocke Remmon foure monethes. † But [ 48] the children of Israel retyring, stroke al the remaines of the citie with the sword from men euen to beastes, and al the cities and villages of Beniamin the deuouring flame did consume.

CHAP. XXI. The tribe of Beniamin is repayred, 8. by foure hundred virgins reserued in the slaughter of Iabes Galaad. 19. and by other virgins taken, that come forth of Silo to daunce.

THE children of Israel sware also in Maspha, and said: [ 1] None of vs shal geue of his daughters to the children of Beniamin to wife. † And they came al to the house of God [ 2] in Silo, and sitting in his sight vntil euening, lifted vp their voice, and with great wayling beganne to weepe saying: Wherfore ô Lord God of Israel is this euil done in thy people, that this day one tribe should be taken away out of vs? † And on the morrow rising early, they built an altar: and [ 4] offered there holocaustes, and pacifique victimes, and said: † Who hath not ascended in the hoste of our Lord of al the [ 5] tribes of Israel? For they had bound them selues with a great othe, when they were in Maspha, that they should be slayne which had beene wanting. † And the children of Israel being [ 6]

:: 1.189 moued with repentance vpon their brother Beniamin, beganne to say: One tribe is taken away out of Israel, † whence shal they take wiues? For we haue al sworne in [ 7] common, that we wil not geue our daughters to them. † Therfore they said: Who is there of al the tribes of Israel, [ 8] that went not vp to our Lord into Maspha? And behold the inhabitantes of Iabes Galaad were found not to haue bene in that armie. († At that time also when they were in Silo, [ 9] none of them was found there.) † They sent therfore ten [ 10] thousand the strongest men, and commanded them: Goe, and strike the inhabitantes of Iabes Galaad in the edge of the sword, as wel their wiues as their litle ones. † And this shal [ 11] be it which you shal obserue: Al of the male kinde, and we∣men, that haue knowen men, kil ye, but the virgins reserue. † And there were found of Iabes Galaad foure hundred vir∣gins, [ 12] that knew not mans bedde, and they brought them to the campe in Silo, into the Land of Chanaan. † And they [ 13] sent messengers to the children of Beniamin, that were in Rocke Remmon, and commanded them that they should receiue them in peace. † And the children of Beniamin came [ 14] at that time, and there were geuen vnto them wiues of the daughters of Iabes Galaad: but others they found not, which they might geue them in like maner. † And al Israel was [ 15] very sorie, and repented for the killing of one tribe out of Israel. † And the ancientes said: What shal we doe to the [ 16] rest, that haue not taken wiues? For al the wemen in Benia∣min are dead. † And we must very carefully, and with great [ 17] studie prouide, that one tribe be not destroyed out of Israel. † For our owne daughters we can not geue them, being [ 18] bound with an oath and a curse, wherby we said: Cursed be he that shal geue to Beniamin anie of his daughters to wife. And they tooke counsail, and said: Behold there is an anni∣uersaire [ 19] solemnitie of our Lord in Silo, which is situate on the North of the citie of Bethel, on the East side of the way, that goeth from Bethel to Sichem, and on the South of the towne of Lebona. † And they commanded the children of [ 20] Beniamin, and said: Goe, and lie hidde in the vineyardes. † And when you shal see the daughters of Silo come forth [ 21] after the maner to lead daunses, issue forth sodenly out of the vineyardes, and catch of them euerie one his wife, and goe into the Land of Beniamin. † And when their fathers shal [ 22]

come, and their brethren, and shal beginne to complaine against you, and to chide, we wil say to them: Haue pittie on them: for they tooke them not away by the right of warryers and conquerours, but when they desired to receiue them, you gaue them not, and on your part the fault was commit∣ted. † And the children of Beniamin did, as it had beene [ 23] commanded them: and according to their number, they tooke away to them selues of those that ledde the daunses, euerie one his wife: and they went into their possession, buil∣ding cities, and dwelling in them. † The children of Israel [ 24] also returned by their tribes, and families into their taberna∣cles. In those daies there was not a King in Israel: but euerie one did that :: 1.190 which semed right to him selfe.

THE ARGVMENT OF THE BOOKE OF RVTH.

AMONGST other thinges that happened to the people of Israel, in the time of the Iudges, this historie of Ruth, to witt, her coming from Moab, her conuersion to true Religion, godlie conuersation, and mariage with* 1.191 Booz of the tribe of Iuda, is recorded, as a more principal matter. For that not onlie king Dauid, but consequently also our SAVIOVR, the Redemer of mankind descended from her. VVherby was fore signified, that as saluation thus proceded from the Gentiles together with the Iewes: so the Gentiles are made partakers of the same grace. More clerly prophecied, as S. Hierom noteth, by Isai (cap. 16.) saying: Send forth ô Lord the lambe, the Ruler of the earth, from the Rocke of the desert to the mount of the daughter of Sion. That is, from Ruth the gentile to Hierusalem, or rather* 1.192 to the Church. This mariage of Ruth came to passe about the time of Abesan Iudge. The booke was written, as is most probable, by Samuel: and is diuided into foure chapters; whose contentes folow in their places.

THE BOOKE OF RVTH.

CHAP. I. By occasion of famine Elimelech of Bethleem going with his wife Noemi, and two sonnes, into the Land of Moab, there dieth. 4. His sonnes marrie wiues of that countrie, and die without issue. 6. Noemi returning homewardes hardly perswadeth one of her daughters in law, to part from her. 15. The other, called Ruth, wil needes goe with her, professing the same God and Religion. 19. So these two arriue in Betheleem.

IN the dayes of one Iudge, when the Iudges ruled, [ 1] there came a famine in the Land. And there went a man of Bethleem Iuda, to seiourne in the land of Moab with his wife, and two children. † him self [ 2] was called Elimelech, and his wife, Noemi: and his two sonnes, the one Mahalon, and the other Chelion, Ephraites of Bethleem Iuda. And entring into the countrie of Moab, they abode there. † And Elimelech the husband of Noemi [ 3] died: and she remained with her sonnes. † Who tooke wiues [ 4] of the Moabites, of the which one was called Orpha, and the other Ruth. And they abode there ten yeares, † and both died, [ 5] to witte, Mahalon and Chelion: and the woman remayned de∣stitute of her two children & her husband. † And she arose to [ 6] goe into her countrie with both her daughters in law from the countrie of Moab: for she had heard that our Lord had respected his people, & had geuen them victuals. † She ther∣fore [ 7] went forth from the place of her peregrination, with both her daughters in law: and being now sette in the way to returne into the Land of Iuda, † she said to them: Goe into [ 8] your mothers house, our Lord doe mercie with you, as you haue done with the dead and with me. † Grant he vnto you [ 9] to find rest in the houses of your husbandes, which you shal take. And she kissed them. Who lifting vp their voice beganne to weepe, † & to say: We wil goe on with thee to thy people. [ 10] † To whom she answered: Returne my daughters, why come [ 11] you with me? shal I haue sonnes any more in my wombe, that you may hope for husbandes of me? † Returne my daugh∣ters, [ 12] and goe your wayes: for I am now spent with old age, and not fitte for wedlocke. Although I might conceiue this

night, and beare children, † if you would expect til they [ 13] grow, and be of mans age, you shal be old women be••o▪ you marrie. Doe not so my daughters, I besech you: for your di∣stresse doth the more greue me, and the hand of our Lord is come forth against me. † Therfore lifting vp their voice, they [ 14] beganne to weepe agayne, Orpha kissed her mother in law, and returned: Ruth cleaued to her mother in law. † to whom [ 15] Noemi said: Behold thy kinse woman is returned to her peo∣ple, and :: 1.193 to her goddes, goe with her. † Who answered: [ 16] Be not against me, to the end that I should leaue thee and de∣part: for whither soeuer thou shalt goe, I wil goe: and where thou shalt abide, I also wil abide. Thy people my people, and thy God my God. † The land that shal receiue thee dying, in [ 17] the ••ame wil I die: and there wil I take a place for my burial. These thinges doe God to me, & these thinges adde he, if death onlie shal not separate me and thee. † Noemi therfore seing, [ 18] that Ruth with a stidfast mind had determined to goe for∣ward with her, would not be against it, nor perswade her any more to returne to her frendes: † and they went forth [ 19] together, and came into Bethlehem. Who being entered into the citie, a brute was quickly spred among them: and the wemen said: This is that Noemi. † To whom she said: Cal [ 20] me not Noemi (that it to say, beautiful) but cal me Mara (that is to say, bitter) because with bitternes hath the Al∣mightie very much replenished me. † I went forth :: 1.194 ful, [ 21] and our Lord hath brought me backe emptie. Why therfore doe you cal me Noemi whom our Lord hath humbled, and the Almightie hath afflicted? † Noemi therfore came with [ 22] Ruth the Moabite her daughter in law, from the Land of her peregrination: and returned into Bethlehem, when barley was first reaped.

CHAP. II. Ruth gathering eares of corne in Booz field, 8. he kindly biddeth her tarie with his seruantes. 17. At night she returneth carying good quantit••e of corne, and part of the meate, which they gaue her, to her mother in law.

AND Elimelech her husband had a cosin, a mightie man, [ 1] and of great riches, named Booz. † And Ruth the [ 2] Moabite said to her mother in law: If thou command, I wil goe into the field, and gather the eares of corne, that shal escape the handes of the reapers, where soeuer I shal find the

grace of the father of the house fauorable towardes me. To whom she answered: Goe my daughter. † She went therfore [ 3] and gathered the eares of corne after the backes of the rea∣pers. And it chanced that the owner of the same field was Booz, who was of the kinred of Elimelech. † And behold, [ 4] he came out of Bethlehem, and said to the reapers: :: 1.195 Our Lord be with you. Who answered him: Our Lord blesse thee. † And Booz said to the yongman, that was ouerseer of the [ 5] reapers: Whose maide is this? † To whom he answered: [ 6] This is that Moabite, which came with Noemi, from the countrie of Moab, † and she desired that she might gather [ 7] the eares of corne that remayne, folowing the steppes of the reapers: and from morning vntil now she stayeth in the field, and not so much as for a very moment hath she returned home. † And Booz said to Ruth: Heare me daughter, goe not [ 8] into an other field to gather, neither depart thou from this place: but ioyne thy selfe to my maides, † and where they [ 9] haue reaped, folow. For I haue commanded my seruantes, that no man molest thee: but if thou shalt thirst also, goe to the fardels, and drinke the waters, wherof the seruantes also doe drinke. † who falling on her face and adoring vpon [ 10] the ground, said to him: Whence cometh this to me, that I should find grace before thine eies, and that thou woul∣dest voutsafe to know me a strange woman? † To whom he [ 11] answered: Al thinges haue beene told me, which thou hast done to thy mother in law after the death of thy husband: and that thou hast leift thy parentes, and the land wherein thou wast borne, and art come to a people, which before thou knewest not. † Our Lord :: 1.196 render vnto thee for thy [ 12] worke, and God grant thou mayest receiue :: 1.197 a ful reward of our Lord the God of Israel, to whom thou art come, & vnder whose winges thou art fled. † Who said: I haue found grace [ 13] in thine eies my lord, which hast comforted me, and hast spo∣ken to the hart of thy handmaide, which am not like to one of thy maides. † And Booz said to her: When the houre shal [ 14] come to eate, come hither, and eate bread, and dippe thy morsel in the vinagre. She therfore sate at the side of the rea∣pers, and she heaped to her selfe polent, and did eate and was filled, and tooke the leauinges. † And from thence she arose, [ 15] to gleane the eares of corne after her maner. And Booz com∣manded his seruantes, saying: Yea and if she wil reape with

you, forbid her not: † and of your owne handfuls also cast [ 16] forth of purpose, and let them remaine, that she may gather them without bashefulnes, and gathering let no man con∣trowle her. † She gleaned therfore in the field vntil euening: [ 17] & that which she had gathered beating with a rodde & thre∣shing she found of barley as it were the measure of an ephi, that is, three bushels. † Which carying she returned into [ 18] the citie, and shewed to her mother in law: moreouer she brought forth, and gaue her of the remaynes of her meate, wherwith she had beene filled. † And her mother in law said [ 19] to her: Where hast thou gathered to day, and where hast thou wrought? blessed be he that hath had mercie on thee. And she told her with whom she had wrought: and she told the mans name, that he was called Booz. † To whom Noemi [ 20] answered: Be he blessed of our Lord: because the same grace, which he had shewed to the liuing, he hath kept also to the dead. And agayne she said: The man is our nigh cosin. † And [ 21] Ruth, This also, quoth she, he commanded me, that so long I should ioyne my self to the reapers, til al the corne were reaped. † To whom her motherinlaw said: It is better my [ 22] daughter, that thou goe forth with his maides to reape, lest in an other mans field some may resist thee. † She therfore [ 23] ioyned her self to the maides of Booz: and so long reaped with them, til the barley and the wheate were layd vp in the barnes.

CHAP. III. Ruth instructed by her mother in law sleepeth at Booz feete, 8. and signi••••ing that she perteyneth to him by the law of affinitie, receiueth a good answer, 14. and six measures of barley.

BVT after that she was returned to her motherinlaw, [ 1] she heard of her: My daughter, I wil seeke thee rest, and wil prouide that it may be wel with thee. † This Booz, to [ 2] whose maides thou art ioyned in the field, is our nigh kinsman, and this night he wynoweth the barne floore of the barley. † Wash therfore and annoynte thy self, and put on [ 3] thy better garmentes, and goe downe into the barne floore, let no man see thee, til he shal haue ended eating & drinking. † And when he shal goe to sleepe, marke the place wherein [ 4] he sleepeth: and thou shalt come, and discouer the mantel wherwith he is couered toward his feete, and shal cast thy

self downe and lie there: :: 1.198 and he wil tel thee what thou must doe. † Who answered: Whatsoeuer▪ thou shalt com∣mand, [ 5] that wil I doe. † And she went downe into the barne [ 6] floore, and did al the thinges which her mother in law had commanded her. † And when Booz had eaten, & drunken, [ 7] and was made pleasant, and was gone to sleepe by the heape of sheaues, she came closely, and discouering the mantel, at his feete, layd her self downe▪ † And behold, when it was [ 8] now midnight the man was afrayd, and trubled: and he saw a woman lying at his feete, † and said to her: Who art thou? [ 9] And she answered: I am Ruth thy handmaide: spred thy mantel vpon thy seruant, because thou art nigh of kinne. † And he said: Blessed art thou of our Lord my daughter, [ 10] and the former mercie thou hast passed with the later: be∣cause thou hast :: 1.199 not folowed yong men either poore or rich. † Feare not therfore, but whatsoeuer thou shalt say to me, [ 11] I wil doe to thee. For al the people that dwelleth within the gates of my citie, knowe, that thou art a woman of vertue. † Neither doe I denie my self nigh of kinne, but there is an [ 12] other neerer then L † Rest this night: and when morning is [ 13] come, if he wil retayne thee by the right of nigh of kindred, the thing is wel done, but if he wil not, I wil take thee with∣out al doubt, our Lord▪ liueth, sleepe vntil morning. † She [ 14] slept therfore at his feete til the night was gone. Therfore she arose before men could know one an other, and Booz said: Beware lest any man know that thou camest hither. † And agayne, Spred, quoth he, thy mantel, wherwith thou art [ 15] couered, and hold it with both handes. Who spredding and holding it, he measured six measures of barley, and put it vpon her. Who carying it entred into the citie, † and came [ 16] to her mother in law. Who said to her: What hast thou done daughter? And she told her al thinges, that the man had done to her. † And she said: Behold six measures of barley hath [ 17] he geuen me, and he said: I wil not haue thee returne emptie to thy mother in law. † And Noemi said: Expect daughter [ 18] til we see what end the thing▪ wil haue. For the man wil not cease vntil he haue accomplished that which he hath spoken.

CHAP. IIII. Booz before the ancientes of the citie (the neerer kinsman refusing) possesseth the inheritance of Elimelech, 10. and marieth Ruth. 13. Hath by her a

sonne, the grandfather of Dauid. 18. VVhose genealogie by this occasion is recited, from Phares the sonne of Iudas the patriarch.

BOOZ therfore went vp to the gate, and sate there. And [ 1] when he had seene the nigh kinsman passe by, of whom the talke was had before, he said to him: Turne in a litle while, and sitte here: calling him by his name. Who turned in, and sate. † And Booz taking ten men of the citie, said to [ 2] them: Sitte ye here. † Who sitting downe, he spake to the [ 3] nigh kinseman: Noemi, who is returned from the countrie of Moab, wil sel the part of the field belonging to :: 1.200 our bro∣ther Elimelech. † Which I would thee to vnderstand, and [ 4] would tel thee before al that sitte, and the ancientes of my people. If thou wilt possesse it by the right of nigh kindred: bye, and possesse it. but if it please thee not, tel me the same, that I may know what I ought to doe. For there is no nigh kinseman sauing thee, which art first, and me, who am se∣cond. But he answered: I wil bye the field. † To whom [ 5] Booz said: When thou shalt bye the field at the womans hand, thou must take also Ruth the Moabite, which was the wife of the deceased: that thou mayest rayse vp the name of thy kinsman in his inheritance. † Who answered: [ 6] I yeld my right of nigh kindred: for I may not abolish the posteritie of myne owne familie. Doe thou vse my priui∣ledge, which I professe that I doe willingly forgoe. † And [ 7] :: 1.201 this in old time was the maner in Israel betwen kinsemen, that if at any time one yelded to an other his right: that the graunt might be sure, the man put of his shoe, and gaue it to his neighbour. this was a testimonie of yelding in Israel. † Booz therfore said to his kinseman: Take of thy shoe. [ 8] Which immediatly he loosed from his foote. † But to the an∣cientes, [ 9] and the whole people he said: You are witnesses this day, that I haue purchased al thinges which were Elimelechs; and Chelions and Mahalons; Noemi deliuering them: † and [ 10] haue taken in mariage Ruth the Moabite, the wife of Ma∣halon, that I may rayse vp the name of the deceased in his in∣heritance, lest his name be abolished out of his familie and brethren and people. You, I say, are witnesses of this thing. † Al the people that was in the gate answered, and the an∣cientes: [ 11] We are witnesses: Our Lord make this woman, which entereth into thy house, as Rachel, and Lia, which

builded the house of Israel: that she may be an example of vertue in Ephrata, and may haue a famous name in Bethle∣hem: † and that thy house may be, as the house of Phares, [ 12] whom Thamar bare to Iudas, of the seede which our Lord shal geue thee of this yong woman. † Booz therfore tooke [ 13] Ruth, and had her to wife: and went in vnto her, and our Lord gaue her to conceiue, and to beare a sonne. † And the [ 14] wemen said to Noemi: Blessed be our Lord, which hath not suffered that there should fayle a successor of thy familie: that his name should be called in Israel. † And thou shoul∣dest [ 15] haue one that may comfort thy soule, and cherish thy old age. For of thy daughter in law is he borne, which wil loue thee: and much better is she to thee, then if thou hadst seuen sonnes. † And Noemi taking the child put it in her [ 16] bosome, and did the office of a nource and of one that should carie him. † And the women her neighbours congratulating [ 17] her, and saying: There is a sonne borne to Noemi: called his name Obed: this is :: 1.202 the father of Isai, the father of Dauid. † These are the generations of Phares: Phares begat Esron, [ 18] † Esron begat Aram, Aram begat Aminadab, † Aminadab [ 19 20] begat Nahasson, Nahasson begat Salmon, † Salmon begat [ 21] Booz, Booz begat Obed, † Obed begat Isai, Isai begat Dauid. [ 22]

THE ARGVMENT OF THE BOOKES OF KINGES AND PARA∣LIPPOMENON IN GENERAL.

AFTER the booke of Iudges (wherunto Ruth is annexed) rightly folow the bookes of Kinges: signifying that after the general Iudgement co∣meth the euerlasting Kingdome. As venerable Beda expoundeth this con∣nexion* 1.203 * 1.204 of bookes, wherin he also explicateth manie other Mysteries of Christ & the Church praefigured in these histories. Likewise S. Gregorie teacheth that besi∣des* 1.205 the historical & moral sense expressed in the simplicitie of the let∣ter, an other mystical vnderstanding is to be sought the height of the Allegorie. In confirmation wherof he citeth S. Augustin and S. Hierom; who say, that Elcana his two wiues signified the Synagogue of the Iewes, and the Church of Christ: & that the death of Heli & Saul, with translation of

Priesthood to Samuel and Sadoch, and of the Kingdome, to Dauid and his Successors, praefigured the new Priesthood, and new Kingdome of Christ the old ceasing which were shadowes therof. So these two great Doctors S. Gregorie and S. Beda, insisting in the steppe of other lerned holie Fathers, that had gone before them, expound these histories not only historically but also my∣stically. The historie first setteth forth the changing of the forme of gouernment* 1.206 from Iudges to Kinges: and then at large what Kinges did reigne ouer the He∣brew people, as wel in one intire Realme, as ouer the same people diuided into two kingdomes; their more principal Actes; their good and euil behauiour; also the prosperitie, declinations, and final captiuities of both the Kingdomes. Al which is conteined in foure bookes of Kinges, with other two partly repeting that was saied before, but especially supplying thinges omitted in the whole sacred historie from the beginning of the world, called Paralippome∣non. The two first are also called the Bookes of Samuel, though he writ not* 1.207 one of them wholly, for he died before the historie of the former ended; but they goe both vnder his name, because he annointed the two first Kinges, and writ a great part of their Actes. Wherto the rest was added either by Dauid and Salomon, as some thinke, or by Nathan and Gad, as is probably gathered, 1. Paralip. 29. v. 29. The authors also of the third and fourth bookes of Kinges, and of the two of Paralippomenon are vncertaine; yet al haue euer bene receiued and held for Canonical Scripture.

THE ARGVMENT OF THE FIRST BOOKE OF KINGES.

THIS first booke may be diuided into foure partes. First are recorded the* 1.208 gouernmētes of Heli & Samuel, with the occasions of changing the state of that commonwealth into a Kingdome▪ in the eight first Chapters, Secondly, the election and gouernment of Saul their first King. from the 9. chap. to the 16. Thirdly, Dauids annointing, his vertues, trubles, and persecutions. from the 16. chap. to the 28. Fourthly, the ruine of Saul and exaltation of Dauid. in the foure last Chapters.

THE FIRST BOOKE OF SAMVEL, WHICH WE CAL THE FIRST OF KINGES.

CHAP. I. Elcana hauing two wiues, the one called Anna, is barren, and for the same* 1.209 is repro••hed by the other, called Phenenna. 9. Anna voweth, and prayeth for a man child, 19. conceiueth and beareth a sonne, calleth him Samuel: 24. and presenteth him to the seruice of God in Silo.

THERE was a man of Ramathaimso∣phim, [ 1] of mount Ephraim, & his name Elcana, the sonne of Ieroham, the sonne* 1.210 of Eliu, the sonne of Thohu, the sonne of Suph, an Ephraite: † and he had [ 2] two wiues, the name of one was Anna, and the name of the second Phenenna. Phenenna had children: but Anna had not children. † And that man went vp from his citie vpon or∣dinarie [ 3] dayes, to adore and sacrifice vnto the Lord of hostes in Silo. And there were the two sonnes of Heli, Ophni and Phi∣nees, priestes of our Lord. † The day came therfore, & Elcana [ 4] immolated, and gaue to Phenenna his wife, & to al her sonnes and daughters partes: † but to Anna he gaue one part with [ 5] heauie cheere, because he loued Anna. And our Lord had shut her matrice. † Her aduersarie also afflicted her, and vexed [ 6] her sore, in so much that she vp brayded her, that our Lord had shut her matrice: † and so did she euerie yeare, when the [ 7] time returned, that they went vp to the temple of our Lord: and so she prouoked her: moreouer she wept, and tooke not meat. † Elcana therfore her husband said to her: Anna, why [ 8] weepest thou? and why doest thou not eate? and wherfore doest thou afflict thy hart? Am not I better to thee, then

tenne children? † And Anna arose after she had eaten and [ 9] drunke in Silo. And Heli the priest sitting vpon a Stoole be∣fore the postes of the house of our Lord, † wheras Anna had [ 10] a heauie hart, she praied to our Lord, weeping aboundantly, † and she vowed a vowe, saying: O Lord of hostes, if regar∣ding [ 11] thou wilt behold the affliction of thy seruant, and wilt be mindeful of me, and not forgette thy handmaide, and wilt geue vnto thy seruant a man childe: I :: 1.211 wil geue him to our Lord al the daies of his life, & the rasour shal not come vpon his head. † And it came to passe, when she multiplied praiers [ 12] before our Lord, that Heli obserued her mouth. † Moreo∣uer [ 13] Anna spake in her hart, and onlie her lippes moued, and voice there was not heard at al. Heli therfore thought her to be drunke, † and sayd to her: How long wilt thou be drunke? [ 14] digest a litle the wyne, wherwith thou art wette. † Anna [ 15] answering, Not so, quoth she, my lord: for I am an exceding vnhappie woman, and wine and whatsoeuer may inebriate, I haue not drunke, but I haue powred out my soule in the sight of our Lord. † Account not thy handmaide as one of [ 16] the daughters of Belial: for of the multitude of my sorrow and heauines haue I spoken vntil this present. † Then Heli [ 17] saied to her: Goe in peace: and the God of Israel geue thee thy petition, which thou hast asked him. † But she sayd: [ 18] Would God thy handmaide may find grace in thyne eyes. And the woman went on her way, and did eate, and her counte∣nance was no more changed otherwise. † And they rose in [ 19] the morning, and adored before our Lord: and they retur∣ned, & came into their house to Ramatha. And Elcana knew Anna his wife: and our Lord remembred her. † And it came [ 20] to passe after a certaine compasse of dayes, Anna conceiued & bare a sonne, and called his name Samuel: because she asked him of our Lord. † And Elcana her husband went vp, and al [ 21] her house, to immolat vnto our Lord the solemne hoste, and his vowe, † and Anna went not vp: for she sayd to her hus∣band: [ 22] I wil not goe til the infant be weaned, and til I may bring him, that he may appeare before the sight of our Lord, and may remayne there continually. † And Elcana her hu∣sband [ 23] sayd to her: Doe that which seemeth good to thee, and tarie til thou weane him: and I pray that our Lord fulfil his word. The woman therfore taried, and gaue her sonne sucke, til she remoued him from the milke. † And she brought him [ 24]

with her, after she had weaned him, with three calues, & three bushels of meale, and a flagon of wine, and she brought him to the house of our Lord in Silo. But the childe was yet a litle infant: † and they immolated a calfe, and offered the childe [ 25] to Heli. † And Anna said: I besech thee my lord, thy soule [ 26] liueth my lord: I am that woman, which stoode before thee here praying our Lord. † For this childe did I pray, and our [ 27] Lord hath geuen me my petition, which I asked him. † Ther∣fore [ 28] I also haue geuen him to our Lord al the daies, which he shal liue, that he may be applied to our Lord. And they ado∣red our Lord there. And Anna prayed, and sayd:

CHAP. II. Anna geueth thankes in a Canticle. 11. the sonnes of▪ Heli greuously sinning are reprehended, but not duly corected, by their father. 21. Anna beareth three sonnes more, and two daughters. 27. Heli is threatned, 34. and the death of his two sonnes fortold.

[ 1] MY hart hath reioysed in our Lord, and my horne is * 1.212 exalted in my God: my mouth is dilated vpon myn ene∣mies: because I haue ioyed in thy saluation.

[ 2] † There is none holie as our Lord is: for neither is there an other beside thee, and there is none so strong as out God.

[ 3] † Doe not multiplie to speake high thinges, boasting: :: 1.213 let old matters depart from your mouth: because our Lord is a God of al knowlege, and to him cogitations are prepared.

[ 4] † The bow of the strong men is ouercome, and the weake are girded with strength.

[ 5] † They that before were filled haue hyred out them selues for bread: and the hungrie are filled, vntil :: 1.214 the barren wo∣man bare verie manie: and :: 1.215 she that had manie children, was weakened.

[ 6] † Our Lord mortifieth and quickeneth, bringeth downe to hel and fetcheth backe agayne.

[ 7] † Our Lord maketh poore and enricheth, humbleth and lifteth vp.

[ 8] † He rayseth the needie man from the dust, and from the dung he lifteth vp the poore: that he may sitte with princes, and hold the throne of glorie. For the poles of the earth are our Lords, and vpon them he hath sette the world.

† The feete of his Saintes he wil keepe, and the impious [ 9] shal be silent in darknes: because in his owne force man shal

not be strengthned. † Our Lord shal his aduersaries feare: [ 10] and vpon them shal he thunder in the heauens: our Lord s••al iudge the endes of :: 1.216 the Earth, and shal geue empire to his king, and shal exalt the horne of his Christ.

† And Elcana went into Ramatha, vnto his house: but the [ 11] childe ministered in the sight of our Lord before the face of Heli the priest. † Moreouer the sonnes of Heli, were the [ 12] sonnes of Belial, not knowing our Lord, † nor the office of [ 13] priestes to the people: but whosoeuer had immolated a vi∣ctime, the seruant of the priest came, whiles the flesh was in boyling, and had a flesh hooke with three teeth in his hand, † and thrust it into the kettle, or into the caudron, or into [ 14] the potte, or into the panne: and al, that the flesh hooke brought vp, the priest tooke to him selfe. so did they to al Israel that came into Silo. † Yea before they burnt the fatte, [ 15] the seruant of the priest came, and sayd to him that immola∣ted: Geue me flesh, that I may boyle it for the priest: for I wil not take flesh of thee sodde, but raw. † And he that immola∣ted [ 16] sayd to him: Let the fatte first be burnt to day according to the maner, and take vnto thee how much soeuer thy soule desireth. Who answering said to him: Not so: for thou shalt geue it now, or els I wil take it away by force. † Therfore [ 17] the sinne of the yong men was exceding great before our Lord: because men detracted from the sacrifice of our Lord. † But Samuel ministred before the face of our Lord: a child, [ 18] girded with an ephod of linnen. † And his mother made [ 19] him a litle tunike, which she brought vpon the ordinarie daies, going vp with her husband, to immolate the solemne host. † And Heli blessed Elcana and his wife: and he saied to [ 20] him: Our Lord render thee seede of this woman, for the vsurie that thou hast geuen our Lord. And they went into their place. † Our Lord therfore visited Anna, and she con∣ceiued, [ 21] and bare three sonnes, and two daughters: and the childe Samuel was magnified before our Lord. † And Heli [ 22] was very old, and heard al thinges which his sonnes did to al Israel: and how they slept with the wemen that wayted at the doore of the tabernacle: † and he sayd to them: Why doe [ 23] you these kinde of thinges, which I heare, very naughtie thinges, of al the people? † Doe not so my sonnes: for it is [ 24] not a good report, which I doe heare, that you make the peo∣ple of our Lord to transgresse. † If man shal sinne against [ 25]

man, God may be pacified toward him: but if a man shal sinne against our Lord :: 1.217 who shal pray for him? And they heard not the voice of their father, :: 1.218 because our Lord would kil them. † But the childe Samuel prospered, and grew, and [ 26] pleased both our Lord and men. † And there came a man of [ 27] God to Heli, and said to him: Thus ••ayth our Lord: Was not I openly reueled to thy fathers house, when they were in Aegypt in the house of Pharao? † and I chose him of al the [ 28] tribes of Israel for my priest, that he might ascend to my altar, and burne to me incense, and might carie the ephod before me: and I gaue to thy fathers house al thinges of the sacrifices of the children of Israel. † Why haue you with [ 29] your heele reiected my victime, and my giftes which I com∣manded to be offered in the temple: and hast rather honoured thy sonnes then me, that you would eate the first fruites of euerie sacrifice of Israel my people? † Therfore sayeth our [ 30] Lord the God of Israel: Speaking I speake that thy house, and the house of thy father should minister in my sight, for euer. But now sayeth our Lord: Be this farre from me: but whosoeuer shal glorifie me I wil glorifie him: and they that contemne me, shal be base. † Behold the daies come: and I [ 31] wil cut of thy arme, and the arme of thy fathers house, that there may not be an old man in thy house. † And thou shalt [ 32] see :: 1.219 whom thou enuiest in the temple, in al prosperities of Israel and there shal not be an old man in thy house for euer. † Notwithstanding I wil not altogether take away a man of [ 33] thee from myn altar: but that thyne eyes may fayle, and thy soule melt: and a great part of thy house shal die when it is come to mans age. † And this shal be a signe to thee, which [ 34] shal come vpon thy two sonnes, Ophni, and Phinees: In one day they shal both die▪ † And I wil rayse vp vnto me a faith∣ful [ 35] priest, which shal doe according to my hart, and my soule: and I wil build him a faythful house▪ and the same shal walke before my Christ al daies. † And it shal come to passe, that [ 36] whosoeuer shal remayne in thy house, shal come that he may be prayed for, and shal offer a peece of siluer, and a man∣chet of bread, and shal say: Leaue me I besech thee to one priestly part, that I may eate a morsel of bread.

CHAP. III. Samuel thrise called vpon in sleepe by vision from God, repaireth to Heli, 10. the fourth time our Lord reueleth to him the euil, that shal fall to Heli, and his house. 16. Which he, being requested, declateth to Heli.

AND the childe Samuel ministred to our Lord before [ 1] Heli, and the word of our Lord was :: 1.220 precious in those daies, there was no vision manifest. † It came to passe ther∣fore [ 2] on a certayne day Heli lay in his place, and his eies were become dimme, neither could he see. † :: 1.221 before the lampe [ 3] of God was extinguished, Samuel slept in the temple of our Lord, where the arke of God was. † And our Lord called [ 4] Samuel. Who answering, said: Loe here I am. † And he [ 5] ranne to Heli and said: Loe here I am: for thou didst cal me. Who saied: I did not cal thee: returne and sleepe. And he went and slept. † And our Lord added againe to cal Samuel. [ 6] And Samuel rysing vp went to Heli, and said: Loe here I am: because thou didst cal me. Who answered: I did not cal thee my sonne: returne and sleepe. † Moreouer Samuel did not [ 7] yet know our Lord, neither had the word of our Lord beene reueled to him. † And our Lord added, and called Samuel [ 8] yet the third time. Who rysing vp went to Heli, † and said: [ 9] Loe here I am: because thou didst cal me. Heli therfore vnder∣stood that our Lord called the childe, and said to Samuel: Goe, & sleepe: & if he shal cal the hereafter, thou shalt saie: Speake Lord, for thy seruant heareth. Samuel therfore went & slept in his place. † And our Lord came, and stoode: and he called, [ 10] as he had called twise, Samuel, Samuel. And Samuel sayd: Speake Lord for thy seruant heareth. † And our Lord said to [ 11] Samuel: Behold I doe a thing in Israel: which whosoeuer shal heare, both his eares shal tingle. † In that day wil I rayse vp [ 12] against Heli al thinges which I haue spoken touching his house: I wil beginne, and accomplish it. † For I haue fore∣told [ 13] him that I would iudge his house for euer, because of ini∣quitie, for that he knewe that his sonnes did wickedly, and hath not corrected them. † Therfore haue I sworne to the [ 14] house of Heli, that the iniquitie of his house can not be expia∣ted with victimes and giftes for euer. † And Samuel slept [ 15] vntil morning, and opened the doores of the house of our Lord. And Samuel feared to tel the vision vnto Heli. † Heli [ 16] therfore called Samuel, and said: Samuel my sonne: Who

answering, said: Here I am. † And he asked him: What is [ 17] the word, that our Lord hath spoken to thee? I besech thee conceale it not from me. These thinges doe God to thee, and these doe he adde, if thou shalt hide from me a word of al the wordes, which were said to thee. † Samuel therfore told him [ 18] al the wordes, & did not hide them from him. And he answe∣red: It is our Lord: let him doe that which is good in his eies. † And Samuel grewe, and our Lord was with him, and there [ 19] fel not of his wordes vpon the ground. † And al Israel knewe [ 20] from Dan to Bersabee, that faithful Samuel was the prophet of our Lord. † And our Lord added to appeare in Silo, be∣cause [ 21] our Lord had bene reueled to Samuel in Silo, according to the word of our Lord. And the word of Samuel came to passe to al Israel.

CHAP. IIII. The Israelites are beaten in batle by the Philisthijms. 3. VVho for their better protection and comfort, fetch the Arke of God into the campe: 10. but are beaten againe, the Arke taken, and with manie others the two sonnes of Heli are slaine. 13. Al which Heli vnderstanding falleth from his seate, and breaketh his neck: 19. also his daughter in law presently traueling of childe is deliuered of a sonne.

AND it came to passe in those daies, the Philisthijms [ 1] assembled together to fight: and Israel went forth to meete the Philisthims into battle, & camped beside the Stone of helpe. Moreouer the Philisthijms came into Aphec, † and [ 2] put their armie in aray against Israel. And after they had ioy∣ned battle, Israel turned their backes to the Philisthims: and there were slaine in the fight here and there through the fiel∣des, as it were foure thousand men. † And the people retur∣ned [ 3] to the campe: and the ancientes of Israel said: Why hath our Lord stricken vs to day before the Philisthijms? :: 1.222 Let vs fetch vnto vs the arke of the couenant of our Lord from Silo, and let it come into the middes of vs, that it may saue vs from the hand of our enemies. † The people therefore sent into [ 4] Silo, and they tooke from thence the arke of the couenant of the Lord of hostes sitting vpon the Cherubims: and the two sonnes of Heli were with the arke of the couenant of God, Ophni and Phinees. † And when the arke of the [ 5] couenant of our Lord was come into the campe, al Israel made a shoute with a great crie, and the earth sounded. † And [ 6]

the Philisthims heard the voice of the crie, and said: What is this voice of a great crie in the campe of the Hebrewes? And they knewe that the arke of our Lord was come into the campe. † And the Philisthijms were afrayd, saing: God is [ 7] come into the campe. And they mourned, saing: † Woe to vs: [ 8] for there was not so great reioysing yesterday and the day be∣fore: woe to vs. Who shal keepe vs from the hand of these high Goddes? these be the Goddes, that stricke Aegypt with al plague, in the desert. † Take courage, and be men, ye Phili∣sthijms: [ 9] lest you be seruantes to the Hebrewes, as they also haue ferued you: take courage and fight. † The Philisthijms [ 10] therfore fought, and Israel was slaine, and euerie man fled into his tabernacle: and there was made an exeeding great plague: and there fel of Israel thirtie thousand footemen. † And the arke of God was taken: the two sonnes also of [ 11] Heli died, Ophni and Phinees. † And a man of Beniamin [ 12] running out of the battle aray, came into Silo that day, his garment rent, and sprinkled on his head with dust. † And [ 13] when he was come, Heli sate vpon a stoole ouer against the way looking. For his hart was fearful for the arke of God. And that man after he was entred in, told it to the citie: and al the citie howled. † And Heli heard the sound of the crie, [ 14] and said: What is this sound of this same tumult? But he ha∣stened, and came, and told Heli. † And Heli was nintie and [ 15] eight yeares old, and his eyes were dimme, and he could not see. † And he said to Heli: I am he that came from the battle, [ 16] and I he that fled out of the field this day. To whom he said: What is done my sonne? † And he brought the newes answe∣ring: [ 17] Israel, quoth he, is fled before the Philisthijms, and a great ruine is made in the people: moreouer also thy two sonnes are dead, Ophni and Phinees: and the arke of God is taken. † And when he had :: 1.223 named the arke of God, he fel [ 18] from his stoole backward beside the doore, & his necke being broken he died. For he was an old man, and of a great age: and he iudged Israel fourtie yeares. † And his daughter in [ 19] law, the wife of Phinees was great with childe, and nigh to be deliuered: and hearing the reporte that the arke of God was taken, and her father in law was dead, and her husband, she bowed her self and was deliuered: for sudden paynes were fallen vpon her. † And in the very moment of her [ 20] death, they said to her that stoode about her: Feare not

because thou hast borne a sonne. Who answered them not, nor gaue heede to it. † And she called the childe Ichabod, [ 21] saing: The glorie is translated from Israel, because the arke of God is taken, and for her father in law, and for her hus∣band; † and she said: The glorie is translated from Israel, [ 22] for that the arke of God was taken.

CHAP. V. Dagon falleth downe twise in presence of the Arke, his head and handes broken of. 6. The Philisthijms being sore plagued in al their cities where the arke cometh, 11. determine to send it backe to the Israelites.

AND the Philistijms tooke the arke of God, and caried [ 1] it from the Stone of helpe into Azotus. † And the [ 2] Philistijms tooke the arke of God, and brought it into the temple of Dagon, and sette it beside Dagon. † And when [ 3] the Azotians had risen early the next day, behold :: 1.224 Dagon lay flatte on the ground before the arke of our Lord: and they tooke Dagon, and restored him into his place. † And [ 4] agayne early the next day rising vp, they found Dagon lying vpon his face on the earth before the arke of our Lord: and the head of Dagon, and the two palmes of his handes were cutte of vpon the threshold: † moreouer the bodie only [ 5] of Dagon was remayning in his place. For this cause the priestes of Dagon, and al that enter into his temple, tread not vpon the threshold of Dagon in Azotus vntil this day. † And the hand of our Lord was heauie vpon the Azotians, [ 6] and he plagued them, and stroke Azotus and the coastes thereof in the secrete part of the fundament. And the tow∣nes and fieldes bubbled forth in the middes of that country, and there came forth mise, and there was confusion of great death in the citie. † And the men of Azotus seing this maner [ 7] of plague, said: Let not the arke of the God of Israel tarie with vs: because his hand is sore vpon vs, and :: 1.225 vpon Dagon our God. † And sending they gathered together al the prin∣ces [ 8] of the Philistijms to them, and said: What shal we doe with the arke of the God of Israel? And the Getheites answe∣red: Let the arke of the God of Israel be caried about, and they caried about the arke of the God of Israel. † And they [ 9] carying it about, the hand of our Lord was made through euerie citie by an exceding great slaughter: and it strake the men of euery city, from litle vnto great, & they had emeroides

in their secrete partes. And the Getheites tooke counseil, and made themselues stooles of skinnes. † They sent therfore the [ 10] arke of God into Accaron. And when the arke of God was come into Accaron, the Accaronites cryed out, saying: They haue brought vnto vs the arke of the God of Israel, to kil vs & our people. † They sent therefore & gathered together al the [ 11] princes of the Philistijms: who sayd: Dimisse the arke of the God of Israel, & let it returne into his place, & not kil vs with our people. † For there was made the feare of death in euery [ 12] citie, & the hand of God exceding greuous. the men also that had not died, were striken in the secrete part of the but∣tockes: and the howling of euery citie went vp into heauen.

CHAP. VI. The Arke is sent backe with siue emeroids and fiue mise of gold, vpon a new wayne drawne by two milch kyne. 13. which coming directly to Bethsames are sacrificed, the wayne seruing for fire, the Leuites kepe the Arke. 19. Many others are slaine looking of curiositie into it.

THEREFORE the arke of God was in the country of [ 1] the Philisthijms seuen monethes. † And the Phili∣sthijms [ 2] called the priestes and soothsaiers, saying: What shal we doe with the arke of the Lord? tel vs▪ how we may send it backe into his place. Who said: † If you send back the [ 3] arke of the God of Israel, send it not away emptie, but that which you owe render vnto it for sinne, and then you shal be cured: and you shal know why his hand departeth not from you. † Who answered: What is that which we ought [ 4] to render vnto it for sinne? And they answered: † Accor∣ding [ 5] to the number of the prouinces of the Philisthijms you shal make siue golden emroides, and fiue golden mise▪ because there hath bene one plague to you, and to your princes. And you shal make the similitudes of your eme∣roides, and the similitudes of the mise, that haue destroied the land, and you shal geue glorie to the God of Israel: if perhaps he wil lighten his hand from you, and from your goddes and from your land. † Why doe you harden your hartes, as :: 1.226 Ae∣gypt [ 6] and Pharao did harden their hart? did not he after he was striken, then dimisse them, and they departed? † Now [ 7] therfore take and make one new wayne: and two kine ha∣uing calued, on which there hath no yoke beene put, couple in the wayne, and shut vp their calues at home. † And you [ 8]

shal take the arke of the Lord, and put it in the wayne, and the vessels of gold, which you haue payed him for sinne, you shal put into a litle casket at the side thereof: and di∣misse it that it may goe. † And you shal looke: and if so be [ 9] that it shal goe vp by the way of his coastes against Bethsa∣mes, he hath donne vs this great euil: but if not: we shal know that his hand hath not touched vs, but it hath happe∣ned by chance. † They therefore did in this maner: and ta∣king [ 10] two kine, that had sucking calues, yoked them to the wayne, and shut vp their calues at home. † And they layd [ 11] the arke of God vpon the wayne, and the litle casket, that had the golden mise and the similitudes of emeroides. † And the [ 12] kine went directly by the way, that leadeth to Bethsames, and they went one way, going forward and lowing: and they declined not neither to the right hand nor to the left: but the princes also of the Philistijms folowed vnto the borders of Bethsames. † Moreouer the Bethsamites reaped wheat [ 13] in the valley: and lifting vp their eies, they saw the arke, and were gladde when they had seene it. † And the wayne came [ 14] into the field of Iosue the Bethsamite, and stoode there. And there was a great stone, and they did cut the wood of the wayne, and layed the kine vpon it an holocaust to our Lord. † And the Leuites tooke downe the arke of God, [ 15] and the litle casket, that was at the side of it, wherin were the vessels of gold, and they put it vpon the great stone. The men also of Bethsames offered holocaustes, and immo∣lated victimes that day to our Lord. † And the fiue princes [ 16] of the Philistijms saw, and returned into Accaron that day. † And these are the golden emeroides, which the Philistijms [ 17] rendred for sinne to our Lord: Azotus one, Gaza one, Ascalon one, Geth one, Accaron one: † and the golden mise accor∣ding [ 18] to the number of the cities of the Philistijms, of the fiue prouinces, from walled citie vnto towne that was without wal, and vnto Abel the great, wherupon they put the arke of our Lord, which was vntil that day in the field of Iosue the Bethsamite. † But he stroke of the men of Bethsames, for [ 19] that they had :: 1.227 seene the arke of our Lord: and he stroke of the people seuentie men, and fiftie thousand of the common people. And the people mourned, because our Lord had stri∣ken the common people with a great plague. † And the men [ 20] of Bethsames sayd: Who shal be able to stand in the sight of

our Lord God this holie one? and to whom shal he goe vp from vs? † And they sent messengers to the inhabitantes of [ 21] Caria Thiarim, saying: The Philistijms haue brought backe the arke of our Lord, come downe & fetch it backe vnto you.

CHAP. VII. The Arke is brought to the house of Abinadab in Gabaa, 3. By Samuels exhor∣tation, the people cast away the idols and serue only God. 10. Samuel of∣fering sacrifice and praying, Israel preuaileth against the Philisthijms.

THEREFORE the men of Caria Thiarim came, and [ 1] :: 1.228 brought backe the arke of our Lord, and caried it into the house of Abinadab in Gaaba: And Eleazar his sonne they sanctified, that he might keepe the arke of our Lord. † And [ 2] it came to passe, from the day that the arke of our Lord abode in Caria Thiarim the dayes were multiplied (for it was now the twentith yeare) and al the house of Israel rested after our Lord. † And Samuel spake to al the house of Israel, [ 3] saying: If you turne to our Lord in al your hart, take away the strange goddes out of the middes of you, Baalim, and Astaroth: and prepare your hartes to our Lord, and serue him only, and he wil deliuer you from the hand of the Phili∣sthijms. † Therefore the children of Israel tooke away Baalim [ 4] and Astaroth, and serued our Lord only. † And Samuel sayd: [ 5] Gather together al Israel into Masphath, that I may pray our Lord for you. † And they assembled into Masphath: and [ 6] they drew water, and powred it out in the sight of our Lord, and they fasted that day, and sayd there: We haue sinned to our Lord. And Samuel iudged the children of Israel in Mas∣phath. † And the Philisthijms heard that the children of [ 7] Israel were gathered together into Masphath, and the princes of the Philisthijms went vp to Israel. Which when the chil∣dren of Israel had heard, they were afrayde at the face of the Philisthijms. † And they said to Samuel: cease not to crie to [ 8] our Lord God for vs, that he saue vs from the hand of the Phi∣listhims. † And Samuel tooke one sucking lambe, and offered [ 9] i•• a whole holocauste to our Lord: and Samuel cried to our Lord for Israel, and our Lord heard him. † And it came to [ 10] passe, when Samuel offered the holocauste, the Philisthijms beganne battel against Israel: but our Lord thundered with a great noise in that day vpon the Philisthijms, and terrified them, and they were slaine before the face of Israel. † And [ 11]

the men of Israel issuing out of Masphath pursued the Phi∣listhijms, and stroke them vnto the place, that was vnder Bethcar. † And Samuel tooke one stone, and layd it betwen [ 12] Masphath and Sen: and he called the name of that place, The stone of helpe. And he sayd: Thus farre hath our Lord hol∣pen vs. † And the Philistijms were humbled, neither added [ 13] they any more to come into the borders of Israel. Therefore the hand of our Lord was made vpon the Philistijms, al the dayes of Samuel. † And the cities, which the Philistijms had [ 14] taken from Israel, were rendred to Israel, from Accaron vnto Geth, and their borders: and ••e deliuered Israel from the hand of the Philistijms, and there was peace betwen Israel and th•• :: 1.229 Amorrheite. † Samuel also ••udged Israel al the [ 15] daies of his life: † and he went euerie ••eare circu〈…〉〈…〉 Bethel [ 16] and Galgala and Masphath, and ••udged Israel in the foresaid places. † And he returned into Ramatha: for there was [ 17] his house, and there he iudged Israel: he built also there an altar to our Lord.

CHAP. VIII. Samuel growing old, and his sonnes for bribes peruerting iudgement, the people require to haue a king. 7. ••o Whom by Gods commandment, Samuel for••heneth the law of a king, to make them cease from their demand; 19. but they persist therein.

AND it came to passe when Samuel waxed old, he ap∣poynted [ 1] his sonnes iudges ouer Israel. † And the name [ 2] of his first begotten sonne was Ioel: and the name of the se∣cond Abia, iudges in Bersabee. † And his sonnes walked nor [ 3] in his waies: but they declined after auarice, & tocke bribes, and peruerted iudgement. † :: 1.230 Therfore al the ancientes of [ 4] Israel being assembled, came to Samuel into Ramatha. † And [ 5] they sayd to him: Behold thou art old, and thy sonnes walke not in thy wayes: appoynt vs a king, that he may iudge vs, as also al nations haue. † And the word was misliked in the eyes [ 6] of Samuel, because they had sayd: Geue vs a king, that he may iudge vs. And Samuel prayed to our Lord. † And our [ 7] Lord sayd to Samuel: Heare the voice of the people in al thinges which they speake to thee. for they haue not “re∣iected thee, but me, that I should not reigne ouer them. † According to al their workes, which they haue done from [ 8] the day that I brought them out of Aegypt vntil this day: as

they haue forsaken me, and serued strange goddes, so doe they also vnto thee. † Now therefore heare their voice: but yet [ 9] testifie to them, and foretel them the :: 1.231 right of the king, that shal reigne ouer them. † Samuel therfore spake al the wordes [ 10] of our Lord to the people which had desired a king of him, † and sayd: This shal be“ the right of the king, that shal reigne [ 11] ouer you: Your sonnes he wil take, and put in his chariotes, and wil make them vnto him the horsemen, and running footmen before his chariotes, † and wil appoynt them his [ 12] tribunes, and centurions, and the plowers of his fieldes, and mowers of his corne, and makers of his armour and of his chariotes. † Your daughters also wil he take to make ointe∣mentes, [ 13] and to be cookes, and bakers. † Your fieldes also, [ 14] and vineyardes, and the best oliuetes he wil take away, and geue to his seruantes. † Yea and your corne also, and the [ 15] reuenewes of your vineyardes he wil tithe, to geue his eu∣nuches and seruantes. † Your seruantes also and handmaides, [ 16] and goodliest yong men, and asses he wil take away, and put in his worke. † Your flockes also wil he tithe, you shal be [ 17] his seruantes. † And you shal crie in that day from the face [ 18] of the king, which you haue chosen you: and our Lord :: 1.232 wil not heare you in that day, because you desired vnto your selues a king. † But the people would not heare the voice [ 19] of Samuel, but sayd: Not so: for there shal be a king ouer vs, † and we also wil be as al nations: and our king shal [ 20] iudge vs, and shal goe forth before vs, and shal fight our battels for vs. † And Samuel heard al the wordes of the [ 21] people, and spake them in the eares of our Lord. † And our [ 22] Lord said to Samuel: Heare their voice, and appoynt a king ouer them. And Samuel sayd to the men of Israel: Let euerie man goe into his citie.

ANNOTATIONS. CHAP. VIII.

7. Reiected me.] For so much as God had chosen Israel a peculiar people to* 1.233 him self, and hitherto ruled the same by his Priestes established among them,* 1.234 and by Iudges extraordinarily raised vp, and sent by him, to deliuer them in their distresses, their demand now to haue a King, who (after the maner of other nations) should be their Lord, and haue more dignitie, and authoritie ouer them, then Dukes or Iudges had, is interpreted, as in effect to reiect God▪ in that they disliked, & sought to change his forme of gouernment. And therfore this request of the people iustly displeased both Samuel and God himself.

11. The right of the King.] Samuel here by Gods appointment, to diswade* 1.235 the people from their desire of a king, at least to admonish them before hand, what they are like to find by experience, reciteth such thinges, as Kinges abu∣sing* 1.236 their powre do oftentimes practise, by reason of their high dignitie, and litle feare of controlment, but vniustly and vnlawfully; according to the do∣ctrin of ancient Fathers. Amongst others. S. Cyprian calleth the exactions of kinges here recited, greuous iniuries. S. Hierom dura imperia, & seruitutem. rigo∣rous or cruel gouernmentes, and seruitude. S. Gregorie proueth the same by two contrarie examples. Seing (sayeth he) that which is here foretold, was pu∣nished in Achab and Iesabel (3. Reg. 21.) it sheweth, that it was not right by diuine iudgement, which they exacted. And when the elect King Dauid was to build an altar to our Lord (1. Paral. 21.) he would not take part of Ornans field, except he payed a iust price for it. Moreouer the law prescribing the dutie of Kinges (Deut. 17. v. 16. &c.) commandeth them not to multiplie horses, not* 1.237 to heape riches, not to take high courage, that their hartes be not lifted vp into pride ouer their bretheren. Neuertheles Kinges haue great prerogatiues (more then Dukes, and Iudges) besides, and aboue, but neuer contrarie to the law; that albeit they can not take their subiectes landes or goodes, neither for them selues, nor to geue to their seruantes at their pleasure: yet in diuers cases subiectes are bound, to contribute of their priuate goodes, to supplie the necessitie of the King, or of the commonwealth, as by nature euerie part must suffer da∣mage, or danger in defence of the principal member, or whole bodie. And if anie refuse so to do, they may iustly be compelled.

Furthermore in case Kinges or other Princes commit excesses, and oppresse* 1.238 their subiectes, yet are they not by and by to be deposed by the people, nor* 1.239 commonwealth, but must be tolerated with patience, peace, and meeknes, til God by his souereigne authoritie, left in his Church, dispose of them: which his diuine wisdom and goodnes often differreth to do, as here he expresly fore∣warneth, saying: (v. 18) You shal crie in that day, from the face of your King, and our ••ord vvil not ••eare you And the reason is, because he wil punish the sinnes of the people, by suffering euil princes to reigne. Iob. 34. v. 30.

Of which important difficultie, falling sometimes betwen Princes and their* 1.240 subiectes, who so desireth, may search the iudgement of ancient Fathers, and see S. Thomas, and other schole Doctors, 2. 2. q. 12. a. 2. Here only for better vnderstanding of this present text, these brief pointes may be obserued First, the people of their owne wil desired to haue a King. Secondly, they requested the same at the handes of samuel their present Superiour. Thirdly, this de∣mand* 1.241 displeased both Samuel and God himself. Fourthly, yet God condescen∣ded to grant their suite, but with an admonition, and forewarning of the in∣conueniences, which they should finde and feele. Fiftly, God himself designed* 1.242 the person that should be King, reueled him by vision, and commanded Samuel to annoint him. Sixtly, God neuertheles by guiding the lotte, more manifestly* 1.243 declared, and confirmed his election. Seuently, God deposed the same King, for transgressing his law, chap. 13. v. 13. and disobeying his commandment. chap. 15. v. 23. appointing an other, by the ministerie of Samuel. chap. 16. Eightly, notwithstanding his deposition, he remained in his dignitie til his* 1.244 death, which happened by other meanes. chap. 31. By al which it appeareth, that God constituted Saul the first King of the Iewes, the people suing to haue a King; but deposed him for euil behauiour, the people desiring no such thing, and Samuel the Prophet much lamenting the same. Yet was he not actually be∣••iued of the crowne and kingdom during his life.

CHAP. IX. Saul by occasion of seeking his fathers asses cometh to Samuel. 15. Who had a reuelation of his coming, and a commandment to annoint him. 22. He is entertained and lodged with Samuel.

AND there was a man of Beniamin named Cis, the sonne [ 1] * 1.245 of Abiel, the sonne of Seor, the sonne of Bechorath, the sonne of Aphia, the sonne of a man of Iemini, valiantin strength. † And he had a sonne called Saul, chosen & good: [ 2] and there was not a man of the children of Israel better then he: from the shoulder and vpward he appeared aboue al the people. † And the asses of Cis the father of Saul were lost: [ 3] and Cis said to Saul his sonne: Take one of the seruants with thee, and rising goe, and seeke the asses. Who when they had passed by mount Ephraim, † and by the land of Salisa, and [ 4] had not found, they passed also through the land of Salim, and they were not: yea and by the Land of Iemini, and found them not. † And when they were come into the Land of [ 5] Suph, Saul saide to the seruant that was with him: Come let vs returne, lest perhaps my father hath let alone the asses, and be careful for vs. † Who sayd to him: Behold a man of God [ 6] is in this citie, a famous man: al that he speaketh, cometh to passe without doubt▪ now therefore let vs goe thither, if per∣haps he may tel vs of our way, for which we are come. † And [ 7] Saul sayd to his seruant: Loc we wil goe: what shal we carie to the man of God? The bread is spent in our males: and pre∣sent we haue none to geue vnto the man of God, nor any thing els. † Agayne the seruant answered Saul and sayd: Be∣hold [ 8] there is found in my hand the fourth part of a sicle of siluer, let vs geue it to the man of God, that he may tel vs our way. † (For in time past in Israel so euery man spake, going to consult God, Come, and let vs goe to the S••er. For he that at this day is called a Prophete, in time past was called :: 1.246 a S••••r.) † And Saul sayd to his seruant: Thy word is very good, [ 10] come let vs goe. And they went into the citie, wherein the man of God was. † And when they went vp the ascent of the [ 11] citie, they found maides coming forth to draw water, and sayd to them: Is the Seer here? † Who answering sayd to [ 12] them: Here he is. Loe before thee, make hast now: for this day he came into the citie, because this day there is a sacrifice of the people in the excelse. † Entring into the citie imme∣diatly [ 13]

you shal find him, before he goe vp into the excelse to eate. for the people wil not eate til he come: because he wil blesse the Hoste, and afterward they shal eate that are inui∣ted. Now therefore goe vp, because this day you shal finde him. † And they went vp into the citie. And when they [ 14] walked in the middes of the citie, Samuel appeared coming forth against them, to goe vp into the excelse. † And our [ 15] Lord had reueled the eare of Samuel one day before Saul came, saying: † This very houre, that now is, to morrow [ 16] wil I send to thee a man of the Land of Beniamin, and thou shalt annoint him ruler ouer my people of Israel: and he shal saue my people from the hand of the Philistiims: because I haue respected my people, for :: 1.247 their crie is come to me. † And when Samuel had beheld Saul, our Lord sayde to [ 17] him: Behold the man, of whom I told thee, this man shal rule ouer my people. † And Saul came to Samuel in the middes [ 18] of the gate, and sayd: Shew me, I pray thee, where is the house of the Seer? † And Samuel answered Saul, saying: I am the [ 19] Seer, goe vp before me into the excelse, that you may eate with me to day, and I wil dimisse thee in the morning: and al thinges that are in thy hart, wil I tel thee. † And concer∣ning [ 20] the asses, which thou didst lose three dayes agone, be not careful, because they are found. And whose shal be al the best thinges of Israel? not to thee and to al thy fathers house? † And Saul answering, sayd: Am not I the sonne of I••mini [ 21] of the least tribe of Israel, and my kindred the last among al the families of the tribe of Beniamin? Why therfore hast thou spoken this word to me? † Samuel therefore taking Saul [ 22] and his seruant, brought them into the parlour, and gaue them a place in the chiefe rowme of them that were inuited. for there were about thirtie men. † And Samuel sayd to the [ 23] cooke: Geue the portion, which I gaue thee, and commanded that thou shouldest lay it vp apart with thee. † And the cooke [ 24] lifted vp a shoulder, and sette it before Saul. And Samuel said: Behold that which hath remayned, sette it before thee, and eate: because of purpose it was kept for thee, when I called the people. And Saul did eate with Samuel that day. † And [ 25] they descended from the excelse into the towne, and he spake with Saul in the toppe of the house: and he prepared a bed for Saul in the highest rowme, & he slept. † And when they were [ 26] risen in the morning, and it beganne now to be light, Samuel

called Saul in the high chāber, saying: Arise that I may dismisse thee. And Saul arose: and they went both forth: to witte, he and Samuel. † And when they came downe in the vttermost [ 27] part of the citie, Samuel said to Saul: Speake to the seruant that he goe before vs, and passe: but stay thou alitle while, that I may tel thee the word of our Lord.

CHAP. X. Saul is annointed king, and confirmed by signes that his ordinance is of God. 10. He prophecieth, which the people doth admire. 17. Samuel calleth the people together, for appointing a king, the lotte falleth on Saul. 25. and the law of the king is againe mentioned.

AND Samuel tooke :: 1.248 a litle vessel of :: 1.249 oyle, and powred [ 1] vpon his head, and kissed him, and sayd: Behold, our Lord hath annointed thee vpon his inheritance to be prince, and thou shalt deliuer his people out of the handes of their enemies, that are round about them. And this shal be a signe vnto thee, that God hath annointed thee to be prince. † When [ 2] thou shalt be departed from me this day, thou shalt finde two men beside the sepulchre of Rachel in the borders of Benia∣min, in the South, and they shal say to thee: The asses are found, which thou dist goe to seeke: and thy father letting goe the asses, is careful for you, and sayeth: What shal I doe concerning my sonne? † And when thou shalt depart thence, [ 3] and passe farder, and tha••t come to the oke Thabor, three men going vp to God into Bethel shal finde thee there, one carying three kiddes, and an other three manchettes of bread, and an other carying a flagon of wine. † And when they [ 4] haue saluted thee, they wil geue thee two loaues, and thou shalt take them of their hand. † After these thinges thou [ 5] shalt come into the hil of God, where the garrison of the Philisthiimes is: and when thou shalt be entered there into the citie, thou shalt meete there a flocke of prophetes co∣ming downe from the excelse, and before them psalterie and tymbrel, and ••halme, and harpe, and themselues prophe∣cying. † And the Spirit of our Lord shal sease vpon thee, [ 6] and thou shalt prophecie with them, and shalt be changed into an other man. † Thefore when al these signes shal [ 7] chance to thee, doe whatsoeuer thy hand shal finde, because our Lord is with thee. † And thou shalt goe downe before [ 8] me into Galgala (for I wil come downe to thee) that thou

mayest offer oblation, and immolate pacifique victimes: :: 1.250 se∣uen daies shalt thou expect, til I come to thee, and I wil shew thee what thou must doe. † Therfore when he had turned a∣way [ 9] his shoulder to depart from Samuel, God :: 1.251 changed vnto him another hart, and al these thinges came in that day. † And [ 10] they came to the foresaid hil, and behold a troupe of prophe∣tes meeting him: & the :: 1.252 Spirit of our Lord seased vpon him. and he prophecied in the middes of them. † And al that had [ 11] knowen him yesterday and the day before, seing that he was with the prophetes, & did prophecie, said to ech other: What thing hath happened to the sonne of Cis? what is Saul also among the prophetes? † And one answered an other, saying: [ 12] And who is :: 1.253 their father? therefore it was turned into a pro∣uerbe: What is Saul also among the prophetes? † And he cea∣sed [ 13] to prophecie, and came to the excelse. † And Sauls vncle [ 14] sayd to him, and to his seruant: Whitherwent you? who ans∣wered: To seeke the asses: which when we had not found, we came to Samuel. † And his vncle sayd to him: Tel me what [ 15] Samuel sayd to thee. † And Saul sayd to his vncle: He told vs [ 16] that the asses were found. But concerning the word of the kingdom which Samuel had spoken to him, he told him not. † And Samuel called together the people to our Lord in Mas∣pha: [ 17] † And sayd to the children of Israel: Thus sayth our [ 18] Lord the God of Israel: I brought Israel out of Aegypt, and deliuerd you from the hand of the Aegyptians, and from the hand of al the kinges which afflicted you. † But you this day [ 19] haue reiected your God, who only hath saued you out of al your euils and tribulations: and you haue said: Not so: but appoint a king ouer vs. Now therefore stand before our Lord by your tribes, and by your families. † And Samuel brought [ 20] al the tribes of Israel, and the :: 1.254 lotte fel on the tribe of Beniamin. † And he brought the tribe of Beniamin and [ 21] the kinreds thereof, and it fel vpon the kindred of Metri, and it came vnto Saul the sonne of Cis. They therfore sought him, and he was not found, † And after these thinges they [ 22] consulted our Lord whether he would come thither. And our Lord answered: Behold he is hid at home. † They ranne [ 23] therefore and tooke him from thence: and he stood in the middes of the people, and he was higher then al the people from the shoulder and vpward. † And Samuel said to al the [ 24] people: Certes you see whom our Lord hath chosen, that

there is not the like to him in al the people. And al the people cried, and sayd: God saue the King. † And Samuel spake to [ 25] the people the law of the kingdom, and wrote it in a booke, and layd it vp before our Lord: and Samuel dismissed al the people, euerie one into his owne house. † But Saul also de∣parted [ 26] vnto his house into Gabaa: and there went with him part of the armie, they whose hartes God had touched. † But [ 27] the children of Belial sayd: What shal this fellow be able to saue vs? and they despised him, and brought him not pre∣sentes: but he dissembled as though he heard not.

CHAP. XI. Ammonites fighting against Iabes Galaad, and the citie readie to yelde, 5. Saul gathereth an armie, 11. ouerthroweth the enimie, 14. and is esta∣blished King.

AND it came to passe as it were a moneth after, Naas [ 1] the Ammonite ascended, and began to fight against Iabes of Galaad. And al the men of Iabes sayd to Naas: Make a league with vs, and we wil serue thee. † And Naas the [ 2] Ammonite answered them: In this wil I make a league with you, that I may plucke out the right eyes of you al, and may make you a reproch•••• al Israel. † And the ancientes of Iabes [ 3] sayd to him: Graunt vnto vs seuen daies, that we may send messengers vnto al the coastes of Israel: and if there shal not be that may defend vs, we wil come forth to thee. † The [ 4] messengers therefore came into Gabaa of Saul: and they spake these wordes, in the hearing of the people: and al the people lifted vp their voice, and wept. † And behold Saul [ 5] came, folowing oxen out of the field, and sayd: What ayleth the people that they weepe? And they told him the wordes of the men of Iabes. † And the Spirit of our Lord seased on [ 6] Saul, when he had heard these wordes, and his furie was ex∣ceding wrath. † And taking both the oxen, he cutte them [ 7] into peeces, and sent them into al the coastes of Israel by mes∣sengers, saving: Whosoeuer shal not goe forth, and folow Saul and Samuel, so shal it be done to his oxen. Therefore the feare of our Lord inuaded the people, and they went forth as it were one man. † And he numbered them in Bezec: [ 8] and there were of the children of Israel three hundred thou∣sand: and of the men of Iuda thirtie thousand. † And they [ 9] sayd to the messengers that came▪ Thus shal you say to the

men, that are in Iabes Galaad: To morow, when the sunne shal waxe hote, you shal haue relife. The messengers there∣fore came, and told the men of Iabes: Who were glad. † And [ 10] they said: In the morning :: 1.255 we wil come forth to you: and you shal doe to vs whatsoeuer shal please you. † And it came [ 11] to passe, when the morow was come, Saul sette the people into three partes: and entered into the middes of the campe in the morning watch, and stroke Ammon vntil the day waxed hote, and the rest were dispersed, so that there were not left among them two together. † And the people sayd [ 12] to Samuel: Who is this that said: what shal Saul reigne ouer vs? Geue vs the men and we wil kil them. † And Saul sayd: [ 13] No man shal be killed this day, because our Lord this day hath releued Israel: † And Samuel said to the people: Come and [ 14] let vs goe into Galgal, and let vs renewe there a kingdome. † And al the people went into Galgal, and there they made [ 15] Saul king before our Lord in Galgal, & they immolated there pacifique victimes before our Lord. And Saul reioysed there, and al the men of Israel excedingly.

CHAP. XII. Samuel being iustified by the people for his good behauiour, 6. chargeth them with ingratitude towardes God, 14. admonishing them, and shewing by a signe, that they offended in demanding a king. 20. Exhorteth them now to serue God, promiseth to pray for them, and forwarneth that they shal receiue as they deserue.

AND Samuel sayd to al Israel: Behold I haue heard your [ 1] voice according to al thinges which you haue spoken to me, and I haue appointed a king ouer you. † And now [ 2] the king goeth before you: and I am waxen old and haue gray heares: moreouer my sonnes are with you: therfore ha∣uing conuersed with you from my youth vntil this day, loe I am readie. † Speake of me before our Lord, and before his [ 3] Christ, whether I haue taken any mans oxe, or asse: If I haue calumniated any man, if I haue oppressed any man, if I haue taken gift of any mans hand: and I wil contemne that same this day, and wil restore it to you. † And they [ 4] said thou hast not calumniated vs, nor oppressed vs, nor taken ought of any mans hand. † And he sayd to them: Wit∣nes [ 5] is our Lord against you, and witnes is his :: 1.256 Christ in this day, that you haue not found any thing in my hand. And

they said: Witnes † And Samuel said to the people: Our Lord [ 6] who made Moyses and Aaron, and brought our fathers out of the Land of Aegypt is present. † Now therefore stand, that I [ 7] may contend in iudgement against you before our Lord, con∣cerning al the mercies of our Lord, which he hath done with you, and with your fathers: † how Iacob entred into Aegypt, [ 8] and your fathers cried to our Lord: and our Lord sent Moyses and Aaron, and brought your fathers out of Aegypt: and pla∣ced them in this place. † Who forgat our Lord their God, and [ 9] he deliuered them in the hand of Sisara master of the hoste of Haser, and in the hand of the Philisthijmes, and in the hand of the king of Moab, and they sought against them. † But afterward they cried to our Lord, and said: We haue [ 10] sinned, because we haue forsaken our Lord, and haue serued Baalim and Astaroth: now therefore deliuer vs from the hand of our enemies, and we wil serue thee. † And our Lord sent [ 11] a 1.257 Ierobaal, and* 1.258 Badan, and Iepte, and Samuel, and deliuered you from the hand of your enemies round about, and you dwelt securely. † But you seing that Naas, king of the chil∣dren [ 12] of Ammon was come against you, you said to me: :: 1.259 Not so, but a king shal reigne ouer vs: whereas our Lord your God did reigne among you. † Now therfore your king is readie, [ 13] whom you haue chosen and desired: behold our Lord hath geuen you a king. † If you shal feare our Lord, and serue him, [ 14] and heare his voice, and not exasperat the mouth of our Lord: both you, and the king which reigneth ouer you, shal be fo∣lowers of our Lord your God. † but if you wil nor heare the [ 15] voice of our Lord, but shal exasperat his wordes, the hand of our Lord shal be vpon you, and vpon your* 1.260 fathers. † But [ 16] now also stand, and see this great thing which our Lord wil doe in your sight. † Is it not wheare haruest to day? I wil [ 17] cal vpon our Lord, & he wil geue * noyses and rayne: and you shal know, and see that you haue done great euil to your selues in the sight of our Lord, desiring a king ouer you. † And [ 18] Samuel cried to our Lord, and our Lord gaue noyses and raine in that day. † And al the people feared excedingly our Lord [ 19] and :: Samuel. And al the people said to Samuel: Pray for thy seruantes to our Lord thy God, that we die not. for we haue added euil to al our sinnes, that we desired vnto vs a king. † And Samuel sayd to the people: Feare not, you haue done [ 20] al this euil: but yet depart not from the :: 1.261 backe of our Lord,

but serue our Lord in al your hart. † And decline not after [ 21] vaine thinges, which shal not profite you, nor deliuer you, because they are vaine. † And our Lord wil not forsake his [ 22] people for his great name: because our Lord hath sworne to make you a people to him self. † And farre from me be [ 23] this sinne in our Lord, that I should cease to pray for you, and I wil teach you the good and right way. † Therefore [ 24] feare our Lord, and serue him in truth and from your whole hart. for you haue seene the great workes which he hath done among you. † But if you shal perseuer in malice: both you [ 25] and your king shal perish together.

CHAP. XIII. Saul and Ionathas preuaile in battel against the Philisthijms. 5. who increa∣sing their forc••s, the Isra••lites for fea••e flee away and hid themselues, 8. Samuel not coming to the campe, Saul presumeth to offer sacrifice, 11. for which Samuel reproueth him, and declareth that his kingdom shal be tran∣slated to an other. 17. The Philisthijms oppresse the Israelites. and depriue them of armour.

A CHILD of :: 1.262 one yeare was Saul when he began to [ 1] reigne, and :: 1.263 two yeares he reigned ouer Israel. † And [ 2] Saul chose to him selfe three thousand of Israel: and there were with Saul two thousand in Machmas, and in the mount of Bethel: and a thousand with Ionathas in Gabaa of Ben∣iamin, moreouer the rest of the people he sent backe euerie man into their tabernacles. † And Ionathas stroke the gar∣rison [ 3] of the Philisthijms, which was in Gabaa. Which when the Philisthijms had heard, Saul sounded with the trumpet in al the land, saying: Let the Hebrewes heare. † And al [ 4] Israel heard this maner of bruite: Saul hath striken the garri∣son of the Philisthijms: and Israel tooke courage against the Philisthijms. The people therfore cried after Saul in Galgal. † And the Philisthims were gathered together to fight against [ 5] Israel, thirtie thousand chariotes, and six thousand horsemen, and the rest of the common people, as the sand which is in the sea shore very much. And going vp they camped in Machmas at the East of Bethauen. † Which when the men of Israel [ 6] had seene them selues put in a streict (for the people was af∣flicted) they hid them selues in caues, and in secrete places, in rockes also, and in dennes, and in cesternes. † And the [ 7]

Hebrewes passed Iordan into the Land of Gad and Galaad. And when Saul was yet in Galgal, al the people was sore afrayd, which folowed him. † And he expected seuen daies [ 8] according to the appointment of Samuel, and Samuel came not into Galgal, and the people slipt away from him. † Saul [ 9] therfore said: Bring me the holocauste, and the pacifiques. And he offered the holocauste. † And when he had finished [ 10] offering the holocauste, behold Samuel came: and Saul went forth to mete him & salute him. † And Samuel spake to him: [ 11] What hast thou done? Saul answered: Because I sawe that the people slipt from me, and thou wast not come according to the dayes appointed, moreouer the Philisthijms were gathe∣red together into Machmas, † I said: Now wil the Phili∣sthijms [ 12] come downe to me into Galgal, & I haue not pacified the face of our Lord. Compelled by necessitie, I offered the holocauste. † And Samuel said to Saul: Thou hast :: 1.264 done fo∣lishly, [ 13] neither hast thou kept the commandementes of our Lord thy God, which he commanded thee. Which :: 1.265 if thou hadst not done, euen now had our Lord prepared thy king∣dom ouer Israel for euer, † but thy kingdom shal no farder [ 14] arise. Our Lord hath sought him a man according to his hart: and him hath our Lord commanded to be prince ouer his people, because thou hast not obserued the thinges which our Lord commanded. † And Samuel arose and went vp from [ 15] Galgal into Gabaa of Beniamin. And numbered the people, which were found with him, as it were six hundred men. † And Saul and Ionathas his sonne, and the people that [ 16] were found with them, was in Gabaa of Beniamin: more∣ouer the Philisthijms had pitched in Machmas. † And there [ 17] issued forth to praye from the campe of the Philisthians three companies. One compaine went on against the way of Ephra to the Land of Saul. † Moreouer an other went by the way [ 18] of Bethhoron, & the third had turned it self to the way of the border, in the valley Seboim against the desert. † Moreouer [ 19] there was not found an yron smith in al the Land of Israel. for the Philisthijms had so prouided, lest perhaps the He∣brewes should make sword or speare. † Al Israel therefore [ 20] went downe to the Philisthijms, that euerie man might whette his plough culter, and spade, & axe, and take. † There∣fore [ 21] the edges of the shares, and spades, & forkes with three teeth, and axes, were blunt, euen to the godeprick, which

was to be mended. † And when the day was come to fight, [ 22] there was not found sword and speare in the hand of al the people, that was with Saul and Ionathas, except Saul and Io∣nathas his sonne. † And the station of the Philistijms went [ 23] forth, to passe vp into Machmas.

CHAP. XIIII. Ionathas trusting in God, accompained with one man, his father not kno∣wing, goeth into the Philisthijms campe; killeth twentie men and tru∣bleth their whole armie. 16. Saul vnderstanding the same, approcheth with his armie, and they gette a great victorie. 24. But Saul hauing com∣manded vnder paine of death, that none should eate til night, Ionathas for taisting a litle honie (though ignorant of the prohibition) is iudged to die. 45. But the people oppose themselues, and deliuer him from death. 47. Saul prospereth in his kingdom, with his samilie.

AND it chanced on a certeine day that Ionathas the [ 1] sonne of Saul sayd to the yong man that bare his ar∣mour: Come, & let vs passe to the garison of the Philisthijms, which is beyond yonder place. But to his father he told not this same thing. † Moreouer Saul abode in the vtmost part [ 2] of Gabaa vnder the pomegranate tree, which was in Magron: and the people with him was about six hundred men. † And [ 3] Achias the sonne of Achitob the brother of Ichabod the sonne of Phinees, which was borne of Heli the priest of our Lord in Silo, bare the ephod. But the people also was igno∣rant whither Ionathas was gone. † And there were betwen [ 4] the ascentes, by the which Ionathas endeuoured to passe vnto the garison of the Philistijms, rockes standing vp on both sides, and as it were in maner of teeth stiepe broken rockes on either side, the name of one Boses, and the name of the other Sene: † one rocke standing out toward the [ 5] North ouer against Machmas, and the other to the South, against Gabaa. † And Ionathas sayd to the yong man that [ 6] bare his armour: Come, let vs passe to the station of these vn∣circumcised, if haply our Lord wil make for vs: because it is not hard for our Lord to saue either in manie, or in fewe. † And his esquier sayd to him: Doe al thinges which please [ 7] thy minde: goe whither thou desirest, and I wil be with thee wheresoeuer thou wilt. † And Ionathas sayd: Behold we [ 8] passe to these men. And when we shal appeare to them, † If [ 9] they shal speake to vs in this maner: Tarie til we come to

you: let vs stand in our place, and not goe vp to them. † But [ 10] if they shal say: Come vp to vs: let vs goe vp, because our Lord hath deliuered them in our handes, :: 1.266 this shal be a signe vnto vs. † Both of them therefore appeared to the station of [ 11] the Philisthims: & the Philistijms sayd: Behold the Hebrewes come out of the caues, wherein they were hid. † And the [ 12] men of the garnison spake to Ionathas and to his esquier, and sayd: Come vp to vs, and we wil shew you a thing. And Iona∣thas sayd to his esquier: Let vs goe vp, folow me: for our Lord hath deliuered them into the handes of Israel. † And Iona∣thas [ 13] went vp on his handes & feete creeping, and his esquier after him. Therefore some fel before Ionathas, other some his esquier folowing slewe. † And the first slaughter, with [ 14] which Ionathas & his esquier made, was as it were of twentie men in the halfe part of an aker, which a yoke of oxen is wont to plough in a day. † And there was made a miracle in [ 15] the campe, through the fieldes: yea and al the people of their garrison, which had gone to take prayes, was astonyed, and the land was trubled: and it happened as a miracle from God. † And the watchemen of Saul, which were in Gabaa, of [ 16] Beniamin looked, & loe a multitude ouerthrowen, & fleeing hither and thither. † And Saul sayd to the people, which was [ 17] with him: Enquire, and see who is gone from vs. And when they had sought, it was found that Ionathas was not present and his esquier. † And Saul sayd to Achias: Bring the arke [ 18] of our Lord. (for the arke of God was there that day with the children of Israel.) † And when Saul spake to the priest, [ 19] there arose a great tumult in the campe of the Philistijmes: and it grewe by litle and litle, and sounded more cleerely. And Saul sayd to the priest: :: 1.267 Draw together thy hand. † Saul [ 20] therefore and al the people that was with him, shouted toge∣ther, and they came to the place of the fight: and behold euerie mans sword had beene turned to his neighbour, and a slaughter exceding great. † But the Hebrewes also which [ 21] had bene with the Philistijms yesterday and the day before, and went vp with them in the campe, returned to be with Israel, which were with Saul and Ionathas. † Al the Israeli∣tes [ 22] also which had hid themselues in mount Ephraim, hea∣ring that the Philistijms were fled, ioyned them selues with their fellowes in battel. And there were with Saul as it were ten thousand men. † And our Lord in that day saued Israel. [ 23]

and the fight reached as farre as Bethauen. † And the men of [ 24] Israel were ioyned among themselues in that day: and Saul adiured the people, saying: Cursed be the man, that shal eate bread vntil euening, til I be reuenged of myne enemies. And the whole people did eate no bread: † and al the common [ 25] people of the land came into a forest, wherein was honie vpon the face of the field. † The people therefore entred [ 26] into the forest, and there appeared dropping honie, and no man put his hand to his mouth. for the people feared the oath. † But Ionathas had not heard when his father adiured the [ 27] people: and he put forth the tippe of the rod, which he had in his hand, and dipped it into a honie combe: and he turned his hand to his mouth, and his eies were illuminated. † And [ 28] one of the people answering, sayd: Thy father hath bound the people with an oath, saying: Cursed be the man that shal eate bread this day. (and the people was faynt) † And Iona∣thas [ 29] sayd: :: 1.268 My father hath trubled the land: your selues haue seene that myn eies are illuminated, because I haue ta∣sted a litle of this honie: † how much more if the people had [ 30] eaten of the praye of their enemies, which they found? had there not beene made a greater plague in the Philistijms? † They stroke therefore in that day the Philistijms from [ 31] Machmas vnto Ailon. And the people was wearied exce∣dingly: † and being turned to the praye tooke sheepe, and [ 32] oxen, and calues, & slew them on the ground: and the people did eate :: 1.269 with bloud. † And they told Saul saying that the [ 33] people had sinned to our Lord, eating with bloud. Who sayd: You haue transgressed: Roule to me euen now a great stone. † And Saul sayd: Disperse your selues among the common [ 34] people, and tel them that euerie man bring me his oxe and ramme, and kil ye them vpon this same, and eate, and you shal not sinne to our Lord eating with bloud. Al the people therefore brought euerie man his oxe in his hand vntil night: and slewe them there. † And Saul built an altar to our Lord; [ 35] and then first did he beginne to build an altar to our Lord. † And Saul sayd: Let vs fal vpon the Philistijms by night, and [ 36] let vs spoyle them til it waxe light in the morning, neither let vs leaue a man of them. And the people sayd: Doe al that semeth good in thyne eies. And the priest sayd: Let vs approch hither to God. † And Saul consulted our Lord: Shal I pur∣sew [ 37] the Philistijms? wilt thou deliuer them into the handes

of Israel? And :: 1.270 he answered him not in that day. † And Saul [ 38] sayd: Bring hither al the corners of the people: and know, and see by whom this sinne hath chanced to day. † Our Lord [ 39] the sauiour of Israel liueth, that if it were done by Ionathas my sonne, he shal die without reuoking. Whereunto none of the people gaynesayed him. † And he sayd to al Israel: Be you [ 40] seperated into one side, and I with Ionathas my sonne wil be on the other side. And the people answered Saul: Doe what semeth good in thyn eies. † And Saul sayd to our Lord: Lord [ 41] God of Israel, geue a signe: and Ionathas was caught and Saul, and the people went forth. † And Saul sayd: Cast ye lotte [ 42] betwen me, and Ionathas my sonne. And :: 1.271 Ionathas was ta∣ken. † And Saul sayd to Ionathas: Tel me what thou hast [ 43] done. And Ionathas told him, and sayd: Tasting I tasted in the tippe of the rod, which was in myn hand a litle honie, and behold I die. † And Saul sayd: These thinges doe God [ 44] to me, and these thinges adde he, that dying thou shalt die Io∣nathas. † And the people said to Saul: Shal Ionathas then [ 45] die, which hath made this great saluation in Israel? this is vn∣lawful: our Lord liueth, if there shal fal a heare from his head vpon the ground, because with God hath he wrought to day. The people therefore deliuered Ionathas, that he should not die. † And Saul retyred, neither did he pursew the Philistjims: [ 46] moreouer the Philistijms departed into their places. † And [ 47] Saul, his kingdom being established ouer Israel, fought round about against al his enemies, against Moab, and the children of Ammon, and Edom, and the kinges of Soba, and the Phi∣listians: and whither soeuer he turned him self, he ouercame. † And gathering together an armie, he stroke Amalec, and [ 48] deliuered Israel from the hand of the spoylers thereof. † And [ 49] the sonnes of Saul, were Ionathas and Iesui, and Melchisua: and the names of his two daughters, the name of the first borne Merob, and the name of the yonger Michol. † And [ 50] the name of Sauls wife, Achinoam the daughter of Achimaas: and the name of the prince of his host Abner, the sonne of Ner, the cosin german of Saul by the father. † Moreouer [ 51] Cis was the father of Saul, and Ner the father of Abner, the sonne of Abiel. † And there was mightie battel agaynst the [ 52] Philisthians al the dayes of Saul. For whomsoeuer Saul had seene a valiant man, and fitte for battel, he ioyned him to him self.

CHAP. XV. Saul is commanded vtterly to destroy the Amalecites. 8. but he taking Agag their king spareth his life, & chiefe of the praye. 10. For which disobedience (20. though pretending that the best thinges were reserued for sacrifice) he is deposed from his kingdom. 24. Then acknowledgeth his fault. 32. Samuel cutteth Agag in peeces 35. and mourneth for Saul.

AND Samuel said to Saul: Our Lord sent me to annointe [ 1] thee king ouer his people Israel; now therefore heare the voice of our Lord: † Thus sayth the Lord of hostes: I [ 2] haue recounted whatsoeuer Amalec hath done to Israel: how he resisted them in the way when they came vp out of Aegypt. † Now therefore goe, and :: 1.272 strike Amalec, and :: 1.273 destroy [ 3] al that he hath: spare him not, and couet not ought of his thinges: but kil from man vnto woman, both childe & suck∣ling, oxe and sheepe, camel and asse. † Saul therefore com∣manded [ 4] the people, and numbered them as it were lambes: two hundred thousand footemen, & ten thousand of the men of Iuda. † And when Saul was come vnto the citie of Ama∣lec, [ 5] he laid ambushementes in the torrent. † And Saul said to [ 6] the Cineite: Goe ye, retyre and depart from Amalec: lest per∣haps I wrappe thee in with him. for thou hast done mercie with al the children of Israel, when they descended out of Aegypt. And the Cineite departed out of the middes of Amalec. † And Saul stroke Amalec from Heuila, vntil thou come to [ 7] Sur, which is ouer against Aegypt. † And he apprehended [ 8] Agag the king of Amalec aliue: but al the comon people he slewe in the edge of the sword. † And Saul and the people [ 9] spared Agag, and the best flockes of sheepe and heardes, and the garmentes and rammes, and al thinges, that were fayre, neither would they destroy them: but whatsoeuer was vile and refuse, that they destroyed. † And the word of our Lord [ 10] was made to Samuel, saying: † It repenteth me that I haue [ 11] made Saul king: because he hath forsaken me, & hath not ful∣filled my wordes in worke. And Samuel was strooken sadde, and cried to our Lord al the night. † And when Samuel had [ 12] risen in the night, to goe to Saul in the morning, it was told Samuel, that Saul was come into Carmelus, and had erected to him selfe a triumphant arch, and returning was passed, and gone into Galgal. Samuel therefore came to Saul, and Saul offered an holocaust to our Lord of the first of the prayes,

which he had brought from Amalec. † And when Samuel [ 13] was come to Saul, Saul sayd to him: Blessed be thou to our Lord, I haue fulfilled the word of our Lord. † And Samuel [ 14] sayd: And what is this voice of flockes, which soundeth in myne eares, and of heardes, which I heare? † And Saul said: [ 15] They haue brought them from Amalec: for the people hath spared the better sheepe and heardes that they might be im∣molated to our Lord thy God, but the rest we haue slaine. † And Samuel said to Saul: Suffer me, and I wil shew thee [ 16] what our Lord hath spoken to me this night. And he sayd to him: Speake. † And Samuel said: When thou wast a little [ 17] one in thyne owne eyes, :: 1.274 was thou not made chief in the tribes of Israel? And our Lord annointed thee to be king ouer Israel, † and our Lord sent thee on the way, and sayd: [ 18] Goe, and kil the sinners of Amalec, and thou shalt fight against them vntil the vtter destruction of them. † Why there∣fore [ 19] hast thou not heard the voice of our Lord: but art turned to the praye, and hast done euil in the eies of our Lord? † And [ 20] Saul said to Samuel: Yea I haue heard the voice of our Lord, and haue walked in the way by which our Lord sent me, and haue brought Agag the king of Amalec, and Amalec I haue slaine. † But the people tooke of the praye sheepe and oxen, [ 21] the principal of those thinges which were slaine, to immo∣late to our Lord their God in Galgal. † And Samuel said: [ 22] Why wil our Lord haue holocaustes and victimes, and not rather that the voice of our Lord be obeyed? For :: 1.275 BETTER is obedience then victimes: and to harken rather then to offer the fatte of rammes. † Because it is as it were the sinne of [ 23] inchantment, to resist: and as it were the wickednes of idola∣trie, to refuse to obey. For as much therefore as thou hast re∣iected the word of our Lord, our Lord hath reiected thee that thou shalt not be king. † And Saul said to Samuel: I haue [ 24] sinned, because I haue transgressed the saying of our Lord, and thy wordes, fearing the people, and obeying their voice. † But now beare I besech thee my sinne, and returne with [ 25] me, that I may adore our Lord. † And Samuel sayd to Saul: [ 26] I wil not returne with thee, because thou hast reiected the word of our Lord, and our Lord hath reiected thee that thou shalt not be king ouer Israel, † And Samuel turned him selfe [ 27] to depart: but he caught the hemme of his cloke, which also did rent. † And Samuel said to him: Our Lord hath rent the [ 28]

kingdom of Israel from thee this day, and hath deliuered it to thy neighbour better then thou. † Moreouer the Trium∣pher [ 29] in Israel wil not spare, and he wil not be turned with repentance: for neither is he a man that he may repent. † But [ 30] he said: I haue sinned: how be it now honour me before the ancientes of my people, and before Israel, and returne with me, that I may adore our Lord thy God. † Samuel therefore [ 31] returning folowed Saul: and Saul adored our Lord. † And Sa∣muel [ 32] said: Bring vnto me Agag the king of Amalec. And Agag was presented to him very fatte, trembling. And Agag sayd: Doth bitter death thus separat? † And Samuel said: As thy [ 33] sword hath made wemen without children, so shal thy mo∣ther among wemen be without children. And Samuel hewed him into peeces before our Lord in Galgal. † And Samuel [ 34] departeth into Ramatha: but Saul ascended vnto his house into Gabaa. † And Samuel saw Saul no more vnto the day [ 35] of his death: but yet Samuel lamented Saul because it :: 1.276 re∣pented our Lord that he had appointed him king ouer Israel.

CHAP. XVI. Samuel by Gods commandment annointeth Dauid King. 14. Gods spirite parteth from Saul, and a wicked spirite vexeth him. 16. the vexation is* 1.277 mitigated by Dauids playing on a harpe

AND our Lord said to Samuel: How long doest thou [ 1] mourne Saul, whom I haue reiected that he rule not ouer Israel? fil thy horne with oile, and come, that I may send thee to Isai the Bethlehemite: for I haue prouided me a king among his sonnes. † And Samuel said: How shal I goe? for Saul [ 2] wil heare of it, and wil kil me. And our Lord said: A calfe of the heard shalt thou take in thy hand, and shalt say: I am come to immolate vnto our Lord. † And thou shalt cal Isai to the [ 3] victime, and I wil shew thee what thou must doe, and thou shalt annointe whomsoeuer I shal shew to thee. † Samuel [ 4] therefore did as our Lord spake to him. And he came into Be∣thlehem, and the ancientes of the citie merueled, meeting him, and they said: Is thy entrance peaceable? † And he said: [ 5] Peaceable: I am come to immolate vnto our Lord, be ye san∣ctified, and come with me that I may immolate. He therefore sanctified Isai and his sonnes, and called them to the sacrifice. † And when they were entered in, he saw Eliab, and said: Is [ 6] there before our Lord his Christ? † And our Lord said to Sa∣muel. [ 7] Respect not his countenāce, nor the talnes of his stature:

because I haue reiected him, neither doe I iudge according to the looke of man: for man seeth those thinges which ap∣peare, but our Lord “beholdeth the hart. † And Isai called [ 8] Aminadab, and brought him before Samuel. Who said: Neither this hath our Lord chosen. † And Isai brought [ 9] Samma, of whom he sayd: This also hath not our Lord chosen. † Isai therefore brought his seauen sonnes before [ 10] Samuel: and Samuel sayd to Isai: Our Lord hath not chosen of these. † And Samuel sayd to Isai: Are al thy sonnes now [ 11] fully come? Who answered: Yet there is left a litle one, and he feedeth sheepe. And Samuel sayd to Isai: Send, and bring him: for neither wil we sitte downe til he come hither. † He [ 12] sent therefore, and brought him. And he was reade and beau∣tiful to behold, and of a comelie face. And our Lord said: Arise, and annoint him, for he it is. † Samuel therefore tooke [ 13] the horne of oile, and annointed him in the middes of his brethren: and the Spirit of our Lord from that day, and so forward was directed vpon Dauid: and Samuel rising went into Ramatha. † And the Spirit of our Lord departed from [ 14] Saul, and a wicked spirit vexed him, :: 1.278 from our Lord. † And the seruantes of Saul said to him: Behold an euil spirit [ 15] of God vexeth thee, † Let our lord command, and thy ser∣uantes [ 16] which are before thee, wil seeke a man skilful to :: 1.279 play on the harpe, that when the euil spirit of our Lord shal take thee, he may play with his hand, and thou beare it more it more easily. † And Saul sayd to his seruantes: Prouid me [ 17] therefore some man that playeth wel, and bring him to me. † And one of the seruantes answering, sayd: Behold I haue [ 18] seene the sonne of Isai the Bethlehemite skilful to play, and very valiant in strength, and a warlike man, and wise in his wordes, and a beautiful man: and our Lord is with him. † Saul [ 19] therfore sent messengers to Isai▪ saying: Send vnto me Dauid thy sonne, which is in the pastures. † Isai therefore tooke [ 20] an asse loaden with loaues, and a flagon of wine, and one kidde of the goates, and sent it by the hand of Dauid his sonne to Saul. † And Dauid came to Saul, and stoode before him: [ 21] but he loued him excedingly, & was made his esquier. † And [ 22] Saul sent to Isai, saying: Let Dauid stand in my sight: for he hath found grace in myn eies. † Therefore whensoeuer the [ 23] euil spirit of our Lord caught Saul, Dauid tooke his harpe, & strooke with his hand, and Saul was refreshed, and waxed better▪ for the euil spirit departed from him.

ANNOTATIONS. CHAP. XVI.

7. Beholdeth the hart.] It is proper to God to see the secrete cogitations of* 1.280 mens hartes, of himselfe and by his owne powre. And glorified Sainctes know our cogitations by seing God, in whom al things appeare, that perteine to their state, and for the profite of others. S. Aug. li. de cura promortuis, c. 15. S. Greg. li. 12 c. 13. Moral. Prophetes being yet mortal, by inspiration do also see secrete cogitations. 1. Reg. 9. 3. Reg. 14. &c.

CHAP. XVII. Goliath a Philistian chalengeth anie one of Israel to combate. 12. Dauid being sent by his father to visit his brethren. 23. and hearing al Israel so reprochfully prouoked, offerech to vndertake the chalenge: 34. shewing by former actes that he dare accept it. 37. And so by Gods special helpe wherein he trusteth, 49. ouerthroweth the chalenger with a stone of his s••ing, and cutieth of his head with his owne sword. 51. the Philistijms fleeing are slaine, and Dauid bringeth the mans head to Saul.

AND the Philisthijms gathering together their compa∣nies [ 1] vnto battel, assembled into Socho of Iuda: and camped betwen Socho & Azeca in the borders of Dommim. † Moreouer Saul and the children of Israel being gathered [ 2] together came into the Valley of terebinth, and they put the armie in aray to fight against the Philistijms. † And the Phi∣listijms [ 3] stoode vpon the mountaine on this side, and Israel stoode vpon the mountaine on the other side: and the valley was betwen them. † And there came forth a man that was [ 4] a bastard from the campe of the Philistians named :: 1.281 Goliath, of Geth, in height six cubites and a palme: † and a helmet [ 5] of brasse vpon his head, and he was clothed with a cote of mayle linked. moreouer the weight of his cote of mayle was fiue thousand sicles of brasse: † and he had brassen bootes [ 6] on his thighes, and a target of brasse couered his shoulders. † And the shaft of his speare was as it were a weauers beame. [ 7] and the verie yton of his speare had six hundred sicles of yron: and his esquier went before him. † And standing he [ 8] cried against the bandes of Israel, and sayd to them: Why came you prepared to fight? Am not I a Philistian, and you the seruantes of Saul? Choose out a man of you and let him descend to fight hand to hand. † If he shal be able to fight [ 9]

with me, and strike me, we wil be seruantes to you: but if I shal preuaile, and shal beate him, you shal be seruantes, and shal serue vs. † And the Philistian sayd: I haue defyed the [ 10] bandes of Israel this day: Geue me a man, and let him fight with me hand to hand. † And Saul and al the Israelites hea∣ring [ 11] such wordes of the Philistian were astonied, and feared excedingly. † And there was Dauid the sonne of a man that [ 12] was an Ephratheite, of whom there was mention before, of Bethlehem Iuda, whose name was Isai, who had eight sonnes, and he was in the dayes of Saul an old man, and aged among men. † And his three elder sonnes went after Saul into [ 13] battel: and the names of his three sonnes, which went to battel, were Eliab the first begotten, and the second Abina∣dab, the third also Samma: † and Dauid was the yongest. [ 14] The three elder therefore hauing folowed Saul, † Dauid [ 15] went, and returned from Saul, to feede his fathers flocke in Bethlehem. † But the Philistian came forth morning and [ 16] euening, and stoode fourtie dayes. † And Isai sayd to Dauid [ 17] his sonne: Take for thy brethren an ephi of polent, and these ten loaues, and runne into the campe to thy brethren, † and [ 18] these ten litle cheeses thou shalr carie to the tribune: and shalt visite thy brethren, if they doe wel: and learne with whom they are placed. † And Saul, and they, and al the [ 19] children of Israel fought in the Valley of terebiuth against the Philistijms. † Dauid therefore arose in the morning, and [ 20] commended the flocke to the keeper: and he went loaded as Isai had commanded him. And he came to the place Magala, and to the host, which issuing out to fight had made a shoute in the battel. † For Israel had put them selues in aray, and the [ 21] Philistijms on the contrarie side were prepared. † Dauid [ 22] therefore leauing the vessels which he had brought, vnder the hand of him, that was keeper at the bagage, ranne to the place of the battel and asked if al thinges went wel with his bre∣thren. † And when he yet spake to them, that man the ba∣stard [ 23] appeared coming vp, named Goliath, the Philistian of Geth, coming vp from the campe of the Philistians: and he speaking these self same wordes, Dauid heard them. † And [ 24] al the Israelites when they had sene the man, fled from his face, fearing him excedingly. † And some one of Israel sayd: [ 25] Haue you seene this man that came vp, to defye Israel he came vp? The man therefore :: 1.282 that shal strike him, the King

wil geue him his daughter, and he wil make his fathers house without tribute in Israel. † And Dauid spake to the [ 26] men that stood with him, saying: What shal be geuen to the man that shal beate this Philistian, and shal take away the reproch from Israel? For who is this vncircumcised Phili∣stian, which hath vpbraided the armies of the liuing God? † And the people reported vnto him the self same worde, [ 27] saying: These thinges shal be geuen to the man, that shal strike him. † Which when Eliab his eldest brother had heard, [ 28] when he spake with others, he was angrie against Dauid, and sayd: Wherefore cau••cst thou? and why hast thou left those few sheepe in the desert? I know thy pride, and the wicked∣nes of thy hart: that to see the battel thou art come downe. † And Dauid sayd: What haue I done? is there not cause to [ 29] speake? † And he went a litle aside from him to an other: [ 30] and sayd the sel same word. And the people answered him as before † And the wordes which Dauid spake were heard, and [ 31] told in the sight of Saul. † To whom when he was brought, [ 32] he spake vnto him: Let not any mans hart be discoura∣ged in him: I thy seruant wil goe, and wil fight against the Philistian. † And Saul sayd to Dauid: Thou art not able to [ 33] resist this Philistian, nor to fight against him, because thou art a childe, but he is a man of warre from his youth. † And [ 34] Dauid sayd to Saul: Thy seruant did fecde his fathers slock, and there came a lyon, * 1.283 or a beare, and tooke a ramme out of the middes of the flocke: † and I pursued them, and stroke [ 35] them, and plucked them out of their mouth, and they arose vp against me, and I caught their chinne, and I strangled and slew them. † For :: 1.284 both the lyon and the beare did I thy [ 36] seruant kil: therefore this vncircumcised Philistian also, shal be as it were one of them. Now wil I goe and take away the reproch of the people: for who is this vncircumcised Phili∣stian, which hath beene so hardie to curse the host of the li∣uing God? † And Dauid sayd: Our Lord which hath deli∣uered [ 37] me from the hand of the lion, and of the beare, he wil deliuer me from the hand of this Philistian. And Saul sayd to Dauid: Goe, and our Lord be with thee. † And Saul clothed [ 38] Dauid with his rayments, and put an helmet of brasse vpon his head, and vested him with a coate of maile. † Dauid there∣fore [ 39] being girded with his sword ouer his rayment, beganne to proue if he could goe armed: for he was not accustomed.

And Dauid sayd to Saul: I can not goe so, because I am not vsed, and he layd them of. † And he tooke his staffe, which [ 40] he had alwaies in his handes: & he chose him fiue most bright stones out of the torrent, and cast them into the shepherds skrippe, which he had with him, and he tooke a sling in his hand, and went forth against the Philistian. † And the Phi∣listian [ 41] went, going, and approching against Dauid, and his esquier before him. † And when the Philistian had seene, [ 42] and beheld Dauid, he despised him. And he was a yong man redde, and beautiful to behold. † And the Philistian sayd [ 43] to Dauid: Why am I a dogge, that thou comest to me with a staffe? And the Philistian cursed Dauid in his goddes. † and [ 44] sayd to Dauid: Come to me, and I wil geue thy flesh to the foules of the ayre and the beastes of the earth. † And Dauid [ 45] sayd to the Philistian: Thou comest to me with a sword, and speare, and sheeld, but I come to thee in the name of the Lord of hosts, the God of the bandes of Israel, whom thou hast defied † this day, and our Lord shal geue thee in my [ 46] hand, and I shal strike thee, and take away thy head from thee: and I shal geue the carcasses of the campe of the Phi∣listijms this day, to the fowles of the ayre, and to the beastes of the earth: that al the earth may knowe that there is a God in Israel. † And al this assemblie shal know, that not in sword, [ 47] nor in speare, doth our Lord saue, for it is his battel, and he wil deliuer you into our handes. † When the Philistian there∣fore [ 48] was risen vp, and came and approched against Dauid, Dauid made hast, & ranne to the battel against the Philistian. † And he put his hand into his skrippe, and tooke one stone, [ 49] and cast it with the sling, and fetching it about stroke the Philistian in :: 1.285 the forehead, and he fel on his face vpon the earth. † And Dauid preuailed agaynst the Philistian with [ 50] sling and stone, and he stroke, and slew the Philistian. And whereas Dauid had no sword in his hand, † he ranne, and [ 51] stood vpon the Philistian, and tooke his sword, and drew it out of the scabard, and slew him, and cut of his head. And the Philistijms seing, that the strongest of them was dead, did flee. † And the men of Israel and Iuda rising vp shouted, and [ 52] pursued the Philistians til they came into a valley to the gates of Accaron, and there fel wounded of the Philistijms in the way of Saraim, as farre as Geth, & as farre as Accaron † And [ 53] the children of Israel returning, after they had pursued the

Philistians, inuaded their campe. † And Dauid taking the [ 54] head of the Philistian brought it into Ierusalem: but his ar∣mour he layd in his tabernacle. † And at the same time that [ 55] Saul saw Dauid going forth against the Philistian, he sayd to Abuer the prince of the armie: :: Of what stocke is this yong* 1.286 man descended, Abner? And Abner sayd: Thy soule liueth ô king, if I know. † And the king sayd: Aske thou, whose sonne [ 56] this yong man is. † And when Dauid was returned, after the [ 57] Philisthian was slaine, Abner tooke him, and brought him in before Saul, hauing the head of the Philistian in his hand. † And Saul sayd to him: O yong man of what progenie art [ 58] thou? And Dauid sayd: I am the sonne of thy seruant Isai the Bethlemite.

CHAP. XVIII. Dauid and Ionathas enter league of frendship. 6. Saul hearing Dauid praised aboue himself is offended, 10. and vexed with an euil spirit, attempteth twise to kil him: 17. premiseth to geue him his eldest daughter in mariage, but geueth her to an other, 20. and geueth him the yonger, thereby to one throw him: 25. putting him also in more danger, by requiring of him an hundred prepuces of Philistijms. 27. Dauid bringeth him two hun∣dred, and his fame encreaseth.

AND it came to passe, when he had finished to speake [ 1] vnto Saul, the soule of Ionathas was ioyned fast to the soule of Dauid, & Ionathas loued him as his soule. † And Saul [ 2] tooke him in that day, and did not grant vnto him to returne into his fathers house. † And Dauid and Ionathas entered a [ 3] league, for he loued him as his soule. † For Ionathas stripped [ 4] himself of the cote wher with he was clothed, and gaue it to Dauid, and the rest of his garments, vnto his sword, & bowe, & vnto his belt. † Dauid also went forth to al thinges where∣tosoeuer [ 5] Saul sent him, & he behaued himself wisely: and Saul placed him ouer the men of warre, and he was accepted in the eies of al the people, and specially in the cies of Saules seruan∣tes. † Moreouer :: 1.287 when Dauid returned, after he stroke the [ 6] Philistian, the wemen came forth from al the tribes of Israel, singing and dancing to Saul the King, in timbrels of ioy, and in cornettes. † And the wemen sang, playing, and saying: [ 7] Saul stroke a thousand, and Dauid ten thousand. † And [ 8] Saul was :: 1.288 exceding angrie, and this word was displeasant in his eies: and he sayd: They haue geuen Dauid ten thousand,

and to me they haue geuen a thousand: what remayneth for him but only the kingdom? † Therefore Saul did not looke [ 9] vpon Dauid with right eies from that day and afterward. † And a day after, the euil spirit of God inuaded Saul, and he [ 10] prophecied in the middes of his house. And Dauid played with his hand as euery day. And Saul held a speare, † and [ 11] threw it, thinking that he could naile Dauid to the wal, and Dauid declined from his face the second time. † And Saul [ 12] feared Dauid because our Lord was with him, and was de∣parted from himself. † Saul therefore remoued him from [ 13] him, and made him a tribune ouer a thousand men, and he went out and came in before al the people. † Also in al his [ 14] wayes, Dauid delt wisely, and our Lord was with him. † Saul [ 15] therefore saw that he was exceding wise, and he beganne to beware of him. † But al Israel, and Iuda loued Dauid, for he [ 16] came in and went out before them. † And Saul sayd to [ 17] Dauid: Behold my elder daughter Merob, her wil I geue thee to wife, only be thou a valyant man, and fight the battels of our Lord. And Saul thought saying: Be not my hand vpon him, but let the handes of the Philistians be vpon him. † And [ 18] Dauid sayd to Saul: What am I, or what is my life, or the kindred of my father in Israel, that I should be made the sonne in lawe of the king? † And it came to passe, at what [ 19] time, Merob the daughter of Saul should haue beene geuen to Dauid, she was geuen to Hadriel the Molathite to wife. † But Dauid loued Michol the other daughter of Saul. And [ 20] it was told Saul, and it pleased him. † And Saul sayd: I wil [ 21] geue her to him, that she may be a scandal vnto him, and that the hand of the Philistians may be vpon him. And Saul sayd to Dauid: In two thinges thou shalt be my sonne in lawe this day. † And Saul commanded his seruantes: Speake to Dauid [ 22] secretly out of my presence, saying: Behold thou pleasest the King, and al his seruantes loue thee. Now therefore be thou the kinges sonne in lawe. † And the seruantes of Saul spake [ 23] al these wordes in the eares of Dauid. And Dauid sayd: Doth it seme vnto you a smal matter to be the sonne in lawe of a King? But I am a poore man, and of smal ability. † And the [ 24] seruantes of Saul reported, saying: These maner of wordes hath Dauid spoken. † And Saul sayd: Speake thus to Dauid: The king nedeth no dowrie, but only an hundred prepuces of the Philistians, that reuenge may be made of the kinges

enemies, Moreouer Saul thought to deliuet Dauid into the handes of the Philistians. † And when his seruantes had re∣ported [ 26] to Dauid the wordes that Saul had sayd, the word was liked in the eies of Dauid, to be made the kings sonne in lawe. † And after fewe days Dauid rising vp, went with the men [ 27] that were vnder him, and he stroke of the Philistijms two hundred men, and brought their prepuces, and numbered them to the King, that he might be his sonne in law, Saul therefore gaue him Michol his daughter to wife. † And Saul [ 28] saw, and vnderstood that our Lord was with Dauid. And Michol the daughter of Saul loued him. † And Saul began [ 29] more to feare Dauid: and Saul became enemie to Dauid al daies. † And the princes of the Philistians went forth: and [ 30] from the beginning of their going forth, Dauid behaued him self more wisely, then al the seruantes of Saul, and his name was made renowmed excedingly.

CHAP. XIX. Saul intending to kil Dauid is pacified by Ionathas. 9. Neuertheles attempteth agayn to kil him, and missing his purpose, 11. sendeth souldiars to take and bring him backe that he may be slaine, but Michol his wife helpeth him away, and excuseth her self to her father, as if she had done it for feare. 18. Dauid and Samuel flee into Naioth. 20. Againe Saul sendeth souldiars after them three times, and they al doe prophecie. 22. then him¦self pursueth Dauid, and also prophecieth.

AND Saul spake to Ionathas his sonne, and to al his ser∣uantes, [ 1] that they should kil Dauid. Moreouer Ionathas the sonne of Saul, loued Dauid excedingly. † And Ionathas [ 2] told Dauid, saying: Saul my father seeketh to kil thee: wherefore looke to thy self I besech thee in the morning, and thou shalt abide secretly, and shalt be hid. † But I going [ 3] forth wil stand beside my father, in the field wheresoeuer he shal be: and I wil speake of thee to my father, and whatsoeuer I shal see, I wil tel thee. † Ionathas therefore spake good [ 4] wordes of Dauid to Saul his father: and sayd to him: Sinne not, o King against thy seruant Dauid, because he hath not sinned toward thee, and his workes are very good for thee. † And he put his life in his hand, and stroke the Philistian, [ 5] and our Lord made great saluation to al Israel. Thou hast seene & didst reioice, why therefore sinnest thou in innocent blood killing Dauid, who is without fault? † Which when [ 6]

Saul had heard, being pacified with the voice of Ionathas, he sware: Our Lord liueth, he shal not be slaine. † Ionathas [ 7] therefore called Dauid and shewed him al these wordes, and Ionathas brought in Dauid to Saul, and he was before him, as he had bene yesterday and the day before. † And there was [ 8] battel raysed againe, and Dauid going forth, fought against the Philistijms, and stroke them with a great slaughter, and they fled from his face. † And the euil spirit of our Lord came [ 9] vpon Saul, and he sate in his house, and held a speare: more∣ouer Dauid played with his hand. † And Saul endeuoured to [ 10] naile Dauid to the wal with his speare. And Dauid declined from the face of Saul and the speare without making wound, pearced the wal, and Dauid fled, and was saued that night. † Saul therefore sent of his guarde into Dauids house, that [ 11] they should keepe him, & that he might be killed in the mor∣ning: Which when Michol his wife had told Dauid, saying▪ Vnles thou saue thy self this night, to morowe thou shalt die: † she let him downe through a windowe, moreouer he went [ 12] and fled away, and was saued. † And Michol tooke :: 1.289 a statua, [ 13] and put it vpon the bed, and a hearie skinne of goates she layd at the head thereof, and couered it with garmentes. † And [ 14] Saul sent serieantes, that should take away Dauid by force, and it was answered that he was sicke. † And againe Saul [ 15] sent messengers to see Dauid, saying: Bring him to me in the bed, that he may be slaine. † And when the messengers were [ 16] come, there was found a statua vpon the bed, and skinnes of goates at the head thereof. † And Saul sayd to Michol: Why [ 17] hast thou mocked me, and let goe myn enemie that he might flee? And Michol answered Saul: Because he sayd to me: Let me goe, otherwise I wil kil thee. † But Dauid fleing was sa∣ued, [ 18] and came to Samuel in Ramatha, and told him al thinges that Saul had done to him: and he & Samuel went & abode in Naioth. † And it was told Saul by some saying: Behold Dauid [ 19] is in Naioth in Ramatha. † Saul therefore sent seriantes to [ 20] take away Dauid: who when they had seene a troupe of pro∣phetes prophecying, & Samuel standing ouer them, the spirit of our Lord came also on them, and they also began to pro∣phecie. † Which when it was told Saul, he sent other mes∣sengers: [ 21] but they also did prophecie. And againe Saul sent the third messengers: who also prophecied And Saul being wrath for anger, † went also him selfe into Ramatha, and came as [ 22]

farre as the great cesterne, which is in Socho, and asked, and said: In what place are Samuel and Dauid? And it was told him: Loe they are in Naioth in Ramatha. † And he went [ 23] into Naioth in Ramatha, and the Spirit of our Lord came vpon him, and he walked going, and he :: 1.290 prophecied til he came into Naioth in Ramatha. † And he stripped himselfe [ 24] of his garments, and prophecied with the rest before Samuel, and sang naked al that day and night. Wherupon there went out also a prouerb: What is Saul also among the prophetes.

CHAP. XX. Ionathas comforteth Dauid, 3. confirmeth their former league. 18. By an ap∣pointed signe (24. endeuoring first, but in vaine, to pacifie his father) 35. certifieth Dauid of his fathers malice against him. 41. They meete againe secretly, and sorowfully part ech from other.

BVT Dauid also fled from Naioth, which is in Ramatha, [ 1] and coming spake before Ionathas: What haue I done? what is myn iniquitie, and what sinne of myn against thy father, that he seeketh my life? † Who sayd to him: God [ 2] forbid, thou shalt not die: for neither wil my father doe any thing great or litle, vnles he first tel me: this word therefore only hath my father concealed from me? no this shal not be. † And he sware againe to Dauid. And Dauid sayd: Thy fa∣ther [ 3] surely knoweth, that I haue found grace in thy sight, and: wil say: Let not Ionathas know this, left perhaps he be sad. Yea more our Lord liueth, and thy soule liueth, by one degree only (as I may so say) I and death are diuided. † And [ 4] Ionathas said to Dauid: Whatsoeuer thy soule shal say to me, I wil doe for thee. † And Dauid sayd to Ionathas: Behold the [ 5] calendes are to morowe, & I after the maner am wont to sitte beside the king to eate: dismisse me therefore that I may be hid in the field vntil the euening of the third day. † If thy [ 6] father looking inquire for me, thou shalt answer him: Dauid desired me, that he might goe quickely into Bethlehem his citie: because there be solemne victimes to al of his tribe. † If he shal say, Wel: peace shal be to thy seruant, but if [ 7] he be angrie, know that his malice is complete. † Doe mercie [ 8] therefore toward thy seruant: because thou hast caused me thy seruant to enter the league of our Lord with thee. but if there be any iniquitie in me, do thou kil me, and bring me not in to thy father. † And Ionathas sayd: Be this farre from thee, for [ 9]

neither can it be, that I should not tel thee, if I shal certainly know that my fathers malice is complete against thee. † And [ 10] Dauid answered Ionathas: Who shal bring me word, if thy father answer thee perhaps any thing sharpely of me? † And [ 11] Ionathas sayd to Dauid: Come, let vs goe forth abroad into the field, and when they were both gone forth into the field, † Ionathas said to Dauid: Lord God of Israel, if I shal search [ 12] out my fathers meaning, to morowe or the day after, and some good thing be vpon Dauid, and I send not immediatly vnto thee, and make thee know thereof, † these thinges doe [ 13] our Lord to Ionathas, and these thinges adde he. But if my fathers malice shal perseuer against thee, I wil reuele thyn care, and wil dismisse thee, that thou mayst goe in peace, and our Lord be with thee, as he hath beene with my father. † And if I liue, thou shalt doe me the mercie of our Lord, but [ 14] if I die, † thou shalt not take away thy mercie from my [ 15] house for euer, when our Lord shal haue rooted out the ene∣mies of Dauid, euerie one out of the land, take he away Io∣nathas from his house, and our Lord require it of the handes of Dauides enemies. † Ionathas therefore made a league with [ 16] the house of Dauid: and our Lord required it of the handes of Dauids enemies. † And Ionathas added to sweare vnto [ 17] Dauid, because he loued him, for as his owne soule, so he loued him. † And Ionathas sayd to him: To morowe are the [ 18] calendes, and thou shalt be asked for: † for thy sitting wil be [ 19] inquired of til after to morowe. Thou shalt therefore goe downe in hast, and shalt come to the place, where thou must be hid in the day, when it is lawful to worke, and thou shalt sit beside the stone, which is named Ezel. † And I wil shoote [ 20] three arrowes nere it, and wil shoote as it were excersising my self at a marke † I wil send also a boy saying to him: Goe, [ 21] and fetch me the arrowes. † If I shal say to the boy: Loe the [ 22] arrowes are on this side thee, take them vp: come thou to me, because there is peace to thee, and there is no euil, our Lord liueth. But if I shal speake thus to the boy: Loe the ar∣rowes are beyond thee: Goe in peace, because our Lord hath dimissed thee † And corcerning the word which I and thou [ 23] haue spoken, our Lord be betwen thee and me for euer. † Dauid therefore was hidde in the fielde, and the calendes [ 24] came, and the king sate downe to eate bread. † And when [ 25] the king was sette vpon his chaire (according to the custome)

which was beside the wal, Ionathas arose, and Abner sate at the side of Saul, and Dauids place appeared voide. † And [ 26] Saul sayd nothing that day, for he thought it had chanced perhaps vnto him, that he was not cleane, nor purified. † And [ 27] when the second day was come after the calendes, againe Dauids place appeared emptie. And Saul said to Ionathas his sonne: Why came not the sonne of Isa•• neither yesterday, nor to day to eate? † Ionathas answered Saul: He desired [ 28] me instantly, that he might goe into Bethlehem, † and he [ 29] said: Let me goe, because there is a solemne sacrifice in the citie, one of my brethren hath sent for me: now therefore if I haue found grace in thy sight, I wil goe quickly, and see my brethren. For this cause he came not to the kings table. † But [ 30] Saul being wrath against Ionathas, said to him: Thou sonne of a woman which of her owne accord rauisheth a man, am I ignorant that thou louest the sonne of Isai vnto thyne owne confusion, and to the confusion of thyne ignominious mo∣ther? † For al the dayes, that the sonne of Isai shal liue vpon [ 31] the earth, thou shalt not be established, nor thy kingdom. Therefore now presently send, and bring him to me: because he is the sonne of death. † And Ionathas answering Saul his [ 32] father, faid: Why shal he dye? what hath he done? † And [ 33] Saul caught a speare to strike him. And Ionathas vnderstood that it was determined of his father, that he would kil Dauid. † Ionathas therefore rose from the table in anger of furie, [ 34] and did not eate bread the second day of the calendes. For he was stroken heauie vpon Dauid, because his father had con∣founded him. † And when the morning appeared, Ionathas [ 35] came into the field according to the appointment with Dauid, and a little boy with him. † and said to his boy: Goe, and [ 36] fetch me the arrowes, which I shoote. And when the boy had runne, he shotte an other arrowe beyond the boy. † The [ 37] boy therefore came to the place of the arrowe, which Iona∣thas had shotte: and Ionathas cried behind the back of the boy, and said: Loe the arrowe is there further beyond thee. † And Ionathas cried againe behind the back of the boy, [ 38] saying: Make hast spedely, stand not. And Ionathas his boy gathered vp his arrowes, and brought them to his master: † and he was altogether ignorant, what was done: for only [ 39] Ionathas and Dauid knew the matter. † Ionathas therefore [ 40] gaue his armour•• to the boy, and said to him: Goe, and cary

them into the citie. † And when the boy was gone, Dauid [ 41] rose out of his place, which did bend to the South, and fal∣ling flatt on the ground, adored thrise: and kissing one ano∣ther, they wept together, but Dauid more. † Ionathas there∣fore [ 42] said to Dauid: Goe in peace: what soeuer we haue sworne both of vs in the name of our Lord, saying: Our Lord be betwen me and thee, and betwen my seede and thy seede for euer. † And Dauid arose, and departed: but Ionathas also [ 43] entred into the Citie.

CHAP. XXI. In case of necessitie Achimelech the priest g••ueth halowed bread to Dauid, 8. also the sword which he had taken from Goliath 10. then: Dauid going to Achis king of Geth, is forced to faine himself madde.

AND Dauid came into Nobe to Achimelech the priest: & [ 1] Achimelech was astonyed, because Dauid was come. And he said to him: Why thou alone, and none is with thee? † And Dauid said to Achimelech the priest: The king hath [ 2] commanded me a word and said: Let no man know the thing, for which thou art sent by me, and what maner precepts I haue geuen thee, for my seruantes also I haue appointed into such and such a place. † Now therfore if thou haue any [ 3] thing at hand, yea if but fiue loaues, geue me or whatsoeuer thou shalt finde. † And the priest answered Dauid, saying I [ 4] haue no :: 1.291 lay breads at hand, but only holy bread, if the seruants be cleane, especially from wemen? † And Dauid an∣swered [ 5] the priest, and said to him: And truly, if the matter be concerning wemen, we haue refrained our selues from ye∣sterday and the day before, when we came for••h, and the ves∣sels of the seruants were holie. Moreouer this way is pol∣luted, but it also shal be sanctified this day in the vessels. † The priest therefore gaue him halowed bread; for neither [ 6] was anie bread there, but only the loaues of proposition, which had bene taken away from the face of our Lord, that hoate loaues might be sette downe. † And there was there [ 7] a certaine man of the seruantes of Saul that day, within the tabernacle of our Lord: and his name was Doeg an Idumeite, the mighti••st of Saules pastours. † And Dauid said to Achi∣melech: [ 8] H••st thou here at hand a speare, or a sword? because myn owne sword, and myne owne weapons I tooke not with me. for the kings word hastened forward. † And the priest [ 9]

said: Loe here the sword of Goliath the Philistian, whom thou slewest in the Valley of terebinth, is wrapped vp in a mantel behind the Ephod: if thou wilt take this, take it. for neither is here any other beside that. And Dauid said: There is none other like to that, geue me it. † Dauid therefore arose, [ 10] and fled that day from the face of Saul: and came to Achis the king of Geth, † and the seruantes of Achis said to him, [ 11] when they had seene Dauid: Is not this Dauid the king of the land? Did they not sing in dances to this man saying: Saul stroke a thousand, and Dauid ten thousand? † But Dauid [ 12] put these wordes in his hart, and feared excedingly at the face of Achis the king of Geth. † And he :: 1.292 changed his counte∣nance [ 13] before them, and slipt downe betwen their handes: and he stumbled at the doores of the gate, & his spittle ranne downe vpon his bearde. † And Achis said to his seruantes: [ 14] You haue seene the man madde: why haue you brought him to me? † Doe we lack madde men, that you haue brought in [ 15] this felowe, to play the madde man in my presence? shal this man enter into my house?

CHAP. XXII. Dauid with a great retin•••• goeth to the king of Moab 5. but by aduise of Gad the prophet, returneth into Iuda. 6. Saul lamenting that many con∣spire against him. 9. Doeg accuseth Achimelech, 14. who iustifieth both Dauid and himself. 16. He and al the Priestes with much people in Nobe are slaine by Sauls commandment, 20. onlie Abiathar escaping flieth to Dauid.

DAVID therefore went from thence, and fled to the caue [ 1] of Odellam. Which when his brethren had heard, and a his fathers house, they went downe to him thither. † And [ 2] there were gathered vnto him, al that were in distresse, and oppressed with debt, and of a pensiue hart, and he was made their prince, and there were with him about foure hundred men. † And Dauid departed from thence into Maspha which [ 3] is Moab: and he said to the king of Moab: Let my father and my mother tary with you, I besech thee, til I know what God wil doe to me. † And he left them before the face of [ 4] the king of Moab, and they abode with him al the dayes that Dauid was in garrison. † And Gad the prophet said to Dauid: [ 5] Tary not in garrison, depart, and goe into the Land of Iuda. And Dauid departed, and came into the forest of Hare••.

† And Saul heard that Dauid had appeared, and the men that [ 6] were with him. And Saul when he abode in Gabaa, and was in the wood, which is in Rama, holding a speare in his hand, and al his seruantes that stood about him, † he sayd to his [ 7] seruantes that stoode about him: Heare me now ye children of Iemini: wil the sonne of Isai geue to al you fieldes, and vi∣neyardes, and make al you tribunes, & centurions: † because [ 8] you haue al conspired against me, and there is none that tel∣leth me, especially where my sonne also hath entred league with the sonne of Isai? There is none of you, that pitieth my case, neither is there that telleth me: for that my sonne hath raised vp my seruant against me, lying in waite for me vntil this day. † And Doeg the Idumeite which stood by, and was [ 9] the chief among the seruantes of Saul, answering, I sawe, quoth he, the sonne of Isai, in Nobe with Achimelech the sonne of Achitob the priest. † Who consulted our Lord for [ 10] him, and gaue him victuals, yea and the sword of Goliath the Philistian he gaue to him. † The king therefore sent to cal [ 11] for Achimelech the priest the sonne of Achitob, and al his fathers house, the priestes that were in Nobe, who came al to the king. † And Saul said to Achimelec: Heare thou sonne [ 12] of Achitob. Who answered: I am readie, my Lord. † And [ 13] Saul said to him▪ Why haue you conspired against me, thou, and the sonne of Isai, and hast geuen him bread and a sword, and hast consulted our Lord for him, that he might rise vp against me, continuing a traitour vntil this day? † And Achi∣melech [ 14] answering the king, said: And who amongst al thy seruantes faithful as Dauid, and the kings sonne in lawe, and going fourth at thy commandmēt, and glorious in thy house? † Did I beginne this day to consult our Lord for him? farre [ 15] be this from me: let not the king suspect such a thing against his seruant, in al the house of my father: for thy seruant knew not any thing concerning this busines, either litle or great. † And the king saidy: Ding thou shalt dye Achimelec, thou, [ 16] and al thy fathers house. † And the king said to the curriers, [ 17] that stood about him: Turne your selues, and kil the priests of our Lord, :: 1.293 for their hand is with Dauid, knowing that he was ••led, and they told me not. And :: 1.294 the kings seruantes would not extend their handes vpon the priests of our Lord. † And the king said to Doeg: Turne thou, and runne vpon [ 18] the priests. And Doeg the Idumeite being turned, tanne vpon

the priests, and murdered in that day eightie fiue men reue∣sted with an ephod of linnen. † And Nobe the citie of the [ 19] priests, he stroke in the edge of the sword, men and wemen, and children, and sucklinges, and oxe and asse, and shepe in the edge of the sword. † But one sonne of Achimelech the [ 20] sonne of Achitob, escaping, whose name was Abiathar, fled to Dauid, † and told him that Saul had slaine the priestes [ 21] of our Lord. † And Dauid said to Abiathar: I knew in that [ 22] day when Doeg the Idumeit was there, without doubt he would tel Saul, I am giltie of al the soules of thy father. [ 23] † Abide with me, feare not: if any man shal seeke my life, he shal seeke thy life also, and with me thou shal be preserued.

CHAP. XXIII. The citie of Ceila oppugned by the Philistijms is releeued by Dauid. 7. Who fearing to be there betrayed, 13. fleeth into the desert of Ziph. 16. Ionathas repayreth secretly to him, and they confirme againe their former league. 19. The Ziphians promise to betray Dauid: 27. but Saul leaueth for a while to persecute him, being forced to defend the land from the Philistians in∣uading it.

AND they told Dauid, saying: Behold the Philistijms [ 1] oppugne Ceila, and spoyle the barnes. † Dauid there∣fore [ 2] consulted our Lord, saying: Shal I goe, and strike these Philistians? And our Lord sayd to Dauid: Goe, and thou shalt strike the Philistians, and shalt saue Ceila. † And the men [ 3] that were with Dauid, sayd to him: Behold we resting here in Iurie are afrayd, how much more if we shal goe into Ceila against the bandes of the Philistians? † Againe therefore [ 4] Dauid consulted our Lord. Who answering sayd to him: Arise, and goe into Ceila: for I wil deliuer the Philistians in thy hand. † Dauid therefore, and his men, went into Ceila, and [ 5] fought against the Philistians, and droue away their beastes, and stroke them with a great slaughter, and Dauid saued the inhabitantes of Ceila. † Moreouer at that time, when Abia∣thar [ 6] the sonne of Achimelech fled to Dauid into Ceila, he went downe hauing with him an ephod. † And it was told [ 7] Saul that Dauid was come into Ceila: and Saul sayd: Our Lord hath deliuered him into my handes, and he is shut vp being entered the citie, wherein are gates and lockes. † And Saul [ 8] commanded al the people, that they should goe downe into Ceila to fight, and beseige Dauid, and his men. † Which when [ 9]

Dauid vnderstood, that Saul secretly prepared euil•• against him, he sayd▪ to Abiathar the priest: :: 1.295 Applie the Ephod. † And Dauid sayd: Lord God of Israel, thy seruant hath heard [ 10] a bruite, that Saul determineth to come into Ceila, to destroy the citie for me: † Wil the men of Ceila deliuer me into his [ 11] handes? and wil Saul come downe, as thy seruant hath heard? Lord God of Israel tel thy seruant. And our Lord sayd: He wil come downe. † And Dauid said: Wil the men of Ceila [ 12] deliuer me, and the men that are with me, into the handes of Saul? And our Lord sayd: :: 1.296 They wil deliuer thee. † Dauid [ 13] therefore arose and his men about six hundred, and going out of Ceila, wandered hither and thither vncertaine: and it was told Saul that Dauid was ••led from Ceila, and was saued: for which cause he dissembled to goe forth. † But Dauid abode [ 14] in the desert in most strong places, and he taried in the mount of the desert Ziph, in a shadowed hil. Saul notwithstanding sought him alwayes: and our Lord deliuered him not into his handes. † And Dauid saw that Saul was gone forth to [ 15] seeke his life. Moreouer Dauid was in the desert Ziph, in a wood. † And Ionathas the sonne of Saul arose, and went to [ 16] Dauid into the wood, and strengthened his handes in God: and sayd to him: † Feare not: for neither shal the hand of [ 17] Saul my father finde thee, and thou shalt reigne ouer Israel, and I shal be second to thee, yea and my father knoweth this. † Both therefore made a league before our Lord: And Dauid [ 18] abode in the wood: but Ionathas returned into his house. † And the Zeipheites went vp vnto Saul in Gabaa, saying: [ 19] Loe doth not Dauid lye hid with vs in the most safe places of the wood, in the Hil Hachila, which is on the right hand of the desert? † Now therefore, as thy soule hath desired, come [ 20] downe: & it shal be our charge to deliuer him into the kinges handes. † And Saul sayd: Blessed be ye of our Lord, because [ 21] you haue pitied my case. † Goe therefore I pray you, and pre∣pare [ 22] diligently, and deale curiously, and consider the place, where his foote is, and who hath seene him there, for he thin∣keth of me, that I craftely lye in waite for him. † Consider [ 23] and see al his lurking holes, wherein he is hid, and returne to me with the certeintie of the thing, that I may goe with you. Yea and if he shal stoppe vp himselfe into the earth, I wil search him out among al the thousandes of Iuda. † But they [ 24] rising went into Ziph before Saul: and Dauid and his men

were in the desert Maon, in the champaine country at the right hand of Iesimon. † Saul therefore and his companie [ 25] went to seeke him: and it was told Dauid, and forthwith he went downe to the rocke, and abode in the desert Maon, which when Saul had heard, he pursued Dauid in the desert Maon. † And Saul went at the side of the mountaine on [ 26] the one part: and Dauid and his men were in the side of the mountaine on the other part: moreouer Dauid despayred that he could escape, from the face of Saul: Saul therefore and his men in maner of a ring, compassed Dauid and his men, to take them. † And a messenger came to Saul, saying: [ 27] Make hast, and come, because the Philistijms haue powred in themselues vpon the land. † Saul therefore returned [ 28] leauing of to pursew Dauid, and he went to meete the Phili∣stians. for this cause, they called that place, the Rocke diui∣ding.

CHAP. XXIIII. Saul chancing to come into a caue, Dauid being hid with others in the same place, only cutteth the skirt of his cloke, 5. which after shewing, Saul acknowledgeth his fault, and ceaseth for a time to persecute him.

DAVID therefore went vp from thence, and dwelt in [ 1] the safest places of Engaddi. † And when Saul was re∣turned, [ 2] after he pursued the Philistians, they told him, saying▪ Behold, Dauid is in the desert Engaddi. † Saul therefore ta∣king [ 3] vnto him three thousand chosen men of al Israel, went forth to search out Dauid, and his men, yea ouer the steepe broken rockes, which are accessible only to wilde goates. † And he came to the shepcotes, which fel in his way as he [ 4] went▪ and there was a caue, which Saul entred into, to doe his casement: moreouer Dauid and his men lay hid in the inner part of the caue. † And the seruantes of Dauid sayd to [ 5] him: Behold the day, whereof our Lord sayd to thee: I wil deliuer thee thyne enemie, that thou mayest doe to him as it shal seeme good in thyne eies. Dauid therefore arose, and cut of the hemme of Saules cloke softly. † After this :: 1.297 Dauids [ 6] hart stroke him, for that he had cut of the hemme of Saules cloke. † And he sayd to his men: Our Lord be merciful vnto [ 7] me, :: 1.298 that I doe not this thing to my Maister the annointed of our Lord, that I should lay my hand vpon him, because he is the annointed of our Lord. † And Dauid perswaded [ 8]

his men with wordes, and permitted them not to rise against Saul: moreouer Saul rising out of the caue, went on his iour∣ney begunne. † And Dauid rose vp after him: and going out [ 9] of the caue, cried behind Sauls backe, saying: My Lord King. And Saul looked backe behind him: and Dauid bowing him selfe flat toward the ground adored, † and sayd to Saul: Why [ 10] doest thou heare the wordes of men that say: Dauid seeketh euil against thee? † Loe this day thyne eies haue seene, that [ 11] our Lord deliuered thee in my hand, in the caue, and I had a cogitation to kil thee, but myn eie hath spared thee. For I sayd: I wil not extend myn hand vpon my lord, because he is the annointed of our Lord. † But rather see and knowe, o [ 12] my father, the hemme of thy cloke in my hand, that when I did cut of the hemme of thy cloke, I would not extend my hand vpon thee. Marke, and see, that there is no euil in my hand, nor iniquitie, neither haue I sinned against thee: but thou lyest in waite for my life, to take it away. † Our Lord [ 13] iudge betwen me and thee, and our Lord reuenge me of thee, but be not my hand vpon thee. † As also it is sayd in the old [ 14] prouerbe: FROM the impiovs shal impietie procede: be not therefore my hand vpon thee: Whom doest thou persecute O King of Israel? † Whom doest thou persecute? thou persecu∣test [ 15] a dead dog, and a flea. † Our Lord be iudge, & iudge bet∣wen [ 16] me and thee, and he see, and iudge my cause, and deliuer me out of thy hand. † And when Dauid had fully ended spea∣king [ 17] such wordes to Saul, Saul sayd: Is this thy voice my sonne Dauid? and Saul lifted vp his voice, and wept: † and sayd to [ 18] Dauid: Thou art iuster then I: for thou hast donne me good turnes, and I haue rendred thee euil. † And thou hast shewed [ 19] this day what good thinges thou hast done to me: how our Lord deliuered me into thy hande and thou hast not killed me. † For who when he hath found his enemie, wil let him [ 20] goe in a good way? But our Lord render thee this good turne, for that which thou hast wrought toward me this day. † And [ 21] now because I knowe that thou most certeinly shalt reigne, and haue the kingdome of Israel in thy hand: † sweare to me [ 22] in our Lord, not to destroy my seede after me, nor to take away my name from the house of my father. † And Dauid [ 23] sware to Saul. Saul therefore went in to his house: and Dauid and his men went vp into safer places.

CHAP. XXV. Samuel dieth and is mourned. 3. Dauid requesting, 10. and not obtaining vi∣ctuals of Nabal, 13 threatneth to kil him. 14. But his wife Abigail pru∣dently preuenteth the reuenge, 18. by sending victuals, 23. and geuing good wordes. 37. Al which when Nabal vnderstandeth, he ••ainteth, and after tenne dayes dieth. 39. Dauid marieth Abigail: 43. also Achinoam: 44. and his wife Michol is geuen to an other.

AND Samuel died, and al Israel was gathered together, [ 1] and they mourned for him, and buried him in his house in Ramatha. And Dauid rising went downe into the desert of Pharan. † And there was a certaine man in the wildernes [ 2] of Maon, and his possession in Carmel, and that man was exceding great: and he had three thousand sheepe, & a thou∣sand goates: and it chanced that his flocke was shorne in Carmel. † And the name of that man was Nabal: and the [ 3] name of his wife Abigail. and that woman was very wise and beutiful: moreouer her husband hard, and very il, and malicious: and he was of the kindred of Caleb. † When Da∣uid [ 4] therefore heard in the desert, that Nabal sheared his flocke, † he sent tenne yong men, and sayd to them: Goe vp [ 5] into Carmel, and you shal come to Nabal, and shal salute him in my name peaceably. † And you shal say: Peace be to my [ 6] brethren, and to thee, and peace to thy house, and to al what∣soeuer thou hast be peace. † I haue heard, that thy shephards [ 7] which were with vs in the desert did sheare we haue neuer molested them, neither hath ought beene wanting to them at any time of the flocke, al the time that they were with vs in Carmel. † Aske thy seruantes, and they wil tel thee. Now [ 8] therefore let thy seruantes finde grace in thyne eies: for we are come in a good day, whatsoeuer thy hand shal finde, geue thy seruantes, and thy sonne Dauid. † And when Dauids [ 9] seruantes were come, they spoke to Nabal al these wordes in Dauids name: and so held their peace. † But Nabal answe∣ring [ 10] the seruantes of Dauid, said: Who is Dauid? and what is the sonne of Isai? There are seruantes multiplied now a daies which flee from their masters. † Shal I then take my [ 11] breades, and my waters, and the flesh of my cattel, which I haue killed for my sheares, and geue to men whom I know nnt whence they are? † Therefore the seruantes of Dauid [ 12] returned by their way, and returning came and told him al the

wordes that he had said. † Then sayd Dauid to his seruantes: [ 13] Euery man gird him with his sworde. And they were euery one girded with their swordes. And Dauid also was girded with his sworde: and there folowed Dauid about foure hun∣dred men: moreouer two hundred remayned at the baggage. † But to Abigail the wife of Nabal one of their seruantes told, [ 14] saying: Behold Dauid hath sent messengers from the desert, to blesse our maister. & he disdayned them: † these men were [ 15] good ynough to vs, and not trublesome: neither did euer any thing perish al the time, that we haue couuerst with them in the desert: † they were in steed of a wal to vs both in the day [ 16] and in the night, al the dayes that we fed the flockes with them. † Wherefore consider, & thinke what thou hast to doe, [ 17] for :: 1.299 malice is accomplished against thy husband, and against thy house, and he is the sonne of Belial, so that no man can speake to him. † Abigail therefore made hast, and tooke [ 18] two hundred loaues, and two bottels of wine, and fiue mut∣tons ready drest, and fiue measures of polent, and a hundred branches of raysens, and two hundred mases of drie figges, and laid them vpon asses: † and said to her seruantes: Goe [ 19] before me: loe, I wil folow you at your backe: but she told not her husband Nabal. † When she therefore had gotten [ 20] vpon an asse, and came downe to the foote of the mountaine, Dauid and his men came downe meeting her, whom she also mette. † And Dauid said: In vaine veryly haue I preserued [ 21] al thinges that were this mans in the desert, and there peri∣shed nothing of al that perteined to him: and he hath rendred me :: 1.300 euil for good. † These thinges doe God to the ene∣mies [ 22] of Dauid, and these thinges adde he, if I shal leaue of al thinges that perteine to him vntil morning, any thing pissing against the wal. † And when Abigail had seene Dauid, she [ 23] made hast, and light from her asse, and fel downe before Da∣uid vpon her face, and adored vpon the earth, † and fel at [ 24] his feete, and sayd: In me my lord be this iniquitie: let thy handmayde speake I besech thee in thine eares: and heare the wordes of thy seruant. † Let not my lord the king I pray [ 25] thee, set his hart vpon this naughtie man Nabal: because according to his name, he is a foole, and follie is with him: but I thy handmaide sawe not thy seruantes my lord, whom thou didst send. † Now therefore my lord, our Lord liueth, [ 26] and thy soule liueth, who hath stayed thee that thou shouldest

not come vnto blood, and hath saued thy hand to thee: and now be thine enemies as Nabal, and they that seeke euil to my lord. † Wherefore receiue this benediction, which thy [ 27] handmaide hath brought to thee my lord: and geue to thy seruantes that folow thee my lord. † Take away the ini∣quitie [ 28] of thy handmaide: for our Lord making wil make to my lord a faithful house, because thou my lord doest fight the battels of our Lord: let not malice therefore be found in thee al the dayes of thy life. † For if a man shal rise, perse∣cuting [ 29] thee, and seeking thy life, the life of my lord shal be kept, as in the :: 1.301 bundel of the liuing, with our Lord thy God: Moreouer the life of thine enemies shal be whurled, and in the violence, and whurle of a sling. † When our Lord there∣fore [ 30] shal doe to thee, my lord, al good thinges, which he hath spoken concerning thee, and shal constitute thee prince ouer Israel, † this shal not be an occasion of sobbing to thee, and [ 31] a scruple of hart to my lord, that thou hast shed innocent blood, or thy selfe hast reuenged thy selfe: and when our Lord hath bestowed these benefites vpon my lord, thou shalt remember thy handmaide. † And Dauid sayd to Abigail: [ 32] Blessed be our Lord the God of Israel, who hath sent thee this day to meete me, and blessed be thy speach, † and blessed [ 33] be thou, which hast stayed me to day, that I might not goe to blood, and reuenge me with myn owne hand. † Otherwise [ 34] our Lord liueth the God of Israel, who hath staied me, that I should not doe thee any euil: vnles thou hadst quickely come to meete me, there had not remained to Nabal vntil morning light, any pissing against a wal. † And Dauid tooke [ 35] of her hand al thinges which she had brought him, and said to her: Goe peaceable into thy house, behold I haue heard thy voice, and haue honoured thy face. † And Abigail came [ 36] to Nabal: and behold he had a feast in his house, as it were the feast of a king, and Nabals hart was pleasant: for he was drunke excedingly: and she told him not a word little or great vntil morning. † But early when Nabal had digested his [ 37] wine, his wife told him these wordes, and his hart was dead inwardly, and he became as a stone. † And when ten dayes [ 38] had passed, our Lord stroke Nabal, and he died. † Which [ 39] when Dauid had heard that Nabal was dead, he sayd: Blessed be our Lord, who hath iudged the cause of my reproch at the hand of Nabal, and hath kept his seruant from euil, and the

malice of Nabal hath our Lord rendred vpon his head. Dauid therefore sent, and spake to Abigail, that he might take her to himselfe to wife. † And Dauids seruantes came to Abigail [ 40] into Carmel, and spake to her, saing: Dauid hath sent vs vnto thee, to take thee to his wife. † Who arising adored flat toward [ 41] the earth, and sayd: Loe let thy seruant be as an handmaide, to wash the feete of the seruantes of my lord. † And Abigail [ 42] arose, and made hast, and gatte vpon an asse, and fiue wemen went with her waiting maides, and folowed the messengers of Dauid, and became his wife. † Yea and Achinoam also did [ 43] Dauid take of Iezrahel: and both were his wiues. † But Saul [ 44] gaue Michol his daughter Dauids wife to Phalti, the sonne of Lais, who was of Gallim.

CHAP. XXVI. The Ziphians bewrraying the place, Saul besiegeth Dauid. 5. who by night goeth where Saul and his men are a sleepe, 9. hurteth him not: 12. but taketh from him his speare and bottle of water: 14. sheweth what he hath done. 21. Saul againe confesseth his fault, and promiseth peace.

AND there came Zepheites vnto Saul in Gabaa, saying: [ 1] Behold Dauid is hid in the hil Hachila, which is ouer against the wildernes. † And Saul arose, and went downe into [ 2] the desert Ziph, and with him three thousand men of the chosen of Israel, to seeke Dauid in the desert Ziph. † And [ 3] Saul camped in Gabaa Hachila, which was ouer against the wildernes in the way: and Dauid dwelt in the desert. And seing that Saul was come after him into the deset, † he sent [ 4] discouerers, and lerned that he was come thither most cer∣tainly. † And Dauid arose secretly, and came to the place [ 5] where Saul was: and when he had seene the place, wherein Saul slept, and Abner the sonne of Ner, the prince of his warre, and Saul sleeping in the tent, and the rest of the mul∣titude round about him, † Dauid spake to Achimelech the [ 6] Hetheit, and Abisai the sonne of Seruia the brother of Ioab, saying: Who wil goe downe with me to Saul into the campe? And Abisai said: I wil goe with thee. † Dauid therefore and [ 7] Abisai came to the people by night, and found Saul lying and sleeping in the tent, and his speare fixed in the ground at his head: and Abner, and the people sleeping round about him. † And Abisai said to Dauid: God hath shut vp thine [ 8] enemie this day into thy handes: now therefore I wil thrust

him through with my speare in the earth once, and twise shal not neede. † And Dauid said to Abisai: Kil him not: for [ 9] :: 1.302 who shal extend his hand vpon the annointed of our Lord, & shal be innocent? † And Dauid said: Our Lord liueth, vn∣lesse [ 10] our Lord shal strike him, or his day come to die, or des∣cendig into battel he perish: † Our Lord be merciful vnto me, [ 11] that I extend not my hand vpon the annointed of our Lord. now therefore take the speare, which is at his head, & cuppe of water, and let vs goe. † Dauid therefore tooke the speare, [ 12] and cuppe of water, which was at Saules head, and they went away: and there was none that sawe, or vnderstood, or a∣waked, but al slept, because the dead sleepe :: 1.303 of our Lord, had fallen vpon them. † And when Dauid had passed ouer [ 13] against, and stood in the toppe of the mountaine farre of, and a good space betwen them, † Dauid cried to the people, and [ 14] to Abner the sonne of Ner, saying: Wilt thou not answer Abner? And Abner answering sayd: Who art thou, that criest and disquietest the king? † And Dauid sayd to Abner: Art not [ 15] thou a man? And who is like thee in Israel? why therefore hast thou not kept thy lord the king? for one of the multitude hath entered in to kil the king thy lord. † This thing is not [ 16] good, which you haue done: Our Lord liueth, you are the children of death, which haue not kept your lord, the an∣nointed of our Lord. Now therefore behold where the kinges speare is, & where the cup of water is, which was at his head. † And Saul knew Dauids voice, and sayd: Is this thy voice, [ 17] my sonne Dauid? And Dauid sayd: My voice, my lord king, † and he said: For what cause doth my lord persecute his [ 18] seruant? What haue I done? or what euil is there in my hand? † Now therefore heare, I pray, my lord King, the wordes of [ 19] thy seruant: If our Lord stirre thee vp against me, let there be odoure of sacrifice: but if the sonnes of men, they are cur∣sed in the sight of our Lord, which haue cast me out this day, that I should not dwel in the inheritance of our Lord, saying: Goe, serue strange goddes. † And now let not my blood be [ 20] shed vpon the earth before our Lord, for the king of Israel, is come forth to seeke one flea, as the perdix is pursued in the mountaines. † And Saul sayd: I haue sinned, returne my [ 21] sonne Dauid, for I wil no more doe thee euil, for that my life hath bene precious in thyne eies to day: for it appeareth that I haue done foolishly, and haue bene ignorant of very many

thinges. † And Dauid answering, sayd: Behold the kings [ 22] speare, let one of the kings seruants passe, and take it. † And [ 23] our Lord wil reward euerie one according to his iustice, and fidelitie: for our Lord hath deliuered thee this day into my hand, & I would not extend my hand vpon the annointed of our Lord. † And as thy life hath bene magnified to day in [ 24] myne eies, so be my life magnified in the eies of our Lord, and deliuer he me from al distresse. † Saul therefore sayd to Dauid: [ 25] Blessed art thou my sonne Dauid: and truly doing thou shalt doe, and preuayling thou shalt preuaile. And Dauid went into his way, and Saul returned into his place.

CHAP. XXVII. Dauid for more securitie goeth againe to Achis king of Geth, 5. obtaineth of him the citie of Siceleg, (6. by which meanes it becometh subiect to the kinges of Iuda) 8. and maketh prayes vpon the enemies of King Achis.

AND Dauid sayd in his hart: at length I shal fal one day [ 1] into the handes of Saul: is it not better that I flee, and be saued in the Land of the Philistians, that Saul may despaire, and cease to seeke me in al the coastes of Israel? I wil flee therefore his handes. † And Dauid arose, and went himselfe, [ 2] and the six hundred men with him, to Achis the sonne of Maoch, the King of Geth. † And Dauid dwelt with Achis [ 3] in Geth, he and his men; euerieman & his house, and his two wiues, Achinoam the Iezrahelite, and Abigail the wife of Nabal of Carmel. † And it was told Saul that Dauid was fled [ 4] into Geth, and he added no more to seeke him. † And Dauid [ 5] sayd to Achis: If I haue grace in thy sight, let there a place be geuen me in one of thy cities of this countrie, that I may dwel there: for why abideth thy seruant in the citie of the king with thee? † Achis therefore gaue him in that day Si∣celeg: [ 6] for which cause Siceleg became the kinges of Iuda vntil this day. † And the number of the daies, that Dauid [ 7] dwelt in the country of the Philistians, was foure monethes. † And Dauid went vp, and his men, and draue prayes out of [ 8] :: 1.304 Gessuri, and Gerzi, and from the Amalecites: for these vil∣lages were inhabited in the land in old time, as men goe to Sur, as farre as the Land of Aegypt. † And Dauid stroke al the [ 9] land, neither left he anie man or woman: and taking the sheepe & oxen, and asses, & camels, and garments, he returned & came to Achis. † And Achis sayd to him: Whom hast thou [ 10]

set vpon to day? Dauid answered: Against the south of Iuda, and against the south of Ier••miel, and against the south of Ceni. † Dauid gaue life neither to man nor woman, neither [ 11] brought them into Geth, saying: Lest perhaps they speake against vs. These thinges did Dauid, and this was decreed of him al the daies that he dwelt in the countrie of the Phili∣stians. † Achis therefore did credite Dauid, saying: Manie [ 12] euils hath he wrought against his people Israel: Therefore he shal be my seruant for euer.

CHAP. XXVIII. The Philistians fighting against Saul, Dauid promiseth fidelitie to Achis. 3. Saul destroyeth magicians, 6. but God not answering him, 7. seeketh a woman that hath a Pithon spirite, 12. willeth her to raise vp Samuel.* 1.305 15. who appearing fortelleth him, that he, and his sonnes shal die the next day.

AND it came to passe that in those daies the Philistijms [ 1] gathered together their companies, that they might be prepared to battel against Israel: and Achis sayd to Dauid: Knowing know thou now, that thou shalt goe forth with me in the campe, thou, and thy men. † And Dauid sayd to [ 2] Achis: Now thou shalt know what thy seruant wil doe. And Achis sayd to Dauid: And I wil appoint thee keper of my head al daies. † And Samuel was dead, and al Israel mour∣ned [ 3] for him, and buried him in Ramatha his citie. And Saul tooke al the magicians and soothsayers out of the land. † And [ 4] the Philistijms were gathered together, and came and camped in Sunam: and Saul also gathered together al Israel, and came into Gelboe. † And Saul saw the campe of the Philistijms, [ 5] and feared, and his hart was afrayd excedingly. † And he [ 6] consulted our Lord, and he answered him not, neither by dreames, nor by priestes, nor by prophetes. † And Saul sayd [ 7] to his seruantes: Seeke me a woman that hath a pithonical spirite, and I wil goe to her, and wil aske by her. And his ser∣uantes sayd to him: There is a woman that hath a pithonical spirite in Endor. † He therefore changed his habite and was [ 8] clothed with other garmentes, and he went himselfe, and two men with him, and they came to the woman in the night, and sayd to her: Deuine vnto me in the pythonical spirite, and raise me vp whom I shal tel thee. † And the woman sayd [ 9] to him: Loe, thou knowest what great thinges Saul hath done,

and how he hath raysed the magicians and sothsayers out of the land: why therefore doest thou lye in waite for my life, that I may be slaine? † And Saul sware vnto her in our Lord, [ 10] saying: Our Lord liueth, there shal no euil happen vnto thee for this thing. † And the woman sayd to him: Whom shal I [ 11] rayse vp to thee? Who sayd: Raise me vp Samuel. † And [ 12] when the woman had seene Samuel, she cried out with a loud voice, and sayd to Saul: Why hast thou deceiued me? for thou art Saul. † And the King sayd to her: Feare not: what sawest [ 13] thou? And the woman sayd to Saul: I saw :: 1.306 Goddes coming out of the earth. † And he sayd to her: What maner of forme [ 14] hath he? who sayd: An old man is come vp, and he is clothed with a mantel. And “ Saul * 1.307 vnderstood that it was Samuel,and he bowed himselfe vpon his face on the earth, and :: ado∣red. † And Samuel sayd to Saul: why hast thou disquieted [ 15] me, that I should be raised vp? And Saul sayd, I am in great distresse: for the Philistijms fight against me, and God is de∣parted from me, and would not heare me, neither in the hand of prophetes, not by dreames: therefore I haue called thee, that thou shouldest shew me, what I shal doe. † And Samuel [ 16] sayd: Why askest thou, whereas our Lord is departed from thee, and is passed to thine aduersarie? † For our Lord wil [ 17] doe to thee as he spake in my hand, and he wil cut thy king∣dome out of thy hand, & wil geue it to thy neighbour Dauid: † because thou hast not obeyed the voice of our Lord, neither [ 18] didst thou the wrath of his furie in Amalec. Therefore that which thou sufferest hath our Lord done to thee this day. † And our Lord wil geue Israel also with thee into the handes [ 19] of the Philistijms: and to morow thou and thy sonnes shal be :: 1.308 with me: yea the campe also of Israel wil our Lord deliuer into the handes of the Philisthijms. † And forthwith Saul [ 20] fel stretched forth on the ground, for he feared much the wordes of Samuel, and there was no strength in him, because he had not eaten bread al that day. † That woman therefore [ 21] went vnto Saul (for he was very much trubled) and sayd to him: Behold thy handmaide hath obeied thy voice, and I haue put my life in my hand: and I heard the wordes, which thou spakest to me. † Now therefore heare thou also the voice of [ 22] thy handmaide, and I wil set before thee a morsel of bread, that eating thou mayest recouer strength, and be able to goe on thy iourney. † Who refused, and sayd: I wil not eate. But [ 23]

his seruantes and the woman forced him, and at length hea∣ring their voice, he arose from the ground, and sate vpon the bed. † And that woman had a pasture fed calfe in the house, [ 24] and s••e made hast, and killed him: and taking meale kneded it, and baked azimes, † and sette before Saul, and before his [ 25] seruantes, who when they had eaten rose vp, and walked al that night.

ANNOTATIONS. CHAP. XXVIII.

14. Saul vnderstood that it vvas Samuel.] It is not defined nor certaine, whe∣therthe soule of Samuel appeared, or an euil spirit tooke his shape, and spake to Saul. S. Augustin (li. 2. q. 3. ad Simplician) proposeth both the opinions as* 1.309 probable. VVhere first he sheweth, that Samuels soule might appeare; either brought thither by the euil spirite, which is not so much to be merueled at, as that our Lord and Sauiour suffered him self to be sette vpon the pinnacle of the temple, and to be caried into a high mountaine by the diuel; yea to be taken prisoner, bound, whipped, and crucified, by the diuels ministers: or els that the spirite of the holie prophet, was not raised by force of the inchantment, or anie powre of the diuel, but by Gods secrete ordinance vnknowen to the py∣thonical woman, and to Saul, and so appeared in the kings presence, and stroke him with diuine sentence Againe he answereth, that there may be a more easie and readie sense of this place, to wit, that Samuels spirite (or soule) was not in deede raised, but an imaginarie illusion made by the diuels inchantment, which semed to be Samuel, and which the Scripture calleth by the name of Sa∣muel, as pictures or images are commonly called those persons or thinges,* 1.310 which they represent. So when we behold pictures in a table, or on a wal, we say, this is Cicero, that is Salust, that Achilles, that is Rome. To this effect S. Augustin discourseth more at large in the place before cited. But in an other worke written after (de cura pro mortuis gerenda. c. 15.) teaching that soules of the dead appeare sometimes to the liuing, he saieth expresly, Samuel the prophet being dead, foretold suture thinges to King Saul yet liuing. Though some be of opi∣nion (saieth he) that Samuel himself appeared not, but some euil spirit tooke his similitude.

And this last iudgement of S. Augustin is much confirmed; first by the wor∣des of this text, literally and plainly affirming that Samuel appeared, and spake* 1.311 to Saul, and Saul to him. and that Saul vnderstood (or••nevv, not only thought, imagined, or supposed) that it vvas Samuel. Secondly, this apparition came sooner, preuenting the inchantment, and in better order, then the pithonical* 1.312 woman expected, as appeareth by her answer, saying she saw God (or an ex∣cellent person) ascending in comelie maner and attyre: whereas euil spirites vsed to appeare (as the Rabbins testifie) in vglie bodies, with the heeles into the ayer, and head downward. Thirdly, the Author of Ecclestasticus (ch. 46.) amongst the prayses of Samuel the prophet, saieth, he slept, (or died) and cer∣tified* 1.313 the King, and shevved to him, the end of his life. VVhere it semeth clere, that the same person that died, denounced Gods wil and sentence to Saul. Moreouer

if it had bene an illusion of an euil spirite, it would hardly seme anie praise at al. Fourthly, the diuel could not naturally foretel that Saul and his sonnes,* 1.314 with manie of the people should be slaine the next day, and Dauid reign•• after him: neither is it probable, that God reueiled such secretes to euil spi∣rites, wherby men might take more occasion to folow nicromancie. Fiftly, most Fathers and Doctors are of the same iudgement. S. Iustinus Martyr.* 1.315 * 1.316 Dialogo cum Triphone. S. Basil. Epist. 80. ad Eustathium. S. Ambrose li. 1. in Luc. 1. S. Hierom. in Isaiae. 7. Iosephus li. 6. c. 15. Antiq. and manie other old and late writers. The chiefest argument for the other opinion is the authoritie of Ter∣tullian. li. de anima. Procopius and Eucherius vpon this place. and the vncer∣taine authors, Questionum apud Iustinum. q. 52. lib. de mirabil. Sac. Script. and Quest. vet. Testamenti, q. 27. apud Augustinum, tomo. 3. et. 4. As for the Protestantes de∣nying, that soules once parted from their bodies, can appeare to anie aliue, S. Augustin confuteth them, both by this example of Samuel, supposing the* 1.317 * 1.318 booke of Ecclesiasticus to be Canonical Scripture, and of Moyses being dead, and Elias yet liuing (whom they hold also to be dead) both appearing with Christ in his transfiguration. Mat. 17.

CHAP. XXIX. Dauid going with the Philistijms towards the warre, 4. the princes vrge and force the king to send him back.

THEREFORE al the companies of the Philistijms were [ 1] gathered together into Aphec: and Israel also camped vpon the fountaine, which was in Iezrahel. † And the princes [ 2] in dede of the Philistijms marched in hundreds and thou∣sandes: but Dauid and his men were in the last companie with Achis. † And the princes of the Philistijms sayd to Achis: [ 3] What meane these Hebrewes? And Achis sayd to the princes of the Philistijms: Doe you not knowe Dauid, which was the seruant of Saul the king of Israel, and is with me manie daies, or :: 1.319 yeares, and I haue not found any thing in him, since the day that he fled to me, vntil this day? † But the [ 4] princes of the Philistijms were angrie against him, and sayd to him: Let this man returne, and abide in his place, wherein thou hast appointed him, and let him not goe downe with vs into battel, lest he become an aduersarie to vs, when we shal beginne to fight: for how can he otherwise pacifie his lord, but in our heades? † Is not this Dauid, to whom they sang [ 5] in dances, saying: Saul hath strooke his thousandes, & Dauid his ten thousandes? † Achis therefore called Dauid, and sayd [ 6] to him: The Lord liueth, thou art iust, and good in my sight: and thy going out, & thy coming in is with me in the campe: and I haue not found in thee anie euil, since the day that thou camest to me vntil this day: but thou pleasest not the nobles.

† Returne therefore, and goe in peace, and offend not the [ 7] eies of the princes of the Philistijms. † And Dauid sayd to [ 8] Achis: For what haue I done, and what hast thou found in me thy seruant, since the day that I haue beene in thy sight, vntil this day, that I may not come, and fight against the enemies of my lord the King? † And Achis answering spake to Dauid: [ 9] I know that thou art good in my sight, as an Angel of God: but the princes of the Philistijms haue sayd: He shal not goe vp with vs into battel. † Therefore arise in the morning, [ 10] thou, and the seruantes of thy lord, which came with thee: and when you are risen in the night, and it shal beginne to waxe light, goe foreward. † Dauid therefore arose in the [ 11] night, he and his men, that they might sette foreward in the morning, and returne to the land of the Philistijms: and the Philistijms went vp into Iezrahel.

CHAP. XXX. Dauid returning to Siceleg, findeth it burned and spoiled, and himself in danger of the people: 7. By our Lords warrant be pursueth the enemie, 11. taketh a guide: 17. recouereth al that was taken away: 22. and rewardeth the souldiars, also those that stayed with the baggage; 25. making it a lawe for the time to come, shat the keepers of the baggage, shal haue like share with those that fight in battel.

AND when Dauid and his men were come to Siceleg [ 1] the third day, the Amalecites had made an inuasion on the south side into Siceleg, and had strooken Siceleg, and burnt it with fire. † And had led away wemen captiue out of [ 2] it, from the lesse vnto the great: and had not killed any man, but had led them with them, and went on their iourney. † When Dauid therefore and his men were come to the citie, [ 3] and had found it burnt with fire, and their wiues, and their sonnes, and their daughters to be led away captiue, † Dauid [ 4] and the people that was with him, lifted vp their voices, and mourned til teares fayled them. † For the two wiues also of [ 5] Dauid were led away captiue, Achinoam the Iezraelite, and Abigail the wife of Nabal of Carmel. † And Dauid was [ 6] strooken very sad: for the people would haue stoned him, because the soule of euerie man was bitterly affected vpon their sonnes, and daughters: but Dauid was strengthened in our Lord his God. † And he sayd to Abiathar the priest the [ 7] sonne of Achimelech: Applie :: 1.320 vnto me the Ephod. And

Abiathar applied the Ephod to Dauid, † and Dauid consulted [ 8] our Lord, saying: Shal I pursue these theeues, and shal I take them or no? And our Lord sayd to him: Pursue them: for thou shalt take them without doubt, & take from them the praye. † Dauid therefore went himselfe, and the six hundred men [ 9] that were with him, and they came vnto the Torrent Besor: & some being wearie stayed. † But Dauid himself, and foure [ 10] hundred men pursued: for two hundred stayed, who being wearie could not passe the Torrent Besor. † And they found [ 11] an Aegyptian in the field, and brought him to Dauid: and they gaue him bread to eate, and water to drink, † and also a peece [ 12] of a masse of drie figges, and two bunches of resinnes. Who when he had eaten, his spirite returned, and he was refreshed: for he had not eaten bread, nor drunken water three daies, and three nightes. † Dauid therefore sayd to him. Whose art [ 13] thou? or whence? and whither goest thou? who sayd: I am a yong man of Aegypt, the seruant of an Amalacite: and my maister hath leift me, because I began to be sicke three daies agone. † For we brake forth at the south side of Cerethi, [ 14] and against Iuda, and at the south of Caleb, and burnt Siceleg with fire. † And Dauid sayd to him: Canst thou bring me to [ 15] this companie? Who sayd: Sweare to me by God, that thou wilt not kil me, nor deliuer me into the handes of my lord, and I wil bring thee to this companie. And Dauid sware to him. † Who when he had brought them, behold they sate [ 16] vpon the face of al the earth, eating and drinking, and as it were keping festiual day, for al the praye, and spoiles which they had taken out of the Land of the Philistijms, and out of the Land of Iuda. † And Dauid stroke them from euening [ 17] vntil the euening of the next day, and there escaped not anie of them, but foure hundred yong men, which had gotten vpon camels, and were fled. † Dauid therefore reskewed al [ 18] thinges, that the Amalecites had taken, and he reskewed his two wiues. † Neither was there anie wanting from litle to [ 19] great as wel of their sonnes as of their daughters, and of the spoiles, and what thinges soeuer they had taken, Dauid brought al againe. † And he tooke al the flockes & heardes, [ 20] and draue them before his face: and they sayd: This is the praye of Dauid. † And Dauid came to the two hundred men, [ 21] which being wearie had staied, neither were able to folow Dauid, and he had bidden them to rest in the Torrent Besor:

who came forth to meete Dauid, and the people that were with him. And Dauid coming to the people, saluted them peaceably. † And euerie naughtie, and wicked felow of the [ 22] men, that had gone with Dauid answering, sayd: Because they came not with vs, we wil not geue them anie thing of the praye, which we haue recouered: but let their wife and children suffice euerie man, whom when they haue receiued, let them depart. † But Dauid sayd: You shal not doe so my [ 23] brethren, of these thinges, which our Lord hath deliuered to vs, and hath kept vs, and hath geuen the theeues, that were broken out against vs, into our handes: † neither shal anic [ 24] man heare you vpon this talke. For there shal be equal portion of him that went downe into battel, and of him that abode at the baggage, & they shal diuide alike. † And this hath beene [ 25] downe from that day, and euer after :: 1.321 it was decreed, and ordained as a law in Israel. † Dauid therefore came into Sice∣leg, [ 26] and sent giftes of the praye to the ancientes of Iuda his neighboures, saying: Take a benediction of the praye of our Lords enemies. † To them, that were in Bethel, and that were [ 27] in Ramoth toward the South, and them that were in Gether, † and them in Aroer, and them in Sephamoth, and them in [ 28] Esthamo, † and them in Rachal, and them in the cities of Ie∣rameel, [ 29] and them in the cities of Semi, † and them in Hara∣ma, [ 30] and them in the lake of Asan, and them in Athach, † and them in Hebron, and to the rest that were in those [ 31] places, in the which Dauid had taried, and his men.

CHAP. XXXI. Saul with his sonnes are slaine in battel. 7. The Philistijms possesse the place, and hang the dead bodies on a wal, 11. but valiant men of Iabes Galaad take them away, and burne them, burie their bones, and fast seuen dayes.

AND the Philistijms fought against Israel, and the men [ 1] of Israel fled before the face of the Philistijms, and fel being slaine in mount Gelboe. † And the Philistijms fel vpon [ 2] Saul, and vpon his sonnes, and they stroke Ionathas, and A∣binadab, and Melchisua the sonnes of Saul, † and the whole [ 3] weight of the battel was turned vpon Saul: and the archers ouertooke him, and he was sore wounded of the archers. † And Saul sayd to his esquier: Drawe out thy sword, and [ 4] * 1.322 strike me: lest perhaps these vncircumcised come, and kil me, mocking me. And his esquier would not: for he was frighted with exceding feare. Saul therefore caught his sword, and fel

vpon it. † Which when his esquier had seene, to wit that Saul [ 5] was dead, himselfe also fel vpon his sword and died with him. † Saul therefore died, and his three sonnes, & his esquier, and [ 6] al his men in that day together. † And the children of Israel, [ 7] that were beyond the valley, and beyond Iordan, seing that the men of Israel were fled, and that Saul was dead, and his sonnes, they left their cities, and fled: and the Philistijms came, and dwelt there. † And when the next day was come, [ 8] the Philistijms came to spoile them that were slaine, and they found Saul and his three sonnes, lying in mount Gelboe. † And they did cut of Saules head, and spoiled him of his ar∣mour, [ 9] and sent into the land of the Philistians round about, that it should be declared in the temple of their Idols, and among their people. † And they did put his armour in the [ 10] temple of Astaroth, but his bodie they hung on the wal of Bethsam. † Which when :: 1.323 the inhabiters of Iabes Galaad [ 11] had heard whatsoeuer the Philistijms had done to Saul, † al [ 12] the most valiant men arose, & walked al the night, and tooke the bodie of Saul, and the bodies of his sonnes, from the wal of Bethsam: and they came to Iabes Galaad, and burnt them there: † and they tooke their bones, and buried them in [ 13] the wood of Iabes, and fasted seuen daies.

THE ARGVMENT OF THE SECOND BOOKE OF KINGES.

BESIDES a great part of the first booke, and beginning of the third,* 1.324 this second booke is wholly of King Dauid. VVhose manie laudable Actes, as also his faultes (which were fewer) with his true repentance, and punishment are related, not in such method, as may easily be diuided into di∣stinct partes, in order of the chapters; but according to the distinction of thinges* 1.325 conteined, his succession to the royal crowne, first in Iuda, and after in al Israel, with the declination and death of his competitour Isboseth, are recor∣ded in the 2. 3. 4. and 5. chapters. His vertues, and praises, to wit, his solemne* 1.326 mourning for Saul and that familie, his deuotion, fortitude, pietie, and gra∣titude* 1.327 are specially touched in the 1. 6▪ 7. 8. 9. and 10. chapters. His sinnes of adulterie with Bethsabee, of killing her husband Vrias, of pride in numbe∣ring his people, with his hartie repentance, and temporal punishment for the same, are written from the 11. chapter to the 21, together with the 24. The* 1.328 22. and 23. chapters conteyne his thankesgeuing to God for benefites receiued, and prophecie of thinges to come, with a catalogue of valiant men.

THE SECOND BOOKE OF SAMVEL, WHICH WE CAL THE SECOND OF KINGES.

CHAP. 1. Dauid hearing that Saul and Ionathas are slaine, 11. mourneth with al his familie, weeping and fasting. 13. causeth him to be slaine who affirmed that he had killed king Saul. 18. He traineth vp archers. 19. and inui∣teth also al Israel to mourne.

AND it came to passe, after that Saul was dead, [ 1] that Dauid returned from the slaughter of Ama∣lec, and taryed in Siceleg two dayes. † And in the [ 2] third day there appeared a man coming out of Sauls campe, his garments torne, and sprinkled on the head with dust, and as he came to Dauid, he fel vpon his face, and adored. † And Dauid said vnto him: Whence [ 3] comest thou? Who said to him: I fledde out of the campe of Israel. † And Dauid said vnto him: What is the matter that [ 4] is done? tel me. Who said: The people is fled out of the bat∣tel, and many of the people are ouerthrowen and dead: yca Saul also and Ionathas his sonne are dead. † And Dauid said [ 5] to the yong man that told him: How knowest thou that Saul is dead, and Ionathas his sonne? † And the young [ 6] man that told him, sayd: :: 1.329 By chance I came into mount Gelboe, and Saulleaned vpon his speare: moreouer the cha∣riots and horsemen approched vnto him, † and turning back∣ward, [ 7] and seing me he called. To whom when I had an∣swered, here I am: † he said to me: Who art thou? And [ 8] I said to him: I am an Amalecite, † And he said to me: Stand [ 9] vpon me, and kil me: because anguishes hold me, and as yet al my life is in me. † And standing vpon him, I killed him▪ [ 10] for I knewe that he could not liue after the fal: and I tooke the Diademe that was on his head, & the bracelette from his arme, and haue brought to thee my lord hither. † And Dauid [ 11] taking his garments rent them, and al the men that were with him, † and they :: 1.330 mourned, and wept, and fasted vntil euening [ 12] vpon Saul and vpon Ionathas his sonne, and vpon the people

of our Lord, and vpon the house of Israel, because they were fallen by the sword. † And Dauid said to the yong man that [ 13] had told him: Whence art whou? Who answered: I am the sonne of a man a stranger of Amalec. † Dauid said to him: [ 14] Why didst thou not feare to put to thy hand, to kil the an∣nointed of our Lord? † And Dauid calling one of his ser∣uants [ 15] said: Goe runne vpon him. Who stroke him, and he died. † And Dauid said to him: Thy bloud be vpon thine owne [ 16] head: for thyn owne mouth hath spoken against thee, saying: I haue slaine the annointed of our Lord. † And Dauid mour∣ned [ 17] this kind of mourning vpon Saul, and vpon Ionathas his sonne, († and he commanded that they should :: 1.331 teach the [ 18] children of Iuda the bowe, as it is written in the Booke of the iust.) And he said: Consider, o Israel for them that be dead wounded vpon thy high places. † The Nobles, ô Israel, are [ 19] slayne vpon thy mountaynes: how are the valiants fallen? † Tel it not in Geth, neither tel ye it in the high waies of [ 20] Ascalon: lest perhaps the daughters of the Philisthijms be gladde, lest the daughters of the vncircumcised reioice. † Mountaines of Gelboe, let neither dew, nor rayne come [ 21] vpon you, neither be they fields of the first fruits: because there was the shield of the valiantes cast away, the shield of Saul, as though he were not annointed with oyle. † From the [ 22] bloud of the slaine, from the fatte of the valiants, the arrowe of Ionathas neuer returned backward, and the sword of Saul did not returne emptie. † Saul and Ionathas amiable, and [ 23] comely in their life, in death also were not diuided: swifter then eagles, stronger then lyons. † Yee daughters of Israel [ 24] weepe vpon Saul, who clothed you with scarlet in delicaces, who gaue golden ornaments to your attyre. † How haue [ 25] the valiantes fallen in battel? Ionathas bene slayne in thy high places? † I am sorie for thee my brother Ionathas exceeding [ 26] beautiful, and amiable aboue the loue of wemen. As the mother loueth her onlie sonne, so did I loue thee. † How [ 27] haue the strong fallen, and the weapons of warre perished?

CHAP. II. Dauid is receiued and annointed King of Iuda. 5. He commendeth those of Iabes Galaad, which buried Saul. 8. Isboseth the sonne of Saul reigneth ouer the rest of Israel. 12. whereby riseth sharpe warre betwen Abner and Ioab, chief captaines of the two kinges. 30. Manie more are slaine of Abners partie then of Ioabs.

THEREFORE after these thinges Dauid consulted [ 1] our Lord, saying: Shal I goe vp into one of the cities of Iuda? And our Lord said to him: Goe vp. And Dauid said: Whit her shal I goe vp. And he answered him: Into Hebron. † Dauid therefore went vp, and his two wiues, Achinoam the [ 2] Iezrahelite, and Abigail the wife of Nabal of Carmel: † yea [ 3] and the men also that were with him, Dauid brought euery one with his houshould: and they abode in the townes of He∣bron. † And the men of Iuda came, and :: 1.332 annoynted Da∣uid [ 4] there, to reigne ouer the house of Iuda. And it was told Dauid, that the men of Iabes Galaad had buried Saul. † Da∣uid [ 5] therefore sent messengers vnto the men of Iabes Galaad, and sayd vnto them: Blessed be you to our Lord, which haue done this mercie with your lord Saul, and haue buried him. † And now our Lord certes wil render you mercie and truth: [ 6] but I also wil requite you the good turne, for that you haue done this thing. † Let your handes be strengthned, and be [ 7] yee stout men: for although your lord Saul be dead, yet the house of Iuda hath annointed me to be their king. † But [ 8] Abner the sonne of Ner prince of Sauls armie, tooke Isbo∣seth the sonne of Saul, & led him about through the campe, † and ordained him king ouer Galaad, and ouer Gessuri, [ 9] and ouer Iezrahel, & ouer Ephraim, and ouer Beniamin, and ouer al Israel. † Fourtie yeares old was Isboseth the sonne [ 10] of Saul when he began to reigne ouer Israel, and he reigned :: 1.333 two yeares: and only the house of Iuda folowed Dauid. † And the number of the daies, that Dauid abode, reigning [ 11] in Hebron ouer the house of Iuda, was seuen yeares and six monethes. † And Abner the sonne of Ner went forth, and [ 12] the seruantes of Isboseth the sonne of Saul, out of the campe into Gabaon. † Moreouer Ioab the sonne of Saruia, and [ 13] the seruants of Dauid went forth, and mette them beside the poole of Gabaon, and when they were come together into one place, they sate one ouer against an other: these on the one side of the poole, and they on the other. † And [ 14] Abner said to Ioab: Let the yong men rise, and:: 1.334 play before vs. And Ioab answered: Let them rise. † There rose there∣fore [ 15] and passed twelue in number, of Beniamin, of Isbo∣seths part the sonne of Saul, and twelue of the seruantes of Dauid. † And euery one taking the head of his mate, sticked his [ 16] sword into the side of his aduersarie, and they fel together:

& the name of the place was called: The field of the valiantes, in Gabaon. † And there rose a very sore battel in that day: and [ 17] Abner was put to flight, & the men of Israel, by the seruantes of Dauid. † And there were there the three sonnes of Saruia, [ 18] Ioab, and Abisai, and Asael: moreouer Asael was a most swift runner, as it were one of the roes, that abide in the wooddes. † And Asael pursued Abner, and declined not to the right [ 19] hand nor to the left omitting to pursue Abner. † Abner [ 20] therefore looked backe behind him, and said: Art thou Asael? Who answered: I am. † And Abner said to him: Goe to the [ 21] right hand, or to the left, and apprehend one of the young men, and take to thee his spoyles. But Asael would not leaue but vrged him. † And againe Abner said to Asael: Retyre, [ 22] and do not folowe me▪ left I be compelled to sticke thee to the ground, and I shal not be able to lift vp my face to Ioab thy brother. † Who contemned to heare, and would not goe [ 23] aside: Abner therefore stroke him, with his speare turned backe in the priuy partes, and thrust him through, and he dyed in the same place: and al that passed by that place, where∣in Asael fel and dyed, did stay. † But whiles Ioab and Abisai [ 24] pursued Abner fleeing, the sunne went downe: and they came as farre as the hil of the water conduit, that is ouer against the valley the way of the desert in Gabaon. † And the children [ 25] of Beniamin were assembled together to Abner: and being gathered in a plumpe into one troupe, they stoode in the toppe of one hil. † And Abner cried out to Ioab, and said: [ 26] Shal thy sword rage vnto vtter destructrion? knowest thou not that desperation is dangerous? how long differrest thou to say to the people, that they leaue to pursue their brethren? † And Ioab said: Our Lord liueth, if thou hadest spoken, [ 27] in the morning had the people retyred, from pursuing their brethren. † Ioab therefore sounded the trumpette, and al [ 28] the armie stood, neither did they pursue Israel any further, nor enter into fight. † And Abner and his men went through [ 29] the champaine country, al that night: and they passed Iordan, and hauing viewed al Beth horon, came to the campe † More∣ouer [ 30] Ioab returning, after he had leift Abner, assembled al the people: and there wanted of Dauids seruantes nintene men, beside Asael † But the seruantes of Dauid stroke of Benia∣min, [ 31] and of the men, that were with Abner three hundred three score, who also died. † And they tooke Asael, & buried [ 32]

him in the sepulchre of his father in Bethlehem: and Ioab, and the men that were with him, walked al the night, and in the very twilight they came into Hebron.

CHAP. III. ••••boseths forces daily decay, Dauid increaseth in powre, and hath manie sonnes. 7. Abner vpon occasion of a sclander breaketh from Isboseth, and serueth Dauid, bringing Michol to him, and much people of Israel. 23. Ioab of emulation and reuenge killeth Abner. 28. for which Dauid is offended with Ioab, 31. and mourneth for Abner.

THERE was made therefore long strife betwen the [ 1] house of Saul, and betwen the houre of Dauid: Dauid prospering and alwaies stronger then himself, but the house of Saul decreasing daily. † And there were sonnes borne to [ 2] Dauid in Hebron: and his first begotten was Amnon of Achi∣noam the Iezrahelite. † And after him Cheleab of Abigail [ 3] the wife of Nabal of Carmel: moreouer the third Absalom the sonne of Maacha the daughter of Tolmai king of Gessur. † And the fourth Adonias, the sonne of Haggith: and the [ 4] fifth Saphathia, the sonne of Abital. † The sixt also Iethra∣am [ 5] of Egla the wife of Dauid. these were borne to Dauid in Hebron. † Therefore when there was battel betwen the house [ 6] of Saul and house of Dauid, Abner the sonne of Ner ruled the house of Saul. † And Saul had a concubine named Respha, the [ 7] daughter of Aia. And Isboseth said to Abner: † Why diddest [ 8] thou go in to my fathers concubine? Who being wrath excee∣dingly for the wordes of Isboseth, said: What :: 1.335 am I a dogges head against Iuda this day, which haue done mercie vpon the house of Saul thy father, and vpon his brethren and neerest freinds, & haue not deliuered thee into the hands of Dauid, & hast thou sought against me that thou mightest charge me for a woman to day? † These things do God to Abner, and these [ 9] things adde he to him, vnlesse as our Lord hath sworne to Dauid, so I doe truth to him. † That the kingdom be trans∣ferred [ 10] from the house of Saul, and the throne of Dauid be [ 11] exalted ouer Israel, and ouer Iuda, from Dan to Bersabee. † And he could not answer him any thing, because he feared him. † Abner therefore sent messengers to Dauid for himself [ 12] saying: Whose is the land? And that they should say: Make amitie with me, & my hand shal be with thee: and I wil reduce vnto thee al Israel. † Who said: Very wel: I wil make amitie [ 13]

with thee: but one thing I desire of thee, saying: Thou shalt not see my face before thou bring Michol the daughter of Saul: and so thou shalt come, and see me. † And Dauid sent [ 14] messengers to Isboseth the sonne of Saul saying: Restore my wife Michol, which I berrothed to me for an hundred prepuces of the Philisthijms. † Isboseth therefore sent, [ 15] and tooke her from her husband Phaltiel, the sonne of Lais. † And her husband folowed her, weeping as farre as Bahu∣rim: [ 16] and Abner said to him: Goe, and returne. Who retur∣ned. † Abner also spake to the ancients of Israel, saying: [ 17] Both yesterday and the day before you sought Dauid that he might reigne ouer you. † Now therefore do so: because our [ 18] Lord hath spoken to Dauid, saying: In the hand of my seruant Dauid I wil saue my people Israel from the hands of the Phili∣stijms, and of al their enemies. † And Abner spake also to [ 19] Beniamin. And he went to speake vnto Dauid in Hebron al things which pleased Israel, and al Beniamin. † And he came [ 20] to Dauid into Hebron with twentie men: and Dauid made a feast to Abner, and to his men that came with him. † And [ 21] Abner sayd to Dauid: I wil rise, that I may gather vnto thee my lord king al Israel, and may enter a league with thee, and thou mayst reigne ouer al, as thy soule desireth. When Da∣uid therefore had brought Abner on the way, and he was gone in peace, † forthwith Dauids seruantss and Ioab came, [ 22] hauing slayne the robbers, with a praye exceding great: and Abner was not with Dauid in Hebron, Because he had now dismissed him, and he was departed in peace. † And Ioab, [ 23] and al the armie which were with him, came afterward: it was therefore told Ioab, that Abner the sonne of Ner came to the king, and he dismissed him, and he departed in peace. † And Ioab went in to the king, and said: What hast thou [ 24] done? Behold Abner came to thee: why didst thou dismisse him and he is gone and departed? † knowest thou not Abner the [ 25] sonne of Ner, that to this end he came to thee, that he might deceiue thee, and might know thy going out, and thy coming in, and vnderstand al things that thou doest? † Ioab therfore [ 26] being gone from Dauid, sent messengers after Abner, and brought him backe from the cesterne Sira, Dauid being ig∣norant therof. † And when Abner was returned into He∣born, [ 27] Ioab brought him aside to the middes of the gate, to spake vnto him in guile: and stroke him there in the priuie

partes, and he died, in reuenge of the bloud of Asael his brother. † Which when Dauid had heard, that the thing [ 28] was now done, he said: I am innocent, and my kingdom be∣fore God for euer from the bloud of Abner the sonne of Ner, † and come it vpon the head of Ioab, and vpon al his fathers [ 29] house: neither let there fayle of the house of Ioab one hauing a fluxe of seede, and a leper, and houlding the distaffe, and falling by the sword, lacking bread. † Ioab therefore and [ 30] Abisai his brother slewe Abner, because he had killed Asael their brother in Gabaon in the battel. † And Dauid said to [ 31] Ioab, and to al the people, that were with him: Rent your garmentes, and be girded with sacke clothes, and mourne before the funeral of Abner. Moreouer king Dauid folowed the beere. † And when they had buried Abner in Hebron, [ 32] king Dauid lifted vp his voice, and wept vpon the graue of Abner: and al the people also wept. † And the king mour∣ning [ 33] and lamenting Abner, sayd: Not as cowardes are wont to die, hath Abner died. † Thy handes were not bound, and [ 34] thy feete were not loden with fetters: but as men are wont to fal before the children of iniquitie, so art thou fallen. And al the people dubling it wept vpon him. † And when al the [ 35] multitude was come to take meate with Dauid, when it was yet cleere day Dauid sware, saying: These thinges do God to me, and these adde he, if before sunne set I shal tast bread or any thing els. † And al the people heard, and al thinges plea∣sed [ 36] them which the king did in the sight of al the people. † And al the people knewe, and al Israel in that day that it [ 37] was not the kinges doing, that Abner the sonne of Ner was slayne. † The king also said to his seruantes: Are you igno∣rant [ 38] that a prince and the greatest is slayne this day in Israel? † But I as yet :: 1.336 delicate, and annointed king: moreouer the [ 39] the sonnes of Saruia are hard to me: our Lord reward him that doth euil according to his malice.

CHAP. IIII. Baana and Rechab secretly kil Ioboseth: 8. bring his head to Dauid. 9. who condemning their fact, putteth them to death.

AND Isboseth the sonne of Saul heard that Abner was [ 1] slaine in Hebron: and his handes were weakened, and al Israel was trubled † And the sonne of Saul had two men [ 2] captaynes of robbers, the name of one Baana, and the name of the other Rechab, the sonnes of Rhemmon the Berothite

of the sonnes of Beniamin: for Beroth also was accounted in Beniamin. † And the Berothites fled into Gethaim, and [ 3] were there strangers vntil that time. † And Ionathas the [ 4] sonne of Saul had a sonne lame in his feete: for he was fiue yeares old, when the tydinges came of Saul and Ionathas from Iezrahel. his nurse therefore taking him, fled: and when she made hast to flee, he fel, and was made lame: and he was called Miphiboseth. † Therefore the sonnes of Rhemmon [ 5] the Berothite, Rachab and Baana coming, entered into the house of Isboseth in the heat of the day: who slept vpon his bed at noone. † And they entered into the house secretely [ 6] taking eares of corne, and Rechab and Baana his brother, stroke him in priuy partes and fled. † And when they were [ 7] entred into the house, he slept vpon his bed in a parler, and striking they killed him: and taking away his head they went by the way of the desert al night. † And brought the head of [ 8] Isboseth to Dauid into Hebron: and they said to the king: Be∣hold the head of Isboseth the sonne of Saul thine enemie who sought thy life: and our Lord hath geuen my lord the king this day reuenge of Saul, and of his seede. † But Dauid [ 9] answering Rechab, and Baana his brother, the sonnes of Rhemmon the Berothite, and sayd to them: our Lord liueth, which hath deliuered my soule out of al distresse, † for so much [ 10] as him that told me, and said: Saul is dead, who thought that he told prosperous thinges, I apprehended, and slewe him in Siceleg, to whom I should haue geuen a reward for his ty∣dinges. † How much more now when wicked men haue slaine [ 11] an innocent man in his owne house, vpon his bed, shal I not require his bloud of your hand, and take you away from the [ 12] earth? † Dauid therefore commanded his seruantes, and they slew them, and cutting of their hands and feete, hanged them ouer the poole in Hebron: but the head of Isboseth they tooke, and buried in the sepulcher of Abner in Hebron.

CHAP. V. VVith general consent Dauid is annointed king of al Israel. 7. He taketh the towre of Sion in Ierusalem, destroying the Iebuseites. 9. buildeth there a new house: 13 marieth more wiues, and hath more children. 17. The Phili∣flym: rising against him are ouerthrowen: 22. also the second time.

AND al the tribes of Israel came to Dauid in Hebron, [ 1] saying: Behold we are thy bone and thy flesh. † Yea and [ 2] yesterday also and the day before when Saul was king ouer vs,

thou wast he that didst leade vs forth and bring backe Israel: and our Lord sayd to thee: Thou shalt feede my people Israel, and thou shalt be prince ouer Israel. † The ancientes also of [ 3] Israel came to the king into Hebron, and king Dauid made a league with them in Hebron before our Lord: and they :: 1.337 an∣nointed Dauid to be king ouer Israel. † Thirtie yeares old was [ 4] Dauid when he began to reigne, and he reigned fourtie yea∣res. † In Hebron he reigned ouer Iuda seuen yeares and six [ 5] monethes: and in Ierusalem he reigned three and thirtie yea∣res ouer al Israel & Iuda. † And the king went, & al the men [ 6] that were with him, into Ierusalem to the Iebuseite the inha∣biter of the land: & they said to Dauid: Thou shalt not come in hither, vnlesse thou take away the blind and the lame, saying: Dauid shal not come in hither. † But :: 1.338 Dauid tooke the towre [ 7] of Sion, this is the citie of Dauid. † For Dauid had proposed [ 8] in that day a reward to whosoeuer should strike the Iebuseite, and touch the gutters of the house toppes, and take away the blind and the lame that hated the soule of Dauid: therefore it is sayd in the prouerbe: :: 1.339 The blind and the lame shal not enter into the temple. † And Dauid dwelt in the towre, and [ 9] called it, The citie of Dauid: & built round about from Mello and inwards. † And he went prospering and growing vp, and [ 10] our Lord the God of hostes was with him. † Hiram also the [ 11] king of Tyre sent messengers to Dauid, and ceder trees, and carpenters, and masons for walles: and they built a house for Dauid. † And Dauid knew that our Lord had confirmed him [ 12] king ouer Israel, and that he had exalted his kingdome ouer his people Israel. † Dauid therefore tooke yet concubines [ 13] and wiues of Ierusalem, after he was come from Hebron: and there were borne to Dauid other sonnes also and daugh∣ters: † And these be the names of them, that were borne to [ 14] him in Ierusalem, Samua, and Sobab, and Nathan, and Sa∣lomon, † and Iebahar, and Elisua, and Nepheg, † and Iaphia, [ 15 16] and Elisama, and Elioda, and Eliphaleth. † The Philistijms [ 17] therefore heard that they had annointed Dauid to be king ouer Israel: and they went vp al to seeke Dauid: which when Dauid had heard, he went downe into a hold. † And the Phi∣listijms [ 18] coming were spred in the Vale Raphaim. † And Dauid [ 19] consulted our Lord, saying: Shal I goe vp to the Philistijms? and wilt thou geue them into my hand? And our Lord sayd to Dauid: Goe vp, because deliuering I wil geue the Philistijims

in thy hand. † Dauid therefore came into Baal Pharasim: and [ 20] stroke them there, and said: Our Lord hath diuided mine ene∣mies before me, as waters are diuided, therefore the name of the place was called Baal Pharasim. † And they leift there [ 21] their * 1.340 grauen goddes: which Dauid, and his men tooke. † And the Philistians added yet to go vp, and spred them¦selues [ 22] in the Vale Raphaim † And Dauid consulted our Lord: [ 23] Shal I goe vp against the Philistijms, and wilt thou deliuer them into my handes? Who answered: Goe not vp against them, but fetch a compasse behind their backe, and thou shalt come to them over against the peare trees. † And when thou [ 24] shal•• heare the sound of one going in the toppe of the peare∣trees, then shalt thou enter battel: because then wil our Lord goe forth before thy face, to strike the campe of the Phili∣stijms. † Dauid therefore did as our Lord had commanded [ 25] him, and he stroke the Philistijms from Gabaa, vntil thou come to Gezer.

CHAP. VI. VVith great solemnitie Dauid bringeth the A••ke of God from Abinadabs h••u••••. 6. Oz•• for touching it is sodenly slaine. 9. whereupon Dauid fea∣ring to bring it to his ow•••• house, leaueth it in the house of Obededom three monethes, 12. then fetcheth it, dancing before it, though Michol scorne his deuotion. 17. He offereth sacrifices, distributeth giftes, blesseth the people. 23. And Michol is barren.

AND Dauid againe gathered together al the chosen of [ 1] Israel, thirtie thousand. † And Dauid arose, and went, [ 2] and al the people that was with him of the men of Iuda, to bring the arke of God, vpon which was inuocated the name of the Lord of hostes, which sitteth in the Cherubins vpon it. † And they la••d the arke of God vpon a new wayne: and [ 3] ••ook•• it out of the house of Abinadab, who was in Gabaa: and Oz••, and Ahio the sonnes of Abinadab, did driue the new wa••ne. † And when they had taken it out of the house [ 4] of Abinadab, who was in Gabaa, Ahio keeping the arke of God went before the arke. † But Dauid▪ and al Israel played [ 5] before our Lord in al wrought wood, both on harpes, and lates and 〈…〉〈…〉ls and ••itterns and cymbals. † And after they [ 6] came to the Floore of Nichon, Oza put forth his hand to the arke of God, and h••ld it: because the oxen spurned, and made it leane aside. † And our Lord was wrath with indignation [ 7]

against Oza, and stroke him for the :: 1.341 rash••nes: who died there before the arke of God. † And Dauid was s••ook••n sad▪ [ 8] for that our Lord had strooken Oza, and the name of that place was called: The striking of Oza vn••il this day. † And [ 9] Dauid feared our Lord in that day, saying: How shal the arke of our Lord come vnto me? † And he would not haue the [ 10] arke of our Lord turne in to himself into the citie of Dauid: but he caused it to turne in vnto the house of Obededom the Getheite. † And the arke of our Lord dwelt in the house of [ 11] Obededom the Getheite three monethes: and our Lord bles∣sed Obededom, and al his house. † And it was told king [ 12] Dauid, that our Lord had blessed Obededom, and al that he had for the arke of God. Dauid therefore went, and brought away the arke of God out of the house of Obededom, into the citie of Dauid with ioy. † And when they had passed, [ 13] that caried the arke of our Lord, six passes, he immolated an oxe and a ramme. † And Dauid danced with al his might [ 14] before our Lord. moreouer Dauid was girded with a linnen ephod. † And Dauid, and al the house of Israel brought the [ 15] arke of testament of our Lord in iubilation, and in sounde of trumpet. † And when the arke of our Lord was entred into [ 16] the citie of Dauid, Michol the daughter of Saul looking forth through a window, sawe king Dauid leaping, and dancing :: 1.342 before our Lord: and she despised him in her hart. † And [ 17] they brought in the arke of our Lord, and sette it in his place in the middes of the tabernacle, which Dauid had pitched for it: and Dauid offered holocaustes, and pacifiques before our Lord. † And when he had accomplished offering hole∣caustes [ 18] and pacifiques, he blessed the people in the name of the Lord of hostes. † And he distributed to al the multitude [ 19] of Israel as wel man as woman, to euerie one, one cake of bread, and one roasted peece of beefe, and flowre fryed with oyle: and al the people went, euerie man into his house. † And Dauid returned to blesse his owne house: and Michol [ 20] the daughter of Saul coming forth to meete Dauid, sayd: How glorious was the king of Israel to day vncouering him∣self before the handmaydes of his seruantes, and was naked, as if one of the ribbaldes should be naked. † And Dauid sayd [ 21] vnto Michol: Before our Lord, which hath chosen me ra∣ther then thy father, and then al his house, and commanded me that I should be duke ouer the people of our Lord in

Israel, † both wil I play, & wil become more vile then I haue [ 22] beene: and I wil be humble in mine eies, and with the hand∣maydes, of whom thou speakest, I wil appeare more glorious. † Therefore vnto Michol the daughter of Saul was there no [ 23] child borne vnto the day of her death.

CHAP. VII. Dauids good purpose to build a Temple is differred by Gods appointment. 12. with promise that his sonne shal performe it, and be established in the kingdom. 18. For al which he rendereth thankes to God.

AND it came to passe when the king sate in his house, [ 1] and our Lord had geuen him rest on euery side from al his enemies, † he sayd to Nathan the prophet: Doest thou [ 2] see that I dwel in a house of cedar, and the arke of God is sette :: 1.343 in the middes skinnes? † And Nathan sayd to the king: [ 3] Al that is in thy hart, goe doe, because our Lord is with thee. † And it came to passe in that night: and behold the word [ 4] of our Lord to Nathan, saying: † Goe, and speake to my ser∣uant [ 5] Dauid: Thus sayth our Lord: Shalt thou build me a house to dwel in? † For neither haue I dwelt in house from the day [ 6] that I brought the children of Israel out of the Land of Ae∣gypt, vntil this day: but I walked in tabernacle, and in tent. † Through out al the places, that I haue passed with al the [ 7] children of Israel, speaking did I speake to one of the tribes of Israel, which I commanded to feede my people Israel, saying: Why did you not build me a house of cedar? † And [ 8] now these thinges shalt thou say to my seruant Dauid: Thus sayth the Lord of hostes: I tooke thee out of the pastures fo∣lowing the flockes, that thou shouldest be prince ouer my people Israel: † and I haue beene with thee wheresoeuer [ 9] thou hast walked, and haue slayne al thine enemies from thy face: and haue made thee a great name, according to the name of the great ones, that are in the earth. † And I wil ap∣point [ 10] a place for my people Israel, and wil plant it, and they shal dwel vnder it, and shal be trubled no more: neither shal the children of iniquitie adde to afflict them as before. † From the day that I appointed Iudges ouer my people Is∣rael: [ 11] and I wil geue thee rest from al thine enemies. and our Lord foretelleth thee, that our Lord wil make thee a house. † And when thy daies shal be accomplished, and thou shalt [ 12] sleepe with thy fathers, I wil rayse vp thy seede after thee,

which shal come forth of thy wombe, and a 1.344 I wil establish his kingdom. † He shal build a house to my name, and I wil [ 13] establish the throne of his kingedome for euer. † b 1.345 I wil be [ 14] to him for a father, and he shal be to me for a sonne: who if c 1.346 he shal do any thing vniustly, I wil rebuke him in the rod of men, and in the plagues of the sonnes of men. † But my [ 15] mercie I wil not take away from him, as I tooke from Saul, whom I remoued from thy face. † And thy house shal be [ 16] faithful, and d 1.347 thy kingdom for euer before thy face, and thy throne shal be firme continually. † According to al these [ 17] wordes, and according to al this vision, so did Nathan speake to Dauid. † And Dauid went in, and sate before our Lord, [ 18] and said: Who am I ô Lord God, and what is my house, that thou hast brought me thus farre? † But this also hath semed [ 19] litle in thy sight ô Lord God, vnles thou didst speake also of the house of thy seruant for a long time: for this is the law of Adam, Lord God. † What can Dauid therefore adde yet, [ 20] to speake vnto thee? for thou knowest thy seruant ô Lord God. † For thy word, and according to thy hart thou hast [ 21] done al these great thinges, so that thou wouldest notifie it to thy seruant. † Therefore art thou magnified ô lord God, [ 22] because there is none like to thee, neither is there a God be∣sides thee, in al thinges that we haue heard with out eares. † And what nation is there in the earth, as thy people Israel, [ 23] for the which e 1.348 God hath gone, that he might f 1.349 redeme it to be his people, and might make him selfe a name, & doe for them great wonders, and horrible thinges vpon the earth, before the face of thy people, whom thou redemedst to thy self out of Aegypt, from the nations and from their goddes. † For [ 24] thou hast confirmed thy people Israel to be an euerlasting people: and thou Lord God art become their God. † Now [ 25] therefore ô Lord God, raise vp for euer the word, that thou hast spoken vpon thy seruant, and vpon his house: and doe as thou hast spoken, † that thy name may be magnified for euer, [ 26] and it may be said: The Lord of hostes is God ouer Israel. And the house of thy seruant Dauid shal be established before our Lord, † because thou ô Lord of hostes God of Israel hast re∣ueled [ 27] the eare of thy seruant, saying: A house I build thee: therefore hath thy seruant found his hart to pray thee with this prayer. † Now therefore ô Lord God, thou art God, and [ 28] thy wordes shal be true: for thou hast spoken to thy seruant

these good thinges. † Beginne therefore, and blesse the house [ 29] of thy seruant, that it may be for euer before thee: because thou Lord God hast spoken, by thy blessing shal the house of thy seruant be blessed for euer.

CHAP. VIII. Diuers nations and countries to which Israel payed tribute, are subdued by Dauid, and pay tribute to Israel 16. Chief officers are mentioned.

AND it came to passe after these thinges Dauid stroke [ 1] the Philistijms, and humbled them, and Dauid tooke the Bridle of tribute out of the hand of the Philistijms † And [ 2] he stroke Moab, and measured them with :: 1.350 a corde, ma∣king them euen with the earth and he measured two cordes, one to kil, and one to saue aliue: and Moab became seruing Dauid vnder tribute. † And Dauid stroke Adarezer the sonne [ 3] of Rohob king of Soba, when he went forth to haue domi∣nion ouer the riuer Euphrates. † And Dauid hauing taken [ 4] of his part a thousand seuen hundred horsemen, and twentie thosand footemen, hogh sinewed al the chariot horses: and he leift of them a hundred chariotes. † There came also Syria [ 5] of Doma••cus, to bring ayde vnto Adar ezer the king of Soba: and Dauid stroke of Syria two and twentie thousand men. † And Dauid put a garrison in Syria of Damascus: and Syria [ 6] became seruing Dauid vnder tribute: and our Lord preserued Dauid in al thinges to whatsoeuer he went forth. † And Da∣uid [ 7] tooke the golden armour, which the seruantes of Adar∣ezer had, and brought them into Ierusalem. † And out of [ 8] Bete, and out of Beroth the cities of Adar-ezer king Dauid tooke brasse exceding much. † And Tou the king of Emath [ 9] heard, that Dauid had striken al the force of Adar-ezer, † And Tou sent Ioram his sonne to king Dauid, to salute [ 10] him congratulating, and to geue thankes: for that he had ouerthrowen Adarezer, and striken him. For Tou was enemie to Adarezer, and in his hand were vessels of gold, and vessels of siluer, and vessels of brasse: † which also king [ 11] Dauid sanctified to our Lord with the siluer and gold, that he had sanctified of al the nations, which he had subdewed † of Syria, and Moab, and the children of Ammon, and the [ 12] Philistijms, and Amalec, and of the spoiles of Adarezer the sonne of Rohob king of Soba. † Dauid also :: 1.351 made himselfe [ 13] a name, when he returned hauing taken Syria in the Valle of Salt-pittes, eightene thousand being slayne: † and he put [ 14]

souldiours in Idumea, and placed a garrison: and al Idumea was made to serue Dauid: and our Lord preserued Dauid in al thinges to whatsoeuer he proceeded. † And Dauid reigned [ 15] ouer al Israel: Dauid also did iudgement and iustice to al his people. † And Ioab the sonne of Seruia was ouer the armie: [ 16] moreouer losaphat the sonne of Ahilud was * 1.352 recorder: † and Sadoc the sonne of Achitob, and Achimelech the sonne [ 17] of Abiathar, were priestes: and Saraias, scribe: † And Ba∣naias [ 18] the sonne of Ioiada was ouer :: 1.353 the Cerethi and Phele∣thi: and the sonnes of Dauid :: 1.354 princes.

CHAP. IX. Miphiboseth a lame sonne of Ionathas is piously releeud by Dauid: 9. geuing to his vse the particuar inheritance of Saul.

AND Dauid sayd: Is there any thinke you that is remai∣ning [ 1] of the house of Saul, that I may do mercie with him for Ionathas sake? † And there was of the house of Saul, [ 2] a seruant named Siba: whom when the king had called vnto him, he said to him: art thou Siba? And he answered: I am so thy seruant. † And the king said: Is there anie remaining [ 3] of the house of Saul, that I may doe with him the mercie of God? And Siba said to the king: There is yet liuing a sonne of Ionathas, lame of his feete. † Where is he? quoth he. And Siba [ 4] sayd to the king: Behold he is in the house of Machir the sonne of Ammiel in Lodabar. † King Dauid therefore sent, [ 5] and tooke him out of the house of Machir the sonne of Am∣miel of Lodabar. † And when Miphiboseth the sonne of [ 6] Ionathas the sonne of Saul was come to Dauid, he fel on his face, and adored. And Dauid said: Miphiboseth? Who an∣swered: Here I am thy seruant. † And Dauid said to him: [ 7] Feare not, because doing I wil do mercie on thee for Ionathas thy father, & I wil restore :: 1.355 the landes of Saul thy father, and thou shalt eate bread vpon my table alwaies. † Who adoring [ 8] him, said: Who am I thy seruant, that thou hast respect vpon a dead dogge like vnto me? † The king therefore called [ 9] Siba the seruant of Saul, and said to him: Al thinges what∣soeuer were Sauls, and al his house, I haue geuen to thy ma∣sters sonne. † Til for him therefore the land, thou and thy [ 10] sonnes, and thy seruants: and thou shalt bring in meates for thy masters sonne, that he may be maintained: and Miphi∣boseth the sonne of thy lord shal eate alwaies bread :: 1.356 vpon

my table. And Siba had fiftene sonnes, and twentie seruants. † and Siba said to the king: As thou my lord king hast com∣manded [ 11] thy seruant, so wil thy seruant doe: and Miphiboseth shal eate vpon my table, as one of the sonnes of the king. † And Miphiboseth had a little sonne called Micha: and al [ 12] the kinred of the house of Siba serued Miphiboseth. † More∣ouer [ 13] Miphiboseth dwelt in Ierusalem: because he did eate alwaies of the kings table: and he was lame on both feete.

CHAP. X. Hanon king of Ammon for euil entreating Dauids men, sent vnto him of curtesie, 7. is iustly plagued, with his confederates. 15. Also the second time they are ouerthrowen by Dauid.

AND it came to passe after these thinges, that the king of [ 1] the children of Ammon died, and Hanon his sonne reigned for him. † And Dauid said: I wil doe mercie with [ 2] Hanon the sonne of Naas, as :: 1.357 his father hath done mercie with me. Dauid therefore sent, conforting him by his ser∣uants vpon his fathers death. But when the seruantes of Da∣uid were come into the land of the children of Ammon, † the princes of the children of Ammon said to Hanon [ 3] their lord: Thinkest thou that for the honour of thy father Dauid hath sent comforters vnto thee, and not rather that he might search, and spy into the citie, and ouerthrow it, hath Dauid sent his seruants vnto thee? † Hanon therefore tooke [ 4] the seruants of Dauid, and shaued the one half of their breard, and curte away halfe their garments vnto the burtockes, and sent them away. † Which when it was told Dauid, he sent to [ 5] meete them: for the men were counfounded very fowly, and Dauid commanded them: Tary in Iericho, til your beard be growen, and then returne. † And the children of Ammon [ 6] seing that they had done iniurie to Dauid, sent, and hyred for wages the Syrian of Rohob, and the Syrian of Soba, twentie thousand footemen, and of the king Maacha a thousand men, and of Istob twelue thousand men. † Which when Dauid had [ 7] heard, he sent Ioab and the whole armie of warryers. † The [ 8] children therefore of Ammon issued forth, and sette their men in aray before the verie entrance of the gate: but the Syrian of Soba, and Rohab, and Istob, and Maacha were by them selues in the fielde. † Ioab therefore seing, that [ 9]

there was battel prepared against him, both before him and behind him, he piked out of al the chosen of Israel, and directed his armie agaynst the Syrian: † and the rest of the [ 10] people he deliuered to Abisai his brother, who directed his armie against the children of Ammon. † And Ioab sayd: If [ 11] the Syrian shal preuayle against me, thou shalt ayde me: and if the children of Ammon shal preuayle agaynst thee, I wil ayde thee. † Play the man, and let vs fight for our people, and [ 12] the citie of our God: and our Lord wil doe that which is good in his sight. † Ioab therefore and the people that were with [ 13] him, began to fight against the Syrians: Who immediatly fled from his face. † And the children of Ammon seing that the [ 14] Syrians were fled, they also fled from the face of Abisai, and entred into the citie: and Ioab returned from the children of Ammon, and came to Ierusalem. † Therefore the Syrians [ 15] seing that they were fallen before Israel, they gathered them¦selues together. † And Adar-ezer sent, and fetched out the [ 16] Syrians, that were beyond the riuer, and brought their armie: and Sobach the maister of Adar-ezers warre, was their chief captaine. † Which when it was told Dauid, he gathered to∣gether [ 17] al Israel, and passed ouer Iordan, and came into Helam: & the Syrians put them selues in aray against Dauid, & fought against him. † And the Syrians fled from the face of Israel, and [ 18] Dauid slewe of the Syrians seuen hundred chariotes, and four∣tie thousand horsemen: and Sobach the prince of the warre he stroke: who forth with died. † And al the kinges, that were to [ 19] ayde Adarezer, seing them selues ouercome of Israel, were afrayd and fled eight & fiftie thousand before Israel. And they made peace with Israel: and serued them, and the Syrians were afrayd any more to ayde the children of Ammon.

CHAP. XI. Dauid ouercome with concupiscence committeth adulterie with Bethsabee: 6. not finding other meanes to hide the crime, causeth her husband Vrias to be slaine. 27. Then marieth her, she beareth a sonne, and God is offended.

AND it came to passe the yeare turning about, at such [ 1] time when kinges are wont to procede to battels, Dauid sent Ioab, and his seruantes with him, and al Israel, and they spoyled the children of Ammon, and besieged Rabba: but Dauid remayned in Ierusalem. † Whiles these thinges were [ 2] in doing, it chanced that Dauid arose from his bed after

noone, and walked in the toppe of the kinges house: and he saw a woman washing her self, ouer against the roofe of his house: and the woman was very beautiful. † The king there∣fore [ 3] sent, and inquired what woman it was. And it was told him, that she was Bethsabee the daughter of Eliam, the wife of Vrias the Hetheite. † Dauid therefore sending messengers, [ 4] :: 1.358 tooke her, who when she was entered in to him, he slept with her: and forth with she was sanctified from her vnclen∣nes: † and she returned into her house hauing conceiued [ 5] a childe. And sending she told Dauid, and sayd: I haue con∣ceiued. † And Dauid sent to Ioab, saying: Send me Vrias the [ 6] Herheite. And Ioab sent Vrias to Dauid. † And Vrias came [ 7] to Dauid. And Dauid asked how wel Ioab did, & the people, and how the warre was ordered. † And Dauid sayd to Vrias: [ 8] Goe into thy house, and wash thy feete. And Vrias went forth out of the kinges house, and the kinges meate folowed him. † But Vrias slept before the gate of the kinges house, with [ 9] the other seruantes of his lord, and went not downe to his owne house. † And it was told Dauid of them that sayd: [ 10] Vrias went not into his house. And Dauid sayd to Vrias: didst thou not come from thy iourney? Why didst thou not goe downe into thy house? † And Vrias sayd to Dauid: The Arke [ 11] of God and Israel and Iuda dwel in pauilions, & my lord Ioab and the seruantes of my lord abide vpon the face of the earth: and shal I enter into my house, to eate and to drinke, and sleepe with my wife? by thy health, and by the health of thy soule I wil not do this thing. † Dauid therefore sayd to Vrias: [ 12] Tarie here also this day, and tomorow I wil dismisse thee. Vrias taried in Ierusalem that day and the next: † and Dauid [ 13] called him to eate before him and to drinke, and he made him. drunke: who going out at euen, slept on his couche with the seruantes of his lord, and went not downe into his house. † The morning therefore was come, and Dauid wrote a [ 14] letter to Ioab: and sent it by the hand of Vrias, † writing in [ 15] the letter: Sette ye Vrias in the front of the battel, where the fight is strongest: and leaue him, that being striken he may die. † Therefore when Ioab besieged the citie, he put Vrias [ 16] in the place where he knew the strongest men were. † And [ 17] the men issuing out of the citie, fought against Ioab, and there fel of the people of the seruantes of Dauid, and Vrias also the Hetheite died. † Ioab therefore sent, and told Dauid [ 18]

al the story of the battel: † and he commanded the messan∣ger, [ 19] saying: When thou hast told al the story of the battel to the king, † if thou see him to be angrie, and he say: Why ap∣proched [ 20] you to the wal, to fight? Knew you not that manie weapons are throwen from aboue of the wal? † Who stroke [ 21] Abimelec the sonne of Ierobaal? did not a woman cast vpon him a peece of a milstone from the wal, and slew him in Thebes? Why approched you nere the wal? Thou shalt say: Also thy seruant Vrias the Hetheite is slayne. † The messen∣ger [ 22] therefore departed, and came, and told Dauid al thinges that Ioab had commanded him. † And the messenger sayd to [ 23] Dauid: The men haue preuailed against vs, and they issued forth to vs into the field: and we violently pursewed them euen to the gate of the citie. † And the archers shot arrowes [ 24] at thy seruantes from of the wal aboue: and there died of the kinges seruantes, yea and thy seruant Vrias the Hetheite is dead. † And Dauid sayd to the messenger: Thus shalt thou [ 25] say to Ioab: Let not this thing discomfort thee: for the euent of warre is diuerse: now this man, and now that man the sword consumeth: encourage thy warryers against the citie, that thou inayst destroy it, and exhort them. † Also the wife [ 26] of Vrias heard, that Vrias her husband was dead, & she mour∣ned for him. † And the mourning being past Dauid sent, and [ 27] brought her in into his house, and she became his wife, and she bare him a sonne: and this thing which Dauid had done, was displeasant before our Lord.

CHAP. XII. Nathan the prophet by a parable induceth Dauid to condemne him self of great sinne, 7. blameth and threatneth him for the same. 13. But vpon his confession denounceth remission of his sinne, with reseruation of tem∣poral punishment, 15. the death of the childe. 24 Bethsabee beareth an¦other sonne, who is called Salomon. 26. The citie of Rabbath is taken, and a rich crowne with other praye.

OVR Lord therfore sent Nathan to Dauid: Who when [ 1] he was come to him, he sayd vnto him: There were two men in one citie, one riche, and the other poore. † The rich [ 2] man had sheepe, and oxen axceding manie. † But the poore [ 3] man had nothing at al, beside one litle ewe, which he had bought and nourished, and which had growen in his house together with his children, eating of his bread, and drinking

of his cuppe, and sleping in his bosome: and it was to him as a daughter. † And when a certayne stranger was come to [ 4] the riche man, he sparing to take of his owne sheepe and oxen, to make a feast for that stranger, which was come to him, tooke the poore mans ewe, and made meates therof for the man that was come to him. † And Dauid being exce∣dingly [ 5] wrath with indignation against that man, sayd to Na∣than: Our Lord liueth, the man that hath done this is the childe of death. † He shal render the ewe fourefold, because [ 6] he hath done this thing, and hath not spared. † And Nathan [ 7] sayd to Dauid: Thou art that man. Thus sayth our Lord the God of Isaael: I annointed thee to be king ouer Israel, and I deliuered thee from the hand of Saul, † and gaue thee the [ 8] house of thy lord, and the wiues of thy lord in thy bosome, and haue geuen thee the house of Isrtel and Iuda: and if these thinges be litle, I wil adde farre greater thinges vnto thee. † Why therefore hast thou contemned the word of the lord, [ 9] that thou wouldest doe euil in my sight? Vrias the Hetheite thou hast smitten with the sword, & his wife thou hast taken to thy wife, and hast slayne him with the sword of the chil∣dren of Ammon. † For which thing the sword shal not de∣part [ 10] from thy house :: 1.359 for euer, because thou hast despised me, and hast taken the wife of Vrias the Hetheite, to be thy wife. † Therfore thus sayth our Lord: Behold, I wil rayse [ 11] vpon thee euil out of thine owne house, and wil take thy wiues before thine eies, and geue them to thy neighbour, and he shal slepe with thy wiues in the sight of this Sunne. † For thou hast done it secretly: but I wil doe this word in [ 12] the sight of al Israel, and in the sight of the Sunne. † And [ 13] Dauid sayd to Nathan: I haue sinned to our Lord. And Nathan sayd to Dauid: Our Lord also hath taken away thy sinne: thou shalt not die. † Neuertheles, because thou hast made [ 14] the enemies of our Lord to blaspheme, for this thing, the sonne that is borne to thee, dying shal dye. † And Nathan [ 15] returned into his house. Our Lord also stroke the child, which the wife of Vrias had borne to Dauid, and he was past hope. † And Dauid besought our Lord for the child: and Dauid [ 16] fasted a fast, and going in aside, lay vpon the ground. † And [ 17] the ancientes of his house came, being earnest with him, that he would rise from the ground: who would not, neither did he eate meate with them. † And it chanced the seuenth day [ 18]

that the infant died: and the seruantes of Dauid feared to tel him, that the child was dead. For they sayd: Behold when the child yet liued, we spake to him, and he heard not our voice: how much more if we shal say: The child is dead, wil he afflict him self? † When Dauid therfore sawe his seruantes [ 19] muttering, he vnderstood that the infant was dead: and he sayd to his seruantes: Is the child dead? Who answered him: He is dead. † Dauid therfore rose from the ground; and was [ 20] washed and annoynted: and when he had changed his gar∣ment, he entered into the house of our Lord: and adored, and came into his owne house, and he called for bread, and he did eate. † And his seruantes sayd vnto him: What thing is this, [ 21] that thou hast done? for the infant, when he yet liued, thou didst fast and weepe: but the child being dead, thou didst rise vp, and hast eaten bread. † Who sayd: For the infant, whiles [ 22] he yet liued, I fasted and wept: for I sayd: Who knoweth if perhaps our Lord wil geue him to me, and the infant may liue? † But now because he is dead, why do I fast? Shal I be [ 23] able to cal him againe any more? I shal go to him rather: but he shal not returne to me. † And Dauid comforted Bethsabee [ 24] his wife, and going in vnto her, slept with her: Who bare a sonne, and he called his name Salomon, and our Lord loued him. † And he sent by the hand of Nathan the prophete, [ 25] and called his name, Amiable to our Lord, because our Lord loued loued him. † Ioab therfore fought against Rabbath of the [ 26] children of Ammon, and wonne the kinges citie. † And [ 27] Ioab sent messengers to Dauid, saying: I haue fought against Rabbath, and the Citie of waters is to be taken. † Now ther∣fore [ 28] gather the rest of the people, and besiege the citie, & take it: lest when the citie shal be wasted of me, the victorie be a∣scribed to my name. † Dauid therfore gathered al the people, [ 29] and went forth against Rabbath: and when he had fought, he tooke it. † And he tooke the crowne of their king from his [ 30] head, in weight a talent of gold, hauing most pretious stones, and it was put vpon Dauids head. Yea & the praye of the citie he caryed away exceding much: † bringing forth also the [ 31] people therof sawed them, and drewe round about ouer them chariotes shod with yron: and he diuided them with kniues, and drew them through in forme of brikes: so did he to al the cities of the children of Ammon: and Dauid returned, and al the armie into Ierusalem.

CHAP. XIII. Amnon rauisheth Thamar. 20. For which Absalom killeth him. 37. and flyeth into Gessur.

AND it came to passe after these thinges, that Amnon [ 1] the sonne of Dauid loued the sister of Absalom the sonne of Dauid, being very beautiful, called Thamar, † and [ 2] was fond on her excedingly, so that for the loue of her he was sicke: because wheras she was a virgin, it semed vnto him had hard to doe any thing vnhonestly with her. † But Amnon [ 3] a freind, named Ionadab the sonne of Semmaa Dauids bro∣ther, a very wise man: † Who sayd to him: Why art thou so [ 4] worne away with leanenes the kinges sonne, day by day? Why doest thou not tel me? And Amnon sayd to him: I loue Tha∣mar the sister of my brother Absalom. † To whom Ionadab [ 5] answered: Lye vpon thy bed, and fayne sickenes: and when thy father shal come to visite thee, say to him: Let my sister Thamar, I pray, come to me, to geue me meate, and to make me broth, that I may eate of her hand. † Amnon therefore [ 6] lay downe, and began as it were to be sicke: and when the king came to visite him, Amnon sayd to the king: Let Tha∣mar my sister come, I besech you, that she may make in my sight two litle suppinges, and I may take meate of her hand. † Dauid therfore sent home to Thamar, saying: Come into [ 7] the house of Amnon thy brother, & make him broth. † And [ 8] Thamar came into the house of Amnon her brother: and he lay, who taking meale tempered it: and resoluing it in his sight she made suppinges. † And taking that which she had [ 9] boyled, she powred it out, and set it before him, and he would nor eate: and Amnon sayd: Put forth al from me. And when they had put forth al, † Amnon sayd to Thamar: Bring in [ 10] the meate into the parler, that I may eate of thy hand. Thamar therfore tooke the suppinges, which she had made, and ca∣ryed it in to Amnon her brother in the parler. † And when [ 11] she had offered him the meate, he caught her, and sayd: Come, lie with me my sister. † Who answered him: Doe not so my [ 12] brother, doe not rauish me: for this is not lawful in Israel. Doe not this folie. † For I shal not be able to beare my re∣proch, [ 13] and thou shalt be as one of the foolish in Israel: but rather speake to the king, and he wil not denie me to thee. † But he would not rest at her petitions, but preuayling by [ 14]

force raui hed her, and lay with her. † And Amnon hated [ 15] her with exceding great hatred: so that the hatred was grea∣ter, wherewith he hated her, then the loue with the which before he loued her. And Amnon said to her: Arise; and goe. † Who answered him This euil, which now thou doest [ 16] against me expelling me, is greater then that which thou didst before. And he would not heare her: † but calling the [ 17] seruant, that ministred to him, he said: Thrust this woman our from me: and shut the doore after her. † Who was clothed [ 18] with a garment downe to the foote: for the kinges daughters that were virgins, vsed such kinde of garmentes. His seruant therfore thrust her out: and shut the doore after her. † Who [ 19] sprinkling ashes on her head, renting her long garment, and her handes vpon her head, went going on, and crying. † And [ 20] Absolon her brother sayd to her: hath Amnon thy brother lyen with thee? but now sister hold thy peace, he is thy bro∣ther: neither afflict thou thy hart for this thing. Thamar therefore taryed pyning in the house of Absalom her bro∣ther. † And when Dauid the king had heard these wordes, [ 21] he was greeued excedingly. † Moreouer Absalom spake not [ 22] to Amnon neitheir good nor euil: for Absalom hated Amnon because he had rauished Thamar his sister. † And it came to [ 23] passe after the space of two yeares, that the sheepe of Absa∣lom were shorne in Baalhasor, which is beside Ephraim: and Absalom called al the kinges sonnes, † and he came to the [ 24] king, and said to him: Behold t••y seruantes sheepe are to be shorne: Let the king, I pray, with his seruantes come to his seruant. † And the king said to Absalom: Doe not so my [ 25] sonne, request not that we come al, & charge thee. And when he was earnest with him▪ & he would not goe, he blessed him. † And Absalom said: If thou wilt not come, at the least let [ 26] Amnon my brother, I besech thee, come with vs. And the king said to him: It is not necessary that he goe with thee. † Ab∣salom [ 27] therefore was earnest with him, and he let Amnon and al the kinges sonnes goe with him. And Absalom made a feast as it were the feast of a king. † And Absalom had comman∣ded [ 28] his seruantes, saying: Marke when Amnon shal be drunke with wine, and I shal say to you: Strike him, and kil him, feare not: for it is I that command you: take courage, and play the valiant men. † Therefore the seruantes of Ab∣salom [ 29] did against Amnon, as Absalom had commanded them.

And al the kinges sonnes rysing gatte vp euery one vpon their mules, and fled. † And when they yet went on in their way, [ 30] a rumour came to Dauid, saying: Absalom hath stricken al the kinges sonnes, and there is not leift of them so much as one. † The king therfore rose vp, and rent his garmentes: [ 31] and fel vpon the ground, and al his seruantes, that stood about him, rent their garmentes. † But Ionadab the sonne [ 32] of Semmaa Dauids brother answering, sayd: Let not my lord the king thinke, that al the kinges sonnes be slayne: Am∣non only is dead, because he was put in the mouth of Absa∣lom since the day that he rauished Thamar his sister. † Now [ 33] therefore let not my lord the king put this word vpon his hart, saying: Al the kinges sonnes are slayne: because Am∣non only is dead. And Absalom fled: and the seruant that was the scoutewatch, lifted vp his eies, and looked: and behold much people came by a byway on the side of the mountayne. † And Ionadab sayd to the king: Loe the kinges [ 35] sonnes be come: according to the wordes of thy seruant so is it done. † And when he had ceased to speake, the kinges sonnes also appeared: & entring in they lifted vp their voice, and wept: yea the king also and al his seruantes bewailed with an exceding great weeping. † Moreouer Absalom [ 37] fleing, went to Tholomai the sonne of Ammiud the king of Gessur, Dauid therefore mourned for his sonne al daies. † And Absalom when he was fled, and come into Gessur, was there three yeares. † And king Dauid ceased to pursew [ 38] Absalom, because he was comforted vpon the death of Amnon.

CHAP. XIIII. Ioab suborning a woman first to propose the suite by a parable, 21. obtay∣neth pardon for Absalom. 24. but so that he appeareth not in the kinges presence. 25. He is exceding fayre, hath three sonnes and one daughter. 29. Ioab refusing to deale further for his free release, Absalom burneth his corne. 31. Then Ioab procureth his accesse to the king.

AND Ioab the sonne of Saruia, vnderstanding that the [ 1] kinges hart was turned to Absalom, † he sent to [ 2] Thecua, and tooke thence a prudent woman: and he sayd to her: Feyn e that thou mournest, and put on a mourning garment, and be not annoynted with oyle, that thou mayst be as a woman now along tyme mourning for one dead.

† And thou shalt goe in vnto the king, and shalt speake to [ 3] him these maner of wordes. And Ioab put the wordes in her mouth. † Therefore when the woman of Thecua was gone [ 4] in to the king, she fel before him vpon the ground, and adored and said: Saue me ô king. † And the king sayd to her: What [ 5] matter hast thou? Who answered: Alas, I am a widow wo∣man: for my husband is dead. † And thy handmaide had [ 6] two sonnes: who fel at wordes against eche other in the field, and there was none to stay them: and the one stroke the other, and slew him. † And behold the whole kinred rysing against [ 7] thy handmaide, saith: Deliuer him that hath striken his bro∣ther that we may kil him for the life of his brother, whom he hath slayne, and may cleane destroy the heire: and they seeke to extingnish my sparkle, which is leift, that there may no name remaine to my husband, nor reliques vpon the earth. † And the king said to the woman: Goe into thy house, and [ 8] I wil geue commandement for thee. † And the woman of [ 9] Thecua said to the king: Vpon me, my lord, be the iniquitie, and vpon the house of my father: but be the king and his throne innocent. † And the king said: He that shal gaynesay [ 10] thee bring him to me, & he shal adde no more to touch thee. † Who sayd: Let the king remember our Lord his God, that [ 11] the next of bloud be not multiplied to reuenge, and that they kil not my sonne. Who sayd: Our Lord liueth, there shal not fal of the heares of thy sonne vpon the earth. † The woman [ 12] therefore sayd: Let thy handmayde speake to my lord the king a word. † And he sayd: Speake. † And the woman [ 13] sayd: Why hast thou thought such a thing agaynst the people of God, and why hath the king spoken this word, that he would sinne, and not bring againe his banished one? † We [ 14] doe al dye, and as waters that returne not, we fal downe on the earth: neither wil God haue a soule to perish, bur reuo∣keth, meaning that he perish not altogether that is cast of. † Now therefore I come, that I may speake to my lord the [ 15] king this word, the people being present. And thy handmayd sayd: I wil speake to the king, if by any meanes the king may doe the word of his handmaide. † And the king hath heard, [ 16] to deliuer his handmaide out of the hand of al, that would destroy me out of the inheritance of our Lord, and my sonne together. † Let thy handmaide therefore say, that the word [ 17] of my lord the king be made as a sacrifice. For euen as an

Angel of God, so is my lord the king, that he is moued neither with blessing nor cursing: Wherefore our Lord also thy God is with thee. † And the king answering, sayd to the woman: [ 18] Hide not from me the thing that I aske thee. And the woman sayd to him: Speake my lord king. † And the king sayd: Is [ 19] the hand of Ioab with thee in al these thinges? The woman answered, and sayd: By the health of thy soule, my lord king, it is neither on the left hand, nor on the right of al these thinges, which my lord the king hath spokeu: for thy seruant Ioab, he commanded me, and he put al these wordes into the mouth of thy handmayde. † That I should change the forme [ 20] of this speach, thy seruant Ioab commanded this: and thou my lord king, art wise, as an Angel of God hath wisdom, that thou vnderstandest al thinges vpon the earth. † And the king [ 21] sayd to Ioab: Behold I being pacified haue done thy word: Goe therefore, and cal agayne the boy Absalom. † And Ioab [ 22] falling vpon his face vnto the earth, adored, and :: 1.360 blessed the king: and Ioab sayd: This day thy seruant hath vnderstood, that I haue found grace in thy sight my lord king: for thou hast done the word of thy seruant. † Ioab therefore arose [ 23] and went into Gessur, and brought Absalom into Ierusalem. † But the king sayd: Let him returne into his house, and not [ 24] see my face. Absalom therefore returned into his house, and the kings face he saw not. † Moreouer like as Absalom, there [ 25] was not a man in al Israel so beautiful, and exceding comelie: from the sole of the foote to the crowne there was no ble∣mish in him. † And when he powled his heare (once a yeare [ 26] he was powled, because his bush did burden him) he weighed the heare of his head at two hundred sicles, of the common weight. † And there were borne to Absalom :: 1.361 three son∣nes: [ 27] and one daughter, named Thamar, of a goodly beautie. † And Absalom abode in Ierusalem two yeares, and saw not [ 28] the kinges face. † He therefore sent to Ioab, to send him to [ 29] the king: who would not come to him: And when he had sent the second time, and he would not come to him, † he [ 30] sayd to his seruantes: You know the filde of Ioab beside my filde, that hath barley haruest: goe therefore and burne it with fyre. The seruantes therefore of Absalom burnt the corne with fyre. And Ioabs seruantes coming, renting their garmentes, sayd: The seruantes of Absalom haue burnt part of the filde with fyre. † And Ioab arose, & came to Absalom [ 31]

in his house, & sayd: Why haue thy seruantes burnt my corne with fire? † And Absalom answered Ioab: I sent to thee be∣seching [ 32] thee that thou wouldest come vnto me, and I might send thee to the king, and thou shouldest say to him: Where∣fore came I out of Gessur? It was better for me to be there: I besech thee therefore that I may see the face of the king: & if he be mindeful of mine iniquitie, let him kil me. † Ioab [ 33] therefore entring in to the king, told him al thinges: and Absalom was called, and he entered in to the king: and ado∣red vpon the face of the earth before him: and the king kissed Absalom.

CHAP. XV. Absalom getteth fauour of the people, 7. and conspireth in Hebron agaynst his father. 14. VVho fleeing, 19. With difficultie permitteth Ethai a stranger to goe with him: 24. but sendeth Sadoc, and other priestes and leuites with the arke back into the citie. 31. Sendeth Chusat to defeate Achitophels counsel.

THEREFORE after these thinges Absalom made him [ 1] self chariotes, and horsemen, and fiftie men, that should goe before him. † And Absalom rising early, stoode beside [ 2] the entrance of the gate, and euerie man that had busines to the kinges iudgement, did Absalom cal to him, and sayd: Of what citie art thou? Who answering sayd: Of such a tribe of Israel am I thy seruant. † And Absalom answered him: Thy [ 3] wordes seeme vnto me good and iust. But there is none to heare thee appointed of the king. And Absalom sayd: † Oh [ 4] who would appoint me iudge ouer the land, that al might come to me which haue busines, and I might iudge iustly? † Yea and when a man came vnto him to salute him, he put [ 5] forth his hand, and taking him, kyssed him. † And this did [ 6] he to al Israel coming for iudgement, to be heard of the king, and he intised the hartes of the men of Israel. † And after [ 7] fourtie yeares, Absalom sayd to king Dauid: Let me goe, and pay my vowes which I haue vowed to our Lord in Hebron. † For thy seruant vowing did vow, when he was in Gessur of [ 8] Syria, saying: If our Lord wil bring me againe into Ierusalem, I wil sacrifice to our Lord. † And king Dauid sayd to him: [ 9] Goe in peace. And he arose, and went into Hebron. † And [ 10] Absalom sent spies into al the tribes of Israel, saying: forth∣with as you shal heare the sound of the trumpet, sav ye:

Absalom reigneth in Hebron. † Moreouer with Absalom [ 11] there went two hundred men out of Ierusalem being called, going with a simple hart, and vtterly ignorant of the cause. † Absalom also sent for Achitophel the Gilonite, Dauids [ 12] counseler, from his citie Gilo. And when he immolated vi∣ctimes, there was made a strong conspiracie, and the people running together increased with Absalom. † A messenger [ 13] therefore came to Dauid, saying: Al Israel with al their hart foloweth Absalom. † And Dauid said to his seruantes, that [ 14] were with him in Ierusalem: Arise let vs flee: for there wil be no escape for vs from the face of Absolom: make hast to goe out, lest coming perhaps he ouertake vs, and force ruine vpon vs, and strike the citie in the edge of the sword. † And the kinges seruantes said to him: al thinges whatsoe∣uer [ 15] our lord the king shal command, we thy seruantes wil gladly execute. † The king therefore went forth, and al his [ 16] house on foote: & the king leift ten wemen his :: 1.362 concubines to keepe the house. † And the king going forth & al Israel on [ 17] their feete, stoode farre from the house: † and al his ser∣uantes [ 18] walked by him, and the legions Cerethi, and Phelethi and al the Getheites, valiant warriers, six hundred men which had folowed him from Geth footemen, went before the king. † And the king said to Ethai the Getheite: Why comest thou [ 19] with vs? returne and dwel with the king, because thou art a stranger, and art come forth out of thy place. † Yesterday [ 20] thou camest, and to day shalt thou be forced to goe forth with vs? but I wil goe whither I shal goe: returne, and leade backe thy brethren with thee, and our Lord wil doe with thee mercie, and veritie, because thou hast shewed grace and fidelitie. † And Ethai answered the king, saying: The Lord [ 21] liueth, and my lord the king liueth: for that in what place so∣euer thou shalt be, my lord king, either in death, or in life, there wil thy seruant be. † And Dauid said to Ethai: Come, [ 22] and passe. And Ethai the Getheite passed, and al the men that were with him, and the rest of the multitude. † And they al [ 23] wept with alowd voice, and al the people passed: the king also went ouer the Torrent Cedron, and al the people mar∣ched against the way, that looketh to the desert. † And Sadoc [ 24] also the priest came, and al the Leuites with him carying the arke of the couenant of God, and they sette downe the arke of God: & Abiathar ascended, til al the people was fully

passed, which was come forth of the citie. † And the king [ 25] sayd to Sadoc: Cary backe the Arke of God into the citie: if I shal finde grace in the sight of my Lord, he wil bring me a∣gayne, and wil show me it, and his tabernacle. † But if he [ 26] shal say to me: Thou pleasest me not: I am readie, let him doe that which is good before him. † And the king sayd to Sadoc [ 27] the priest: O seer returne into the citie in peace: and Achi∣maas thy sonne, and Ionathas the sonne of Abiathar, your two sonnes let them be with you. † Behold I wil be hid in [ 28] the champayne of the desert, til there come word from you aduertising me. † Sadoc therefore and Abiathar caryed backe [ 29] the Arke of God into Ierusalem: and they taried there. † Moreouer Dauid went vp mount Oliuet, climbing & wee∣ping, [ 30] going bare foote, and his head :: 1.363 couered, yea and al the people which was with him, their head couered went vp weeping. † And it was told Dauid that Achitophel also was [ 31] in the conspiracie with Absalom, and Dauid sayd: Infatuare o Lord I besech thee, the counsel of Achitophel. † And when [ 23] Dauid went vp to the toppe of the mount, wherein he would adore our Lord, behold there mette him Chusai the Ara∣chite, his garment rent and his head ful of earth. † And Da∣uid [ 33] sayd to him: If thou come with me, thou shalt be a bur∣den to me: † but if thou returne into the citie, and wilt say [ 34] to Absalom: I am thy seruant, o king: as I haue beene thy fathers seruant, so I wil be thy seruant: thou shalt defeate the counsel of Achitophel. † And thou hast with thee Sadoch, [ 35] and Abiathar the priests: and euery word whatsoeuer thou shalt heare from out of the kinges house, thou shalt tel Sadoc, and Abiathar the priestes. † And there are with them their [ 36] two sonnes Achimaas the sonne of Sadoc, and Ionathas the sonne of Abiathar: and you shal send by them vnto me euery word whatsoeuer you shal heare. † Chusai therefore the [ 37] frend of Dauid coming into the citie, Absalom also entred into Ierusalem.

CHAP. XVI. Siba bringing victuals obtaineth (by false suggestion) his maister Miphibo∣seths enheritance. 5. Semei curseth, and throweth stones at the king, who neuertheles forbiddeth to kil him. 15. Absalom entreth into Hierusalem, 16. intertayneth Chusai, 20. and by Achitophels aduise lieth with his fathers concubines.

AND when Dauid had passed a litle the toppe of the [ 1] Mount, Siba the seruant of Miphiboseth appeared coming to meete him, with two asses, which were loden with two hundred loaues, and a hundred bunches of raysens, an hundred masses of figges, and a bottel of wine. † And the [ 2] king said to Siba: What meane these thinges? And Siba an∣swered: The asses are for the kinges houshould to sitte on: and the loaues and the figges to eate for thy seruantes, and the wine to drinke if any man shal fainte in the desert. † And [ 3] the king said: Where is thy masters sonne? And Siba answered the king: He hath remained in Ierusalem, saying: This day wil the house of Israel restore me the kingdom of my father. † And the king said to Siba: :: 1.364 Let al thinges be thine that [ 4] were Miphiboseths. And Siba said: I besech thee let me find grace before thee, my lord king. † King Dauid therefore came [ 5] as farre as Bahurim: & behold there came forth thence a man of the kinred of the house of Saul named Semei, the sonne of Sera, and he proceded going forth, & cursed. † And he threw [ 6] stones against Dauid, & against al the seruantes of king Dauid & the whole people, & al the warriers went on the right, and the left side of the king. † And thus spake Semei when he [ 7] cursed the king: Come forth, come forth thou man of bloud, and man of Belial. † Our Lord hath repayed thee al the bloud [ 8] of the house of Saul: because thou hast inuaded the king∣dom for him, and our Lord hath geuen the kingdom into the hand of Absalom thy sonne: and behold thyne euiles presse thee, because thou art a man of bloud. † And Abisai the [ 9] sonne of Seruia said to the king: Why curseth this dead dogge my lord the king? I wil goe, and strike of his head. † And [ 10] the king said: What is it to me and you, ye sonnes of Saruia? Let him alone that he may curse: for our Lord hath :: 1.365 com∣manded him to curse Dauid: and who is he that dare say, why hath he so done? † And the king said to Abisai, and to al his [ 11] seruantes: Behold my sonne, that came out of my wombe, seeketh my life: how much more the sonne of Iemini? let him alone that he may curse according to the precept of our Lord: † if perhaps our Lord may respect mine affliction, and [ 12] our Lord may render me good for this dayes cursing. † Da∣uid [ 13] therefore walked and his companie in the way with him. And Semei by the banke on the hils side, went ouer against him, cursing, and casting stones against him, and sprinkling

earth. † The king therefore came, and al the people with [ 14] him wearie, and they were refreshed there. † But Absalom [ 15] and al his people entered into Ierusalem, yea and Achitophel with him. † And when Chusai the Arachite Dauids frend [ 16] was come to Absalom, he said to him: God saue thee ô king, God saue thee ô king. † To whom Absalom, is this, quoth [ 17] he, thy kindenes toward thy frend? why wentest thou not with thy frend? † And Chusai answered Absalom: Not so: [ 18] because I wil be his, whom our Lord hath chosen, and al this people, and al Israel, and with him wil tarie. † Yea that I [ 19] may adde this also, whom shal I serue? not the kinges sonne? as I haue serued thy father, so wil I serue thee also. † And [ 20] Absalom said to Achitophel: Consult what we ought to doe. † And Achitophel said to Absalom: Goe in to the concubines [ 21] of thy father, which he hath left to keepe the house: :: 1.366 that when al Israel shal heare that thou hast defiled thy father, their handes may be strengthened with thee. † They pitched [ 22] therefore a tent for Absalom in the house toppe, and he went in to his fathers concubines before al Israel. † And the coun∣sel [ 23] of Achitophel, which he gaue in those dayes, as if a man should consult God: so was al the counsel of Achitophel, both when he was with Dauid, and when he was with Absalom.

CHAP. XVII. Achitophel counselleth Absolom: presenly to assault his father with forces, 7. Chusai perswadeth the contrarie, 15. and secretly aduertiseth the king therof. 23. Achitophel hangeth him self. 25. Absolom appointeth Amasa general of his armie. 27. Other freindes bring victuals to the kinges campe.

ACHITOPHEL therefore said to Absolom: I wil choose [ 1] me twelue thousand men, and rysing I wil pursew Da∣uid this night. † And falling vpon him (for as much as he is [ 2] weary, and of weakened handes) I wil strike him: and when al the people is fled, that is with him, I shal strike the king being desolate. † And I shal reduce al the people, as one man [ 3] is wont to returne: for thou seekest one man: and al the peo∣ple shal be in peace. † And his saying pleased Absalom, and [ 4] al the ancientes of Israel. † But Absalom sayd: Cal Chusai [ 5] the Arachite, and let vs heare what he also sayeth. † And [ 6] when Chusai was come to Absalom, Absalom sayd to him: This maner of speache spake Achitophel: shal we doe it or no? What counsel geuest thou? † And Chusai sayd to Absa∣lom: [ 7]

It is not good counsel, that Achitophel hath geuen this time. † And agayne Chusai inferred: Thou knowest thy fa∣ther, [ 8] and the men that are with him, to be verie valiant, and of fel courage, as if a beare in the wood her whelpes being taken away should rage: yea and thy father is a man of warre, neither wil he abyde with the people. † Perhaps he lyeth [ 9] now hid secretely in caues, or in some one place where he list▪ and when any one shal fal in the beginning, there shal one heare whosoeuer shal heare it, & say: There is made a slaugh∣ter in the people that folowed Absalom. † And euerie one [ 10] of the most valiant whose hart is as it were alyons, shal fainte for feare: for al the people of Israel knowe thy father to be a valiant man, and that al be strong which are with him. † But this semeth vnto me to be good counsel: Let al Israel [ 11] be gathered to thee, from Dan to Bersabee, as the sand of the sea innumerable: and thou shalt be in the middes of them. † And we shal sette vpon them in what place soeuer they shal [ 12] be found: and we shal couer them, as dew is wont to fal vpon the earth: and we shal not leaue of the men, that are with him, not so much as one. † And if he shal enter into any ci∣tie, [ 13] al Israel shal cast ropes vpon that citie round about, and we wil drawe it into the torrent, that there be not found therof not so much as a litle stone. † And Absalom sayd, and [ 14] al the children of Israel: The counsel of Chusai the Arachite is better then the counsel of Achitophel: and by the wil of our Lord was the profitable counsel of Achitophel defeated, that our Lord might bring in euil vpon Absalom. † And [ 15] Chusai sayd to Sadoc and Abiathar the priestes: In this and this maner gaue Achitophel counsel to Absalom, and to the Ancientes of Israel: and I gaue such and such counsel. † Now therfore send quickly, and tel Dauid, saying: Tarie [ 16] not this night in the champayne of the desert, but without delay passe ouer: lest perhaps the king be swalowed vp, and al the people that is with him. † And Ionathas & Achimaas [ 17] stood by the Fountayne rogel: there went a maide and told them: and they went forward, to report the message to king Dauid: for they could not beseene, nor enter into the citie. † And a certayne boy saw them, and told Absalom: [ 18] but they making hast entered into the house of a certayne man in Bahurim, who had a wel in his court, and they went downe into it. † And a woman tooke, and spred a couering [ 19]

ouer the mouth of the wel, as it were drying sodde barley: and so the thing was not knowen. † And when Absaloms [ 20] seruantes were come into the house, they sayd to the woman: Where is Achimaas, and Ionathas? And the woman answe∣red them: They passed in hast, hauing tasted a litle water. But they that sought, when they had not sound, returned into Ierusalem. † And when these were gone, they went vp [ 21] out of the wel, and going on told king Dauid, and sayd: Aryse ye, and passe quickly the riuer: because this maner of counsel hath Achitophel geuen against you. † Dauid therfore arose, [ 22] and al the people that was with him, and they passed ouer Ior∣dan, vntil it waxed light, and not one at al was remayning, which did not passe the riuer. † Moreouer Achitophel seing [ 23] that his counsel was not executed, sadled his asse, and rose and went into his house and into his citie: and taking order with his house, :: 1.367 hanged him self, and was buried in the se∣pulchre of his father. † But Dauid came into the Campe, and [ 24] Absalom passed ouer Iordan, he and al the men of Israel with him. † But Absalom appoynted Amasa for Ioab ouer the [ 25] armie: and Amasa was the sonne of a man, which was called Iethra of Iezrael, who went in to Abigail the daughter of Naas, the sister of Saruia which was the mother of Ioab. † And Israel camped with Absalom in the Land of Galaad. [ 26] † And when Dauid was come into the Campe, Sobi the sonne [ 27] of Naas of Rabbath the sonnes of Ammon, and Machir the sonne of Amihel of Lodabar, & Berzellai the Galaadite of Ro∣gelim, † presented vnto him hanginges, and tapestrie, and [ 28] earthen vessels, wheate, and barley, and meale, and polent, and beanes, and rishe, and fryed pease, † and honie, and butter, [ 29] sheepe, & fatte calues▪ and they gaue to Dauid and the people, that was with him, to eate: for they suspected that the people with hunger and thyrst was faynte in the desert.

CHAP. XVIII. King Dauid disposeth his armie in three partes, geuing special charge to saue Absalom aliue. 9. VVhom neuertheles (hanging by the heares of his head in an oke) Ioab killeth: 16. and saueth the common people. 19. VVhich Dauid vnderstanding greatly bewayleth Absalom.

DAVID therfore hauing viewed his people, appointed [ 2] ouer them tribunes & centurions, † and gaue the third [ 1] part of the people vnder the hand of Ioab, and the third part

vnder the hand of Abisai the sonne of Seruia the brother of Ioab, and the third part vnder the hand of Ethai, who was of Geth: and the king said to the people: I also wil goe forth with you. † And the people answered: Thou shalt not goe [ 3] forth: for whether we shal flee, it wil be no great importance to them of vs: or whether the halfe part of vs shal fal, they wil not greatly care: because thou alone art accounted for ten thousandes: it is better therefore that thou be in the citie to ayde vs. † To whom the king said: What seemeth good to [ 4] you, that wil I doe. The king therfore stoode beside the gate: and al the people went forth by their troupes, by hundredes and by thousandes. † And the King commanded Ioab, and [ 5] Abisai, and Ethai, saying: :: 1.368 Saue me the child Absalom. And al the people heard the King commanding al the princes for Absalom. † The people therfore went out into the filde a∣gainst [ 6] Israel, & the battel was fought in the forest of Ephraim. † And the people of Israel was slayne there of Dauids armie, [ 7] and there was made a great slaughter in that day, of twentie thousand. † And the battel there was dispersed vpon the face [ 8] of al the earth, and there were manie moe, whom the forest had consumed of the people, then they whom the sword deuoured in that day. † And it chanced that Absalom mette [ 9] the seruantes of Dauid, sitting on a mule: and when the mule was gone in vnder a thicke oke and a great, his head stucke to the oke: and he hanging betwen heauen and earth, the mule that he rode vpon passed through. † And one sawe this & told [ 10] Ioab: saying: I saw Absolom hang vpon an oke. † And Ioab [ 11] sayd to the man that told him: If thou sawest him, why didst thou not nayle him to the earth, and I had geuen thee ten sicles of siluer, and one belt? † Who sayd to Ioab: If thou [ 12] wouldest pay downe in my handes a thousand peeces of siluer, I would not lay my handes vpon the kinges sonne: for in our hearing the king commanded thee, and Abisai, and Ethai, saying: Keepe me the child Absalom. † Yea and if [ 13] I had done agaynst my life boldly, this could not haue beene hid from the king, and thou wouldest haue stand agaynst it? † And Ioab sayd: Not as thou wilt, but I wil set vpon him [ 14] before thee. He tooke therefore three lances in his hand, and thrust them in the hart of Absalom: and when as yet he panted for life sticking on the oke, † there ranne ten [ 15] yong men the squyers of Ioab, and striking they killed him.

† And Ioab sounded the trumpet, and stayed the people, [ 16] that they should not pursew Israel fleeing, willing to spare the multitude. † And they tooke Absalom, and cast him in the [ 17] forrest, into a great pitte, and they heaped vpon him an exceding great heape of stones: but al Israel fled into their tabernacles. † Moreouer Absalom had erected to himself, [ 18] whiles he yet liued, a title which is in the kinges Valley: for he said: I haue :: 1.369 no sonne, and this shal be a monument of my name. And he called the title by his name, and it is called The hand of Absalom, vntil this present day. † And [ 19] Achimaas the sonne of Sadoc said: I wil runne, and tel the king, that our Lord hath done him iudgement of the hand of his enemies. † To whom Ioab said: Thou shalt not be mes∣senger [ 20] this day, but thou shalt carie the message an other day: to day I wil not haue thee carie the message, for the kinges sonne is dead. † And Ioab said to Chusai: Goe, and tel [ 21] the king what thou hast seene. Chusai adored Ioab, and ranne. † And againe Achimaas the sonne of Sadoc said to Ioab: [ 22] What letteth if I also runne after Chusai? And Ioab sayd to him: Why wilt thou runne my sonne? thou shalt not be ca∣ryer of good tydinges. † Who answered: But what if I runne? [ 23] And he said to him: Runne. Achimaas therfore running a nere way out went Chusai. † And Dauid sate betwen the [ 24] two gates: and the watchman that was in the toope of the gate vpon the wal, lifting vp his eies, saw a man running alone. † And crying out he told the king: and the king said: [ 25] If he be alone, there are good tydinges in his mouth. And he making hast, and coming neerer, † the watchman saw an [ 26] other man running, and crying alowde in the toppe, he said: There appeareth vnto me an other man running alone. And the king said: And this is a good messenger. † And the [ 27] watchman, I behold, said he, the running of the former, as it were the running of Achimaas the sonne of Sadoc. And the king said: He is a good man: and cometh bringing good newes. † And Achimaas crying, sayd to the king: God saue [ 28] thee ô king. And adoring the king before him flatte to the earth, he said: Blessed be our Lord thy God, who hath shut vp the men that haue lifted vp their handes against my lord the king. † And the king said: Is the child Absalom safe? And Achi∣maas [ 29] sayd? I saw a great tumult, when thy seruant Ioab sent, ô king, me thy seruant: other thing I know not. † To whom [ 30]

the king, Passe, sayd he, and stand here. † And when he had [ 31] passed, and stood, † Chusai appeared: and coming he sayd: I [ 31] bring good tydinges my lord king: for our Lord hath iudged for thee this day of the hand of al that haue rysen against thee. † And the king sayd to Chusai: Is the child Absalom safe? [ 32] To whom Chusai answering, sayd: Let the enemies of my lord the king become, as the child, and al that ryse against him vnto euil. † The king therfore being made sorie, went [ 33] vp into the high chamber of the gate, and wept. And thus he spake, going: My sonne Absalom, Absalom my sonne: who would graunt me that I might die for thee, Absalom my sonne, my sonne Absalom.

CHAP. XIX. Dauid moued by Ioabs admonition, 8. ceaseth mourning for Absalom, and reconcileth the rebels. 19. Semei is pardoned. 24. Mipbiboseth clereth him self of his seruantes false accusation, yet recouereth not his whole right. 32. Berzellai is courteously intreated. 40. The other tribes contend with Iuda for their affection to the king.

AND it was told Ioab, that the king wept, and mour∣ned [ 1] for his sonne: † And the victorie was turned into [ 2] mourning that day to al the people: for the people heard it sayd in that day: The king soroweth vpon his sonne. † And the [ 3] people shunned that day to enter into the citie, as a people tur∣ned, & fleing out of battel is wont to shrinke aside. † More∣ouer [ 4] the king couered his head, and cried with a lowd voice: O my sonne Absalom, o Absalō my sonne, o my sonne. † Ioab [ 5] therfore entring in to the king, into his house, sayd: Thou hast cōfounded this day the countenances of al thy seruantes, that haue saued thy life, and the life of thy sonnes, and thy daughters, and the life of thy wiues, and the life of thy con∣cubines. † Thou louest them that hate thee, and thou hatest [ 6] them that loue thee: and thou hast shewed this day that thou carest not for thy nobles, and for thy seruantes: and in deede I knowe now, that if Absalom liued, and al we had beene slayne, then it would please thee. † Now therfore arise, and [ 7] come forth, and speaking vnto them satisfie thy seruantes: for I sweare to thee by our Lord, that if thou wilt not goe forth, not one verely wil remayne with thee this night: and this shal be worse for thee, then al the euils, which haue come vpon thee from thy youth vntil this present. † The king [ 8]

therfore arose and sate in the gate: and it was told al the people that the king sate in the gate: and al the multitude came forth before the king, but Israel fled into their taber∣nacles. † Al the people also stroue in al the tribes of Israel, [ 9] saying: The king hath deliuered vs out of the hand of our enemies, he hath saued vs from the head of the Philistianes: and now he fled out of the land for Absalom. † But Absalom [ 10] whom we annoynted ouer vs, is dead in the battel: how long are you stil, and reduce not the king? † But king Dauid sent [ 11] to Sadoc, and Abiathar the priestes, saying: Speake to the Ancientes of Iuda, saying: Why come you last to bring backe the king into his house? (And the saying of al Israel was come to the king in his house.) † You are my brethren, [ 12] you my bone, and my flesh, why do you last bring backe the king? † And say ye to Amasa: Art not thou my bone, and [ 13] my flesh? These thinges do God to me, and these adde he, if thou be not the chiefe captayne of warfare before me al∣wayes for Ioab. † And he inclined the hart of al the men of [ 14] Iuda, as it were of one man: and they sent to the king, saying: Returne thou, and al thy seruantes. † And the king retur∣ned, [ 15] and came as far as Iordan, and al Iuda came as far as Gal∣gal to meete the king, and to bring him ouer Iordan. † And [ 16] Semei the sonne of Gera the sonne of Iemini of Bahurim made hast, and went downe with the men of Iuda to meete king Dauid † with a thousand men of Benjamin, and Siba [ 17] the seruant of the house of Saul: and his fiftene sonnes, and twentie seruantes were with him: and rushing into Iordan, † passed the fordes before the king, that they might helpe [ 18] ouer the kinges houshould, and doe according to his com∣mandement. And Semei the sonne of Gera prostrate before the king, when he had now passed Iordan, † sayd to him: [ 19] Impute not to me my lord the iniquirie, nor remember the iniuries of thy seruant in the day that thou my lord king wentest out of Ierusalem, nor put it in thy hart o king. † For [ 20] I thy seruant acknowledge my sinne: and therefore this day I am first come of al :: 1.370 the house of Ioseph, and am descended to meete my lord the king. † But Ab••••a•• the sonne of Saruia [ 21] answering, sayd: What shal Semei for these wordes not be slayne, because he reuiled the annoynted of our Lord? † And [ 22] Dauid sayd: What is to me and you ye sonnes of Saruia? Why are you made this day as satan to me? Shal there a man be

killed in Israel to day? Doe I not know that this day I am made king ouer Israel? † And the king sayd to Semei: Thou shalr [ 23] not die. And he sware to him. † Miphiboseth also the sonne [ 24] of Saul came downe to meete the king, his feete vnwashed, and his beard not pouled: and he had not washed his gar∣mentes from the day that the king went forth, vntil the day of his returne in peace. † And when he had mette the king [ 25] at Ierusalem, the king sayd to him: Why camest thou not with me Miphiboseth? † And he answering, sayd: My lord [ 26] king, my seruant contemned me: and I thy seruant spake to him that he should fadle me an asse, that getting on I might goe with the king: for I thy seruant am lame. † Moreouer [ 27] he hath also accused me thy seruant to thee my lord king: but thou my lord king art as an Angel of God, doe what pleaseth thee. † For neither was my fathers house ought els, but [ 28] guiltie of death to my lord king: and thou hast put me thy seruant among the guestes of thy table? What iust complaynt therfore haue I? or what can I further crie out to the king? † The king therfore sayd to him: What speakest thou any [ 29] more? That is determined which I haue spoken: Thou, and Siba diuide the possessions. † And Miphiboseth answered the [ 30] the king: Yea let him take al, for so much as my lord king is re∣turned peaceably into his house † Berzellai also the Galaadite, [ 31] coming downe from Rogelim, brought the king ouer Iordan, being readie also to attend on him beyond the riuer. † And [ 32] Berzellai the Galaadite was verie old, that is to say, of foure score yeares, and he gaue the king victuals, when he abode in the Fild: for he was an exceding rich man. † The king ther∣fore [ 33] sayd to Berzellai: Come with me, that thou mayst rest secure with me in Ierusalem. † And Berzellai sayd to the [ 34] king: How manie are the daies of the yeares of my life, that I should goe vp with the king into Ierusalem? † I am this [ 35] day foure score yeares old, are my senses quicke to discerne sweete, or sowre? or can meate or drinke delight thy seruant? or can I heare more the voyce of singing men and singing wemen? Why should thy seruant be a burden to my lord the king? † I thy seruant wil goe forward a litle from Iordan [ 36] with thee: I neede not this recompense, † but I besech thee [ 37] that I thy seruant may returne, and die in my citie, and be buried by the sepulchre of my father, and my mother. But there is thy seruant Chamaam, let him goe with thee, my lord

king, and doe to him whatsoeuer semeth good to thee. † The [ 38] king therfore sayd to him: Let Chamaam passe on with me, and I wil doe for him whatsoeuer shal please thee, and al, that thou shalt aske of me, thou shalt obtayne. † And when al [ 39] the people and the king had passed Iordan, the king kissed Berzellai, and blessed him: and he returned into his place. † The king therfore passed into Galgal, and Chamaam with [ 40] him, and al the people of Iuda had brought ouer the king, and the halfe part onlie of the people of Israel were present. † Therfore al the men of Israel concurring to the king, sayd [ 41] to him: Why haue our brethren the men of Iuda stolen thee, and brought the king and his houshould ouer Iordan, and al the men of Dauid with him? † And euerie man of Iuda an∣swered [ 42] the men of Israel. Because the king is neerer to me: why art thou angrie for this matter? haue we eaten any thing of the kinges, or were there giftes geuen vs? † And [ 43] a certayne man of Israel answered the men of Iuda, and sayd: I am greater by ten partes with the king, & to me pertayneth Dauid more then to thee: Why hast thou done me wrong, and it was not told me first, that I might bring backe my king? And the men of Iuda answered more sharply then the men of Israel.

CHAP. XX. Seba raiseth rebellion, is pursued by Ioab, (10. VVho in the way trecherously killeth Amasa,) 13. Abela is besieged, because Seba saueth him self there. 20. but his head being cut of and cast ouer the wal to Ioab, the armie de∣parteth. 23. Chief men in office are mentioned.

IT chanced also that there was there a man of Belial, [ 1] named Seba, the sonne of Bochri, a man of Iemini: and he sounded the trumpet, and sayd: We haue no part in Dauid, nor inheritance in the sonne of Isai: Returne into thy taber∣nacles Israel. † And al Israel was separated from Dauid, and [ 2] folowed Seba the sonne of Bochri: but the men of Iuda stucke to their king from Iordan vnto Ierusalem. † And [ 3] when the king was come into his house to Ierusalem, he tooke the ten wemen his concubines, which he had leift to keepe the house, and he deliuered them into custodie, allow∣ing them victuals: and he went not in vnto them, but they were shut vp vntil the day of their death liuing in widow∣hood. † And the king sayd to Amasa: Cal me together al the [ 4]

men of Iuda agaynst the third day, and be thou present. † Amasa therfore went to cal together Iuda, and taryed [ 5] beyond the time appoynted which the king had assigned him. † And Dauid sayd to Abisai: Now wil Seba the sonne [ 6] of Bochri more astlict vs, then Absalom: take therefore the seruantes of thy Lord, and pursew him, lest perhaps he finde fensed cities, & escape vs. † There went forth therfore with [ 7] him Ioabs men, Cerethi also and Phelethi: and al the strong men yssued forth of Ierusalem to pursew Seba the sonne of Bochri. † And when they were beside the great stone, which [ 8] is in Gabaon, Amasa coming mette them. Moreouer Ioab was clothed with a strayte cote according to the measure of his stature, and vpon it girded with a sword hanging downe to the flanke, in a scabbarde, which being made for the pur∣pose could with light mouing come sorth and strike. † Ioab [ 9] therfore sayd to Amasa: God saue thee my brother. And he held with his right hand the chinne of Amasa, as it were kis∣sing him. † But Amasa marked not the sword, which Ioab [ 10] had, who strick him in the side, and powred out his bowels on the ground, neither added he the second wound, and he dyed. And Ioab, and Abisai his brother pursewed Seba the sonne of Bochri. † In the meane time certayne men, when [ 11] they stoode by the carcasse of Amasa, Ioabs company, sayd: Loe he that would haue beene for Ioab the companion of Dauid. † And Amasa embrewed with bloud, lay in the middes [ 12] of the way. A certayne man saw this that al the people stayed to see him, and he remoued Amasa out of the way into the filde, and couered him with a garment, that they which passed might not stay because of him. † He therefore being [ 13] remoued out of the way, euery man passed folowing Ioab to pursew Seba the sonne of Bochri. † Moreouer he had passed [ 14] through al the tribes of Israel vnto Abela, and Bethmaaca: and al the chosen men were gathered together vnto him. † They therfore came, and assaulted him in Abela, and in [ 15] Bethmaaca, and they compassed the citie with munitions, and the citie was besieged: and al the multitude, that was with Ioab, laboured to destroy the walles. † And a wise [ 16] woman cryed out from the citie: Heare ye, heareye, tel Ioab: Approche hither, and I wil speake with thee. † Who when [ 17] he was come to her, she sayd to him: Art thou Ioab? And he answered, I am. To whom she spake thus: Heare the wordes

of thy handmayd. Who answered: I doe heare. † And she [ 18] agayne sayd: A saying was vsed in the old prouerbe: They that aske, let them aske in Abela: and so they prospered. † Am not I she that answer truth in Israel, and thou seekest [ 19] to subuert the citie, & to ouerthrowe a mother citie in Israel? Why throwest thou downe hedlong the inheritance of our Lord? † And Ioab answering, sayd: God sorbid, God sorbid [ 20] that I should, I do not throw downe, nor destroy. † The matter is not so, but a man of mount Ephraim, Seba the sonne of Bochri by name, hath lifted vp his hand agaynst king Dauid: Deliuer him onlie, and we wil depart from the citie. And the woman sayd to Ioab: Behold his head shal be throwen to thee of the wal. † She therfore went to al the [ 22] people, and spake to them wisely: who threw the head of Seba the sonne of Bochri being cut of, to Ioab. And he soun∣ded the trumpet, and they departed from the citie, euery one into their tabernacles: and Ioab returned to Ierusalem vnto the king. † Ioab therfore was ouer al the armie of Israel: and [ 23] Banaias the sonne of Ioiada ouer the Cheretheites and Phe∣letheites. † But Aduram ouer the tributes: moreouer Iosa∣phat [ 24] the sonne of Ahilud, was register. † And Siua, a scribe: [ 25] and Sadoc and Abiathar, priestes. † And Ira the ••ai••ite was [ 26] the :: 1.371 priest of Dauid.

CHAP. XXI. E••mine oppressing Isiael three yeares, for the sinne of Saul agaynst the Gabao∣nites, 6. seuen of Saulsrace (7. Miphiboseth saned) are crucisied. 12. Their bones with Sauls and Ionathas are buried in the Land of Beniamin. 15. Dauid hath foure great battels and victories against the Philistians.

AND there came a famine in the daies of Dauid three [ 1] yeares continually: and Dauid consulted the oracle of our Lord. And our Lord sayd: For Saul, and his bloudy house, because he slewe the Gabaonites. † The king therfore cal∣ling [ 2] the Gabaonites, sayd to them. (Moreouer the Gabaoni∣tes were not of the children of Israel, but the reliques of the Amorrheites: For the children of Israel had sworne to them,* 1.372 and Saul would strike them of zeale, as it were for the chil∣dren of Israel and Iuda.) † Dauid therfore sayd to the Gabao∣nites: [ 3] What shal I do for you? And what shal be the expia∣tion for you, that you may blesse the inheritance of our Lord? † And the Gabaonites sayd to him: We haue no [ 4]

question vpon siluer and gold, but agaynst Saul, and agaynst his house: neither wil we that a man be slayne of Israel. To whom the king sayd: What wil you then that I do for you? † Who sayd to the king? The man, that hath wasted vs and [ 5] oppressed vs vniustly, we must so destroy, that there be not so much as one leift of his stocke in al the coastes of Israel. † Let there be geuen vs seuen men of his children, that we [ 6] may crucifie them to our Lord in Gabaa of Saul, once the chosen of our Lord. And the king sayd: I wil geue them. † And the king spared Miphiboseth the sonne of Ionathas [ 7] the sonne of Saul, for the oth of our Lord, that had beene betwen Dauid, and betwen Ionathas the sonne of Saul. † The king therfore tooke the two sonnes of Respha the [ 8] daughter of Aia, whom she bare to Saul, Armoni, and Miphi∣boseth: and the fiue sonnes of Michol the daughter of Saul, which she bare to Hadriel the sonne of Berzellai, that was of Molathi, † and gaue them into the handes of the Gaba∣onites: [ 9] who crucified them on a hil before our Lord: and these seuen dyed together in the first dayes of haruest, when the reaping of barley began. † And Respha the daughter of [ 10] Aia taking a heare cloth, spred it vnder her vpon the rocke from the beginning of haruest, til water dropped vpon them from heauen: and she suffered not the birdes to teare them by day, nor the beastes by night. † And the thinges [ 11] were told Dauid, which Respha had done, the daughter of Aia, the concubine of Saul. † And Dauid went, and tooke [ 12] the bones of Saul, and the bones of Ionathas his sonne from the men of Iabes Galaad, who had stolen them out of the streate of Bethsan, in the which the Philistijms hanged them when they had killed Saul in Gelboe. † And he caried thence [ 13] the bones of Saul, and the bones of Ionathas his sonne: and gathering the bones of them, that were crucified, † they [ 14] buried them with the bones of Saul, and of Ionathas his sonne in the Land of Beniamin, in the side, in the sepulchre of Cis his father: and they did al thinges that the king had com∣manded, and God was made propitious agayne to the land after these thinges. † And there was a battel made agayne of [ 15] the Philistianes against Israel, and Dauid went downe, and his seruantes with him, and fought agaynst the Philisthijms. And Dauid faynting, † Iesbibenob, which was of the kinred of [ 16] Arapha, the yron of whose speare weyed three hundred

ounces, and he was girded with a new sword, assayed to strike Dauid. † And Abisai the sonne of Saruia reskewed him, and [ 17] striking the Philistian killed him. Then sware Dauids men, saying: Thou shalt no more goe forth with vs into battel, lest thou put out the lampe of Israel. † There was also a se∣cond [ 18] battel in Gob against the Philistians: then stroke So∣bochai of Husathi, Saph of the stocke of Arapha of the kindred of the gyantes. † There was also a third battel in Gob [ 19] agaynst the Philistians, in the which Adeodatus the sonne of the Forest a broderer the Bethlehemite stroke Goliath the Getheite, the shaft of whose speare was as it were a wea∣uers beame. † The fourth battel was in Geth: in the which [ 20] was a tal man, that had six fingers and six toes on eche hand and foote, that is fowre and twentie, and he was of the race of Arapha. † And he blasphemed Israel: and Ionathan the [ 21] sonne of Samaa the brother of Dauid stroke him. † These [ 22] foure were borne of Arapha in Geth, and they fel by the hand of Dauid, and of his seruantes.

CHAP. XXII. King Dauids Canticle of thankesg••uing, for his deliuerie from al enemies: 44. VVith a prophecie of the reiection of the Iewes, and vocation of the Gentiles.

AND Dauid spake to our Lord the wordes of this song, [ 1] in :: 1.373 the day that our Lord deliuered him out of the hand of al his enemies, and out of the hand of :: Saul. † And [ 2] he sayd:

Our Lord is my rocke, and my strength, and my sauiour.

[ 3] † God is my strong one, I wil hope in him: my shilde, and the horne of my saluation: my lifter vp, and my refuge: my sauiour, from iniquitie thou wilt deliuer me.

[ 4] † Our Lord prayse worthie wil I inuocate: and from mine enemies I shal be saued.

[ 5] † Because the pangues of death haue compassed me: the streames of Belial haue terrified me.

[ 6] † The ropes of hel haue compassed me: the snares of death haue preuented me.

[ 7] † In my tribulation I wil inuocate our Lord, and I wil crie my God: and he wil heare my voice out of his holie temple, and my crie shal come to his eares.

[ 8] † The earth quaked and trembled, the fundations of the

mountaynes were strycken, and shaken, because he was angrie with them.

[ 9] † A smoke arose out of his nosethrels, and a fyre from his mouth shal deuoure: coles were kindled from him.

[ 10] † And he bowed the heauens, and descended: and miste vnder his feete.

[ 11] † And he ascended vpon the Cherubins, and flew: and slidde ouer the winges of the winde.

[ 12] † He put darkenes round about him a couer: stilling wa∣ters out of the clowdes of heauen.

[ 13] † By the shyning in his presence: the coles of fire were kindled.

[ 14] † Our Lord wil thunder from heauen: and the high one wil geue his voice.

[ 15] † He shot his arrowes and dispersed them: lightning, and consumed them.

[ 16] † And the ouerflowinges of the sea appeared, and the fun∣dations of the world were discouered at the rebuking of our Lord. at the breathing of the spirit of his furie.

[ 17] † He sent from hygh heauen, and tooke me, and drewe me out of manie waters.

[ 18] † He deliuered me from my most mightie enemie, and from them that hated me: because they were stronger then I.

[ 19] † He preuented me in the day of my affliction, and our Lord became my stay.

[ 20] † And he brought me forth into latitude, he deliuered me, because I wel pleased him.

[ 21] † Our Lord wil reward me according to my iustice: and according to the cleannes of my handes wil he render to me.

[ 22] † Because I haue kept the wayes of our Lord, and haue not done impiously, from my God.

[ 23] † For al his iudgementes are in my sight: and his pre∣••eptes I haue not remoued from me.

[ 24] † And I shal be perfect with him: and shal keepe my self from myne iniquitie.

[ 25] † And our Lord wil restore vnto me according to my iu∣stice: and according to the cleannes of my handes in the sight of his eyes.

[ 26] † With the holie one thou shalt be holie: and with the strong perfect.

[ 27] † W•••••• the elect thou shalt be elect: and with the peruerse t••ou ••••••lt be peruerted.

[ 28]

† And the poore people thou wilt saue: and the hautie in thyne eies thou wilt humble.

[ 29] † Because thou art my lampe o Lord: and thou wilt illu∣minate my darkenes.

[ 30] † For in thee I wil runne girded: in my God I wil leap•• ouer the wal.

[ 31] † God, his way immaculate, the word of our Lord is exa∣mined by fyre: he is the shield of al that trust in him.

[ 32] † Who is God beside our Lord: and who is strong beside our God?

[ 33] † God who hath girded me with strength: and made euen my perfect way.

[ 34] † Making my feete equal with the hartes, and setting me vpon my high places.

[ 35] † Teaching my handes vnto battel: and framing myne armes as it were a brasen bow.

[ 36] † Thou hast geuen me the shield of thy saluation: and thy mildenes hath multiplied me.

[ 37] † Thou shalt enlarge my steppes vnder me: and myne ankles shal not fayle.

[ 38] † I wil pursew myne enemies, and bruise them: and wil not returne til I consume them.

[ 39] † I wil consume and break them, that they rise not: they shal fal vnder my feete.

[ 40] † Thou hast girded me with strength to battel: thou hast bowed vnder me them that resist me.

[ 41] † Myne enemies thou hast made to turne to me the backe: them that hated me, and I shal destroy them.

[ 42] † They shal crie, and there shal not be to saue, to our Lord, and he wil not heare them.

[ 43] † I wil destroy them as the dust of the earth: as the myre of the streates wil I bruise and breake them.

[ 44] † Thou wilt saue me from the contredictions of my peo∣ple: thou wilt keepe me to be :: 1.374 the head of the Gentiles: the people which I knowe not, wil serue me.

[ 45] † The children alienes wil resist me, with the hearing of the eare they wil obey me.

[ 46] † The children alienes are fallen away, and shal be strayte∣ned in their distresses.

[ 47] † Our lord liueth, and my God is blessed: and the strong God of my saluation shal be exalted.

[ 48]

† God which geuest me reuenges, and throwest downe peoples vnder me.

[ 49] † Which bringest me out from myne enemies, and from them that resist me dost lift me vp: from the wicked man thou shalt deliuer me.

[ 50] † Therfore wil I confesse vnto thee o Lord among the Gentiles, and wil sing to thy name.

[ 51] † Magnifying the saluations of his king, and doing mercie to his Christ Dauid, and to his seede for euer.

CHAP. XXIII. The last wordes of Dauid concerning reward of the good, 6. and punishment of the bad. 8. A Catalogue of Dauids valiant men.

AND these are Dauides last wordes. Dauid the sonne of [ 1] Isai sayd: The man sayd, to whom it was appointed concerning the Christ of the God of Iacob, the excellent Psalmist of Israel: † The Spirit of our Lord hath spoken by [ 2] me, and his wordes by my tongue. † The God of Israel sayd [ 3] to me, the Strong one of Israel hath spoken, the Dominatour of men, the iust ruler in the feare of God. † As the light of [ 4] the mourning when the sunne ryseth, early without cloudes glistereth, and as by rayne grasse springeth our of the earth. † :: 1.375 Neither is my house so great with God, that he should en∣ter [ 5] with me an eternal couenant firme in al thinges & assured. For al my saluation, and al my wil: neither is there ought therof that springeth not. † And transgressors shal be pluc∣l••ed [ 6] vp as thornes euety one: which are not taken with handes. † And if a man wil touch them, he shal be armed [ 7] with yron and a lance staffe, and kindled with fyre they shal be burnt vnto nothing. † These be the names of the valiantes [ 8] of Dauid. Sitting in his chaire the wisest prince amongest three, he is as it were the most tender litle worme of the wood, which killed eight hundred at one brunt. † After [ 9] him, Eleazar the sonne of his vncle the Ahohite among the three valiantes, that were with Dauid when they desyed the Philisthijms, and were gathered thither into barrel. † And [ 10] when the men of Israel were gone vp, he stood and stroke the Philistians til his hand faynted, and waxed stiffe with the sword: and our Lord made a great victorie that day: and the people, that was sled, returned to take away of the spoyles of them that were slayne. † And after him Semma the sonne of [ 11]

Age of Arari. And the Philisthijms were gathered togehter in their ward: for there was there a filde ful of rice. And when the people was fled from the face of the Philisthijms, † he stood in the middes of the filde, and defended it, and [ 12] stroke the Philisthians: and our Lord gaue great saluation. † Moreouer also before there went downe three which were [ 13] princes among thirtie, and came to Dauid in the haruest time into the caue of Odollam: and the campe of the Philistianes was placed in the Vale of the giantes. † And Dauid was in a [ 14] hold: moreouer the ward of the Philisthianes was then in Bethlehem. † Dauid :: 1.376 therfore desyred, & sayd: O that some [ 15] man would geue me drinke of the water out of the cesterne, that is in Bethlehem beside the gate. † Three valiantes ther∣fore [ 16] brake into the campe of the Philistianes, and drew wa∣ter out of the cesterne of Bethlehem, that was beside the gate, and brought it to Dauid: but he would not drinke, but :: 1.377 offe∣red it to our Lord, † saying: Our Lord be merciful to me, [ 17] that I doe not this thing: shal I drinke the bloud of these men that went, & the peril of their liues? Therfore he would not drinke. These thinges did the three strongest. † Abisai [ 18] also the brother of Ioab the sonne of Saruia, was prince of three, it is he that lifted vp his speare agaynst three hundred, whom he slewe, renowmed among three, † and the noblest [ 19] of three, and he was the chiefe of them, but to the three first he raught not. † And Banaias the sonne of Ioiada the most [ 20] valiant man of great workes, of Cabseel: he stroke the two lions of Moab, and he went downe, and stroke the lyon in the middes of the cesterne in the dayes of snow. † He also [ 21] stroke the Aegyptian, a man worthie to be a spectacle, hauing in his hand a speare: therfore when he came downe to him with a rod, by force he wrested the speare out of the hand of the Aegyptian, and slewe him with his owne speare. † These [ 22] thinges did Banaias the sonne of Ioiada. † And he renowmed [ 23] among the three valiantes, which were the nobler among thirtie: but vnto the three he raught not: and Dauid made him of his secrete counsel. † Asael the brother of Ioab among [ 24] the thirtie, Elahanan the sonne of his vncle of Bethlehem. † Semma of Harodi, Elica of Harori, † Heles of Phalti, [ 25 26] Hira the sonne of Acces of Thecua, † Abiezer of Anathoth, [ 27] Mobonnai of Husati, † Selmon the Ahohite, Maharai the [ 28] Netophathite, † Heled the sonne of Baana, he also a [ 29]

Netophathite, Ithai the sonne of Ribai of Gabaath of the children of Benjamin, † Banaia the Pharathonite, Heddai [ 30] of the Torrent Gaas, † Abialbon the Arbathite, Azmaueth [ 31] of Beromi, † Eliaba of Salaboni: The sonnes of Iassen, Io∣nathan, [ 32] † Semma of Orori, Ahiam the sonne of Sarar the [ 33] Ararite, † Eliphelet the sonne of Aasbai the sonne of Ma∣chati, [ 34] Eliam the sonne of Achitophel the Gelonite, † Hesrai [ 35] of Carmel, Pharai of Arbi, † Igaal the sonne of Nathan of [ 36] Soba, Bonni of Gadi, † Selec of Ammoni, Naharai the Be∣rothite [ 37] the squyer of Ioab the sonne of Saruia, † Ira the Ie∣thrite, [ 38] Gareb he also a ••ethrite, † Vrias the Hetheite. Al [ 39] thirtie seuen.

CHAP. XXIIII. For Dauids sinne in numbring the people, 11. three sortes of punishments are proposed to his election: 14. of which he chooseth the plague, and seuentie thousand die in three dayes. 16. God sheweth mercie. 17. Dauid prayeth. 18. buildeth an altar, 25. and the plague ceaseth.

AND :: 1.378 the furie of our Lord added to be angrie agaynst [ 1] * 1.379 Israel, and stirred vp Dauid among them saying: Goe, number Israel and Iuda. † And the king sayd to Ioab the [ 2] General of his armie: Walke through al the tribes of Israel from Dan to Bersabee, and number ye the people, that I may know the number therof. † And Ioab sayd to the king: Our [ 3] Lord thy God increase thy people, as much more as now it is, and agayne multiplie it an hundred fold in the sight of my lord the king: but what meaneth my lord the king by this kind of thing? † How beit the kinges word more preuailed [ 4] then the wordes of Ioab, and of the chiefe of the armie: and Ioab went forth, and the captaynes of the souldiars from the face of the king, to number the people of Israel. † And when [ 5] they had passed Iordan, they came into Aroer to the right hand of the citie, which is in the Vale of Gad. † And by Iazer [ 6] they passed into Galaad, and into the lower countrie of Hodsi, and they came into the wooddie countrie of Dan. And going about neere Sidon, † they passed nigh to the walles of [ 7] Tyre, and al the land of the Heueite, and the Chananeite, and they came to the south of Iuda into Bersabee: † and ha∣uing [ 8] viewed the whole land, after nine monethes and twentie dayes, they were come to Ierusalem. † Ioab therfore gaue [ 9] the number of the description of the people to the king, and

there were found of Israel eight hundred thousand strong men, that could drawe sword: and of Iuda fiue hundred thou∣sand fighting men. † But Dauids :: 1.380 hart strooke him, after the [ 10] people was numbred: and Dauid sayd to our Lord: :: 1.381 I haue sinned very much in this fact: but I pray thee Lord to trans∣ferre the iniquitie of thy seruant, because I haue done exce∣ding folishly. † Dauid therfore arose in the morning, and the [ 11] word of our Lord was made to Gad the prophete and Seer of Dauid, saying: † Goe, and speake to Dauid: Thus sayth our [ 12] Lord: :: 1.382 Choyse is geuen thee of three thinges, choose one of them which thou wilt, that I may do it to thee. † And when [ 13] Gad was come to Dauid, he told him, saying: Either famine shal come to thee seuen yeares in thy land: or three monethes thou shalt flee thy aduersaries, and they shal pursew thee: or certes three dayes the pestilence shal be in thy land. Now therfore deliberate, and see what word I shal answer to him that sent me. † And Dauid sayd to Gad: I am distressed exce∣dingly: [ 14] but it is better that I fal into the handes of our Lord (for his mercies be manie) then into the handes of men. † And our Lord sent the pestilence in Israel, from morning [ 15] * 1.383 vnto the time appoynted, and there died of the people from Dan to Bersabee seuentie thousand men. † And when the [ 16] Angel of Our Lord had stretched forth his hand ouer Ierusa∣lem to destroy it, our Lord had pitie vpon the affliction, and sayd to the Angel that stroke the people: :: 1.384 It is sufficient: now hold thy hand: and the Angel of our Lord was beside the floore of Areuna the Iebuseite. † And Dauid sayd to our [ 17] Lord when he saw the Angel striking the people: I am he that haue sinned, I haue done wickedly: these that are the sheepe, what haue they done? let thy hand, I beseche thee be turned agaynst me, and agaynst my fathers house. † And [ 18] Gad came to Dauid in that day, and sayd to him: Goe vp, and build an altar to our Lord in the ••••oore of Areuna the Iebu∣seite. † And Dauid went vp according to the word of Gad, [ 19] which our Lord had cōmanded him. † And Areuna looking, [ 20] perceiued the king and his seruantes to come towards him † And going forth he adored the king with his face bowing [ 21] to the earth, and sayd: What is the cause that my lord the king cometh to his seruant? To whom Dauid sayd: That I may bye of thee the floore, and build an altar to our Lord, and the slaughter may cease which rageth among the people.

† And Areuna sayd to Dauid: Let my lord the king take, and [ 22] offer, as it pleaseth him: thou hast the oxen for holocauste, and the wayne, and the yokes of the oxen for prouision of wood. † Areuna gaue al thinges to the king: and Areuna [ 23] sayd to the king: The Lord thy God receiue thy vowe. † To [ 24] whom the king answering, sayd: Not so as thou wilt, but I wil bye it of thee at a price, and I wil not offer to our Lord my God holocaustes :: 1.385 geuen gratis. Dauid therfore bought the floore, and the oxen, for fiftie sicles of siluer: † and [ 25] Dauid built there an altar to our Lord, & offered holocaustes and pacifiques: and our Lord became merciful to the land, and the plague was stayed from Israel.

THE ARGVMENT OF THE THIRD BOOKE OF KINGES.

VVITH commemoration of king Dauids old age, of his appoin∣ting a successour, and of his death, in the first and part of the se∣cond chapters, this booke conteyneth two other principal partes: the former is of king Salomon: of his entrance to the kingdom; his deuotion; wisdom; magnificence; richesse; great familie; building of the Temple; and other* 1.386 sumptuous palaces; of his fal also into luxurie, and idolatrie; in the rest of the second chapter to the end of the eleuenth. The other part sheweth the diuision of the kingdom; onlie two tribes remayning to Roboam, Salomons sonne, with title of king of Iuda; and tenne passing to Ieroboam his seruant, called king of Israel. So folow the seueral reignes of Abias, Asa, and Iosaphat kinges of Iuda: and of Madab, Baasa, Ela, Zambri, Amri, Achab with Iezabel, and Ochosias kinges of Israel: with the preaching, miracles, and other actes of Abias, Elias, Eliseus, and other prophetes▪ in the other eleuen chapters.

THE THIRD BOOKE OF KINGES; ACCORDING TO THE HEBREWES THE FIRST OF MALACHIM.

CHAP. I. King Dauid waxing old, Abisag a Sunamite is brought to him. 5. Adonias pretending to reigne, 11. Nathan and Beth••abee obtaine, 28. that Salomon is declared and annointed King. 41. VVherupon Adonias (his folowers parting to their houses) 50. fleeth to the altar in the tabernacle, but vpon promise of safe•••••• doth homage to Salomon.

AND king Dauid was old, and had manie daies [ 1] * 1.387 of age: and when he was couered with clothes, he was not warmed. † His seruantes therfore [ 2] sayd to him: Let vs seeke for our lord the king a yong woman a virgin, and let her stand be∣fore the king, and cherishe him, and sleepe in his bo∣some, and warme our lord the king. † They sought ther∣fore [ 3] a beautiful yong woman in al the costes of Israel, and they found Abisag a Sunamite, and brought her to the king. † And the damsel was exceding beautiful, and she slept [ 4] with the king, and serued him, but the king did not know her. † And Adonias the sonne of Haggith was eleuated, [ 5] saying: I wil reigne. And he made him self chariotes and horsemen, and fiftie men, that should runne before him. † Neither did his father controwle him at any time, saying: [ 6] Why didst thou this? And he also was very beautiful, the se∣cond borne after Absalom. † And he had talke with Ioab the [ 7] sonne of Saruia, & with :: 1.388 Abiathar the priest, who furthered Adonias side. † But Sadoc the priest, and Banaias the sonne [ 8] of Ioiada, and Nathan the prophet, and Semei, and Rei, and the strength of Dauids armie was not with Adonias. † Ado∣nias [ 9] therfore hauing immolated rammes and calues, and al satte beastes beside the Stone zoheleth, which was nigh to the Fountaine Rogel, called al his brethren the sonnes of the

king, and al the men of Iuda the seruantes of the king: † But [ 10] Nathan the prophet, and Banaias, and al the strong ones, and Salomon his brother he called not. † Nathan therfore sayd [ 11] to Bethsabee the mother of Salomon: Hast thou not heard that Adonias the sonne of Haggith hath reigned, and our lord Dauid is ignorant therof? † Now therfore come, take coun∣sel [ 12] of me, and saue thy life, and thy sonne Salomons. † Goe, [ 13] and enter in to king Dauid, and say to him: Didst not thou my lord king sweare to me thy handmayd, saying: Salo∣mon thy sonne shal reigne after me, and he shal sitte in my throne? Why then reigneth Adonias? † And whiles thou [ 14] art yet speaking there with the king, I wil come after thee, and make vp thy wordes. † Bethsabee therfore went in to [ 15] the king in the chamber: and the king was exceding old, and Abisag the Sunamite ministred to him. † Bethsabee bowed [ 16] her self, and adored the king. To whom the king sayd: What is thy wil? quoth he. † Who answering sayd: My lord, thou [ 17] didst sweare to thy handmayd by our Lord thy God, that Sa∣lomon thy sonne shal reigne after me, and he shal sitte in my throne. † And behold now Adonias reigneth, thou my lord [ 18] the king not knowing therof. † He hath killed oxen, & al fatte [ 19] thinges, and manie rammes, and called al the kinges sonnes, Abiathar also the priest, and Ioab the General of the warfarre: but Salomon thy seruant he called not. † Notwithstanding [ 20] my lord king, the eyes of al Israel looke vpon thee, that thou wouldest shew them, who shal sitte in thy throne my lord king after thee. † And it shal be when my lord king sleepeth [ 21] with his fathers, I and my sonne Salomon shal be :: 1.389 sinners. † As she was yet speaking with the king, Nathan the prophet [ 22] came. † And they told the king, saying: Nathan the prophete [ 23] is here. And when he was gone in to the king, and had ado∣red bowing to the earth, † Nathan sayd: My lord king, didst [ 24] thou say: Let Adonias reigne after me, and let him sitte vpon my throne? † Because he is gone downe to day, and hath im∣molated [ 25] oxen, and fattelinges, and manie rammes, and called al the kinges sonnes, and the captaynes of the armie, Abiathar also the priest: and they eating and drinking before him, and saying: God saue the king Adonias: † me thy seruant, and [ 26] Sadoc the priest, and Banaias the sonne of Ioiada, and Salo∣mon thy seruant he called not. † Is this word proceded from [ 27] my lord the king, and hast thou not told me thy seruant who

should sitte vpon the throne of my lord the king after him? † And king Dauid answered, saying: Cal vnto me Bethsabee. [ 28] Who when she was entered in to the king, and stood before him, † the king sware, and sayd: Our Lord liueth, which [ 29] hath deliuered my soule from al distresse, † that as I sware to [ 30] thee by our Lord the God of Israel, saying: Salomon thy sonne shal reigne after me, and he shal sitte vpon my throne for me, so wil I doe this day. † And Bethsabee bowing her [ 31] con••enance vnto the earth adored the king, saying: God saue my lord for euer. † King Dauid also said: Cal me Sadoc the [ 32] priest, and Nathan the prophet, & Banaias the sonne of Io••ad••. Who when they were entred in before the king, † he said to [ 33] them: Take with you the seruantes of your lord, and sette Sa∣lomon my sonne vpon my mule: and bring him into Gihon. † And let Sadoc the priest anoint him there, and Nathan the [ 34] prophet to be king ouer Israel: and you shal sound the trum∣pet, and shal say: God saue king Salomon. † And you shal [ 35] goe vp after him, and he shal come, and shal sitte vpon my throne, and he shal reigne for me: and I wil ordaine him that he be prince ouer Israel, and ouer Iuda. † And Banaias [ 36] the sonne of Ioiada answered the king, saying: Amen: so speake our Lord the God of my lord the king. † As our Lord [ 37] hath beene with my lord the king, so be he with Salomon, and make his throne higher then the throne of my lord king Dauid. † Sadoc therfore the priest, and Nathan the prophet [ 38] went downe, and Banaias the sonne of Ioiada, and Cherethi, and Phelethi: and they set Salomon vpon the mule of king Dauid, and brought him into Gihon. † And Sadoc the priest [ 39] tooke a horne of oile out of the tabernacle, and annointed Salomon: and they sounded the trumpet, and al the people said: God saue king Salomon. † And al the multitude went [ 40] vp after him, and the people singing on shaulmes, and re∣ioysing with great gladnes, and the earth sounded of their crie. † And Adonias heard, and al that were inuited of him, [ 41] and the feast was ended: yea and Ioab hearing the voice of the trumpet, said: What meaneth the crie of the citie ma∣king a tumult? † As he yet spake, came Ionathas the sonne [ 42] of Abiathar the priest: to whom Adonias said: Come in, be¦cause thou art a stout man, and bringest good newes, † And [ 43] Ionathas answered Adonias: Not so: for our lord king Dauid hath appointed Salomon king. † and hath sent with [ 44]

him Sadoc the priest, and Nathan the prophete, and Banaias the sonne of Ioiada, and Cerethi, and Phelethi, and they haue set him vpon the kinges mule. † And Sadoc the priest, and Na∣than [ 45] the prophete haue annointed him king in Gihon: & they are gone vp thence reioysing, and the citie sounded: this is the voice that you heard. † Yea and Salomon sitteth vpon [ 46] the throne of the kingdom. † And the kinges seruantes en∣tring [ 47] in, haue blessed our lord king Dauid, saying: God amplify the name of Salomon aboue thy name, and magnifie his throne aboue thy throne. And the king :: 1.390 adored in his bed: † and he hath thus spoken: Blessed be our Lord the [ 48] God of Israel, who hath geuen this day one sitting in my throne, mine eies seing it † They therfore were terrified, [ 49] and they al arose, that had beene inuited of Adonias, and euery man went his way. † And Adonias fearing Salomon [ 50] arose, and went, and held the horne of the altar. † And they [ 51] told Salomon saying: Behold Adonias fearing king Salomon, hath taken hold of the horne of the altar, saying: Let king Salomon sweare to me this day, that he wil not kil his seruant with the sword. † And Salomon sayd: If he be a good man, [ 52] there shal not so much as one heare of his fal vpon the ground▪ but if euil shal be found in him, he shal die. † King [ 53] Salomon therfore sent, and brought him out from the altar: and going in he adored king Salomon: and Salomon sayd to him: Goe to thy house.

CHAP. II. Dauid geueth godlie preceptes to Salomon. 5. willeth him to punish certaine offenders: 10. and dieth. 12. Salomon reigneth. 13. Adonias, by intercession of ••e••hsabee, requesleth to haue Abisag to wife: 22. but is put to death for demanding her. 26. Abiathar the priest is banished, and deposed, for conspi∣ring with Adonias. 28. Ioab also for the same cause, and former crimes is slaine. 36. Semei is confined in Ierusalem, 40. & for transgressing his limites, together with old faultes is likewise slaine.

AND the dayes of Dauid approched that he should die, [ 1] and he commanded his sonne Salomon, saying: † I [ 2] enter into the way of al flesh: take courage, and play the man. † And obserue the watches of our Lord thy God, that thou [ 3] walke in his waies, and keepe his ceremonies, and his pre∣ceptes, and iudgementes, and testimonies, as is written in the law of Moyses: that thou mayst vnderstand al thinges which thou doest, and whithersoeuer thou shalt turne thy selfe:

† that our Lord may confirme his wordes, which he hath [ 4] spoken of me, saying: If thy children shal keepe their waies, and shal walke before me in truth, in al their hart, and in al their soul, there shal not altogether be taken from thee a man out of the throne of Israel. † Thou knowest also what Ioab [ 5] the sonne of Saruia hath done to me, what he did to the two princes of the armie of Israel, to Abner the sonne of Ner, and Amasa the sonne of Iether: whom he slewe, & ••hed the bloud of warre in peace, & put the bloud of battel in his belt, which was about his loynes, and in his shoe, which was on his feete. † Thou shalt doe therfore according to thy wisdom, and [ 6] shalt not bring his hoare head peaceably vnto hel. † But to [ 7] the sonnes also of Berzellai the Galaadite thou shalt render kindnes, and they shal eate on thy table: for they mette me when I fled from the face of Absolom thy brother. † Thou [ 8] hast also with thee Semei the sonne of Gera the sonne of Iemini of Bahurim, who cursed me with a wicked curse, when I went to the Campe; but because he came downe to meete me when I passed Iordam, and I sware to him by our Lord, saying: I wil not kil thee with the sword: † doe not thou [ 9] suffer him to be guiltles. But thou art a wise man, so that thou knowest what thou shalt doe to him▪ and thou shalt bring his hoare heare with bloud vnto hel. † Dauid therefore slept with [ 10] his fathers, and was buried in the citie of Dauid. † And the [ 11] daies that Dauid reigned in Israel, are fourtie yeares: in He∣bron he reigned seuen yeares, in Ierusalem thirtie three.

† And Salomon sate vpon the throne of Dauid his father, [ 12] * 1.391 and his kingdome was confirmed excedingly. † And Adonias [ 13] the sonne of Haggith entered in to Bethsabee the mother of Salomon. Who said to him: Is thy coming peaceable? Who answered: peaceable. † And he added: I haue a word to speake [ 14] with thee. To whom she said: Speake. And he: † Thou know∣est, [ 15] quoth he, that the kingdom was mine, and al Israel had purposed to make me ouer them to be their king: but the kingdom is transposed, & is made my brothers: for it was ap∣pointed him of our Lord † Now therefore I desire one peti∣tion [ 16] of thee; Confound not my face▪ Who said to him: Speake. † And he said: I pray speake to Salomon the king (for he can [ 17] not denie thee any thing) that he geue me Abisag the Suna∣mite to wife. † And Bethsabee saied: wel, I wil speake 〈◊〉〈◊〉 thee [ 18] to the king † Bethsabee therefore came to king Salomon, to [ 19]

speake vnto him for Adonias: and the king arose to meete her, and adored her, and sate downe vpon his throne: and a throne was sette for the kinges mother, who sate on his right hand. † And she said to him: One litle petition I desire of thee, con∣found [ 20] not my face And the king said to her: My mother aske: for :: 1.392 it behoueth not that I turne away thy face. † Who said: [ 21] Let Abis••g the Sunamite be geuen to Adonias thy brother to wife. † And king Salomon answered, and said to his mother: [ 22] Why doest thou aske Abis••g the Sunamite for Adonias? aske for him also the kingdom: for he is my brother elder then I, & hath Abiathar the priest, & Ioab the sonne of Saruie. † Ther∣fore [ 23] king Salomon sware by our Lord, saying: These thinges doe God to me, and these adde he, because Adonias hath spoken this word against his life. † And now, our Lord liueth [ 24] which hath established me, and placed me vpon the throne of Dauid my father, and which hath made me a house, as he spake, this day shal Adonias be slaine. † And king Salomon [ 25] sent by the hand of Banaias the sonne of Ioiada, who slewe him, and he died. † To Abiathar also the priest the king said: [ 26] Goe into Anathoth to thy field, and thou in deede art a man of death: but to day I wil not kil thee, because thou didst carie the arke of our Lord God before Dauid my father, & hast su∣steyned labour in al thinges, wherein my father laboured. † Salomon therefore :: 1.393 cast out Abiathar, that he should not [ 27] be the priest of our Lord, that the word of our lord might be fulfilled, which he spake concerning the house of Heli in Silo. † And then a messenger came to Ioab for that Ioab had [ 28] turned after Adonias, and after Salomon had not turned: Ioab therfore fled into the tabernacle of our Lord, & caught the horne of the altar. † And it was told king Salomon, that [ 29] Ioab was fled into the tabernacle of our Lord, and was beside the altar: & Salomon sent Banaias the sonne of Ioiada, saying: Goe, kil him. † And Banaias came to the tabernacle of our Lord, and said to him: Thus sayth the king: Come forth. Who said: I wil not come forth, but here wil I die. Banaias reported his word to the king, saying: Thus spake Ioab, and thus he answered me. † And the king said to him: Doe as he [ 31] hath spoken: and kil him, & burie him, and thou shalt remoue the innocent bloud, which hath beene shed of Ioab, from me, and from the house of my father. † And our Lord shal render [ 32] his bloud vpon his head, because he murdered two iust men, &

better then him self: and slew them with his sword, my father Dauid not knowing, Abner the sonne of Ner general of the warfare of Israel, and Amasa the sonne of Iether general of the armie of Iuda: † and their bloud shal returne vpon the head of [ 33] Ioab, and vpon the head of his seede for euer But to Dauid and his seede and his house, and to his throne be peace for euer from our Lord. † Banaias therfore the sonne of Ioiada [ 34] went vp, and setting vpon him slewe him: and he was buried in his house in the desert. † And the king appoynted Banaias [ 35] the sonne of Ioiada for him ouer the armie, and Sadoc the priest he :: 1.394 placed for Abiathar. † The king also sent, and [ 36] called Semei, and said to him: Build thee a house in Ierusalem, and dwel there: and thou shalt not goe out thence hither and thither. † But what day soeuer thou shalt goe out, and shalt [ 37] passe the Torrent Cedron know that thou art to be slaine: thy bloud shal be vpon thy head. † And Semei said to the king: [ 38] The saying is good: as my lord the king hath spoken, so wil thy seruant doe. Semei therfore dwelt in Ierusalem, manie dayes. † And it came to pas••e after three yeares, that the ser∣uantes [ 39] of Semei sled to Achis the sonne of Maacha the king of Geth: and it was told Semei that his seruantes were gone into Geth. † And Semei arose, and sadled his asle, and went [ 40] to Achis into Geth to require his seruantes, and he brought them out of Geth. † And it was told Salomon that Semei [ 41] went into Geth out of Ierusalem, and was returned. † And [ 42] sending he called him, and said to him: Did I not testifie to thee by our Lord, and told thee before: What day soeuer thou going out shalt passe hither & thither, know that thou shalt die? And thou didst answere me: The saying is good, which I haue heard. † Why then hast thou not kept the oath of our [ 43] Lord, and the precept that I commanded thee? † And the [ 44] king said to Semei: Thou knowest al the euil, wherof thy hart is priuy to thy selfe, which thou dist to Dauid my father: our Lord hath rendred thy malice vpon thy head: † And king [ 45] Salomon be blessed, and the throne of Dauid shal be stable before our Lord for euer: † The king therfore commanded Banaias the sonne of Ioiada: who going out, stroke him, and he died.

CHAP. III. King Salomon marieth Ikaraos sister. 3. offereth Victims in high places. 5. admonished by God in his sleepe to demand what he wil, he asketh wisdom

to gouerne his people. 10. which God granteth him, with much richesse also and glorie. 16. He decideth a controuersie betwen two wemen conten∣ding about a liuing child and a dead.

THE kingdom therfore was established in the hand of [ 1] Salomon, and he was ioyned in affinitie to Pharao the king of Aegypt: for he tooke his daughter, and brought her into the citie of Dauid, vntil he accomplished building his owne house, and the house of our Lord, and the wal of Ieru∣salem round about. † But yet the people immolated in the [ 2] excelses: for there was no temple built to the name of our Lord vntil that day. † And Salomon loued our Lord, walking [ 3] in the preceptes of Dauid his father, sauing that he immolated in the excelses, and burnt incense. † He went therfore into [ 4] Gabaon, to immolate there: for that was a verie great excelse: a thousand hostes for holocaust did Salomon offer vpon that altar in Gabaon. † And our Lord appeared to Salomon in a [ 5] dreame by night saying: Aske what thou wilt that I may geue it thee. † And Salomon said: Thou hast done great mercie [ 6] with thy seruant Dauid my father, euen as he walked in thy fight in truth, and iustice, and a right hart with thee: for thou hast kept thy great mercie, and hast geuen him a sonne sitting vpon his throne, as it is this day. † And now Lord [ 7] God, thou hast made thy seruant to reigne for Dauid my fa∣ther: but I am a litle childe, and ignorant of my going out and coming in. † And thy seruant is in the middes of the [ 8] people, which thou hast chosen, a people infinite, which can not be numbred and counted for the multitude. † Thou [ 9] shalt therfore geue to thy seruant a docible hart, that he may iudge the people, & discerne betwen good and euil. For who shal be able to iudge this people, this thy people great in num∣ber? [ 10] † The word therfore was liked before our Lord, that Sa∣lomon had asked such a thing. † And our Lord sayd to Salo∣mon: [ 11] Because thou hast asked this thing, and hast not desired for thy self manie dayes, nor riches, nor the liues of thine ene∣mies, but hast desired wisedom for thy self to discerne iudge∣ment: † behold I haue done vnto thee according to thy wor∣des, [ 12] & haue geuen thee a wise hart and intelligent, in so much that 〈◊〉〈◊〉 before thee hath beene like thee, nor shal a••ise after thee. † Ye•• and these thinges, which thou di•••••• not aske, I [ 13] haue geuen thee: to witte, riches, and glorie, so that none

hath beene like thee ••••••••g the kinges al dayes hertofore. † And if thou wilt wall 〈◊〉〈◊〉 my wayes, and keepe my pre∣ceptes [ 14] and my ••••n mand••••••ntes, as thy father wa••k••••. I wil make thy dayeslong. † Therfore Salomon awaked, and per∣ceiued [ 15] that it was a dreame: and when he was come to Ieru∣salem, he stood before the arke of couenant of our Lord, and offered holocaustes, and made pacifique victimes, and a great feast to al his seruantes. † Then came there two wemen har [ 16] * 1.395 lottes to the king, and stood before him: † of the which one [ 17] said: I besech thee, my lord, I and this woman dwelt in one house, and I was deliuered of a childe beside her in the cham∣ber. † And the third day, after that I was deliuered, she also [ 18] was deliuered, and we were together, and no other person with vs in the house, except we two. † And this womans [ 18] childe died in the night. For sleping she oppressed him. † And [ 20] rysing in the dead tyme of the night, she tooke my childe from the side of me thy handmayd being aslepe, and layed it in her bosome: and her childe that was dead, she put in my bosome. † And when I was rysen in the morning to geue my [ 21] childe milke, he appeared dead: whom more diligently be∣holding when it was cleere day, I found that it was not mine which I bare. † And the other woman answered: It is not [ 22] so as thou sayst, but thy childe is dead, and mine liueth. On the contrarie part she sayd: Thou liest: for my childe liueth, and thy childe is dead. And in this maner they stroue before the king. † Then sayd the king: This woman saith, My childe [ 23] liueth, and thy childe is dead. And this hath answered, No, but thy childe is dead, and mine liueth. † The king therfore [ 24] said: Bring me a sword. And when they had brought a sword before the King, † Diuide, quoth he, the liuing child into [ 25] two partes, and geue the halfe part to one, and halfe to the other. † But the woman, whose childe was aliue, said to the [ 26] king (for her bowels were moued vpon her childe) I besech thee my lord, geue her the childe aliue, and kil it not. On the contrarie part she sayd: :: 1.396 be it neither mine, nor thine, but let it be diuided. † The king answered, and said: Geue [ 27] vnto this woman the infant aliue, and let it not be killed for this is the mother therof. † Al Israel therfore heard the [ 28] iudgement that the king had iudged, and they feared the king, seing the wisedom of God to be in him to doe iudge∣ment.

CHAP. IIII. Chiefe men of Salomons kingdom are recited by their names, and offices. 22. likewise the prouision of victuals for his house, 26. the number of his horses, 19. his wisedom excelleth al others. 3••. he writte manie parables and verses, and lernedly discoursed of al thinges.

AND king Salomon was reigning ouer al Israel: † and [ 1 2] these were the princes which he had: Azarias the sonne of Sadoc the priest: † Elihoreph, and Ahia the sonnes of Sisa [ 3] Scribes: Iosaph at the sonne of Ahilud, register: † Banaias the [ 4] sonne of Ioiada, ouer the armie: and Sadoc, and Abiathar prie∣stes. † Azarias the sonne of Nathan, ouer them that assisted [ 5] the king: Zabud the sonne of Nathan priest the kinges frend: † and Ahizar gouernour of the house: and Adoni••am the [ 6] sonne of Abda ouer the tributes. † And Salomon had twelue [ 7] gouernours ouer al Israel, which serued out victuals for the king and for his house: for euerie one ministred necessaries, eche man his moneth in the yeare. † And these are their [ 8] names: Benhur in mount Ephraim. † Bendecar, in Macces, [ 9] and in Salebim, and in Bethsames, and in Elon, and in Beth∣hanan. † Benhesed in Aruboth: his was Socho, and al the [ 10] land Epher. † Benabinadab, whose was al Nepha Dor, had [ 11] Tapheth the daughter of Salomon to wife. † Bana the sonne [ 12] of Ahilud gouerned Thanach and Mageddo, and al Bethsan, which is beside Satthana vnder Iezrahel, from Bethsan vnto Abelmehula ouer against Iecm••an. † Bengaber in Ramoth [ 13] galaad: had Auothiair the sonne of Manasses in Galaad, he was chiefe in al the countrie of Argob, which is in Basan, three score cities great and walled, which had brasen lockes. † Ahinadab the sonne of Addo was chiefe in Manaim. [ 14] † Achimaas in Nephthali: yea he also had Basemath the daugh∣ter [ 15] of Salomon in mariage. † Baana the sonne of Husi, in [ 16] Aser, and in Baloth. † Iosaphat the sonne of Pharue, in Isacar. [ 17] † Semei the sonne of Ela, in Beniamin. † Gaber the sonne [ 18 19] of Vri, in the land of Galaad in the land of Sehon the king of the Ammorrheite, & of Og the king of Basan, ouer al thinges that were in that land. † Iuda and Israel innumereble as the [ 20] sand of the sea in multitude: eating, and drinking, and reioy∣sing. [ 21] † And Salomon was in his dominion, hauing al the king∣domes with him from the riuer of the land of the Phili∣sthijms vnto the border of Aegypt: of them that offered him

presents, and serued him al the dayes of his life. † And the [ 22] prouision of Salomon was euerie day thirtie measures of floure, & three score measures of meale, † tenne fat oxen and [ 23] twentie pasture fed, & a hundred rammes, beside the venison of hartes, roes, and buffles, & fatted foule. † For he possessed [ 24] al the countrie, which was beyond the riuer, from Thapsa vnto Goza, and al the kinges of those countries: and he had peace on euerie side round about. † And Iuda and Israel [ 25] dwelt without anie feare, euerie one vnder his vine, and vn∣der his figtree, from Dan vnto Bersabe al the dayes of Salo∣mon. † And Salomon had fourtie thousand stalles of chariot∣horses [ 26] and twelue thousand for the saddle. † And the fore∣saide [ 27] gouernours of the king fed them: yea and the necessaries of king Salomons table they gaue forth with great care in their time. † Barley also and strow for the horses, and beastes, [ 28] they brought to the place, where the king was, according as it was appointed them. † God also gaue wisdom to Salomon [ 29] and prudence exceding much, and latitude of hart as the sand that is in the sea shore. † And the wisdom of Salomon passed [ 30] the wisdom of al them in the east, and of the Aegyptians, † and he was wiser then al men: wiser then Ethan the Ezra∣lite, [ 31] and Heman, and Chalcol, and Dorda the sonnes of Mahol and he was renowmed in al nations round about. † Salomon [ 32] also spake :: 1.397 three thousand parables: and his songues were a thousand & fiue. † And he disputed of trees from the ceder, [ 33] that is in Libanus, vnto the hyssop which cometh out of the wal: and he discoursed of beastes, and foules, and creeping wormes, and fishes. † And there came from al people to heare [ 34] the wisdom of Salomon, and from al the kinges of the earth, which heard his wisdom.

CHAP. V. Hiram king of Tyre granteth timber and workmen for building the Temple: Salomon allowing victuals, and paying wages. 13. the number of workmen and ouerseers.

HIRAM also the king of Tyre sent his seruantes to Sa∣lomon: [ 1] for he heard that they had auointed him king for his father: because Hiram had bene Dauids frend at al time. † And Salomon sent to Hiram, saying: † Thou know∣est [ 2] the wil of Dauid my father, and that he could not build [ 3] a house to the name of our Lord his God, because of warres

imminent round about vntil our Lord put them vnder the sole of his feete. † But now our Lord my God hath geuen me rest [ 4] round about: and there is no satan, nor il rencounter. † Wher∣fore [ 5] I purpose to build a temple to the name of our Lord my God, as our Lord hath spoken to Dauid my father, saying: Thy sonne, whom I wil geue for thee vpon thy throne, he shal build a house to my name. † Command therfore that thy [ 6] seruantes cut me downe cedres out of Libanus, and let my seruantes be with thy seruantes: and I wil geue thee the hire of thy seruantes whatsoeuer thou wilt aske, for thou knowest how there is not in my people a man that hath skil to hew wood as the Sidonians. † When Hiram therfore had heard the [ 7] wordes of Salomon, he reioysed excedingly, and said: Blessed be the Lord God this day, who hath geuen vnto Dauid a sonne most wi••e ouer this people so great in number. † And Hiram [ 8] sent to Salomon, saying: I haue heard whatsoeuer thou hast willed me: I wil doe al thy wil in cedre trees, and firre trees. † My seruantes shal bring them downe from Libanus to the [ 9] s••a▪ and I wil put them in boates in the sea, vnto the place, which thou shalt signifie to me; and wil land them there, and thou shalt take them: and thou shalt allow me necessaries, that there be meate geuen for my house. † Therfore Hiram [ 10] gaue Salomon cedre trees, and firre trees, according to al his wil. † And Salomon allowed Hiram twentie thousand cores [ 11] of wheate, for prouision for his house, and twentie cores of 〈◊〉〈◊〉 pure oile: these thinges did Salomon geue to Hiram euerie yeare. † Our Lord also gaue wisedom to Salomon, as he [ 12] spake to him: & there was peace betwen Hiram & Salomon, and both made a league. † And king Salomon chose work∣m••n [ 13] out of al Israel, and the taxed number was of thirtie thousand men. † And he sent them into Libanus, ten thou∣sand [ 14] euerie moneth by course, so that two monethes they were in their houses: and Adoniram was ouer this taxing. † And Salomon had seuentie thousand of them that caried [ 15] burdens, and eightie thousand hewers of stones in the moun∣taine: † besides the ouerseers which were ouer euerie worke, [ 16] in number three thousand, and three hundred that comman∣ded the people, and them that did the worke. † And the [ 17] king commanded, that they should take great stones, cho∣sen stones for the foundation of the temple, and should square them: † which the masons of Salomon, and masons of [ 18]

Hiram hewed: moreouer the Giblians prepared timber and stones, to build the house.

CHAP. VI. In the yeare foure hundred and foure score after the Israelites came from Ae∣gypt, Salomon, the fourth yeare of his reigne, begenneth to build the Te••••••e 2. The principal partes with the greatnes, forme, and ornamentes therof 〈◊〉〈◊〉 described. 38. It is in building seuen yeares.

AND it came to passe in the foure hundred and foure [ 1] score yeare of the coming forth of the children of Israel out of the Land of Aegypt, in the fourth yeare, the moneth Zio (that is the second moneth) of the reigne of Salomon ouer Israel, he began to build a house to our Lord. 〈…〉〈…〉 [ 2] the house, which king Salomon built to our Lord, had three score cubites in length, and twentie cubites in br••••••h▪ ••nd thirtie cubites in height. † And there was a porche 〈…〉〈…〉 [ 3] the temple of twentie cubites of length, according to the measure of the bredth of the temple: and it had ten cubites of bredth before the face of the temple. † And he made in [ 4] the temple * 1.398 oblique windowes. † And he built vpon the wal of the temple loftes round about, † in the walles of the [ 5] house round about the temple and the oracle, and he made sides round about. † The loft that was vnderneth, had fiue cu∣bites [ 6] of bredth, & the middle loft was of six cubites in bredth, and the third loft had seuen cubites of bredth. And he put beames in the house round about on the outside, that they might not cleaue to the walles of the temple. † And the [ 7] house when it was built, was built of stones hewed and per∣fected: and hammer, and hachet, and al the to••l•• of y•••••••• were :: 1.399 not heard in the house when it was built. † The doot•• [ 8] of the middle side was in the wal of the house on the r••••h•• hand: and by wynding staires they went vp into the middle row me, and from the middle into the third. † And he built [ 9] the house, and finished it: he couered also the house with seelings of cedre trees. † And he built a loft ouer al the [ 10] house fiue cubites of height, and he couered the house with cedre timber. † And the word of our Lord came to Salomon, [ 11] saying: † This house, which thou buildest, if thou wilt [ 12] walke in my preceptes, and doe my iudgementes, and keepe al my commandementes, going in them, I wil establish my word to thee, which I spake to Dauid thy father. † And I [ 13]

wil dwel in the middes of the children of Israel, and wil not forsake my people Israel. † Salomon therfore built the house, [ 14] and finished it. † And he built the walles of the house on the [ 15] inside, with cedre loftes, from the pauement of the house to the toppe of the walles, and to the roofes, he couered it with cadre trees on the inside: and he couered the floore of the house with boordes of firre. † And he built loftes of cedre [ 16] timber of twentie cubites at the hinder part of the temple, from the pauement to the higher partes: and he made the inner house of the oracle to be :: 1.400 Sanctum Sanctorum. † Moreouer the temple it self was fourtie cubites before the [ 17] doores of the oracle. † And al the house was couered within [ 18] with cede••, hauing roundels, and the ioyntes therof coning∣ly wrought and the engrauinges standing out: al thinges were couered with bordes: :: 1.401 neither could there a stone ap∣peare in the wal at al. † And he made the oracle in the middes [ 19] of the house, in the inner part, that he might put the arke of couenant of our Lord there. † Moreouer the oracle had [ 20] twentie cubites in length, and twentie cubites of bredth, and twentie cubites in height. And he couered and seeled it with most pure gold▪ and the altar also he decked with ceder. † The house also before the oracle he couered with most [ 21] pure gold, and fastened on plates with nailes of gold. † And [ 22] there was nothing in the temple that was not couered with gold: yea and al the altar of the oracle he couered with gold. † And he made in the oracle two cherubs of oliue trees, of [ 23] ten cubites in height. † One wing of a cherub of fiue cubites, [ 24] and the other wing of a cherub fiue cubites: that is, hauing tenne cubites, from the end of one wing vnto the end of the other wing. † Of ten cubites also was the second cherub: [ 25] in like measure, and the worke was one in both cherubs, † that is to say, one cherub had the height of ten cubites, [ 26] and in like maner the second cherub. † And he put the che∣rubs [ 27] in the middes of the inner temple: and the cherubs ex∣tended their winges, and the one wing touched the wal, and the wing of the second cherub touched the other wal: and the other winges in the middle part of the temple touched ech other. † He couered also the cherubs with gold. † And [ 28 29] al the walles of the temple round about he graued with di∣uerse engrauinges and caruing: & he made in them cherubs, and palme trees, and :: 1.402 diuerse pictures, as it were standing

out of the wal, and coming forth. † Yea the pauement also [ 30] of the house he couered with gold within and without. † And [ 31] in the entrance of the oracle he made litle doores of the tim∣ber of oliuetrees, and fiue corner postes. † And two doores [ 32] of oliuetimber: and he graued in them pictures of Cherubs, and figures of Palme trees, and grauen workes standing out very much; and he couered them with gold: and he couered as wel the cherubs as the palmetrees, and the other thinges with gold. † And he made in the entrance of the temple postes [ 33] of oliuetimber foure square: † and two doores of firre trees, [ 34] one agaynst an other: and either doore was duble, and so opened with folding leaues. † And he graued cherubs, and [ 35] palmetrees, and engrauinges appearing very much: and he couered al with golden plates in square worke by rule. † And [ 36] he built the inner court with three rowes of stones polished, and one rowe of ceder timber. † In the fourth yeare was the [ 37] * 1.403 house of our Lord founded in the moneth of Zio: † and in [ 38] the eleuenth yeare in the moneth Bul (that is the eight mo∣neth) the house was perfected in al the workes therof, and in al the implementes therof: and he was building it seuen yeares.

THE CONTINVANCE OF THE CHVRCH AND RELIGION IN THE FOVRTH AGE: FROM the parting of Israel out of Aegypt, to the fundation of the Temple. The space of 480. yeares.

VVE HAVE senne already in the three first ages, or distinct times of the world, the biginning, increase, and continuance of the Church and Religion of God, without interruption. Now in this fourth age, in which God gaue his people a written Law, it is yet more euident, that the* 1.404 same faith and religion, not only continued but also was more expressed, and explicated; and the Church had more varietie of Sacrifices, Sacraments, and other holie Rites, & Obseruances: & the two states Ecclesiastical and Temporal more distinguished, and ech of them, especially the Priestlie and Leuitical Hie∣rarchie, more disposed in subordination: the ciuil gouernment also vnder Dukes Iudges, and Kinges, more distributed among superiour and inferiour officers then before.

For first the principal point and ground of al religion, the beleefe in* 1.405 one God, and his proper diuine worship, is aboue al most stristly comman∣ded, often repeated, diligently obserued by the good, and seuerely punished in

trans gressours. To which end and purpose, after that God had singularly selected three more renowmed Patriarches, Abraham, Isaac, and Iacob, preseruing them by his special grace from idolatrie, and from wicked wayes of most peoples and nations, blessed their seede, not in the whole progenie of the two former, but in Iacob onlie, whom he otherwise named Israel, multiplying his children excedingly, yea most of al (which was most mar∣uelous) in holie persecution: then bringing them forth of the fornace of Egypt, in his strong hand, as is recorded in the former age, at last his Diuine Maiestie deliuered to them his perfect and eternal Law, contey∣ned* 1.406 in two tables, distributed into tenne preceptes, teaching them their* 1.407 proper duties first towards himselfe their God and Lord, then towards ech other. Adding moreouer for the practise and execution therof, other particu∣lar* 1.408 precepts of two sortes, to witte, Ceremonial prescribing certaine deter∣minate maners and rites, in obseruing the commandements of the first table per∣taining to God: and Iudicial lawes directing in particular how to fulfil the* 1.409 commandements of the second table, concerning our duties towards our neigh∣bours. So we see the whole law is nothing els, but to loue God aboue al,* 1.410 and our neighboures as our selues. The maner of performing al, is to beleue and hope in one onlie Lord God, honour and serue him alone, who made al of nothing, conserueth al, wil iudge al, and render to al men as they deserue, and therfore fully to confirme this point, he beginneth his commandements with expresse prohibition of al false and imaginarie goddes, saying (Exod. 20. v 3.) Thou shalt not haue strange goddes, & after* 1.411 threates to the transgressours, and recital of the other nine commandementes, he concludeth (v. 23.) with repetition of the first, saying: You shal not make goddes of siluer, nor goddes of gold shal you make to you. 〈…〉〈…〉 i•• repeted and explaned (Deut. 5.) And in the next chapter Moyses 〈…〉〈…〉 the people saith: Heare Israel, the Lord our God is one Lord. And God himselfe speaking againe sayth: (Exod. 23.) See ye that I am onlie, and there is no other God besides me. The royal prophet Dauid (2 Reg. 22. and Psalm. 17.) who is God but our God? and in sundrie other places the sene•• doctrine of one God is grounded, confirmed, and established.

The Misterie of the B. Trinitie, or of three Diuine Persons, is no lesse true* 1.412 and certaine, then that there is but one God, though not so manifest to reason, no•• so expressly taught in the old Testament, yet beleued then also, and often in inuaded, where God is expressed by names of the plural number: as Elobim, Elim, Elah••, Saddai, Adonai, Tsebaoth: which import pluralitie of Persons in God, who is b••••e one nature and substance. Distinction also of Persons in God 〈…〉〈…〉ced (Exod. 33.) God saying: I wil cal in the name of the Lord That is (as S. Augustin and other fathers expound it) the second* 1.413 Person by his grace maketh his seruants to cal vpon God. More distinctly

(Psalm. 2.) The Lord said to me: Thou art my Sonne, I this day haue begotten thee. (Psalm. 109.) The Lord said to my Lord: that is, God the Father to God the Sonne: who according to his diuinitie is the Lord of Dauid, according to his humanitie the sonne of Dauid. The same* 1.414 king Dauid maketh mention also of the third Person, the Holie Ghost pray∣ing (Psalm. 50.) Thy holie Spirit take not from me. In the forme of blessing the people (Num. 6.) al three Persons some to be vnderstood in the name of our Lord thrise repeted; our Lord (the Father) blesse thee and keepe thee. Our Lord (the Sonne) shew his face to thee, and haue mercie vpon thee Our Lord (the Holie Ghost) turne his countenance vnto thee, and geue thee peace.

Of the Incarnation of the Sonne of God, we haue in this age manie pro∣phecies* 1.415 and figures. Moyses euidently (Deut. 18) forsheweth that after other prophets Christ the Sonne of God should come in flesh, and redeme man∣kind, as S. Peter teacheth (Act. 3.) Likewise in his Canticle, and Blessing of the tribes (Deut. 32 & 33) he speaketh more expresly of Christ and his Church, then of the Iewes and thier Synagogue. The starre prophecied by Ba∣laam (Num. 24.) forshewed both to Iewes and Gentiles, that Christ should subdue al nations. Iosu•• both in name and office was a manifest figure of IESVS Christ, Also the Iudge, and Kinges, some in one thing, some in an other, most especially king Dauid and king Salomon, were figures of our Lord and Sauiour Iesus Christ. The brasen serpent (Num. 21.) sign fied Christ to be crucified, as him selfe expenndeth it (Ioan. 3.) Bri fly the whole Law was a pedagogue, or conductor to bring men to Christ (Galat. 3.) and by him to know God and them selues: to wit, God omnipotent, al perfect, Creator of al, our Father, Redemer, and Sanctifier: and man his chief earthlie creature; though of himselfe w••••k•• and impotent, yea through sinne miserable, yet in nature of free condition, indued wish vnderstanding, to conceiue, and discourse; and with freewil, to choose or refuse what liketh or displeaseth him.

For God appointing al creatures their offices, ingraffed in al other thinges* 1.416 inuariable inclination to performe the same, so that they could neither by vertue nor sinne make their state better not worse then it was created, but ordaining Angels and men to a higher end of eternal felicitie, left their wils free to agree vnto, or to resist his precepts, and counsels. VVherupon Angels cooperating with Gods grace were confirmed in glorie, and some reuoking were eternally damned. Man also offending fel into damnable state, but through penance may be saued, if he cooperate with new grace of our Redemer, which is in his choise to doe, or omitte. As when God gaue his people meate in the desert (Exod. 16.) he so instructed them, how to receiue it and vse it, without force or compulsion, that he might proue them (as himself speaketh)

whether they would walke in his law or no. And after making coue∣nant with them (Exod. 19. Deut. 26.) required and accepted their voluntarie consent: entring into formal contract or bargaine betwen him self and them: he promising on the one partie to make them his peculiar people, a priestlie kingdome, and a holie nation: they on the other partie promi∣sing loyaltie, obedience and obseruation of his commandements, saying: Al thinges that our Lord hath spoken we wil doe. For which cause Gods promises are conditional (Deut. 7.) if thou kepe his iudgements, God wil keepe his couenant to thee. Againe most plainly (Deut. 11.) Behold I sette before your sight this day benediction and maledi∣ction, and (Deut. 30.) I cal for witnesses this day heauen and earth, that I haue proposed to you life and death, blessing and cursing. Choose▪ therfore life that thou mayest liue. In al which it is certaine that Gods promise being firme, mans wil is variable, and so the euent not necessarie: which made Caleb hoping of victorie to say (Iosue 14.) if perhaps our Lord be with me. Neither doth Gods foreknowledge make the euent neces∣sarie,* 1.417 for he seeth the effect in the cause, as it is voluntarie or casual: yea God knoweth al before, and some times fortelleth thinges, vvhich conditionally vvould happen, and in deed (the condition fayling) come not to passe, as (1. Reg. 23.) God answered, that the men of Ceila would betray Dauid (meaning if he staied there) vvhich they did not; for he parted from thence.

Yet is not man able by this his freedome, nor otherwise of himself, to do,* 1.418 nor so much as to thinke anie good thing but through Gods mere mercie, and* 1.419 grace, geuen him without his deseruing, sufficient to al, and effectual to those that accept it. God also giueth particular grace for special functions; as (Leuit. 8.) to Priestes (Num. 11.) to seuentie ancients, and (1. Reg. 10.) to king Saul.

By vvhich diuine assistance the commandements of God are possi∣ble,* 1.420 as himselfe auoucheth, saying: (Deut. 30.) This commandment that I command thee this day is not aboue thee. Againe; I haue sette before thee life and good, death and euil, that thou mayest loue God, walke in his wayes, and keepe his commandementes.

Workes done by grace and freevvil are good and commendable, Moyses so testifing (Deut. 14.) This is your wisdome and vnderstanding be∣fore peoples. Yea are meritorious: and revvardes are promised for the same* 1.421 (Leuit. 26.) and contrariwise punishments threatned to the transgressours.* 1.422 And Booz knowing revvard to be due for vvel doing, prayed God to render to Ruth (ch. 2.) a ful reward for her wel deseruing. The royal prophet af∣firmeth (Psalm. 18.) that in keeping Gods preceptes is much reward. and (Psal. 118.) professeth that he inclined his hart to keepe them for reward.

Amongst other seruices of God, and meanes of mens saluation, external

Sacrifice is of the greatest. And therfore the maner of offering al sortes is a••* 1.423 large prescribed in the Law, especially in the seuen first Chapters of Leuiticus. The first and principal was Holocaust, wherin al the oblation was ••••rned* 1.424 and consumed in the honour of God our Soueraigne Lord. The second was Sa∣crifice for sinne, according to the diuersitie of offences and persones, wherof* 1.425 part was burned, the other part remained to the priestes, except it were for the sinnes of priestes, or of the whole multitude (Leuit. 4.) for then the priestes had no portion, but al was offered to God. The third was pacifique sacri∣fice,* 1.426 either of thanksgeuing for benefites receiued, or to obtaine Gods fauour in al occurrent necessities, and good desires. And of both these sortes one part was consumed in Gods honour, an other part was the priestes, the third was theirs that gaue the oblation. In confirmation of these sacrifices God at first miraculously sent fire to burne them (Leuit. 9.) wherof he had geuen commandment before (Leuit. 6.) that it should be conserued, and neuer ex∣tinguished,* 1.427 to teach vs especially of the new Testament, that haue the real Sacri∣fice, and verie hodie of the former shadowes and figures, to nourish and keepe the fire of charitie, not procured by our owne power, but geuen by God, that it neuer cease, nor be extinguished in our hartes.

Likewise in the same law of Moyses, besides▪ Circumcision instituted be∣fore* 1.428 (Gen. 17.) and here confirmed and continued (Leuit. 12. Iosue. 5) al ho∣stes and sacrifices for sinne (Leuit. 4. 5. 6. and 7.) consecration of Priestes, (Leuit. 8) and the sacrifices adioyned therunto, also diuers other washinges and purifications of legal vncieannes (Leuit. 14. 15. 16.* 1.429 and 17.) were al Sacraments; signifying either first iustification and re∣mission of sinne, or increase of grace, and puritie; of which sort it is also probable that the Paschal lambe, and Loaues of proposition were sa∣cramentes (Exod. 12. 25.) VVhich multitude S. Augustin comparing with* 1.430 ours of the new Testament, sayth: The people bound with feare in the old law, was burdened with manie sacraments. For this was* 1.431 profitable to such men (saith he) to make them desire the grace, foretold by the prophetes, which being come from the wisdome of God becoming Man, by whom we are called into freedom, a few most wholsome Sacraments are instituted, which hold the societie of christian people vnder one God of a free multitude. But as Christes sacraments are fewer in number, so they are more excellent in vertue. And to most of these new, the former do answere as figures and sha∣dowes.* 1.432 So to our Baptisme answereth Circumcision, as S. Paul teacheth (Coloss. 1.) that Christians are circumcised in the circumcision of Christ, buried with him in Baptisme. To our holie Eucharist, as it is a Sacrament, did answere the Paschal lambe, & Loaues of proposition, as also Manna, and bloud of the Testament. It was prophech••ed Psal. 18. Adore his

foote stoole: as holie Fathers expound it. And as the same Eucharift* 1.433 * 1.434 is a Sacrifice, it was prefigured by al the old Sacrifices of the law of nature, and of Moyses: as S. Augustin, and S. Leo do proue; and prophecied (Psal. 19.) Be he mindful of al thy sacrifice &c. To the sacrament of holie Orders answered consecration of Priests. Al the ablutions, purifications, cleansinges and oblations for sinne, which in great part were both Sacramentes and Sa∣crifices, answered to our Sacrament of Penance, which was also prefigured by the second tables of the decalogue. (Exod. 34.) More plainly forshewed by example of particular confession of sinnes and satisfaction (Num. 5. 14. and 29.) Contrition also was no lesse required, as appeareth by the example of king Dauid. 2 Reg. 24. Mariage in the old Testament, though not a sacrament yet signified the Sacrament of Mariage among Christians. But the Sacrament of Confirmation had not anie so answerable a figure, in the old law, which brought not to perfection. Neither Extreme vnction, because the law gaue not immediate entrance into the kingdome of heauen, which defectes were sig∣nified by the high priestes entring only once in the yeare into Sancta Sancto∣rum. Leuit. 16.

Likewise touching practise of holie Rites; diuers vncleannes hindering par∣ticipation* 1.435 of sacrifices, and conuersation with other men (Leuit. 14.) Degrees of consanguinitie and affinitie; hindering mariage (Leuit. 18.) and sundrie Irregularities excluding from the office of Priests (Leuit. 21.) were figuratiue resemblances of sinnes and censures, and of impediments to holie Orders, and to Mariage, in the new Testament.

To the peculiar seruice of God perteyned also the Tabernacle, with the* 1.436 Propitiatorie, Arke, Cherubims, Table for loaues of proposition, Candlesticke, Lampes, Altares for Holocaustes, & Incense, Vestments for Priestes, a brasen lauer, and other vessels described Exod. 29. et seq. Al which were kept and carried by the Leuites, resting or marching in the middes of the campe. Num. 2. 3. And when the Land of Chanaan was con∣quered, the same were fixed in Silo. Iosue 18. Whither the people resorted at certaine sette times, and vpon sundrie occasions. From thence long after they tooke the Arke; and often vpon diuers occasions remouing it, made Oratories, or Chappels, wheresoeuer it rested, deuotion increasing, & religious estimation of it in al Israel. 1. Reg. 4. 7. 10. Yea the infidel Philisthims in Azotus seing and feeling the vertue therof, ouerthrovving their god Dagon, and them selues sore plagued, found it best for them to send the Arke home to the Isra∣elites, not vvithout costlie and pretious oblations (1. Reg. 5. & 6.) King Dauid most specially honoring it (2. Reg. 6.) VVho further considering that himself dvvelt in a house of cedar, and the Arke of God remained in the tabernacle couered vvith skinnes, intended to build a more excellent house for God. 2. Reg. 7. But his godlie purpose vvas differred by Gods appointment, and

his sonne king Salomon builded the famous Temple in Hierusalem. 3. Reg. 6.

VVhich succeding in place of the Tabernacle, ech of them (one after the* 1.437 other) was the only ordinarie place of Sacrifice. The law commanding (Leuit. 17.) If anie man of the house of Israel, kil an oxe, or a sheepe, or a goate (towit for Sacrifice, as S. Augustin, and other fathers expound it)* 1.438 and offer it not at the dore of the tabernacle, (afterwards at the dore of the Temple) he shal be guiltie of bloud, as if he had shed bloud. and so shal he perish out of the middes of his people. Neuertheles* 1.439 vpon occasions, and by special reuelation sacrifice was lawfully offered in other places. For so in the time of the tabernacle, Samuel the prophet, offered Sa∣crifice in Masphath. 1 Reg. 7. And the prophet Elias offered Sacrifice without the Temple, vvhen he conuinced the false prophetes of Baal. 3 Reg. 18. whose fact (as S. Augustin noteth) the miracle sufficiently shewed to be* 1.440 donne by Gods dispensation.

And as pecultar places were dedicated, so also special times were sanctified,* 1.441 and diuers feastes, and festiuities partly ordained before (as the Sabbath. Gen. 2. and Pasch Exod. 12.) were confirmed by the Law (Exod. 20. 23.) and others likevvise instituted (Exod. 23. Leuit. 23. Num. 28. 29. and Deut. 16.) with proper sacrifices for euerie sort. First and most general was the dailie sacrifice of a lambe euerie day twise, at morning and euening (Exod. 29.) which was not properly a feast, but a sacred perpetual office in the tabernacle, and after in the temple. At the rest were festiual dayes, in which it was not* 1.442 lawful ordinarily to do seruile worke. The first of these was the Sabbath, that is the seuenth and last day of euerie weke, which is our saturday: Kept stil solemnly by the Iewes, euen at this time, in al places vvhere they dvvel; but not by Christians, because the old Lavv is abrogaeed; and vve kepe the next day, which is Sunday, holie, by institution and tradition of the Church. The second, Neomenia, or new moone, in which day they alwaies beganne the moneth; and twelue such monethes made a yeare, by the course of the moone; for by the course of the sunne, the yeare conteineth eleuen dayes more, which in three yeares make aboue a moneth. And so euerie third yeare, and sometimes the second (for it happened seuen times in nintene yeares) had thirtene monethes: and was called Annus embolismalis, being in∣creased* 1.443 by meanes of those eleuen dayes. The third feast was Pasch, or Phase, first instituted at the parting of the children of Israel out of Aegypt, in the ful moone of the first moneth in the spring, in which the Paschal lambe was eaten, as is prescribed; Exod. 12. The fourth feast was Pentecost, or first fruites, the fiftith day after Pasch, when Moyses receiued the Lavv in mount Synai. The fifth, the feast of Trumpets, the first day of the seuenth moneth, in grateful memorie that a ramme sticking by the hornes, vvas offered in sacrifice by A∣braham in place of Isaac. The sixth vvas the feast of Expiation, the tenth

day of the seuenth moneth; vvherein solemne fast vvas also prescribed from* 1.444 euening of the ninth day to euening of the tenth, for remission of sinnes in ge∣neral, besides particular sacrifices and satisfaction for euerie sinne, wherof anie man found himself guiltie. The seuenth vvas the feast of Tabernacles, seuen dayes together, beginning the fiftenth of the seuenth moneth, in memorie of Gods special protection, vvhen they remained in ••abirnacles, fourtie yeares in the desert. The eight feast vvas of Assemblie and Collection, the next day after the forsaid seuen, in commemoration of vnion in the people, and peaceable possession in the promised land. In this day general collection vvas made for necessarie expences in the publique seruice of God.

Moreouer the seuenth yeare vvas as a Sabbath of rest (Leuit. 25.) in* 1.445 vvhich no land vvas plowed, no vines pruined, nor those fruites gathered that sprong vvithout mans industrie of the earth. Againe the fiftith yeare vvas peculiarly made holie, and called the Iubiley, or ioyful yeare. In it al bond∣men vvere sette free; al inheritances amongst the Israelites, being for the time, sold or otherwise alienated, returned to the former ovvners.

Besides Sacrifices; Sacramentes; holie places, holie times, and manie other sa∣cred* 1.446 things belonging therto; there were yet more ceremonial Obseruances commanded by Moyses law, as vvel perteyning to the seruice of God in that time, as signifying christian life and maners. So certaine beastes, birdes, and fishes were reputed vncleane (Leuit. 11.) and Gods people forbid to eate them;* 1.447 as also that they should not eate anie bloud at al, nor fatte. Leui. 3. The reason of al which vvas not, as though anie creature were il in nature, but part∣ly to auoide idolatrie, partly to exercise them in obedience, and temperance; & partly for that the same thinges signified vices and corruptions, from which* 1.448 Christians especi••lly ought to resraine. Likewise Leuit. 19▪ they were comman∣ded not to sovv their fieldes vvith tvvo sortes of seede; nor to vveare garmentes wouen of tvvo sortes of stuffe, that they might be more distinguished from In∣fidels* 1.449 by external signes, and not only by Circumcision, but especially to teach christians to practise simple innocencie, & to auoid duble & deciptful dealing.

A•• vvhich, and other preceptes as wel moral, as ceremonial and iudicial,* 1.450 vvere most strictly cōmanded; the obseruers blessed & rewarded; & trans∣gressours seuerly threatned vvith great curses (Leuit. 20. 26. Deut. 4. 27. 28.) and diuers actually punished, Exod. 32. three thousand slaine for committing idolatrie. Manie swallovved vp in the earth. (Num. 16.) descending quicke into hel, & manie more burned vvith fire from heauen, for making and fauoring* 1.451 Schisme. Yea by one meanes & other, al that vvere aboue twentie yeares of age, coming forth of Aegypt, except tvvo onlie (Iosue & Caleb) died in the desert, for the general murmur of the people. Num. 11. 14. 25. & 26. Al Israel beaten in* 1.452 battle til one malefactor Achan was discouered & punished. Ios. 7. Al the tribes were punished for suffering publique idolatrie in Dan: and Beniamin

almost extirpate, for not punishing certaine malefactours. Iudic. 20. And the vvhole people verie often inuaded & sore afflicted for their sinnes; as appeareth in the booke of Iudges. In particular also diuers were aduanced & prospered for their vertues, as Iosue, Caleb, Phinees, Samuel, Dauid and others. Contrariwise Nadab and Abiu priests were miraculously burnt for offering strange ••••re, Le∣uit. 10. One stoned to death for gathering stickes on the sabbath day, Num. 15. King Saul deposed, for presuming to offer sacrifice, & not destroying Infidels (1. Reg. 13. 15.) & Oza, 2•• Reg. 6. sodenly slaine for touching the Arke of God, the Lavv forbidding vnder paine of death, Num. 1. v. 51. & 18. v. 7. that none should approch to holie office being not therto orderly called.

Of workes also of Supererogation (called counsailes not preceptes) vve haue* 1.453 examples in vovves, voluntarily made of thinges not commanded; the law pre∣scribing vvhat vovves might be made, & by vvhom. Nu. 30. And Num. 6. a particular rule was proposed to such as of their ovvne accord, vvould em∣brace it, & a distinct name geuen them, to be called Nazarites, that is, Se∣perate* 1.454 or Sanctified. In which state they vvere to remaine either for a time, limited by themselues or their parents, or perpetually, if they so promised. Iudic. 13. 1. Reg. 1. For s•• farre as their promise extended, they were strictly obliged to performe. Deut. 23. When thou hast vowed a vow to our Lord thy God, thou shalt not slacke to pay it: because our Lord thy God wil require it: and if thou delay, it shal be reputed to thee for sinne. If thou wilt not promise, thou shalt be without (this) sinne. Pay thy vowes vnto the Highest, Psal. 75. Vow ye▪ and render (your vowes) to our Lord your God, Psal. 49. The Rechabites aftervvardes* 1.455 had a like rule to the Nazarite••; & the same perpetual (Hierem. 3••.) neuer to drinke wine, nor to build nor dwel in houses, but in taberna∣cles, nor sow corne, nor plant vineyardes. VVhich rule though insti∣tuted by a man, yet the obseruation therof vvas much commended & rewar∣ded by God. v. 19. Such distinct state of religious persons, with other states of the church of Christ, were also prefigured (Leuit. 11.) by the cleane* 1.456 fishes, of three distinct vvaters, as some holie Fathers do mystically expound that place. To vvitte, the cleane fishes of the sea are the multitude of lay per∣sons, which are dravven out of the sea of this vvorld, and happely found good* 1.457 fishes in our Lords nette. Math. 13. The cleane fishes of the riuers, are the good and fruitful Clergie men, that vvatter the vvhole earth, by teaching* 1.458 Christian doctrin, and ministring holie Sacramentes, vvith other Rites, and Gouerning the whole Church. And the cleane fishes of standing pooles, are* 1.459 the Monastical persons, liuing perpetually in Cloysters, vvhere good soules are alwayes readie for our Lordes table, as S. Bernard teacheth.* 1.460 Much more the more ancient fathers. S. Beda S. Gregorie, S. Augustin, and others explicate innumerable places of holie Scripture mystically; relying therin

vpon example of the new Testament so expounding the old. Namely S. Paul* 1.461 teaching (as before is noted) that the whole law was a pedagogue guiding men to Christ, and affirming that al thinges happened to the people of the old Testa∣ment in figure of the new.

Leauing therfore to prosecute the same further, which would require a verie great worke, it may here suffice to geue according to the literal sense, a briefe view of certaine other pointes of Religion, practised in this fourth age.

VVhere it is clere, that as Iacob the Patriarch had fortold (Gen. 48.) that Abrahams, Isaacs, and his owne name should be inuocated, so Moyses* 1.462 prayed God for his promise made to them, and for their sake, to pardon the people, saying: Exod. 32. Remember ô Lord Abraham, Isaac, & Israel. And our Lord was pacified, from doing the euil which he had spo∣ken against his people. His diuine prouidence so disposing, that he could be* 1.463 hindered, by such prayers, from that which h••threatned. And whereas Moyses* 1.464 did not directly inuocate the holie Patriarches, as Christians now cal vpon glorified Sainctes, to pray for them, the cause of difference is, for that now Sainctes seing God, know in him, whatsoeuer perteyneth to their glorie, which state none b••fore Christ attain••d vnto. Num 35. v. 25. Deut. 4. v. 12. Againe Protestantes obiect, that for so much as God knoweth al our necessities desires, dispositions, and whatsoeuer is in man, it is needles (say they) super∣fluous & in vaine, that Sainctes should commend our causes. To this we answer, that not only glorious Sainctes, but also mortal men by Gods ordināce (by which nothing is done vainely) do such offices, as mediators betwen God and other men; for so Moyses told the wordes of the people to our Lord (Exod. 19.) notwithstanding Gods omniscience, or knowledge of al thinges. Also God expresly commanded Iobs freinds to goe to Iob, promising to heare his* 1.465 prayer for th••m. As for Sainctes hearing or knowing our prayers made to them,* 1.466 though onlie God of himselfe, and by his owne power, seeth mens secrete cogi∣tations, and therfore is properly called the searcher of hartes (1. Reg. 16.) yet God communicateth this pow••r to prophetes, to see the secrete thoughtes of others; so Samuel knew the cogitations of Saul (1. Reg. 9. v. 20.) And Abias saw by reuelation the coming of Ierobomas wife to him in Silo (3. Reg. 14.) Much more God reuealeth our present state, and acts to glorified soules; vvho are as Angels in heauen (Math. 22.) and being se∣cure of their owne glorie, are careful (sayeth S. Cyprian) of our Sal∣uation.* 1.467 * 1.468 Neither is it derogation to God that Saints are honoured, and titles ascribed to them, of intercessors, mediators, and the like; for such titles are geuen to them not as to God, but by vvay of participation only. So Iudges are called goddes and sauiours (Exod. 21. Iudic 3.) and Priestes called goddes (Exod. 21.) Praise geuen to God and Gedeon Iudic. 7.* 1.469 Protection and adoration of Angels is very frequent, Exod. 23. 31.

Num. 22. Iosue. 5. Iudic. 2. 6. 13. The names of the twelue sonnes of Israel were grauen in the two chiefe ornaments of the high priest, in the Ephod and Rationale (Exod. 28.) Manna was not only reserued as a memorie of Gods singular benefite, but also honorably reposed as a* 1.470 Relique in a golden vessel, and kept in the Arke of God (Exod. 16. Heb. 9.) Iosephs bones reserued and remoued (Iosue 24.) Images of* 1.471 holie Cherubims were made and sette vp together with the Arke, and Propitiatorie in the chiefe place of the Tabernacle, called Sancta Sanctorum (Exod. 25.) An image also of a serpent was made in brasse for the health of those that were striken by serpentes (Num. 21.) Images also of lions and oxen were made, and sette vnder the foote of the lauer (called a sea) in the Temple (3. Reg. 7.) The honour done to anie holie thing, namely to the Arke (2. Reg. 6.) redounded to Gods more honour, and al this so farre from idolatrie, that quite contrarie, in presence of the Arke the idol Dagon fel to the ground, and broke in peeces. 1. Reg. 5.

Exequies for the dead with weeping and fasting were then practised* 1.472 in the Church, as appeareth by the peoples mourning for Aaron thirtie dayes. Num. 20. Also for Moyses. (Deut. 34.) By the Gabaonites fasting seuen dayes for Saul and his sonnes lately slaine. 1. Reg. 31. Likewise king Dauid with al his court mourning weping and fasting for them. 2. Reg. 1. Al which were to no purpose, if soules departed could not be releiued by such meanes. It moreouer appeareth that the same royal prophet beleued diuers places to be in hel, when he said (Psal. 85.) Thou hast deli∣uered my soule from the lower hel, signifiyng plainly that there is a lower and a higher hel: which higher the Church calleth Purgatorie.* 1.473 where soules suffer that paine in satisfaction for their sinnes, which remaineth not satisfied before death, & is due after the guilt of sinne is remitted, the law prescribing that besides restitution of damage, sacrifice should also be offered (Leuit. 5. 6. 16.) And Dauid was punished by the death of his child. 2. Reg. 12. & by the plague sent amongst his people 2. Reg. 24. after his sinnes were remitted. He feared also punishment in the other world, yea two sortes and therfore prayed to be deliuered from both, say∣ing: (Psal. 6.) Lord rebuke me not in thy furie, nor chastice* 1.474 me in thy wrath. That is (saith S. Gregorie) Strike me not with the reprobate, nor aflict me with those, that are purged by the puni∣shing flames. And most expresly signifieth also a higher place called hel, saying (Psal. 15.) in the person of Christ to his Father. Thou shalt not* 1.475 leaue my soule in hel. From vvhence Christ deliuered the holie Patriarches Prophetes and other perfect soules; resting vvithout sensible paine, & brought* 1.476 them into heauen, vvhither before him none could enter. VVhich vvas also signified by the cities of refuge, whence none might depart to their proper

countrie, til the death of the high priest (Num. 35.) & by Moyses dying in the desert, and not entring into the promised land ouer Iordan. Deut. 4. 31. &. 34.

Presupposing the general Resurrection of al men (as a truth knovven by former traditions) king Dauid shevveth the difference of the vvicked, and* 1.477 godlie in that time, saying (Psal. 1.) The impious shal not rise againe in iudgement: nor sinners in the councel of the iust. That is, the vvicked shal not rise to ioy & glorie, as the iust & godlie shal doe.

Of general iudgement is more plainly prophecied, 1. Reg. 2. That our Lord shal iudge the endes of the earth, not that Dauid, nor Salomon,* 1.478 but Christ should raigne in his m••litant Church, euen to the endes of the earth, and in fine iudge the vvhole vvorld. The same is confirmed Psal. 49. God wil come manifestly our God, and he wil not kepe silence. Fire shal burne forth in his sight. Psal. 95. He shal iudge the round world in equitie, and the peoples in his truth. Psal. 96. Fire shal goe before him, and shal inflame his enemies round about. Againe the same royal prophete (Psalm. 48.) describeth the future and eternal state of the damned saying: as sheepe (creatures vnable to helpe themselues) they are put in hel, death shal feede vpon them. Of the blessed he addeth: And the iust shal rule ouer them in the morning, that is, in the resurrection, and Psal. 149. The Sainctes shal reioyse in glorie, they shal be ioyful in their beddes (in eternal rest.) The exaltations (pra••ses) of God in their throate, and two edged swordes in their handes: to doe reuenge in the nations, punishments among the peoples. To bind their kinges in fetters, and their nobles in yron* 1.479 manicles. That they may doe in them the iudgement that is writ∣ten: This glorie is to al his Sainctes. And much greater glorie belongeth to Sainctes: for this is but accidental, vttered according to vulgar capacitie. The essential and perfect glorie, which no eye hath seene, nor eare hath heard.* 1.480 nor hart can cone iu••, consisteth in seeing God. Among accidental glorious* 1.481 giftes, the foure dowries of glorified bodies are especially prefigured: Impassi∣bilitie* 1.482 by the wood Setim, wherof the Arke was made (Exod. 25.) Agilitie and Penetrabilitie in some sorte by Dauids quicknes against G••liath, and his conuering of him self into Sauls campe and forth againe (1. Reg. 17. and 26.) but a more plaine figure of Claritie was in Moyses face (Exod. 34.) which by his conuersation with God, became more glorious then mortal eyes were able to behold, glistering and shining as most splendent* 1.483 l••ght through christal, described as if his skinne had benne a clere horne, a••••earing and spreading beam•• like the sunn••, proceding from the beautie of his soule, so th•••• none of al the people could looke directly vpon him, except he couered his face.

Thus much concerning particular pointes of faith and religion. And it is* 1.484 no lesse euident, that the vniuersal Church and Citie of God stil conti∣nued: yea was more visible, and conspicuous to the whole world then before. First by Gods maruelous protection therof in the desert, and famous victories and conquestes of the land of Chanaan. And by the excellent lawes geuen to this people; which al nations admired, and none had the like. Deut. 4. For in this fourth age, besides other lavves and preceptes, the spiritual and temporal States were more distinguished, and the Ecclesiastical Hierarchie* 1.485 especially disposed in subordination of one supreme head, with inferiour gouer∣ners, ech in their place and office, for edification of the whole bodie. For Moyses being chief ruler and conduct••r of the Israelites out of Aegypt, receiued and deliuered to them the written Law (Exod. 20.) And for obseruation and conseruation therof by Gods expresse appointment (Leuit. 8.) consecrated Aaron the ordinarie High priest, himself remayning stil extraordinarie Superiour, also aboue Aaron. And after Aaron he consecrated in like maner his sonne Eleazar high priest, and successour to his father (Num. 20.) To whom* 1.486 succeded others in this order (1. Paralip. 6.) Phinees, Abisuë, Bocci, Ozi, Zacharias, (otherwise 1. Reg. 1. called Heli) Meraioth, Amarias (otherwise Achimelec, whom Saul slew, 1. Reg. 22.) Achitob (othervvise Abiathar, vvho vvas deposed, 3. Reg. 2.) and Sadoc, in vvhose time the Temple vvas founded.

To these vvere adioyned other Priestes, also consecrated in a praescript forme (Leuit. 8.) and Leuites ordayned to assist in lower and distinct offi∣ces (Num. 3. & 4.) In the first degree the Caathites, whose office was to* 1.487 carrie the Sanctuarie, and vessel therof vvrapped vp by the priestes, but vvere forbid in paine of death, to touch them, or to see them. In the second degree the Gersonites; vvho carried the cortines and couers of the Tabernacle, and vessel of the Altar. In the third degree the Merarites; vvho carried the bordes, barres, and pillers, vvith their feete, pinnes, cordes, and other imple∣mentes of the tabernacle; euerie one according to their office and bur∣dens, Num. 4. v. vlt.

But in the temporal state and gouernment Iosue of the tribe of Ephra∣im* 1.488 succeeded to Moyses (Num. 27. Deut. 3. &. 34.) And after Iosue were diuers interruptions of succession, with gouerners of diuers tribes, and change of gouernment, from Dukes to Iudges, and from Iudges to Kinges. For after Iosues death the people being sore afflicted by inuasions of Infidels, God raised certaine special men, with title of Iudges to deliuer and* 1.489 saue them. First Othoniel of the tribe of Iuda; then Aod of Beniamin; after him Samgar (the Scripture not signifying of what tribe) then Barach with Debora of Ephraim; Gedeon of Manasses; Abimelech, his bas•• sonne, an vsurper; Thola of Issachar; Iair, and Iephte of Manasses;

Abesan of Iuda; Aialon of Zabulon; Abdon of Ephraim; Sampson of Dan; and Heli, who was also high priest of Aarons stocke, otherwise called Zaraias (1. Paralip. 6.) and Samuel also of the tribe of Leut a Prophet. In his time the people demanding and vrging to haue a King, Saul of the* 1.490 tribe of Beniamin was annointed. 1. Reg. 10. But for transgressing Gods commandments, especially for exercising spiritual function without warrant (1. Reg. 13.) and not destroying idolaters (1. Reg. 15.) was deposed, and Da∣uid of the tribe of Iuda was annointed King; who after manie great trubles, possessed the whole kingdome, and died in peace, leauing his sonne Salomon inuested and annointed king in his throne.

The Church being thus established in distinct states and orders, albeit there* 1.491 were manie imperfections in al sortes of persons, and great sinnes committed, yet God so punished offenders, and chastised the whole people, that he stil con∣serued, the greatest, or chiefe part, in true faith and religion. For whiles they were in the desert, they murmured very often against God, and his Ministers* 1.492 their Superiours. (Exod. 17. Num. 11. 14 20. 21.) Manie fel to idolatrie* 1.493 (Exod. 32.) Aaron not free from cooperating in the peoples sinne. Na∣dab and Abiu Aarons sonnes, and consecrated priestes, offered strange fire (Leuit. 10) Core Dathan and Abiron, with their complices made* 1.494 a great schisme (Num. 16.) Manie committed carnal fornication with* 1.495 Infidels; and were therby drawen to spiritual (Num. 25.) Of which and other like, ••innes the Psalmist speaketh (Psal. 94.) exhorting his people not to harden their hartes, as in the desert their fathers had tempted God. Fourtie yeares was I offended (sayth God) with that generation, and sayd: They alwayes erre in hart. And therfore he sware in his wrath: that the same generation should not enter into the promised land of Chanaan: but their children entred and possessed it. Num. 14. Iesue. 3.

A〈…〉〈…〉 the people falling to idolatrie and other sinnes, were afflicted and sore press••d by forraine enemies, but repenting were deliuered and saued by cer∣tain* 1.496 capitaines called Iudges and * 1.497 Sauiours: as appeareth in the booke of iudges. They had also tribulations by some of their owne nation, for among the Iudge one (called Abimelee) was a tyrannical vsurper. (Iudic. 9.) Saul their first King falling from God vniustly persecuted Dauid (1. Reg. 18. & ••.)▪ Ambitious Absolom rebelled against the King his father. (2. Reg. 15.) and Seba of the tribe of Beniamin raised an other rebellion (2. Reg. 20.) ••••••••wise Adonias, assisted by Abiathar the high priest, and by Ioab gene∣ral of the armie, pretended to reigne his father Dauid yet liuing, to preuent S〈…〉〈…〉n of the kingdom 3. Reg. 1.) So God both shewed his iustice, in suffering su•••• afflictions to happen, for punishment of sinne: and his mercie, in sauing hi•• Church from ruine.

Moreouer for preseruatiō of the Church, there were diuers diuine Ordinan∣ces

prouided by the law. For first al were strictly commanded, not to cōmunicate* 1.498 with Infidels in their idolatrie (Ex. 23.) nor with Schismatikes in their schisme (Nu. 16.) but to destroy al Idolaters (Num. 33.) and shunne al nouel∣ties in religion, as a sure marke of idolatrie, or false doctrine (Deut. 13.) Further* 1.499 to conserue vnitie there was but one Tabernacle, and one Altar for Sa∣crifice, in the whole people of Israel. VVherupon when the two tribes and halfe, on the other side Iordan, had made a seueral altar, al the tribes that dwelt in Chanaan, suspecting it was for sacrifice, sent presently to admonish them, and prepared to make warre against them, except they destroyed their new altar, but being aduertised that it was only an altar of monument, and not for sacrifice, were therwith satisfied. (Iosue. 22.) Afterwards the tribe of Dan, setting vp idolatrie, and the other tribes not correcting it, they were al punished. VVhich happened by occasion of an other enormous sinne, committed and not corrected in the tribe of Beniamin. For the other eleuen tribes making warre against them for this iust cause, yea by Gods di∣rection, and warrant, yet had the worse, susteyning great slaughter of men in two conflictes; and in the third Beniamin was almost destroyed. Iudic. 20.

Finally for decision of al controuersies and ending of strife, the High* 1.500 Priest was expresly ordayned supreme Iudge, (Deut. 17.) And al were commanded in paine of death to submitte their opinions, and obey his sentence: with promise of Gods assistance, wherby his definitions were certaine and infallible. For in consultations of doubtes, and difficult cases, God inspired him with doctrine of veritie (Exod. 28. 29. Leuit. 8. Num. 3. 7. 9. 1. Reg. 23, 30.) VVhich iudgement Seate Christ admonished the Iewes to repayre vnto and folow (Math. 23.) though the Iudges themselues did not the thinges which they taught. In so much that Caiphas, through this assistance of Gods spirite, being otherwise a wicked man, yet pronounced the truth, That one must die for the people. VVhich therfore S. Iohn the Euangelist ascribeth to his Chayre and office, because he was High priest that yeare. Ioan. 11.

Seing then Gods prouidence and continual assistance was so clere, and assu∣red* 1.501 in the Church of the old Testament, much more is the Church of christ builded vpon a sure rocke, assured of his perpetual assistance, and* 1.502 always preserued from erring in Faith, or in general practise of Religion. And that by Gods like assured ordinance of one supreme head and Iudge, S. Peter, & his Successour: for vvhom our Sauiour prayed, that his faith should not faile. Further commanding him, that he should confirme his brethren. Al vvhich vvse see is performed in the Successours of S. Peter, vvheras the successours of the other Apostles, are al failed long since. The same most assured stabilitie of the Church of Christ, is further confir∣med by the whole Lavv and Prophetes. Namely, Deut. 32. and 33. vvhere Moyses fortelleth more povver and grace in the Church, to be collected in the

Gentiles of al natiōs, then euer vvas in that of the Israelites or Iews. Like∣wise, 1. Reg. 2. The same vvas both prefigured and prophecied by holie Anna: The hungrie (those that desire Gods grace and glorie) are filled: vntil the barren woman (the Church of the Gentiles) bare verie manie: & she that had manie children was weakned. Shewing that the Church of the Iewes had manie, vntil the plenitude of Gentiles much more abounded. Wherfore the Psalmist inuiteth al nations to praise God, saying: Psal. 116. Praise our Lord al ye Gentiles: praise him al ye peoples. Also 2. Reg. 7. God promised Dauid, saying: Thy Kingdome for euer before thy face, and thy* 1.503 throne shal be firme continually. which was not verified in Dauids tem∣poral* 1.504 kingdome. For it was quickly diuided, after Salomons death, and a smal part left to his sonne Roboam. And after the captiuitie in Babilon, his seede bad onlie title and right without possession of royal throne. Againe 2. Reg. 22. The same royal prophet in his Canticle of thankes geuing, and last prophe∣tical wordes (chap. 23.) much preferreth the spiritual kingdome of Christ, be∣fore the earthlie kingdome of the Iewes. But most specially and plainly in the Psalmes. Psal. 2. Why did the Gentiles rage, & peoples meditate vaine thinges? Signifying that the furie of al aduersaries rageth in vaine, against Christ and his Church. For, I am appointed, by him King (sayth Christ* 1.505 to his Father) ouer Sion, his holie hil. I wil geue thee (sayth God to his Sonne) the Gentiles for thine inheritance, and thy possession the* 1.506 endes of the earth. Psal. 17. A people which I knew not, hath ser∣ued me. Psal. 44. The Queene (the Church) stood on thy right hand in golden rayment, compassed with varietie; of vertues, and diuers sortes of holie professions. Psal. 47. Mount Sion is founded with the ex∣ultation of the whole earth. For euer and euer he (Christ) shal rule vs euermore. Psal. 86. Glorious thinges are sayd of thee, ô citie of God. But omitting innumerable other such textes, the 88. Psalme conteyneth a large prophecie of Christ and his Church, where S. Augustin geueth vs this* 1.507 brief admonition. Christiani estis, Christum agnoscite. You are Chri∣stians, agnize Christ. I wil put (joyth God) his hand in the sea, Christs dominion in the Gentiles, and his right hand in the riuers; al sor∣tes shal serue him. He shal be high aboue the kinges of the earth. Of the Church he addeth: I wil put his seede for euer and euer, and his throne as the dayes of heauen. Neither do sinnes frustrate this promise of God, therfore it foloweth: But if his children shal forsake my law: and wil not walke in my iudgements. If they shal profane my iustices,* 1.508 and not keepe my commandements; VVhat then, wil Christ for al this abandon his Church, as he did the old Synagogue, of which God sayth: Deut. 32. They haue prouoked me in that which was no God: and I wil prouoke them, in that which is no people? Not so. How then? I wil

visite, sayth our Lord, their iniquities with a rodde, and their sinnes with stripes. But my mercie I wil not take away from him. This is a strong Firmament (sayth S. Augustin) God promiseth, yea sweareth,* 1.509 and vvil not lie to Dauid, that his seede shal continew for euer. His throne as the Sunne in Gods sight, and the Moone perfected for euer. So this great Doctor ••heweth by holie Scriptures against the Donatistes, and in them against Protestantes, that the militant Church of Christ hath benne stil, and shal be visible, during this transitorie world.

CHAP. VII. Salomons palace, 2. his house in the forrest, 8. and the quenes house is built, 13.* 1.510 Two great brasen pillers: 23. asea (or lauer) 27. tenne brasen ferte. 38. tenne lesse lauatorics, and other vessels, and implementes pertaining to the Temple, adorned vvith images of Angels, and other creatures are further described.

AND his owne house Salomon built in thirtene yeares, [ 1] and brough it to perfection. † He built also the house [ 2] of the forest of Libanus of an hundred cubites in length, and fiftie cubites in bredth, and thirtie cubites in height: and foure score galleries betwen pillers of ceder: for he had cut ceder trees into pillers. † And he decked the whole vaut [ 3] with bordes of ceder, which was held vp with fiue and fourtie pillers. And one order had fiften pillers, † set one a∣gainst [ 4] an other, † and looked one ouer against an other, with [ 5] equal space betwen the pillers, and ouer the pillers square beames in al equal. † And the porche of the pillers he made of [ 6] fiftie cubites in length, and thirtie cubites in bredth: and an other porche before the greater porche: and pillers, and top∣pes vpon the pillers. † He made also the porche of the throne, [ 7] wherein the seate of iudgement is; and couered it with ceder wood from the pauement vnto the toppe. † And the litle [ 8] house, where they sate in iudgement, was in the middes of the porche of like worke. He made also a house for the daughter of Pharao (which Salomon had taken to wife) of such worke, as also this porche. † Al of chosen stones, which were sawed [ 9] by a certain rule & measure both within & without: from the fundation to the toppe of the walles, & without vnto the grea¦ter courte. † And the fundations of chosen stones, great stones [ 10] of ten or eight cubites. † And aboue there were hewed cho∣sen [ 11] stones of equal measure, and in like maner of ceder. † And [ 12] the greater court round with three rewes of hewed stones,

and one rew of planed ceder, moreouer also in the inner court of the house of our Lord, and in the porche of the house. † King Salomon also sent, and tooke Hiram from Tyre, [ 13] † the sonne of a widow woman of the tribe of Nepthali, [ 14] his father a Tyrian, an artificer in brasse, and ful of wisdom, and intelligence, and skil to make al worke of brasse. Who when he was come to king Salomon, made al his worke. † And he cast two brasen pillers, of eightene cubites in height [ 15] one piller: and a line of twelue cubites compassed both pillers. † He made also two litle heades, which should be put vpon the [ 16] heades of the pillers, cast of brasse: fiue cubites high one litle head, and fiue cubites the other litle head: † and as it were in [ 17] maner of a nette, and of cheynes knitte one to the other with maruelous worke. Both litle heades of the pillers were cast: seuen rewes of litle nettes in one litle head, & seuen litle net∣tes in the other litle head. † And finished the pillers, and two [ 18] rewes round about euerie nette, that they might couer the li∣tle heades, which were ouer the toppe of the pomegranates: in like maner did he also to the second litle head. † And the litle [ 19] heades, that were vpon the heades of the pillers, were made as it were with lilie worke, in the porche, of foure cubites. † And againe other litle heades in the toppe of the pillers [ 20] about, according to the measure of the piller against the litle nettes: and of the pomegranates were two hundred rewes round about the second litle head. † And he sette two pillers [ 21] in the porche of the temple: and when he had erected the pil∣ler on the right hand, he called the name therof, * 1.511 Iachin: in like maner he erected the second piller, and called the name therof * 1.512 Booz. † And vpon the heades of the pillers he put a [ 22] worke in maner of a lilie: and the worke of the pyllers was perfected. † He made also :: 1.513 a sea of founders worke of ten [ 23] cubites from brimme to brimme, round in cōpasse, the height therof was of fiue cubites, and a corde of thirtie cubites did compasse it, round about▪ † And the grauing vnder the brīme [ 24] compassed it, ten cubites going about the lauatorie: there were two rewes of chamfered forowed grauinges cast. † And [ 25] it stood vpon twelue oxen, of which three looked to the North, and three to the West, and three to the South, and three to the East, and the sea was ouer them: whose hinder par•••••• were al ••id inward. † And the thickenes of the laua∣torie [ 26] w•••• of ••lr•••• c••••••••s: and the brimme therof as it were

the brimme of a chalice, and the leafe of crisped lilie: it con∣tayned two thousand :: 1.514 bates. † And he made ten brasen seete, [ 27] of foure cubites in length euerie foote, and foure cubites in bredth, and three cubites in height. † And the verie worke [ 28] it selfe of the feete, was entergrauen: and enterg〈…〉〈…〉 betwen the ioyntures. † And betwen the litle crownes and [ 29] the playtes, lions, and oxen, and cherubs: and in the ioyntures likewise aboue: and vnder the lions, and oxen as it were ••••••∣des of brasse hanging downe. † And foure wheeles at euerie [ 30] foote, and axeltrees of brasse: and at foure ••ides as it were litle shoulders vnder the lauatorie cast, looking one against an other. † The mouth also of the lauatorie was inward in [ 31] the toppe of the head: and that which appeared outward, was of one cubite al round, and together it had one cubite & a halfe: and in the corners of the pillers were diuers engra∣uinges: and the middle enterpillers square not round. † The [ 32] foure wheeles also, which were at the foure corners of a foote, ioyned one to an other vnder the foote: one wheele had in height a cubite and a halfe. † And they were such wheeles as [ 33] are accustomed to be made in a chariote: and their axeltrees and spokes, and strakes, and naues, al cast. † For those foure [ 34] litle shoulders also at euerie corner of one foote, were cast out of the foote and ioyned together. † And in the toppe of [ 35] the foote was a certayne roundnes of halfe a cubite, so wrought, that the lauatorie might be put thereon, ha••••▪ the engrauinges therof, and diuerse caruinges of it self. 〈…〉〈…〉 [ 36] graued also in those fielinges, which were of brasse, and in the corners, cherubs, and lions, and palmetrees, as it w•••••• 〈◊〉〈◊〉 the similitude of a man standing, that they semed not to be engrauen, but put to round about. † After this maner made [ 37] he ten feete, of one casting and measure, & like grauing. 〈…〉〈…〉 [ 38] made also ten lauatories of brasse: one lauatorie conteyned fourtie bates, and it was of foure cubites: also at euerie foote, that is ten, he put so manie lauatories. † And he sette the ten [ 39] feete, fiue on the right side of the temple, and fiue on the leaft: and the sea ••e put on the right side of the temple against the East toward the South † Hiram therfore made cauldrons, [ 40] and thoueles, and litle pottes, and perfected al the worke of king Salomon in the temple of our Lord. † Two pyllers, and [ 41] two cordes of the litle heades, vpon the litle heades of the pyl∣lers: and two litle nettes, to couer the two cordes, that were

ouer the heades of the pyllers. † And foure hundred po∣megranates [ 42] in the two nettes: two rewes of pomegramates in euerie nette, to couer the cordes of the litle heades, which were vpon the heades of the pyllers. † And tenne [ 43] feete, and tenne lauatories vpon the feete. † And one sea, [ 44] and twelue oxen vnder the sea. † And cauldrons, and shouels, [ 45] and litle pottes. Al the vessels that Hiram made to king Salomon in the house of our Lord, were of bright latten. † In the champayne countrie of Iordan did the king cast [ 46] those thinges in a clay ground, betwen Sacoth and Sarthan. † And Salomon placed al the vessel: but for the exceding [ 47] great multitude the brasse could not be weyed. † And Salo∣mon [ 48] made al the vessels in the house of our Lord: an altar of gold, and a table, wherupon the loaues of proposition should be put, of gold: † and candlestickes of gold, fiue on the right [ 49] hand, and fiue on the leaft against the oracle, of pure gold: and as it were lilie floures, and lampes aboue of gold: and golden snuffers, † and water pottes, and fleshehookes, and [ 50] phiales, and morters, and censars, of most pure gold: and the ••ndges of doores of the inner Sanctum sanctorum, and of the doores of the house of the temple, were of gold. † And [ 51] Salomon perfected al the worke that he did in the house of our Lord, and brought in the thinges that Dauid his father :: 1.515 had sanctified, siluer and gold, and the vessel, and layed them in the treasures of the house of our Lord.

CHAP. VIII. The arke is brought in, and the temple dedicated. 10. a glorious cloyvde reple∣nisheth it, 14. Salomon prayeth long to God, 55. blesseth the people. 62. and manie victimes are offered in this solemne festiuitie.

THEN were gathered together al the ancientes of Israel [ 1] with the princes of the tribes, and the heades of the families of the children of Israel to king Salomon into Ieru∣salem: that they might carrie the Arke of the couenant of our Lord out of the citie of Dauid, that is, out of Sion. † And [ 2] al Israel assembled to king Salomon in the moneth of Etha∣nim, on a solemne day, that is the seuenth moneth. † And [ 3] al the ancientes of Israel came, and the priestes tooke the arke, † and caried the arke of our Lord, and the tabernacle [ 4] of couenant, and al the vessels of the Sanctuarie, that were in the tabernacle: and the Priestes and the Leuites caried them.

† And king Salomon, and al the multitude of Israel, which [ 5] was assembled vnto him, went with him before the arke, and they immolated sheepe and oxen without estimation & num∣ber. † And the priestes brought in the arke of the couenant [ 6] of our Lord into his place, into the oracle of the temple, into Sanctum sanctorum vnder the winges of the cherubs. † For [ 7] the cherubs spred their winges ouer the place of the arke, and couered the arke, and the barres therof aboue. † And [ 8] whereas the barres stood out, and the endes of them appeared without in the Sanctuarie before the oracle, they appeared no farder outward, which also were there vntil this present day. † And in the arke there was :: 1.516 nothing els but two ta∣bles [ 9] of stone, which Moyses put in it in Horeb, when our Lord made the couenant with the children of Israel, when they came out of the Land of Aegypt. † And it came to passe, [ 10] when the priestes were gone out of the Sanctuarie, a clowde filled the house of our Lord, † and the priestes could not stand [ 11] and minister for the clowde: for the glorie of our Lord had filled the house of our Lord. † Then sayd Salomon: Our [ 12] Lord sayd that he would dwel in a clowde. † Building I haue [ 13] built a house for thy habitation, thy most firme throne for euer. † And the king turned his face, and :: 1.517 blessed al the [ 14] church of Israel: for al the church if Israel stood. † And Sa∣lomon [ 15] sayd: Blessed be our Lord the God of Israel, who spake by his mouth to Dauid my father, & in his owne handes hath perfected it, saying: † Since the day that I brought my [ 16] people Israel out of Aegypt, I chose no citie of al the tribes of Israel, that a house might be built, and my name might be there: but I chose Dauid to be ouer my people Israel. † And [ 17] Dauid my father would haue built a house to the name of our Lord the God of Israel: † and our Lord sayd to Dauid my fa∣ther: [ 18] In that thou hast thought in thy hart to build a house to my name, thou hast done wel, casting this same thing in thy mynd. † Neuerthelesse thou shalt not build me a house, but [ 19] thy sonne, that shal come forth of thy reynes, he shal build a house to my name. † Our Lord hath confirmed his word, [ 20] which he spake: and I stand for Dauid my father, and sitte vpon the throne of Israel, as our Lord hath spoken: and I haue built a house to the name of our Lord the God of Israel. † And I haue appoynted there a place for the arke, wherin [ 21] the couenant of our Lord is, which he made with our fathers,

when they came out of the Land of Aegypt. † And Salomon [ 22] stood before the altar of our Lord in the sight of the assemblie of Israel, and extended his handes toward heauen, † and sayd: [ 23] Lord God of Israel, there is no God like to thee in heauen a∣boue, and vpon the earth beneth: which keepest couenant and mercie with thy seruantes, that walke before thee in al their hart. † Which hast kept to thy seruant Dauid my father, [ 24] the thinges that thou hast spoken to him: by mouth thou didst speake, and with thy handes thou hast accomplished, as this day proueth. † Now therfore Lord God of Israel, keepe [ 25] vnto thy seruant Dauid my father the thinges which thou hast spoken to him, saying: There shal not be taken away of thee a man before me, which sitteth vpon the throne of Is∣rael: :: 1.518 yet so if thy children shal keepe their way, that they walke before me as thou hast walked in my sight. † And now [ 26] Lord God of Israel, let thy wordes be established, which thou hast spoken to thy seruant Dauid my father. † Is it then to [ 27] be thought that in deede God dwelleth vpon the earth? for if heauen, and the heauens of heauens can not conteyne thee, how much more this house, which I haue built? † But looke [ 28] toward the prayer of thy setuant, and to his petitions ô Lord my God: heare the hymne and the prayer, which thy seruant prayeth before thee this day: † that thy eies be opened vpon [ 29] this house night and day: vpon the house, wherof thou sayest: My name shal be there: that thou heare the prayer, which thy seruant prayeth in this place to thee. † That thou heare [ 30] the request of thy seruant and of thy people Israel, what∣soeuer they shal pray for in this place, and thou shalt heare in the place of thy habitation in heauen: and when thou hast heard, thou shalt be merciful. † If a man shal sinne agaynst [ 31] his neighbour, and shal haue any oath, wherwith he is held fast bound: and shal come because of the oath before thine altar into thy house, † thou shalt heare in heauen: and shalt [ 32] doe, and iudge thy seruantes, condemning the impious, and rendring his way vpon his head, and iustifying the iust, and :: 1.519 rewarding him according to his iustice. † If thy people Is∣rael [ 33] shal flec their enemies (because they wil sinne agaynst thee) and doing penance, and confessing to thy name, shal come, and pray, and besech thee in this house; † heare in [ 34] heauen, and forgeue the sinne of thy people Israel, and thou shalt reduce them vnto the land, which thou gauest to their

fathers. † If the heauen shal be shut, and it rayne not, be∣cause [ 35] of their sinnes, and praying in this place, they doe pe∣nance to thy name, and shal be conuerted from their sinnes through their affliction: † heare them in heauen, and for∣geue [ 36] the sinnes of thy seruantes, and of thy people Israel: and shew them a good way wherin they may walke, and geue rayne vpon thy land, which thou hast geuen to thy people in possession. † If famine aryse in the land, or pestilence, or cor∣rupt [ 37] ayre, or blasting, or locust, or rust, and their enemie af∣flict them besieging the gates, al plague, al in firmity, † al [ 38] cursing, and banning, that shal chance to any man of thy people Israel: if any man shal know the wound of his hart, and shal spred forth his handes in this house, † thou shalt [ 39] heare in heauen, in the place of thy habitation, and shalt be merciful agayne, and shalt so doe that thou geue to euerie one according to his wayes, as thou shalt see his hart (for thou onlie knowest the hart of al the children of men) † that [ 40] they feare thee al the dayes, which they liue vpon the face of the land, which thou hast geuen our fathers. † Moreouer [ 41] also the stranger, which is not of thy people Israel, when he shal come from a farre countrie for thy name (for thy great name shal be heard of, and thy strong hand, † and thy stret∣ched [ 42] out arme euerie where) when therfore he shal come, and shal pray in this place, † thou shalt heare in heauen, in [ 43] the firmament of thy habitation, & thou shalt doe al thinges, for the which the stranger shal inuocate thee: that al the peo∣ples of the earth may lerne to feare thy name, as thy people Israel, and may proue that thy name is inuocated vpon this house, which I haue built. † If thy people shal goe forth to [ 44] warre agaynst their enemies, by the way, whithersoeuer thou shalt send them, they shal pray to thee agaynst the way of the citie, which thou hast chosen, and agaynst the house, which I haue built to thy name, † and thou shalt heare in [ 45] heauen their prayers, and their petitions, and shalt doe iudge∣ment for them. † But if they shal sinne to thee (for there is [ 46] no man which sinneth not) and thou being wrath shalt deli∣uer them to their enemies, and they shal be led captiue into the land of their enemies farre or neere, † and shal doe pe∣nance [ 47] in their :: 1.520 hart in the place of captiuirie, and conuerted shal besech thee in their captiuitie, saying: We haue sinned, we haue done wickedly, we haue dealt impiously: † and [ 48]

shal returne to thee in al their hart, and al their soule, in the land of their enemies, to the which they shal be led captiue: & shal pray to thee agaynst the way of their land, which thou gauest to their fathers, and of the citie which thou hast cho∣sen, & of the temple which I haue built to thy name: † thou [ 49] shalt heare in heauen, in the firmament of thy throne their prayers, and their petitions, and shalt doe their iudgement for them: † and shalt be merciful to thy people, which sinned [ 50] to thee, and to al their iniquities, where with they haue trans∣gressed agaynst thee: and thou shalt geue mercie before them, that shal haue them captiues, that they may haue compassion on them. † For they are thy people, and thine inheritance, [ 51] whom thou hast brought out of the Land of Aegypt, from the middes of the yron fornace. † That thy eies be open to the [ 52] petition of thy seruant, and of thy people Israel, & thou heare them in al thinges for which they shal inuocate thee. † For [ 53] thou hast separated them to thee for an inheritance from al the peoples of the earth, as thou hast spoken by Moyses thy seruant, when thou didst bring our fathers out of Aegypt, Lord God. † And it came to passe, when Salomon had ac∣complished [ 54] praying to our Lord al this prayer and petition, he rose from the sight of the altar of our Lord: for he had fastened both knees on the ground, and had spred his handes toward heauen. † He stood therfore and blessed al the assem∣blie [ 55] of Israel with a lowde voyce, saying: † Blessed be our [ 56] Lord, which hath geuen rest to his people Israel, according to al thinges that he hath spoken: there hath not fayled so much as one word of al the good thinges, that he spake by Moyses this seruant. † Be our Lord God with vs, as he hath [ 57] beene with our fathers, not forsaking, nor reiecting vs. † But [ 58] incline he our hartes to him, that we may walke in al his waies, and keepe his commandementes, and his ceremo∣nies, and iudgementes whatsoeuer he commanded our fa∣thers. † And be these my wordes, wherewith I haue prayed [ 59] before our Lord, approching to our Lord God day and night, that he may doe iudgement for his seruant, and for his people Israel day by day: † that al the peoples of the earth may [ 60] knowe, that our Lord he is God, and there is none other be∣sides him. † Let our hart also be perfect with our Lord God, [ 61] that we walke in his decrees, and keepe his cōmandementes, as also this day. † Therfore the king, and al Israel with him, [ 62]

did immolate victimes besore our Lord. † And Salomon kil∣led [ 63] pacis••que hostes, which he immolated to our Lord, of oxen two and twentie thousand, and of sheepe an hundred twentie thousand: and they dedicated the temple of our Lord, the king, and the children of Israel. † In that day the king [ 64] sanctified the middes of the court, that was before the house of our Lord: for he made the holocaust there, and sacrifice, and fatte of the pacifiques: because the brasen altar, that was before our Lord, was too litle, and could not take the holo∣caust, and sacrifice, and fatte of the pacifiques. † Salomon [ 65] therfore made in that time a solemne festiuitie, and al Israel with him, a great multitude from the entrance of Emath vnto the Ryuer of Aegypt, before our Lord God, seuen daies and seuen daies, that is, fourtene daies. † And in the eight day [ 66] he dismissed the people: Who :: blessing the king, went into their tabernacles reioysing, and with a ioysul hart for al the good thinges, that our Lord had done to Dauid his seruant, and to Israel his people.

CHAP. IX. Our Lord appearing againe to Salomon. 4. admonisheth him and his people to keepe the precepts. 6. threatning punishment if they do not. 10. The king of Tyre receiueth tvventie cities of Salomon, but liketh them not. 14. Salo∣mon buildeth more cities and tovvnes. 20. Maketh diuers nations tributa∣rie. 24. The Quene repayreth to her house. 25. The king offereth victimes thrise euerie yeare. 26. and fetcheth gold from Ophir.

AND it came to passe when Salomon had perfected the [ 1] building of the house, of our Lord, & the kinges house, and al that he wished and would haue done, † our Lord ap∣peared [ 2] to him the second time, as he had appeared to him in Gabaon. † And our Lord said to him: I haue heard thy prayer [ 3] & thy petition, which thou hast prayed before me: I haue san∣ctified this house, which thou hast built, that I might put my name there for euer, and myne eies and my hart shal be there alwaies. † Thou also if thou wilt walke before me, as thy father [ 4] walked, :: 1.521 in simplicitie of hart, and in equitie: and wilt doe al thinges, which I haue commanded thee, and wilt keepe my ordinances and my iudgementes, † I wil sette the throne of [ 5] thy kingdom ouer Israel for euer, as I haue spoken to Dauid thy father, saying: There shal not be taken away a man of thy stocke from the throne of Israel. † But if by reuolting you [ 6]

and your children shal turne away, not folowing me, nor keeping my commandementes, and my ceremonies, which I haue proposed to you, but shal goe and worshippe strange goddes, and adore them: † I wil take away Israel from the [ 7] face of the land, which I haue geuen them, and the temple which I haue sanctified to my name, I wil cast away from my sight, and Israel shal be for a prouerbe, and for a fable to al peoples. † And this house shal be for an example: euerie one [ 8] that shal passe by it, shal wonder, and hisse, and say: Why hath the Lord done thus to this land, and to this house? † And they shal answere: Because they haue forsaken the [ 9] Lord their God, which brought their fathers out of the Land of Aegypt, and haue folowed strange goddes, & adored them, and worshipped them: therfore hath the Lord brought vpon them al this euil. † And twentie yeares being complete, after [ 10] that Salomon had built the two houses, that is, the house of our Lord, and the house of the king † (Hiram the king of [ 11] Tyre ministring to Salomon ceder trees & firre trees, and gold according to al that he had neede) then Salomon :: 1.522 gaue to Hiram twentie townes in the Land of Galilee. † And Hiram [ 12] went from Tyre, to see the townes which Salomon had geuen him, and they pleased him not, † and he sayd: Are these the [ 13] cities, which thou hast geuen me, brother? And he called them the land * 1.523 Chabul, vntil this day. † Hiram also sent to king [ 14] Salomon an hundred and twentie talentes of gold. † This is [ 15] the summe of the expences, which king Salomon offered to build the house of our Lord, and his owne house, and Mello, and the wal of Ierusalem, and Heser, and Mageddo, and Gazer † Pharao the king of Aegypt came vp and rooke Gazer, and [ 16] burnt it with fire: And the Chananite, that dwelt in the citie, he slewe, and gaue it for a dowrie to his daughter the wife of Salomon † Salomon therfore built Gazer, and Bethhoron [ 17] the lower, † and Baalath, and Palmi••a in the Land of the wil∣dernes. [ 18] † And al the villages, that perteyned to him, and were [ 19] without wal, he fensed, and the cities of the chariotes, and the cities of the horsemen, and whatsoeuer pleased him to build in Ierusalem, and in Libanus, and in al the land of his dominion. † Al the people, that was remayning of the Amor∣rheites, [ 20] and Hetheites, and Pherezeites, and Heueites, and Iebuseites, that are not of the children of Israel: † their chil∣dren, [ 21] that were remayning in the land, to witte, those whom

the children of Israel could not abolish: Salomon made tri∣butaries, vntil this day. † But of the children of Israel Salo∣mon [ 22] appoynted not any man to serue, but they were men of warre, and his seruantes, and princes, and captaynes, and ouer∣seers of the chariotes and horses. † And there were princes [ 23] ouer al the workes of Salomon, made ouerseers, fiue hundred fiftie, which had the people subiect, and commanded ouer their appoynted workes. † And the daughter of Pharao went [ 24] vp out of the citie of Dauid into her house, which Salomon had built her: then did he build Mello. † Salomon also of∣fered [ 25] three tymes euerie yeare holocaustes, and pacifique vi∣ctimes vpon the altar, which he had built to our Lord, and he burnt incense before our Lord: and the temple was perfected. † King Salomon also made :: 1.524 a name in Asiongaber, which is [ 26] beside Ailath in the shore of the Readsea in the Land of Idu∣mea. † And Hiram sent in that nauie his men, that were mari∣ners [ 27] & skilful of the sea, with the seruantes of Salomon. † Who [ 28] when they were come into Ophir, the gold taken thence of foure hundred and twentie talentes, they brought to king Salomon.

CHAP. X. The quene of Saba coming to king Salomon, admireth his vvisdom, magni∣ficence, and order of gouernment 10. She geueth and receiueth giftes. 14. Salomon receiueth much gold diuers vvayes: 16. maketh golden targ••••tes. ••8. a magnificent throne. 21. and much golden vessel. 25. Manie bring him presentes. 26. He hath manie chariottes, horsemen. 27. abundance of sil∣uer 28. Marchantes of diuers kingdomes sel him horses.

BVT the Queene of :: 1.525 Saba also hauing heard the fame [ 1] of Salomon, in the name of our Lord came to proue him, in hard propositions. † And entring into Ierusalem with a [ 2] great trayne, and riches, and camels carying spices, and gold exceding infinite, and pretious stones, she came to king Salo∣mon, and spake to him al thinges that she had in her hart. † And Salomon interpreted to her al the wordes, that she [ 3] proposed: there was not a word, that the king could be ignorant of, and could not answer her. † And the queene [ 4] of Saba a seing al the wisedom of Salomon, and the house, which he had built, † and the meates of his table, and the [ 5] habitations of his seruantes, and the orders of them that ser∣ued, and their garmentes, cupbearers, and the holocaustes

which he offered in the house of our Lord :: 1.526 she had no longer spirit, † and she said to the king: The report is true, which [ 6] I haue heard in my countrie, † concerning thy wordes, and [ 7] concerning thy wisedom. and I did not beleue them that told me, til my selfe came, and sawe with myne eies, and haue proued that the half not been told me: greater is thy wisdom, and thy workes, then the rumour, which I haue heard. † Blessed are thy men, and blessed are thy seruantes, which [ 8] stand before thee alwaies, and heare thy wisedom. † Be the [ 9] Lord thy God blessed, whom thou hast pleased, and that hath serte thee vpon the throne of Israel, for that the Lord hath loued Israel for euer, and hath appointed thee king, to do iud∣gement and iustice. † She therfore gaue to the king an hun∣dred [ 10] and twentie talentes of gold, and spices exceding much, and pretious stones: There was no more brought so much spice, as that which the Quene of Saba gaue to king Salo∣mon. † (But the naue also of Hiram, which caried gold our [ 11] of Ophir, brought from Ophir thyine trees exceding manie, and pretious stones. † And the king made of the thyine trees [ 12] the porches of the house of our Lord, and of the kinges house and harpes & vials for the singers: there were not such thyine * 1.527 trees brought, nor seen vntil this present daye.) † And king [ 13] Salomon gaue to the queene of Saba al that she would, and asked of him: beside those thinges, which of him selfe he offered her for a royal gift. Who returned, and went into her countrie with her seruantes. † And the weight of the gold, [ 14] that was brought to Salomon euerie yeare, was of six hundred sixtie six talentes of gold: † beside that, which the men [ 15] brought, that were ouer the tributes, and merchantes, and al that sold light wares, and al the kinges of Arabia, and the dukes of the land. † Salomon also made two hundred [ 16] shieldes of most pure gold, six hundred sicles of gold did he allow for the plates of one shield. † And three hundred ter∣gattes [ 17] of tried gold: and three hundred poundes of gold gar∣nished one terget: and the king put them in the house of the forest of Libanus. † King Salomon also made a great throne [ 18] of yuorie: and couered it with gold exceding yellow, † which [ 19] had sixe steppes: and the toppe of the throne was round in the hinder part: and the two handes on either side holding the seate: and two lyons stood at euery hand. † And twelue [ 20] litle lyons standing vpon the sixe steppes on either side: there

was not such a worke made in al kingdomes. † Yea and al [ 21] the vessels, out of the which the king Salomon drunke, were of gold: and al the furniture of the house of the forest of Li∣banus of most pure gold: there was no siluer, neither was it thought of any price in the daies of Salomon, † because the [ 22] kinges nauie, once in three yeares, went with the nauie of Hiram on the sea into Tharsis, bringing thence gold, and siluer, and the teeth of elephantes, and apes, and pecockes. † King Salomon therfore was magnified aboue al the kinges [ 23] of the earth in riches, and wisedom. † And al the earth de∣sired [ 24] to see Salomons face, that they might heare his wisedom, which God had geuen in his hart. † And euerie one presen∣ted [ 25] him giftes, vessel of siluer and gold, garmentes and instru∣mentes for warre, spices also, and horses and mules euerie yeare. † And Salomon gathered together the chariotes and [ 26] horsemen, and there amounted to him a thousand foure hun∣dred chariotes, and twelue thousand horsemen: and he dis∣posed them in fensed cities, and with the king in Ierusalem. † And he made that there was as great abundance of siluer [ 27] In Ierusalem, as of stones: and of ceder trees he caused such a multitude, as if it were sycomore trees, which grow in the playnes. † And there were horses brought for Salomon out [ 28] of Aegypt, and Coa, for the kinges merchantes brought them out of Coa, and brought them at a sette price. † And a cha∣riote [ 29] of foure horses came out of Aegypt, for sixe hundred sicles of siluer, and one horse for an hundred and fiftie. And after this maner did al the kinges of the Hetheites, and of Syria sel horses.

CHAP. XI. Salomon louing and marying manie wemen of diuers nations, is drawen by them to idolatrie. 9. God therfore offended suffereth Adad an Idumean, 23. Razon king of Damascus, 26. and Hieroboam his owne seruant to make warre against him. 29. Ahias the prophet fortelleth Hieroboam, that he shal reigne ouer tenne tribes, leauing but tvvo to Salomons heyres, 38. VVith promise to prosper, if he serue God. 42. Salomon dieth.

AND king Salomon loued manie wemen strangers, the [ 1] daughter also of Pharao, and Moabites, and Ammo∣nites, Idumeians, and Sidonians, and Hetheians: † of the [ 2] nations, wherof our Lord sayd to the children of Israel: You shal not goe in vnto them, neither shal anie of them come in

vnto yours: for they wil most certainly turne away your hartes to folow their goddes. To these therfore was Salomon copled in most seruent loue. † And he had wiues as it were queenes [ 3] :: 1.528 seuen hundred, and concubines three hundred: and the wemen turned away his hart. † And when he was now old, [ 4] his hart was depraued by wemen, that he folowed strange goddes: neither was his hart perfect with our Lord his God, as the hart of Dauid his father. † But Salomon worshipped [ 5] Astarthee the goddesse of the Sidonians, and Moloch the idol of the Ammonites. † And Salomon did that which was not [ 6] liked before our Lord, and he accomplished not to folow our Lord, as Dauid his father. † Then built Salomon a temple to [ 7] Camos the idol of Moab, in the mount that is agaynst Ierusa∣lem, and to Moloch the idol of the children of Ammon. † And in this maner did he to al his wiues that were stran∣gers, [ 8] which burnt frankencense, and immolated to their goddes. † Therfore our Lord was wrath with Salomon, be∣cause [ 9] his minde was turned away from our Lord the God of Israel, who had appeared vnto him the second tyme, † and [ 10] had commanded him concerning this word, that he should not folow strange goddes, & he kept not the thinges which our Lord commanded him. † Our Lord therfore sayd to Sa∣lomon: [ 11] Because thou hast done this, and hast not kept my couenant, and my preceptes, which I haue commanded thee, breaking I wil rent asunder thy kingdom, and wil geue it to thy seruant. † Neuerthelesse in thy dayes I wil not doe it, be∣cause [ 12] of Dauid thy father: out of the hand of thy sonne I wil rent it, † neither wil I take away the whole kingdom, but [ 13] :: 1.529 one tribe I wil geue to thy sonne for Dauid my seruant, and :: 1.530 Ierusalem. Which I haue chosen. † And our Lord raysed [ 14] vp an aduersarie to Salomon, Adad an Idumeite of the kinges seede, who was in Edom. † For when Dauid was in Idumea, [ 15] and Ioab the general of the warfare was gone vp to burie* 1.531 them that were slayne, and had slayne al malekind in Idumea, († for Ioab taried there six monethes and al Israel, til he slew [ 16] al malekind in Idumea,) † Adad him self fled, and men of [ 17] Idumea of his fathers seruantes with him, to goe into Aegypt: and Adad was a litle boy. † And when they rose out of Ma∣dian, [ 18] they came into Pharan, and they tooke with them men of Pharan, and entered into Aegypt to Pharao the king of Ae∣gypt: who gaue him a house, and appoynted him meates, and

assigued him land. † And Adad found grace before Pharao [ 29] excedingly, in so much that he gaue him to wife, the germane sister of his wife Taphnes the queene. † And the sister of [ 20] Taphnes bare him a sonne Genubath, and Taphnes brought him vp in the house of Pharao: and Genubath was dwelling at Pharaoes house with his children. † And when Adad in [ 21] Aegypt had heard, that Dauid slept with his fathers, and that Ioab the general of the warefare was dead, he sayd to Pha∣rao: Dismisse me, that I may goe into my countrie. † And [ 22] Pharao sayd to him: For what lackest thou with me, that thou seekest to goe into thyne owne countrie? But he answe∣red: Nothing: yet I besech thee that thou dismisse me. † God also raysed vp to him an aduersarie, Razon the sonne [ 23] of Eliada, who had fled Adarezer the king of Soba his lord:* 1.532 † and he gathered men agaynst him, and he became the [ 24] captayne of theues, when Dauid killed them: and they went to Damascus, and dwelt there, and they made him king in Damascus, † and he was an aduersarie to Israel :: 1.533 al the dayes [ 25] of Salomon: and this is the euil of Adad, and hatred agaynst Israel, and he reigned in Syria. † Ieroboam also the sonne of [ 26] Nabath, an Ephratheite of Sareda, the seruant of Salomon, whose mother was called Serua, a woman widow lifted vp his hand agaynst the king. † And this is the cause of his re∣bellion [ 27] agaynst him, because Salomon built Mello, and filled vp the breache of the citie of Dauid his father. † And Iero∣boam [ 28] was a strong man and mightie: and Salomon seing the youngman of a good witte & industrious, had made him chief ouer the tributes of al the house of Ioseph. † It came to passe [ 29] therfore at that tyme, that Ieroboam went out of Ierusalem, and the prophete Ahias the Silonite found him in the way, couered with a new cloke: and they two onlie were in the field. † And Ahias taking his new cloke, wherwith he was [ 30] couered, :: 1.534 cut it into twelue partes. † And he sayd to Iero∣boam: [ 31] Take vnto thee ten pieces: for thus sayth our Lord the God of Israel: Behold I wil rent the kingdom out of the hand of Salomon, and wil geue thee ten tribes. † But one [ 32] tribe shal remayne to him for my seruant Dauid, and Ierusa∣lem the citie, which I haue chosen of al the tribes of Israel: † because he hath forsaken me, and hath adored Astarthee [ 33] the goddesse of the Sidonians, & Chamos the god of Moab, and Moloch the god of the children of Ammon: and hath

not walked in my waies, to doe iustice before me, and my pre∣ceptes, and iudgementes as Dauid his father. † Neither wil [ 34] I take away al the kingdom out of his hand, but I wil make him prince al the daies of his life, for Dauid my seruant, whom I chose, who kept my commandmentes and my pre∣ceptes. † But I wil take away the kingdom out of his sonnes [ 35] hand, and wil geue thee ten tribes: † and to his sonne I wil [ 36] geue one tribe, that there may remayne a lampe to Dauid my seruant at al times before me in Ierusalem, the citie which I haue chosen, that my name might be there. † And thee wil [ 37] I take, and thou shalt reigne ouer al thinges, that thy soule desireth, and thou shalt be king ouer Israel. † If therfore [ 38] thou wilt heare al thinges, that I shal command thee, and wilt walke in my waies, and doe that which is right before me, keeping my commandmentes and my preceptes, as Da∣uid my seruant did: I wil be with thee, and wil build thee a faythful house, as I built a house to Dauid, and I wil deliuer Israel to thee: † and I wil afflict the seede of Dauid vpon this, [ 39] but yet not alwaies. † Salomon therfore would haue killed [ 40] Ieroboam: who arose, and fled into Aegypt to Sesac the king of Aegypt, and was in Aegypt vntil the death of Salomon. † And the rest of the wordes of Salomon, and al that he did, [ 41] and his wisedom: behold they are al written in the Booke of the wordes of the daies of Salomon. † And the daies, that Sa∣lomon [ 42] reigned in Ierusalem ouer al Israel, are fourtie yeares. † And Salomon :: 1.535 slept with his fathers, and was buried [ 43] in the citie of Dauid his father, and Roboam his sonne rei∣gned for him.

CHAP. XII. Roboam folowing youngmens counsel, 16. Ieroboam possesseth ten tribes of his Kingdom. 21. VVhich he endouoring to recouer by warre, is admonished by* 1.536 a prophet to cease. 26. Hieroboam setteth vp golden calues to be adored, making temples, altares, and priestes fitte for his purpose.

AND Roboam came into Sichem: for thither was al [ 1] Israel gathered together to make him king. † But Ie∣roboam [ 2] the sonne of Nabat, when he was yet in Aegypt fu∣gitiue from the face of king Salomon, hearing of his death, returned out of Aegypt. † And they sent and called him: Ie∣robo••m [ 3] therfore came, and al the multitude of Israel, and they spake to Roboam, saying. † Thy father layd a most hard [ 4]

yoke vpon vs: thou therfore diminish now a litle of thy fa∣thers most hard empire, and of the most heauie yoke, that he layd vpon vs, and we wil serue thee. † Who sayd to them: [ 5] Goe vntil the third day, and returne to me. And when the people was gone, † king Roboam tooke counsel with the [ 6] ancientes, that assisted before Salomon his father, whiles he yet liued, and he sayd: What counsel doe you geue me, that I may answer this people? † Who sayd to him: If this [ 7] day thou wilt yeld to this people, and condescend to them, and graunt to their petition, and wilt speake to them gentle wordes, they wil be thy seruantes alwaies. † Who leaft the [ 8] counself of the ancientes, which they had geuen him, and admitted yongmen, that had bene brought vp with him, and wayted on him, † and he sayd to them: What counsel geue [ 9] you me, that I may answer this people, which haue sayd to me: Make the yoke lighter which thy father hath put vpon vs? † And the yongmen, that had bene brought vp with him, [ 10] sayd: Thus speake to this people, which haue spoken to thee, saying: Thy father aggrauated our yoke, doe thou ease it. Thus shalt thou speake to them: My least finger is grosser then the backe of my father. † And now my father layd [ 11] vpon you a heauie yoke, but I wil adde vpon your yoke: my father bette you with scourges, but I wil beate you with scor∣pions. † Ieroboam therfore came, and al the people to Ro∣boam [ 12] the third day, as the king had spoken, saying: Returne to me the third day. † And the king answered the people [ 13] rough wordes, leauing the counsel of the ancientes, which they had geuen him, † and he spake to them according to the counsel of the youngmen, saying: My father made your [ 14] yoke heauie, but I wil adde to your yoke: my father bette you with whippes, but I wil beate you with scorpions. † And the king condescended not to the people: because [ 15] our Lord was turned away from him, :: 1.537 that he might rayse vp his word, which he had spoken in the hand of Ahias the Silo∣nite, to Ieroboam the sonne of Nabat. † The people ther∣fore [ 16] seing that the king would not heare them, answered him, saying: What part haue we in Dauid? or what inheri∣tance in the sonne of Isai? Goe into thy tabernacles Israel, now see to thy house Dauid. And Israel went into their ta∣bernacles. † But ouer the children of Israel, whosoeuer [ 17] dwelt in the cities of Iuda, Roboam reigned. † King Roboam [ 18]

therfore sent Aduram, who was ouer the tributes: and al Is∣rael stoned him, and he died, moreouer King Roboam in hast went vp into his chariote, and fled into Ierusalem: † and [ 19] Israel reuolted from the house of Dauid, vntil this present day. † And it came to passe when al Israel had heard, that [ 20] Ieroboam was returned, they sent, and called him, an assem∣blie being gathered, and they made him king ouer al Israel, neither did any man folow the house of Dauid beside the tribe of Iuda onlie. † And Roboam came to Ierusalem, and gathe∣red [ 21] together al the house of Iuda, and the tribe of Benjamin, an hundred fourescore thousand chosen men warriers, to fight agaynst the house of Israel, and to reduce the kingdom to Roboam the sonne of Salomon. † But the word of our [ 22] Lord came to Semeias the man of God, saying: † Speake to [ 23] Roboam the sonne of Salomon, the king of Iuda, and to al the house of Iuda, and Beniamin, and the rest of the people, saying: † Thus sayth our Lord: You shal not goe vp, neither [ 24] shal you fight agaynst your brethren the children of Israel: let euerie man returne into his house, for this word is done by me. They heard the word of our Lord, and returned from their iourney as our Lord had commanded them. † And Ie∣roboam [ 25] built Siehem in mount Ephraim, and dwelt there: and departing thence he built Phanuel. † And Ieroboam [ 26] sayd in his hart: Now wil the kingdom returne to the house of Dauid, † if this people shal goe vp to make sacrifices in [ 27] the house of our Lord into Ierusalem: and the hart of this people wil be turned to their lord Roboam the king of Iuda, and they wil kil me, and returne to him. † And finding out [ 28] :: 1.538 a deuise he made two golden calues, and sayd to them: Goe vp no more into Ierusalem: Behold thy goddes Israel, which brought thee out of the Land of Aegypt. † And he put one in [ 29] Bethel, and the other in Dan: † and this thing was an occa∣sion [ 30] of sinne: for the people went to adore the calfe, as farre as Dan. † And he made temples in the excelses, and priestes [ 31] :: 1.539 of the abiectes of the people, which were not of the chil∣dren of Leui. † And he appoynted a solemne day in the eight [ 32] moneth, the fiftenth day of the moneth, after the similitude of the solemnitie, that was celebrated in Iuda. And going vp he made in like maner an altar in Bethel, to immolate to the calues, which he had framed: and he ordayned in Bethel priestes of the :: 1.540 excelses, which he had made. † And he [ 33]

went vpon the altar, which he had built in Bethel, the fif∣tenth day of the eight moneth, which he had ••orged out of his owne hart: and he made a solemnitie to the children of Israel, and went vp vpon the altar, to burne incense.

CHAP. XIII. A prophet sent from Iuda to Bethel fortelleth the birth of Iosias, and destru∣ction of Ieroboams altar, 4. whose hand being sudenly withered, 6. is re∣stored by the prophets prayer. 11. The same prophet is deceiued by an other prophet, and slame by a lion. 33. Hieroboam proceedeth in impictie.

AND behold a man of God came out of Iuda, in the word [ 1] of our Lord into Bethel, Ieroboam :: standing vpon the altar, and censing. † And he cried out against the altar [ 2] in the word of our Lord, and sayd: Altar, altar, thus saith our Lord: Behold a child shal be borne to the house of Dauid, named :: 1.541 Iosias, and he shal immolate vpon thee priestes of the excelses, which now doe burne frankencense on thee, and he shal burne mens bones vpon thee. † And he gaue a signe [ 3] in that day, saying: This shal be the signe, that our Lord hath spoken: Behold the altar shal be clouen, and the ashes shal be powred out in it. † And when the king had heard the [ 4] word of the man of God, which he cried out against the altar in Bethel, he stretched forth his hand from the altar, saying: Take him. And his hand withered, which he stretched forth agaynst him: neither was he able to draw it backe vnto him. † The altar also was clouen, and the ashes were powred out [ 5] of the altar, according to the signe which the man of God had told before in the word of our Lord. † And the king said [ 6] to the man of God: Besech the face of our Lord thy God, and pray for me, that my hand may be restored me. And the man of God besought the face of our Lord, and the kinges hand was restored to him, and it became as it was before. † And the king spake to the man of God: Come home [ 7] with me, that thou mayst dyne, and I wil geue the giftes. † And the man of God answered the king: If thou woul∣dest [ 8] geue me the halfe part of thy house, I wil not come with thee, nor eate bread, nor drinke water in this place: † for so was it enioyned in the word of our Lord cōmanding: [ 9] Thou shalt not eate bread nor drinke water, nor returne by the way that thou camest. † He departed therfore by an other [ 10] way, and returned not by the way, that the came into Bethel.

† And a certaine prophete being old dwelt in Bethel, to [ 11] whom his sonnes came and told him al the workes, that the man of God had done that day in Bethel: and the wordes which he had spoken to the king, they told their father. † And their father sayd to them: What way went he? His [ 12] sonnes she wed him the way, by which the man of God was gone, which came out of Iuda. † And he said to his sonnes: [ 13] Sadle me and asse. Who when they had sadled it, he got vp, † and went after the man of God, and found him sitting [ 14] vnder a rerebinth: and he said to him: Art thou the man of God that camest out of Iuda? He answered: I am he. † And [ 15] he sayd to him: Come home with me, that thou mayst eate bread. † Who sayd: I can not returue, nor come with thee, [ 16] neither will eate bread, nor drinke water in this place: † because our Lord spake to me in the word of our Lord, [ 17] saying: Thou shalt not eate bread, and thou shalt not drinke water there, nor returne by the way thou wentest. † Who [ 18] sayd to him: I also am a prophet like to thee: and :: 1.542 an Angel hath spoken to me in the word of our Lord, saying: Bring him backe with thee into thy house, that he may eate bread, and drinke water. He deceiued him, † and brought him [ 19] backe with him: he did eate therfore bread in his house, and drunke water. † And when they sate at the table, the word, [ 20] of our Lord came to the prophete, that brought him backe. † And he cried out to the man of God, which came out of [ 21] Iuda, saying: Thus sayth our Lord: Because thou hast not beene obedient to the mouth of our Lord, and hast not kept the commandment, which our Lord thy God commanded thee, † and hast returned, and eaten bread, & drunke water in [ 22] the place wherin he commanded thee that thou shouldest not eate bread, nor drinke water, thy dead bodie shal not be brought into the sepulchre of thy fathers. † And when he [ 23] had eaten & drunke, he sadled his asse for the prophet, whom he brought backe. † Who when he was gone, a lion found [ 24] him in the way, and :: 1.543 killed him, and his bodie was cast forth in the way: and the asse stood by him, and the lion stood by the dead bodie. † And behold, men passing by saw the dead [ 25] bodie cast in the way, and the lion standing beside the bodie. And they came and diuulged it in the citie, wherein that old prophet dwelt. † Which when that prophet heard, which [ 26] had brought him backe out of the way, he sayd: It is the

man of God, that was disobedient to the mouth of our Lord, and our Lord hath deliuered him to the lion, & he hath torne him, and killed him according to the word of our Lord, that he spake to him. † And he sayd to hie sonnes: Sadle me an [ 27] asse. Who when they had sadled, † and he was gone, he [ 28] found his dead bodie cast forth in the way, and the asse and the lion standing by the corse: the lion :: 1.544 did not eate of the dead bodie, nor hurt the asse. † The prophet therfore tooke [ 29] the corse of the man of God, and layd it vpon the asse, and re∣turning brought it into the citie of the old prophete, that they might mourne for him. † And he layd his corse in his [ 30] owne sepulchre: and they mourned for him: Alas, alas my brother. † And when they had mourned for him, he savd to [ 31] his sonnes: When I shal be dead, burie me in the sepulchre, wherein the man of Ged is buried: beside his bones lay my bones. † For assuredly the word shal come to passe, which [ 32] he hath foretold in the word of our Lord agaynst the altar that is in Bethel: and agaynst al the temples of the excelses, that are in the cities of Samaria. † After these wordes Iero∣boam [ 33] returned not from his wicked way: but on the con∣trarie part he made of the most abiect of the people priestes of the excelses: Whosoeuer would, he filled his hand, and he was made a priest of the excelses. † And for this cause did [ 34] the house of Ieroboam sinne, and was ouerthrowen, and de∣stroyed from the face of the earth.

CHAP. XIIII. Ahias the prophet forsheweth the ruine of Hieroboams famili: 12. namely the death of his sonne, for whom being sick, the mother consulteth the prophet. 20. Hieroboam dieth, and his sonne Nadab reigneth. 21. Some also of the people of Iuda, committing idolatrie and other sinnes, 25. the King of Aegypt inuadeth and sacketh Hierusalem. 31. Roboam dieth and his sonne Abias reigneth.

AT that time Abia the sonne of Ieroboam was sicke. [ 1] † And Ieroboam sayd to his wife: Arise, and change [ 2] thy habite, that thou be not knowen to be the wife of Iero∣boam, and goe into Silo, where Ahias the prophete is, which spake to me, that I should reigne ouer this people. † Take [ 3] also in thy hand ten loaues, and crackneles, and a vessel of honic, and goe to him: for he wil shew thee what shal hap∣pen to this childe. † The wife of Ieroboam did as he had [ 4]

spoken: and rising vp went into Silo, and came into the house of Ahias: but he could not see, because his eies were dimme for age. † And our Lord sayd to Ahias: Behold the wife of [ 5] Ieroboam cometh in, to consult thee concerning her sonne that is sicke: thus and thus shalt thou speake to her. When she therfore entered in, and dissembled to be that she was, † Ahias heard the sound of her feete entring in at the doore, [ 6] and sayd: Come in Ieroboams wife: Why doest thou fayne thy self to be an other woman? But I am sent to thee a heauie messenger. † Goe, and tel Ieroboam: Thus sayth our Lord [ 7] the God of Israel: Because I haue exalted thee out of the middes of the people, and made thee prince ouer my people Israel: † and haue rent the kingdom of the house of Dauid, [ 8] and geuen it to thee, and thou haft not beene as my seruant Dauid, who kept my commandementes, and folowed me in al his hatt, doing that which was wel liked in my sight: † but [ 9] hast wrought euil aboue al, that haue beene before thee, and hast made thee strange and molten goddes, :: 1.545 that thou migh∣test prouoke me to anger, and hast reiected me behind thy backe: † therfore behold I wil bring in euils vpon the house [ 10] of Ieroboam, and wil strike of Ieroboam him that pysseth to the wal, and the inclosed, and the vilest in Israel: and I wil cleanse the remaynes of the house of Ieroboam, as dung is wont to be cleansed til al be pure. † They that shal die of [ 11] Ieroboam in the citie, them the dogges shal eate: and they that shal die in the field, them the foules of the ayre shal deuoure: because our Lord hath spoken. † Thou therfore arise, and [ 12] goe into thy house: and in the verie entrance of thy feete into the citie, the childe shal die, † and al Israel shal mourne [ 13] for him, and shal burie him: for this onlie of Ieroboam shal be brought into the sepulchre, because vpon him hath beene found a good word from our Lord the God of Israel, in the house of Ieroboam. † And our Lord wil appoynt to him self [ 14] a king ouer Israel, that shal strike the house of Ieroboam in this day, and in this time: † and our Lord the God of Israel shal [ 15] strike it, as a reede is went to be moued in the water: and he shal plucke out Israel from this good countrie, which he gaue to their fathers, and shal scatter them ouer the Riuer: because they haue made to them selues groues, to prouoke our Lord. † And our Lord shal deliuer Israel for the sinnes of Ieroboam, [ 16] who hath sinned, & made Israel to sinne. † The wi••e therfore [ 17]

of Ieroboam arose, and departed, and came into Thersa: and when she entered the threshold of the house, the childe died, † and they buried him. And al Israel mourned for him accor∣ding [ 18] to the word of our Lord, which he spake in the hand of his seruant Ahias the prophete. † But the rest of the wordes [ 19] of Ieroboam, how he fought, and how he reigned, behold they are written in the Booke of the wordes of the daies of the kinges of Israel. † And the daies, that Ieroboam reigned, [ 20] are two and twentie yeares: and he slept with his fathers: and Nadab his sonne reigned for him. † Moreouer Roboam the [ 21] sonne of Salomon reigned in Iuda: one and fourtie yeares old was Roboam when he began to reigne: seuentene yeares reigned he in Ierusalem the citie, which our Lord chose to put his name there, of al the tribes of Israel. And his mothers name was Naama an Ammonite. † And Iudas did euil before [ 22] our Lord, and prouoked him aboue al thinges, that their fa∣thers had done, in their sinnes which they sinned. † For they [ 23] also built them altars, and statues, and groues vpon euerie high hil, and vnder euerie tree ful of grene leaues: † yea and [ 24] effeminates were in the land, and they did al the abominations of the gentiles, which our Lord destroyed before the face of the children of Israel. † And in the fifth yeare of the reigne [ 25] of Roboam, Sesac the king of Aegypt came vp into Ierusalem, † and tooke the treasures of the house of our Lord, and the [ 26] kinges treasures, and al thinges he spoyled: the shieldes also of gold, which Salomon had made: † for the which Roboam [ 27] made brasen shieldes, & deliuered them into the hand of the captaynes of shield bearers, and of them that kept watch be∣fore the doore of the kinges house. † And when the king [ 28] went into the house of our Lord, they that had the office to goe before, caried them: and afterward they recaried them to the armourie of the shield bearers. † And the rest of the [ 29] wordes of Roboam, & al that he did, behold they are written in the Booke of the wordes of the daies of the kinges of Iuda. † And there was warre betwen Roboam and Ieroboam al∣waies. [ 30] † And Roboam slept with his fathers, and was buried [ 31] with them in the citie of Dauid: and his mothers name was Naama an Ammonite: and Abias his sonne reigned for him.

CHAP. XV. Abias reigneth wickedly in Iuda three yeares. 8. After him his sonne Asa succeding destroyeth idolatrie, reigning fourtie one yeares. 16. VVho hauing

w••rres with the king of Israel, maketh league with the king of Syria, 24. As•• dying Iosaphat succedeth. 25. Nadab reigneth wickedly two yeares in Israel, is then slaine by Baasa of the tribe of Issachar, 29. and his whole familie is destroyed. 33. Baasa also reigneth wickedly twentie foure yeares.

THERFORE in the eightenth yeare of king Ieroboam [ 1] the sonne of Nabat, Abias reigned ouer Iuda. † Three [ 2] yeares reigned he in Ierusalem: the name of his mother was Maacha the daughter of Abessalom. † And he walked in al [ 3] the sinnes of his father, which he had done before him: nei∣ther was his hart perfect with our Lord his God, as the hart of Dauid his father. † But for Dauids sake our Lord his God [ 4] gaue him a lampe in Ierusalem, that he might rayse vp his sonne after him, and establish Ierusalem: † :: 1.546 because Dauid [ 5] had done right in the eies of our Lord, and had not declined from al thinges, which he commanded him, al the daies of his life, except the matter of Vrias the Hetheite. † But there [ 6] was warre betwen Roboam and Ieroboam al the time of his life. † And the rest of the wordes of Abias, and al that he [ 7] did, are they not written in the Booke of the wordes of the kinges of Iuda? And there was warre betwen Abias and Iero∣boam. † And Abias slept with his fathers, and they buried [ 8] him in the citie of Dauid: and Asa his sonne reigned for him. † In the twenteth yeare therfore of Ieroboam the king of [ 9] Israel reigned Asa the king of Iuda. † And he reigned one [ 10] & fourtie yeares in Ierusalem. His mothers name was Maaca, the daughter of Abessalom. † And Asa did right before the [ 11] sight of our Lord, as Dauid his father: † and he tooke away [ 12] the effemmare out of the land, and he purged al the filth of the idols, which his fathers had made. † Moreouer he remo∣ued [ 13] also Maaca his mother, that she should not be princesse in the sacrifices of Priapus, and in the groue which she had consecrated: and he destroyed her denne, and brake the most filthie idol, and burnt it in the torrent cedron: † but :: 1.547 the [ 14] excelses he did not take away. Otherwise the hart of Asa was parfect with our Lord al his daies: † and he caried in those [ 15] thinges, which his father had sanctified, and vowed into the house of our Lord, siluer and gold, and vessels. † And there [ 16] was warre betwen Asa, and Baasa the king of Israel al their daies. † Baasa also the king of Israel went vp into Iuda, and [ 17] built Rama, that no man might go out or come in of Asaes

side the king of Iuda. † Asa therfore taking al the siluer, and [ 18] gold that remained in the treasures of the house of our Lord, and in the treasures of the kinges house, gaue it into the handes of his seruantes: and he sent to Benadad the sonne of Tabremon the sonne of Hezion, the king of Syria, which dwelt in Damascus, saying: † There is a league betwen me [ 19] and thee, & betwixt my father and thy father: therfore I haue sent thee giftes, siluer and gold: and I desire thee that thou come, and make void the league, that thou hast with Baasa the king of Israel, and he may retire from me. † Benadad agreing [ 20] to king Asa, sent the princes of his armie into the citiees of Israel, and they stroke Ahion, and Dan, and Abeldomum of Maacha, and al Cenneroth, to witte, al the Land of Neph∣thali. † Which when Baasa had heard, he intermitted to build [ 21] Rama, and returned into Thersa. † But king Asa sent word [ 22] into al Iuda, saying▪ Let no man be excused▪ and they tooke stones from Rama, and the timber therof, wherwith Baasa had built, and Asa of it built Gabaa Beniamin, and Maspha. † But the rest of al the wordes of Asa, and al his forces, and [ 23] al that he did, & the cities that he built, are not these written in the Booke of the words of the dayes of the kinges of Iuda? How beit in the time of his old age he was diseased in his feete. † And he slept with his fathers, & was buried with them [ 24] in the citie of Dauid his father. And Iosaphat his sonne reig∣ned for him. † But Nadab the sonne of Ieroboam reigned [ 25] ouer Israel the second yeare of Asa the king of Iuda: and he reigned ouer Israel two yeares. † And he did that which is [ 26] euil in the sight of our Lord, and walked in the waies of his father, and in his sinnes, wherwith he made Israel to sinne. † And Baasa the sonne of Ahias of the house of Issachar, lay [ 27] in wayte against him, and stroke him in Gebbethon, which is a citie of the Philistimes: for Nadab and al Israel besieged Gebbethon. † Baasa therfore slew him in the third yeare of [ 28] Asa the king of Iuda, and reigned for him. † And when he [ 29] reigned, he stroke :: 1.548 al the house of Ieroboam: he leaft not so much as one soule of his seede, til he destroied him according to the word of our Lord, which he had spoken in the hand of Ahias the Silonite, † for the sinnes of Ieroboam, which he [ 30] had sinned, and wherwith he had caused Israel to sinne, and for the offence, wherwith he prouoked our Lord the God of Israel. † But the rest of the wordes of Nadab, and al [ 31]

that he wrought, are not these thinges written in the Booke of the wordes of the daies of the kinges of Israel? † And there [ 32] was warre betwen Asa and Baasa the king of Israel al their daies. † In the third yeare of Asa the king of Iuda, reigned [ 33] Baasa the sonne of Ahias, ouer al Israel in Thersa foure and twentie yeares. † And he did euil before our Lord, & walked [ 34] in the waies of Ieroboam, and in his sinnes, wherwith he made Israel to sinne.

CHAP. XVI. Iehu for prophecying the destruction of Baasa and his house, 7. is slaine. 8. yet his sonne Ela reigneth tvvo yeares. 9. Then Zambri rebelleth, killeth Ela, and reigneth. 16. Part of the people choosing Amri (prince of the armie) their king, 18. Zambri desperatly burneth himselfe and the kings palace, 21. an other part folow Thebni as king til his death. 23. Amri reigneth tvvelue yeares vvickedly. 29. His sonne Achab succedeth, marieth Iezabel, and serueth Baal. 34. In the meane time Hiel repairer•• Iericho.

AND the word of our Lord came to Iehu the sonne of [ 1] Hanani agaynst Baasa, saying: † For so much as I haue [ 2] exalted thee out of the dust, & sette thee duke ouer my people Israel, but thou hast walked in the way of Ieroboam, and hast made my people Israel to sinne, that thou mightest anger me with their sinnes: † behold, I wil cut downe the posteritie [ 3] of Baasa, and the posteritie of his house, and I wil make thy house as the house of Ieroboam the sonne of Nabat. † Who∣soeuer [ 4] of Baasa shal die in the citie, him shal the dogges eate: and whosoeuer of his shal die in the countrie, him shal the fowles of the ayre deuoure. † But the rest of the wordes of [ 5] Baasa, and whatsoeuer he did, and his battels, are not these things written in the Booke of the wordes of the daies of the kinges of Israel? † Baasa therfore slept with his fathers, and [ 6] was buried in Thersa: and Ela his sonne reigned for him. † And when the word of our Lord came in the hand of Iehu [ 7] the sonne of Hanani the prophete agaynst Baasa, and agaynst his house, and agaynst al the euil, that he had done before our Lord, to anger him in the workes of his handes, that it should be made as the house of Ieroboam: for this cause he slew him, that is to say, Iehu the sonne of Hanani, the prophete. † In [ 8] the sixe and twenteth yeare of Asa the king of Iuda, reigned Ela the sonne of Baasa ouer Israel in Thersa two yeares. † And [ 9] his seruant Zambri rebelled agaynst him, the captayne of the

halfe part of the horsemen: and Ela was in Thersa drinking, and dronken in the house of Arsa the gouernour of Thersa. † Zambri therfore rushing in, stroke and slew him in the se∣uen [ 10] and twenteth yeare of Asa the king of Iuda, & he reigned for him. † And when he teigned, and sate vpon his throne, [ 11] he stroke al the house of Baasa, and he leaft not of it one that could pysse agaynst a wal, & his kinsfolke and frendes. † And [ 12] Zambri destroyed al the house of Baasa, according to the word of our Lord, that he had spoken to Baasa in the hand of Iehu the prophet, † for al the sinnes of Baasa, and the sinnes [ 13] of Ela his sonne, who sinned, and made Israel to sinne, pro∣uoking our Lord the God of Israel in their vanities. † But [ 14] the rest of the wordes of Ela, and al that he did, are not these writen in the Booke of the wordes of the daies of the kinges of Israel? † In the seuen and twenteth yeare of Asa the king [ 15] of Iuda, reigned Zambri seuen daies in Thersa: moreouer the armie besieged Gebbethon a citie of the Philisthines. † And [ 16] when they heard that Zambri had rebelled, and slayne the king, :: 1.549 al Israel made Amri their king, who was General of the warfare ouer Israel that day, in the campe. † Amri ther∣fore [ 17] went vp, and al Israel with him from Gebbethon, and they besieged Thersa. † And Zambri seing that the citie should [ 18] be taken, he went into the palace, and burnt him self with the kinges house: and he died † in his sinnes, which he had [ 19] sinned doing euil before our Lord, and walking in the way of Ieroboam, and in his sinne; wherwith he made Israel to sinne. † But the rest of the wordes of Zambri, and of his treason, [ 20] and tyrannie, are not these thinges writen in the Booke of the wordes of the dayes of the kinges of Israel? † Then was [ 21] the people of Israel diuided into two partes: the halfe part of the people folowed Thebni the sonne of Gineth, to make him king: and the halfe part Amri. † But the people that [ 22] was with Amri, preuayled ouer the people that folowed Thebni the sonne of Gineth: and Thebni died, and Amri reigned. † In :: 1.550 the one and thirteth yeare of Asa the king of [ 23] Iuda Amri reigned ouer Israel, twelue yeares: in Thersa he reigned six yeares. † And he bought the mount of Samaria [ 24] of Somer for two talentes of siluer: and he built it, and he called the citie which he had built, by the name of Semer the lord of the mount of Samaria. † And Amri did euil in the [ 25] sight of our Lord, and wrought wickedly aboue al, that were

before him. † And he walked in al the way of Ieroboam the [ 26] sonne of Nabat, and in his sinnes wherwith he made Israel to sinne: that they might anger our Lord the God of Israel in their vanities. † But the rest of the wordes of Amri, and the [ 27] battels he made, are not these thinges writen in the Booke, of the battels that he made are not these thinges written in the Booke of the wordes of the daies of the kinges of Israel? † And Amri slept with his fathers, and was buried in Samaria [ 28] and Achab his sonne reigned for him. † But Achab the sonne [ 29] of Amri reigned ouer Israel the eight and thirteth yeare of Asa the king of Iuda. And Achab the sonne of Amri reigned ouer Israel in Samiaria two and twentie yeares. † And Achab [ 30] the sonne of Amri did euil in the sight of our Lord aboue al, that were before him. † Neither did it suffice him that he [ 31] walked in the sinnes of Ieroboam the sonne of Nabat: be∣sides he tooke to wife Iezabel the daughter of Ethbaul the king of the Sidonians. And he went, and serued Baal, and adored him. † And he sette an altar to Baal in the temple of [ 32] Baal, which he had built in Samaria, † and he planted a groue: [ 33] and Achab added in his worke, prouoking our Lord the God of Israel aboue al the kinges of Israel, that were before him. † In his daies Hiel of Bethel built Iericho: :: 1.551 in Abiram [ 34] his first borne he founded it, and in Segub his last he sette vp the gates therof: according to the word of our Lord, which he spake in the hand of Iosue the sonne of Nun.* 1.552

CHAP. XVII. Elias by his prayer ••hutteth the heauen from raining. 2. Is fed by a crovv. 8 and by a vvidovv of Sareptha. 13. vvhose potte of meale, and barrel of oyle diminisheth not. 17. Her sonne dieth, and is raysed to life.

AND Elias the Thesbite of the inhabiters of Galaad said [ 1] to Achab: Our Lord liueth the God of Israel, in whose sight I stand, if there shal be these yearer dew and rayne, but according to the wordes of my mouth. † And the word of [ 2] our Lord came to him, saying: † Depart from hence, and goe [ 3] agaynst the East, and be hidde in the Torrent carith, which is agaynst Iordan, † and there thou shalt drinke of the torrent: [ 4] and I haue commanded the rauens that they feede thee there † He therfore went, and did according to the word of our [ 5] Lord: and when he was gone, he sate in the Torrent carith, which is against Iordan. † The rauens also brought him bread [ 6]

and flesh in the morning, in like maner bread and flesh in the euening, and he dranke of the torrent. † But after certayne [ 7] daies the torrent was dried: for it bad not rayned vpon the* 1.553 earth. † Therfore the word of our Lord came to him, saying: [ 8] † Arise, and goe into Sareptha of the Sidonians, and thou [ 9] shalt tarie there: for I haue commanded a wydow woman there to feede thee. † He arose, and went into Sareptha. And [ 10] when he was come to the gate of the citie, the wydow wo∣man appeared to him gathering stickes, and he called her, and sayd to her: Geue me a litle water in a vessel, that I may drinke. † And when she went to fetch it, he cried after her saying: [ 11] Bring me also, I beseche thee, a morsel of bread in thy hand, † Who answered: Our Lord thy God liueth, I haue no bread, [ 12] but so much meale in a potte as a hand can hold, and a litle oile in a vessel: behold I gather two stickes, that I may goe in, and* 1.554 dresse it for me and my sonne, that we may eate, and die. † To whom Elias sayd: feare not, but goe, and doe as thou [ 13] hast sayd: but first make for me of the same meale a litle harth cake, and bring it to me: and for thy self and thy sonne thou shalt make afterward. † For thus sayth our Lord the God of [ 14] Israel: The potte of meale shal not fayle, nor the vessel of* 1.555 oile be diminished vntil the day, wherin our Lord wil geue rayne vpon the face of the earth. † Who went and did accor∣ding [ 15] to the word of Elias: and he did eate, and she, and her house: and from that day † the pot of meale fayled not, and [ 16] the vessel of oyle was not diminished, according to the word of our Lord, which he spake in the hand of Elias. † And it [ 17] came to passe after these thinges, the sonne of the woman, the goodwife of the house, fel sicke, and the sickenesse was verie vehement so that there remayned no breath in him. † She [ 18] therfore sayd to Elias: What is to me and thee thou man of God? comest thou vnto me, that myne iniquities might be re∣membred, and thou mightest kil my sonne? † And Elias sayd [ 19] to her: Geue me thy sonne. And he tooke him from her bo∣some, and caried him into the vpper chamber where him self abode, and layd him vpon his bed. † And he cried to our [ 20] Lord, and sayd: O Lord my God, :: what, the widow also with whom I am after a sort susteyned, hast thou afflicted, that thou wouldest kil her sonne? † And he stretched forth, & measured [ 21] him selfe vpon the childe three tymes, & he cried to our Lord, and sayd: O. Lord my God, let the soule of this childe, I beseche

thee, returne into his bodie. † And our Lord heard the voice [ 22] of Elias: and the soule of the child returned into him, and he reuiued. † And Elias tooke the childe, and brought him [ 23] downe from the vpper chamber into the lower house, and deliuered him to his mother, and sayd to her: Behold thy sonne liueth. † And the woman sayd to Elias: Now, in this [ 24] I haue knowen that thou art a man of God, and the word of our Lord in the mouth is true.

CHAP. XVIII. The third yeare of famine, Elias meeting the chief gouernour of Achabs house, hardly perswadeth him totel Achab, that he is present. 17. Achab blameth Elias; but Elias freely auoucheth that not he, but Achab trubleth Israel. 19. By a miracle foure hundred and fiftie falsprophetes are conuinced, 40▪ and are slaine. 41. Elias prayeth and it rayneth.

AFTER manie daies the word of our Lord came to Elias, [ 1] the third yeare, saying: Goe, and shew thy self to Achab, that I may geue rayne vpon the face of the earth. † Elias ther∣fore [ 2] went to shew himself to Achab: and there was sore fa∣mine in Samaria. † And Achab called Abdias the gouernour [ 3] of his house: Abdias did feare our Lord very much. † For [ 4] when Iezabel killed the prophetes of our Lord, he tooke an hundred prohetes, and hid them by fiftie and fiftie in caues, and fed them with bread and water. † Achab therfore sayd [ 5] to Abdias: Goe into the land to al the fountaynes of waters, and into al valleys, if perhaps we may finde grasse, and saue the horses and mules, and the beastes may not vtterly perish. † And they diuided the countries betwen them, that they [ 6] might goe circuite about them: Achab went one way, and Abdias an other way seuerally. † And when Abdias was in [ 7] the way, Elias mette him: who when he knew him, :: 1.556 fel on his face, and sayd: My lord, art not thou Elias? † To whom [ 8] he answered: I am. Goe, and tel thy lord: Elias is here. † And [ 9] he sayd: What haue I sinned, that thou deliuerest me thy ser∣uant into the hand of Achab, that he may kil me? † Our [ 10] Lord thy God liueth, there is no nation or kingdom, whither my lord hath not sent to seeke thee: and al answering: He is not here: he adiured al kingdomes and nations, for that thou wast not found. † And now thou sayest to me: Goe, and tel [ 11] thy lord, Elias is here. † And when I am departed from thee, [ 12] the Spirit of our Lord wil carie thee into a place, that I know

not: and I entering in shal tel Achab, and not finding thee, he wil kil me: and thy seruant feareth our Lord from his infancie. † Hath it not beene told thee my lord, what I did [ 13] when Iezabel killed the prophetes of our Lord, that I hid of the prophetes of our Lord an hundred men, by fiftie and fiftie in caues, and fed them with bread and water? † And now [ 14] thou sayst: Goe, and tel thy lord: Elias is here: that he may kil me? † And Elias sayd: The Lord of hostes liueth, before [ 15] whose face I stand, this day wil I appeare to him. † Abdias [ 16] therfore went to meete Achab, and told him: and Achab came to meete Elias. † And when he had seene him, he sayd: [ 17] Art thou he that doest truble Israel? † And he sayd: not I [ 18] haue trubled Israel, but thou, and the house of thy father, who haue forsaken the commandmentes of our Lord, and haue folowed Baalim. † Neuerthelesse send now, and gather [ 19] vnto me al Israel in the mount of Carmel, and the prophetes of Baal foure hundred fiftie, and the prophetes of the groues foure hundred, which eate of Iezabels table. † Achab sent [ 20] to al the children of Israel, and gathered together the pro∣phetes in the mount of Carmel. † And Elias coming to al [ 21] the people, sayd: :: 1.557 How long halt you on two sides? If our Lord be God, folow him: but if Baal, folow him. And the people did not answer him a word. † And Elias sayd agayne [ 22] to the people: I onlie remayne a prophete of our Lord: and the prophetes of Baal are foure hundred and fiftie men. † Let [ 23] two oxen be geuen vs, and let them choose to them selues one oxe, and cutting it into peeces let them lay it vpon wood, but put no fyre vnder: and I wil dresse the other oxe, and wil lay it vpon wood, and put no fire vnder. † Inuocate ye the [ 24] names of your goddes, & I wil inuocate the name of my Lord: and the God that shal heare by fyre, let the same be God. And al the people answering sayd: A very good proposition. † Elias [ 25] therfore sayd to the prophetes of Baal: Choose you one oxe, and make it first, because you are manie: & inuocate the names of your goddes, and put no fire vnder. † Who when they had [ 26] taken the oxe, which he gaue them, they dressed it: and they inuocated the name of Baal from morning vntil midday, saying: Baal heare vs. And there was no voice, nor any that answered: and they leaped ouer the altar, that they had made. † And when it was now midday. Elias iested at them, saying: [ 27] Crie with a lowder voice: for he is God, and perhaps he spea∣keth,

or is in his inne, or in the way, or at the least he slepeth, that he must be waked. † They cried therfore with a lowd [ 28] voice, and cut them selues after their rite with kniues and lancers, til they were al embrewed with bloud. † And after [ 29] the midday was past, and whiles they prophecied, the time was come, when they vsed to offer sacrifice, neither voice was heard, nor any did answer, nor attend them praying: † Elias [ 30] sayd to al the people: Come vnto me. And the people coming to him, he repayred the altar of our Lord, that was destroyed. † And he tooke twelue stones according to the number of [ 31] the tribes of the children of Iacob, to whom the word of our Lord came, saying: Israel shal be thy name. † And he [ 32] built of the stones an altar in the name of our Lord: and he made a water gutter, as it were by two furrowes round about the altar, † and he layed the wood in order, and diuided the [ 33] oxe in iointes, and layd it vpon the wood, † and said: Fil [ 34] foure buckettes with water, and powre vpon the holocauste, and vpon the wood. And againe he sayd: Doe it also the se∣cond time. Who hauing donne it the second time, he said: The third time also doe the same. And they did so the third time, † and the warers ranne about the altar, and the trough of the [ 35] conduite was filled. † And when it was now time that the ho∣locauste [ 36] should be offered, Elias the prophete coming said: Lord God of Abraham, and Isaac, & Israel, shew this day that thou art the God of Israel, and I thy seruant, & that according to thy commandment I haue done al these thinges. † Heare me [ 37] Lord, heare me: :: 1.558 that this people may learne, that thou art our Lord God, & thou hast conuerted their hart againe. † And the [ 38] ••ire of our Lord fel, & deuoured the holocauste, & the wood, and the stones, licking also the dust, and the water, that was in the water gutter. † Which when al the people had seene, [ 39] they fel on their face, and said: Our Lord he is God, our Lord he is God. † And Elias said to them: Apprehend the prophetes [ 40] of Baal, and let not one escape of them. Whom when they had taken, Elias brought them to the Torrent cison, and killed them there. † And Elias sayd to Achab: Goe vp, eate, and [ 41] drinke: because there is sound of much raine. † Achab went [ 42] vp to eate and drinke: and Elias went vp into the toppe of Carmel, and flatte on the earth put his face betwen his knees, † and he said to his seruant: Goe vp, and looke toward the [ 43] sea. Who when he was gone vp, and had looked, he said: There

is nothing. And againe he said to him: Returne seuen tymes. † And in the seuenth time: Behold a litle cloud as it were a [ 44] mans foote, came vp from the sea. Who said: Goe vp and say to Achab: Yoke thy chariote and goe downe, lest the raine pre∣uent thee. † And when he turned him felfe hither and thi∣ther, [ 45] behold the heauens were darkened, and cloudes, and winde, and there fel great raine. Achab therfore going vp went into Iezrahel: † and the hand of our Lord was made [ 46] vpon Elias, and his loynes girded he ranne before Achab, vntil he came into Iezrahel.

CHAP. XIX. Elias fleing Iezabel, in the desert eateth a harth cake and drinketh water, brought by an Angel, and so goeth fourtie dayes and nightes vnto mount Horeb. 9. Lamenting that he alone is leist of the prophetes of God. 15. God commandeth him to returne to Damascus, and anoint Hazael king of Syria, Iehu king of Israel, and Eliseus a prophet: 18. and telleth him, there remaine seuen thousand in Israel, which haue not bowed to Baal.

AND Achab told Iezabel al thinges that Elias had done, [ 1] and how he had killed al the prophetes with the sword. † And Iezabel sent a messenger to Elias, saying: These thinges [ 2] do the goddes to me, and these adde they, if this houre to morow I make not thy soule as the soule of one of them. [ 3] † Elias therfore was afraid, & rysing he went whither soeuer his wil caried him: and he came into Bersabee of Iuda, and leaft his seruant there, † and went forward into the desert, [ 4] one dayes iourney. And when he was come, and sate vnder a iuniper tree, he desired for his soule to die, and sayd: It suffi∣ceth me Lord, take my soul: for I am not better then my fa∣thers. † And he cast him self downe, and slept in the shadow [ 5] of the iuniper tree: and behold an Angel of our Lord tou∣ched him, and sayd to him: Arise, and eate. † He looked, [ 6] and behold at his head harthbaked bread, and a vessel of water: he therfore did eate, and drinke, and he slept againe. † And the Angel of our Lord returned the second time, and [ 7] touched him, and said to him: Arise, eate: for thou hast yet a great way to goe. † Who when he was risen: did eate and [ 8] drinke, & walked in the strength of that meate fourtie daies, and fourtie nightes, vnto the mount of God, Horeb. † And [ 9] when he was come thither, he taried in a caue: and behold the word of our Lord vnto him, & he said to him: What doest thou here Elias? † But he answered: With zele haue I beene zelous [ 10]

for our Lord the God of hostes▪ because the children of Israel haue forsaken thy couenant: thy altars haue they destroyed, & thy prophetes they haue slaine with the sword, & :: 1.559 I alone am leaft, & they seeke my life to take it away. † And he said [ 11] to him: Come forth, and stand in the mount before our Lord: and behold our Lord passeth, and a great winde, and strong ouerthrowing mountaynes and breaking rockes before our Lord: not in the winde is our Lord, and after the winde an earth quake: not in the earth quake is our Lord, † and [ 12] after the earth quake fire: not in the fire is our Lord, and after the fire a wistling of a gentle winde. † Which when [ 13] Elias had heard, he couered his face with his mantel, and coming forth stood in the doore of the caue, and behold a voyce vnto him, saying: What doest thou here Elias? † And [ 14] he answered: With zele haue I beene zelous for our Lord the God of hostes: because the children of Israel haue forsaken thy couenant: thyn altars they haue destroyed, and thy pro∣phetes they haue slaine with the sword, and I alone am leaft, and they seeke my life to take it away. † And our Lord sayd [ 15] to him: Goe, and returne into thy way by the desert of Da∣miascus: and when thou art come thither thou :: 1.560 shalt anoint Hazael king ouer Syria, † and Iehu the sonne of Namsi thou [ 16] shalt anoynt king ouer Israel: and Eliseus the sonne of Sa∣phat, which is of Abelmeula, thou shalt anoynt prophet for thee. † And it shal be, whosoeuer shal escape the sword of [ 17] Hazael, him Iehu shal kil: and whosouer shal escape the sword of Iehu, him shal Eliseus kil. † And I wil leaue me [ 18] in Israel seuen thousand men, whose knees haue not beene bowed before Baal, and euerie mouth, that hath not adored him kyssing his handes. † Elias therfore departing thence, [ 19] found Eliseus the sonne of Saphat, ploughing with twelue yoke of oxen, and he was one of them that ploughed with twelue yoke of oxen: and when Elias came to him, he cast his mantel vpon him. † Who forth with leauing the oxen [ 20] ranne after Elias, and said: Let me kisse, I pray thee, my father, and my mother, and so I wil folow thee. And he sayd to him: Goe, and returne: for that which was my part, I haue donne to thee. † And returning from him, he tooke a yoke [ 21] of oxen, and killed them, and sod the flesh with the plough of the oxen, and gaue to the people, and they did eate: and rysing vp he departed, and folowed Elias, & ministred to him.

CHAP. XX. The Syrians threatning and besieging Samaria, 13. God signifieth by a pro∣phet to Achab, that he shal haue the victorie. 20. which he obtaineth. 23. Also the second yeare fighting in the champaine. 31. ••ut sauing the king of Syrians life, and making league with him, 35. one of the children of the prophetes being slaine, for not stryking when he was so commanded, 37. an other denounceth reuenge to Achab, for not killing the Syrian King.

MOREOVER Benadad the king of Syria, gathered to∣gether [ 1] al his host, & two & thirtie kinges with him, & horses, and chariotes: and going vp fought agaynst Samaria, and besieged it. † And sending messengers to Achab the king [ 2] of Israal into the citie, † he said: Thus saith Benadad: Thy [ 3] siluer, and thy gold is mine: and thy wiues, and thy principal children be mine. † And the king of Israel answered: Ac∣cording [ 4] to thy word my lord king, I am thine, and al that is mine. † And the messengers returning, said: Thus saith Bena∣dad, [ 5] which sent vs vnto thee: Thy siluer, and thy gold, and thy wiues, and thy children thou shalt geue me. † To morow [ 6] therfore this verie honre I wil send my seruantes to thee, and they shal search thy house, and the house of thy seruantes: and al that pleaseth them, they shal put in their handes, and take away. † And the king of Israel called al the ancientes of [ 7] the land, and said: Marke, and see that he seeketh to intrappe vs. for he sent to me for my wiues, and children, and for the siluer and gold: and I said not nay. † And al the ancientes, [ 8] and al the people said to him: Heare not, neither agree vnto him. † He therfore answered the messengers of Benadad: Tel [ 9] my Lord the king: Al thinges for the which thou didst send to me thy seruant in the beginning I wil doe: but this thing I can not doe. † And the messengers returning made report [ 10] vnto him, who sent againe, and sayd: These thinges doe the goddes to me, and these adde they, if the dust of Samaria shal suffice for the hanfulles of al the people, that foloweth me. † And the king of Israel answering, sayd: Tel him, :: let not [ 11] * 1.561 the girded glorie as the vngirded. † And it came to passe, [ 12] when Benaded had heard this word, himself and the kinges dranke in pauilions, and he sayd to his seruantes: Besette the citie, and they did besette it. † And behold a prophete co∣ming [ 13] to Achab the king of Israel, said to him: Thus sayth our Lord, Hast thou in dede sene al this exceding great multitude?

behold, I wil deliuer them into thy hand this day: that thou mayst know, that I am the Lord. † And Achab said: By whom? [ 14] And he said to him: Thus saith our Lord: By the seruantes of the princes of the prouinces. And he said: Who shal begin to fight? And he said: Thou. † He therfore mustered the ser∣uantes [ 15] of the princes of the prouinces, and he found the num∣ber of two hundred thirtie two: and he mustered after them the people, al the children of Israel, seuen thousand. † And [ 16] they went forth at noone. But Benadad dranke al dronken in his tent, and two and thirtie kinges with him, which were come to ayde him. † The seruantes therfore of the princes [ 17] of the prouinces issued forth in the forefront. Benadad ther∣fore sent. Who told him, saying: Men are come forth out of Samarìa. † And he said: Whether they come for peace, take [ 18] them aliue: or els to fight, aliue take ye them. † The seruantes [ 19] therfore of the princes of the prouinces issued forth, and the rest of the armie folowed: † and euerie one stroke the man, [ 20] that came against him: and the Syrians fled, and Israel pursu∣ed them▪ Benadad also the king of Syria fled on horsebacke with his horsemen. † Moreouer the king of Israel issuing [ 21] forth stroke the horses and chariotes, and he stroke Syria with a great slaughter. † And a prophet coming to the king [ 22] of Israel, said to him: Goe, and take courage, and know, and see what thou doest: for the yeare folowing the king of Syria wil come vp against thee.) † But the seruantes of the king of [ 23] Syria said to him: The goddes of the mountaynes be their goddes, therfore haue they ouercome vs: but it is better that we fight against them in the champaine, & we shal ouercome them. † Thou therfore do this word: Remoue al the kinges [ 24] from thine armie, and put captaines for them: † and repaire [ 25] the number of souldiars, that are slaine of thine, and horses according to the old horses, & chariotes according to the cha∣riotes, which thou hadst before: and we wil fight against them in the champaine, and thou shalt see that we shal ouercome them. He beleued their counsel, and did so. † Therfore after [ 26] a yeare was passed, Benadad mustered the Syrians, and went vp into Aphec, to fight against Israel. † Moreouer the chil∣dren [ 27] of Israel were mustered, and taking victuals they went forth on the contrarie side, and camped against them, as it were two litle flockes of goates: but the Syrians filled the land. († And a man of God coming, said to the king of Israel: [ 28]

Thus saith our Lord: Because the Syrians haue said: The Lord is God of the mountaines, and is not God of the Valleis: I wil geue al this great multitude into thy hand, and :: 1.562 you shal know that I am the Lord.) † And seuen dayes did these, and [ 29] they direct their armies one against the other, and in the seuenth day was the battel fought: and the children of Israel stroke of the Syrians an hundred thousand footemen in one day. † And they that remained in Aphec, fled into the citie: [ 30] and the wal fel vpon seuen and twentie thousand men, that were leaft. Moreouer Benadad fleing entered the citie, into a chamber that was within a chamber, † and his seruantes [ 31] said to him: Behold, we haue heard that the kinges of the house of Israel are merciful: Let vs therfore put sackeclothes on our loynes, and cordes on our heades, and goe forth to the king of Israel: perhaps he wil saue our liues. † They gir∣ded [ 32] their loines with sackclothes, and put cordes on their heades, and came to the king of Israel, and said to him: Thy seruant saith: Let my soule liue, I besech thee. And he said: If he be yet aliue he is my brother. † Which the men tooke [ 33] for good lucke: and in hast caught the word of his mouth, and said: Thy brother Benadad. And he said to them: Goe and bring him to me. Benadad therfore came out to him, and he lifted him vp into his chariote. † Who said to him: The cities [ 34] which my father tooke from thy father, I wil render: doe thou make thee stretes in Damascus, as my father made in Samaria, and I confederate wil depart from thee. He therfore made a league, and dimissed him. † Then a certaine man of [ 35] the children of the prophetes sayd to his felow in the word of our Lord: Strike me. But he would not strike. † To [ 36] whom he said: Because thou wouldest not heare the word of our Lord, behold thou shalt depart from me, and a lion shal strike thee. And when he was departed a litle from him, a lyon found him, and slew him. † But finding also an other [ 37] man, he said to him: Strike me. Who stroke him, and woun∣ded him. † The prophete therfore went, and metre the king [ 38] in the way, and with sprinkling of dust changed his face and his eies. † And when the king passed by, he cried to the king, [ 39] and said: Thy seruant went forth to fight hand strokes: and when a certaine man was fled, one brought him to me, and said: Keepe this man: who if he shal slippe away, thy life shal be for his life, or thou shalt pay a talent of siluer. † And [ 40]

whiles I being trubled turned hither and thither, sodenly he appeared not. And the king of Israel sayd to him: This is thy iudgement, which thy self hast decreed. † But he forthwith [ 41] wyped of the dust from his face, and the king of Israel knew him, that he was of the prophetes. † Who sayd to him: Thus [ 42] sayth our Lord: :: 1.563 Because thou hast let goe out of thy hand a man worthie to die, thy life shal be for his life, and thy people for his people. † The king of Israel therfore returned into [ 43] his house, contemning to heare, & raging came into Samaria.

CHAP. XXI. Naboth for denying his vineyard to King Achab, is by quene Iezabels com∣mandment, falsly accused, and stoned to death. 10. Achab hastening to possesse the vineyard, Elias the prophet threatneth him manie euiles. 23. and no lesse to Iezabel▪ both being obstinate in sinne. 27. Yet Achab for feare of punishment, doth external workes of penance, and therby escapeth part of the temporal plagues.

AND after these wordes, at that tyme Naboth the Iezra∣helite [ 1] had a vineyard, which was in Iezrahel, beside the palace of Achab the king of Samaria. † Achab therfore [ 2] spake to Naboth, saying: Geue me thy vineyard, that I may make me a garden of herbes, because it is nigh, and ioyning to my house, and :: 1.564 I wil geue thee for it a better vineyard: or if thou thinke it more commodious for thee, the price of siluer, so much as it is worth. † To whom Naboth answered: [ 3] Our Lord be merciful to me, that I geue not the inheritance of my fathers to thee. † Achab therfore came into his house [ 4] with indignation, and fretting vpon the word, that Naboth the Iezrahelite had spoken to him, saying: I wil not geue thee the inheritance of my fathers. And casting him self vpon his bed, he turned away his face to the wal, and did not eate bread. † And Iezabel his wife went in vnto him, and sayd [ 5] to him: What is this matter, whereupon thy soule is greued? and why eatest thou not bread? † Who answered her: I [ 6] spake to Naboth the Iezrahelite, and sayd to him: Geue me thy vineyard, taking money for it: or if it please thee, I wil geue thee a better vineyard for it. And he sayd: I wil not geue thee my vineyard. † Iezabel therfore his wife sayd to [ 7] him: Thou art of great authoritie, and doest wel gouerne the kingdome of Israel: Arise, and eate bread, and be of good cheere, I wil geue thee the vineyard of Naboth the Iezrahe∣lite.

† She therfore wrote letters in the name of Achab, and [ 8] signed them with his ring, and sent to the ancientes, and the chiefe men that were in his citie, and dwelt with Naboth. † And this was the tenor of the letters: Proclame a fast, and [ 9] make Naboth sitte among the chiefe of the people, † and [ 10] suborne two men the children of Belial agaynst him, and let them beare false testimony: that he hath :: 1.565 blessed God and the king: and bring him forth, and stone him, and so let him die. † His citizens therfore the ancientes and chiefe men, [ 11] that dwelt with him in the citie, did as Iezabel had com∣manded them, and as it was written in the letters which she sent to them: † they proclamed a fast, and made Naboth [ 12] sitte among the chiefe of the people. † And two men the [ 13] children of the diuel being brought forth, they made them sitte agaynst him: but they, as deuelish men, gaue testimonie agaynst him before the multitude: Naboth hath blessed God and the king: for the which thing they brought him forth without the citie, and killed him with stones. † And they [ 14] sent to Iezabel, saying: Naboth is stoned, and is dead. † And [ 15] it came to passe, when Iezabel had heard that Naboth was stoned, and dead, she spake to Achab: Arise, and possesse the vineyard of Naboth the Iezrahelite, who would not agree vnto thee, and geue it taking money: for Naboth liueth not, but is dead. † Which when Achab had heard, to witte, that [ 16] Naboth was dead, he arose, & went downe into the vineyard of Naboth the Iezrahelite, to possesse it. † The word of our [ 17] Lord therfore came to Elias the Thesbite, saying: † Arise, [ 18] and goe downe to meete Achab the king of Israel, who is in Samaria: behold he goeth downe to the vineyard of Naboth, to possesse it: † and thou shalt speake to him, saying: Thus [ 19] sayth our Lord: Thou hast slayne, moreouer also thou hast possest. And after these wordes thou shalt adde: Thus sayth our Lord: In this place, wherein the dogges haue licked the bloud of Naboth, they * 1.566 shal licke thy bloud also. † And [ 20] Achab sayd to Elias: Hast thou found me thyne enemie? Who sayd: I haue found thee, for that thou art sold, to doe euil in the sight of our Lord. † Behold I wil bring euil vpon thee, [ 21] and wil cut downe thy posteritie, and wil kil of Achab him that pisseth agaynst the wal, and the inclosed, and the last in Israel. † And I wil make thy house, as the house of Ieroboam [ 22] the sonne of Nabat, and as the house of Baasa the sonne of

Ahias: because thou hast done, to prouoke me to anger, and hast made Israel to sinne. † But of Iezabel also our Lord spake, [ 23] saying: The dogges shal eate Iezabel in the field of Iezrahel. † If Achab die in the citie, the dogges shal eate him: but if [ 24] he die in the field, the foules of the ayre shal eate him. † Ther∣fore [ 25] there was not such an other as Achab, who :: 1.567 was sold to doe euil in the sight of our Lord: for his wife Iezabel sette him on, † and he became abominable, in so much that he [ 26] folowed the idols, which the Amorrheites had made, whom our Lord consumed before the face of the children of Israel. † Therfore when Achab had heard these wordes, he rent [ 27] his garmentes, and couered his flesh with haercloth, and fasted and slept in sackcloth, and walked casting downe his head. † And the word of our Lord came to Elias the Thesbite, [ 28] saying: † Hast thou not seene Achab humbled before me? [ 29] therfore, because he hath humbled him self for my sake, I wil not bring in the euil in his dayes, but in his sonnes daies wil I bring the euil vpon his house.

CHAP. XXII. Achab King of Israel consulting and beleuing false prophetes rather then Mi∣cheas a true prophet, accompanied with Iosaphat king of Iuda, resolueth to fight against the Syrians for Ramoth Galaad. 26. Committeth Micheas to prison, 29. procedeth to the warre, 34. is slaine, and Ochozias saccedeth. 41. Iosaphat refuseth to traffike longer with Ochozias; dieth, and his sonne Ioram reigneth. 52. Ochozias foloweth the euil steppes of his parents.

THERE passed therfore three yeares without warre [ 1] betwen Syria aud Israel. † And in the third yeare, Iosa∣phat [ 2] the king of Iuda went downe to the king of Israel. († And the king of Israel sayd to his seruantes: are you igno∣rant [ 3] that Ramoth Galaad is ours, and we neglect to take it out of the hand of the king of Syria?) † And he sayd to Iosa∣phat: [ 4] Wilt thou come with me to sight into Ramoth Galaad? † And Iosaphat sayd to the king of Israel: As I am, so thou also: [ 5] my people and thy people are one: and my horsemen thy hors∣men. And Iosaphat sayd to the king of Israal: Aske, I besech thee, this day the word of our Lord. † The king of Israel [ 6] therfore assembled the prophetes, about foure hundred men, and he sayd to them: Shal I goe into Ramoth Galaad to fight, or sitte stil? Who answered: Goe vp, and our Lord wil geue it into the kinges hand. † And Iosaphat sayd: :: 1.568 Is there not [ 7]

here some prophete of our Lord, that we may aske by him? † And the king of Israel sayd to Iosaphat: There is one man [ 8] leaft, by whom we may aske our Lord: but I hate him, be∣cause he doeth not prophecie vnto me good, but euil, Mi∣cheas the sonne of Iemla. To whom Iosaphat sayd: Speake not so ô king. † The king of Israel therfore called a certaine [ 9] eunuch, and sayd to him: Make hast, and bring hither Micheas the sonne of Iemla. † And the king of Israel, and Iosaphat [ 10] the king of Iuda sate eche in his throne clothed with royal attyre, in a court beside the doore of the gate of Samaria, and al the prophetes prophecied before them. † Sedecias the [ 11] sonne of Chanaana made him self :: 1.569 hornes of yron, and sayd: Thus sayth our Lord: With these shalt thou strike Syria, til thou destroy it. † And al the prophetes in like maner pro∣phecied, [ 12] saying: Ascend into Ramoth Galaad, and goe pro∣sperousely, & our Lord wil deliuer it into the Kinges handes. † But the messenger, that went to cal Micheas, spake to him, [ 13] saying: Behold the wordes of the prophetes with one mouth preach good thinges to the king: let thy word therfore be like to theirs, and speake good thinges. † To whom Micheas [ 14] sayd: Our Lord liueth, whatsoeuer our Lord shal tel me, that wil I speake. † He therfore came to the king, and the king [ 15] sayd to him: Micheas, shal we goe into Ramoth Galaad to sight, or sitte stil? To whom he answered: :: 1.570 Ascend, and goe prosperousely, and our Lord wil deliuer it into the kinges handes. † But the king sayd to him: I adiure thee agayne and [ 16] agayne, that thou speake not to me but that which is true in the name of our Lord. † And he sayd: I saw al Israel disper∣sed [ 17] in the mountaynes, as sheepe not hauing a shepeheard, and our Lord sayd: These haue no maister: let euerie man returne into his house in peace. († Therfore the king of Israel sayd [ 17] to Iosaphat: Did I not tel thee, that he doeth not prophecie me good, but alwaies euil?) † But he adding, sayd: Therfore [ 19] heare the word of our Lord: I saw our Lord sitting vpon his throne, and al the hoste of heauen assisting him on the right hand and on the left: † and our Lord sayd: Who shal [ 20] deceiue Achab the king of Israel, that he may goe vp, and fal in Ramoth Galaad? And one sayd these maner of wordes, and an other otherwise. † And there came forth a spirit, [ 21] and stood before our Lord, and sayd: I wil deceiue him. To whom our Lord spake: Wherein? † And he sayd: I [ 22]

wil goe forth, and be a lying spirit in the mouth of al his prophetes. And our Lord sayd: Thou shalt deceiue, and shalt preuayle: :: 1.571 goe forth, and doe so. † Now therfore [ 23] behold our Lord hath geuen the spirite of lying in the mouth of al thy prophetes, that are here, and our Lord hath spoken euil agaynst thee. † And Sedecias the sonne of Cha∣nanna [ 24] came, and smote Micheas on the cheeke, and sayd: Hath the Spirit of our Lord leaft me, and hath it spoken to thee? † And Micheas sayd: Thou shalt see in that day, when [ 25] thou shalt enter into thy chamber, :: within the chamber to be hid. † And the king of Israel sayd: Take Micheas, and let [ 26] him tarie with Amon the gouernour of the citie, and with Ioab the sonne of Amelech, † and tel them: Thus sayth the [ 27] king: Cast this man into prison, and feede him with bread of tribulation, and water of distresse, til I returne in peace. † And Micheas sayd: If thou returne in peace, our Lord hath [ 28] not spoken in me. And he sayd: Heare al ye peoples. † Ther∣fore [ 29] the king of Israel went vp, and Iosaphat the king of Iuda into Ramoth Galaad. † The king of Israel therfore sayd [ 30] to Iosaphat: Take armour, and goe into the battel, and put on thyne owne garmentes. Moreouer the king of Israel changed his habite, and went into the battel. † And the [ 31] king of Syria had commanded the princes of his chariotes thirtie and two, saying: You shal not fight agaynst any lesser, or greater, but agaynst the king of Israel onlie. † When ther∣fore [ 32] the princes of the chariotes had seene Iosaphat, they su∣spected that he was the king of Israel, and making a violent assault they fought agaynst him: & Iosaphat cried out. † And [ 33] the princes of the chariotes perceiued that he was not the king of Israel, and they ceased from him. † And a certaine [ 34] man bent his bow, directing the arrow at al aduenture, and :: 1.572 by chance he stroke the king of Israel betwen the lunges and the stomacke. But he sayd to his cochere: Turne thy hand, and carrie me out of the armie, because I am greuousely wounded. † The battel therfore was fought that day, and [ 35] the king of Israel stood in his chariote agaynst the Syrians, and he died in the euening: & the bloud of the wound ranne into the middes of the chariote, † and the herauld sounded [ 36] in al the armie before the sunne sette, saying: Euerie man re∣turne into his citie, and into his countrie. † And the king [ 37] died, and was carried into Samaria: and they buried the king

in Samaria, † and washed his chariote in the poole of Sa∣maria, [ 38] and the dogges licked his bloud, and they washed the raynes of the bridle, according to the word of our Lord which he had spoken. † But the rest of the wordes of Achab, [ 39] and al that he did, and the house of yuorie, that he built, and of al the cities that he built, are not these thinges written in the Booke of the wordes of the daies of the kinges of Israel? † Achab therfore slept▪ with his fathers, and Ochozias his [ 40] sonne reigned for him. † But Iosaphat the sonne of Asa be∣gan [ 41] to reigne ouer Iuda the fourth yeare of Achab the king of Israel. † Fiue and thirtie yeares old was he when he began [ 42] to reigne, and fiue and twentie yeares he reigned in Ierusa∣lem: the name of his mother was Azuba the daughter of Sa∣lai. † And he walked in al the way of Asa his father, and he [ 43] declined not from it: and he did that which was right in the sight of our Lord. † But yet he tooke not away the excelses: [ 44] for as yet the people did sacrifice, and burnt incense in the excelses. † And Iosaphat had peace with the king of Israel. [ 45] † But the rest of the wordes of Iosaphat, and his workes, [ 46] which he did, and his battels, are not these thinges written in the Booke of the wordes of the daies of the kinges of Iuda? † Yea and the remnant of the effeminate, which remayned [ 47] in the daies of Asa his father, he tooke out of the land. † Nei∣ther [ 48] was there then a king appoynted in Edom. † But king [ 49] Iosaphat had made nauies on the sea, which should saile into Ophir for gold: and they could not goe, because they were broken in Asiongaber. † Then sayd Ochozias the sonne of [ 50] Achab to Iosaphat: Let my seruantes goe with thy seruantes in the shippes. And Iosaphat would not. † And Iosaphat slept [ 51] with his fathers, and was buried with them in the Citie of Dauid his father: and Ioram his sonne reigned for him. † And [ 52] Ochozias the sonne of Achab began to reigne ouer Israel in Samaria, in the seuententh yeare of Iosaphat the king of Iuda, and he reigned ouer Israel two yeares. † And he did euil in [ 53] the sight of our Lord, and walked in the way of his father and his mother, and in the way of Ieroboam the sonne of Nabat, who made Israel to sinne. † He serued also Baal, and adored [ 54] him, and prouoked our Lord the God of Israel, according to al thinges which his father had done.

THE ARGVMENT OF THE FOVRTH BOOKE OF KINGES.

THIS fourth booke prosecuteth the historie of the two Kingdomes of Iuda and Israel, to the seueral captiuities of them both. Shewing manie special vertues and heroical actes of good Kinges, Prophetes, and other godlie persons: and diuers crimes of the wicked. For in Iuda were some good kinges,* 1.573 highly commended; some euil, whom God spared in this world for Dauids sake. So that in both sortes King Dauids seede continued in his throne, and royal state (first in the twelue tribes, afterward in two) nere foure hundred fourscore yeares. And after the captiuitie (as wil appeare in the age ensuing) it was conserued in honour and estimation, til Christ our Sauiour. But in the* 1.574 Kingdome of Israel (or tenne tribes) which stood about two hundred fiftie yeares, was great change, by raysing and extirpating royal families. Al their kinges were bad, yet partly were set vp by God himself, partly suffered to reigne; and in both Kingdomes, were true and false prophetes, God vsing the ministerie of al, to his owne glorie, the good of his Church, and punishment of others, and sometimes of themselues. So this booke may be diuided into two* 1.575 partes. In the seuentene former chapters, are recorded ioyntly and mixtly the principal thinges donne in both kingdomes, til the captiuitie of the tenne tribes. The other eight chapters conteine other thinges donne in Iuda, vntil their captiuitie in Babylon.

THE FOVRT BOOKE OF KINGES: ACCORDING TO THE HEBREWES, THE SECOND OF MALACHIM.

CHAP. I. Ochozias King of Israel consulting Beelzebub, for his sicknes, is blamed by Elias, and fortold, that he shal die. 9. Fire from heauen deuoureth two capitaines with ech of them fiftie men. 13. The third by his more modestie escapeth the like danger, 15. With him Elias cometh to the King. 17. The same King dieth, and his brother Ioram succedeth.

AND Moab moued warre agaynst Israel, after that [ 1] * 1.576 ••chab was dead. † And Ochozias fel through the [ 2] ••anchions of his vpper chamber which he had in Samaria, and was sicke: and he sent messengers, saying to them: Goe, consult Beelzebub the god of Accaron, whether I may liue of this my infirmitie. † And [ 3]

an Angel of our Lord spake to Elias the Thesbite, saying: Arise, and goe vp to meete the messengers of the king of Samaria, and thou shal say to them: What is there not a God in Israel, that ye goe to consult Beelzebub the god of Ac∣caron▪ † Wherfore thus saith our Lord: From the bed on [ 4] which thou art ascended, thou shalt not goe downe, but dying thou shalt die. And Elias went away. † And the mes∣sengers [ 5] returned to Ochozias. Who said to them: Why are you returned? † But they answered him: A man mette vs: [ 6] and sayd to vs: Goe, and returne to the king, that sent you, and you shal say to him: Thus saith our Lord: Doest thou therfore send to consult Beelzebub the god of Accaron, because there was no God in Israel? Therfore from the bed, which thou art vpon, thou shalt not goe downe, but dying thou shalt dye. † Who said to them: What shape and habite had that [ 7] man, which mette you, and spake these wordes? † But they [ 8] said: A hearie man, and girded about his raines with a girdle of lether: Who said: :: 1.577 It is Elias the Thesbite. † And he [ 9] sent vnto him a captaine of fiftie men, and the fiftie that were vnder him. Who went vp and sayd to him sitting in the toppe of the mount: Man of God, the king hath commanded that thou come downe. † And Elias answering, sayd to the cap∣taine [ 10] of fiftie men: If I be a man of God, :: 1.578 let fyre come downe from heauen, and deuoure thee, and thy fiftie. Fyre therfore came downe from heauen, and deuoured him and the fiftie men that were with him. † And he sent againe [ 11] vnto him an other captaine of fiftie men, and his fiftie with him. Who spake to him: Man of God, Thus saith the king: Make hast, come downe. † Elias answering said: If I be a [ 12] man of God, let fyre come downe from heauen, and deuoure thee, and thy fiftie. Fyre therfore came downe from heauen, and deuoured him, and his fiftie. † Agayne he sent a third [ 13] captaine of fiftie men, and the fiftie that were with him. Who when he was come, bowed his knees toward Elias, and prayed him and sayd: Man of God despise not my life and the liues of thy seruantes that are with me. † Behold [ 14] fyre came downe from heauen, and hath deuoured the two first captaynes of fiftie men, and the fifties, that were with them: but now I besech the that thou haue mercie on my life. † And an Angel of our Lord spake to Elias, saying: Goe [ 15] downe with him, feare not. He therfore arose, and went

downe with him to the king, † and spake to him: Thus saith [ 16] our Lord: Because thou hast sent messengers to consult Beel∣zebub the god of Accaron, as though there were not a God in Israel, of whom thou mightest aske the word, therfore from the bed, which thou art ascended vpon, thou shalt not descend, but dying thou shalt die. † He died therfore accor∣ding [ 17] to the word of our Lord which Elias spake, & Ioram his brother reigned for him, in the second yeare of Ioram the sonne of Iosaphat the king of Iuda: for he had no sonne. † But the rest of the wordes of Ochozias, which he wrought, [ 18] are not these written in the Booke of the wordes of the daies of the kinges of Israel?

CHAP. II. Eliseus wil not part from Elias. 7. Fiftie disciples folow them to Iordan. 8. The water is diuided by Elias cloke, and they two passe the drie chanel, 9. Elias is assumpted in a firie chariote, and his duble spirite is geuen to Eliseus, 13. Who returning by like miraculous meanes ouer Iordan, the disciples re∣ceiue and honour him as their religious Superiour. 16. They seeke Elias, but find him not. 19. Eliseus amendeth the waters by casting in salt. 23. Boyes are torne by bear••s for mocking Eliseus.

AND it came to passe, when our Lord would take vp [ 1] Elias by a hurle winde into * 1.579 heauen, Elias and Eliseus went from Galgal. † And Elias sayd to Eliseus: Sitte here, [ 2] because our Lord hath sent me as far as Bethel. To whom Eliseus sayd: Our Lord liueth, and thy soule liueth, I wil not* 1.580 leaue thee. And when he was come downe to Bethel, † the [ 3] children of the prophetes, that were in Bethel, went forth to Eliseus, and sayd to him: Doest thou know, that this day our Lord wil take thy maister from thee? Who answered: I also know it: hold your peace. † And Elias sayd to Eliseus: Sitte [ 4] here, because our Lord hath sent me into Iericho. And he sayd: Our Lord liueth, & thy soule liueth, I wil not leaue thee. And when they were come to Iericho, † the children of the [ 5] prophetes, that were in Iericho, came to Eliseus, and sayd to him: Doest thou know that this day our Lord wil take away thy maister from thee? And he sayd: I also know it, hold your peace. † And Elias sayd to him: Sitte here, because our Lord [ 6] hath sent me as farre as Iordan. Who sayd: Our Lord liueth, and thy soule liueth, I wil not leaue thee: They went therfore both together, † & fiftie men of the children of the prophetes [ 7]

folowed them, who also stood ouer agaynst them, farre of: but they two stood vpon Iordan. † And Elias tooke his man∣tel, [ 8] and folded it together, and smote the waters, which were diuided into two partes, and they both passed ouer by the drie land. † And when they were ouer, Elias sayd to Eliseus: Aske [ 9] what thou wilt haue me to doe for thee, before I be taken from thee. And Eliseus sayd: I besech thee that in me may be :: 1.581 thy duble spirit. † who answered: Thou hast asked a [ 10] hard thing: Neuerthelesse if thou see me, when I shal be ta∣ken from thee, thou shalt haue that thou hast asked: but if thou see me not, thou shalt not haue it. † And when they [ 11] went forward, and going talked together, behold a fyrie cha∣riote, and fyrie horses parted them two asunder: and Elias ascended by a hurle winde into heauen. † And Eliseus saw [ 12] him, and cried: My father, my father, the chariote of Israel, and the guider therof. And he saw him no more: and he tooke his garmentes, and rent them in two peeces. † And he tooke [ 13] vp the mantel of Elias, that was fallen to him: and returning he stood vpon the banke of Iordan, † and with the mantel of [ 14] Elias, that fel downe to him, he smote the waters, and they were not diuided. And he sayd: Where is the God of Elias, now also? and he smote the waters, and they were diuided this way and that way, and Eliseus passed ouer. † And the [ 15] children of the prophetes, that were in Iericho, ouer agaynst him seing him, sayd: The spirit of Elias hath rested vpon Eli∣seus. And coming to meete him, :: 1.582 adored him flatte to the ground, † and they sayd to him: Behold, there are with thy [ 16] seruantes fiftie strong men, that can goe, and seeke thy mai∣ster, lest perhaps the spirit of our Lord hath taken him, and cast him vpon one of the mountaines, or into one of the val∣leis. Who sayd: Send not. † And they forced him, til he a∣greed, [ 17] and sayd: Send. And they sent fiftie men Who when they had sought three daies, found not. † And they returned [ 18] to him: but he dwelt in Iericho, and he sayd to them: Did I not say to you: Send not? † The men also of the citie sayd to [ 19] Eliseus: Behold the habitation of this citie is verie good, as thy selfe my lord perceiuest: but the waters are very il, and the ground barren. † But he sayd: Fetch me a new vessel, [ 20] and put salt into it. Which when they had brought, † going [ 21] out to the fountayne of the waters, he cast salt into it, and sayd: Thus sayth our Lord: I haue amended these waters, and

death shal no more be in them, nor barrennesse. † The wa∣ters [ 22] therfore were amended vntil this day, according to the word of Eliseus, which he spake. † And from thence he went [ 23] vp into Bethel: & when he went vp by the way, little laddes came forth out of the citie, and mocked him, saying: Come vp baldhead, come vp baldhead. † Who when he had looked [ 24] backe, he saw them, & cursed them in the name of our Lord: and two beares came forth out of the forest, & tore of them two and fourtie boyes. † and from thence he went into the [ 25] mount of Carmel, and from thence he turned into Samaria.

CHAP. III. Ioram king of Israel accompianed with the kinges of Iuda & Edom, fighteth against the king of Moab, for not paying tribute according to their league. 9. wanting waters. 16. Eliseus procureth sufficient without raine: and prophecieth victorie. 21. The king of Moab deceiued by a vision is ouer∣throwne in the fielde. 26. then being besiged immolateth his first begotten sonne: and the Israelites leaue the siege.

AND Ioram the sonne of Achab reigned ouer Israel in [ 1] Samaria :: the eightenth yeare of Iosaphat the king of Iuda. And he reigned twelue yeares. † And he did euil before [ 2] our Lord, but not as his father and mother: for he tooke away the statues of Baal, which his father had made. † Neuerthe∣les [ 3] in the sinnes of Ieroboam the sonne of Nabat, who made Israel to sinne, he stucke fast, and departed not from them. † Moreouer Mesa the king of Moab, nourished manie [ 4] sheepe, and he payed to the king of Israel an hundred thou∣sand lambes, and a hundred thousand rammes with their fleeces. † And when Achab was dead, he brake the league, [ 5] which he had made with the king of Israel. † Therfore king [ 6] Ioram went forth that day out of Samaria, and mustered al Israel. † And he sent to Iosaphat the king of Iuda, saying: [ 7] The king of Moab is reuolted from me, come with me against him to battel. Who answered: I wil come vp: he that is mine, is thine: my people, thy people: & my horses thy horses. † And he said: What way shal we goe vp? but he answered: By the [ 8] desert of Idumea. † Therfore the king of Israel, and the king [ 9] of Iuda, and the king of Edom went forward, and compassed seuen daies iourney, neither was there water for the armie, and the beastes, that folowed them. † And the king of Israel [ 10] said: Alas alas alas, our Lord hath gathered vs three kinges

together, that he might deliuer vs into the handes of Moab. † And Iosaphat said: Is there not here a prophet of our Lord, [ 11] that we may besech our Lord by him? And one of the ser∣uantes of the king of Israel answered: Here is Eliseus the sonne of Saphat, which powred water vpon the handes of Elias. † And Iosaphat sayd: The word of our Lord is with [ 12] him. And the king of Israel went downe to him, and Iosaphat the king of Iuda, and the king of Edom. † And Eliseus said to [ 13] the king of Israel: What is to me and thee? goe to the pro∣phetes of thy father, and thy mother. And the king of Israel said to him: Why hath our Lord gathered together these three kinges, that he might deliuer them into the handes of Moab? † And Eliseus said to him: The Lord of hostes liueth, in [ 14] whose sight I stand, If I did not reuerence the face of Iosa∣phat the king of Iuda, I would not certes haue harkened to thee, nor looked on thee. † But now bring me hither a plaier [ 15] on instrumentes. And when the player sang, the hand of our Lord came vpon him, and he said: † Thus saith our Lord: [ 16] Make the chanel of this torrent diches and diches. † For thus [ 17] saith our Lord: You shal not see winde, nor raine: and this chanel shal be filled with waters, & you shal drinke, and your families, & your beastes. † And this is a smal thing in the sight [ 18] of our Lord: moreouer he wil deliuer also Moab into your handes. † And you shal strike euerie fensed citie, and euerie [ 19] principal citie, and :: 1.583 shal cut downe al fruiteful trees, and shal stoppe vp al fountaines of waters, and euerie goodlie field you shal couer with stones. † It came to passe therfore [ 20] in the morning, when they vsed to offer the sacrifice, and be∣hold, water came by the way of Edom, and the ground was filled with waters. † But al the Moabites hearing that the [ 21] kinges were come vp to fight against them, they called toge∣ther al that were girded with a belt vpon them, and they stoode in the borders. † And rysing early in the morning, [ 22] and the sunne being now risen ouer against the waters, the Moabites saw the waters ouer against them red, as it were bloud, † and said: It is the bloud of the sword: the kinges [ 23] haue fought among them selues, and are slaine one of an other: now goe on forward to the pray, Moab. † And they [ 24] went forward into the campe of Israel: Moreouer Israel rysing vp, stroke Moab: but they fled before them. They therfore that had ouercome, came and stroke Moab, † and [ 25]

destroyed the cities: & euerie principal field they filled euerie man casting stones: and they stopt vp al the fountaines of waters: and cut downe al trees that bare fruite, so that there remained onlie brike walles: and the citie was besette of the slingers, and for a great part therof was strooken. † Which [ 26] when the king of Moab had seene, to witte, that the enemies had preuayled, he tooke with him seuen hundred men that drew sword, to breake in vpon the king of Edom: and they could not. † And taking his first begotten sonne, that should [ 27] haue reigned for him, he offered him an holocaust vpon the wal: and there was great indignation in Israel, and forthwith they retyred from him, and returned into their countrie.

CHAP. IIII. Eliseus so multiplieth a poore widowes oyle, that she payeth her debtes, and li∣ueth of the rest. 8. By his prayers a Sunamite Woman hath a sonne. 18. which dying he rayseth to life. 38. He taketh away the bitternes of coloquintida, which by chance was put in the potte, 42. and feedeth manie with few loaues.

AND a certayne woman of the wiues of the prophetes [ 1] cried to Eliseus, saying: Thy seruant my husband is dead,* 1.584 and thou knowest that thy seruant was one that feared God, & behold the creditour is come to take away my two sonnes to serue him. † To whom Eliseus sayd: What wilt thou that [ 2] I doe for thee? Tel me, what hast thou in thy house? But she answered: I thy handmaid haue nothing in my house, but a litle oyle, to anoynt me withal. † To whom he sayd: Goe, [ 3] borrow of al thy neighbours emptie vessels not a few. † And [ 4] goe in, and shut thy doore, when thou art within, thou and thy sonnes: and powre therof into al these vessels: and when they shal be ful, thou shalt take them away. † The woman [ 5] therfore went, and shut the doore vpon her, and vpon her sonnes: they brought her vessels, and she powred in. † And [ 6] when the vessels were ful, she sayd to her sonne: Bring me yet a vessel. And he answered: I haue none. And the oile stood. † And she came, and told the man of God. And he sayde, [ 7] Goe, sel the oyle, and pay thy creditour: and thou and thy sonnes liue of the rest: † And there came a certayne day, [ 8] and Eliseus passed by Sunam: and there was there a great woman, which held him to eate bread: and when he passed often that way, he turned in to her to eate bread. † Who [ 9]

sayd to her husband: I perceiue that this is a holie man of God, which passeth by vs often. † bet vs therfore make him [ 10] a litle chamber, and sette him a litle bed in it, and a table, and a stoole, and a candlesticke, that when he cometh to vs he may tarie there. † There came therfore a certayne day, and coming [ 11] he turned in to the chamber, and rested there. † And he sayd [ 12] to Giezi his seruant: Call this Sunamite. Who when he had called her, and she stoode before him, † he sayd to his ser∣uant: [ 13] Speake to her: Behold thou hast diligently ministred to vs in al thinges, what wilt thou that I doe for thee? hast thou any busines, and wilt thou that I speake to the king, or the general of the warrefare? Who answered: I dwel in the middes of myne owne people. † And he sayd: What wil she [ 14] then that I doe for her? And Giezi sayd: Aske not: for she hath no sonne, and her husband is old. † He therfore cōman∣ded [ 15] him to cal her: who when she was called, and stoode be∣fore the doore, † he sayd to her: At this tyme, this self same [ 16] houre, if life accompanie, thou shalt haue a sonne in thy wombe. But she answered: Doe not I besech thee my lord, man of God, doe not lie to thy handmayd. † And the wo∣man [ 17] conceiued, and brought forth a sonne in that time, and in the self same houre, that Eliseus had sayd. † And [ 18] the childe grewe. And vpon a certaine day, when going forth he went to his father, vnto the reapers, † he sayd [ 19] to his father: My head aketh, my head aketh. But he said to his seruant, take him, and bring him to his mother, † who [ 20] when he had taken him, and brought him to his mother, she sette him vpon her knees vntil noone, and he dyed. † And [ 21] she went vp, and laid him vpon the bed of the man of God, and shut the doore: and going forth † called her husband, [ 22] and sayd: Send with me, I besech thee, one of the seruantes, and an asse, that I may runne to the man of God, and returne. † Who sayd to her: For what cause doest thou goe to him? [ 23] The Calendes be not to day, nor the Sabbath. Who answered: I wil goe. † And she sadled the asse, and commanded her [ 24] seruant: driue, and make hast, make no stay in going. And doe* 1.585 that which I command thee. † She therfore went forward, [ 25] and came to the man of God into mount Carmel: and when the man of God saw her ouer against him, he said to Giezi his seruant: Behold that Sunamite. † Goe therfore to meete her, [ 26] and say to her: Is al wel about thee, and about thy husband,

and about thy sonne? Who answered: Wel. † And when she [ 27] was come to the man of God into the mount, she caught his feet: and Giezi came to remoue her. And the man of God said: Let her alone, for her soule is in anguish, and our Lord hath hid it from me, and hath not told me. † Who said to him: [ 28] Did I aske a sonne of my Lord? Did I not say to thee: Mocke me not? † And he said to Giezi: Girde thy loynes, and take [ 29] my staffe in thy hand, & goe. If a man meete thee, salute him not: and if any man salute thee, answer him not: and thou shalt put my staffe vpon the face of the childe. † Moreouer [ 30] the mother of the childe said: Our Lord liueth, and thy soul liueth, I wil not leaue thee. He arose therfore, and folowed her. † But Giezi was gone before them, and had put the staffe [ 31] vpon the face of the childe, & there was not voice, nor sense: and he returned to meete him, and told him, saying: :: 1.586 The childe is not risen. † Eliseus therfore went into the house, and behold the childe lay dead on his bed: † and going in he shut [ 33] the doore vpon him, & vpon the childe & prayed to our Lord. † And he went vp, and lay vpon the childe: and he put his [ 34] mouth vpon his mouth, & his eies vpon his eies & his handes vpon his handes: and he bowed him self ouer him, and the childes flesh was warmed † But he returning, walked vp and [ 35] downe in the house, once hither & thither: & he went vp and lay vpon him: and the childe gaped seuen tymes, and opened his eies. † And he called Gierzi, & said to him: Call this Suna∣mite. [ 36] Who being called, went in vnto him: Who said: Take thy sonne. † She came, and fel at his feete, and adored vpon [ 37] the ground: and tooke her sonne, and went out, † and Eliseus [ 38] returned into Galgal And there was a famine in the land, and the children of the prophetes dwelt before him; and he sayd to one of his seruantes: Sette on a greate potte, and seeth broth for the children of the prophetes. † And one went [ 39] out into the field to gather wilde herbes: and he found as it were a wilde vine, and gathered of it the colocynthides of the field, and filled his mantel, and returning cut it into the potte of broth, for he knew not what it was. † They therfore [ 40] powred it to their felowes, to eate: and when they had tasted of the broth, they cried, saying: Death is in the potte, man of God. And they could not eate. † But he sayd: Bring meale, [ 41] and when they had brought it, he cast it into the potte, and said: powere in for the multitude, that they may eate. And

there was no more anie bitternesse in the potte. † And a cer∣taine [ 42] man came from Baa••sah••a bringing to the man of God loaues of the first fruites, twentie barley loaues, and new wheate in his scrippe. But he said: Geue to the people, that they may eate. † And his seruant answered him: How much [ 43] is this, that I should sette it before an hundred men? Agayne he said: Geue to the people, that they may eate: for thus saith our Lord: They shal eate, and there shal be leaft. † He [ 44] therfore sette it before them: who did eate, and there was leaft according to the word of our Lord.

CHAP. V. Naaman the general captaine of Syria is clensed of deprosie, by washing him self as Eliseus appointeth him seuen times in ••oraan. 15. professeth his bel of in one God promising to serue him. 20. Giezi taketh giftes of Naaman, 25. and is stricken with leprosie.

NAAMAN the General of the warfare of the king of [ 1] * 1.587 Syria, was a great man with his lord, and honorable: for by him our Lord gaue health to Syria: and he was a vali∣ant man and rich, but a leper. † Moreouer out of Syria there [ 2] were come forth robbers, and had led away captiue out of the Land of Israel a litle girle, which wayted vpon the wife of Naaman. † Who said to her maistresse: I would my lord had [ 3] bene with the prophete, that is in Samaria: surely he would haue cured him from the leprosie, which he hath † Naaman [ 4] therfore went into his lord, and told him saying: Thus and thus hath the wench of the Land of Israel spoken. † And the [ 5] king of Syria sayd to him: Goe, & I wil send letters to the king of Israel Who when he was sette forward, and had taken with him ten talentes of siluer, and six thousand peces of gold, and ten change of rayment, † he brought the letters to the king [ 6] of Israel, in these wordes: when thou shalt receiue this letter, know that I haue sent to thee Naaman my seruant, that thou mayest cure him of his leprosie. † And when the king of Israel [ 7] had read the letters, he rent his garmentes, and said: Am I God, that I can kil, and geue life, because this man hath sent to me, that I should cure a man of his leprosie? marke, and see that he seeketh occasions against me. † Which when Eli∣seus [ 8] the man of God had heard, to witte, that the king of Israel had rent his garmentes, he sent to him, saying: Why hast thou rent thy garmentes? let him come to me and let him

know that there is a prophet in Israel. † Naaman therfore [ 9] came with horses and chariotes, and stood at the doore of the house of Eliseus: † and Eliseus sent a messenger to him, saying: [ 10] Goe and be washed seuen times in Iordan, and thy flesh shal receiue health, and thou shalt be cleane. † Naaman being [ 11] angrie departed, saying: I thought he would come out to me, and standing would inuocate the name of the Lord his God, and touch with his hand the place of the leprosie, and cure me. † What are not Abana, and Pharphar the riuers of Dama∣scus, [ 12] better then al the waters of Israel, that I may be washed in them, and be made cleane? Therfore when he had turned him self, and went away with indignation, † his seruantes came [ 13] vnto him, & spake to him: Father, & if the prophet had sayd a great thing to thee, certes, thou shouldest haue done it: how much more wheras now he sayd vnto thee: Be washed, and thou shalt be cleane? † He went downe, & washed in Iordan [ 14] seuen times according to the word of the man of God, and his flesh was restored, as the flesh of a litle childe, & he was made [ 15] cleane. † And returning to the man of God with al his trayne, he came, and stood before him, & sayd: In very deede I know that there is no other God in al the earth, but only in Israel. I besech the therfore to take a benediction of thy seruant. † But [ 16] he answered: Our Lord liueth, before whom I stand, I wil not take it. And when he would haue forced him, he did in no∣wise agree. † And Naaman sayd: As thou wilt, but I besech [ 17] thee: graunt vnto me thy seruant, that I may take of :: 1.588 the earth the burden of two mules: for thy seruant wil no more make holocaust, or victimes to strange goddes, but to the Lord. † But this onlie is it, for which thou shalt besech the [ 18] Lord for thy seruant, when my maister shal goe into the tem∣ple of Remmon, to adore: and he leaning vpon my hand, if I shal adore in the temple of Remmon, he adoring in the same place, that the Lord pardon me thy seruant for this thing. † Who sayd to him: “ Goe in peace. He therfore went from [ 19] him in the spring time of the earth. † And :: 1.589 Giezi the seruant [ 20] of the man of God sayd: My maister hath spared Naaman this Syrian, that he tooke not of him the things which he brought: Our Lord liueth, I wil runne after him, and wil take some thing of him. † And Giezi folowed at the backe of Naaman: [ 21] whom when he saw running toward him, he lept downe from his chariote to mete him, and said: Are al thinges wel? † And [ 22]

he said: Wel. my maister hath sent me to thee, saying: Euen now there are come to me two yong men from mount Ephraim, of the children of the prophetes: geue them a talent of siluer, and two change of rayment. † And Naaman sayd: It is better [ 23] that thou take two talentes. And he forced him, & bound the two talentes of siluer in two bagges, and the duble rayment, & layd it vpon two of his seruantes, who also caried it before him. † And when he was come now in the euening, he tooke [ 24] it out of their hand, & layd it vp in the house, & dismissed the men, and they departed. † And himself going in, stood before [ 25] his maister. And Eliseus said: From whence comest thou Giezi? Who answered: Thy seruant hath not gone any whither. † But he sayd: Was not my hart present, when the man re∣turned [ 26] out of his chariote to meete thee? Now therfore thou hast receiued siluer, and taken rayment, to bye oliuetes, and vineyardes, and sheepe, and oxen, and seruantes, and hand∣maides. † But the leprosie also of Naaman shal cleaue to thee, [ 27] and to thy seede, for euer. And he went out from him a leper as it were snow.

ANNOTATIONS. CHAP. V.

19 Goe in peace.] Shcismatiques, as they are commonly (but improperly) now called in England, which being in mind and iudgement Catholiques, goe* 1.590 sometimes to Protestantes common prayers, or ••••••mons, draw an excuse of their fact, from this warrant of the Prophet, permitting a Nobleman of Syria to goe and serue his king in the temple, when he adored an Idol. But who∣soeuer wil duly consider this example, shal find great difference in respect of the times, places, persons, and of the very doubtes proposed, betwen this mans case and ours. For before Christs Gospel was promulgate, neither al Articles of faith were so expresly taught, nor the external profession therof so strictly commanded, as now they are in time of more grace, which geueth more ayde to mans weaknes, wherin also more perfection is required, and therfore our Sauiour exacteth of al to confesse him, and his Religion, before men: els he vvil denie them before his Father. Likewise in the place▪ where this Nobleman dwelt, his* 1.591 presence in the temple, and seruice to the king, could not be accounted a reuolt from true religion, which was neuer professed there, nor be scandalous to anie* 1.592 man being al Infidels: but in a christian countrie; where al beare the name of Christians, especially where men are at controuersie about the true Christian religion, al that frequent, or repaire to the same assemblies, for publique seruice of God, are reputed to be of the same religion; or els dissemblers, as it were to haue no care of religion, knowing God, and not glorifying him as God.* 1.593 and reuolting from the truth which they had lerned. The difference also of per∣sons* 1.594 is great. For this Nobleman hauing before his conuersion serued his king, in the office of sustayning him, when he bowed to the Idol, if he should haue refused to do the same, it would rather haue bene supposed, that he disdained

his Maister, or shewed disloyaltie, then thought, that he refrayned for religion: wheras in our case, verie few do such temporal seruice, about the king in the church: and such as doe carrie the sword, scepter, or the like, are accounted of that religion, which is there practised; except they manifest the contrarie, as this man did, and our men commonly do not. Yea if anie do say they are Catho∣liques, and yet goe to the Protestantes church, they are counted of that rank, S. Paul speaketh of, which confesse they knovv God, but denie him in their deedes.* 1.595 And those which refuse such an office, can not be iudged disloyal, because it* 1.596 is sufficiently knowne, that Catholiques refuse of mere conscience. An other most especial difference is in the thinges demanded. This Syrian promising expresly before the Prophet, and his owne great trayne, that he would neuer againe serue false goddes, and that he would serue the onlie true God, and for that purpose caried earth with him, to make an Altar for Sacrifice, and returning home preached the miracle wrought in himself, desired not to doe anie thing, wherby he might seme to serue an Idol: but that when the king leaning vpon* 1.597 him, should adore Remmon, he might bow with his maister, not adoring the Idol, for he resolued and promised the contrarie, but adoring God Almightie, in whom now he beleued. And this the Prophet approued, in that time, place, and person to be lawful. But those that now in England goe to Protestants* 1.598 seruice, or sermons, do neither publikly renounce al heresies, not professe to frequent Masse, the true Sacrifice of the Christian Church, nor auouch the erecting of an Altar, but goe to church, to shew them selues obedient to the Parlament law, which abandoned the true Diuine Seruice, and in place therof appointed & commanded al to be present, at a new forme of common prayer, thereby making it a distinctiue signe of conformitie, and participation in that religion, which these dissemblers in their consciences know to be false.

This example therfore doth in no sorte warrant their going to the heretical church: but contrariwise admonisheth al to take resolution in our case (as Naa∣man did in his) of our Eliseus, or spiritual Superior, and if he should say: Goe in peace, then might they pleade an excuse, but he sayth: None can goe without incurring greuous sinne, and eternal damnation The case being so much diffe∣rent from Naamans. It is in deede more like to that of Eleazatus, and other Machabees, who were commanded by eating svvines flesh, to depart from the lavv of* 1.599 * 1.600 God, and their fathers. VVhich by no meanes was lawful to doe, nor to make shew of doing it, but rather to dye, as they did most gloriously.

CHAP. VI. Eliseus maketh iron to swimme vpon the water: 8. leadeth the king of Syria his men (sent to apprehend him) blindly into Samaria. 20. vvhere their eyes being opened, they are curtously intertained, and freely dismissed. 24. The Syrians besiege Samaria. 26. For extreme famine a mother eateth her child. 31. And the king commandeth to kil Eliseus.

AND the children of the prophetes sayd to Eliseus: Be∣hold [ 1] the place, wherin we dwel before thee is streite for vs. † Let vs goe as far as Iotdan, and take out of the wood [ 2] euerie man some timber, that we may build there a place to dwel in. Who said: Goe. † And one of them sayd: Come [ 3] therfore thou also with thy seruantes. He answered: I wil

come. † And he went with them. And when they were [ 4] come to Iordan they cut wood. † And it chanced, that when [ 5] one had cut downe timber, the head of the axe fel into the water: and he cried out, and said: Alas alas alas my lord, this same also I :: 1.601 did borow. † And the man of God sayd: where [ 6] ••el it? and he shewed him the place: he therfore cut of a pece of wood, and cast it thither: and the yron did swimme, † and [ 7] he said: Take it vp. Who stretched forth his hand, and tooke it. † And the king of Syria fought against Israel, and tooke [ 8] counsel with his seruantes, saying: In that and that place let vs lay embushementes. † Therfore the man of God sent to [ 9] the king of Israel, saying: Beware thou passe not into such a place: because the Syrians are there in embushementes. † The [ 10] king of Israel therfore sent to the place, which the man of God had told him, and preuented him, and looked wel to him¦self there not once or twise. † And the hart of the king of [ 11] Syria was trubled for this thing. And calling together his seruantes, he sayd: Why doe you not tel me who is the betraier of me to the king of Israel? † And one of his seruantes sayd: [ 12] Not so my lord king, but Eliseus the prophet, which is in Israel, telleth the king of Israel al wordes, whatsoeuer thou shalt speake in thy priuy chamber. † And he sayd to them: [ 13] Goe, and see where he is: that I may send, and take him. And they told him, saying: Behold in Dothan. † He therfore sent [ 14] thither horses and chariotes, and the force of his armie: who when they were come in the night, they besette the citie. † And the seruant of the man of God rising early, [ 15] went out, and saw an armie round about the citie, and horses and chariotes: and he told him, saying: Alas alas alas my lord, what shal we doe. † But he answered: Feare not: for there are [ 16] more with vs then with them. † And when Eliseus had [ 17] prayed, he sayd: Lord open the eies of this man, that he may see. And our Lord opened the eies of the seruant, and :: 1.602 he behold: and loe the mountaine ful of horses, and of firie cha∣riotes round about Eliseus. † But the enemies went downe [ 18] to him: moreouer Eliseus prayed to our Lord, saying: Strike, I besech thee, this people with blindenesse. And our Lord smote them, that they saw not, according to the word of Eli∣seus. † And Eliseus sayd to them: This is not the way neither is [ 19] this the citie: folow me, & I wil shew you the man, whom you seeke. He therfore led them into Samaria: † and when they [ 20]

were entered into Samaria, Eliseus said: Lord open the eies of these men, that they may see. And our Lord opened their eies, and they saw them selues to be in the middes of Samaria. † And the king of Israel said to Eliseus, when he had sene [ 21] them: Shal I strike them, my father? † And he said: Thou [ 22] shalt not strike them: for thou didst not take them with thy sword, and thy bow, that thou mayst strike them: but :: 1.603 set bread and water before them, that they may eate and drinke, and goe to their maister. † And a great preparation of mea∣tes [ 23] was sette before them, and they did eate and drinke, and he dismissed them, and they went away to their maister, and the robbers of Syria came no more into the Land▪ of Israel. † And it came to passe after these thinges, Benadad the king [ 24] of Syria gathered together al his armie, and went vp, and be∣sieged Samaria. † And there was a great famine in Samaria: [ 25] and so long it was besieged, til the head of an asse was sold for foure score siluer peeces, & the fourth part of a cabe of pi∣geons dung, for fiue siluer peeces. † And when the king [ 26] of Israel passed by the wall, a certayne woman cried out to him, saying: Saue me my lord king. † Who sayd: No, our [ 27] Lord saue thee: how can I saue thee? of the floore, or of the presse? And the king sayd to her: What ayleth thee? Who answered: † This woman sayd to me: Geue thy sonne, that [ 28] we may eate him to day, & my sonne we wil eate to morrow. † We therfore boyled my sonne, and did eate him. And I sayd [ 29] to her the next day: Geue thy sonne, that we may eate him. Who hath hid her sonne. † Which when the king had [ 30] heard, he rent his garmentes, and passed by the wal. And al the people saw the hearecloth, which he ware next vpon his flesh. † And the king sayd: These thinges doe God to [ 31] me, and these adde he, if the head of Eliseus the sonne of Saphat shal stand vpon him this day. † But Eliseus sate in [ 32] his house, and the ancientes sate with him. He therfore sent a man before: and before that messenger came, he sayd to the ancientes: Doe you know that this murderers sonne hath sent to cut of my head? See therfore, when the messen∣ger shal come, shut the doore, and suffer him not to enter in: for behold the sound of his maisters feete is behinde him. † Whiles he was yet speaking to them, the messenger appea∣red, [ 33] which came to him. And he sayd: Behold, this so great euil is of our Lord: what shal I looke for more of our Lord?

CHAP. VII. Eliseus prophecieth plentie of corne the next day, and death to a chief man that wil not beleue it. 3. Foure Lepers going to yeld themselues to the Sy∣rians, 6. who by Gods prouidence are frighted and fled away, 9. bring newes therof to Samaria, 12. which by trial is found true, 16. And so there is plentie of corne, and the incredulous nobleman is trod to death, with presse of multitude in the gate, as the prophet fortold.

AND Eliseus sayd: Heare ye the word of our Lord: Thus [ 1] sayth our Lord: At this time to morow a bushel of floure shal be at one stater, and two bushels of barley at one stater, in the gate of Samaria. † One of the Dukes, vpon [ 2] whose hand the king leaned, answearing the man of God, sayd: If our Lord shal make fludgates in heauen, :: 1.604 can that possibly be which thou speakest? Who sayd: Thou shalt see it with thine eies, and shalt not eate therof. † There were [ 3] therfore▪ foure men lepers, beside the entrance of the gate: who sayd one to an other: What meane we to be here til we die? † Whether we enter into the citie, we shal die for fa∣mine: [ 4] or whether we tarie here, die we must: come therfore, and let vs runne away to the campe of Syria. If they spare vs, we shal liue: but if they wil kil vs, we shal die neuerthelesse. † They arose therfore in the euening, to come to the campe [ 5] of Syria. And when they were come to the beginning of the campe of Syria, they found no man there. † For our Lord [ 6] had made them in the campe of Syria to heare the sound of chariotes, and horses, and of a verie great armie: and they sayd one to an other: Behold the king of Israel hath for wages hyred agaynst vs the kinges of the Hetheites, and of the Aegy∣ptians, and they are come vpon vs. † They arose therfore, and [ 7] fled in the darke, and leaft their tentes, and their horses and asses in the campe, and fled desirous to saue their liues only. † Therfore when these lepers were come to the beginning [ 8] of the campe, they entered into one tabernacle, and did eate and drinke: and they tooke thence siluer, and gold, and rayment, and went, and hid it: againe they returned to an other tabernacle, and from thence likewise taking away they hid it. † And they said one to an other: We doe not wel: for [ 9] this is a day of good tydinges. If we shal hold our peace, and wil not tel vntil morning, we shal be blamed of a heinous offence: Come, let vs goe, and make report in the kinges

court. † And when they were come to the gate of the citie, [ 10] they told them saying: We went to the campe of Syria, and found no man there, but horses, and asses tyed, and the tentes pitched. † The porters therfore went, and told it to the king [ 11] within his palace. † Who arose in the night, & sayd to his ser∣uants: [ 12] I tel you what the Syrians haue done to vs: They know that we suffer great famine, and therfore they are gone out of the campe and lie hid in the fieldes, saying: When they shal come forth out of the citie, we wil take them aliue, and then we may enter into the citie. † But one of his seruantes [ 13] answered: Let vs take fiue horses that are remaining in the citie (because they onlie are in the whole multitude of Israel for the other are consumed) and sending, we may trie. † They [ 14] brought therfore two horses, and the king sent into the campe of the Syrians, saying, Goe ye, and see. † Who went [ 15] after them as far as Iordan: and behold al the way was ful of rayment, and vessels, which the Syrians had cast away, when they were amased, and the messengers returning told the king. † And the people going forth spoyled the campe of [ 16] Syria: and a bushel of floure became at one stater, and two bushels of barley at one stater, according to the word of our Lord. † Moreouer the king appoynted that duke [ 17] on whose hand he leaned, to stand at the gate: whom the multitude trode in the entrance of the gate, & he died, accor∣ding as the man of God had spoken, when the king came downe to him † And it came to passe according to the word of [ 18] the man of God, which he spake to the king, when he sayd: Two bushels of barley shal be at one stater, and a bushel of floure at one stater, this verie tyme to morow it the gate of Samaria: † when that duke answered the man of God, and [ 19] sayd: Although our Lord would make fludgates in the heauen, can this be done which thou speakest? And he said to him: Thou shalt see with thine eies, and shal not eate therof. † It [ 20] chanced therfore to him as it was foretold, and the people trode him in the gate, and he died.

CHAP. VIII. After seuen yeares famine fortold by Eliseus, the Sumanite Woman retur∣ning home, recouereth her landes and reuenewes. 7. Eliseus forsheweth the death of Benadad king of Syria, and cruel reigne of Hazael. 16. Ioram reigning in Iuda, the Idumeans reuolt from him. also Lobna. 23. He dieth, and his sonne Ochozias succeedeth.

AND Eliseus spake to the woman, whose sonne he resto∣red [ 1] to life, saying: Arise, goe thou and thy house, and soiourne whersoeuer thou shalt finde: for our Lord hath called a famine, and it shal come vpon the land seuen yeares. † Who arose, & did according to the word of the man of God: [ 2] & going with her houshould, she soiourned in the land of the Philistijms many dayes. † And when the seuen yeares were en∣ded, [ 3] the woman returned out of the Land of the Philisthijms: and she went forth to speake to the king for her house, and for her landes. † And the king spake with Giezi the seruant of [ 4] the man of God, saying: Tel me al the meruelous thinges that Eliseus hath done. † And when he had told the king how he [ 5] had raysed a dead man, the woman appeared, whose sonne he had reuiued, crying to the king for her house, and her landes. And Giezi sayd: My lord king, this is the woman, and this is her sonne, whom Eliseus raysed. † And the king asked the [ 6] woman: who told him. And the king gaue her an eunuch, saying: Restore her al thinges that are hers, and al the reue∣newes of the landes, from the day, that she leaft the land vntil this present. † Eliseus also came to Damascus, and Benadad [ 7] the king of Syria was sicke: and they told him, saying: The man of God cometh hither. † And the king sayd to Hazael: [ 8] Take with thee presentes, and goe to meete the man of God, and consult the Lord by him, saying: Can I escape of this myne infirmitie? † Hazael therfore went to meete him, ha∣uing [ 9] with him presentes, and al good thinges of Damascus, the lodes of fourtie camels. And when he stood before him, he sayd: Thy sonne Benadad the king of Syria hath sent me to thee, saying: Can I recouer of this mine infirmitie? † And [ 10] Eliseus sayd to him: Goe, tel him: :: 1.605 Thou shalt be healed: but our Lord hath shewed me that dying he shal die. † And [ 11] he stood with him, and was trubled so far that he blushed: and the man of God wept. † To whom Hazael sayd: Why [ 12] doeth my lord weepe? But he sayd: Because I know what euils thou wilt doe to the children of Israel. Their fensed ci∣ties thou wilt burne with fyre, and their yongmen thou wilt kil with the sword, and their litle ones thou wilt dash in pee∣ces, and wemen with childe thou wilt diuide. † And Hazael [ 13] sayd: What am I thy seruant a dog, that I should doe this great thing? And Eliseus sayd: Our Lord hath shewed me that thou shalt be king of Syria. † Who when he was departed [ 14]

from Eliseus, came to his maister, who sayd to him: What sayd Eliseus to thee? But he answered: He told me: Thou shalt re∣couer health. † And when the next day was come, he tooke [ 15] a couerlette, and powred water theron, and spred it vpon his face: who being dead, Hazael reigned for him. † In the fifth [ 16] yeare of Ioram the sonne of Achab the king of Israel, and of Iosaphat the king of Iuda, reigned Ioram the sonne of Iosa∣phat the king of Iuda. † He was two and thirtie yeares old [ 17] when he began to reigne, and he reigned eight yeares in Ie∣rusalem. † And he walked in the waies of the kinges of Is∣rael, [ 18] as the house of Achab had walked: for :: 1.606 the daughter of Achab was his wife: and he did that which is euil in the sight of our Lord. † But our Lord would not destroy Iuda, [ 19] for Dauid his seruant, as he had promised him, to geue him a lampe to him, and to his children alwaies. † In his daies re∣uolted [ 20] Edom, from being vnder Iuda, and made to it self a king. † And Ioram came to Seira, and al the chariotes with [ 21] him: and he arose in the night, and stroke the Idumeans, that had beset him, and the captaynes of the chariotes, and the people fled into their tabernacles. † Edom therfore reuolted [ 22] from being vnder Iuda, vntil this day. Then Lobna also reuol∣ted at that time. † But the rest of the wordes of Ioram, and [ 23] al that he did, are not these thinges written in the Booke of the wordes of the kinges of Iuda? † And Ioram slept with [ 24] his fathers, and was buried with them in the Citie of Dauid, and Ochozias his sonne reigned for him. † In the twelfth [ 25] yeare of Ioram the sonne of Achab the king of Israel, reigned Ochozias the sonne of Ioram the king of Iuda. † Two and [ 26] twentie yeares old was Ochozias when he began to reigne, and he reigned one yeare in Ierusalem: the name of his mo∣ther was Athalia the daughter of Amri the king of Israel: † And he walked in the waies of the house of Achab: and [ 27] he did that which is euil before our Lord, as the house of Achab: for he was the sonne in lawe of the house of Achab. † He went also with Ioram the sonne of Achab, to fight a∣gaynst [ 28] Hazael the king of Syria in Ramoth Galaad, and the Syrians wounded Ioram: † Who returned to be cured, in [ 29] Iezrahel: because the Syrians wounded him in Ramoth figh∣ting agaynst Hazael the king of Syria. Moreouer Ochozias the sonne of Ioram the king of Iuda, went downe to visite Ioram the sonne of Achab into Iezrahel, because he was sicke there.

CHAP. IX. Iehu is anointed king of Israel, 7. to destroy the house of Athab and Iezabel. 14. He presently killeth Ioram king of Israel, 27. Likewise Ochozias king of Iuda. 30. also Iezabel, who is eaten by dogges.

AND Eliseus the prophete called one of the children of [ 1] the prophetes, and sayd to him: Girde thy loynes, and take this litle boxe of oyle in thy hand, and goe into Ramoth Galaad. † And when thou shalt come thither, thou shalt see [ 2] Iehu the sonne of Iosaphat the sonne of Namsi: and going in thou shalt rayse him out of the middes of his brethren, and shalt bring him into an innter chamber. † And holding the [ 3] litle boxe of oyle, thou shalt powre vpon his head, and shalt say: Thus sayth our Lord: I haue anoynted thee king ouer Israel. And thou shalt open the doore, and flee, and shalt not stay there. † The yongman therfore the childe of a prophete [ 4] went into Ramoth Galaad, † and entered in thither: and be∣hold [ 5] the captaynes of the armie sate, and he sayd: I haue a word to thee o prince: And Iehu sayd: to whom of vs al? But he sayd: To thee o prince. † And he arose, and went into the [ 6] chamber: but he powred oyle vpon his head, and sayd: Thus sayth our Lord the God of Israel: I haue anoynted thee king ouer the people of the Lord of Israel, † and thou shalt strike [ 7] the house of Achab thy maister, and I wil reuenge the bloud of my seruantes the prophetes, and the bloud of al the ser∣uantes of the Lord of the hand of Iezabel † And I wil de∣stroy [ 8] al the house of Achab, and wil kil of Achab him that pisseth agaynst a wal, and the shut vp, and the meanest in Is∣rael. † And I wil make the house of Achab, as the house of [ 9] Ieroboam the sonne of Nabat, and as the house of Baasa the sonne of Ahias. † Iezabel also the dogges shal eate in the [ 10] field of Iezrahel, neither shal there be anie to burie her. And he opened the doore, and fled. † And Iehu went forth to his [ 11] maisters seruantes. Who said to him: Are al thinges wel? Why came this madde man to thee? Who sayd to them: You know the man, and what he spake. † But they answered: It is false, [ 12] but rather doe thou tel vs. Who sayd to them: Thus and thus he spake to me: and he sayd: Thus sayth our Lord, I haue anoynted thee king ouer Israel. † They therfore made hast, [ 13] and euerie man taking his mantel layd it vnder his feete, after the similitude of a iudgement seate, & they sounded the

trumpet, and sayd: Iehu hath the kingdom. † Iehu ther∣fore [ 14] the sonne of Iosaphat the sonne of Namsi conspired agaynst Ioram: Moreouer Ioram had besieged Ramoth Galaad, he, and al Israel agaynst Hazael the king of Syria: † and was returned to be cuted in Iezrael of the woundes, [ 15] for the Syrians had wounded him, fighting against Hazael the king of Syria. And Iehu sayd: If it please you, let no man goe forth fugitiue out of the citie, le••t he goe, and tel in Iezrahel. † And he mounted, and went into Iezrahel: for Ioram was [ 16] sicke there, and Ochozias the king of Iuda was come downe to visite Ioram. † The watchman therfore, that stood vpon [ 17] the toure of Iezrahel, saw the troupe of Iehu coming, & said: I see a troupe. And Ioram said: Take a Chariote, and send to meete them, and let him that goeth say: Are al thinges wel? † He went therfore, that was gotten vp into the chariote, to [ 18] meete him, and sayd: Thus saith the king: Are al thinges peaceable? And Iehu sayd: What hast thou to doe with peace? passe, and folow me. The watchman also told, saying: The messenger came to them, & returneth not. † He sent also the [ 19] second chariote of horses: and he came to them, and said: Thus sayth the king: Is there peace? And Iehu sayd: What hast thou to doe with peace? passe, and folow me. † And the [ 20] watchman told, saying: He is come as far as they, & returneth not: and it is the pace as it were the pace of Iehu the sonne of Namsi, for he goeth amayne. † And Ioram sayd: Make readie [ 21] the chariote. And they made readie his chariote, and Ioram the king of Israel went forth, and Ochozias the king of Iuda, ech in their chariotes, and they went forth to meete Iehu, and found him in the field of Naboth the Iezrahelite. † And [ 22] when Ioram had seene Iehu, he sayd: Is there peace Iehu? But he answered: What peace? The fornications of Iezabel thy mother, and her manie sorceries are in their vigour. † And [ 23] Ioram turned his hand, and fleing sayd to Ochozias: Treason Ochozias. † Moreouer Iehu bent his bow with his hand, [ 24] and stroke Ioram betwen the shoulders: and the arrow went out through his hart, and immediatly he fel in his chariote. † And Iehu sayd to captaine Badacer: Take him, throwe [ 25] him forth in the field of Naboth the Iezrahelite: for I re∣member when I and thou sitting in a chariote did folow Achab this mans father, that our Lord lifted vp this burden vpon him, saying: † If not for the bloud of Naboth, and * 1.607 for [ 26]

the bloud of his children, which I saw yesterday, sayth our Lord, I requi••e thee not in this field sayth our Lord. Now therfore take him, and throw him into the field according to [ 27] the word of our Lord▪ † But Ochozias the king of Iuda seing this, fled by the way of the house of the garden: and Iehu pursewed him, and said: This man also strike ye in his chariote. And they stroke him in the going vp of Ganer, which is beside Ieblaam: who fled into Mageddo, and died [ 28] there. † And his seruantes layd him vpon his chariote, and caried him into Ierusalem: and they buried him there in his [ 29] sepu••chre with his fathers in the Citie of Dauid. † In the eleuenth yeare of Ioram the sonne of Achab, reigned Ocho∣zias [ 30] ouer Iuda, † and Iehu came into Iezrahel. Moreouer Iezabel hearing of his entrance, paynted her face with sti∣bicke stone, and decked her head, and beheld through the [ 31] window † Iehu coming at the gate, and sayd: Can there be [ 32] peace to Zambri, that killed his maister? † And Iehu lifted vp his face to the window, and sayd: What is she? And two [ 33] or three eunuches bowed them selues to him. † But he sayd to them: Cast her downe headlong, & they threw her downe and the wal was sprinkled with the bloud, and the hoofes of [ 34] the horses trode her. † And when he was entered in, to eate, and to drinke, he sayd: Goe, and see that cursed woman, and [ 35] burie her: because she is a kinges daughter. † And when they went to burie her, they found nothing but the skul, and the [ 36] feete, and the extreme partes of the handes. † And returning they told him. And Iehu sayd: It is the word of our Lord, which he spake by his seruant Elias the Thesbite, saying: In the field of Iezrahel shal the dogges eate the flesh of Iezabel, [ 37] † and the flesh of Iezabel shal be as dung vpon the face of the earth in the field of Iezrahel, so that they which passe by shal say: Is this that same Iezabel?

CHAP. X. The Samaritanes fearing the force of Iehu, choose no other king, but offer him their seruice: 6. and by his commandment kil the late kings seuentie sonnes. 12. Fourtie two brothers of Ochazias late king of Iuda are slaine. 15. Iehu making league with Ionadab, vtterly destroyeth Achabs house. 18. by a stratagem killeth al the worshippers of Baal, 26. burneth his statua, & tur∣neth his temple into a iakes: 28. but maintaineth Ieroboams golden calues. 32, The Asyrians afflict Israel. 34. Ieh•• dieth, and his sonne Ioachaz reigneth▪

AND Achab had seuentie sonnes in Samaria: Iehu ther∣fore [ 1] wrote letters, and sent into Samaria to the chiefe of the citie, and to the ancientes, and to them that brought vp Achabs children, saying: † As sowne as you shal receiue [ 2] these letters, ye that haue your maisters sonnes, and chariotes, and horses, and fensed cities, and armou••, † choose the better, [ 3] and him that shal please you of your maisters sonnes, and set him vpon his fathers throne, and fight for the house of your lord. † They were sore afrayd, and sayd: Behold two kinges [ 4] could not stand before him, and how shal we be able to resist? † The ouerseers therfore of the house, and the rulers of the [ 5] citie, and the ancientes, and the tutors sent to Iehu, saying: We are thy seruantes, whatsoeuer thou shalt command we wil doe, neither wil we make vs a king: Doe thou whatsoeuer pleaseth thee. † And he wrote letters to them agayne, the se∣cond [ 6] tyme, saying: If you be mine, and obey me, take the heades of your maisters sonnes, and come to me this verie houre to morow into Iezrahel. Moreouer the kinges sonnes, seuentie men were brought vp with the chiefe of the citie. † And when the letters were come to them, they tooke the [ 7] kinges sonnes, and slew seuentie men, and put their heades in baskets, and sent them to him into Iezrahel. † And a messen∣ger [ 8] came▪ & told him, saying: They haue brought the heades of the kinges sonnes. Who answered: Lay them in two heapes by the entrance of the gate vntil morning. † And when it [ 9] was light, he went forth, and standing sayd to al the people: You are iust: If I haue conspired agaynst my maister, and haue ••••ayne him, who hath strooken al these? † See therfore now [ 10] there hath not fallen of the wordes of our Lord on the ground, which our Lord spake vpon the house of Achab, and our Lord hath done that which he spake in the hand of his seruant Elias. † Iehu therfore smote al that were leaft of the [ 11] house of Achab in Iezrahel, and al his nobles, and familiars, and priestes, til there remayned no reliques of him. † And he [ 12] arose, and came into Samaria: and when he was come to the cabbin of the ••hepeheardes in the way, † he found the bre∣thren [ 13] of Ochozias the king of Iuda, and he sayd to them: What are you? Who answered: We are the brethren of Ocho∣zias, and are come downe to salute the kinges sonnes, and the queenessonnes. † Who sayd: Take them aliue. Whom [ 14] when they had taken aliue, they killed them in a cesterne be∣side

the cabbin, two and fourtie men, and he leaft not any of [ 15] them. † And when he was gone thence, he found:: 1.608 Iona∣dab the sonne of Rechab coming to meete him, and he bles∣sed him. And he sayd to him: Is thy hart right as my hart with thy hart? And Ionadab sayd: It is. If it be so, quoth he, g••ue me thy hand. Who gaue him his hand. But he lifted him vp to [ 16] him into the chariote, † and sayd to him: Come with me, and see my zele for our Lord. And being sette in his chariote, [ 17] † he brought him into Samaria. And he stroke al that were leaft of Achab in Samaria, til there was not one, according [ 18] to the word of our Lord, which he spake by Elias. † Iehu therfore assembled al the people, and sayd to them: Achab worshipped Baal a litle, but:: 1.609 I wil worshipe him more. [ 19] † Now therfore cal to me al the prophetes of Baal, and al his seruantes, and al his priestes: let there be none but that he come, for I haue a great sacrifice to Baal: He that shal be wanting shal not liue. Moreouer Iehu did this craftely, that [ 20] he might destroy the worshippers of Baal. † And he sayd: [ 21] Sanctifie a solemne day to Baal. And he called † and sent into al the borders of Israel, and al the seruantes of Baal came: there was leaft not one that came not. And they entered into the remple of Baal: and the house of Baal was filled, from one end to the other. † And he sayd to them that were ouer [ 22] the garmentes: Bring forth garmentes for al the seruantes of [ 23] Baal. And they brought them forth garmentes. † And Iehu going in, and Ionadab the sonne of Rechab into the temple of Baal, sayd to the worshippers of Baal: Search, and see le••t perhaps there be any with you of the seruantes of the Lord, [ 24] but that there be the seruantes of Baal onlie. † They therfore went in to make victimes and holocaustes: but Iehu had pre∣pared him without fourescore men, and sayd to them: Who∣soeuer shal escape of these men, whom I wil bring into your [ 25] handes, his life shal be for the life of him. † And it came to passe, when the holo causte was ended, Iehu commanded his souldiars and captaynes: Goe in, and strike them, let none escape. And the souldiars and captaynes stroke them in the edge of the sword, and cast them forth: and they went into [ 26] the citie of the temple of Baal, † and brought forth the statue [ 27] out of Baals temple, and burnt it, † and brake it in peeces. They destroyed also the temple of Baal, and made a iakes for [ 28] it vntil this day. † Iehu therfore destroyed Baal out of Israel:

† but yet from the sinnes of Ieroboam the sonne of Nabat, [ 29] who made Israel to sinne, he departed not, neither forsooke he the golden calues, that were in Bethel, and Dan. † And [ 30] our Lord sayd to Iehu: :: 1.610 Because thou hast diligently done that which was right, and that pleased in mine eies, and hast done al thinges that were in my hart, against the house of Achab: thy children shal sitte vpon the throne of Israel to the fourth generation. † Moreouer Iehu obserued not to walke [ 31] in the law of our Lord the God of Israel in al his hart: for he departed not from the sinnes of Ieroboam, who had made Israel to sinne. † In those daies our Lord began to be wearie [ 32] of Israel: and Hazael smote them in al the costes of Israel, † from Iordan agaynst the East quarter, al the land of Galaad, [ 33] and Gad, and Ruben, and Manasses, from Aroer, which is vpon the Torrent Arnon, and Galaad, and Basan. † But the [ 34] rest of the wordes of Iehu, & al that he did, and his strength, are not these thinges writen in the Booke of the wordes of the dayes of the kinges of Israel? † And Iehu slept with his [ 35] fathers, and they buried him in Samaria: and Ioachaz his sonne reigned for him. † And the dayes which Iehu reigned [ 36] ouer Israel, be eight and twentie yeares in Samaria.

CHAP. XI. Athalia killing al the kinges progenie (except loas, who is saued by his aunt) vsurpeth the kingdome. 4. But the seuenth yeare Ioiada the high priest crowneth loas king. 13. causeth Athalia to be slaine, 17. and maketh coue∣nant betwen God, the king, and the people.

BVT Athalia the mother of Ochozias seing her sonne [ 1] dead, arose, and :: 1.611 slew al the kinges seede. † But Iosaba [ 2] king Iorams daughter, the sister of Ochozias, taking Ioas the sonne of Ochozias, stole him out of the middes of the kinges children, that were slaine, and his nurce out of the bedchamber: and hid him from the face of Athalia, that he should not be slaine. † And he was with her sixe yeares [ 3] secretly in the house of our Lord. Moreouer Athalia reigned ouer the land. † And in the seuenth yeare :: 1.612 Ioiada sent and [ 4] taking the centurions, and the souldiars brought them in to him into the temple of our Lord, and made a couenant with them: and adiuring them in the house of our Lord, shewed them the kinges sonne: † and commanded them, saying: [ 5] This is the thing, which you must doe. † Let the third part [ 6]

of you goe in on the Sabbath, and keepe the watch of the kinges house. And let a third part be at the gate Sur: & let a third part be at the gate behind the dwelling of the shilde∣bearers: and you shal keepe the watch of the house of Messa. † But let two partes of you al that goe forth on the Sabbath, [ 7] keepe the watch of the house of our Lord about the king. † And you shal gard him round about, hauing weapons in [ 8] your hands: & if anie man shal enter the precinct of the tem∣ple, let him be slaine: and you shal be with the king coming in & going out. † And the centurions did according to al thinges, [ 9] that Ioiada the priest had commanded them: & euerie one ta∣king their men, that went in on the Sabbath, with them that went out in the Sabbath, came to Ioiada the priest. † Who [ 10] gaue them the speares, & the weapons of king Dauid; which were in the house of our Lord. † And they stood euerie one [ 11] hauing their weapons in their hand, on the right side of the temple, vnto the leaft side of the altar, & of the temple, about the king. † And he brought forth the kinges sonne, and put [ 12] vpon him the diademe, and the couenant: and they made him king, and anoynted him: and clapping with the hand, sayd: God saue the king. † And Athalia heard the voice of people [ 13] running: and she going in to the multitudes into the temple of our Lord, † saw the king standing vpon the tribunal seate [ 14] according to the maner, and the singers, and trumpettes nere him, and al the people of the land reioysing, and sounding the trumpettes: and she rent her garmentes, and cried: A conspi∣racie, a conspiracie. † But Ioiada commanded the centurions, [ 15] that were ouer the armie, and sayd to them: Lead her forth without the precinct of the temple, and whosoeuer shal fo∣low her, let him be striken with the sword. For the priest had sayd: Let her :: 1.613 not be slaine in the temple of our Lord. † And [ 16] they layd handes on her: and threw her by the way of the entrance of the horses, beside the palace, and she was slaine there. † Ioiada therfore made a couenant betwen our Lord, [ 17] and the king, and betwen the people, that it should be the people of our Lord, and betwen the king and the people. † And al the people of the land entered into the temple of [ 18] Baal, and destroyed his altars, and his images they brake in peces stoutly: Mathan also the priest of Baal they slew before the altar. And the priest sette gardes in the house of our Lord. † And he tooke the centurious, and the legions of Cerethi [ 19]

and Phelethi, and al the people of the land, and they brought the king from the house of our Lord: and they came by the way of the gate of the shildebearers into the palace, and he sate vpon the throne of the kinges. † And al the people of [ 20] the land reioysed, and the citie was quiet: but Athalia was slaine with the sword in the kinges house. † And Ioas was [ 21] seuen yeares old, when he began to reigne.

CHAP. XII. Ioas vvilleth the priestes to repaire vvhat needeth in the temple, receiuing al the money offered there. 6. vvhich they not performing, the high priest proui∣deth that al is amended, 16. the priestes receiuing only the money due to themselues. 17. Hazael king of Syria taking Geth, and threitning Ierusa∣lem is pacified vvith money. 19. Ioas is traitarously slaine by his seruantes, and his sonne Amasias reigneth.

IN the seuenth yeare of Iehu reigned Ioas: and he reigned [ 1] fourtie yeares in Ierusalem. The name of his mother was Sebia of Bersabee. † And Ioas did right before our Lord al [ 2] the daies, that Ioiada the priest taught him. † But yet the ex∣celses [ 3] he tooke not away: for the people immolated & burnt incense in the excelses. † And Ioas sayd to the priestes: Al [ 4] the money of the sanctified thinges, which is brought into the temple of our Lord by the passengers, which is offered for the :: 1.614 price of a soule, and which of their owne accord, and of their owne free hart they bring into the temple of our Lord: † let the priestes take it according to their order, and mayn∣teine [ 5] reparations of the house, if they shal see any thing that needeth reparation. † Therfore vntil the three and twenteth [ 6] yeare of king Ioas, the priestes did not make reparations of the temple. † And king Ioas called Ioiada the high priest and [ 7] the priestes, saying to them: Why make you not the repara∣tions of the temple? Take you therfore money no more ac∣cording to your order, but render it to the reparation of the temple. † And the priestes were prohibited to take money [ 8] anie more of the people, and to make the reparations of the temple. † And Ioiada the high priest tooke * 1.615 a treasurie, and [ 9] opened a hole in the toppe, and sette it by the altar at the right hand of them that goe into the house of our Lord, and the priestes that kept the doores, did cast into it al the money, that was brought to the temple of our Lord. † And when [ 10] they saw that there was very much money in the treasurie, the

kinges scribe, and the high priest went vp, and powred it out, and counted the money, that was found in the house of our Lord: † and they gaue it according to number and measure [ 11] into their hand, which did ouersee the masons of the house of our Lord: who bestowed it on carpenters, and on masons, such as wrought in the house of our Lord, † and made repa∣rations: [ 12] and on them that hewed stones, and that they should bye trees, and stones, that were hewed, so that the reparation of the house of our Lord was accomplished in al thinges, which had neede of cost to vphold the house. † But yet there [ 13] were not made of the same money the watter pottes of the temple of our Lord, and the fleshhookes, and censars, and trumpets, and euerie vessel of gold and siluer, of the money, that was brought into the temple of our Lord. † For it was [ 14] geuen them that did the worke, that the temple of our Lord might be repayred: † and there was no account made with [ 15] those men, that receiued the money to distribute it to the craftes men, but vpon their fidelitie they bestowed it. † But [ 16] the money for offence, & the money for sinnes, they brought not into the temple of our Lord, because it was the priestes. † Then Hazael the king of Syria went vp, and fought agaynst [ 17] Geth, and tooke it: and directed his face to goe vp to Ierusa∣lem. † For which cause Ioas the king of Iuda tooke al the [ 18] sanctified thinges, which Iosaphat, and Ioram, and Ochozias his fathers the kinges of Iuda had :: 1.616 consecrated, and which him self had offered: and al the siluer, that could be found in the treasures of the temple of our Lord, and in the kinges pa∣lace: and sent it to Hazael the king of Syria, and he retyred from Ierusalem. † But the rest of the wordes of Ioas, and al [ 19] that he did, are not these thinges writen in the Booke of the wordes of the daies of the kinges of Iuda? † And his seruantes [ 20] arose, and conspired among them selues, and stroke Ioas in the house of Mello in the descent of Sella. † For Iosachar the [ 21] sonne of Semaath, and Iozabad the sonne of Somer his ser∣uantes, stroke him, and he died: and they buried him with his fathers in :: 1.617 the citie of Dauid, and Amasias his sonne reigned for him.

CHAP. XIII. Ioachaz King of Israel is afflicted by the Syrians, 4. and deliuered. 6. Yet de∣stroyeth not idolatrie. 8. dieth, and his sonne Ioas foloweth his euil steppes. ••4. Eliseus being sicke willeth the king to shoote, 18. and to strike the

earth, who striking thrise, is told that he shal thrise strike the Syrians. 20. Eliseus dieth, and a dead men is reuiued touching his bones. 22. Ioas reco∣uereth that which the Syrians ••ad taken from Israel.

IN the three and twenteth yeare of Ioas the sonne of O∣chozias [ 1] the king of Iuda, reigned Ioachaz the sonne of Iehu ouer Israel in Samaria, seuentene yeares. † And he did [ 2] euil before our Lord, and folowed the sinnes of Ieroboam the sonne of Nabat, who made Israel to sinne, and declined not from them. † And the furie of our Lord was wrath a∣gaynst [ 3] Israel, and he deliuered them into the hand of Hazael the king of Syria, and into the hand of Benadad the sonne of Hazael, alwaies. † But Ioachaz besought the face of our Lord, [ 4] and our Lord heard him▪ for he saw the distresse of Israel, that the king of Syria had broken them: † and our Lord gaue a [ 5] sauiour to Israel, and they were deliuered out of the hand of the king of Syria: and the children of Israel dwelt in their ta∣bernacles as yesterday and the day before. † But yet they de∣parted [ 6] not from the sinnes of Ieroboam who made Israel to sinne, but they walked in them: for the grone also remayned in Samaria. † And there were leaft to Ioachaz of the people [ 7] but fiftie horsemen, and ten chariotes, and ten thousand foot∣men: for the king of Syria had slaine them, and had brought them as dust by threshing in the barne floore. † But the rest [ 8] of the wordes of Ioachaz, and al that he did, and his strength, are not these thinges writen in the Booke of the wordes of the daies of the kinges of Israel? † And Ioachaz slept with [ 9] his fathers, & they buried him in Samaria: and Ioas his sonne reigned for him. † In the seuen and thirteth yeare of Ioas the [ 10] king of Iuda reigned Ioas the sonne of Ioachaz ouer Israel in Samaria sixtene yeares, † and he did that which is euil in the [ 11] sight of our Lord, he declined not from al the sinnes of Iero∣boam the sonne of Nabat, who made Israel to sinne, but he walked in them. † But the rest of the wordes of Ioas, and [ 12] al that he did, and his strength, how he fought agaynst Ama∣sias the king of Iuda, are not these thinges writen in the Booke of the wordes of the dayes of the kinges of Israel? † And Ioas slept with his fathers: but Ieroboam sate vpon [ 13] his throne. Moreouer Ioas, was buried in Samaria with the kinges of Israel. † And Eliseus was sicke of an infirmitie, [ 14] wherof also he died: and Ioas the king of Israel went downe

to him, and wept before him, and sayd: My father, my father, the chariote of Israel and the garder therof. † And Eliseus [ 15] sayd to him: fetch a bow and arrowes. And when he had brought him a bow, and arrowes, † he sayd to the king of [ 16] Israel: Put thy hand vpon the bow. And when he had put his hand, Eliseus put his handes ouer the kinges handes, † and [ 17] sayd: Open the east window. And when he had opened it, Eliseus sayd: Shote an arrow. And he shot. And Eliseus sayd: The arrow of the saluation of our Lord, and the arrow of saluation agaynst Syria: and thou shalt strike Syria in Aphec, til thou consume it. † And he sayd: Take vp the arrowes. [ 18] Who when he had taken them agayne, he sayd to him: Strike the earth with a iauelin. And when he had striken three ti∣mes, and stood stil, † the man of God was angrie with him, [ 19] & sayd: :: 1.618 If thou hadst striken fiue or six or seuen times, thou hadst striken Syria euen to destruction: but now three times shalt thou strike it. † Eliseus therfore died, and they buried [ 20] him. And the rouers of Moab came into the land the same yeare. † And certayne persons burying a man, saw the ro∣uers, [ 21] and threw the bodie in the sepulchre of Eliseus. Which when it had touched the bones of Eliseus, the man reuiued, and stood vpon his feete. † Hazael therfore the king of Syria [ 22] afflicted Israel al the daies of Ioachaz: † and our Lord had [ 23] mercie on them, and returned to them for his couenant, which he had with Abraham, and Isaac, and Iacob: and he would not destroy them, nor vtterly cast them away, vntil this present time. † And Hazael the king of Syria died, and [ 24] Benadad his sonne reigned for him. † Moreouer Ioas the [ 25] sonne of Ioachaz, tooke the cities out of the hand of Bena∣dad the sonne of Hazael, which he had taken out of the hand of Ioachaz his father by the right of warre, three times did Ioas strike him, and he deliuered the cities to Israel.

CHAP. XIIII. Amasias king of Iudakilleth those that had slaine his father; 7. and striketh Edom. 8. Prouoking Ioas king of Israel to warre, receiueth a contem∣tible answer: 11. prouoking againe is beaten in battle, and Ierusalem is ransact. 15. Ioas dieth and his sonne Ieroboam foloweth the bad steppes of the first Ieroboam; yet recouereth manie places lost before▪ and dying his sonne Zacharias reigneth.

IN the second yeare of Ioas the sonne of Ioachaz the king [ 1] of Israel reigned Amasias the sonne of Ioas the king of Iuda. † Fiue and twentie yeares old was he when he began [ 2] to reigne: and nine and twentie yeares he reigned in Ierusa∣lem, the name of his mother was Ioadan of Ierusalem. † And [ 3] he did right before our Lord, but yet not as Dauid his father. He did according to al thinges, which Ioas his father did: † but this onlie that he tooke not away the excelses: for yet [ 4] the people immolated, and burnt incense in the excelses. † And when he obtayned the kingdom, he smote his seruan∣tes, [ 5] which had slaine the king his father: † but their children [ 6] that killed him, he did not put to death, according to that which is written in the booke of the law of Moyses, as our Lord commanded, saying: The fathers shal not die for the* 1.619 children, neither shal the children die for the fathers: but euerie one shal die in his owne sinne. † He smote Edom in [ 7] the Vail of Salt pittes ten thousand, and tooke the rocke in battel, and called the name therof, Iectehel vntil this present daye. † Then Amasias sent messengers to Ioas the sonne of [ 8] Ioachaz, the sonne of Iehu the king of Israel, saying: Come, :: 1.620 let vs see one an other. † And Ioas the king of Israel sent [ 9] agayne to Amasias the king of Iuda saying: A thistle of Liba∣nus sent to a cedar tree, which is in Libanus, saying: Geue thy daughter to my sonne to wife. And the beastes of the forest, that are in Libanus▪ passed and trode the thistle. † Thou [ 10] striking hast preuayled ouer Edom, and thy hart hath puffed thee vp: be content with the glorie, and sit in thy house: Why prouokest thou euil, that thou mayst fal and Iuda with thee. † And Amasias agreed not. And Ioas the king of Israel went [ 11] vp, and they saw eche other, he and Amasias the king of Iuda in Bethsames a towne of Iuda. † And Iuda was strooken be∣fore [ 12] Israel, and euerie man fled into their tabernacles. † But [ 13] Ioas the king of Israel did take Amasias the king of Iuda the sonne of Ioas, the sonne of Ochozias, in Bethsames, and brought him into Ierusalem: and he brake downe the wal of Ierusalem, from the gate of Ephraim vnto the gate of the corner, fowre hundred cubites. † And he tooke al the gold, [ 14] and siluer, and al the vessel, that were found in the house of our Lord, and in the kinges treasures, and hostages, and re∣turned into Samaria. † But the rest of the wordes of Ioas [ 15] which he did, and his strength, wherwith he fought against

Amasias the king of Iuda, are not these thinges writen in the Booke of the wordes of the daies of the kinges of Israel? † And [ 16] Ioas slept with his fathers, and was buried in Samaria with the kinges of Israel: & Ieroboam his sonne reigned for him. † And [ 17] Amasias the sonne of Ioas the king of Iuda liued, after that Ioas the sonne of Ioachaz the king of Israel was dead, fifetene yeares. † But the rest of the wordes of Amasias, are not [ 18] these thinges writen in the Booke of the wordes of the daies of the kinges of Iuda? † And there was a conspiracie made [ 19] against him in Ierusalem: but he fled into Lachis. And they sent after him into Lachis, and killed him there. † And they [ 20] caried him away vpon horses, and he was buried in Ierusalem with his fathers in the Citie of Dauid. † And al the people of [ 21] Iuda tooke Azarias sixtene yeares old, and made him king for his father Amasias. † He built Aelath, and restored it to Iuda, [ 22] after that the king slept with his fathers. † In the fiftenth [ 23] yeare of Amasias the sonne of Ioas the king of Iuda, reigned Ieroboam the sonne of Ioas the king of Israel in Samaria, one and fourtie yeares: † and he did that which is euil before [ 24] our Lord. He departed not from al the sinnes of Ieroboam the sonne of Nabat, who made Israel to sinne. † He restored [ 25] the borders of Israel from the entrance of Emath, vnto the Sea of the wildernesse, according to the word of our Lord the God of Israel, which he spake by his seruāt Ionas the sonne of* 1.621 Amathi, the prophete▪ who was of Geth, which is in Opher. † For our Lord saw the afliction of Israel exceding bitter, [ 26] and that they were consumed vnto the imprisoned & meanest persons, and that there was none to helpe Israel. † Neither [ 27] did our Lord determine that he would destroy the name of Israel from vnder heauen, but he s••ued them in the hand of Ieroboam the sonne of Ioas. † But the rest of the wordes of [ 28] Ieroboam, and al that he did, and his strength, wherwith he fought, and how he restored Damascus, and Emath to Iuda in Israel, are not these thinges writen in the Booke of the wor∣des of the daies of the kinges of Israel? † And Ieroboam slept [ 29] with his fathers the kinges of Israel, and Zacharias his sonne, reigned for him.

CHAP. XV. Azarias beginneth wel, 4. afterward (for offering incense on the altar▪ 2▪ Paralip. 26.) is strooken with leprosie, cast out of the temple, and from con∣uersation weth the people, his sonne Ioathan ruling the kingdom. 8. Sellum

killeth Zacharias king of Israel and reigneth in his place. 14. After one mo∣neth Manahem killeth Sellum & reigneth also Wickedly. 19. Maketh league With the Syrians. 22. dieth and his sonne Phaceia reigneth. 25. Phacee killeth him, and reigneth. 29. The Assyrians spoyle the countrie, and carie away manie captiues. 30. Osee killeth Phacee and reigneth. 32. In the meane time Ioathan regning in Iuda is infested With enemies. 38. dieth, and his sonne Achaz reigneth.

IN the seuen and twenteth yeare of Ieroboam the king [ 1] of Israel reigned :: 1.622 Azarias the sonne of Amasias the king of Iuda. † He was sixtene yeares old, when he began to [ 2] reigne, and two and fiftie yeares he reigned in Ierusalem: the name of his mother was Iechelia of Ierusalem, † And he [ 3] did that which was liked before our Lord, according to al thinges that his father Amasias did. † But the excelses he de∣stroyed [ 4] not: as yet the people sacrificed, and burnt incense in the excelses. † And our Lord stroke the king, and he was :: 1.623 a [ 5] leper vntil the day of his death, and he dwelt in a free house a part: but Ioathan the kinges sonne gouerned the palace, and iudged the people of the land. † But the rest of the [ 6] wordes of Azarias, and al that he did, are not these thinges writen in the Booke of the wordes of the daies of the kinges of Iuda? † And Azarias slept with his fathers: and they [ 7] buried him with his ancetors :: 1.624 in the citie of Dauid, and Ioa∣than his sonne reigned for him. † In the eight and thirteth [ 8] yeare of Azarias the king of Iuda, reigned Zacharias the sonne of Ieroboam ouer Israel in Samaria sixe monethes: † and he did that which is euil before our Lord, as his fathers [ 9] had done: he departed not from the sinnes of Ieroboam the sonne of Nabat, who made Israel to sinne. † And Sellum [ 10] the sonne of Iabes conspired against him: and smote him openly, killed him, and reigned for him. † But the rest of [ 11] the wordes of Zacharias, are not these writen in the Booke of the wordes of the dayes of the kinges of Israel? † This is [ 12] the word of our Lord, which he spake to Iehu, saying: Thy children shal sit vnto the fourth generation vpon the throne of Israel. And so it came to passe. † Sellum the sone of Iabes [ 13] reigned the nine and thirteth yeare of Azarias the king of Iuda: and reigned one moneth in Samaria. † And Manahem [ 14] the sonne of Gadi went vp from Thersa: and he came into Samaria, and smote Sellum the sonne of Iabes in Samaria,

and slew him, & reigned for him. † But the rest of the wordes [ 15] of Sellum, & his conspiracie, wherwith he wrought treason, are not these thinges written in the Booke of the wordes of the dayes of the kinges of Israel? † Then Manahem stroke [ 16] Thapsa and al that were in it and the borders therof from Thersa, for they would not open vn••o him: and he slew al wemen therof that were withchilde, and ripped them. † In [ 17] the nine and thirteth yeare of Azarias the king of Iuda, reig∣ned Manahem the sonne of Gadi ouer Israel ten yeares in Sa∣maria. † And he did that which was euil before our Lord: he [ 18] departed not from the sinnes of Ieroboam the sonne of Na∣bat, who made Israel to sinne al his dayes. † Phul also the king [ 19] of the Assyrians came into the land, and Manahem gaue to Phul a thousand ralentes of siluer, that he should ayde him, & establish his kingdom. † And Manahem put a taxe of siluer [ 20] vpon Israel, on them that were mightie and riche to geue the king of the Assyrians, fiftie sicles of siluer euerie man: and the king of the Assyrians returned, and taried not in the land. † But the rest of the wordes of Manahem, and al that he did, [ 21] are not these thinges writen in the Booke of the wordes of the daies of the kinges of Israel? † And Manahem slept with [ 22] his fathers: and Phaceia his sonne reigned for him. † In the [ 23] fifteth yeare of Azarias the king of Inda reigned Phaceia the sonne of Manahem ouer Israel in Samria two yeares: † and [ 24] he did that which was euil before our Lord: he departed not from the sinnes of Ieroboam the sonne of Nabat, who made Israel to sinne. † And Phacee the sonne of Romelia, his cap∣taine [ 25] conspired against him, and stoke him in Samaria, in the towre of the kinges house beside, Argob and beside Arie, and with him fiftie men of the children of the Galaadites, and he slewe him, and reigned for him. † But the rest of the [ 26] wordes of Phaceia & al that he did, are not these things writ∣ten in the Booke of the wordes of the daies of the kings of Israel. † In the two and fifteth yeares of Azarias the king [ 27] of Iuda reigned Phacee the sonne Romelia ouer Israel in Sa∣maria twentie yeares. † And he did that which was euil be∣fore [ 28] our Lord: he departed not from the sinnes of Ieroboam the sonne of Nabat, who made Israel to sinne. † In the daies [ 29] of Phacee the king of Israel came Theglath phalasar the king of Assur, & :: 1.625 tooke Aion, and Abel the house of Maachat and Ianoe, and Cedes, and Asor, and Galaad, and Galilee, and al

the land of Nepthali: and transported them vnto the Assy∣rians. † And Osee the sonne of Ela conspired, and lay in [ 30] wayte against Phacee the sonne of Romelia, and stroke him, and slew him: and he reigned for him the twentith yeare of Ioatham the sonne of:: 1.626 Ozias. † But the rest of the wordes of [ 31] Phacee, and al that he did, are not these things written in the Booke of the wordes of the dayes of the kings of Israel? † In the second yeare of Phacee the sonne of Romelia the [ 32] king of Israel, reigned Ioatham the sonne of Ozias the king of Iuda. † Fiue and twentie yeares old was he when he began [ 33] to reigne, and sixtene yeares he reigned in Ierusalem: the name of his mother was Ierusa, the daughter of Sadoc. † And he did that which was liked before our Lord: accor∣ding [ 34] to al things, which Ozias his father had done, did he worke. † Howbeit the excelses he tooke not away: as yet [ 35] the people immolated, and burnt incense in the excelses, he built the highest gate of the house of our Lord. † But the rest [ 36] of the wordes of Ioatham, and al that he did, are not these things written in the Booke of the words of the dayes of the kings of Iuda? † In those dayes our Lord began to send into [ 37] Iuda Rasin the king of Syria, and Phacee the sonne of Ro∣melia. † And Ioatham slept with his fathers, and was buried [ 39] with them in the citie of Dauid his father, and Achaz his sonne reigned for him.

CHAP. XVI. Achaz king of Iuda besides other idolatrie, sacrificeth his owne sonne to idoles. 5 The kinges of Israel and Syria besiegeing Ierusalem, the Assy∣rians are hyred to releue it. 10. Achaz causeth Vrias to make an altar like to one in Damascus, 14. in place of Gods altar: 17. remoueth diuers o∣ther things perteyning to diuine seruice, 19. dieth, and his sonne Ezechias reigneth.

IN the seuenteth yeare of Phacee the sonne of Romelia [ 1] reigned Achaz the sonne of Ioatham king of Iuda. † Twentie yeares old was Achaz when he began to reigne, [ 2] and he reigned sixtene yeares in Ierusalem: he did not that which was pleasing in the sight of our Lord his God, as Dauid his father. † But he walked in the way of the kings of Israel: [ 3] moreouer also he consecrated his sonne, making him passe through fire according to the idols of the Gentils: which our Lord destroyed before the children of Israel. † He immolated [ 4]

also victimes, and burnt incense in the excelses, and on the hilles, and vnder euery tree full of greene leaues. † Then [ 5] went vp Rasin the king of Syria, and Phacee the sonne of Romelia the king of Israel into Ierusalem to fight: & when they besieged Achaz, they were not able to ouercome him. † At that time Rasin the king of Syria restored Aila to Syria, [ 6] and threw out the Iewes out of Aila: and the Idumeians came into Aila, and dwelt there vnto this day. † And Achaz sent [ 7] messengers to Theglathphalasar the king of the Assyrians, saying: I am thy seruant, and thy sonne: come vp, and saue me out of the hand of the king of Syria, and from the hand of the king of Israel, which are risen together against me. † And when he had gathered together the siluer and gold, [ 8] that could be founde in the house of our Lord, and in the kings treasures, he sent giftes to the king of the Assyrians. † Who also agreed to his wil: for the king of the Assyrians [ 9] went vp into Damascus, and wasted it: and he transferred the inhabitants therof to Cyrene, but Rasin he slew. † And [ 10] king Achaz went forth to meete Theglathphalasar the king of the Assyrians into Damascus, and when he had seene the altar of Damascus, king Achaz sent to Vrias the priest a pa∣terne of it, and a similitude according to al the worke therof. † And Vrias the priest built an altar, according to al things, [ 11] which king Achaz had commanded, from Damascus, so did the priest Vrias, whilest king Achaz came from Damascus. † And when the king was come from Damascus, he saw the [ 12] altar and worshipped it: and went vp and immolated holo∣caustes, and his sacrifice, † and offered libamentes, and [ 13] powred the bloud of the pacifiques, which he had offered vpon the altar. † Moreouer the altar of brasse that was be∣fore [ 14] our lord, he remoued from the face of the temple, and from the place of the altar, and from the place of the temple of our Lord: and he sett it at the side of the altar toward the North. † King Achaz also comanded Vrias the priest, saying: [ 15] Vpon the greater altar offer the morning holocaust, and the euening sacrifice, and the kings holocaust, and his sacrifice, and the holocaust of the whole people of the land, and their sacrifices, and their libamentes: and al the bloud of the holocaust, and al the bloud of the victime thou shalt powre out vpon it: but the altar of brasse shalbe prepared readie at my pleasure † Vrias therfore the priest did according to al [ 16]

things, which king Achaz had commanded him. † And king [ 17] Achaz tooke the engrauen feete, and the lauatorie that was vpon them: and he tooke downe the * 1.627 sea from the oxen of brasse, that held it vp, and put it vpon the pauement paued with stone. † The * 1.628 Musach also of the Sabbath, which he [ 18] had built in the temple: and the entrie of the king outward he turned into the temple of our Lord because of the king of the Assyrians. † But the rest of the wordes of Achaz, which [ 19] he did, are not these writen in the Booke of the wordes of the dayes of the kinges of Iuda? † And Achaz slept with his fa∣thers, [ 20] and was buried with them in the citie of Dauid, and Ezechias his sonne reigned for him.

CHAP. XVII. Salmanazar king of Assyrians maketh Osee king of Israel tributarie, and perceuing his endeuour to be deliuered therof, imprisoneth him; after three yeares siege taketh Samaria, and carieth the people captiue into Assi∣ria. 7. Al which God permitteth for diuers great sinnes here recited. 25. The new inhabitantes of the countrie not knowing God, are deuoured by lions. VVherupon a true priest is sent to instruct them. 29. but they lerning the rites of true religion do mixt the same with idolatrie.

IN the twelfth yeare of Achaz king of Iuda, reigned Osee [ 1] the sonne of Ela in Samaria ouer Israel nine yeares. † And [ 2] he did euil before our Lord: but not as the kinges of Israel, that had bene before him. † Against him came vp Salmanasar [ 3] king of the Assyrians, and Osee was made seruant to him, and payd him tributes. † And when the king of the Assyrians had [ 4] found, that Osee endeuoring to rebel had sent messengers to Sua the king of Aegypt, that he might not pay tributes to the king of the Assyrians, as euery yeare he was accustomed, he besieged him, and cast him blound into prison. † And he ran∣ged [ 5] through al the land: and going vp to Samaria, he besieged it three yeares. † And in the ninth yeare of Osee, the king [ 6] of Assyrians tooke Samaria, and transferred Israel vnto the Assyrians: and he put them in Hala, and in Habor beside the riuer of Gozan, in the cities of the Medes. † For it came to [ 7] passe, when the children of Israel had sinned to our Lord their God, which brought them out of the land of Aegypt, and out of the hand of Pharao the king of Aegypt, they worshipped strange goddes. † And they walked according to the rite of the Gentiles, which our Lord had consumed in the sight of

the children of Israel, and of the kings of Israel: because they had done in like maner. † And the children of Israel offended [ 9] our Lord their God with wordes not right: & built them ex∣celses in al their cities from the Towre of watchmen vnto the fensed citie. † And they made them statues & groues on euerie [ 10] high hil, and vnder euerie thicke woddie tree: † and burnt [ 11] there incense vpon the altars after the maner of the Gentiles, which our Lord remoued from their face: and they did wic∣ked things, prouoking our Lord. † And they worshipped [ 12] the filthes, wherof our Lord commanded them that thou should not doe this thing. † And our Lord testified in Israel [ 13] and in Iuda by the hand of al the Prophetes and Seers, saying: Returne from your most wicked wayes, and keepe my pre∣cepts, and ceremonies according to al the law, which I com∣manded your fathers: and as I haue sent to you in the hand of my seruantes the Prophetes. † Who heard not, but harde∣ned [ 14] their necke according to the necke of their fathers, who would not obey our Lord their God. † And they cast away [ 15] his ordinances, and the couenant that he made with their fa∣thers, and the testifications, wherwith he contested them: and they folowed vanities, and did vaynly: and they folowed the Gentiles, that were round about them, concerning which our Lord had commanded them, that they should not doe as they did. † And they forsooke al the preceptes of our Lord [ 16] their God: and made to them selues two molten calues, and groues, and adored al the hoste of heauen: and they serued Baal, † and consecrated their sonnes, and their daughters [ 17] through fyre: and they gaue themselues to deuinations, and soothsayings: and they deliuered vp themselues to doe euil before our Lord, :: 1.629 that they might prouoke him. † And our [ 18] Lord was wrath with Israel vehemently, and tooke them away from his sight, and there remayned but the tribe of Iuda onlie. † But neither Iuda it self kept the commandementes [ 19] of our Lord their God: but walked in the errours of Israel, which it had wrought. † And our Lord reiected al the seede [ 20] of Israel, and afflicted them, & deliuered them into the hand of the spoylers, til he threwe them away from his face: † euen [ 21] now from that time, when Israel was rent from the house of Dauid, and made Ieroboam the sonne of Nabat their king: for Ieroboam seperated Israel from our Lord, and made them sinne a great sinne. † And the children of Israel walked in [ 22]

al the sinnes of Ieroboam, which he had done: and they de∣parted not from them, † vntil our Lord tooke away Israel [ 23] from his face, as he had spoken in the hand of al his seruantes the Prophetes: and Israel was transported out of their land vnto the Assyrians, vntil this day. † And the king of the Assy∣rians [ 24] brought from Babylon, and from Cutha, and from Auah, and from Emath, and from Sepharuaim: and placed them in the cities of Samaria for the children of Israel: who possessed Samaria, and dwelt in the cities therof. † And [ 25] when they began to dwel there, they feared not our Lord: and our Lord sent lions vpon them, which killed them. † And it [ 26] was told the king of the Assyrians, and sayd. The nations, which thou hast transferred, and made to dwel in the cities of Samaria, know not the ordinances of the God of the land: and the Lord hath sent lions vpon them: and behold they kil them, for that they know not the rite of the God of the land. † And the king of the Assyrians commanded, saying: [ 27] Bring thither one of the priestes, which you brought thence captiue, and let him goe, and dwel with them: and let him teach them the ordinances of the God of the land. † Therfore [ 28] when one of those priests, which were led captiue from Sa∣maria, was come, he dwelt in Bethel, and taught them how they should worship our Lord. † And euerie Nation framed [ 29] their owne god, and put them in the highe temples, which the Samaritanes had made, Nation and Nation in their cities, where they dwelt. † For the men of Babylon made [ 30] Socoth benoth: and the Cutheites made Nergel: and the men of Emath made Asima. † Moreouer the Heueites made Ne∣bahaz [ 31] & Tharthac. And they that were of Sepharuaim burnt their children in fyre, to Adramelech, and Anamelech the goddes of Sepharuaim. † and neuetheles they :: 1.630 worshipped [ 32] our Lord. And they made to themselues of the vilest persones priestes of the excelses, and they placed them in the highe temples. † And when they worshipped our Lord, they serued [ 33] also their owne goddes according to the custome of the Na∣tions out of the which they were transported to Samaria: † vntil this present day they folow the old maner: they feare [ 34] not our Lord, neither keepe they his ceremonies, and iudge∣ments, and law, and the commandemet, which our Lord commanded the children of Iacob, whom he surnamed Israel: † and he had made a couenant with them, & had commanded [ 35]

them, saying: Feare not strange goddes, and adore them not, neither worship them, and immolate not to them. † But the [ 36] Lord your God, which brought you out of the Land of Aegypt in great strength, and a stretched out arme, him feare ye, and him adore, and to him doe ye immolate. † The ceremonies [ 37] also, and iudgementes, and law, and the commandment, that he wrote you, kepe ye, that you may doe them alwaies: and feare not strange goddes. † And the couenant, that he made [ 38] with you, forget not: neither doe ye worship strange goddes, [ 39] † but feare our Lord your God, and he wil deliuer you out of the hand of al your enemies. † But they heard not, but did [ 40] according to their old custome. † These Nations therfore [ 41] were fearing of our Lord but neuerthelesse seruing their idols also: for both their children and nephewes, as their fathers did, soe doe they vntil this present day.

CHAP. XVIII. Ezechias destroyeth al places of idolatrie in Iuda, breaking also the brasen ser∣pent, made by Moyses, because the people offered incense to it. 9. The capti∣uitie of the ten tribes is repeted. 13. Ezechias not able to resist the Assyrians payeth much money to them. 17. They neuertheles send forces against Ierusa∣lem, reproch the king, blaspheme God, and terrifie the people.

IN the third yeare of Osee the sonne of Ela king of Israel,* 1.631 [ 1] reigned Ezechias the sonne of Achaz king of Iuda. † Fiue [ 2] and twentie yeares old was he when he began to reigne: and he reigned nine and twentie yeares in Ierusalem: the name of his mother was Abi the daughter of Zacharias. † And [ 3] he did that which was good before our Lord, according to al thinges which Dauid his father had done. † He de∣stroyed [ 4] the excelses, and brake the statuees in peeces, and cut downe the groues, and brake the brasen serpent, which Moyses had made: for vntil that time the children of Israel :: 1.632 burnt incense to it: and he called the name therof * 1.633 No∣hestan. † He trusted in our Lord the God of Israel: therfore [ 5] after him there was not the like to him in al the kings of Iuda, yea neither among them that were before him: † and he cleaued to our Lord, and departed not from his [ 6] steppes, and he did his commandmentes, which our Lord commanded Moyses. † Wherfore our Lord also was with [ 7] him, and in al things, to the which he proceded, he behaued himselfe wisely. He rebelled also agaynst the king of the

Assyrians, and serued him not. † He stroke the Philisthians [ 8] as farre as Gaza, & al the borders, from the Towre of watch∣men vnto the fensed citie. † In the fourth yeare of king [ 9] Ezechias, which was the seuenth yeare of Osee the sonne of Ela the king of Israel, came vp Salmanasar the king of the Assyrians into Samaria, and assaulted it, † and tooke it. For [ 10] after three yeares, in the sixt yeare of Ezechias, that is, the ninth yeare of Osee the king of Israel, Samaria was taken: † and the king of the Assyrians transported Israel vnto the [ 11] Assyrians, and placed them in Hala, and in Habor riuers of Gozan in the cities of the Medes: † because they heard not [ 12] the voice of our Lord their God, but transgressed his coue∣nant: al things, that Moyses the seruant of our Lord comman∣ded, they heard not, neither did they it. † In the fourtenth [ 13] yeare of king Ezechias, came vp Sennacherib the king of Assy∣rians to al the fensed cities of Iuda: and tooke them. † Then [ 14] sent Ezechias the king of Iuda messengers to the king of the Assyrians into Lachis, saying: I haue sinned, retyre from me: and al that thou shalt put vpon me, I will beare. Therfore the king of the Assyrians put a taxe vpon Ezechias the king of Iuda, three hundred talents of siluer, and thirtie talents of gold. † And Ezechias gaue al the siluer that was found in [ 15] the house of our Lord, and in the kinges treasures. † At that [ 16] time Ezechias brake the doores of the temple of our Lord, and the plates of gold, which he had fastened on them, and gaue them to the king of the Assyrians. † But the king of [ 17] the Assyrias sent Tharthan, and Rabsaris, and Rabsaces from Lachis to king Ezechias with a strong powre to Ierusalem: who when they were come vp they came to Ierusalem, and stoode beside the conduite of the vpper poole, which is in the way of the fullers field. † And they called the king: and there [ 18] went out to them Eliacim the sonne of Helcias gouernour of the house and Sobna the Scribe and Ioahe the sonne of Asaph, the * 1.634 register, † And Rabsaces sayd to them: Speake [ 19] to Ezechias: Thus sayth the great king, the king of Assy∣rians: What is this confidence, that thou doest stay vpon? † Perhaps thou hast taken counsel, to prepare thy selfe [ 20] to battle. Wherin hast thou confidence, that thou darest to rebel? † Dost thou hope in Aegypt a staffe of reede and [ 21] broken, vpon which if a man leane, broken into splinters it wil enter into his hand, and pearce it? so is Pharao the king

of Aegypt, to al that haue confidence in him. † But, if you [ 22] wil say to me: We haue confidence in our Lord God: is not this he, whose excelses and altars Ezechias hath taken away: and he commanded Iuda and Ierusalem: Before this altar shal you adore in Ierusalem? † Now therfore passe to my [ 23] lord the king of the Assyrians, and I wil geue you two thou∣sand horses, and see whether you be able to haue ryders for them. † And how can you resiste before one prince of the [ 24] least seruantes of my lord? Hast thou confidence in Aegypt for the chariotes and horsemen? † Why am I come vp with∣out [ 25] the wil of the Lord to destroy it? The Lord sayd to me: Goe vp to this land, :: 1.635 and destroy it. † And Eliacim the sonne [ 26] of Helcias, and Sobna, and Ioahe sayd to Rabsaces: We pray thee that thou speake to vs thy seruantes in Syryake: for we vnderstand this tongue: and speake not to vs in the Iewes language, the people hearing it, which is vpon the wal. † And Rabsaces answered them, saying: What did my [ 27] lord send me to thee, that I should speake these wordes, and not rather to the men that sit vpon the wal, that they may eate their owne dung, and drinke their v••ine with you? † Rabsaces therfore stood, and cryed out with a lowd voyce [ 28] in the Iewes language, and sayd: Hea••e ye the wordes of the great king, the king of the Assyrians. † Thus sayth the king: [ 29] Let not Ezechias seduce you: for he shal not be able to deli∣uer you out my hand. † Neither let him geue you confidence [ 30] vpon the Lord, saying: Our Lord deliuering wil deliuer vs, and this citie shal not be geuen into the hand of the king of the Assyrians. † Doe not heare Ezechias. For thus sayth the [ 31] king of the Assyrians: Doe with me that which is profitable for you, and come forth to me: and euery man shal eate of his vineyard, and of his figge tree: and you shal drinke wa∣ters of your owne cesternes, † til I come, and transporte you [ 32] into a land, that is like to your land, into a fruiteful land, and plentiful of wyne, a land of bread and of vineyardes, a land of oliuetes, and of oyle and honie, and you shal liue, and shal not die. Heare not Ezechias, who deceiueth you, saying: Our Lord wil deliuer vs. † :: 1.636 Did the goddes of Nations deliuer [ 33] their land from the hand of the king of Assyrians? † Where [ 34] is the God of Emath & Arphad? Where is the God of Sephar∣uaim, of Ana, and Aua? did they deliuer Samaria out of my hand? † What are they among al the goddes of nations, which [ 35]

haue deliuered their countrey out of my hand, that the Lord can deliuer Ierusalem out of my hand? † The people therfore [ 36] held their peace, and did not answer him any thing: for they had receiued the kings commandement that they should not [ 37] answer him. † And Eliacim the sonne of Helcias, gouernour of the house, and Sobna the scribe, and Ioahe the sonne of Asaph register came to Ezeehias, their garments rent, and told him the wordes of Rabsaces.

CHAP. XIX. Ezechias in affliction requesteth the prayers of Isaias the prophet. 6. who assu∣reth him of Gods helpe. 8. The king of the Assyrians stil threatneth and blasphemeth. 15. Ezechias praieth, 20. and God hearing the prayers of the one, and blasphemies of the other, 28. promiseth to protect Ierusalem. 35. An Angel in one night killeth an hundred fourscore and fiue thousand of the Assyrians campe, their king returneth to Niniue, is there slaine by two of his owne sonnes, and an other sonne reigneth in his place.

VVHICH thinges when Ezechias the king had heard, [ 1] he rent his garmentes, and was couered with sack∣cloth, and entered into the house of our Lord. † And he sent [ 2] Eliacim the gouernour of the house, and Sobna the scribe, and the ancientes of the priestes couered with sackclothes, to Isaias the prophete the sonne of Amos. † Who sayd to [ 3] him: Thus saith Ezechias: This day is a day of tribulation, and rebuke, and of blasphemie: the children are come to the birth, and the woman in trauel hath not strength. † If per∣haps [ 4] our Lord thy God wil heare al the wordes of Rabsaces, whom the king of the Assyrians his maister hath sent to vp∣brayd the liuing God, and reproue with wordes, which our Lord thy God hath heard: and make thou prayer for the rem∣nantes that are found. † The seruantes therfore of king [ 5] Ezechias came to Isaie. † And Isaie sayd to them: Thus shal [ 6] you say to your maister: Thus sayth our Lord: Feare not for the wordes, which thou hast heard, with which the ser∣uantes of the king of the Assyrians haue blasphemed me. † Behold I wil send into him a spirit, and he shal here a mes∣sage, [ 7] and shal returne into his country, and I wil ouerthrow him with the sword in his country. † Rabsaces therfore [ 8] returned, and found the king of Assyrians expugning Lobna: for he heard that he was departed from Lachis. † And when [ 9] he had heard of Tharaca the king of Aethiopia, saying:

Behold, he is come forth to fight agaynst thee: and went agaynst him, he sent messengers to Ezechias, saying: † Say [ 10] this to Ezechias the king of Iuda: Let not thy God seduce thee, in whom thou hast confidence: neither say thou: Ieru∣salem shal not be deliuered into the handes of the king of the Assyrians. † For thou thy self hast heard what the kinges of [ 11] the Assyrians haue done to al the countries, how they haue spoyled them: canst thou therfore onlie be deliuered? † Why [ 12] haue the goddes of the Nations deliuered al those, whom my fathers haue destroyed, to witte, Gozan, & Haran, and Reseph, and the children of Eden, which were in Thelassar? † Where is the king of Emath, and the king of Arphad, and the king of [ 13] the citie of Sepharuaim, of Ana and Aua? † Therfore when [ 14] Ezechias had receiued the letters of the hand of messengers, & had read them, he went vp into the house of our Lord, & layd them open :: 1.637 before our Lord, † & prayd in his sight, saying: [ 15] Lord God of Israel, which sittest vpon the cherubins, thou art the only God of al the kinges of the earth: thou madest heauen and earth: † Incline thine eare, and heare: open Lord thine [ 16] eies, and see: and heare al the wordes of Sennacherib, who hath sent to vpbrayd vnto vs the liuing God. † In verie deede [ 17] Lord, the kinges of the Assyrians haue destroyed Nations, and the countries of al. † And they haue cast their goddes [ 18] into fire: for they were not goddes, but the workes of mens handes of wood and stone, and they destroyed them. † Now [ 19] therfore O Lord our God, saue vs from his hand, that al the kingdomes of the earth may know, that thou art the Lord the onlie God. † And Isaie the sonne of Amos sent to Eze∣chias, [ 20] saying: Thus saith our Lord the God of Israel: That which thou hast besought me concerning Sennacherib the king of the Assyrians, I haue heard. † This is the word, that [ 21] our Lord hath spoken of him: The :: 1.638 virgine daughter of Sion hath dispised thee, and scorned thee: Behinde thy backe hath the daughter of Ierusalem wagged her head. † Whom hast [ 22] thou vpbrayded, and whom hast thou blasphemed? against whom hast thou exalted thy voice, and lifted vp thine eies in high? against the holie one of Israel. † By the hand of thy [ 23] seruantes thou hast vpbrayded our Lord, and hast sayd: In the multitude of my chariotes haue I climed the height of mouu∣taynes, in the toppe of Libanus, and haue cut downe high cedars therof, and the chosen ••irretrees of it. And I haue

entered into the borders therof, & the forrest of the :: 1.639 carmel therof † haue I cut downe. And I haue drunke strange wa∣ters, [ 24] and haue dried vp with the steppes of my feete al the waters in closed. † Why, hast thou not heard what I haue [ 25] done from the begining? From ancient daies I haue made that thing, and now I haue brought it to effect: and fensed cities shal be into ruine of litle hilles bickering together. † And they that sitte in them, weake of hand, they haue [ 26] trembled and are confounded, they became as the grasse of the field, and the greene herbe of the roofes of houses, which withered before it came to ripenesse. † Thy habitation, and [ 27] thy going out, and thy coming in, and thy waye I haue kno∣wen before, & thy surie against me. † Thou hast bene madde [ 28] against me, & thy pride hath ascended into myn eares: I ther∣fore wil put a ring in thy nostrels, and a bitte in thy lippes, and wil bring thee back into the way, by the which thou camest. † And to thee Ezechias this shal be a signe: Eate this [ 29] yeare what thou shalt finde: & in the second yeare, the things that growe of themselues: moreouer in the third yeare sawe ye and reape▪ plant ye vineyardes, and eate the fruite of them. † And whatsoeuer shal be leaft of the house of Iuda, shal take [ 30] roote downeward, and beare fruit vpward. † For out of Ieru∣salem [ 31] there shal remmantes goe forth, and that which is to be saued from the mounte of Sion: the zeale of the Lord of hostes shal doe this † Wherfore thus sayth our Lord of the [ 32] king of the Assyrians: He shal not enter into this citie, nor shoote arrowe into it, neither shal shield occupie it, nor muni∣tion compasse it. † By the way, that he came, he shal returne: [ 33] and into this citie he shal nos enter, sayth our Lord † And [ 34] I wil protect this citie, and wil saue it for my self, and for Da∣uid my seruant. † It came to passe therfore in that night, an [ 35] Angel of our Lord came, and stroke in the campe of the Assy∣rians an hundred eightie fiue thousand. And when he was risen early, he sawe al the bodies of the dead, † and Senna∣cherib [ 36] the king of the Assyrians departing went away, and taried in Niniue. † And when he adored in the temple of [ 37] Nesroch his god, Adramelech and Sarasar his sonnes stroke him with the sword, and they fled into the land of the Arme∣nians, and Asarhaddon his sonne reigned for him.

CHAP. XX. Ezechias being sick is told by Isaias that he shal die: but praying to God ob∣tayneth fiftenne yeares longer life, 8. and in confirmation therof receiueth a signe in Achaz dial, returning back tenne lines. 12. To the A••yrians bringing him presents, he sheweth al his treasures. 16. which Isaias repro∣uing prophecieth the captiuitie of Iuda. 20. Ezechias dieth, and his sonne Manasses reigneth.

IN those dayes Ezechias was sick euen to death: and Isaie [ 1] the sonne of Amos the prophete, came and sayd to him: Thus sayth our Lord God: Take order with thy house, for thou shalt die, and shalt not liue. † Who turned his face to the [ 2] wal, and prayed our Lord, saying: † I besech thee Lord, re∣member [ 3] I pray thee how I haue walked before thee in truth, and in a perfect hart, and haue done that which is liked be∣fore thee. Ezechias therfore wept with great weeping. † And [ 4] before Isaie was gone out of the middes of the court, the word of our Lord came to him, saying: † Returne, and tel [ 5] Ezechias the prince of my people: Thus sayth our Lord the God of Dauid thy father: I haue heard thy prayer, and seene thy teares: and behold I haue healed thee, the third day thou shalt goe vp to the temple of the Lord. † And I wil adde to [ 6] thy daies fiftene yeares: yea & out of the hand of the king of Assyrians I wil deliuer thee, and this citie, & I wil protect this citie for my sake, and for Dauid my seruant. † And Isaie said: [ 7] Fetch me a bunch of figges. Which when they had brought, and had layd it vpon his sore, he was cured. † And Ezechias [ 8] had sayd to Isaie: What signe shal there be, that our Lord wil heale me, and that I shal goe vp the third day to the temple of our Lord? † To whom Isaie sayd: This shal be the signe [ 9] from our Lord, that our lord wil doe the word, which he hath spoken: Wilt thou that the shadow goe forward ten lines, or that it goe backe soe many degrees. † And Ezechias sayd: [ 10] It is an easie matter for the shadow to goe forward ten lines, neither wil I that this be done, but that it returne back ten degrees. † Isaie therfore the prophet inuocated our Lord, [ 11] and brought backe the shadow by :: 1.640 the lines, by the which it was now gone downe in the dial of Achaz, backward ten degrees. † In that time Berodach Baladan, the sonne of [ 12] Baladan, the king of the Babilonians sent letters and giftes to Ezechias: for he had heard that Ezechias had bene sicke.

† And Ezechias reioysed in their coming, and he shewed [ 13] them the house of aromatical spices, and gold and siluer, and diuerse precious, odours, oyntementes also, and the house of his vessels, and al that he had in his treasures. There was not any thing which Ezechias shewed them not in his house, and in al his powere. † And Isaie the prophete came [ 14] to king Ezechias, and sayd to him: What sayd these men? or from whence came they to thee? To whom Ezechias said: From a far countrie they came to me out of Babylon. † But he answered: What saw they in thy house? Ezechias [ 15] sayd: They saw al things whatsoeuer are in my house: there is nothing that I haue not shewed them in my treasures. † Isaie [ 16] therfore said to Ezechias, heare the word of our Lord: † Be∣hold [ 17] the daies shal come, & al things shal be taken away, that are in thy house, and that thy fathers haue layd vp vntil this day, into Babylon: there shal not anie thing remayne, sayth our Lord. † Yea of the children also that come forth of thee, [ 18] whom thou shalt beget shalbe taken away, and they shal be eunuches in the palace of the king of Babylon. † Ezechias said [ 19] to Isaie: The word of our Lord which thou hast spoken is good: be there peace and truth in my daies. † But the rest [ 20] of the wordes of Ezechias, and al his strength, and how he made a poole, and a conduite, and brought waters in to the citie, are not these things writen in the Booke of the wordes of the daies of the kinges of Iuda? † And Ezechias slept with [ 21] his fathers, and Manasses his sonne reigned for him.

CHAP. XXI. For the enormious impietie of Manasses, 10. God threatneth destruction of the kingdom. 16. He spilleth innocent bloud, 18. dieth, and his senne Amon reigneth also wickedly: 23. is slaine by his seruantes, and his sonne Iosias reigneth.

TWELVE yeares old was Manasses, when he began to [ 1] reigne, & he reigned fiue and fiftie yeares in Ierusalem: the name of his mother was haphsiba. † And he did euil in [ 2] the sight of our Lord, acording to the idols of the Nations, which our Lord destroyed from the face of the children of Israel. † And he was turned, and built the excelses, which [ 3] Ezechias his father had destroyed: and he sette vp altars to Baal, and made groues, as Achab the king of Israel had done: and he adored al the host of heauen, and worshipped it.

† And he built altars in the house of our Lord, of the which [ 4] our Lord sayd: In Ierusalem I wil put my name. † And he [ 5] built altars to al the host of heauen in the two courtes of the temple of our Lord. † And he made his sonne pas••e through [ 6] fyre: and he vsed sooth saying, and obserued diuinations, and made pithones, and multiplied inchanters, to doe euil before our Lord, and to prouoke him. † He sette also the idol of the [ 7] groue, which he had made in the temple of our Lord: con∣cerning the which our Lord spake to Dauid, and to Salomon his sonne: In this temple, and in Ierusalem, which I haue chosen out of al the tribes of Israel, I wil put my name for euer. † And I wil noe more make the foote of Israel to be [ 8] moued out of the land, which I gaue to their fathers: yet so if in worke they shal keepe al things, that I haue commanded them, al the law which my seruantes Moyses commanded them. † But they heard not: but were seduced by Manasses, [ 9] to doe euil :: 1.641 aboue the Nations, which our Lord destroyed before the face of the children of Israel. † And our Lord [ 10] spake in the hand of his seruantes the prophetes, saying: † Because Manasses the king of Iuda hath done these most [ 11] wicked abominations, passing al thinges that the Amor∣rheites did before him, and hath made Iuda also to sinne in his filthes: † therfore thus sayth our Lord the God of Israel: [ 12] Behold I wil bring in euils vpon Ierusalem and Iuda: that whosoeuer shal heare it, both his eares shal tingle. † And [ 13] I wil stretch out vpon Ierusalem the corde of Samaria, and the weight of the house of Achab: and I wil wipe out Ierusa∣lem, as tables are wont to be wiped out, and wyping out I wil turne it, and draw often the pencil vpon the face therof. † :: 1.642 But I wil leaue remnantes of mine inheritance, and wil [ 14] deliuer them into the handes of their enemies: and they shalbe vnto waste, and vnto spoile to al their aduersaries: † because [ 15] they haue done euil before me, and haue continewed pro∣uoking me, from the day that their fathers came out of Ae∣gypt, vntil this day. † Moreouer Manasses shed also inno∣cent [ 16] bloud exceding much til he filled Ierusalem euen to the mouth: beside his sinnes, wherin he made Iuda to sinne, to doe euil before our Lord. † But the rest of the wordes of [ 17] Manasses, and al that he did, and his sinne, which he sinned, are not these thinges written in the Booke of the wordes of the dayes of the kinges of Iuda? † And Manasses slept with [ 18]

his fathers, and was buried in the garden of his house, in the garden of Oza: and Amon his sonne reigned for him. † Two and twentie yeares old was Amon when he began [ 19] to reigne: two yeares also he reigned in Ierusalem: the name of his mother was Messalemeth the daughter of Ie∣teba. † And he did euil in the sight of our Lord, as Manasses [ 20] his father had done. † And he walked in al the way, by the [ 21] which his father had walked: and he serued the filthes, which his father had serued, and he adored them, † and forsooke [ 22] our Lord the God of his fathers, and walked not in the way of our Lord. † And his seruantes lay in wayte agaynst [ 23] him, and slewe the king in his house. † But the people of [ 24] the land stroke al them, that had conspired agaynst king Amon: and made Iosias his sonne their king for him. † But [ 25] the rest of the wordes of Amon which he did, are not these writen in the Booke of the wordes of the dayes of the kinges of Iuda? † And they buried him in his sepulchre, in the [ 26] garden of Oza: and Iosias his sonne reigned for him.

CHAP. XXII. Iosias repayreth the temple, and Diuine seruice. 8. The booke of law is found 11. wherupon they consult our Lord, 15. and are foretold that much euil shal fal vpon them, 18. but the good king shal dye in peace.

EIGHT yeares old was Iosias when he began to reigne, he reigned one and thirtie yeares in Ierusalem: the name of his mother was Idida, the daughter of Hadaia of Besecath. † And he did that which was liked before our Lord, and [ 2] walked in al the waies of Dauid his father: he declined not to the right hand, or to the lefte. † And in the eightenth yeare [ 3] of king Iosias, the king sent Saphan the sonne of Aslia, the sonne of Messulam, the scribe of the temple of our Lord, saying to him: † Goe to Helcias the high priest, that the [ 4] money may be gathered into a summe, which hath beene brought into the temple of our Lord, which the porters of the temple haue gathered of the people, † and let it be geuen [ 5] to the workemen by the ouerseers of the house of our Lord: who also shal destribute it to them that worke in the temple of our Lord, to make the reparations of the temple: † that [ 6] is, to the carpenters and masons, and to them that mend bro∣ken places: and that timber may be bought, and stones out of the quarries to repayre the temple of our Lord. † Yet let not [ 7]

the money which they receiue be accounted to them, but let them haue it in their powre, and vpon their fidelitie. † And [ 8] Helcias the highe priest sayd to Saphan the scribe: I haue found the Booke of the law in the house of our Lord: and Helcias gaue the volume to Saphan, who also did reade it. † Saphan also the scribe came to the king, and reported vnto [ 9] him that which he had commanded, and sayd: Thy seruantes haue gathered into a summe the money, which is found in the house of our Lord: and they haue geuen it to be destributed to the workemen, by the ouerseers of the workes of the temple of our Lord. † Saphan also the scribe told the king, [ 10] saying: Helcias the priest hath geuen me a Booke. Which when Saphan had read before the king, † and the king had [ 11] heard the wordes of the law of our Lord, he rent his gar∣mentes. † And he willed Helcias the priest, and Ahicam [ 12] the sonne of Saphan, and Achobor the sonne of Micha, and Saphan the Scribe, and Asaia the kinges seruant, saying: † Goe and consult our Lord for me, and for the people, and [ 13] for al Iuda, concerning the wordes of this volume, which is found: for the great wrath of our Lord is kindled agaynst vs: because our fathers haue not heard the wordes of this Booke, to doe al that is writen for vs. † Helcias therfore the priest, [ 14] and Ahicam, and Achabor, and Saphan, and Asaia went to Holda a prophetesse the wife of Sellum the sonne of Thecua, the sonne of Araas keeper of the garmentes, who dwelt in Ierusalem in the:: 1.643 second: and they spake to her. † And she [ 15] answered them: Thus sayth our Lord the God of Israel: Tel the man, that sent you to me: † Thus sayth our Lord: Be∣hold, [ 16] I wil bring euils vpon this place, and vpon the inha∣bitantes therof, al the wordes of the law which the king of Iuda hath read: † because they haue forsaken me, and haue [ 17] sacrificed to strange goddes, prouoking me in al the workes of their handes: and my indignation shal be kindled in this place, and shal not be quenched. † But to the king of Iuda, [ 18] that sent you to consult our lord, thus you shal say: Thus sayth our Lord the God of Israel: For that thou hast heard the wordes of the volume, † and thy hart is striken with [ 19] feare, and thou art humbled before the Lord, hearing the wordes agaynst this place, and the inhabitantes therof, to witte that they should become a wonder and a curse: and hast rent thy garmentes, and wept before me, and I haue

heard it, sayth our Lord: † therfore I wil gather thee to thy [ 20] fathers, and thou shalt be gathered to thy sepulchre in peace, that thy eies may not see al the euils, which I wil bring in vpon this place.

CHAP. XXIII. Iosias reading the law before the people, they al promise to serue God. 4. Al thinges belonging to Idolatrie are cast forth of the temple, 8. and other places of Iuda. 15. He also destroyeth the altar in Bethel (not remouing the bones of a prophet) 19. and other altares in Samaria: killeth the false priestes. 21. And maketh a notorious great Pasch. 26. Yet God threatneth the captiuitie of Iuda for their sinnes. 29. Iosias is slaine in battle by the king of Aegypt: and his sonne Ioachaz reigneth. VVho after three monethes is deposed by the king of Aegypt, and his brother Eliacim, henceforth called Ioakim, made king.

AND they reported to the king that which she had sayd. [ 1] Who sent: and al the ancientes of Iuda and Ierusalem were assembled to him. † And the king went vp to the temple [ 2] of our Lord, and al the men of Iuda, and al that dwelt in Ieru∣salem with him priestes and prophetes, and al the people from litle to great: and in hearing of al he read al the wordes of the Booke of the couenant, which was found in the house of our Lord. † And the king stood vpon the steppe: and made a coue∣nant [ 3] with our Lord, to walke after our Lord, & kepe his pre∣ceptes, and testimonies and ceremonies, with al their hart, and with al their soule, and to performe the wordes of this coue∣nant, which were writen in that booke: & the people agreed to the couenant: † And the king willed Helcias the high [ 4] priest, & the priestes of the second order, & al the porters, that they should cast out of the temple of our Lord al the vessels, that had bene made to Baal, and in the groue, and to al the host of heauen: & he burnt them without Ierusalem in the Valley cedron, and caried the dust of them into Bethel. † And he [ 5] destroyed the Southsayers, which the kinges of Iuda had ap∣pointed to sacrifice in the excelses in the cities of Iuda, and round about Ierusalem: and them that burnt incense to Baal, and to the Sunne, and to the Moone, and to the twelue signes, and to al the host of heauen. † And he caused the groue to [ 6] be caried forth out of the house of our Lord without Ieru∣salem in the Valley cedron, & he burnt it there, and brought it into dust, and threw it vpon the sepulchres of the common people. † He destroyed also the litle houses of the effeminates, [ 7]

which were in the house of our Lord, for the which the wemen woue as it were litle houses of the groue. † And he [ 8] gathered together al the priestes of the cities of Iuda: and he contaminated the excelses, where the priestes did sacrifice from Gabaa vnto Bersabee: and he destroyed the altars of the gates in the entrance of the doore of Iosue chief of the citie, which was on the left hand of the gate of the citie. † Howbeit the priestes :: 1.644 of the excelses went not vp to the [ 9] altar of our Lord in Ierusalem: but only they did eate azimes in the middes of their brethren. † He contaminated also [ 10] Topheth, which is in the Valley of the sonne of Ennom: that no man should consecrate his sonne or daughter by fyre to Moloch. † He tooke away also the horses, which the [ 11] kinges of Iuda had geuen to the Sunne, in the entrance of the temple of our Lord, beside the chamber of Nathanme∣lech the eunuch, who was in Pharurim: and the chariotes of the Sunne he burnt with fire. † The altars also that were [ 12] vpon the roofes of the vpper chamber of Achaz, which the kinges of Iuda had made, and the altars which Manasses had made in the two courtes of the temple of our Lord, the king destroyed: and he ranne from thence, and sprinkled the ashes of them into the Torrent cedron. † The excelses also [ 13] that were in Ierusalem on the right side of the Mount of offence, which Salomon the king of Israel had built to Asta∣roth* 1.645 the idol of the Sidonians, and to Chamos the scandal of Moab, and to Melchom the abomination of the children of Ammon, the king destroyed. † And he brake in peces the [ 14] statues, and cut downe the groues: and he filled their places with the bones of dead men. † Moreouer the altar also, that [ 15] was in Bethel, and the excelse, which Ieroboam the sonne of Nabat had made, who made Israel to sinne: and that altar, and excelse he destroyed, and burnt, and brake into powder, and the groue also he burnt. † And Iosias turning, [ 16] saw there sepulchres, that were in the mount: and he sent and tooke the bones out of the sepulchres, and burnt them vpon the altar, and polluted it according to the word of our* 1.646 Lord, which the man of God spake, who had foretold these thinges. † And he sayd: What title is that, which I see? And the [ 17] citizens of that citie answered: It is the sepulchre of the man of God, which came from Iuda, and foretold these thinges which thou hast done vpon the altar of Bethel. † And he sayd: [ 18]

Let him alone, let no man moue his bones. And his bones remayned vntouched with the bones of the prophet, that came out of Samaria. † Moreouer al the temples of the ex∣celses, [ 19] which were in the cities of Samaria, which the kinges of Israel had made to prouoke our Lord, Iosias tooke away: and he did to them according to al the workes, which he had done in Bethel. † And he slew▪ al the priestes of the excelses, [ 20] that were there vpon the altars: and he burnt mens bones vpon them: & turned into Ierusalem. † And he commanded [ 21] al the people, saying: Make a Phase to our Lord your God, according as it is writen in the booke of this couenant. † For [ 22] :: 1.647 there was not such a Phase made from the daies of the Iudges, which iudged Israel, and of al the daies of the kinges of Israel, and of the kinges of Iuda, † as in the eightenth [ 23] yeare of king Iosias this Phase was made to our Lord in Ieru∣salem. † Yea▪ and the Pythones, and Southsayers, and the [ 24] images of idols, and the filthes, and the abominations, that had bene in the land of Iuda and Ierusalem, Iosias tooke away: that he might establish the wordes of the law, that were writen in the Booke, which Helcias the priest found in the temple of our Lord. † There was no king before him like to [ 25] him, that returned to our Lord in al his hart, & in al his soule, and in al his powre according to al the law of Moyses: neither after him did there arise the like to him. † But yet our Lord [ 26] was not auerted from the wrath of his great furie, wherwith his furie was wrath agaynst Iuda: for the prouocations, wher∣with :: 1.648 Manasses had prouoked him. † Our Lord therfore [ 27] sayd Iuda also▪ wil I take away from my face, as I haue taken away Israel: and I wil reiect this citie, which I chose Ieru∣salem, and the house, wherof I sayd: My name shal be there. † But the rest of the wordes of Iosias, and al that he did, are [ 28] not these thinges writen in the Booke of the wordes of the daies of the kinges of Iuda? † In his dayes came vp Pharao [ 29] Nechao the king of Aegypt, agaynst the king of Assyrians to the riuer Euphrates: and Iosias the king went to meete him: and was slaine in Mageddo, when he had seene him. † And [ 30] his seruantes caried him dead from Mageddo: & they brought him into Ierusalem, and buried him in his sepulchre. And the people of the land tooke Ioachaz the sonne of Iosias: and they anoynted him, and made him king for his father. † Three and [ 31] twentie yeares old was Ioachaz when he began to reigne, and

he reigned three 〈…〉〈…〉 in Ierusalem: the name of his mother was A〈…〉〈…〉▪ the daughter of Ieremie of Lobna. † And [ 32] he did euil before our Lord, according to al thinges which his fathers had done. † And Pharao Nechao bound him in [ 33] Rebla, which is in the land Emath, that he should not reigne in Ierusalem: and he lette a penaltie vpon the land, an hun∣dred talentes of siluer, and a talent of gold. † And Pharao [ 34] Nechao made Eliacim king the sonne of Iosias, for Iosias his father: and turned his name Ioakim. Moreouer he tooke Ioachaz and brought him into Aegypt, and he died there. † And Ioakim gaue the siluer and the gold to Pharao, when [ 35] he had taxed the land vpon euerie man, that it might be payd according to the precept of Pharao: and he exacted of euerie man according to his abilitie, as wel siluer as gold of the peo∣ple of the land: to geue vnto Pharao Nechao. † Fiue and [ 36] twentie yeares old was Ioakim, when he began to reigne: and he reigned eleuen yeares in Ierusalem: the name of his mother was zebida the daughter of Phadaia of Ruma. † And [ 37] he did euil before our Lord according to al thinges, which his fathers had done.

CHAP. XXIIII. Ioakim serueth the king of Babylon three yeares. 2. Manie rouers infest his countrie. 5. He dieth, and his sonne Ioachim reigneth 10. The king of Ba∣bylon carieth king Ioachim, and al the chief persones, and treasures into Babylon, 17. appointing Matthanias, whom he nameth Sedecias, king of Iuda. 20. VVho reuol••eth from the king of Babylon.

IN his daies came vp Nabuchodonosor the king of Baby∣lon, [ 1] and Ioakim was made his seruant three yeares: and he rebelled agaynst him againe. † And our Lord senr in vpon [ 2] him the rouers of the Chaldees, and the rouers of Syria, and the rouers of Moab, & the rouers of the children of Ammon: and he sent them into Iuda, to destroy it, according to the word of our Lord, which he had spoken by his seruantes the prophetes. † And this by the word of our Lord was done [ 3] against Iuda, to take it away before him for al the sinnes of Manasses which he did, † and for the innocent bloud, that [ 4] he had shed, & filled Ierusalem with the bloud of innocentes: & for this thing God would not be made propitious. † But the [ 5] rest of the wordes of Ioakim, and al that he did, are not these thinges writen in the Booke of the wordes of the daies of

the kinges of Iuda? And Ioakim :: 1.649 slept with his fathers: † and [ 6] Ioachin his sonne reigned for him. † And the king of Aegypt [ 7] added no more to come out of his countrie: for the king of Babylon had taken al that had beene the kinges of Aegypt, from the riuer of Aegypt, vnto the riuer Euphrates. † Eightene [ 8] yeares old was Ioachin when he began to reigne, and he reig∣ned three monethes in Ierusalem: the name of his mother was Nohesta the daughter of Elnathan of Ierusalem. † And [ 9] he did euil before our Lord, according to al thinges which his father had done. † At that time came vp the seruantes of Na∣buchodonosor [ 10] the king of Babylon into Ierusalem, and the citie was compassed with fortes. † And Nabuchodonosor [ 11] the king of Babylon came to the citie with his seruantes to assault it. † And Ioachin the king of Iuda went forth to the [ 12] king of Babylon, he and his mother, and his seruantes, and his nobles, and his eunuches: and the king of Babylon recei∣ued him the eight yeare of his reigne. † And he brought forth [ 13] from thence al the treasures of the house of our Lord, and the treasures of the kinges house: and he cut in peces al the golden vessel, which Salomon the king of Israel had made in the temple of our Lord, according to the word of our Lord. † And he transported al Ierusalem, and al the princes, and al [ 14] the strong men of the armie, ten thousand into captiuitie: and euerie artificer and incloser: and nothing was left, sauing the poore sorte of the people of the land. † He transported [ 15] also Ioachin into Babylon, and the kinges mother, and the kinges wiues, and his eunuches: and the iudges of the land he led into captiuitie from Ierusalem into Babylon. † And al the [ 16] strong men, seuen thousand, and the artificers, and inclosers a thousand, al valiant men and warries: and the king of Baby∣lon led them captiues into Babylon. † And he appointed [ 17] Matthanias his vncle for him: and called his name Sedecias. † One and twentie yeares old was Sedecias when he began [ 18] to reigne, and he reigned eleuen yeares in Ierusalem: the name of his mother was Amital, the daughter of Ieremie of Lobna, † And he did euil before our Lord, according to al [ 19] thinges which Ioakim had done. † For our Lord was wrath [ 20] against Ierusalem and against Iuda, til he cast them away from his sace: and Sedecias :: 1.650 reuolted from the king of Babylon.

CHAP. XXV. Nabuchodonosor king of Babylon beseiging Ierusalem two yeares, the soul∣diars pressed with famine flee away. King Sedecias also fleeth, 5. is taken and brought before Nabuchodonosor. 7. Al his sonnes are slaine in his sight: his eyes are put out, and he is caried into Babylon: the Temple, the kinges pa∣lace, and other houses burned; the walles destroyed, the people caried captiue 12. except poore husbandmen. 13. Al vessel of brasse, siluer, and gold broken and transported. 18. Saraias high priest, and other principal men are slaine▪ 22. Godolias made gouernernour, 25. is slaine by Ismael. 27. Ioachin is deliuered from prison, and exalted by a new king of Babylon.

AND it came to passe in the ninthe yeare of his reigne, [ 1] the tenth moneth, the tenth day of the moneth, came Nabuchodonosor the king of Babylon, himselfe and al his armie vnto Ierusalem, and they besette it: and built rampires rond about it. † And the citie was shut vp & trenched about [ 2] vntil the eleuenth yeare of king Sedecias, † the ninth day of [ 3] the moneth: and there was a sore famine in the citie, neither was there bread for the people of the land. † And a breach [ 4] was made into the citie: and al the men of warre fled in the night by the way of the gate, which is betwen the duble wal toward the kinges garden (moreouer the Chaldees besieged the citie round about) Sedecias therfore fled by the way, that leadeth to the champayne of the wildernes. † And the armie [ 5] of the Chaldees pursewed the king, and ouertooke him in the plaine of Iericho: and al the warriers, that were with him, were dispersed, and forsooke him. † They therfore hauing [ 6] taken the king, brought him to the king of Babylon into Reblatha, who spake iudgement with him. † And he slewe [ 7] the sonnes of Sedecias before his face, and he :: 1.651 put out his eies, and bound him with cheynes, and :: 1.652 brought him into Babylon. † The fifth moneth, the seuenth day of the moneth, [ 8] that is, the ninetenth yeare of the king of Babylon, came Na∣buzardan the General of the armie, the seruant of the king of Babylon into Ierusalem. † And he burnt the house, of our [ 9] Lord, the kings house, and the houses of Ierusalem, & euerie house he burnt with fyre. † And al the armie of the Chaldees, [ 10] which was with the General of the souldiars, destroyed the walles of Ierusalem round about. † And Nabuzardan the Ge∣neral [ 11] of the armie, transported the remnant of the people that remained in the citie, and the fugitiues, that were fled to the

king of Babylon, and the rest of the comon people. † And of [ 12] the poore of the land he leift dressers of vineyardes and hus∣bandmen. † And the brasen pillers, that were in the temple of [ 13] our Lord, and the feete, and the sea of brasse, which was in the house of our Lord, the Chaldees brake, and transported al the brasse into Babylon. † The pottes also of brasse, and masars, [ 14] and forkes with three teeth, and cuppes, and litle mortars, and al the vessel of brasse, in the which they ministred, they tooke away. † Moreouer also the censars, and phials: those [ 15] that were of gold: and that were of siluer the General of the warfare tooke, † that is, two pillers, one sea, and the [ 16] feete which Salomon had made in the temple of our Lord: there was :: 1.653 no weight of the brasse of al the vessels. † One pil∣ler [ 17] had eightene cubites in height: and the litle head of brasse vpon it was three cubites in height: and the nette, and the pomegranates vpon the litle head of the piller, al of brasse: the second also had the like adorning. † Also the general of the [ 18] armie tooke Saraias the chiefe priest, and Sophonias the se∣cond priest, and three porters. † And of the citie one Eu∣nuch, [ 19] which was captayne ouer the men of warre: and fiue men of them, that wayted before the king, whom he found in the citie, and Sopher the captaine of the armie who proued the yong souldiars of the people of the land: and threescore men of the common people, which were found in the citie. † Whom Nabuzardan the General of the armie taking, [ 20] brought them to the king of Babylon into Reblatha. † And [ 21] the king of Babylon stroke them, and ••lew them in Reblatha in the land of Emath: and Iuda was transported out of their land. † And he made Godolias the sonne of Ahicam the [ 22] sonne of Saphan Gouernour ouer the people, that was leift in the land of Iuda, which Nabuchodonosor the king of Ba∣bylon had leift. † Which when al the captaynes of the soul∣diars [ 23] had heard, they and the men that were with them, to witte, that the king of Babylon had appoynted Godolias, there came to Godolias into Masp a 〈◊〉〈◊〉 the sonne of Ma∣thanias, and Iohanan the sonne of C••ée▪ and the Saraia the sonne of Thanehumeth a Netophathi••e, and Iezonias the sonne of Maachathi, they and their felowes. † And Go∣dolias [ 24] sware to them and to their companions, saying: Be not afrayd to serue the Caldees: tarie in the countrie, and serue the king of Babylon, and it shal be wel with you † But [ 25]

it came to passe in the seuenth moneth, there came Ismahel the sonne of Nathanias, the sonne of Elisama of the kinges seede, and ten men with him: and stroke Godolias, who also died: yea the Iewes also & the Chaldees, that were with him in Maspha. † And al the people rysing vp from litle to great, [ 62] & the captaynes of the souldiars, came into Aegypt fearing the Caldees. † But it came to passe in the seuen and thirteth yeare [ 72] of the Transmigration of Ioachin the king of Iuda, in the twelfth moneth, the seuen and twenteth day of the moneth: Euilmerodach the king of Babylon, in the yeare, that he began to reigne, :: 1.654 lifted vp the head of Ioachin the king of Iuda out of prison. † And he spake vnto him courteously: [ 28] and he sette his throne aboue the throne of the kinges, that were with him in Babylon. † And he changed his garmentes, [ 29] which he had in the prison, and he did eate bread alwayes in his sight, al the dayes of his life. † A certayne prouision also [ 30] he appointed for him without intermission, which was also geuen him of the king day by day, al the daies of his life.

THE ARGVMENT OF PARALIPOMENON.

PARALIPOMENON, that is, A supplement of thinges ommit∣ted, called by the Hebrewes Dibre haiamim, The wordes of the* 1.655 dayes, or Chronicle, is an Abridgement briefly shewing, besides diuers other genealogies, from the beginning of the world, the faith and religion both of the progenitors, and ofspiring of the Patriarch Iacob, whose progenie God chose and made his peculiar people; and in that nation more particularly re∣counting the Actes of king Dauid, and other kinges of his line, til they were led captiue into Babylon. A booke of such and so great importance (sayeth S. Hierom.) as whosoeuer without it arrogateth the know∣ledge* 1.656 of Scriptures, may mocke himselfe. The author is vncertaine, but probably it semeth to be gathered by Esdras, out of other bookes and traditions, for the perfecting of the old Testament: and is vndoubtedly canonical Scripture. In hebrew it is al one booke, but being large, is with the* 1.657 Greekes and Latines parted into two. And the first booke may be diuided into three principal partes. The first nine chapters conteyne diuers genealogies; first by the only right line from Adam to Noe, then by diuers lines of Noes* 1.658 progenie, but most specially of Iacobs twelue sonnes. In the tenth chapter the reiection, and death of king Saul is repeted. The other ninetene chapters are al of Dauid; to wit, of his election to be king, and inunction, his vertues, his faultes also, and his special actes, concerning Gods seruice, gouernment of the people; and prouision made for building Gods Temple.

THE FIRST BOOKE OF PARALIPOMENON. IN HEBREW, DIBRE HAIAMIM.

CHAP. I. The genealogie of Adam in the right line to Noe, and his three sonnes, Sem,* 1.659 Cham, and Iaphet. 5. The generations of Iaphet, 8. of Cham, 17. and of Sem. 24. The right line of Sem to Abraham. 26. Abrahams generations by the line of Ismael, 32. by the sonnes of Cetura, 34. and by the line of Isaac; and his sonne Esau; 43. with their kinges, 51. and dukes.

ADAM, :: 1.660 Seth, Enos, † Cainan, Malaleel, [ 1 2] lared, † Henoch, Mathusale, Lamech, † Noe, [ 3 4] Sem; Cham, and Iapheth. † The sonnes of [ 5] Iapheth: Gomer, and Magog, & Madai, and Iauan, Thubal, Mosoch, Thrias. † Moreouer [ 6] the sonnes of Gomer: Ascenez, and Riphath, and Thogorma. † And the sonnes of Iauan: Elisa and Tharsis, [ 7] Cethim and Dodanim. † The sonnes of Cham: Chus, and [ 8] Mesraim, and Phut, & Chanaan. † And the sonnes of Chus: [ 9] Saba, and Heuila, Sabatha, & Regma, and Sabathaca. More∣ouer the sonnes of Regma: Saba, and Dadan. † And Chus [ 10] begat Nemrod: this begane to be mightie in the earth. † But [ 11] Mesraim begat Ludim, and Anamim, and Laabim, & Neph∣tuim, † Phetrusim also, and Casluim: from whom came Phi∣listhijm, [ 12] & Caphthorim. † But Chanaan begat Sidon his first∣borne, [ 13] the Hetheite also, † and the Iebuseite, and the Amor∣rheite, [ 14] & the Gergeseite, † & the Heueite, and the Araceite, [ 15] and the Sineite. † The Aradium also, and the Samareite, and [ 16] the Hamatheite. † The sonnes of Sem: Aelam, and Assur, and [ 17] Arphaxad, & Lud, and Aram, and Hus, and Hul, and Gether, and Mosoch. † And Arphaxad begat Sale, who also begat [ 18] Heber. † Moreouer to Heber were borne two sonnes, the [ 19] name of one was Phaleg, because in his daies the earth was diuided; and the name of his brother Iectan. † And Iectan [ 20] begat Elmodad, and Saleph, & Asarmoth, and Iare, † Adoram [ 21]

also, and Vsal, and Decla, † Hebal also, and Abimael, and [ 22] Saba, moreouer † also Ophir, and Heuila, and Iobab. Al these [ 23] are the sonnes of Iactan: † :: 1.661 Sem, Arphaxad, Sale, † Heber [ 24] Phaleg, Ragau, † Serug, Nachor, Thare, † Abram, this is [ 25] :: 1.662 Abraham. † And the sonnes of Abraham, Isaac & Ismael. [ 26] † And these are the generations of them. The firstbegoten [ 27] of Ismael, Nabaioth, and Cedar, and Adbeel, and Mabsam, [ 28] † and Masma, and Duma, Massa, Hadad, and Thema, † Ietur, [ 29] Naphis, Cedma. these are the sonnes of Ismahel. † And the [ 30] sonnes of Cetura Abrahams concubine, which she bare: Zam∣ran, [ 31] Iecsan, Madan, Madian, Iesboc, and Sue. Moreouer the [ 32] sonnes of Iecsan: Saba, and Dadan. And the sonnes of Dadan: Assurim, and Latussim, and Laomim. † And the sonnes of [ 33] Madian: Epha, and Epher and Henoch, and Abida, and Eldaa. Al these the sonnes of Cetura. † And Abraham begat Isaac: [ 34] whose sonnes were Esau, & Israel. † The sonnes of Esau: Eli∣phaz, [ 35] Rahuel, Iehus, Ihelom, and Core. † The sonnes of Eli∣phaz: [ 36] Theman, Omar, Sephi, Gathan, Cenez, Thamna, Ama∣lec. † The sonnes of Rahuel: Nahath, Zara, Samma, Meza. [ 37] † The sonnes of Seir: Lotan, Sobal, Sebeon, Ana, Dison, Eser, [ 38] Disan. † The sonnes of Lotan: Hori, Homam. And the sister [ 39] of Lotan was Thamna. † The sonnes of Sobal: Alian, and [ 40] Manahath, and Ebal, Sephi, & Onam. The sonnes of Sebeon: Ais & Ana. The sonnes of Ana: Dison. † The sonnes of Dison: [ 41] Hamram, and Eseban, and Iethran, and Charan. † The sonnes [ 42] of Eser: Balaan, and Zauan, and Iacan. The sonnes of Disan: Hus and Aran. † These be the kinges, that reigned in the [ 43] Land of Edom, before there was a king ouer the chidren of Israel: Bale the sonne of Beor: and the name of his citie, Deneba. † And Bale died, and Iobab the sonne of Zare of [ 44] Bosra, reigned for him. † And when Iobab also was dead, [ 45] Husam of the Land of the Themanes reigned for him. † And [ 46] Husam also died, and Adad the sonne of Badad reigned for him, who stroke Madian in the Land of Moab: and the name [ 47] of his citie was Auith. † And when Adad also was dead, Semla of Masreca reigned for him. † But Semla also died, and there [ 48] reigned for him Saul of Rohoboth, which is situate besides the riuer. † Saul also being dead, Balanan, the sonne of Acho∣bor [ 49] reigned for him. † But this also died, and Adad reigned [ 50] for him: whose cities name was Phau, and his wife was called Meetabel the daughter of Matred, the daughter of Mezaab.

† And Adad being dead, there began to be dukes in Edom [ 51] for kinges: duke Thamna, duke Alua, duke Ietheth, † duke [ 52] Oolibama, duke Ela, duke Phinon, † duke Cenez, duke [ 53] Theman, duke Mabsar, † duke Magdiel, duke Hiram. these [ 54] be the dukes of Edom.

ANNOTATIONS.

BECAVSE in diuers holie Scriptures, and especialy in these bookes of Paralipo∣menon, manie difficulties occurre concerning diuers persons, and places; as also* 1.663 differences of numbers, and times; in reconciling wherof the holie Fathers and Doctors haue much laboured, making sometimes large commentaries to satis∣fie them selues, and other diligent searchers of the truth, & to remoue the oblo∣quies of detractors from the authoritie of holie Scripture, whose learned ex∣plications of such obscurities if we should cite, it would be ouer long, and contratie to our purpose of brief Annotations; here once for often, we wil present to the vulgar reader, certaine cleare and ordinarie rules, by which the learned Diuines do reconcile such apparent contradictions.

First, it is euident by sundrie examples, that manie persons, places, and some* 1.664 other thinges had diuers names, & so are sometimes called by one name, some∣times by an other. Secondly (which is more common) manie were called by the same names, and so must be distinguished by the differences of times, places, qualities, or other circumstances. Thirdly, in genealogies and other histories, children are not alwaies called the sonnes, or daughters of their natural* 1.665 parentes, but sometimes of legal fathers; and sometimes also of those that* 1.666 * 1.667 adopted them for their children; and sometimes of their grandfathers, or* 1.668 former progenitors. Fourthly, sometime for mysterie sake, an other num∣ber* 1.669 is expressed, being true in the mystical sense, differing from the precise number according to the historie. As in the genealogie of Christ the Euan∣gelist* 1.670 counteth thrise fourtene generations from Abraham to our Sauiour, differing from the historie of the old Testament. Fiftly; euen in the historie it* 1.671 self, sometimes holie Scripture counteth only the greater numbers, ommitting* 1.672 the lesser, and in some other addeth also the odde numbers▪ Sixtly, the Scrip∣tures speake often by ▪tropes, as mentioning part for the whole, or the whole for the part; so by the figure Synechdoche, Christ is said to haue bene three dayes dead, that is, one whole day and part of other two. And some king liuing or reigning so manie yeares and part of an other, and his successour reigning the other part, ech part is countend to each of them for a whole yeare, and so a yeare is added, more then is in the precise number. Seuenthly, sometimes the* 1.673 sonnes reigned together with their fathers, as Ioathan reigned his father Ozias yet liuing. 4. Reg. 15. & so both their reignes are sometimes counted, sometimes their seueral yeares, as euerie one reigned alone. Eightly. the times of vacan∣ces,* 1.674 in the gouernment of the Iudges, reignes of kinges, and the like, are some∣times omitted in calculation, sometimes adioyned to the predecessor, or successor. Ninthly, sometimes the holy Scripture mentioneth the only time that* 1.675 one liued or reigned wel. as it were blotting out the rest with obliuion. So Saul is sayd to haue reigned two yeares (1. Reg 13.) VVho wel and euil reigned much longer. Tenthly, by error in writing, wordes, names, and especially numbers* 1.676 may easely▪ be changed, and can not easely be corrected. By these or other like meanes, al the holie Scriptures may be defended, though none ought to pre∣sume

by his priuate spirit, to vnderstand and expound al Sciptures; which are* 1.677 hard not only by reason of their profound sense, surpassing mans natural capa∣citie, but also for that in outward apparence, sometimes there seeme to be con∣tradictions, but in dede neither are, nor can be vttered by the Holie Ghost, the Spirit of truth, Inditer of the whole sacred Bible. And therfore we must relie* 1.678 vpon Gods Spirit, speaking in his spouse the Church, commended vnto vs by those Scriptures, wherof we are sufficiently assured.

CHAP II. The names of Israels twelue sonnes. 3. The geneologie of Iuda, first in the right line to Dauid, the seuenth sonne of Isai: 16. then other genealogies of the same Iuda.

AND the chidren of :: 1.679 Israel: Ruben, Simeon, Leui, Iuda, [ 1] Issachar, and Zabulon, † Dan, Ioseph, Beniamin, Neph∣thali, [ 2] Gad, and Aser. † The sonnes of Iuda: Her, Onan, and [ 3] Sela. these three were borne to him of the Chananite the daughter of Sue. And Her the firstbegotten of Iuda, was euil before our Lord, and he slewe him. † And Thamar his daugh∣ter [ 4] in law bare him Phares and Zara. † Therfore al the [ 5] sonnes of Iuda, were fiue. † And the sonnes of Phares, Hesron and Hamul. † The sonnes also of Zara: Zamri, and Ethan, [ 6] and Eman, Chalcal also, and Dara, together fiue. † And [ 7] the sonnes of Charmi: :: 1.680 Achar, who trubled Israel, & sinned in the theft of the anathema. † The sonnes of Ethan: Aza∣rias. [ 8] † And the sonnes of Hesron that were borne to him: Ie∣rameel, [ 9] and Ram, and Calubi. † Moreouer Ram begat Ami∣nadab, [ 10] and Aminadab, begat Nahasson, the prince of the children of Iuda. † Nahasson also begat Salma, of whom [ 11] was borne Booz. † But Booz begat Obed, who also begat [ 12] Isai. † And Isai. begat the firstbegotten Eliab, the second [ 13] Abinadab, the third Simmaa, † the fourth, Nathanael, the [ 14] fifth Raddai, † the sixt Asom, the seuenth Dauid. † Whose [ 15] sisters were Saruia, and Abigail. The sonnes of Saruia: Abi∣sai, [ 16] Ioab, and Asael, three. † And Abigail beare Amasa, whose [ 17] father was Iether the Ismaelite. † But :: 1.681 Caleb the sonne of [ 18] Hesron tooke a wife named Azuba, of whom he begat Ie∣rioth: and her sonnes were Iaser, and Sobab, and Ardon. † And when Azuba was dead, Caleb tooke to wife Ephratha▪ [ 19] who bare him Hur. † Moreouer Hur begat Vri: and Vri begat [ 20] Bezeleel. † After these thinges Hesron went in to the daughter [ 21] of Machir the father of Galaad, and tooke her, when he was three score yeares old: who bare him Segub. † But Segub also [ 22]

begat Iair, & possessed three and twentie cities in the Land of Galaad. † And he tooke Gessur, and Aram the townes of [ 23] Iair, and Canath, and the villages therof, threescore cities, al these are :: 1.682 the sonnes of Machir the father of Galaad. † And when Hesron was dead: Caleb went in to Ephrata. [ 24] Hesron also had to wife Abia who bare him Ashur the fa∣ther of Thecua. † And there were borne sonnes to Ierameel [ 25] the firstbegotten Hesron, Ram his firstborne, and Buna, and Aram, and Asom, and Achia. † Ierameel maried also an [ 26] other wife, named Atara, which was the mother of Onam. † But the sonnes also of Ram the firstbegotten of Ierameel, [ 27] were Moos, Iamin, and Acar. And Onam had sonnes Semei, [ 28] and Iada. And the sonnes of Semei: Nadab, and Abisur. † But [ 29] the name of Abisurs wife, was Abihail, who bare him Ahob∣ban, and Molid. † And the sonne of Nadab were Saled, & Ap∣phaim. [ 30] And Saled died without children. † But the sonne of [ 31] Apphaim, Iesi: which Iesi begat Sesan. Moreouer Sesan begat Oholai. † And the sonnes of Iada the brother of Semei: Ie∣ther, [ 32] and Ionathan. But Iether also died without children. † Moreouer Ionathan begat Phaleth, and Ziza. These were [ 33] the sonnes of Ierameel. † And Sesan had noe sonnes, but [ 34] daughters: and a seruant an Aegyptian, named Ieraa. † And [ 35] he gaue him his daughter to wife: who bare him Ethei. † And [ 36] Ethei begat Nathan, and Nathan begat Zabad, † Zabad also [ 37] begat Ophlal, & Ophlal begat Obed, † Obed begat Iehu, Iehu [ 38] begat Azarias, † Azarias begat Helles, and Helles begat Elasa, [ 39] † Ealasa begat Sisamoi, Sisamoi begat Sellum, † Sellum be∣gat [ 40] Icamiam, and Icamia begat Elisama. † And the sonnes [ 41] of Caleb the brother of Ierameel: Mesa his firstbegotten, [ 42] he is the father of Ziph: and the sonnes of Maresa the father of Hebron. † Moreouer the sonnes of Hebron, Core, and [ 43] Thaphua, and Recem, and Samma. † And Samma begat [ 44] Raham, the father of Iercaam, and Recem begat Sammai. † The sonne of Sammai, Maon: and Maon the father of [ 45] Bethsur. † And Epha the concubine of Caleb bare Haran, [ 46] and Mosa, and Gezez. Moreouer Haran begat Gezez. † And [ 47] the sonnes of Iahaddai, Regom, and Ioathan, and Gesan, and Phalet, and Epha, and Saaph. † The concubine of Caleb [ 48] Maacha bare Saber, and Tharana. † And Saaph the father of [ 49] Madmena begat Sue the father of Machbena, and the father of Gabaa. But the daughter of Caleb, was Achsa. † These [ 50]

were the sonnes of Caleb, the sonne of Hur the firstbegotten of Ephrata, Sobal the father of Cariathiarim. † Salma the [ 51] father of Bethlehem, Hariph the father of Bethgader. † And [ 52] there were sonnes of Sobal the father of Chariathiarim, he that saw the halfe of the * 1.683 restinges. † and of the kinred of [ 53] Cariatharim, the Iethreites, and Aphutheites, and Sema∣theites, and Maseretes. Out of these issued the Saraites, and Esthaolites. † The sonnes of Salma, Bethlehem, and Neto∣phathi, [ 54] the :: 1.684 Crownes of the house of Ioab, and the Halfe of the resting of Sarai, † The kinredes also of the scribes [ 55] dwelling in Iabes, singing and sounding, and abyding in ta∣bernacles. These are the Cineites, which came from heate of the father of the house of Rechab.

CHAP. III. The sonnes of King Dauid. 10. The line of the Kinges of Iuda from Salomon to Iosias. 15. with diuers generations of the same Iosias.

BVT Dauid had these sonnes, which were borne to him [ 1] in Hebron: the firstbegotten Ammon of Achinoam the Iesraelite, the second Daniel of Abigail the Carmelite, † the [ 2] third Absolom the sonne of Maacha the daughier of Tolmui the king of Gessur, the fourth Adonias the sonne of Aggith, † the fift Saphatias of Abital, the sixth Iethraham of Egla [ 3] his wife. † Six sonnes therfore were borne to him in Hebron, [ 4] where he reigned seuen yeares and six monethes. And in Ierusalem he reiged three and thirtie yeares. † Moreouer in [ 5] Ierusalem sonnes were borne to him, Simmaa, and Sobab, and Nathan, & Salomon, foure of Bethsabea the daughter of [ 6] Ammiel, † Iebaar also and Elisama, † and Eliphaleth, and [ 7] Noge, and Nepheg, and Iaphia, † moreouer Elisanna, and [ 8] Eliada, and Elipheleth, nine: † al these the sonnes of Dauid, [ 9] beside the sonnes of his concubines: and they had a sister Thamar. † And the sonne of Salomon, Roboam: whose [ 10] sonne Abia begat Asa. Of this also was borne Iosaphat, † the [ 11] father of Ioram: which Ioram begat Ochozias, of whom rose Ioas: † and his sonne Amasias begat Azarias. Moreouer [ 12] Azarias the sonne of Ioathan † begat Achaz, the father of E∣zechias, [ 13] of whom was borne Manasses. † But Manasses also [ 14] begat Amon the father of Iosias. † And the sonnes of Iosias [ 15] were, the firstbegotten Iohanam, the second :: 1.685 Ioakim, the third Sedecias, the fourth Sellum. † Of Ioakim was borne [ 16]

Iechonias, and Sedecias. † The sonnes of Iechonias were Asir, [ 17] Salathiel, † Melchiram, Phadaia, Senneser & Iecemia, Sam••, [ 18] and Nadabia. † Of Phadaia were borne Zorobabel and Semei. [ 19] Zorobabel begat Mosollom, Hananias, and Salomith their sister: † Hasaba also, and Ohol, and Barachias, and Hasadias, [ 20] Iasabhesed, fiue. † And the sonne of Hananias, Phaltias the [ 21] father of Ieseias, whose sonne was Raphaia. This mans sonne also Arnan, of whom was borne Obdia, whose sonne was Se∣chenias. † The sonne of Sechenias: Semeia, whose sonnes were [ 22] Hattus, and Iegaal, and Baria, and Naaria, and Saphat, :: 1.686 six in number. † The sonnes of Naaria, Elioenai, & Ezechias, and [ 23] Ezricam, three. † The sonnes of Elioenai, Oduia, and Eliasub, [ 24] and Pheleia, and Accub, and Iohanan, and Dalaia, and Anani, seuen.

CHAP. IIII. Other genealogies of Iuda: 24. and of Simeon, 29. by whom the progenie of Cham, 42. and reliques of Amelacites are subdued.

THE sonnes of Iuda: Phares, Hesron, and Charmi, and [ 1] Hur, and Sobal. † But Raia the sonne of Sobal begat [ 2] Iahath, of whom were borne Ahumai, and Laad. these be the kinredes of Sarathi. † This allo is the stocke of Etam: [ 3] Iezrahel, and Iesema, and Iedebos. And the name of their sister Asalelphuni. † And Phanuel the father of Gedor, and [ 4] Ezar the father of Hosa, these are the sonnes of Hur the first begotten of Ephratha the father of Bethlehem. † But Assur [ 5] the father of Thecua had two wiues, Halaa, & Naara. † And [ 6] Naara bare him Oozam, and Hepher, and Themani, and Ahasthari. these are the sonnes of Naara. † Moreouer the [ 7] sonnes of Halaa, Sereth, Isaar, and Ethnan. † And Cos begat [ 8] Anob, and Soboba, and the kindred of Aharchel the sonne of Arum. † And Iabes was honorable aboue his brethren, [ 9] and his mother called his name Iabes, saynig: Because I bare him in sorow. † But :: 1.687 Iabes inuocated the God of Israel, [ 10] saying: If blessing thou wilt blesse me, and wilt enlarge my borders, and thy hand be with me, and thou wilt make that I be not oppressed by malice. And God granted the thinges that he prayed for. † And Caleb the brother of Sua [ 11] begat Mahir, who was the father of Esthon. † Moreouer [ 12] Esthon begat Bethrapha, and Phesse, and Tehinna the father of the citie of Naas: these are the men of Recha. † And the [ 13] sonnes of Cenez, Othoniel, and Saraia. Moreouer the sonnes

of Othoniel, Hathath, and Maonathi, † Maonathi begat [ 14] Ophra, & Saraia begat Ioab :: 1.688 the father of the Vale of Arti∣ficers: for there were artificers. † And the sonnes of Caleb [ 15] the sonne of Iephone, Hir, and Ela, and Naham. The sonnes also of Ela: Cenez. † The sonnes also Ialeleel: Ziph, and [ 16] Zipha, Thiria, and Asrael. † And the sonnes of Esra, Iether, [ 17] and Mered, and Epher, and Ialon, and he begat Mariam, and and Sammai, and Iesba the father of Esthamo. † Also his [ 18] wife Iudaia, bare Iared the father of Gedor, and Heber the father of Socho, and Icu••hiel the father of Zanoe. and these are the sonnes of Bethia the daughter of Pharao, whom Mered tooke. † And the sonnes of the wise of Odaia the [ 19] sister of Naham the father of Ceila, Garmi, and Esthamo, which was of Macathi. † The sonnes also Simon, Amnon, [ 20] and Rinna the sonne of Hanan, and Thilon. And the sonnes of Iesi, Zoheth, and Benzoheth. † The sonnes of Sela the [ 21] sonne of Iuda: Her the father of Lecha, and Laada the father of Maresa, and the kinredes of their house that worke silke in the House of oath. † And he that made the Sunne to stand, [ 21] and the men of Lying, and Secure, and Burning, which were princes in Moab, and which returned into Lahem. and these are old wordes. † These are potters, dwelling in Plantinges, [ 23] and in Hedges, with the king in his workes, and they abode there. † The sonnes of Simeon: Namuel, and Iamin, Iarib, [ 24] Zara, Saul: † Sellum his sonne, Mapsam his sonne, Masma [ 25] his sonne. † The sonnes of Masma: Hamuel his sonne, Zachur [ 26] his sonne, Semei his sonne. † The sonnes of Semei sixtene, [ 27] and six daughters: but his brethren had not manie sonnes, and the whole kinred could not reach to the summe of the children of Iuda. † And they dwelt in Bersabee, and Molada, [ 28] and Hasarsuhal, † and in Bala, and in Asom, and in Tholad, [ 29] † and in Bathuel, and in Hormi, and in Siceleg, † and in Beth∣marcaboth, [ 30] and in Hasarsusim, and in Bethberai, and in [ 31] Saarim. these were their cities vntil king Dauid. † Their [] townes also: Etam, and Aen, Rhemmon, and Thochen, and Asan, fiue cities. † And al their villages round about these [ 33] cities vnto Baal. this is their habitation, and the distribution of their dwellinges. † Mosabab also and Iemlech, and Iosa [ 34] the sonne of Amasias, † and Ioel, and Iehu the sonne of Iosa∣bia [ 35] the sonne of Saraia, the sonne of A••iel, † and Elioenai, and [ 36] Iacoba, and Isuhaia, and Asaia, and Adiel, and Ismiel, and

Banaia, † Ziza also the sonne of Zephei the sonne of Allon [ 37] the sonne of Idaia the sonne of Semri the sonne of Samaia. † These renowmed princes in their kinredes, & in the house [ 38] of their affinities they were multiplied excedingly. † And [ 39] they went forth to enter into Gador as far as the East side of the valley, and to seeke pastures for their flockes. † And they [ 40] found fatte pastures, and very good, and a countrie very large and quiet and fruiteful, in the which before had dwelt the stocke of Cham. † These therfore, whom before we descri∣bed [ 41] by name, came in the dayes of Ezechias the king of Iuda: and they stroke their tabernacles, and the inhabitantes that were found there, & cleane destroyed them vntil this present day: and they dwelt for them, because they found there most fatte pastures. † Also of the children of Simeon there went [ 42] into mount Seir fiue hundred men, hauing their princes Phal∣tias and Naaria and Raphaia and Oziel the sonnes of Iesi: † and they stroke the remnant of the Amalecites, which were [ 43] able to escape, and they dwelt there for them vntil this day.

CHAP. V. Genealogies of Ruben, whose birthright, concerning duble portion, is translated to Ioseph, the principalitie to Iuda, with their special actes. 11. Also of Gad. 18. who with Ruben, and half tribe of Manasses, subdue the Agarenes: 25. but for their sinnes are led captiue into Assyria.

ALSO the sonnes of Ruben the first begotten of Israel [ 1] (for he was his first begotten: :: 1.689 but when he had viola∣ted his fathers bed, his firstbirthright was giuen to the sonnes of Ioseph the sonne of Israel, and he was not reputed for the firstbegotten. † Moreouer Iudas, which was the strongest [ 2] among his brethren, of his stocke sprang the princes: but the firstbirthright was reputed to Ioseph.) † The sonnes [ 3] then of Ruben the firstbegotten of Israel: Enoch, & Phallu, Esron, and Charmi. † The sonnes of Ioel: Samia his sonne, [ 4] Gog his sonne, Semei his sonne, † Micha his sonne, Reia his [ 5] sonne, Baal his sonne, † Beera his sonne, whom Theglath∣phalnasar [ 6] the king of the Assyrians led away captiue, and he was prince in the tribe of Ruben. † And his brethren, and [ 7] al his kinred, when they were numbred by their families, had these princes Iehiel, and Zacharias. † Moreouer Bala the [ 8] sonne of Azaz, the sonne of Samma, the sonne of Ioel, he dwelt in Aroer as far as Nebo, and Beelmeon. † Agaynst the [ 9]

east quarter also he dwelt vnto the entrance of the desert, and the riuer Euphrates. For they possessed a great number of cattel in the land of Galaad. † And in the daies of Saul [ 10] they fought agaynst the Agarenes, and slewe them, and dwelt for them in their tabernacles, in al the quarter, that looketh to the East of Galaad. † But the children of Gad dwelt ouer [ 11] agaynst them in the land of Basan, as far as Selcha: † Iohel [ 12] the head, and Sapham the second: and Ianai, and Saphat in Basan. † And their brethren according to the houses of their [ 13] kinredes, Michael, and Mosollam, and Sebe, and Iorai, and Iacan, and Zi••, and Heber, seuen. † These are the sonnes of [ 14] Abihail, the sonnes of Huri, the sonne of Iara, the sonne of Galaad, the sonne of Michael, the sonne of Iesesi, the sonne of Ieddo, the sonne of Buz. † Also the brethren of the sonne [ 15] of Abdiel, the sonne of Guni, prince of the house in their families. † And they dwelt in Galaad, and in Basan, and in the [ 16] townes therof, and in al the suburbes of Saron, vnto the borders. † Al these were numbred in the daies of Ioatham [ 17] the king of Iuda, and in the daies of Ieroboam the king of Israel. † The children of Ruben, and of Gad, and of the halfe [ 18] tribe of Manasses, men of warre, carying sheildes, & swordes, and bending the bow, and taught to battels, foure and fourtie thousand, and seuen hundred threescore going forth to fight. † They fought agaynst the Agarenes: but the Itureians, and [ 19] Naphis, and Nodab † gaue them ayde. And the Agarenes [ 20] were deliuered into their handes, and al that were with them, because they called vpon God when they fought: and he heard them, :: 1.690 because they beleued in him. † And they [ 21] tooke al that they possessed, Camels fiftie thousand, and sheepe two hundred fiftie thousand, and asses two thousand, and of men an hundred thousand soules. † And manie fel [ 22] downe wounded: for it was the battel of our Lord. And they dwelt for them vntil the transmigration. † Also the children [ 23] of the halfe tribe of Manasses possessed the land, from the costes of Basan vnto Baal, Hermon, and Sanir, and mount Hermon, for the number was great. † And these were the [ 24] princes of the house of their kinred, Epher, and Iesi, and Eliel, and Esriel, and Ieremia, and Odoia, and Iediel, most valiant men and mightie, and renowned princes in their families. † But they forsooke the God of their fathers, and [ 25] fornicated after the goddes of the peoples of the land, whom

God tooke away before them. † And the God of Israel raysed [ 26] vp the spirit of Phul king of the Assyrians, and the spirit of Thelgathphalnasar king of Assur: and he transported Ruben, and Gad, and the halfe tribe of Manasses, and brought them into Lahela, and into Habor, and to Ara, and to the riuer of Gozan, vntil this day.

CHAP. VI. The genealogies of Leui, 4. with the right line of Aaron by Eleazar to Iosa∣dech, high priest in the captiuitie of Babylon, 16. other progenies of his three sonnes; Gerson, Caath, and Merari, 31. with their offices in the temple: 49. only Aarons sounes admitted to priesthood. 54. Particular possessions of the Leuites dwelling amongst the other tribes.

THE sonnes of Leui: Gerson, Caath, and Merari. † The [ 1 2] sonnes of Caath: Amram, Isaar, Hebron, and Oziel. † The children of Amram: Aaron, Moyses, and Maria. The [ 3] sonnes of Aaron: Nadab and Abiu, Eleazar, and Ithamar. †:: 1.691 Eleazar begat Phinees, and Phinees begat Abisue, † and [ 4 5] Abisue begat Bocci, & Bocci begat Ozi. † Ozi begat Zaraias, [ 6] and Zaraias begat Maraioth. † Moreouer Meraioth begat [ 7] aMARIAS, and Amarias begat Achitob. † Achitob begat Sadoc, [ 8] and Sadoc begat Achimaas, † Achimaas begat Azarias, Aza∣rias [ 9] begat Iohanan, † Iohanan begat Azarias. the same is he [ 10] that executed the priestlie office in the house, which Salo∣mon* 1.692 built in Ierusalem. † And Azarias begat Amarias, and [ 11] Amarias begat Achitob, † and Achitob begat Sadoc, and [ 12] Sadoc begat Sellum, † Sellum begat Helcias, and Helcias [ 13] begat Azarias, † Azarias begat Saraias, and Saraias begat Iose∣dec. [ 14] † Moreouer Iosedec went forth, when our Lord trans∣ported [ 15] Iuda, and Ierusalem by the handes of Nabuchodono∣sor. [ 16] † The sonne then of Leui: Gerson, Caath, and Merari. [ 17] † And these be the names of the sonnes of Gerson: Lobni and [ 18] Semei. † The sonnes of Caath: Amram, and Isaar, and Hebron, [ 19] and Oziel. † The sonnes of Merari: Moholi and Musi. And [ 20] these are the kinredes of Leui according to their families. † Gerson, Lobni his sonne, Iahath his sonne, Zamma his sonne, † Ioah his sonne, Addo his sonne, Zara his sonne, Iethrai [ 21] his sonne. † The sonnes of Caath, Aminadab his sonne, Core [ 22] his sonne, Asir his sonne, † Elcana his sonne, Abiasaph his [ 23] sonne, Asir his sonne. † Thahath his sonne, Vriel his sonne, [ 24] Ozias his sonne, Saul his sonne. † The sonnes of Elcana: [ 25]

Amasai, and Achimoth, † and Elcana: The sonnes of Elcana: [ 26] Sophai his sonne, Nahath his sonne, † Eliab his sonne, Iero∣ham [ 27] his sonne, Elcana his sonne. † The sonnes of Samuel: [ 28] the first begotten Vasteni, and Abia. † And the sonnes of [ 29] Merari, Moholi: Lobni his sonne, Semei his sonne, Oza his sonne, † Sammaa his sonne, Haggia his sonne, Asaia his [ 30] sonne. † These are they, whom Dauid appointed ouer the [ 31] singing men of the house of our Lord, since the Arke was placed: † and they ministred before the tabernacle of testi∣monie, [ 32] singing vntil Salomon built the house of our Lord in Ierusalem: and they stood according to their order in the ministerie. † And these are they, which aslisted with their [ 33] sonnes, of the sonnes of Caath, Hemam singing man, the sonne of Ioel, the sonne of Samuel, † the sonne of Elcana, [ 34] the sonne of Ieroham, the sonne of Eliel, the sonne of Thohu, † the sonne of Suph, the sonne of Elcana, the sonne of Ma∣hath, [ 35] the sonne of Amasai, † the sonne of Elcana, the sonne [ 36] of Iohel, the sonne of Azaries, the sonne of Sophonias, † the [ 37] sonne of Thahath, the sonne of Asir, the sonne of Abiasaph, the sonne of C'ore, † the sonne of Isaar, the sonne of Caath, [ 38] the sonne of Leui, the sonne of Israel. † And his brother [ 39] Asaph, who stood on his right hand, Asaph the sonne of Barachias, the sonne of Samaa, † the sonne of Michael, the [ 40] sonne of Basaia, the sonne of Melchia, † the sonne of Athanai, [ 41] the sonne of Zara, the sonne of Adaia, † the sonne of Ethan, [ 42] the sonne of Zamma, the sonne of Semei. † the sonne of Ieth, [ 43] the sonne of Gerson, the sonne of Leui. † And the children [ 44] of Merari their brethren, on the left hand, Ethan the sonne of Cusi, the sonne of Abdi, the sonne of Maloch, † the sonne [ 45] of Hasabia, the sonne of Amasia, the sonne of Helcias, † the [ 46] sonne of Amasai, the sonne of Boni, the sonne of Somer, † the [ 47] sonne of Moholi, the sonne of Mosi, the sonne of Merari, the sonne of Leui † Their brethren also the Leuites, which were [ 48] ordained for al the ministerie of the tabernacle of the house of our Lord. † But Aaron, and his sonnes burnt incense vpon [ 49] the altar of holocaust, and vpon the altar of incense, for euerie worke of Sancta Sanctorum: and to pray for Israel according to al thinges, which Moyses the seruant of God had comman∣ded. † And these are the sonnes of Aaron: Eleazar his sonne, [ 50] Phinees his sonne, Abisue his sonne † Bocci his sonne, Ozi [ 51] his sonne, Zarahia his sonne, † Meraioth his sonne, Amarias [ 52]

his sonne, Achitob his sonne, † :: 1.693 Sadoc his sonne, Achimaas [ 53] his sonne. † And these are their habitations by the townes and [ 54] confines, to witte, of the sonnes of Aaron, according to the kinredes of the Caathites: for they were fallen to them by lotte. † They gaue therfore to them Hebron in the Land of [ 55] Iuda, and the suburbes therof round about: † but the fieldes [ 56] of the citie, and the townes to Caleb the sonne of Iephone. † Moreouer to the sonnes of Aaron they gaue cities, to flee [ 57] vnto, Hebron, and Lobna, and the suburbes therof, † Iether [ 58] also and Esthemo with the suburbes therof, yea & Helon, and Dabir with their suburbes: † Asan also & Bethsemes, & their [ 59] suburbes. † And of the tribe of Beniamin: Gabee and the sub∣urbes [ 60] therof, Almath with the suburbes therof, Anothoth also with the suburbes therof. al the cities, thirtene, by their kin∣redes. † And to the children of Caath the residue of their kin∣red [ 61] they gaue of the halfe tribe of Manasses in possession ten cities. † Moreouer to the children of Gerson by their kinredes [ 62] of the tribe of Issachar, & of the tribe of Aser, and of the tribe of Nephthali, and of the tribe of Manasses in Basan, thirtene cities. † And to the sonnes of Merari by their kinredes of the [ 63] tribe of Ruben, and of the tribe of Gad, and of the tribe of Za∣bulon, they gaue by lot twelue cities. † Also the children of [ 64] Israel gaue to the Leuites cities, and their suburbes: † and they [ 65] gaue by lot, of the tribe of the children of Iuda, & of the tribe of the children of Simeon, and of the tribe of the children of Beniamin, these cities, which they called by their names, † and [ 66] to them, that were of the kinred of the sonnes of Caath, and the cities in their borders were of the tribe of Ephraim. † They therfore gaue them cities, to flee vnto, Sichem with [ 67] the suburbes therof in mount Ephraim, and Gazer with the suburbes therof, † Iecmaan also with the suburbes therof, [ 68] and Bethhoron in like maner, † moreouer Helon also with [ 69] the suburbes therof, and Gethremmon in like maner. † More∣ouer [ 70] of the halfe tribe of Manasses, Aner & the suburbes ther∣of, Balaam and the suburbes therof: to witte, to them, which were leaft of the kinred of the sonnes of Caath. † And to the [ 71] sonnes of Gersom of the kinred of the halfe tribe of Manas∣ses, Gaulon in Basan, and the suburbes therof, and Astaroth with the suburbes therof. † Of the tribe of Issachar, Cedes [ 72] and the suburbes therof, and Dabereth with the suburbes therof, † Ramoth also and the suburbes therof, and Anem [ 73]

with the suburbes therof. † And of the tribe of Aser: Masal [ 74] with the suburbes therof, & Abdon in like mamer, † Hucac [ 75] also and the suburbes therof, and Rohob with the suburbes therof. † Moreouer of the tribe of Nephthali, Cedes in Ga∣lilee [ 76] and the suburbes therof, Hamon with the suburbes therof, and Cariathaim, and the suburbes therof. † And to the [ 77] rest of the sonnes of Merari: of the tribe of Zabulon, Rem∣mono and the suburbes therof, and Thabor with the subur∣bes therof: † beyond Iordan also ouer agaynst Iericho, agaynst [ 78] the East of Iordan, of the tribe of Ruben, Bosor in the wilder∣nesse with the suburbes therof, and Iassa with the suburbes therof, † Cademoth also and the suburbes therof, and Me∣phaath [ 79] with the suburbes thereof. † Moreouer also of the [ 80] tribe of Gad, Ramoth in Galaad and the suburbes therof, and Manaim with the suburbes therof, † yea and Hesebon with [ 81] the suburbes therof, and Iezer with the suburbes therof.

CHAP. VII. Genealogies of Issachar, 6. Beniamin, 13. Nephthali, 44 Manasses, 20. Ephra∣im, 30. and Aser.

MOREOVER the sonnes of Issachar: Thola, and Phua, [ 1] Iasub and Simeron, foure. † The sonnes of Thola: [ 2] Ozi and Raphaia, and Ieriel, and Iemai, and Iebsem, and Samuel, princes by the houses of their kinredes. Of the stocke of Thola were numbred most valiant men in the daies of Dauid, two and twentie thousand six hundred. † The [ 3] sonnes of Ozi: Izrahia, of whom were borne Michael, and Obadia, and Ioel, and Iesia, fiue, al princes. † And with them [ 4] by their families and peoples, readie girded to battel, most valiant men, six and thirtie thousand: for they had many wiues, and children. † Their brethren also through al the [ 5] kinred of Issachar, most strong to fight, were numbred foure score and seuen thousand. † The sonnes of Beniamin: Bela, [ 6] and Bechor, & :: 1.694 Iadihel, three. † The sonnes of Bela: Esbon, [ 7] and Ozi, and Oziel, and Ierimoth, and Vrai, fiue princes of their families, and most strong to fight, and their number was twentie two thousand and thirtie foure. † Moreouer [ 8] the sonnes of Bechor: Zamira, and Ioas, and Eliezer, and Elioenai, and Amri, and Ierimoth, and Abia, and Anathoth, and Almath al these: the sonnes of Bechor. † And there were [ 9] numbred by their families princes of their kinredes most

valiant vnto battel, twentie thousand and two hundred. † Moreouer the sonnes of Iadihel: Balon. And the sonnes [ 10] of Balan: Iehus, and Beniamin, and Aod, and Chanana, and Zethan, and Tharsis, Ahisahar. † al these the sonnes of Iadi∣hel, [ 11] princes of their kinredes, most valiant men, seuentene thousand, and two hundred going forth to battel. † Sepham [ 12] also, and Hapham the sonnes of Hir: and Hasim the sonnes of Aher. † And the sonnes of Nephthali: Iasiel, and Guni, [ 13] and lezer, and Sellum, the sonnes of Bala. † Moreouer the [ 14] sonne of Manasses, Ezriel: and his concubine the Syrian bare Machit the father of Galaad. † And Machir tooke wiues for [ 15] his sonnes Happhim, and Saphan: and he had a sister named Maacha: the name of the second Salphaad, and to Salphaad were borne daughters. † And Maacha the wife of Machir [ 16] bare a sonne, and she called his name Phares: moreouer the name of his brother, was Sares: and his sonnes, Vlam, and Re∣cen. † And the sonne of Vlam, Badan. These are the children [ 17] of Galaad, the soone of Machir, the sonne of Manasses. † And [ 18] his sister :: 1.695 Queene bare :: 1.696 Goodlieman, and Abiezer, and Mohola. † And the sonnes of Semida were, Ahin, and Sechem, [ 19] and Leci, and Anion. † And the sonnes of Ephraim: Suthala, [ 20] Bared his sonne, Thahath his sonne, Elada his sonne, Tha∣hath his sonne, and this mans sonne Zabad, † and this mans [ 21] sonne Suthala, and this mans sonne Ezer, and Elad: and the men of Geth borne in the land slewe them, because they came downe to inuade their possessions. † Eghraim therfore [ 22] their father mourned many daies, and his brethern came to comfort him. † And he went in vnto his wife: who conceiued [ 23] and bare a sonne, and he called his name Beria, for that he was borne in the euils of his house: † and his daughter was [ 24] Sara, who built Bethhoron, the nether and the vpper, and Ozensara. † Moreouer his sonne Rapha, and Reseph, and [ 25] Thale, of whom was borne Thaan, † who begat Laadan: this [ 26] mans sonne also was Ammiud, who begat Elisama, † of [ 27] whom was borne Nun, who had Iosue his sonne. † And their [ 28] possession and habitation, was Bethel with her daughters, and agaynst the east of Noran, and on the west quarter of Gazer and her daughters, Sichem also with her daughters, as farre as Asa with her daughters. † Also neere the children of [ 29] Manasses Bethsan and her daughters, Thanach & her daugh∣ters, Mageddo and her daughters: Dor and her daughters: in

these dwelt the children of Ioseph, the sonne of Israel. † The [ 30] children of Aser: Iemna, and Iesua, and Iessui, and Baria, and Sara their sister. † And the sonnes of Baria: Heber, and Mel∣chiel: [ 31] he is the father of Barsaith. † And Heber begat I••ph∣lat, [ 32] and Somer, and Hotham, and Suaa their sister. † The [ 33] sonnes of Iephlat: Phosech, and Chamaal, and Asoth: these be the sonnes of Iephlat. † Moreouer the sonnes of Somer: [ 34] Ahi, and Roaga, and Haba, and Aram. † And the sonnes of [ 35] H••lem his brother: Supha, and Iemna, and Selles, and Amal. † The sonnes of Supha: Sue Harnapher, and Sual, and Be••i, [ 36] and Iamra, † Bosor, and hod, and Sanuma, and Salusa, and [ 37] Iethran, and Bera. † The sonnes of Iether: Iephone, and [ 38] Phaspha, and Ara. † And the sonnes of Olla: Aree, and hanicl [ 39] and Resia. † Al these be the sonnes of Aser, princes of their [ 40] kinredes, the chosen and most valiant dukes of dukes: and their number of the age that was fitte for battel, was six and twentie thousand.

CHAP. VIII. The progenie of Beniamin is further recited vnto Saul: 33. and his Issue.

AND Beniamin begat Bale his first begotten, Asbel the [ 1] second, Ahara the third, † Nohaa the fourth, and [ 2] Rapha the fifth. † And the sonnes of Bale were: Addar, and [ 3] Gera, and Abiud, † Abisue also, and Naaman, and Ahoe, [ 4] † and also Gera, and Sephuphan, and Huram. † These a••e [ 5 6] the sonnes of Ahod, princes of their kinredes that dwelt in Gabaa, which were transported into Manahath. † And Naa∣man, [ 7] and Achia, and Gera he transported them, and begat Oza, and Ahiud. † Moreouer he begat Saharaim in the coun∣trie [ 8] of Moab, after he dismissed Husim and Bara his wiues. † And of Hodes his wife he begat Iobab, and Sebia, and [ 9] Mosa, and Molchom, † Iehus also, and Sechia, and Marma. [ 10] these are his sonnes princes in their families. † And Mehusim [ 11] begat Abitob, and Elphaal. † Moreouer the sonnes of Elphaal [ 12] Heber, and Misaam, and Samad: this man built Ono, and Lod, and her daughters. † And Baria, and Sama princes of their [ 13] kinredes that dweltin Aialon: these droue away the inhabi∣tantes [ 14] of Geth. † And Ahio, and Sesac, and Ierimoth, † and [ 15] Sabadia, and Arod, and Heder, † Michael also, and Iespha, [ 16] and Ioha the sonnes of Baria. † And Zabadia, and Mosollam, [ 17] and Hezeci, and Heber, † and Iesamari, and Iezlia, and Iobab [ 18]

sonnes of Elphaal, † and Iacim, and Zechri, and Zabdi, [ 19] † and Elioenai, and Selethai, and Eliel, † and Adaia, and [ 20] Baraia, and Samarath the sonnes of Semei. † And Iespham, [ 21] and Heber, and Eliel, † and Abdon, and Zechri, and Hanan, [ 22] † and Hanania, and Aelam, and Anathothia, † and Iephdaia, [ 23] and Phanuel the sonnes of Sesac. † and Samsari, and Sohoria [ 24] and Otholia, † and Iersia, and Elia, and Zechri, the sonnes [ 25] of Ieroham. † these be the patriaches, and princes of their [ 26] kinredes, which dwelt in Ierusalem. † And in Gabaon dwelt [ 27] Abigabaon, and the name of his wife Maacha: † And his first [ 28] begotten sonne Abdon, and Sur, and Cis, and Baal, and [ 29] Nadab. † Gedor also, and Ahio, and Zacher, and Macelloth: [ 30] † and Macelloth begat Samaa: and they dwelt ouer agaynst [ 31] their brethren in Ierusalem with their brethren. † And Ner [ 32] begat Cis, and Cis begat Saul. Moreouer Saul begat Ionathas, [ 33] and Melchisua, and Abinadab, and Esbaal. † And the sonne of [ 34] Ionathas, Meribbaal: and Meribbaal begat Micha. † The [ 35] sonnes of Micha, Phithon, and Melech, & Tharaa, and Ahaz. † And Ahaz begat Ioada: and Ioada begat Alamath, and Az∣moth, [ 36] and Zamri: moreouer Zamri begat Mosa, † and Mosa [ 37] begat Banaa, whose sonne was Rapha, of whom was borne Elasa, who begat Asel. † Moreouer Asel had six sonnes of [ 38] these names, Ezricam, Bochru, Ismahel, Saria, Obdia, and Hanan. al these the sonnes of Asel. † And the sonnes of Esec [ 39] his brother, Vlam the first begotten, and Iehus the second, and Eliphalet the third. † And the sonnes of Vlam were most [ 40] strong men, and archers of great force: and hauing many sonnes and nephewes, vnto an hundred fiftie. Al these the children of Beniamin.

CHAP. IX. VVho of Israel (after the captiuitie) first inhabited Ierusalem. 10. VVho exercised the offices of Priestes, 14. and Leuites, 35. with repetition of part of Sauls progenie.

AL Israel therfore :: 1.697 was numbred: and the summe of [ 1] them was written in the Booke of the kinges of Israel, and Iuda: and they were transported into Babylon for their sinne. † And they that dwelt first in their possessions and in [ 2] their cities: Israel, and the Priestes, and the Leuites, and the Nathineans. † There dwelt in Ierusalem of the children of [ 3] Iuda, and of the children of Beniamin, also of the children of

Ephraim, and Manasses. † Othei the sonne of Ammiud, the [ 4] sonne of Amri, the sonne of Omrai, the sonne of Bonni, of the sonnes of Phares the sonne of Iuda. † And of Siloni: Asaia the [ 5] first begotten, and his sonnes. † And of the sonnes of Zara: [ 6] Iehuel, and their brethren, six hundred ninetie. † Moreouer of the sonnes of Beniamin: Salo the sonne of Mosollam, the [ 7] sonne of Odiua the sonne of Asana: † and Iobania the sonne [ 8] of Ieroham: and Ela the sonne of Ozi, the sonne of Mochori: and Mosollam the sonne of Saphatias, the sonne of Rahuel, the sonne of Iebania, † and their brethren by their families, [ 9] nine hundred fiftie six. Al these princes of their kinredes by the houses of their fathers. † And of the priestes: Iedaia, [ 10] Ioiarib, and Iachin: † Azarias also the sonne of Helcias, [ 11] the sonne of Mosollam, the sonne of Sadoc, the sonne of Maraioth, the sonne of Achitob, high priest of the house of God. † Moreouer Adaias the sonne of Ieroham, the sonne [ 12] of Phassur, the sonne of Melchias: and Maasai the sonne of Adiel, the sonne of Iezra, the sonne of Mosollam, the sonne of Mosollamith, the sonne of Emmer. † their brethren also [ 13] princes by their families a thousand seuen hundred three score, most able men of strength to the worke of the mini∣sterie in the house of God. † And of the Leuites: Semeia the [ 14] sonne of Hassub the sonne of Ezricam, the sonne of Hasebia of the sonnes of Merari. † Bacbacar also a carpenter, and [ 15] Galal, and Mathania the sonne of Micha, the sonne of Zechri the sonne of Asaph: † and Obdia the sonne of Semeia, the [ 16] sonne of Galal, the sonne of Idithun: and Barachia the sonne of Asa, the sonne of Elcana, who dwelt in the courtes of Ne∣tophati. † And the porters: Sellum, and Accub, and Telmon, [ 17] and Ahimam: and their brother Sellum the prince, † vntil [ 18] that time, in the kinges gate toward the east, wayted by their courses of the children of Leui. † But Sellum the sonne of [ 19] Core the sonne of Abiasaph, the sonne of Core, with his bre∣thren, and his fathers house, these are the Corites ouer the workes of the ministerie, keepers of the entrances of the ta∣bernacle: and their families in course keeping the entrance of the campe of our Lord. † And Phinees the sonne of Eleasar, [ 20] was their prince before our Lord. † Moreouer Zacharias the [ 21] sonne of Mosollamia, porter of the gate of the tabernacle of testimonie. † Al these chosen men for porters, at euerie gate, [ 22] two hundred twelue: and appointed out in their proper

townes: Whom Dauid and Samuel the Seer appointed, vpon their fidelitie. † as wel them as their sonnes. in the doores of [ 23] the house of our Lord, and in the tabernacle by their courses. † By the foure windes were the porters: that is to say, toward [ 24] the East, and toward the West, and toward the North, and toward the South. † And their brethren dwelt in villages, [ 25] and came vpon their Sabbathes from time to time. † To [ 26] these four Leuites was committed al the number of porters, and they were ouer the chambers, and treasures of the house of our Lord. † Also round about the temple of our Lord they [ 27] abode in their watches: that when it was time, they in the morning might open the doores. † Of these mens stocke [ 28] there were also ouer the vessels of the ministerie: for by num∣ber the vessels were both brought in and caried out. † Of [ 29] them also they that had the implements of the sancturie com∣mitted vnto them, did ouersee the floure, and wine, and oile, and frankincense, and spices. † And the sonnes of priestes [ 30] made oyntementes of the spices. † And Mathathias a Leuite [ 31] the firstbegotten of Sellum the Corite, was ouerseer of those thinges, which were fryed in the srying panne. † More∣ouer of the children of Caath their brethren, there were [ 32] ouer the loaues of proposition, to prepare alwaies new euerie Sabbath. † These are the chief of the singing men by [ 33] the families of the Leuites, which abode in the chambers, that they might day and night continually serue in their ministerie. † The heades of the Leuites, princes in their fami∣lies, [ 34] taried in Ierusalem. † And in Gabaon abode Iehiel the [ 35] father of Gabaon, and the name of his wise Maacha. † His [ 36] first begotten sonne Abdon, and Sur, and Cis, and Baal, and Ner, and Nadab, † Gedor also, and Ahio, and Zacharias, and [ 37] Macelloth. † Moreouer Macelloth begat Samaan: these [ 38] dwelt ouer agaynst their brethren in Ierusalem, with their brethren. † And Ner bagat Cis: and Cis begat Saul: end Saul [ 39] begat Ionathas, and Melchisua, and Abinadab, and Esbaal. † And the sonne of Ionathas, Meribbaal: and Meribbaal [ 40] begat Micha. † Moreouer the sonnes of Micha, Phithon, [ 41] and Molech, and Tharaa, and Ahaz † And Ahaz begat Iara, [ 42] and Iara begat Alamath, and Azmoth, and Zamri. And Zamri begat Mosa. † And Mosa begat Banaa: whose sonne Raphaia [ 43] bepat Elasa: of whom was borne Asel. † Moreouer Asel had [ 44] six sonnes of these names, Ezricam, Bochru, Ismael, Saria, ••bdi••, Hanan, these are the sonnes of Asel.

CHAP. X. King Saul with his three sonnes are slaine by the Philistians. 8. who spoi••e the armie and carie 〈◊〉〈◊〉 ay Souls head. 11. The men of Iabes Galaad ••••rie his bodie and his sonnes, fasting for them seuen daies. And the kingdom is translated to Dauid.

AMD the Philistijms fought agaynst Israel, and the men [ 1] * 1.698 of Israel fled from the Palesthines, and they fel woun∣ded in mount Gelboe. † And when the Philisthians were [ 2] come nere pursewing Saul, and his sonnes, they stroke Iona∣thas, and Abinadab, and Melchisua the sonnes of Saul. † And [ 3] the battel grewc sore agaynst Saul, and the archers found him, and wounded him with arrowes. † And Saul sayd to his [ 4] esquyer: Draw thy swoord, and kil me: lest perhaps these vncircumcised come, and deride me. But his harnes bearer would not, being frighted with feare: Saul therfore caught his sword, and fel vpon it. † Which when his harnes bearer [ 5] had seene, to witte, that Saul was dead, him self also fel vpon his sword, and died. † Saul therfore died, and his three [ 6] sonnes, and al his house fel together. † Which when the [ 7] men of Israel had sene, that dwelt in the ch••inpayne, they fled: and Saul and his sonnes being dead, they forsooke their cities, and were dispersed hither and thither: and the Phili∣sthijms came, and dwelt in them. † The next day therfore the [ 8] Philisthijms taking away the spoiles of them that were stayne, found Saul and his sonnes lying on mount Gelboe. † And when they had spoyled him, and cut of his head, and [ 9] stripped him of his armour, they sent into their land, that it should be caried about, and should be shewed in the temples of the Idols, and to the people: † and his armour they dedi∣cated [ 10] in the temple of their god, and the head they nailed vp in the temple of Dagon. † When the men of Iabes Galaad [ 11] had heard this, to witte, al thinges that the Philistijms had done vpon Saul, † euerie one of the valiant men arose, and [ 12] tooke the bodies of Saul and of his sonnes, and brought them into Iabes, and buried their bones vnder an oke, that was in Iabes, and they fasted seuen daies. † Saul therfore died for his [ 13] iniquities, for that he :: 1.699 transgressed the commandement of our Lord which he had commanded, and kept it not: yea and besides also consulted the Pythonesse, † and trusted not [ 14] in our Lord: for the which he slewe him, and transferred his kingdome to Dauid the sonne of Isai.

CHAP. XI. Dauid is elected and annointed king. 5. He ouerthroweth the Iebusites taking the towre of Sion in Ierusalem, and prospereth. 10. His valiant men, and their heroical actes are recited. 17. He desiring water from the cisterne of Bethleem, wil not drink it, but offereth it in sacrifice, because it is brought with danger of his valiant mens liues. 20. Other valiant men of the second order, are likewise recited.

AL Israel therfore was gathered together to Dauid in [ 1] * 1.700 Hebron, saying: We are thy bone, and thy flesh. † Ye∣sterday [ 2] also, and the day before when Saul as yet reigned, thou wast he that didst leade out and leade in Israel: for to thee our Lord thy God sayd: Thou shalt feede my people Israel, and thou shalt be prince ouer it. † Al the ancientes therfore of [ 3] Israel came to the king into Hebron, and Dauid entred into a league with them before our Lord: and they annoynted him king ouer Israel, according to the word of our Lord, which he spake in the hand of Samuel. † Dauid also went, and al [ 4] Israel into Ierusalem▪ this is Iebus, where the Iebuseites were the inhabiters of the land. † And they that dwelt in Iebus, [ 5] sayd to Dauid: Thou shalt not come in here. Moreouer Dauid tooke the towre of Sion, which is the Citie of Dauid, † and [ 6] he sayd: Euerie one that shal among the first strike the Iebu∣seite, shal be the prince and chiefe captayne. Ioab therfore the sonne of Saruia went vp first, and was made the prince. † And Dauid dwelt in the towre, and therfore it was called [ 7] the Citie of Dauid. † And he built the citie round about from [ 8] Mello vnto a round compasse, and Ioab built the rest of the citie. † And dauid ptospered going and increasing, and the [ 9] Lord of hostes was with him. † These are the princes of the [ 10] valiant men of Dauid, which holpe him to be made king ouer al Israel according to the word of our Lord, which he spake to Israel. † And this is the number of dauids strong ones: [ 11] Iesbaam the sonne of Hachamoni prince among thirtie: this man lifted vp his speare vpon three hundred wounded at one time. † And after him Eleazar his vncles sonne an Ahohite, [ 12] who was among the three mighties. † This was with Dauid [ 13] in Phesdomim, when the Philisthijms were gathered to that place into battel: and the field of that countrie was ful of barley, and the people was fled from the face of the Phili∣sthimes. † These stood in the middes of the fielde, and defen∣ded [ 14]

him: and when they had striken the Philistheans, our Lord gaue great health to his people. † And there went downe [ 15] three of the thirtie princes to a rocke, wherin Dauid was, to the caue of Odollam, when the Philisthijms had camped in the Vale raphaim. † Moreouer dauid was in a hold, and the [ 16] ward of the Phelisthimes in Bethlehem. † Dauid therfore [ 17] desired and sayd: O that some man would giue me water of the cesterne of Bethlehem, which is in the gate. † These [ 18] three therfore went forward through the middes of the campe of the Philisthimes, and drewe water of the cesterne of Bethlehem, which was in the gate, and brought it to Dauid to drinke: who would not, but tather offered it to our Lord, † saying: God forbid that in the sight of my God I should [ 19] doe this, and should drinke the bloud of these men: because in the peril of their liues they haue brought me the water. And for this cause he would not drinke. These thinges did the three most valiantes. † Abisai also the brother of Ioab he [ 20] was prince of three, and he lifted vp his speare agaynst three hundred wounded, and he was among three most renowned, † and among the second three he the noble one, and prince [ 21] of them: but yet vnto the three first he taught not. † Banaias [ 22] the sonne of Ioiada a most valiant man, of Cabseel: who had done manie factes, he stroke the :: 1.701 two ariel of Moab: and he went downe, and slewe the lion in the middes of the cisterne in the time of snow. † And he storke the Aegyptian, whose [ 23] stature was of fiue cubites, and which had a speare as the weauers beame: he therfore went downe to him with a rod, and by force tooke away the speare, that he held in his hand, and slewe him with his owne speare. † These thinges did [ 24] Banaias the sonne of Ioiada, who was among the three vali∣antes most renowned, † the first among thirtie, but yet the [ 25] three he raught not: and Dauid made him of his counsel. † Moreouer the most valiant men in the armie, Asahel the [ 26] brother of Ioab, and Elchanan the sonne of his vncle of Beth∣lehem, [ 27] † Sammoth an Arortie, Helles a Phalonite, † Ira the [ 28] the sonne of Acces a Thecaite, Abiezer an Anathothite, [ 29] † Sobbochai an Husathite, Ilai an Ahohite, † Maharai a Ne∣tophathite, [ 30] Heled the sonne of Baana a Netophathite, † Ethai [ 31] the sonne of Ribai of Gabaath the children of Beniamin, Banaia a Pharatonite, † Hurai of the Torrent Gaas, Abiel [ 32] an Arbathite, Azmoth a Bauramite, Eliaba a Salabonite.

† The sonnes of Assem a Gezonite, Ionathan the sonne of [ 33] Sage an Ararite, † Ahiam the sonne of Sachar an Ararite, [ 34] † Eliphal the sonne of Vr, † Hepher a Mecherathi••e, Ahia [ 35] Phelonite, † Hesro a Carmelite, Naarai the sonne of Azbai, [ 36] † Ioel the brother of Nathan, Mibahar the sonne of Agarai. [ 37] † Selet an Ammonite, Naharai a Berothite the armour bearer [ 38] of Ioab the sonne of Saruia, † Ira a Iethreite, Gareb a Ieth∣reite, [ 39] † Vrias the Hetheite, Zabad the sonne of Oholi, † Adina [ 40] the sonne of Sizaa Rubenite the prince of the Rubenites, & [ 41] with him thirtie: † Hanan the sonne of Maacha, and Iosaphat [ 42] a Mathanite, † Ozia an Astarothite, Samma, and Iehiel the [ 43] sonnes of Hotham an Arorite, † Iedihel the sonne of Zamri, [ 44] and Ioha his brother a Thosaite, † Eliel a Mahumite, and [ 45] Ieribai, and Iosaia the sonnes of Elnaim, and Iethma a Moa∣bite, [ 46] Eliel, and Obed, and Iasiel of Masobia.

CHAP. XII. VVho folowed dauid when he fled from Saul. 23. And who came into Hebron to make him king.

THESE also came to dauid into Siceleg, when as yet he [ 1] fled from Saul the sonne of Cis, the which were most valiant and excellent warriers, † drawing the bowe, and [ 2] hurling with both handes stones in slinges, and shooting ar∣rowes directly: of the brethren of Saul of Beniamin. † The [ 3] prince Ahiezer, and Ioas the sonnes of Sammaa a Gabaa∣thite, and Iaziel, and Phallet the sonnes of Azmoth, and Be∣racha, and Iehu an Anothothite. † Samaias also a Gabaonite [ 4] the most valiant amongst the thirtie and aboue the thirtie. Ieremias, and Ieheziel, and Iohanan, and Iezabad a Gadero∣thite. † And Eluzai, and Ierimuth, and Baalia, and Samaria, [ 5] and Saphatia an Haruphite. † Elcana, and Iesia, and Azareel, [ 6] and Ioezer, & Iesbaam of Carehim: † Ioela also, and Zabadia [ 7] the sonnes of Ieroham of Gedor. † Yea and of Gaddi also [ 8] there fled to Dauid, when he lay hid in the desert most vali∣ant men, and the best warriers, holding sheild and speare: their faces as the faces of a lion, nd swift as the roebuck••s on [ 9] the mountaynes: † Ezer the prince, Obdias the second, Eliab [ 10] the third, † Masmana the fourth, Ieremias the fifth, † Ethi [ 11] the sixth, Eliel the seuenth, † Iohanan the eight, Elzebad the [ 12] ninth, † Ieremias the tenth, Machbanai the eleuenth, † these [ 13] of the children of Gad were the princes of his armie: the [ 14]

meanest was captayne ouer an hundred souldiars, and the greatest, ouer a thousand. † These are they which passed Ior∣dan [ 15] the first moneth, when it vsed to flow ouer his bankes: and they chased away al that dwelt in the valleis toward the east quarter and the west. † And there came also of Beniamin, [ 16] and of Iuda to the hold, wherin Dauid abode. † And Dauid [ 17] went out to mete them, and sayd: If you be come peaceably to me for to helpe me, my hart be ioyned to you, but if you lye in wayte against me for my aduersaries, whereas I haue no iniquitie in my handes, the God of our fathers see, and iudge. † But the spirit came on Amasai the prince among [ 18] thirtie, and he sayd: We are thine ô Dauid, and with thee ô sonne of Isai: peace, peace be to thee, & peace to thy helpers. for thy God helpeth thee. Dauid therfore receiued them, and appoynted them princes of the band. † Moreouer of Ma∣nasses [ 19] there fled to Dauid, when he came with the Philisthijms agaynst Saul, to fight and he fought not with them: because the princes of the Philisthimes taking counsel sent him backe, saying: with the peril of our head wil he returne to his lord Saul. † Therfore when he returned into Siceleg, there fled [ 20] to him of Manasses, Ednas, and Iozabab, and Iedihel, and Michael, and Ednas, & Iozabad, and Eliu, and Salathi, the princes of a thousand in Manasses. † These did ayde Dauid [ 21] agaynst the rouers: for they were al most valiant men, and were made commanders in the armie. † Yea and there came euerie [ 21] day to Dauid to helpe him, til it became a great number, as it were :: 1.702 the armie of God. † This also is the number of the [ 23] commanders of the armie, which came to Dauid, when he was in Hebron, to transferre the kingdom of Saul to him▪ according to the word of our Lord. † The children of Iuda [ 24] bearing shield and speare, six thousand eight hundred wel appoynted to battel. † Of the children of Simeon valient [ 25] men to ••ight, seuen thousand one hundred. † Of the children [ 26] of Leui, foure thousand six hundred. † Ioiada also prince of [ 27] the stocke of Aaron, and with him three thousand seuen hundred. † Sadoc also a young man of goodlie towardenes, [ 28] and the house of his father, princes twentie two † And of [ 29] the children of Beniamin the brethren of Saul, three thou∣sand: for a great part of them as yet folowed the house of Saul. † Moreouer of the children of Ephraim twentie thou∣sand [ 30] eight hundred, valiant of strength, men renowmed in

their kinredes. † And of the halfe tribe of Manasses, eightene [ 31] thousand, euerie one by their names, came to make Dauid king. † Also of the children of Issachar men of vnderstan∣ding, [ 32] that knewe al times to command what Israel should doe, princes two hundred: and al the rest of the tribe did folow their counsel. † Moreouer of Zabulon such as went forth to [ 33] battel, & stood in aray wel appoynted with armour of warre, there came fiftie thousand to ayde, not in a duble hart. † And [ 34] of Nepthali, commanders a thousand: and with them furni∣shed with shield and speare, seuen and thirtie thousand. † Of [ 35] Dan also prepared to battel, twentie eight thousand six hun∣dred. † And of Aser going forth to fight, and prouoking in [ 36] batttel, fourtie thousand. † And beyond Iordan of the children [ 37] of Ruben, and of Gad, and the halfe part of the tribe of Ma∣nasses furnished with armour of warre an hundred twentie thousand. † Al these men of warre wel appoynted to fight, [ 38] with perfect hart came into Hebron, to make Dauid King ouer al Israel: yea and al the rest of Israel, were of one hart, that Dauid should be made king. † And they were there with [ 39] Dauid three daies eating and drinking: for their brethren had prepared for them. † Yea and they that were neere them as [ 40] farre as Issachar, & Zabulon, and Nephthali, brought loaues on Asses, and on camels, and on mules, and vpon oxen, to eate: meale, figges, reysens, wine oile, beeues, muttons, in al abun∣dance, for there was ioy in Israel.

CHAP. XIII. The Arke is brought from Abinadabs house, 8. Dauid and others dancing before it. 9. Oza for touching it is strooken dead. 13. VVherupon Dauid fearing to bring it to Ierusalem, 〈◊〉〈◊〉 remayneth three monethes in the house of Obededom.

AND Dauid tooke counsel with the tribunes, and cen∣turions, [ 1] and al the commanders▪ † and he sayd to al the [ 2] assemblie of Israel: If it please you: and if the word which I speake procede from our Lord God, let vs send to the rest of our brethren into al the countries of Israel, & to the Priestes, and Leuires, that dwel in the suburbes of the cities, that they may be gathered together vnto vs, † and we may bring agayne [ 3] vnto vs the Arke of our God: for we sought it not in the daies of Saul. † And the whole multitude answered that it should [ 4] be soe done: for the word had pleased al the people. † Dauid [ 5]

therfore assembled al Israel from Sihor of Aegypt, til thou enter into Emath, to bring the Arke of God from Caria Thiarim. † And Dauid went vp, and euerie man of Israel to the hil of [ 6] Caria Thiarim which is in Iuda, to fetch thence the Arke of our Lord God sitting vpon the Cherubim, where his name is inuocated. † And they layd the Arke of God vpon a new [ 7] wayne, out of the house of Abinadab. And Oza and his bro∣ther did driue the wayne. † Moreouer Dauid, and al Israel [ 8] playd before our Lord with al their might in songues, and on harpes, and psalteries, and timbrels, and cymbals, and trum∣pettes. † And when they were come to the Floore of Chidon. [ 9] Oza stretched forth his hand, to hold vp the Arke: for the oxe being wantone had made it leane a litle a side. † Our Lord [ 10] therfore was angrie agaynst Oza, and stroke him, for that he had touched the Arke: and he died there before our Lord. † And Dauid was strooken sad, because our Lord had diuided [ 11] Oza: and he called that place, the Diuision of Oza vntil this present day. † And he feared God at that time, saying: How [ 12] may I bring in the Arke of God vnto me? † And for this [ 13] cause he brought it not vnto himselfe, that is, into the citie of Dauid, but turned it away into the house of :: 1.703 Obededom the :: 1.704 Getheite. † Therfore the Arke of God remayned in [ 14] the house of Obededom three monethes: & our Lord blessed his house, and al thinges that he had.

CHAP. XIIII. King Dauid prouideth timber, and workmen to build his owne house. 3. marieth more wiues, and hath manie children; 8. ouerthroweth the Phili∣stians, 13. twise,

HIRAM also the king of Tyre sent messengers to Dauid, [ 1] and cedar trees, and artificers for walles, and timber: to build him a house. † And Dauid knew that our Lord had [ 2] established him to be king ouer Israel, and that his kingdom was exalted ouer his people Israel. † Dauid also tooke other [ 3] wiues in Ierusalem: and he begat sonnes, and daughters. † And [ 4] these be their names, that were borne to him in Ierusalem: Samua, and Sobad, Nathan, and Salomon, † Iebahar, and [ 5] Elisua, and Eliphalet, † Noga also, and Napheg, and Iaphia, [ 6] † Elisama, and Baalaida, and Eliphalet. † And the Philisthijms [ 7] hearing that Dauid was annoynted for king ouer al Israel, [ 8] they went vp al to seeke him: which when Dauid had heard,

he went out to meete them. † Moreouer the Philisthijms [ 9] coming, were spred abrode in the Vale Raphaim. † And [ 10] Dauid consulted our Lord, saying: Shal I goe vp to the Phili∣steans, and wilt thou deliuer them into my hand? And our Lord sayd to him: Goe vp, and I wil deliuer them into thy hand. † And when they were come vp into Baalpharasim, [ 11] Dauid stroke them there, and sayd: God hath diuided myn enemies by my hand, as waters are diuided: and therfore the name of that place was called Baal Pharasim. † And they [ 12] least there their goddes, which Dauid commanded to be burnt. † An other time also the Philisthijms invaded, and [ 13] were dispersed in the Vale. † And Dauid consulted God [ 14] agayne, and God sayd to him: Goe not vp after them, retyre from them, and thou shalt come agaynst them ouer agaynst the pearetrees. † And when thou shalt heare the sound of [ 15] one going in the toppe of the pearetrees, then shalt thou yssue forth to battel. For God is gone forth before thee, to strike the campe of the Philisthijms. † Dauid therfore did as [ 16] God had commanded him, and stroke the campe of the Philisthianes from Gabaon vnto Gazera. † And the name [ 17] of Dauid was bruited in al countries, and our Lord gaue the dreade of him ouer al nations.

CHAP. XV. VVith sol••nnitie the Arke is brought into Ierusalem, caried by the Priestes and Leuites, 16. With musick of diuers sortes, 26. Sacrifice of thankesgeuing is offered. 29. Michel derideth Dauids deuotion.

HE made also houses for him selfe in the citie of Dauid: [ 1] and built a place for the Arke of God, & pitcht a taber∣nacle for it. † Then sayd Dauid: It is vnlawful that the Arke [ 2] of God be caried of any man, but of the Leuites: whom our Lord chose to carie it, and to minister vnto himself for euer. † And he gathered together al Israel into Ierusalem, that the [ 3] Arke of God might be brought into his place, which he had prepared for it. † Moreouer also the sonnes of Aaron, and [ 4] the Leuites. † Of the children of Caath, Vriel was the prince, [ 5] and his brethren an hundred twentie. † Of the sonnes of [ 6] Merari, Asaia the prince: and his brethren two hundred twentie. † Of the sonnes of Gersom, Ioel the prince: and his [ 7] brethren an hundred thirtie. † Of the sonnes of Elisaphan, [ 8] Semeias the prince: and his brethren two hundred. † Of the [ 9]

sonnes of Hebron; Eliel the prince: and his brethren eightie † Of the sonnes of Oziel, Aminadab the prince: and his [ 10] brethren and hundred twelue. † And Dauid called Sadoc, and [ 11] Abiathar the Priestes, and the Leuites, Vriel, Asaia, Ioel, Semeia, Eliel, and Aminadab: † and he sayd to them: You [ 12] that are the princes of the Leuitical families, be sanctified with your brethren, and fetch the Arke of our Lord the God of Israel to the place, which is prepared for it: † lest as from [ 13] the beginning, because yow were not present, our Lord strike vs: so now also it come to passe, we doing some vn∣lawful thing. † The Priestes therfore▪ and the Leuites were [ 14] sanctified, to carie the Arke of our Lord the God of Israel. † And the sonnes of Leui tooke the Arke of God, as Moyses [ 15] had commanded, according to the word of our Lord, vpon their shoulders, on barres. † And Dauid sayd to the princes of [ 16] the Leuites, that they should appoynt of their brethren singing men on musical instrumentes, to witte, on nables, & harpes, and cymbals, that the sound of ioy might resound on high. † And they appoynted Leuites: Hemam the sonne of Ioel, and [ 17] of his brethren Asaph the sonne of Barachias: and of the chil∣dren of Merari, their brethren: Ethan the sonne of Casaia. † And with them their brethren: in the second order, Zacha∣rias, [ 18] and Ben, and Iaziel, and Semiramoth, and Ia••iel, and Ani, Eliab, and Banaias, and Maasias, and Mathathias, and Eliphalu, and Macenias, and Obededom, and Iehiel, porters. † Moreouer them that sang, Heman, Asaph, and Ethan: [ 19] sounding on brasen cymbals. † And Zacharias, and Oziel, [ 20] and Semiramoth, and Iahiel, & Ani, and Eliab, and Maasias, and Banaias vpon nables sang mysteries. † Moreouer Ma∣thathias, [ 21] and Eliphalu, and Macenias, and Obededom, and Iehiel, and Ozaziu, vpon harpes for the octaue sang a trium∣phant song. † And Chonenias the prince of the Leuites, was [ 22] chiefe ouer prophecie, to beginne the melodie: for he was verie coning. † And Barachias, and Elcana: doore keepers of [ 23] the Arke. † Moreouer Sebenias, and Iosaphat, and Natha∣nael, [ 24] and Amasai, and Zacharias, and Banaias, and Eliezer priestes, sounded with trumpettes, before the Arke of God▪ and Obededom, and Iehias kept the doore of the Arke. † Therfore Dauid and al the ancientes of Israel, and the tri∣bunes, [ 25] went to fetch the Arke of the couenanr of our Lord, out of the house of Obededom with ioy. † And when God [ 26]

had holpen the Leuites, which caried the Arke of the coue∣nant of our Lord, there were immolated seuen oxen, & seuen rammes. † Moreouer Dauid was clothed with a robe of fine [ 27] linen, and al the Leuites that caried the Arke, and the singing men, and Chonenias the prince of prophecie among the sin∣gers: and Dauid also was clothed with an :: 1.705 Ephod of linen. † And al Israel brought the Arke of the couenant of our [ 28] Lord in iubiley, and sounding with the sound of shaulme, and with trumpettes, and cymbals, and nables, and harpes. † And [ 29] when the Arke of the couenant of our Lord was come vnto the citie of Dauid, Michol the daughter of Saul looking forth through a window, saw Dauid the king dancing and playing, and she despised him in her hart.

CHAP. XVI. The Arke is placed in a tabernacle. Sacrifice is offe••ed. Dauid blesseth the people, 4. disposeth the offices of Leuites. 8. and maketh a Psalme of praise to God.

THEY therfore brought the Arke of God, and set it in [ 1] the middes of the tabernacle, which Dauid had pitched for it: and they offered holocaustes, and pacifiques before God. † And when Dauid had finished offering holocaustes, [ 2] and pacifiques, he :: 1.706 blessed the people in the name of our Lord. † And he duided to al through out euerie one, from [ 3] man vnto woman a loafe of bread, and a peece of rosted beefe, and floure fryed with oile. † And he :: 1.707 appoynted be∣fore [ 4] the Arke of our Lord of the Leuites, that should mini∣ster, and should remember his workes, & glorifie, and prayse our Lord the God of Israel: † Asaph the prince, and the se∣cond [ 5] after him Zacharias: moreouer Iahiel, and Semiramoth, and Iehiel, and Mathathias, and Eliab, and Banaias, & Obed∣edom: and Iehiel ouer the instrumentes of psalterie, and the harpes: & Asaph to sound vpon the cymbals: † but Banaias, [ 6] and Iaziel priestes, to sound the trumpet continually before the Arke of the couenant of our Lord. † In that day Dauid [ 7] made Asaph, prince to confesse to our Lord and his brethren. † Confesse ye to our Lord, and inuocate his name: make [ 8] his inuentions knowen among the peoples. † Chaunt [ 9] * 1.708 to him, and sing to him: and tel ye al his meruelous thinges. † Prayse ye his holie name: let the hart of them that reioyse, [ 10] seeke our Lord. † Seeke ye our Lord, and his powre: [ 11]

seeke ye his face alwayes. † Remember his meruelous [ 12] thinges which he hath done: his signes, and the iudgementes of his mouth. † The seede of Israel his seruant: the [ 13] children of Iacob his elect. † He is the Lord our God: [ 4] in al the earth are his iudgementes. † Remember for [ 15] euer his coueuant: the word, which he commanded vnto a thousand generations. † Which he couenanted with [ 16] Abraham: and his othe with Isaac. † And he appoynted [ 17] it to Iacob for a precept: and to Israel for an euer lasting coue∣nant: † Saying: To thee wil I geue the Land of Chanaan: [ 18] the corde of your inheritance. † When they were few [ 19] in number: smal and soiourners therof. † And they [ 20] passed from nation into nation: & from kingdom to an other people. † He suffered not any man to calumniate them: [ 21] but rebuked kinges for their sake. † Touch not my an∣noynted: [ 22] and vnto my prophetes be not malicious. † Sing [ 23] ye to our Lord al the earth: shew forth from day to day his* 1.709 saluation. † Tel his glorie among the gentiles: among [ 24] al peoples his meruelous workes. † Because our Lord is [ 25] great, and laudable excedingly: and terrible ouer al goddes. † For al the goddes of the peoples, be idols: but our Lord [ 26] made the heauens. † Confession and magnificence be∣fore [ 27] him: strength and ioy in his place. † Bring to our [ 28] Lord ye families of peoples: bring to our Lord glorie and impire. † Geue our Lord glorie, to his name, eleuate [ 29] sacrifice, and come ye in his sight: and adore our Lord in holie honour. † Let al the earth be moued before his face: for [ 30] he founded the world vnmoueable. † Let the heauens be [ 31] glad, & the earth reioyse and let them say among the nations, Our Lord hath reigned. † Let the sea thunder, and the [ 32] fulnesse therof: let the fieldes▪ reioyse, and al thinges that are in them. † Then shal the trees of the forest prayse before [ 33] our Lord: because he is come to iudge the earth. † Confesse [ 34] * 1.710 ye to our Lord, because he is good: because his mercie is for euer. † And say ye: Saue vs ô God our sauiour: and ga∣ther [ 35] vs together, & deliuer vs out of the nations, that we may confesse to thy holie name, and may reioyse in thy songues. † Blessed be our Lord the God of Israel from eternitie vnto [ 36] eternitie: and let al the people say: Amen, and hymne to God. † He therfore leaft Asaph there before the Arke of the coue∣nant [ 37] of our Lord, and his brethren to minister in the presence

of the Arke continually day by day, and in their courses. † Moreouer Obededom, and his brethren sixtie eight: and [ 38] Obededom the sonne of Idithun, and Hosa he appoynted for porters. † And Sadoc the priest, and his brethren [ 39] priestes, before the tabernacle of our Lord in the excelse, which was in Gabaon, † that they should offer holocaustes [ 40] to our Lord vpon the altar of holocaust continually, mor∣ning and euening, according to al thinges that are writen in the law of our Lord, which he commanded Israel. † And [ 41] after him Heman, and Idithun, and the rest of the chosen men, euerie one by his name to confesse vnto our Lord: Because his mercie is for euer. † Heman also and Idithun [ 42] sounding the trumpet, and quauering on the cymbals, and al musical instrumentes to sing vnto God: and the sonnes of Idithun he made porters. † And al the people returned into [ 43] their house: and Dauid, to blesse also his house.

CHAP. XVII. Dauid determining to build a Temple, 11. is admonished by Nathan the prophet, that not he, but his sonne, sbal build it; and be established in the kingdom. 16. Dauid extolleth Gods benignitie towards him, and the people.

AND when Dauid dwelt in his house, he sayd to Nathan [ 1] the prophete: Behold I dwel in a house of cedar: and the Arke of the couenant of our Lord is vnder skinnes. † And [ 2] Nathan sayd to Dauid: Al thinges, that are in thy hart doe: for God is with thee. † Therfore that night the word of God [ 3] came to Nathan, saying: † Goe, and speake to Dauid my [ 4] seruant: Thus sayth our Lord: Thou shalt not build me a house to dwel in. † For neither haue I remayned in house [ 5] from the time, that I brought out Israel, vntil this day: but I haue bene alwaies changing places of tabernacle, and in tent † abyding with al Israel. Did I speake to one, at the least, of al [ 6] the iudges of Israel, whom I commanded to feede my people, and did I say: Why haue you not built me a house of cedar? † Now therfore so shalt thou speake to my seruant Dauid: [ 7] Thus sayeth the Lord of hostes: I tooke thee, when in the past••res thou did••st folow the flocke, that thou shouldest be prince of my people Israel. † And I haue beene with thee [ 8] whither soeuer thou wentest: and I haue slayne al thine ene∣mies before thee, and haue made thee a name as of one of the great ones, that are renowmed in the earth. † And I haue [ 9]

geuen a place to my people Israel: it shal be planted, and shal dwel therin, and shal be moued no more, neither shal the children of iniquitie consume them, as from the beginning, † since the dayes that I gaue Iudges to my people Israel, and [ 10] humbled al thine enimies. I therfore tel thee, that our Lord wil build thee :: 1.711 a house. † And when thou shalt haue accom∣plished [ 11] thy daies to goe to thy fathers, I wil rayse vp thy seede after thee, which shalbe of thy children: and I wil establish his kingdom. † He shal build me a house, and I wil confirme [ 12] his throne for euer. † I wil be to him for a father, and he shal [ 13] be to me for a sonne: and my mercie I wil not take from him, as I tooke from him, that was before thee. † And I wil esta∣blish [ 14] him in my house, and in my kingdom for euer: and his throne shalbe most firme for euer. † According to al these [ 15] wordes, and according to al this vision, so spake Nathan to Dauid. † And when king Dauid came, and sate before our [ 16] Lord, he sayd: Who am I Lord God, and what is my house, that thou shouldest geue me such thinges? † But this also [ 17] hath semed little in thy sight, and therfore thou hast spoken concerning the house of thy seruant for time to come also: and hast made me renowned aboue al men Lord God. † What [ 18] can Dauid adde farther, wheras thou hast soe glorified thy seruant, and knowen him? † Lord for thy seruant according [ 19] to thy hart thou hast done al this magnificence, and would haue al thy great wonders to be knowen. † Lord, there is [ 20] not the like to thee: and there is none other beside thee, of al whom we haue heard with our eares. † For what other is [ 21] there, as thy people Israel, one nation in the earth, to the which God went, to deliuer it and make it his people, and with his greatenesse and terrours cast out the nations before the face of it, which he deliuered out of Aegypt? † And thou hast made thy people Israel to be thy people euer, [ 22] and thou Lord art made the God therof. † Now therfore [ 23] Lord, the word, which thou hast spoken to thy seruant, and concerning his house, be it confirmed for euer, and do as thou hast spoken. † And let thy name remayne and be magni∣fied [ 24] for euer: and let it be sayd: The Lord of hostes is God of Israel, and the house of Dauid his seruant permanent before him. † For thou Lord my God hast reueled the eare of thy [ 25] seruant, to build him a house: and therfore thy seruant hath found confidence, to pray before thee. † Now therfore [ 26]

Lord thou art God: and thou hast spoken to thy seruant so great benefittes. † And thou hast begunne to blesse the [ 27] house of thy seruant, that it be alwaies before thee: for thee ô Lord blessing it, it shal be blessed for euer.

CHAP. XVIII. King Dauid hath great victories, making manie nations tributarie, 15. his chiefe officeres are recounted.

AND it came to passe after these thinges, that Dauid [ 1] * 1.712 stroke the Philisthijms, and humbled them, and tooke away Geth, and her :: 1.713 daughters out of the hand of the Phili∣sthijms, † and stroke Moob, and the Moabites were made [ 2] Dauids seruantes, offering him giftes. † At that time Dauid [ 3] stroke Adazezer also the king of Soba of the countrie of He∣math, when he went on to dilate his empire as farre as the riuer Euphrates. † Dauid therfore tooke a thousand chariotes [ 4] of his, & seuen thousand horsmen, & twentie thousand foote∣men, & he hoghsinewed al the chariot horses, sauing an hun∣dred chariotes, which he reserued to himself. † And the Syrian [ 5] also of Damascus came moreouer, to giue ayde to Adarezer the king of Soba but Dauid stroke also of his two & twentie thousand men. † And he put souldiars in Damascus, that Syria [ 6] also should serue him, & bring giftes. And our Lord holpe him in al thinges, to the which he went. † Dauid also tooke the [ 7] golden quyuers, which the seruantes of Adarezer had, and he brought them into Ierusalem. † Moreouer of The bath, and [ 8] Chun the cities of Adarezer verie much brasse, of which Sa∣lomon made the brasen Sea, and pillers, and brasen vessels. [ 9] † Which when Tou the king of Hemath had heard, to witte, that Dauid had striken al the armie of Adarezer the king of Soba, † he sent Adoram his soune to king Dauid, to desire [ 10] peace of him, & to congratulate him that he had striken, and had ouerthrowen Adarezer: for Tou was aduersarie to Adare∣zer. † But al the vessel also of gold, and siluer, and brasse king [ 11] Dauid :: 1.714 consecrated to our Lord, with the siluer and gold, which he had taken out of al the nations, as wel of Idumea, and Moab, & the children of Ammon, as of the Philisthijms and Amalec. † And Abisai the sonne of Saruia stroke Edom [ 13] in the Vale of salt pittes, eightene thousand: † and he ap∣poynted a garryson in Edom, that Idumea should serue Dauid: and our Lord saued Dauid in al thinges, to which he went. † Dauid therfore reigned ouer al Israel, & did iudgement and [ 14]

iustice to al his people. † Moreouer Ioab the sonne of Saruia [ 15] was ouer the armie, and Iosaphat the sonne of Ahilud com∣menter. † And Sadoc the sonne of Achitob, & Ahimelech the [ 16] sonne of Abiathar, Priestes: and Susa, Scribe. † Banaias also [ 17] the sonne of Ioiada ouer the legions Cerethi, and Phelethi: moreouer the sonnes of Dauid the chief at the kinges hand.

CHAP. XIX. The king of Ammon euil intreating king Dauids men, whom he had cur∣teously sent to condole the death of his father, is ouerthrowen in battel. 16. with the Assyrians his hyred confederates.

AND it chanced that Naas the king of the children of [ 1] * 1.715 Ammon died, and his sonne reigned for him. † And [ 2] Dauid sayd: I wil do mercie with Hanon the sonne of Naas: for his father hath done me pleasure. And Dauid sent messen∣gers to confort him vpon the death of his father. Who when they were come into the land of the children of Ammon, to confort Hanon, † the princes of the children of Ammon [ 3] fayd to Hanon: Thou thinkest perhaps, that Dauid for ho∣nour sake toward thy father hath sent some that should com∣fort thee: neither marke••t thou, that his seruantes are come to thee to espie, and seeke out, and searche thy land. † Ther∣fore [ 4] Hanon made the seruantes of Dauid balde, and shaued them, and cut away their cotes from the buttockes to the feete, and sent them away. † Who when they were gone, [ 5] and had sent word to Dauid, he sent to meete them (for they had susteyned great reproch) and commanded them to tarie in Iericho, til their beard grewe, and then they should re∣turne. † And the children of Ammon seing, that they had [ 6] done iniurie to Dauid, as wel Hanon as the rest of the people, they sent a thousand talents of siluer, to hyre them chariotes and horsemen out of Mesopotamia, and from Siria Maacha, and from Soba. † And they hyred two and thirtre thousand [ 7] chariotes, and king Maacha with his people. Who when they were come, camped ouer agaynst Medaba. The children of Ammon also being gathered together out of their cities, came to the battel. † Which when Dauid had heard, he sent Ioab, [ 8] and al the host of valiant men: † and the children of Ammon [ 9] issuing forth, put their armie in aray beside the gate of the citie: and the kinges, that were come to ayde him, stood apart in the field. † Ioab therfore vnderstanding that battel was [ 10]

made agaynst him before and behind, chose the most valiant men of al Israel, and marched on against the Syrian. † And [ 11] the rest of the people he gaue vnder the hand of Abisai his brother: and they went forth agaynst the children of Am∣mon † And he sayd: If the Syrian shal ouercome me, thou [ 12] snalt ayde me: and if the children of Ammon shal ouercome thee, I wil ayde thee. † Take courage, and let vs play the [ 13] men for our people, and for the cities of our God: and our Lord wil doe that which is good in his sight. † Ioab therfore [ 14] matched on, and the people that were with him, agaynst the Syrian to battel: and he put them to flight. † Moreouer the [ 15] childen of Ammon seing that the Syrian was fled, themselues also fled from Abisai his brother, and went into the citie: and Ioab also returned into Ierusalem. † But the Syrian seing that [ 16] he was fallen before Israel, sent messengers, and brought the Syrian, that was beyond the riuer: and Sophach the General of Adereze••s warre, was their captayne. † Which when it [ 17] was told Dauid, he gathered together al Israel, and passed Ior∣dan, and fel vpon them, and directed his armie agaynst him, they fighting on the contrarie part. † And the Syrian fled [ 18] from Israel: and Dauid slewe of the Syrians seuen thousand chariotes, and fourtie thousand footemen, and Sophach Ge∣neral of the armie. † And the seruantes of Adarezer seing [ 19] themselues to be ouercome of Israel, fled to Dauid, & serued him: and Syria would no more giue ayde to the children of Ammon.

CHAP. XX. King Dauid prospereth in Warre agaynst the Ammonites, 4. and Philisthims, 6. among Whom Ionathan Dauids nephew by his brother, killeth a mon∣firuous giant, Which had twelue fingers and twelue toes.

AND it came to passe after the compasse of a yeare, at [ 1] * 1.716 such time when kinges are wont to goe forth to battel, Ioab gathered together the armie and force of warre, and spoyled the land of the children of Ammon: and went on and besieged Rabba. Moreouer Dauid taried in Ierusalem, when Ioab stroke Rabba, and destroyed it. † And Dauid [ 2] tooke the crowne of Melchom from his head, and found in it a talent weight of gold, and most precious pearles, and he made himself therof a diademe: he tooke also the spoiles of the citie very much. † And the people that was therin, he [ 3]

brought forth: and he made harrowes, and sleddes, and cha∣riotes shod with Iron to passe ouer them, soc that they were cut in sunder, & broken in peces: so did Dauid to al the cities of the children of Ammon: & he returned with al his people into Ierusalem. † After these thinges there was warre begunne [ 4] in Gazer agaynst the Philisthians: in which Sobachai the Husathite stroke Saphai of the kinred of Raphaim, & hum∣bled them. † An other battel also was fought agaynst the Phi∣listheans, [ 5] wherein Adeodatus the sonne of Saltus a Bethlehe∣mite stroke the brother of Goliath the Getheite, the staffe of whose speare was as it were a weauers beame. † But an other [ 6] battel also happened in Geth, wherin there was a verie long man, hauing fingers and toes by six and six, that is, together foure and twentie: who also was borne of the stocke of Rapha. † This man blasphemed Israel: and Ionathan the [ 7] sonne of Samaa the brother of Dauid stroke him. These be the children of Rapha in Geth, which fel by the hand of Da∣uid and of his seruantes.

CHAP. XXI. Dauid sinneth in numbring his people, 8. repenteth, and prayeth, yet is puni∣shed, many dying of the plague, 15. til God shewing mercie spareth the rest. 16. Dauid accusing himselfe and excusing the people is commanded by the Angel to offer sacrifice, which he (22▪ bying ground for an altar) 26. performeth.

BVT :: 1.717 Satan rose agaynst Israel: and moued Dauid to num∣ber [ 1] * 1.718 Israel. † And Dauid sayd to Ioab, and to the princes [ 2] of the people: Goe, and number Israel from Bersabee vnto Dan, and bring me the number that I may know. † And Ioab, [ 3] answered▪ Our Lord increase his people an hundred fold more then they are: are they not my lord king al thy seruantes? why doth my lord seeke this, which may be reputed for a sinne to Israel? † But the kinges word preuailed more: and Ioab went [ 4] forth, and went about al Israel: and returned to Ierusalem. † And he gaue Dauid the number of them, whom he had [ 5] surueyed: and al the number of Israel was found a thousand thousand and an hundred thousand men that drew sword: and of Iuda foure hundred seuentie thousand men of warre. † For Leui and Beniamin he numbred not: because Ioab [ 6] vnwillingly executed the kings commandement. † And [ 7] that which was commanded displeased God: and he stroke

Israel. † And Dauid sayd to God: I haue sinned excedingly [ 8] in that I would doe this: I besech thee take away :: 1.719 the ini∣quitie of thy seruant, because I haue done foolishly. † And our Lord spake to Gad the Seer of Dauid, saying: † Goe, [ 9] and speake to Dauid, and tel him: Thus sayth our Lord: [ 10] I geue thee the choyse of three thinges, choose one which thou wilt, and I wil doe it to thee. † And when Gad was [ 11] come to Dauid, he sayd to him: Thus sayth our Lord: Choose which thou wilt: † either three yeares famine: or three [ 12] monethes to flee from thine enemies, and not to be able to escape their sword: or three dayes the sword of our Lord, and pestilence to be in the land, and the Angel of our Lord to kil in al the costes of Israel: now therfore see what I shal answer him, that sent me. † And Dauid sayd to Gad: I am on euerie side [ 13] in great distresse: but it is better, that I fal into the handes of our Lord, because his mercies be manie, then into the handes of men. † Our Lord therfore sent the pestilence in Israel▪ and [ 14] there fel of Israel seuentie thousand men. † He sent also an [ 15] Angel into Ierusalem, to strike it: and when it was striken, our Lord saw, and had compassion vpon the greatenesse of the euil: and commanded the Angel, that smote: It is suffi∣cient, now let thy hand cease. Moreouer the Angel of our Lord stoode beside the floore of Ornan the Iebuseite. † And [ 16] Dauid lifting vp his eies, saw the Angel of our Lord standing betwen heauen and earth, and a sword drawen in his hand, turned agaynst Ierusalem: & they fel as wel he as the ancientes clothed in heare clothes, flatte on the earth. † And Dauid [ 17] sayd to God: Am not I he, that commanded the people to be mumbred? It is I that haue sinned: it is I that haue done the euil: this flocke what hath it deserued? Lord my God let thy hand be turned I besech thee vpon me, and vpon my fathers house: and let not thy people be striken † And the Angel of [ 18] our Lord commanded Gad to tel Dauid, that he should goe vp, and build an altar to our Lord God in the floore of Ornan the Iebuseite. † Dauid therfore went vp according to the [ 19] word of Gad, which he had spoken to him in the name of our Lord. † Moreouer Ornan when he had looked vp, and sene [ 20] the Angel, and his foure sonnes with him, they hid themselues: for at that time he threshed wheat in the floore. † Therfore [ 21] when Dauid came to Ornan, Ornan beheld him, & went forth to mete him out of the floore, and adored him flatte on the

ground. † And Dauid sayd to him: Geue me the place of thy [ 22] floore, that I may build therein an altar to our Lord: so that thou take as much siluer as it is worth, and the plague may cease from the people. † And Ornan sayd to Dauid: Take it, [ 23] and let my lord the king doe whatsoeuer pleaseth him: yea the oxen also I geue for holocaust, and * 1.720 the dreyes for wood, and wheat for sacrifice: I wil giue al thinges willingly. † And [ 24] king Dauid sayd to him: It shal not be so, but I wil geue thee siluer as much as it is worth: for I may not take it from thee, and so offer to our Lord holocaustes geuen gratis. † Dauid [ 25] therfore gaue Ornan for the place, six hundred sicles of gold of most iust weight. † And he built there an altar to our Lord: [ 26] and he offered holocaustes, and pacifiques, and he inuocated our Lord, & he heard him :: 1.721 in fyre from heauen vpon the altar of holocauste. † And our Lord commanded the Angel: and [ 27] he turned his sword into the scabbard. † Dauid therfore forth∣with, [ 28] seing that our Lord had heard him in the floore of Ornan the Iebuseite, immolated victimes there. † But the [ 29] tabernacle of our Lord. which Moyses made in the desert, and the altar of holocaustes, was at that time in the excelse of Gabaon. † And Dauid could not goe to the altar to pray God [ 30] there: for he had bene frighted with exceding feare, seing the sword of the Angel of our Lord.

CHAP. XXII. VVorkemen and al necessaries being prepared, 6. Dauid commandeth Salo∣mon to build the Temple, for so God hath appoynted▪ 13. exhorteth him to serue God. 17. and other principal men to assist him.

AND Dauid sayd: This is the house of God, and this is an [ 1] altar for holocauste to Israel. † And he commanded that [ 2] * 1.722 the proselytes of the land of Israel should be gathered to gether, and he appoynted of them masons to hewe stones and polish them, that the house of God might be built. † Da∣uid [ 3] prepared also verie much yron for the nayles of the gates, and for the ioyninges and ioynctures: and of brasse an inmu∣merable weight. † The cedar trees also could not be estemed, [ 4] which the Sidonians, and Tyrians brought downe to Da∣uid. † And Dauid sayd: Salomon my sonne is yet a litle child [ 5] and delicate, and the house which I would haue to be builded to our Lord, must be such as may be renowned in al coun∣tries: I therfore wil prepare him necessaries. And for this cause before his death he prepared al the expenses. † And he [ 6]

called Salomon his sonne: and commanded him that he should build a house to our Lord the God of Israel. † And [ 7] Dauid sayd to Salomon: My sonne, it was my wil to haue built a house to the name of our Lord my God. † But the [ 8] word of our Lord was made to me, saying: Thou hast shed much bloud, and fought verie manie battels, thou canst not build a house to my name, so much bloud being shed before me: † the sonne, which shal be borne to thee, shal be a most [ 9] quiet man: for I wil make him rest from al his enemies round about: and for this cause, he shal be called :: 1.723 Peaceable: and I wil geue peace and quietnesse in Israel al his dayes. † He [ 10] shal build a house to my name, & he shal be to me for a sonne, and I wil be to him for a father: and I wil establih the throne of his kingdom ouer Israel for euer. † Now therfore my [ 11] sonne, Our Lord be with thee, and doe thou prosper, and build the house to our Lord thy God, as he hath spoken of thee. † Our Lord also giue thee wisdome and vnderstanding, [ 12] that thou mayst be able to rule Israel, and to kepe the law of our Lord thy God † For then thou shalt be able to prosper, if [ 13] thou shalt keepe the commandementes, and iudgementes, which our Lord commanded Moyses to teach Israel: take courage and play the man, feare not, neither be dismayde. † Behold I in my pouertie haue prepared the charges of the [ 14] house of our Lord, of gold an hundred thousand talentes, and of siluer a thousand thousand talentes: but of brasse, and of yron there is noe weight, for the number is surpassed with the greatnesse: timber and stones I haue prepared to al the charges. † Thou hast also verie manie artificers, hewers of [ 15] stones, and masons, & carpenters, and of al occapations most skilful to make worke, † in gold and siluer and brasse and [ 16] yron, wherof there is no number. Ryse therfore, and do it, and our Lord wil be with thee. † Dauid also commanded [ 17] al the princes of Israel, that they should help Salomon his sonne. † You see, quoth he, that our Lord your God is with [ 18] you, and hath geuen you rest round about, and hath deliuered al your enemies into your handes, and the land is subdewed before our Lord, and before his people. † Geue therfore your [ 19] hart and your soules, to seeke our Lord your God: and arise, and build a sanctuarie to our Lord God, that the Arke of the couenant of our Lord, and the vessels consecrated to our Lord, may be brought into the house, which is built to the name of our Lord.

CHAP. XXIII. King Dauid being old constituteth Salomon king. 3. disposeth the offices of Leuites. 7. to wit, the families of Gerson, 12. of Caath, 21. and of Merari: (26. ceassing to carrie the tabernacle.) 27. to serue in the temple.

DAVID therfore being old & ful of daies, made Salomon [ 1] his sonne king ouer Israel. † And he gathered al the [ 2] princes of Israel, and the Priestes and Leuites. † And the Le∣uites [ 3] were numbred from thirtie yeares, & vpward: and there were found thirtie eight thousand men. † Of these were [ 4] chosen, and distributed into the ministerie of the house of our Lord foure and twentie thousand: and of the ouerseers and iudges, six thousand. † Moreouer foute thousand porters: [ 5] and as manie singing to our Lord on instrumentes, which he had made to sing on † And :: 1.724 Dauid distributed them by the [ 6] courses of the children of Leui, to witte, of Gerson, and Caath, and Merari. † The sonnes of Gerson: Leedan, and [ 7] Semei. † The sonnes of Leedan: the prince Iahiel, & Zethan, [ 8] and Ioel, three. † The sonnes of Semei: Salomith, and Hosiel, [ 9] and Aram, three: these be the princes of the familes of Leedan. † Moreouer the sonnes of Semei: Leheth, and Ziza, and [ 10] Iaus, and Baria: these be the sonnes of Semei, foure. † And [ 11] Leheth was the first, Ziza the second: moreouer Iaus and Baria had not manie children, and therfore they were coun∣ted in one familie, and in one house. † The children of Caath: [ 12] Amram, and Isaar, Hebron, and Oziel, foure. † The sonnes [ 13] of Amram, Aaron, and Moyses. And Aaron was seperated to minister in Sanctasanctorum, he and his sonnes for euer, and to burne incense to our Lord according to his rite, and to blesse his name for euer. † The sonnes of Moy∣ses [ 14] also the man of God were numbred in the tribe of Leui. † The sonnes of Moyses: Gersom and Eliezari: the sonnes [ 15] of Gersom: Subuel the first. † And the sonnes of Eliezer [ 16] were: Rohobia the first: and Eleezer had noe moe sonnes. [ 17] Moreouer the children of Rohobia were multiplied exce∣dingly. † The sonnes of Isaar: Salomith the first. † The [ 18] sonnes of Hebron: Ieriau the first, Amarias the second, [ 19] Iahaziel the third, Iecmaan the fourth. † The son̄nes of [ 20] Oziel: Micha the first, Iesia the second. † The sonnes of [ 21] Merari: Moholi, & Musi. The sonnes of Moholi: Eleazar and Cis. † And Eleazar died, and had no sonnes but daughters. [ 22]

and the sonnes of Cis their brethren tooke them. † The [ 23] sonnes of Musi: Moholi, and Eder, and Ierimoth, three. † These be the children of Leui in their kinredes and families, [ 24] princes by courses, and number of euerie head, that did the workes of ministerie of the house of our Lord from twentie yeares, and vpward. † For Dauid sayd: Our Lord the God of [ 25] Israel hath geuen rest to his people, and the habitation of Ie∣rusalem for euer. † Neither shal it be the office of the Leuites [ 26] to carie any more the tabernacle, and al the vessels therof to minister. † According to the last preceptes also of Dauid the [ 27] number of the children of Leui shalbe numbred from twentie yeares and vpward. † And they shal be vnder the hand of the [ 28] sonnes of Aaron for the seruice of the house of our Lord, in the entrances, and in the chambers, and in the place of puri∣fication, and in the Sanctuarie, and in al the workes of the ministerie of the temple of our Lord. † And the Priestes, ouer [ 29] the loaues of proposition, and for the sacrifice of floure, and for cakes and azimes, and the frying panne, and to rost, and ouer al weight and measure. † But the Leuites to stand in the [ 30] morning to confesse, and sing to our Lord: and in like maner at euening, † as wel in the oblation of the holocaustes of our [ 31] Lord, as in the Sabbathes and Calendes, and the rest of the solemnities, according to the number, and ceremonies of euerie thing, continually before our Lord. † And let them [ 32] keepe the obseruations of the tabernacle of couenant, and the rite of the Sanctuarie, and the obseruance of the children of Aaron their brethren, that they minister in the house of our Lord.

CHAP. XXIIII. King Dauid disposeth sixtene families of Eleazar, and eight of Ithamar, 7. by lottes, 19. to serue in the Temple, according to their priestlie function, 20. likwise principal Leuites in their offices.

MOREOVER to the sonnes of Aaron these were the [ 1] partions: The sonnes of Aaron: Nadab, and Abiu, and Eleazar, and Ithamar. † But Nadab and Abiu died before [ 2] their father without children: and Eleazar and Ithamar did the function of priesthood. † And Dauid diuided them, that is, [ 3] Sadoo of the sonnes of Eleazar, and Ahimelech of the sonnes of Ithamar, according to their courses and ministerie. † And [ 4] there were found manie more children of Eleazar among the

principal men, then children of Ithamar. And he diuided to them, that is, to the children of Eleazar princes by their families sixtene: and to the children of Ithamar by their fami∣lies and houses eight. † Moreouer he diuided both families [ 5] betwen themselues by lottes: for there were :: 1.725 princes of the Sanctuarie, and princes :: 1.726 of God, as wel of the children of Eleazar, as of the children of Ithamar. † And Semeias [ 6] wrote them, the sonne of Nathanael the Scribe a Leuite, before the king and princes, and Sadoc the Priest, and Ahi∣melech the sonne of Abiathar, the princes also of the Priestlie and Leuitical families: one house, which was ouer the rest, Eleazars: and an other house, which had the rest vnder it, [ 7] Ithamars. † And the first lot came forth to Ioiarib, the second [ 8] to Iedei, † the third to Harim, the fourth to Seorim, † the [ 9] fifth to Melchia, the sixt to Maiman, † the seuenth to [ 10] Accos, the eight to Abia, † the ninth to Iesua, the tenth to [ 11] Sechenia, † the eleuenth to Eliasib, the twelfth to Iaeim, [ 12] † the thirtenth to Hoppha, the fourtenth to Isbaab, † the [ 13] fiftenth to Belga; the sixtenth to Emmer, † the seuententh to [ 14] Hezir, the eightenth to Aphses, † the ninetenth to Pheteia, [ 15] the twenteth to Hezechiel, † the one and twenteth to Iachin, [ 16] the two and twenteth to Gamul, † the three and twenteth [ 17] to Dalaiau, the foure and twenteth to Maaziau. † These be [ 18] their courses according to their ministeries, to enter into [ 19] the house of our Lord, and according to their rite vnder the hand of Aaron their father: as our Lord the God of Israel had commanded. † Moreouer of the children of Leui, which [ 20] were remayning, there was Subael of the children of Amram: and of the children of Subael, Iehedeia. † Also of the chil∣dren [ 21] of Rohobia the prince of Iesias. † And the sonne of [ 22] Isaari Salemoth, and the sonne of Salemoth Iahath: † and [ 23] his sonne Ieriau the first, Amarias the second, Iahaziel the third, Iecmaan the fourth. † The sonne of Oziel, Micha: [ 24] the sonne of Micha, Samir. † The brother of Micha, Iesia: [ 25] and the sonne of Iesia, Zacharias. † The sonnes of Merari: [ 26] Moholi and Musi. The sonne of Oziau: Benno. † The sonne [ 27] also of Merari: Oziau, and Soam, and Zacchur, and Hebri. † Moreouer the sonne of Moholi: Eleazar, who had no chil∣dren. [ 28] † And the sonne of Cis, Ieramael. † The sonnes of [ 29] Musi: Moholi, Eder, and Ierimoth. These be the sonnes of [ 30] of Leui according to the houses of their families. † And they [ 31]

also did cast lottes agaynst their brethren the sonnes of Aaron before Dauid the king and Sadoc, and Ahimelech, and the princes of the Priestlie and Leuitical families, as wel the elder as the yonger. Lotte diuided al equally.

CHAP. XXV. Foure sonnes of Asaph, six of Idithun, and fourtene of Heman, chiefe musi∣cians, 7. with their brethren in ••l••wo hundred and fourscore, 8. are di∣stributed by Lottes, in foure and twentie companies, to serue in the temple.

THERFORE Dauid, and the officers of the hoste sepera∣ted [ 1] for the ministerie the sonnes of Asaph, and Heman, and :: 1.727 Idithun: which should :: 1.728 prophecie on harpes, & psalte∣ries, & cymbals according to their number seruing the office dedicated to them. † Of the sonnes of Asaph: Zacchur, and [ 2] Ioseph, and Nathania, & Asarela, the sonnes of Asaph: vnder the hand of Asaph prophecying neere the king. † Moreouer [ 3] Idithun: the sonnes of Idithun, Godolias, Sori, Ieseias, and Hasabias, and Mathathias, six, vnder the hand of their father Idithun, who prophecied on harpe ouer them that confessed and praysed our Lord. † Of Heman also: the sonnes of Heman [ 4] Bocciau, Mathania••, Oziel, Subuel, and Ierimoth, Hananias, Hanani, Eliatha, Geddelthi, and Romemthiezer, and Iesba∣cassa, Mellothi, Othir, Mahazioth: † al these the sonnes of [ 5] Heman the Seer of the king in the wordes of God, that he might exalt the horne: & God gaue to Heman fourtene sonnes and three daughters. † Al vnder their fathers were distributed [ 6] to sing in the temple of our Lord, on cymbals, and psalteries and harpes, for the ministeries of the house of our Lord neere the king: to witte, Asaph, and Idithun, and Heman. † And the [ 7] number of them with their brethren, that taught the songue of our Lord, al the teachers two hundred eightie eight. † And [ 8] they did cast lottes by their courses, equally as wel the elder as the yonger, the learned and the vnlearned together. † And [ 9] the first lotte came forth to Ioseph, which was of Asaph. The second to Godolias, to him and his sonnes, and his brethren twelue. † The third to Zachur, to his sonnes and his brethren [ 10] twelue. † The fourth to Isari, to his sonnes and his brethren [ 11] twelue. † The fifth to Nathanias, to his sonnes & his brethren [ 12] twelue. † The sixth to Bocciau, to his sonnes and his brethren [ 13] twelue. † The seueth to Isreela, to his sonnes and his brethren [ 14] twelue. † The eight to Iesaia, to his sonnes and his brethren [ 15]

twelue. † The ninth to Mathanias, to his sonnes and his bre∣thren [ 16] twelue. † The tenth to Semeias, to his sonnes and his [ 17] brethren twelue. † The eleuenth to Azareel, to his sonnes [ 18] and his brethren twelue. † The twelfth to Hasabia, to his [ 19] sonnes and his brethren twelue. † The thirtenth to Subacl, to [ 20] his sonnes and his brethren twelue. † The fourtenth to Ma∣thathias, [ 21] to his sonnes and his brethren twelue. † The fiftenth [ 22] to Ierimoth, to his sonnes and his brethren twelue. † The [ 23] sixtenth to Hananias, to his sonnes and his brethren twelue. † The seuententh to Iesbacassa, to his sonnes and his brethren [ 24] twelue. † The eightenth to Hanani, to his sonnes and his [ 25] brethren twelue. † The ninetenth to Mellothi, to his sonnes [ 26] and his brethren twelue. † The twenteth to Eliatha, to his [ 27] sonnes and his brethren twelue. † The one and twenteth to [ 28] Othir, to his sonnes and his brethren twelue. † The two and [ 29] twenteth to Geddelthi, to his sonnes and his brethren twelue. † The three and twenteth to Mahazioth, to his sonnes and [ 30] his brethren twelue. † The foure and twenteth to Romem∣thiezer, [ 31] to his sonnes and his brethren twelue.

CHAP. XXVI Porters are designed by lottes to watch at foure gates of the temple. 20. others made kepers of the holie treasure, and vissel, 30. Officers also appointed in the two tribes and half ouer Iordan, for Gods seruice, and the kinges.

AND the diuisions of the porters: of the Corites Mese∣lemia, [ 1] the sonnes of Core, of the sonnes of Asaph. † The [ 2] sonnes of Meselemia: Zacharias the first begotten, ladihel the second, Zabadias the third, Iathanael the fourth, † Aelam [ 3] the fifth, Iohanan the sixth, Elioenai the seuenth. † And [ 4] the sonnes of Obededom Semeias the first begotten, Iozabad the second, Ioaha the third, Sachar the fourth, Nathanael the fiifth, † Ammiel the sixth, Issachar the seuenth, Phol∣lathi [ 5] the eight: because our Lord blessed him. † And to [ 6] Semias his sonne were borne sonnes, the chiefe of their families: for they were most valiant men. † the sonnes then [ 7] of Semeias: O••hni, and Raphael, and Obed, Elizabad, and his brethren most valiant men: Eliu also, and Samachias. † Al [ 8] these of the sonnes of Obededom: they, and their sonnes, and their brethren most able to minister, sixtie two of Obed∣edom. † Moreouer the sonnes of Meselemia, and their bre∣thren [ 9] most strong▪ eightene. † And of Hosa, that is, of the [ 10]

sonnes of Merari: Semri the prince (:: 1.729 for he had not a first∣begotten, and therfore his father made him chief) † Helcias [ 11] the second, Tabelias the third Zacharias, the fourth: al these the sonnes, and brethren to Hosa, thirtene. † These were [ 12] diuided into porters, that the princes also of the watches, euen as their brethren, might minister in the house of our Lord. † Lottes therfore were cast equally, both to litle, and great, by [ 13] their families for euerie one of the gates. † The lotte then of [ 14] the East fel to Selemia. Moreouer to Zacharias his sonne, a most wise man, and skilful, the North quarter chanced by lot † But to Obededom and his sonnes, toward the South: in [ 15] which part of the house was the councel of the ancientes. † Sephim, and Hosa toward the West, by the gate, which [ 16] leadeth to the way of ascent: watch against watch. † And to∣ward [ 17] the East six Leuites: and toward the North foure a day: and toward the South likewise in a day foure: and where the councel was two and two. † In the celles also of the porters [ 18] toward the West foure in the way: and two at euerie celle. [ 19] † These be the diuisions of the porters of the sonnes of Core, and of Merari. † Moreouer Achias was ouer the treasures of [ 20] the house of God, and the vessels of the holie places. † The [ 21] sonnes also of Ledan, the sonnes of Gersonni: of Ledan princes of the families, Ledan, and Gersonni, Iehieli. † The [ 22] sonnes of Iehieli: Zathan, and Ioel his brethren ouer the trea∣sures of the house of our Lord, † to the Amramites, and Isaa∣rites, [ 23] and Hebronites, and Ozielites. † And Subael the sonne [ 24] of Gersom, the sonne of Moyses, chiefe ouer the treasures. † His brethren also Eliezer, whose sonne Rahabia, and his [ 25] sonne Isaias, and his sonne Ioram, his sonne also Zechri, and his sonne Selemith. † Selemith himself, and his bretbren ouer [ 26] the treasures of the sanctified holie thinges, which Dauid the king :: 1.730 sanctified, and the princes of families, and the cen∣turions, and the captaynes of the host † of the warres, and [ 27] of the spoyles of the battels, which they had consecrated to the maynteynance and furniture of the temple of our Lord. † And al these thinges did Samuel the Seer sanctifie, and Saul [ 28] the sonne of Cis, and Abner the sonne of Ner, and Ioab the sonne of Saruia: and al that had sanctified them by the hand of Selemith, and of his brethren. † But the chiefe ouer the [ 29] Isaarites was Chonenias▪ and his sonnes to the workes abrode ouer Israel to teach and iudge them. † Moreouer the Hebro∣nites [ 30]

Hasabias, and his brethren most able men, a thousand seuen hundred were chiefe ouer Israel beyond Iordan agaynst the West, in al the workes our Lord, and for the ministerie of the king. † And the prince of the Hebronites was Ieria accor∣ding [ 31] to their families and kinredes. In the fourteth yeare of king Dauid they were numbred, and there were found most valiant men in Iazer Galaad, † and his brethren of stronger [ 32] age, two thousand seuen hundred princes of families. And Dauid the king made them ouerseers ouer the Rubenites and the Gaddites, and the halfe tribe of Manasses, for al the mini∣sterie of God, and the king.

CHAP. XXVII. Twelue militarie tribunes, with foure and twentie thousand vnder euerie one, by course of monethes serue about the king. 16. Other twelue tribunes of the people gouerne in seueral tribes. 25. Prefectes also are made ouer the kinges treasures, cattles, and other commodities in the court, campe, and countrie.

AND the children of Israel according to their number, [ 1] the princes of families, tribune, and centurions, and ouerseers, that ministred to the king according to their com∣panies, coming in and going out euerie moneth in the yeare, euerie one was chiefe ouer foure and twentie thousand. † Ouer the first companie the first moneth Iesboam was [ 2] chiefe the sonne of Zabdicl, and vnder him foure and twentie thousand. † Of the sonnes of Phares, the prince of al the [ 3] princes in the hoste the first moneth. † The companie of [ 4] the second moneth had Dudia an Ahohite, and after him an other named Macelloth, which gouerned part of foure and twentie thousand. † Captayne also of the third companie in [ 5] the third moneth, was Banaias the sonne of Ioiada the Priest: and in his diuision foure and twentie thousand. † The same [ 6] is Banaias the most valiant among thirtie, and aboue the thirtie. & ouer his companie Amizabad his sonne was chiefe. † The fourth, in the fourth moneth, Asahel the brother of [ 7] Ioab, and Zabadias his sonne after him: and in his companie foure and twentie thousand. † The fifth, in the fifth moneth, [ 8] prince Samaoth a Iezerite: and his companie foure and twen∣tie thousand. † The sixth, in the sixth moneth, Hira the sonne [ 9] of Acces a Thecuite: and in his companie foure and twentie thousand. † The seuenth, in the seuenth moneth, Helles a [ 10] Phallonite of the children of Ephraim: and in his companie

foure and twentie thousand. † The eight, in the eight moneth, [ 11] Sobochai an Husathite of the stocke of Sarahi: and in his companie foure and twentie thousand. † The ninth, in the [ 12] ninth moneth, Abiezer an Anathothite of the children of Iemini: and in his companie foure and twentie thousand. † The tenth, in the tenth moneth, Marai, and he a Netopha∣thite [ 13] of the stocke of Zarahi: and in his companie foure and twentie thousand. † The eleuenth, in the eleuenth moneth, [ 14] Banaias, a Pharathonite of the children of Ephraim: and in his companie foure and twentie thousand. † The twelfth, [ 15] in the twelfth moneth, Holdai a Netophathite, of the stocke of Gothoniel: and in his companie foure and twentie thou∣sand. † Furthermore there were chiefe ouer the tribes of [ 16] Israel, ouer the Rubenites, Duke Eliezer the sonne of Zechri: ouer the Simeonites, Duke Saphatias the sonne of Maacha: † ouer the Leuites, Hasabias the sonne of Camuel: ouer the [ 17] Aaronites, Sadoc: † ouer Iuda, Eliu the brother of Dauid: [ 18] ouer Issachar, Amri the sonne of Michael: † ouer the Zabu∣lonites, [ 19] Iesmaias the sonne of Abdias: ouer the Nepthalites, Ierimoth thesonne of Ozriel: † ouer the children of Ephraim, [ 20] Osee the sonne of Ozaziu: ouer the halfe tribe of manasses, Ioel the sonne of Phadaia: † and ouer the halfe tribe of Ma∣nasses [ 21] in Galaad, Iaddo the sonne of Zacharias: and our Be∣niamin, Iasiel the sonne of Abner. † But ouer Dan, Ezrihel [ 22] the sonne of Ieroham: these be the princes of the children of Israel. † And Dauid :: 1.731 would not number them from twentie [ 23] yeares downeward: because our Lord had sayd that he would multiplie Israel“ as the starres of heauen. † Ioab the sonne of [ 24] Saruia beganne to number, and finished not: because vpon this there fel wrath vpon Israel: and therfore the number of them that were numbered, was not regestred in the chro∣nicles of king Dauid. † And ouer the kinges treasures was [ 25] Azmoth the sonne of Adiel, and ouer those treasures, which were in the cities, and in the townes, and in the towers, Iona∣than the sonne of Ozias was president. † And ouer husban∣drie, [ 26] and the husbandmen, which tilled the ground, Ezri the sonne of Chelub was ouerseer: † and ouer the dressers of [ 27] vineyardes, Semeias a Romathite: and ouer the wine cel∣lars, Zabdias an Aphonite. † For ouer the Oliuetes and the [ 28] figgegroues, which were in the champayne, was Balanam a Gederite: and ouer the oile cellars, Ioas. † Furthermore ouer [ 29]

the heardes that fed in Saron, the ouerseer was Se••rai a Saro∣nite: and ouer the oxen in the valleis Saphat the sonne of Adli: † but ouer the camels, Vbil an Ismaelite: and ouer the [ 30] asses, Iadias a Meronathite: † ouer the sheepe also Iazizan [ 31] Agatene. al these, princes of the substance of king Dauid. † And Ionathan Dauids vncle, a counseler, a man wise and [ 32] learned: He and Iahiel the sonne of Hachamoni were with the kinges sonnes. † Achitophel also the kinges counseler, [ 33] and Chusai an Arachite the kinges freinde. † After Achito∣phel [ 34] was Ioiada the sonne of Banaias, and Abiathar. And the prince of the kinges armie was Ioab.

CHAP. XXVIII. Agayne king Dauid calling al his states together, with commemoration of Gods singular fauour in electing him, and Salomon, 8. exhorteth them al, and namely his sonne to serue God sincerly: 10. and to build the temple, describing in what forme to make it.

DAVID therfore called together al the princes of Israel, [ 1] * 1.732 the dukes of the tribes, and the heades of the compay∣nies, which ministred to the king: the tribunes also and the centurions, and them that were chiefe ouer the fubstance and possessions of the king, and his sonnes with the ennu∣ches, and the mightie, and al the most viliant in the host of Ierusalem. † And when the king had risen vp, and stoode, he [ 2] sayd: Heare me my brethren, and my people: I meant to haue built a house, wherein the Arke of our Lord might rest, and the foote stoole of the feete of our God: and to build it I prepared al thinges. † But God sayd to me: Thou shalt not [ 3] build a house to my name: because thou art a man of warre,* 1.733 and hast shed bloud. † Howbeit our Lord the God of Israel [ 4] chose me of al the house of my father, to be king ouer Israel for euer: for :: 1.734 of Iuda he chose the princes: moreouer of the house of Iuda, my fathers house: and of the sonnes of my fa∣ther, it pleased him to choose me king ouer al Israel. † Yea [ 5] and of my sonnes (for our Lord hath geuen me manie sonnes) he hath chosen Salomon my sonne, to sitte in the throne of the kingdome of our Lord ouer Israel, † and he sayd to me: [ 6] Salomon thy sonne shal build my house, and my courtes: for him haue I chosen to me for a sonne, and I wil be to him for a father. † And I wil confirme his kingdome for euer, if he [ 7] shal perseuere to doe my preceptes, and my iudgementes,

as :: 1.735 at this day. † Now then before al the assemblie of Israel in [ 8] the hearing of our God, keepe ye, & search al the command∣mentes of our Lord God: that you may possesse the good land, and may leaue it to your children after you for euer. † And [ 9] thou Salomon, my sonne, know the God of thy father, and serue him with a persect hart, and a voluntarie minde: for our Lord searcheth al hartes, and vnderstandeth al cogitations of mindes. If thou seeke him, thou shalt finde: but if thou for∣sake him he wil reiect thee for euer. † Now therfore because [ 10] our Lord hath chosen thee to build the house of the Sanctua∣rie, take courage, and perfitte it. † And Dauid gaue to Salo∣mon [ 11] his sonne a description of the porch, and of the temple, and of the cellars, and of the vpper loft, and of the chambers in the inner roomes, and of the house of the propitiation, † moreouer also of al the courtes, which he had thought [ 12] vpon, and of the chambers round about, for the treasures of the house of our Lord, and for the treasures of the holie thinges, † and of the diuisions of the Priestes and the Leuites, [ 13] for al the workes of the house of our Lord, and for al the vessels of the ministerie of the temple of our Lord. † Gold in [ 14] weight for euerie vessel of the ministerie. A weight of siluer also according to the diuersitie of the vessels and workes. † And for golden candlestickes also, and their lampes, gold [ 15] according to the measure of euerie candlesticke, and of the lampes. In like maner also for the siluer candlestickes, and for their lampes, according to the diuersitie of the measure, he deliuered a weight of siluer. † He gaue also gold for tables of [ 16] proposition, according to the diuersitie of the tables: in like maner also siluer for other siluer tables. † For flesh hookes [ 17] also, and phials, and censars of most pure gold, and for little lions of gold, according to the qualitie of the measure he di∣stributed a weight, for lyon and lyon. In like maner also for lyons of siluer he seperated a diuerse weight of siluer. † And [ 18] for the Altar whereupon incense is burnt, he gaue most pure gold: that of it might be made a similitude of the chariote of the Cherubs spredding their winges, and couering the Arke of the couenant of our Lord. † Al thinges, quoth he, came [ 19] writen with the hand of our Lord vnto me: that I might vnderstand al the workes of the paterne. † Dauid also sayd [ 20] to Salomon his sonne: Deale mansully, and take courage, and doe it: feare not, and be not dismayed: for our Lord my God

wil be with thee, and wil not leaue thee, nor forsake thee, til thou perfite al the worke of the ministerie of the house of our Lord. † Behold the diuisions of the Priestes and the [ 21] Leuites, for euerie ministerie of the house of our Lord, assist thee, and are readie, and as wel the princes know, as the people, to doe al thy preceptes.

CHAP. XXIX. King Dauid once more by word, and example of his owne bountisulnes, inuiteth others to assist in building the temple, 6. wherto the princes and people contribute much. 10. So after praises, 18. prayeres, 21. and sacrifices offered to God, 22. Salomon is annointed king. 26. And king Dauid dieth blessedly, hauing reigned fourtie yeares.

AND Dauid the king spake to al the assemblie: Salomon [ 1] my sonne alone hath God chosen, as yet a child and a litle tender one: for the worke is great, neither is the habi∣tation prepared for man, but for God. † And I with al my [ 2] abilitie haue prepared the expenses of the house of my God. Gold for vessels of gold, and siluer for them of siluer, brasse for them of brasse, yron for them of yron, wood for them of wood: and onyx stones, and as it were * 1.736 stibians, & of diuerse colours, and euerie precious stone, and marble of Paros most abundantly: † and aboue these thinges, which I haue offered [ 3] into the house of my God, I geue :: 1.737 of myne owne peculiar goods, gold and siluer vnto the temple of my God, beside those thinges, which I haue prepared for the holie house. † Three thousand talentes of gold of the gold of Ophir: and [ 4] seuen thousand talentes of most approued siluer, to guilte the walles of the temple. † And, wheresoeuer there needeth [ 5] gold, of gold: and whersoeuer there needeth siluer, of siluer: let the workes be made by the handes of the artificers: and if any man offer voluntarily, let him fil his hand to day, and offer what he wil to our Lord. † The princes therfore of the [ 6] families promised, and the nobles of the tribes of Israel, the tribunes also and the centurions, and the princes of the kinges possessions. † And they gaue vnto the workes [ 7] of the house of our Lord, of gold, fiue thousand talentes, and ten thousand solidos: of siluer ten thousand talentes, and of brasse eightene thousand talentes: of yron also an hundred thousand talentes. † And with whomsoeuer were [ 8] found stones, they gaue them into the treasures of the house

of our Lord, by the hand of Iahiel the Gersonite. † And the [ 9] people reioysed, when they promised vowes of their owne accord: because they did offer them to our Lord with al their hart: yea and Dauid the king reioysed with great ioy. † And [ 10] he blessed our Lord before al the multitude, and he sayd: Blessed art thou ô Lord the God of Israel our father from eter∣nitie vnto eternitie. † Thine ô Lord is the magnificence, and [ 11] might, and glorie, and victorie: & to thee is the prayse: for al thinges that be in heauen, and in the earth, are thine: thine ô Lord is the kingdom, and thou art ouer al princes. † Thine are [ 12] riches and thine is glorie: thou hast dominion ouer al, in thy hand is power & might: in thy hand greatenesse, and the em∣pire of al thinges. † Now therfore our God we confesse to [ 13] thee, and we prayse thy glorious name. † Who am I, and what [ 14] is my people, that we can promisse thee al these thinges? al are thine: and thinges that we receiued of thy hand, we haue geuen thee. † For we are pilgrimes before thee, and strangers, [ 15] :: 1.738 as al our fathers. Our daies are as a shadow vpon the earth, and there is noe abyding. † Lord our God, al this plentie, [ 16] which we haue prepared that a house might be built to thy holie name, is of thy hand, and al thinges are thine. † I know [ 17] my God that thou prouest the hartes, and louest simplicitie, wherfore I also in the simplicitie of my hart, gladly haue offered al these thinges: and thy people, which is here found, I haue sene with great ioy offer thee donaries. † Lord God of [ 18] Abraham, and Isaac, and Israel our fathers, keepe for euer this wil of their hart, and let this mind reinayne al waies to the honour of thee. † To Salomon also my sonne geue a [ 19] perfect hart, that he keepe thy commandementes, thy testi∣monies, and thy ceremonies, and doe al thinges: and build the house, the expenses whereof I haue prepared. † And [ 20] Dauid commanded the whole assemblie: Blesse ye our Lord God. And al the assemblie blessed our Lord the God of their fathers: and they :: 1.739 bowed themselues, and adored God, and then the king. † And they immolated victime to our Lord: [ 21] and they offered holocaustes the day folowing, oxen a thou∣sand, rammes a thousand, lambes a thousand with their libamentes, & with al rite most abundantly for al Israel. † And [ 22] * 1.740 they did eate, and drinke before our Lord in that day with great ioy. And they anoynted the second time Salomon the sonne of Dauid. And they anoynted him to our Lord for the

prince, and Sadoc for the high priest. † And Salomon sate [ 23] vpon the throne of our Lord as king for Dauid his father, and he pleased al: & al Israel obeyed him. † Yea and al the princes, [ 24] and men of might, and al the sonnes of king Dauid gaue their hand, and were subiect to Salomon the king. † Our Lord [ 25] therfore magnified Salomon ouer al Israel: and gaue him the glorie of akingdom, such as no king of Israel had before him. † Dauid therfore the sonne of Isai reigned ouer al Israel. [ 26] † And the daies, that he reigned ouer Israel, were fourtie [ 27] yeares: in Hebron he reigned seuen yeares, and in Ierusalem three and thirtie yeares. † And he died in a good age, ful of [ 28] daies, and riches, and glorie. And Salomon his sonne reigned for him. † But the actes of king Dauid the first and the last [ 29] are writen in the Booke of Samuel the Seer, & in the Booke of :: 1.741 Nathan the prophete, & in the Volume of Gad the Seer: † and of al his kingdom, and strength, and of the times, that [ 30] passed vnder him, either in Israel, or in al the kingdomes of the earth.

THE ARGVMENT OF THE SECOND BOOKE OF PARALIPOMENON.

AS the former booke sheweth, how after manie generations from the* 1.742 * 1.743 beginning of the world, God selecting one special nation for his peculiar people, and the same being afterwardes made a kingdome, the Scepter therof, both by Gods and the peoples election, came to Dauid, and his sonne Salomon:* 1.744 See this booke declareth that first Salomon reigned peaccably ouer the whole kingdom. in the nine first chapters. Then, in the other twentie* 1.745 seuen chapters, relateth how the same kingdom was diuided, tenne tribes being taken away (the historie wherof is but here briefly touched) and two only, with the title of the kingdom of Iuda, were possessed, by succession of ninetenne kinges, al of Dauids and Salomons issue, in royal estate til the captiuitie in Babylon.

THE SECOND BOOKE OF PARALIPOMENON. IN HEBREW, DIBRE HAIAMIM.

CHAP. I. Salomon establi••hed in the throne, offereth a thousand hostes of sacrifice, 7. asking wisdome, 12. it is geuen him; with richesse, and temporal glorie, which he asked not. 14. He prouideth manie chariottes and horsemen.

SALOMON therfore the sonne of Dauid was [ 1] strengthened in his kingdom, and our Lord* 1.746 was with him, and magnified him on high. † And Salomon commanded al Israel, the [ 2] tribunes, and the centurious, and the dukes, and iudges of al Israel, and the princes of the families: † and he went with al the multitude into the [ 3] Excelse of Gabaon, where was the tabernacle of the couenant of our Lord, which Moyses the seruant of God made, in the wildernesse. † For Dauid had brought the Arke of God from [ 4] Cariathiarim into the place, which he had prepared for it,* 1.747 and where he had pitcht a tabernacle for it, that is, in Ieru∣salem. † The altar also of brasse, which Beseleel the sonne [ 5] of Vri the sonne of Hur had made was there before the ta∣bernacle of our Lord: which also Salomon sought, and al the assemblie. † And Salomon went vp to the altar of brasse, be∣fore [ 6] the tabernacle of the couenant of our Lord, and offered on it a thousand hostes † And behold in that verie night God [ 7] appeared to him, saying: Aske what thou wilt that I may geue it thee. † And Salomon sayd to God: Thou hast done [ 8] great mercie with my father Dauid: and hast made me king for him. † Now therfore Lord God be thy word fulfilled, [ 9] which thou hast promised to Dauid my father: for thou hast made me king ouer thy people great in number, which is so innumerable as the dust of the earth. † Geue me wisdom and [ 10] intelligence, that I may come in & goe out before thy people: for who can worthely iudge this thy people, which is so great? † And God sayd to Salomon: Because this rather hath pleased [ 11] thy hart, and thou hast not asked riches, and substance, and glorie, nor their liues that hate thee, no nor manie dayes of life:

but hast desired wisdom and knowledge, that thou mayst be able to iudge my people, ouer which I haue made thee king. † Wisdom and knowledge are geuen thee: and riches, and [ 12] substance and glorie I wil geue thee, soe that none among the kinges neither before thee, nor after thee shal be like thee. † Salomon therfore came from the Excelse of Gabaon into [ 13] Ierusalem before the tabernacle of couenant, & reigned ouer Israel. † And he gathered to him chariotes and horsemen, [ 14] and there amounted to him a thousand foure hundred cha∣riotes, and twelue thousand horsemen: and he caused them to be in the cities of the chariotes, and with the king in Ieru∣salem. † And the king gaue siluer and gold in Ierusalem :: 1.748 as [ 15] stones, & cedartrees as sycomores, which grow in the cham∣payne in great multitude. † And there were horses brought [ 16] him from Aegypt, and from Coa by the kinges merchantes, which went, and brought by a price, † a chariote of foure [ 17] horses for six hundred peces of siluer, and an horse for an hun∣dred fiftie: in like maner of al the kingdomes of Hetheites, and of the kinges of Syria market was made.

CHAP. II. Other workemen being prouided to build the Temple, 7. Salomon procureth a cunning artificer from the king of Tyre, and special timber, 16. to be cutte, and sent from thence.

AND Salomon determined to build a house to the name [ 1] of our Lord, and a palace for himself. † And he num∣bred [ 2] seuentie thousand men that caried on their shoulders,* 1.749 and eightie thousand that should hew stones in the moun∣taynes, and ouerseers of them three thousand six hundred. † He sent also to Hiram the king of Tyre, saying: As thou [ 3] didst with Dauid my father, and didst send him cedar trees, to build him a house, wherin also he dwelt: † so doe with me [ 4] that I may build a house to the name of our Lord my God, that I may consecrate it to burne incense before him, and to per∣fume with aromatical spices, and to the euerlasting proposi∣tion of loaues, and for holocaustes, morning and euening, on the sabbathes also, and the newmoones, and the solemnities of our Lord God for euer, which are commanded Israel. † For [ 5] the house which I desire to build, is great: for our God is great aboue al goddes. † Who then can be able, to build him a [ 6] worthie house? if heauen, and the heauens of heauens can not conteyne him: how great am I, that I may build him a

house? but to this end only, that incense may be burnt before him. † Send me therfore a cunning man, that hath skil to [ 7] worke in gold, and siluer, brasse, and yron, purple, scarlet, and hyacinth, and that knoweth to make engraued workes with these artificers, which I haue with me in Iewrie, and Ierusalem, whom Dauid my father prepared. † But send me [ 8] also cedar trees, firretrees, and pintrees from Libanus: for I know that thy seruantes haue skil to hew the timber of Libanus, and my seruantes shal be with thy seruantes, † that [ 9] manie trees may be prepared for me. For the house which I desire to build, is exceding great, and glorious. † Moreouer [ 10] to the workemen, that shal hew the trees, thy seruantes, I wil geue for victuals of wheat twentie thousand cores, and of barley as manie cores, and of wine twentie thousand, oyle also twentie thousand sates † And Hiram the king [ 11] of Tyre by letters, which he sent to Salomon, sayd: Be∣cause the Lord loued his people, therfore hath he made thee to reigne ouer it. † And he added, saying: Blessed be the Lord [ 12] the God of Israel, that made heauen and earth, who hath geuen to Dauid the king a sonne wise and learned, and of vnderstanding, and prudent, to build a house to the Lord, and a palace for himself. † I therfore haue sent thee a man wise [ 13] and most skilful Hiram, :: 1.750 my father, † the sonne of a woman [ 14] of the daughters of Dan, whose father was a Tyrian, who knoweth to worke in gold, and siluer, brasse, and yron, and marble, and in timber, in purple also, and hiacinth, and silke and scarlet: and that knoweth to graue al engrauing, and to deuise wisely whatsoeuer in the worke is necessarie with thy artificers, and with the artificers of my lord Dauid thy father. † The wheate therfore, and barley, and oile, and wine, which [ 15] thou my lord hast promised, send to thy seruantes. † And we [ 16] wil cut downe the trees out of Libanus, as manie as shal be necessarie for thee, and wil conuey them in boates by the sea vnto Ioppe: and it shal be thy part to transport them into Ie∣rusalem. † Salomon therfore numbred al the men, that were [ 17] proselytes in the land of Israel, after the numbering which Dauid his father numbered, and they were found an hundred fiftie three thousand and six hundred. † And he made of them [ 18] seuentie thousand, that should carie burdens on their shoul∣ders, and eightie thousand, that should cut stones out of the mountaynes: and three thousand and six hundred ouer∣seers of the worke of the people.

CHAP. III. The Temple is begunne to be built in mount Moria, the fourth yeare of Salo∣mons reigne. 3. the forme wherof is described, and the precious matter, 8. especially of Sancta sanctorum. 14. with a costlie veile, 15. and two excellent pillers before the gate.

AND Salomon began to build the house of our Lord in [ 1] Ierusalem, in mount :: 1.751 Moria, which had bene shewed to Dauid his father, in the place, which :: 1.752 Dauid had prepared* 1.753 in the floore of Ornan the Iebuseite. † And he began to [ 2] build in the second moneth, in the fourth yeare of his king∣dom. † And these be the fundations, which Salomon layd, [ 3] to build the house of God, of length in the first measure sixtie cubites, of bredth twentie cubites. † But the porch [ 4] before the front, which was extended in length according to the measure of the bredth of the house, of twentie cubites: moreouer the height was of an hundred twentie cubites: and he did guilt it on the inside with most pure gold. † Also [ 5] the greater house he couered with wodden bordes of firre¦tree, and he fastened on plates of fine gold throughout: and he graued in it palme trees, and as it were litle chaines em∣bracing one an other. † He paued also the floore of the [ 6] Temple with most precious marble, in much beautie. † More∣ouer [ 7] it was most tried gold, of the plates wherof he couered the house, and the beames therof, and the postes, and the walles, and the doores: and he graued cherubs in the walles. † He made also the house of Sanctum sanctorum: the length [ 8] according to the bredth of the house, of twentie cubites: and the bredth likewise of it twentie cubites: and he couered it with plates of gold, as it were six hundred talentes. † Yea [ 9] and he made nailes of gold, so that euerie naile weighed fiftie sicles a peece: the vpper chambers also he couered with gold. † He made also in the house of Sanctum sanctorum [ 10] two Cherubs of statuarie worke: and he couered them with gold. † The winges of the cherubs were extended twentie [ 11] cubites, so that one wing had fiue cubites, and touched the wal of the house: and the other hauing fiue cubites, touched the wing of the other cherub. † In like maner the wing of [ 12] the other cherub, had fiue cubites, and touched the wal: and his other wing of fiue cubites, touched the wing of the other Cherub. † Therfore the winges of both the cherubs [ 13]

were spred forth, and were extended twentie cubites: and they stoode vpright on their feete, and their faces were turned to the vtter house. † He made also a vele of hyacinth, purple, [ 14] scarlet, and silke: & woue in it cherubs. † Before the doores [ 15] also of the temple two pillers, which had fiue and thirtie cu∣bites in height: moreouer their heades, of fiue cubites. † More∣ouer [ 16] also as it were litle chaynes in the oracle, & he put them to the heades of the pillers: pomegranates also an hundred, which he put betwen the litle chaynes. † The pillers also them [ 17] selues he put in the entrance of the temple, one on the right hand, and the other on the left: that, which was on the right* 1.754 hand, he called Iachin: and that on the left hand, Boz.

CHAP. IIII. The formes of the brasen altar, 2. of the lauatorie (or Sea) with figures of twelue oxen, 6. of other tenne smal lauatories, 7. tenne candlestickes, 8. tenne tables, and an hundred bassens, a great hal for the Priestes, 10. and other vessel, and ornamentes of the Temple are described.

HE made also an altar of brasse :: 1.755 of twentie cubites in [ 1] length, and of twentie cubites in bredth, and of ten cubites in height. † :: 1.756 A Sea also cast, ten cubites from brimme [ 2] to brimme, round in compasse: it had fiue cubites in height,* 1.757 and a corde of thirtie cubires did compasse it round about. † There was also vnder it the similitude of oxen, and certaine [ 3] engrauinges of ten cubites on the outside compassed the bealie of the Sea, as it were with two rewes. † And the oxen [ 4] were cast: and the Sea it self was sette vpon the twelue oxen, of the which three looked toward the North, and other three to the West: moreouer other three to the South, and the three that remayned, to the East, hauing the Sea put vpon them: and the hinder partes of the oxen were inward vnder the sea. † Moreouer the thicknesse therof had the measure [ 5] of a palme, and the brimme therof was as it were the brimme of a chalice, or of a crisped lilie: and it held three thousand metretes. † He made also ten lauatories: and set fiue on the [ 6] right hand, and fiue on the left, that they might wash in them al thinges, that they would offer for holocaust: moreouer in the Sea the priestes were washed. † And he made also [ 7] :: 1.758 ten golden candlestickes, according to the fashion which they were commanded to be made by: and he set them in the temple, fiue on the right hand, & fiue on the left. † More∣ouer [ 8] also ten tables: and he set them in the temple, fiue on

the right hand, and fiue on the left. Phials also of gold an hundred. † He made also the court of the priestes, and a great [ 9] hal: and doores in the hal, which he couered with brasse. † Moreouer he set the Sea on the right side agaynst the East [ 10] toward the South. † And Hiram made cauldrons, and flesh [ 11] hookes, and phials: and accomplished al the kinges worke in the house of God: † that is to say, two pillers, and the * 1.759 cha∣piters, [ 12] and the heades, and asit were certayne litle nettes, which should couer the heades ouer the chapiters. † Pome∣granates [ 13] also foure hundred, and two litle nettes, soe that two rewes of the pomegranates were ioyned to ech litle nette, which couered the pommels, and the heades of the pillers. † He made feete also, and lauatories, which he put [ 14] vpon the feete: † one sea, also twelue oxen vnder the sea. [ 15] † And the cauldrons, and flesh hookes, and phials. Al the [ 16] vessels did Hiram his father make for Salomon in the house of our Lord of most pure brasse. † In the countrie of Iordan [ 17] did the king cast them, in a clay ground bewen Socot and Saredatha. † And the multitude of vessels was innumerable, so [ 18] that the weight of the brasse was not knowen. † And Salo∣mon [ 19] made al the vessels of the house of God, and the golden altar, and the tables, & vpon them the loaues of proposition, † the candlestickes also with their lampes to giue light be∣fore [ 20] the oracle, according to the rite, of most pure gold: † and [ 21] certayne florishing thinges, and lampes, and golden tonges al were made of most fine gold. † The vessels also of persume [ 22] and censars, and phials, and litle mortars, of most pure gold. And he graued the doores of the inner temple, that is, in Sancta sanctorum: and the doores of the temple without of gold. And so al the worke was finishd which Salomon made in the house of our Lord.

CHAP. V. Manie giftes are offered. 4. The Arke is brought with great solennitie into the Temple. 6. Innumerable hostes are offered, 11. with excellent musick, & the Temple is replenished with the glorie of God.

SALOMON therfore brought in al the thinges, that Dauid [ 1] his father had vowed, the siluer, and gold, and al the vessels he put in the treasures of the house of God. † After which [ 2] thinges he gathered together al the ancientes of Israel, and* 1.760 al the princes of the tribes, and the heades of families, of the

children of Israel into Ierusalem, to bring :: 1.761 the Arke of the couenant of our Lord from the Citie of Dauid, which is Sion. † There came therfore vnto the king al the men of Israel in [ 3] the solemne day of the seuenth moneth. † And when al the [ 4] ancientes of Israel were come, the Leuites caried the Arke, † and brought it in, and al the furniture of the tabernacle. [ 5] Moreouer the Priestes, with the Leuites did carrie the vessels of the Sanctuarie, which were in the tabernacle. † And king [ 6] Salomon, and al the assemblie of Israel, and al that were gathered before the Arke, immolated rammes, and oxen without anie number: for so great was the multitude of vi∣ctimes. † And the priestes brought in the Arke of the coue∣nant [ 7] of our Lord into his place, that is, to the oracle of the temple, into Sancta sanctorum vnder the winges of the cherubs: † so that the cherubs spred their winges ouer the [ 8] place, wherin the Arke was set, and couered the Arke it selfe with his barres. † And the heades of the barres, wherwith [ 9] the Arke was caried, because they were a litle longer, appea∣red before the oracle: but if a man had beene a litle outward, he could not see them. The Arke therfore was there vntil this present day. † And there was nothing in the Arke, but [ 10] the two tables, which Moyses had put in Horeb, when our Lord gaue the law to the children of Israel coming out of Aegypt. † And the Priestes being gone out of the Sanctuarie [ 11] (for al the priestes that could be found there, were sanctified, neither as yet at that time were the courses, and the order of the ministeries deuided among them)▪ † as wel the Leuites [ 12] as the singing men, that is, both they which were vnder Asaph, and they which were vnder Heman, and they which were vnder Idithun, their sonnes, & brethren reuested with finne linnen clothes, sounded on cymbals, and psalteries, and harpes, standing at the East side of the Altar, and with them Priestes an hundred twentie, founding with trumpettes. † Therfore al sounding together, both with trumpettes, and [ 13] voyce, and cymbals, and organes, and with diuerse kind of musical instrumentes, and lifteng vp their voice on high: the sound was heard far of, so that when they began to prayse our Lord, and to say: Confesse to our Lord because he is good, because his mercie is for euer: the house of God was filled with a cloud, † that the Priestes could not stand and minister [ 14] for the darkenesse. For the glorie of our Lord had filled the house of God.

CHAP. VI. Salomon blesseth the people. 4. prayeth to God, geuing thankes for benefites receiued, 16. and requesting continual protection, and that God wil heare the prayers of the people, 32. yea also of strangers that pray in the Temple.

THEN Salomon sayd: Our Lord promised that he would [ 1] dwel :: 1.762 in darkenesse: † and I haue built a house to his [ 2] name, that he might dwel there for euer. † And the king [ 3] turned his face, and blessed al the multitude of Israel (for al the multitude stood attent) and sayd: † Blessed be our Lord [ 4] the God of Israel, who in worke hath accomplished that, which he spake to Dauid my father, saying: † From the day, [ 5] that I brought my people out of the Land of Aegypt, I chose not a citie of al the tribes of Israel, that a house might be built in it to my name: neither did I choose anie other man, to be Duke in my people Israel. † but I chose Ierusalem, that my, [ 6] name may be in it: and I chose Dauid, that I might appoynt him ouer my people Israel. † And wheras Dauid my father [ 7] had meant to build a house to the name of our Lord the God of Israel, † our Lord sayd to him: Because thy wil was this, [ 8] that thou wouldest build a house to my name, thou hast done wel certes to haue such a wil: † howbeit thou shalt not build [ 9] the house, but thy sonne, which shal come out of thy loynes, he shal build a house to my name. † Our Lord therfore hath [ 10] accomplished his word, which he spake: and I am risen for Dauid my father, and sit vpon the throne of Israel, as our Lord hath spoken: and haue built a house to the name of our Lord the God of Israel. † And I haue put in it the Arke, [ 11] wherin is the couenant of our Lord, which he made with the children of Israel: † He therfore stoode before the Altar [ 12] of our Lord, ouer agaynst al the multitude of Israel, and stret∣ched forth his handes. † For Salomon had made an eminent [ 13] place of brasse, and had put it in the middes of the * 1.763 Temple, hauing fiue cubites of length, & bredth, & three of height: & he stoode vpon it: & afterward :: 1.764 kn̄eeling ouer agaynst al the multitude of Israel, and :: 1.765 his handes lifted vp toward heauen, † he sayd: Lord God of Israel, there is not the like God to thee [ 14] in heauen and in earth: which keepest couenant and mercie with thy seruantes, that walke before thee in al their hart: † which hast performed to thy seruant Dauid my father what [ 15] thinges soeuer thou hadst spoken to him: and the thinges that

by mouth thou hadst promised, in worke thou hast accompli∣shed, as also the present time proueth. † Now therfore Lord [ 16] God of Israel, fulfil to thy seruant my father Dauid, what soeuer thou didst speake to him, saying: There shal not fayle of thee a man before me, to sitte vpon the throne of Israel: yet so if thy children keepe their waies, and walke in my law, as thou also hast walked before me. † And now Lord God of [ 17] Israel, be thy word confirmed, which thou hast spoken to thy seruant Dauid. † Is it credible then that God should [ 18] dwel with men vpon the earth? If heauen and the heauens of heauens doe not take thee, how much more this house, which I haue built? † But to this end only it is made, that [ 19] thou shouldest respect the prayer of thy seruant, and his sup∣plication Lord my God: and mayst heare the prayers, which thy seruant powreth out before thee: † that thou open thine [ 20] eies vpon this house daies & nightes, vpon the place, wherein thou hast promised that thy name should be inuocated, † and [ 21] wouldest heare the prayer, which thy seruant prayeth in it: and mayst heare the prayers of thy seruant, and of thy people Israel. Whosoeuer shal pray in this place, heare out of thy habitation, that is from the heauens, and be propitious. † If [ 22] anie man shal sinne agaynst his neighbour, and come readie to sweare agaynst him, and binde himself with a curse before the altar in this house: † thou shalt heare from heauen, and [ 23] shalt doe the iudgement of thy seruantes, so that thou render to the vniust his way vpon his owne head, and reuenge the iust, rewarding him according to his iustice. † If thy people [ 24] Israel shal be ouercome of their enemies, (for they wil sinne to thee) and conuerted shal doe penance, and besech thy name, and pray in this place, † thou shalt heare from heauen, [ 25] and be thou propetious to the sinne of thy people Israel, and reduce them into the land, which thou gauest them, and their fathers. † If the heauen being shut, there fal no rayne for the [ 26] sinnes of the people, and they shal besech thee in this place, and shal confesse to thy name, and shal be conuerted from their sinnes, when thou shalt afflict them, † heare from [ 27] heauen ô Lord, and forgeue the sinnes of thy seruantes and of thy people Israel, and teach them the good way, by the which they may goe: and geue rayne to thy land, which thou hast geuen thy people to possesse. † If famine shal arise in the land, [ 28] and pestilence, rust, and blast, and locust, and bruche, and the

enemies, wasting the countries, shal besiege the gates of the citie, and al plague and infirmitie shal presse them: † if any of [ 29] thy people Israel shal pray; knowing their plague and infirmi∣tie, and shal spred forth their handes in :: 1.766 this house, † thou [ 30] shalt heare from heauen, to wit, out of thy high habitation, and be thou propitious, and render to euerie one according to his wayes, which thou knowest him to haue in his hart: (for thou onlie knowest the hartes of the children of men:) † that [ 31] they may feare thee, and walke in thy waies al the daies, that they liue vpon the face of the land, which thou hast geuen to our fathers. † The Forener also, which is not of thy people Is∣rael, [ 32] if he come from a far countrie, for thy strong hand, & thy streched out arme, and adore in this place: † thou shalt heare [ 33] from heauen thy most firme habitation, & shalt do al thinges, for the which that pilgrime shal inuocate thee: that al the peoples of the earth may know thy name, and may feare thee, as thy people Israel, and may know, that thy name is inuoca∣ted vpon this house, which I haue built. † If thy people shal [ 34] goe forth to warre agaynst their aduersaries, by the way, that thou shalt send them, shal adore thee agaynst the way, wherein is this citie, which thou hast chosen, and the house, which I haue built to thy name: † thou shalt from heauen heare their [ 35] prayers, and petition, and doe thou reuenge. † And if they shal [ 36] sinne to thee (for there is no man that sinneth not) and thou be angrie with them, and deliuer them to the enemies, and they leade them captiue into a farre countrie, or which is neere at the least, † and being conuerted in their hart in the [ 37] land, to the which they were led captiue, shal doe penance, and shal besech thee in the land of their captiuitie, sayng: We haue sinned, we haue done wickedly, we haue delt vniustly: † and shal returne to thee in al their hart, and in al their soule, [ 38] in the land of their captiuitie, to the which they were led, shal adore thee agaynst the way of their land, which thou gauest their fathers, and of the citie, which thou hast chosen, and of the house, which I haue built to thy name: † thou [ 39] shalt heare from heauen, that is, from thy firme habitation their prayers, and doe thou iudgement, and forgeue thy people, although sinneful: † for thou art my God: let thine [ 40] eies, I besech thee, be opened, and let thine eares be attent, to the prayer, that is made in this place. † Now therfore arise [ 41] Lord God in thy rest, thou and the Arke of thy strength: Let

thy Priestes Lord God put on saluation, & thy Saintes reioyse in good thinges. † Lord God turne not away from the face [ 42] of my Christ: remember the mercies of Dauid thy seruant.

CHAP. VII. Fire from heauen deuoureth the holocaustes, and glorie replenisheth the Temple. 5. More sacrifices are offered, 8. and the Temple is dedicated, with seven daies solemnitie, the eight day collection is made. 12. God signifieth that he hath heard Salomons prayer. 17. conditionally (as it was made) if they serue him, 19. otherwise he wil punish them.

AND when Salomon had finished to poure out his [ 1] prayers, fyre descended from heauen, and deuoured the holocaustes and victimes: and the maiestie of our Lord filled the house. † Neither could the Priestes enter into the [ 2] Temple of our Lord, because the maiestie of our Lord had filled the temple of our Lord. † Yea and al the children of [ 3] Israel sawe the fyre descending, and the glorie of our Lord vpon the house: and falling flat on the earth vpon the paue∣ment paued with stone, they adored, and praysed our Lord: Because he is good, because his mercie is for euer. † And [ 4] the king and al the people immolated victimes before our Lord. †. King Salomon therfore killed hostes, of oxen [ 5] twentie two thousand, of rammes an hundred twentie thou∣sand: and the king and al the people dedicated the house of God. † And the Priestes stood in their offices: and the Le∣uites [ 6] with the instrumentes of the songues of our Lord, which Dauid the king made to prayse our Lord: Because his mercie is for euer, singing :: 1.767 the hymnes of Dauid by their handes: moreouer the Priestes sounded with trumpettes before them, and al Israel stood. † Salomon also sanctified [ 7] the middes of the court before the temple of our Lord: for he had offered there the holocaustes, and the fatte of the paci∣fiques: because the brasen altar, which he had made, could not susteyne the holocaustes and the sacrifices and the fatte. † Salomon therfore made a solemnitie at that time seuen [ 8] daies, and al Israel with him, an assemblie verie great, from the entrance of Emath to the Torrent of Aegypt. † And he [ 9] made in the eight day an assemblie, because he had dedicated the altar seuen daies, and had celebrated the solemnitie seuen daies. † Therfore in the three and twenteth day of the se∣uenth [ 10] moneth, he dismist the people to their tabernacles,

reioysing and being glad for the good, that our Lord had done to Dauid, and Salomon, and Israel his people. † And [ 11] Salomon accomplished the house of our Lord, and the house of the king, and al that he had disposed in his hart to do, in the house of our Lord, and in his owne house, and he pro∣spered. † And our Lord appeared to him by night, and sayd: [ 12] I haue heard thy prayer, and haue chosen this place to me for a house of sacrifice. † If I shal shut heauen, and rayne fal [ 13] not, and shal bid and command the locust to deuoure the land, and shal send pestilence into my people: † and my [ 14] people being conuerted, vpon whom my name is inuocated, shal besech me, and seeke out my face, and shal doe penance from their most wicked waies: I also wil heare from heauen, and wil be propitious to their sinnes, and wil saue their land. † Mine eies also shal be opened, and mine eares [ 15] erected to his prayer, that shal pray in this place. † For I [ 16] haue chosen, and haue sanctified this place, that my name may be there for euer, and mine eies and my hart may remaine there al daies. † Thou also if thou walke before me, as Dauid [ 17] thy father walked, and shalt doe according to al thinges, which I haue commanded thee, and shalt keepe my iustices and iudgementes: † I wil rayse vp the throne of thy king∣dom, [ 18] as I promised to Dauid thy father, saying: There shal not be taken away of thy stocke a man, that shal be prince in Israel. † But if you shal be turned away, and shal forsake my [ 19] iustices, and my preceptes, which I haue proposed to you, and going shal serue strange goddes, and adore them, † I [ 20] wil plucke you out of my land, which I haue geuen you: and this house, which I haue sanctified to my name, I wil cast away from my face, and wil deliuer it for a parable, and an exemple to al peoples. † And this house shal be for a prouerbe [ 21] to al passengers, and they shal say being astonyshed: Why hath the Lord done so to this land, and to this house? † And [ 22] they shal answer: Because they forsooke the Lord the God of their fathers, who brought them out of the Land of Aegypt, and tooke hold of strange goddes, and adored them, and worshipped them: therfore are al these euils come vpon them.

CHAP. VIII. Salomon buildeth diuers cities, 7. maketh the residue of the Chananites tri∣butarie. 12. offereth the ordinarie hostes of sacrifices in the solemne feastes.

14. disposeth the Priestes and Leuites in their offices, as Dauid had ordai∣ned: 17. and sendeth shippes to fetch gold from Ophir.

AND twentie yeares being complete after that Salomon [ 1] built the house of our Lord and his owne house: † he [ 2] built the cities, which Hiram had geuen to Salomon, and made the children of Israel dwel there. † He went also into [ 3] Emath Suba, and obteyned it. † And he built Palmira in the [ 4] desert, and he built other cities very wel fensed in Emath. † And he built Beth horon the vpper, and Beth horon the [ 5] nether, walled cities hauing gates and barrigates and lockes. † Balaath also and al the strongest cities that were Salomons, [ 6] and al the cities of the chariotes, and the cities of the horse∣men. Al thinges whatsoeuer Salomon would, & disposed, he built in Ierusalem and in Libanus, and in al the land of his do∣minion. † Al the people that was leaft of the Hetheites, and [ 7] Amorrheites, and Pherezeites, and Heueites, and Iebuseites, which were not of the stocke of Israel, † of their children: [ 8] and of the posteritie, which the children of Israel had not slaine, Salomon subdewed to be tributaries, vntil this day. † Moreouer of the children of Israel he sette not to serue the [ 9] kinges workes: for they were men of warre, and the chiefe captaines, and princes of his chariotes and horsemen. † And [ 10] al the princes of king Salomons armie were two hundred fiftie, which taught the people. † But the daughter of [ 11] Pharao he remoued from the citie of Dauid, into the house, which he had built for her. For the king sayd: My wife shal not dwel in the house of Dauid the king of Israel, :: 1.768 because it is sanctified: because the Arke of our Lord is entered into it. † Then Salomon offered holocaustes to our Lord vpon [ 12] the altar of our Lord, which he had built before the porch, † that euerie day there might be offering on it▪ according to [ 13] the precept of Moyses, in the Sabbathes, and in the Calendes, and in the festiual daies thrise a yere, that is to say, in the Solemnitie of Azymes, and in the Solemnitie of weekes, and in the Solemnitie of tabernacles. † And he appoynted ac∣cording [ 14] to the disposition of Dauid his father the offices of the Priestes in their ministeries: & the Leuites in their order that they should prayse, and minister before the Priestes ac∣cording to the rite of euerie day: & the porters in their diui∣sions by gate and gate: (for so Dauid the man of God had

commanded. † Neither did they trangresse of the kinges [ 15] commandementes as wel the Priestes as the Leuites, touching al thinges, that he had commanded, and in the custodies of the treasures. † Salomon had al expenses prepared, from the [ 16] day that he founded the house of our Lord, vntil the day wherein he perfitted it. † Then went Salomon into Asion∣gaber, [ 17] and into Ailath to the coast of the Red sea, which is in the Land of Edom. † And Hiram sent vnto him by the [ 18] handes of his seruantes, shippes, and cunning mariners, and they went with Salomons seruantes into Ophir, and they tooke from thence foure hundred fiftie talentes of gold, and brought it to king Salomon.

CHAP. IX. The Queene of Saba admireth Salomons wisdom, 9. giueth, and receiueth presents. 13. Of the great store of treasure which is yearely brought in, 13. king Salomon maketh pretious armour, 17. a throne, 20. and plate. 24. Other kinges send him giftes, so he abundeth in glorie, and riches. 29. After fourtie yeares reigne he dieth, and his sonne Roboam succedeth.

THE queene of Saba also, when she had heard the fame [ 1] * 1.769 of Salomon, came to proue him in hard propositions in Ierusalem, with great riches, and camels, which caried spices, and very much gold, and pretious stones. And when she was come to Salomon, she spake to him what thinges soeuer were in her hart. † And Salomon expounded to her [ 2] al thinges that she propounded: neither was there anie thing, that he made not playne vnto her. † Who after she [ 3] saw, to witte, the wisedom of Salomon, and the house which he had built, † moreouer also the meates of his table, [ 4] and the habitations of his seruantes, and the offices of his ministers, and their garmentes, the cupbearers also, and their garmentes, and the victimes, which he immolated in the house of our Lord: there was no spirit in her anie longer, she was soe astonied. † And she sayd to the king: The word is [ 5] true, which I heard in my countrie of thy vertues and wis∣dom. † I did not beleue them that told it, vntil my self was [ 6] come, and mine eies had seene, and I had proued scarce the half part of thy wisedom to haue beene told me: thou hast passed the fame with thy vertues. † Blessed are thy men, and [ 7] blessed are thy seruantes, which assist before thee at al time, and heare thy wisedom. † Be the Lord thy God blessed, who [ 8]

would ordayne thee ouer his throne, king:: 1.770 of the Lord thy God. Because God loueth Israel, and wil preserue it for euer: therfore hath he sette thee king ouer it, to doe iudge∣mentes and iustice. † And she gaue to the king an hundred [ 9] twentie talentes of gold, and spices exceding much, and most pretious stones: there were not such spices, as these, which the Queene of Saba gaue to King Salomon. † But [ 10] the seruantes of Hiram also with the seruantes of Salomon brought gold from Ophir, and Thymtrees, and most pretious stones: † wherof the king made, to witte, of the [ 11] Thymtrees, stayers in the house of our Lord, and in the kinges house, harpes also and psalteries for the singing men: neuer were there seene such trees in the Land of Iuda. † And [ 12] king Salomon gaue to the Queene of Saba al thinges that she would, and that she asked, and manie moe thinges then she brought to him: who returning, went into her countrie with her seruantes. † And the weight of the gold, that was [ 13] brought to Salomon euerie yeare was six hundred sixtie six ta∣lentes of gold: † beside that summe, which the legates of [ 14] diuers nations, and the merchantes were accustomed to bring, and al the kinges of Arabia, and the Dukes of the landes, which brought gold and siluer to Salomon. † King [ 15] Salomon therfore made two hundred golden speares, of the summe of six hundred peces of gold, which were spent in euerie speare: † also three hundred golden shieldes of three [ 16] hundred peces of gold, with which euerie shield was co∣uered: and the king put them in the armarie, which was besette with a wood. † The king also made a great throne of [ 17] i••orie, and couered it with most fyne gold. † Six steppes [ 18] also, wherwith the going vp was to the throne, and a foote stoole of gold, and two litle armes on either side, and two lions standing by the litle armes, † yea and other twelue litle [ 19] lions standing vpon the steppes on both sides: there was not such a throne in al kingdomes. † Al the vessels also of the [ 20] kinges table were of gold, and the vessels of the house of the forest of Libanus of most pure gold. For siluer in those daies was reputed for nothing. † For the kinges shippes went into [ 21] Tharsis with the seruantes of H••ram, once in three yeares: and they brought from thence gold and siluer, and yuorie, and apes, and pecockes. † Salomon therfore was magni∣fied [ 22] aboue al the kinges of the earth for riches and glorie.

† And al the kinges of the earth desired to see Salomons [ 23] face, that they might heare the wisedom, which God had geuen in his hart. † And they brought him giftes, vessels of [ 24] siluer, and gold, and garmentes, and armour, and spices, horses, and mules, euerie yeare. † Salomon also had fourtie [ 25] thousand horses in the stables, and of chariotes, and horse∣men twelue thousand, and he placed them in the cities of the chariotes, and where the king was in Ierusalem. † He [ 26] exercised also authoritie ouer al the kinges from the riuer Euphrates vnto the land of the Philisthines, and vnto the borders of Aegypt. † And he made so great plentie of siluer [ 27] in Ierusalem as it were of stones: and of cedres so great a multitude as of sicomores, which grow in the champayne. † And horses were brought him out of Aegypt, and al coun∣tries. [ 28] † But the rest of of the workes of Salomon the first [ 29] and the last are writen in the wordes of Nathan the Prophet, and in the bookes of Ahias the Silonite, in the Vision also of Addo the Seer, agayast Ieroboam the sonne of Nabat. † And Salomon reigned in Ierusalem ouer al Israel fourtie [ 30] yeares. † And he :: 1.771 slept with his fathers: and they buried [ 31] him in the citie of Dauid: and Roboam his sonne reigned for him.

CHAP. X. Roboam requested by Ieroboam and the people to lighten their yoke of seruice, 6. leauing the counsel of the ancient, and folowing young counsellers, threatneth to presse the people. 16. Wherupen manie reuolt from him.

AND Roboam went forth into Sichem: for thither al [ 1] * 1.772 * 1.773 Israel was assembled, to make him king. † Which when [ 2] Ieraboam the sonne of Nabat had heard, who was in Aegypt (for he was fled thither from Salomon) forthwith he retur∣ned. † And they called him, & he came with al Israel & spake [ 3] to Roboam, saying: † Thy father pressed vs with a most [ 4] hard yoke, do thou command lighter thinges then thy father, who layd vpon vs a heauie seruitude, and ease thou a litle of the burden, that we may serue thee. † Who sayd: [ 5] After three daies returne ye to me. And when the people was gone, † he tooke counsel with the Ancientes, which stoode [ 6] before his father Salomon, whiles he yet liued, saying: What counsel geue you, that I may answer the people? † Who sayd [ 7] to him: If thou wilt please this people, and pacific them with

wordes of clemencie, they wil serue thee at al times. † But [ 8] he forsooke the counsel of the Ancientes, and began to treat with yongmen, that had beene brought vp with him, and were in his trayne. † And he sayd to them: What semeth to [ 9] you? or what shal I answer this people, which hath sayd to me: Ease the yoke which thy father layd vpon vs? † But they [ 10] answered as yongmen, and brought vp with him in delica∣nesse, and sayd: Thus shalt thou speake to the people, that sayd to thee: Thy father aggrauated our yoke, doe thou ease it: and thus shalt thou answer them: My least finger is thicker then the loynes of my father. † My father layd vpon yow an [ 11] heauie yoke, and I wil adde a greater weight: my father bette you with scourges, but I wil beate you with scorpions. † Iero∣boam [ 12] therfore came, and al the people to Roboam the third day, as he had commanded them. † And the king answered [ 13] rough wordes, leauing the counsel of the Ancientes: † and [ 14] he spake according to the yongmens wil: My father layd vpon you a heauie yoke, which I wil make heauier: my father bette you with scourges, but I wil beate you with scorpions. † And he condescended not to the peoples requestes: for it [ 15] was the wil of God, that his word should be accomplished, which he had spoken by the hand of Ahias the Silonite to Ieroboam the sonne of Nabat. † And al the people when the [ 16] king spake rough wordes, sayd thus vnto him: We haue no part in Dauid, nor inheritance in the sonne of Isai. Returne into thy tabernacles ô Israel, and do thou feede thy house Dauid. And Israel went into their tabernacles. † But ouer the [ 17] children of Israel▪ that dwelt in the cities of Iuda, Roboam reigned. † And king Roboam sent Aduram, who was ouer [ 18] the tributes, and the children of Israel stoned him, and he died: moreouer king Roboam made hast to get vp into his chariote, and fled into Ierusalem. † And Israel reuolted from [ 19] the house of Dauid vntil this day.

CHAP. XI. Roboam intending by force to reduce ••l Israel to his subiection, is Warned by a Prophet to cease from that enterprise. 5. He maketh Walles about diuers cities, 11. ••urnisheth them With Victuals, and munition, 13. Priestes, Leuites, and manie others repaire to Ierusalem, because Ieroboam maketh a new religion, and new priestes 18. Roboam taket•• manie Wiues, and concubines. 22. preferreth A••ias aboue al his other sonnes.

AND Roboam came into Ierusalem, and called together [ 1] al the house of Iuda and Beniamin, an hundred foure∣score thousand chosen men and warriers, to fight agaynst Is∣rael, and to conuert his kingdom vnto him. † And the word [ 2] of our Lord came to Semeias the man of God, saying: † Speake [ 3] to Roboam the sonne of Salomon the king of Iuda, and to al Israel, that is in Iuda and Beniamin: † Thus sayth our Lord: [ 4] You shal not goe vp, neither shal you fight agaynst your bre∣thren: let euerie man returne into his house, because this thing is done by my wil. Who when they had heard the word of our Lord, returned, neither went they forward agaynst Ieroboam. † And Roboam dwelt in Ierusalem, and built [ 5] walled cities in Iuda. † And he built Bethlehem, and Etam, [ 6] and Thecue, † Bethsur also, and Socho, & Odollam, † more∣ouer [ 7] also Geth, and Maresa, and Ziph, † yea and Aduram, and [ 8] Lachis, and Azeca, † Saraa also, and Aialon, and Hebron, [ 9] which were in Iuda and Beniamin, most fensed cities. † And [ 10] when he had inclosed them with walles, he put in them [ 11] princes, and store houses of victuals, that is, of oile and wine. † Yea and in euerie citie he made armories of shieldes and [ 12] speares, and he strengthened them with great diligence, and reigned ouer Iuda and Beniamin. † And the Priestes and [ 13] Leuites, that were in al Israel, came to him out of al their seates, † :: 1.774 leauing their suburbes, and their possessious, and [ 14] passing to Iuda, and Ierusalem, because Ieroboam had cast them of, and their posteritie: that they should not execute the priesthood of our Lord. † Who made vnto him selfe [ 15] priestes of the excelses, and of diuels, and of the calues which he had made. † Yea and of al the tribes of Israel, whosoeuer [ 16] had geuen their hart to seeke our Lord the God of Israel, came into Ierusalem to immolate their victims before our Lord the God of their fathers. † And they strenghened the kingdom [ 17] of Iuda, and established Roboam the sonne of Salomon for three yeares: for they walked in the waies of Dauid and Salo∣mon, onlie three yeares. † And Roboam tooke to wife Maha∣lath, [ 18] the daughter of Ierimoth the sonne of Dauid: Abi••ail also the daughter of Eliab the sonne of Isai, † who bare him [ 19] sonnes Iehus, and Somorias, and Zoom. † After this woman [ 20] also he tooke Maacha the daughter of Absalom, who bare him Abia, and Ethai, and Ziza, and Salomith. † And Roboam [ 21] loued Maacha the daughter of Absalom aboue al his wiues,

and concubines: for he had maried eightene wiues, and three∣score concubines: and he begat eight and twentie sonnes, and threescore daughters. † But he appoynted for head Abias the [ 22] sonne of Maacha duke ouer al his brethren: for he meant to make him king, † because he was wiser, and mightier aboue [ 23] al his sonnes, and in al the costes of Iuda, and of Beniamin, and in al the walled cities: and he gaue them much meate, and he disired manie wiues.

CHAP. XII. For the sinnes of Roboam, and the people manie strong cities, also Ierusalem; are taken and spoyled by the king of Aegypt. 8. They repent, and the Aegyp∣tians depart, 9. but carie away the treasures. 13. Roboam dieth, and his sonne Abias reigneth.

AND when the kingdom of Roboam was strengthened [ 1] and fortified, he forsooke the law of our Lord, and al Israel with him. † And in the fifth yeare of the kingdom of [ 2] Roboam, came vp Sesac the king of Aegypt into Ierusalem (because they had sinned to our Lord) † with a thousand [ 3] two hundred chariotes, and threescore thousand horsemen: neither was anie number of the common people, that came with him out of Aegypt, to witte, Lybians, and Troglodytes, and Aethiopians. † And he tooke the most fensed cities in [ 4] Iuda, and came ouer vnto Ierusalem. † And Semeias the pro∣phete [ 5] went to Roboam, and to the princes of Iuda, that were gathered togetherin Ierusalem, fleing from Sasac, and he sayd to them: Thus sayth our Lord: You haue leaft me, and I haue leaft you in the hand of Sesac. † And the princes of Israel, [ 6] and the king, being astonied, sayd: Our Lord is iust. † And [ 7] when our Lord had seene that they were humbled, the word of our Lord came to Semeias, saying: Because they are hum∣bled, I wil not destroy them, and I wil geue them a litle ayde, and my furie shal not droppe vpon Ierusalem by the hand of Sesac. † But yet they shal serue him, that they may know [ 8] the distance of my seruice, and of the seruice of the kingdom of the earth. † Therfore Sesac the king of Aepypt retyred [ 9] from Ierusalem, taking away the treasures of the house of our Lord, and of the kinges house, and he tooke al thinges with him, and the golden shieldes that Salomon had made, † for the which the king made brasen ones, and deliuered [ 10] them to the princes of the shieldbearers, which kept the

entrance of the palace. † And when the king entred into the [ 11] house of our Lord, the shieldbearers came, and tooke them, & brought them backe agayne to their armorie. † But yet be∣cause [ 12] they were humbled, the wrath of our Lord was turned away from them, neither were they vtterly destroyed: for in Iuda there were found good workes. † King Roboam ther∣fore [ 13] was strengthened in Ierusalem, & reigned: one and four∣tie yeares old was he when he beganne to reigne, and he rei∣gned seuentene yeares in Ierusalem, the citie, which our Lord chose, to confirme his name there, out of al the tribes of Israel: and the name of his mother was Naama an Ammonite. † And [ 14] he did euil, and prepared not his hart to seke our Lord. † But [ 15] the workes of Roboam the first and the last are writen in the Bookes of Semeias the Prophete, and of Addo the Seer, and diligently expounded: and Roboam and Ietoboam fought one agaynst the other al their daies. † And Roboam slept [ 16] with his fathers, and was buried in the citie of Dauid. And Abias his sonne reigned for him.

CHAP. XIII. Abias maketh warre agaynst Ieroboam. 4. exhorteth the people of Israel for iustice, and religions sake to returne to him. 13. In the meane time Iero∣boam inuironeth him with forces, but by Gods assistance Abias preuaileth. 21. and reigneth securely.

IN the eightenth yeare of king Ieroboam, reigned Abias [ 1] * 1.775 ouer Iuda. † Three yeares reigned he in Ierusalem, and [ 2] his mothers name was Michaia, the daughter of Vriel of Gabaa: there was warre betwen Abias and Ieroboam. † And [ 3] when Abias had begun battel, and had most warlike men, & of chosen ones four hundreth thousand: Ieroboam put his armie in aray on the contrarie side, eight hundreth thousand men, who them selues also were chosen men, and most valiant to battels. † Abias therfore stood vpon mount Semeron, [ 4] which was in Ephraim, and sayd: Heare Ieroboam, and al Israel: † Are you ignorant that our Lord the God of Israel gaue [ 5] the kingdom to Dauid ouer Israel for euer, to him and his children as a :: 1.776 couenant of salt? † And there rose vp Iero∣boam [ 6] the sonne of Nabat, the seruant of Salomon the sonne of Dauid: and rebelled agaynst his lord. † And there were [ 7] gathered to him al the most vayne men, and the children of Belial: and they preuayled agaynst Roboam the sonne of

Salomon: moreouer Roboam was rude, and of a fearful hart, and could not resist them. † Now therfore you say that you [ 8] are able to resist the kingdom of our Lord, which he posses∣seth by the children of Dauid, and you haue a great multi∣tude of people, and golden calues, which Ieroboam hath made you for goddes. † And you haue cast out the Priestes of [ 9] of our Lord, the children of Aaron, and the Leuites: and you haue made you priestes, as al the peoples of the earth: who soeuer shal come & consecrate his hand in a bullock of oxen, and in seuen rammes, is made the priest of them that are not goddes, † But our Lord is God, whom we forsake not, and [ 10] the Priestes do minister to our Lord of the children of Aaron, and the Leuites are in their order. † Holocaustes also they do [ 11] offer to our Lord, euerie day morning and euening, and in∣cense made according to the preceptes of the law, and the loaues are set forth on a most cleane table, and there is with vs the golden condlesticke, and the lampes therof, that they may be lighted alwaies at euening: for we keepe the preceptes of the Lord our God, whom you haue forsaken. † Therfore [ 12] in our host God is the prince, and his Priestes, which sound with trumpettes, and resound agaynst you: children of Israel sight not agaynst our Lord the God of your fathers, because it is not expedient for you. † He speaking these thinges, Iero∣boam [ 13] endeuoured to entrappe him behind. And when he stood ouer agaynst the enemies, he compassed Iuda vnwitting with his armie. † And Iudas looking backe, saw the battel at [ 14] hand before and behind, and cryed to our Lord: and the Priestes begane to sound with trumpettes. † And al the men [ 15] of Iuda made a shout: and behold they crying, God terrified Ieroboam, and al Israel that stood agaynst Abias and Iuda. † And the children of Israel sled from Iuda, and our Lord deli∣uered [ 16] them into their hand. † Abias therfore and his people [ 17] stroke them with a great slaughter, and there fel wounded of Israel fiue hundreth thousand valiant men. † And the chil∣dren [ 18] of Israel were humbled, at that time, and the children of Iuda excedingly encouraged because they had trusted in our Lord the God of their fathers. † And Abias pursewed Ie∣roboam [ 19] ••ieing, and he tooke his cities, Bethel and her daugh∣ters, and Iesana with her daughters, Ephron also and her daughters. † Neither was Ieroboam able to resist anie more, [ 20] in the daies of Abias: whom our Lord stroke, and he died.

† Therfore Abias, his empite being strengthened, tooke [ 21] fourtene wiues: and he begat two and twentie sonnes, and sixtene daughters. † But the rest of the wordes of Abias, and [ 22] of his waies and wordes, are writen diligently in the Booke of Addo the Prophete.

CHAP. XIIII. Abias dieth, and his sonne Asa reigneth, destroyeth idolataie, 6. for ••i••••eth his cities, 9. and ouercometh, by Gods special helpe, the Aethtopians armie of a million of men.

AND Abias slept with his fathers, and they buried him [ 1] in the Citie of Dauid: and Asa his sonne reigned for him, in whose daies the land was quiet tenne yeares. † And [ 2] Asa did that which was good and pleasing in the sight of his God, and he ouerthrew the altars of :: 1.777 strange seruice, and the excelses, † and brake the statues, and cut downe the [ 3] groues. † And he commanded Iuda that they should seeke [ 4] our Lord the God of their fathers, and should doe the law, and al the commandementes. † And he tooke away out of al [ 5] the cities of Iuda the altars, and temples, & reigned in peace. † He built also fensed cities in Iuda, because he was quiet, and [ 6] there had no battels risen in his time, our Lord geuing peace. † And he sayd to Iuda: Let vs build these cities, and compasse [ 7] them with walles, and strengthen them with towers, and gates, and lockes, whiles thinges are quiet from battels, be∣cause we haue sought out Lord the God of our fathers, and he hath geuen vs peace round about. They therfore did build, and there was no impediment in building. † And Asa had in [ 8] his armie of them that caried shieldes and speares, of Iuda three hundred thousand: and of Beniamin shieldbearers and archers, two hundred eightie thousand, al these were most valiant men. † And Zara the Ethiopian with his armie islued [ 9] forth agaynst them, tenne hundred thousand, and with three hundred chariotes: and he came as far as Maresa. † Moreo∣uer [ 10] Asa went on to meete him, and set his armie in aray to battel in the vale Sephata, which is neere Maresa. † And [ 11] he inuocated our Lord God, and sayd: Lord there is no diffe∣rence with thee, whether thou helpe in few, or in manie: helpe vs ô Lord our God: for hauing confidence in thee, and in thy name we are come agaynst this multitude. Lord, thou art our God, let not man preuaile agaynst thee. † Our Lord [ 12]

therfore terrified the Aethiopians before Asa and Iuda: and the Aethiopians fled. † And Asa pursewed them, and the [ 13] people that was with him, vnto Gerara: and the Aethiopians fel to vtter destruction, because our Lord killing them, and his armie fighting they were destroyed. They tooke therfore manie spoiles, † and they stroke al the cities round about [ 14] Gerara: for great terrour had inuaded al men: and they spoyled the cities, and caried away much praye. † Yea and destroying [ 15] the sheepecotes of sheepe, they tooke an infinite multitude of cattel, and of camels: and returned into Ierusalem.

CHAP. XV. Azarias prophecieth that Israel shal lack the true God, Priestes, and the law, a long time. 8. which king Asa hearing most serioufly destroyeth idolatrie. 12. maketh couenant and oath to serue God. 16. And deposeth his mother for offering sacrifice to Priapus.

AND Azarias the sonne of Oded, the Spirit of God co∣ming vpon him, † went out to meete Asa, and sayd to [ 2] him: Heare ye me Asa, and al Iuda and Beniamin: Our Lord is with you, :: 1.778 because you haue beene with him. If you wil seeke him, you shal finde: but if you forsake him, he wil for∣sake you. † And manie daies shal passe in Israel without the [ 3] true God, and without Priest a teacher, and without the Law. † And when they shal returne in their distresse to our Lord [ 4] the God of Ifrael, and shal seeke him, they shal finde him. † At that time there shal not be peace to him that goeth out [ 5] and cometh in, but terrours on euerie side in the inhabiters of the earth. † for nation shal fight agaynst nation, and citie [ 6] agaynst citie, because our Lord wil truble them with al di∣stresse. † You therfore take courage, and let not your handes [ 7] be dissolued: for there shal be reward to your worke. † Which [ 8] when Asa had heard, to witte, the wordes, and the prophecie of Azarias the sonne of Oded the prophete, he tooke cou∣rage, and tooke away the Idols out of al the land of Iuda, and out of Beniamin, and out of the cities, which he had taken, of mount Ephraim, and he dedicated the altar of our Lord, which was before the porche of our Lord. † And he gathered [ 9] together al Iuda and Beniamin, and the strangers with them of Ephraim, and of Manasses, and of Simeon: for manie were fled to him of Israel, seing that our Lord his God was with him. † And when they were come into Ierusalem the third [ 10]

moneth, in the fiftenth yeare of the reigne of Asa, † they [ 11] immolated to our Lord in that day of the spoiles, & the praie, that they had brought, oxen seuen hundred, and rammes seuen thousand. † And he went in after the maner to establish [ 12] the couenant, that they should seeke our Lord the God of their fathers in al their hart, and in al their soul. † And if anie [ 13] man, quoth he, shal not seeke our Lord the God of Israel, let him die, from the least to the greatest, from man vnto wo∣man. † And they sware to our Lord with a lowd voyce in [ 14] iubilation, and in noyse of trumpet, and sound of shaulmes, † al that were in Iuda with execration: for in al their hart did [ 15] they sweare, and with al their wil did they seeke him, and found him, & our Lord gaue them rest round about, † Yea and [ 16] Maacha the mother of king Asa he deposed from the royal empyre, because she had made in a groue the idol of Priapus: which he wholy destroyed, and breaking into peeces, burnt it in the Torrent cedron. † But the :: 1.779 Excelses were leaft in [ 17] Israel: neuerthelesse the hart of Asa was perfect al his daies. [ 18] † And those thinges which his father had vowed, and him self, he brought into the house of our Lord, gold and siluer, and of vessels diuers furniture. † And there was no warre [ 19] vnto the fiue and thirteth yeare of the reigne of Asa.

CHAP. XVI. Agaynst the king of Israel, king Asa procureth helpe of the Assyrians, 7. which a prophet reprouing is put in fetters. 11. Asa dieth, with disease of his feete, and is buried with pompe.

AND in the six and thirteth yeare of his reigne, came vp [ 1] * 1.780 Baasa the king of Israel into Iuda, and with a wall com∣passed Rama, that none could safely goe out and come in of the kingdom of Asa. † Asa therfore brought forth siluer [ 2] and gold, out of the treasures house of our Lord, and of the kinges treasures, and he sent to Benadad the king of Syria, who dwelt in Damascus, saying: † There is league betwen [ 3] me & thee, my father also and thy father had concord, wher∣fore I haue sent thee siluer and gold, that breaking the league, which thou hast with Baasa the king of Israel, thou make him retire from me. † Which being knowen, Benadad sent [ 4] the princes of his hostes to the cities of Israel: who stroke Ahion, and Dan, and Ablemaim, and al the walled cities of Nephthali. † which when Baasa had heard, he ceased to build [ 5]

Rama, and intermitted his worke. † Moreouer Asa the king [ 6] tooke al Iuda, and caried away the stones out of Rama, and the timber that Baasa had prepared for the building: and he built of them Gabaa, & Maspha. † At that time came Hanani [ 7] the prophete to Asa the king of Iuda, and sayd to him: Be∣cause thou hast had confidence in the king of Syria, and not in our Lord thy God, therfore hath the armie of the king of Syria escaped out of thy hand. † Were not the Aethiopians, [ 8] and Libyians manie moe in chariotes, and horsemen, and a* 1.781 multitude exceding great: whom, when thou didst beleue in our Lord, he deliuered into thy hand? † For the eies of our [ 9] Lord behold al the earth, and geue strength to them, that with perfect hart beleue in him. Thou therfore hast done foolyshly, & for this cause from this present time shal battels arise agaynst thee. † And Asa being angrie agaynst the Seer, [ 10] commanded him to be cast into fetters: for he tooke indi∣gnation excedingly vpon this thing: and he slewe of the people at that time verie manie. † But the workes of Asa the [ 11] first & the lasl are writen in the Booke of the kinges of Iuda and Israel. † Asa also fel sicke in the nine and thirteth yeare [ 12] of his reigne, of a most vehement payne of his feete, and neither in his infirmitie did he seeke our Lord, but rather trusted in the arte of Phisitians. † And he slept with his [ 13] fathers: and he died the one and fou••teth yeare of his reigne. † And they buried him in his sepulchre, which he had digged [ 14] for himsels in the Citie of Dauid: and they layd him vpon his bed ful of spices and odori••erous oyntementes, which were made by the arte of apothecaries, and they burnt it ouer him with exceding ambition.

CHAP. XVII. Iosaphat succeding in the kingdom preuaileth in battel agaynst the king of Israel. 6. destroyeth Idolaters, and sendeth Priestes and Leuites to instruct the people. 11. The Philistians and Arabians send presentes to king Iosa∣phat. 13. the leaders of the armie and souldiars are numbred.

AND Iosaphat his sonne reigned for him, & grew strong [ 1] agaynst Israel. † And he appoynted numbers of soul∣diars [ 2] in al the cities of Iuda, that were compassed with walles. And he placed garrisons in the land of Iuda, and in the cities of Ephraim, which Asa his father had taken. † And our [ 3] Lord was with Iosaphat, because he walked in the first waies

of Dauid his father: and he trusted not in Baalim, † but in [ 4] the God of his father, and went forward in his preceptes, and not according to the sinnes of Israel. † And our Lord [ 5] confirmed the kingdom in his hand, and al Iuda gaue giftes to Iosaphat: and there grew to him infinite riches, and much glorie. † And when his hart had taken courage :: 1.782 for the [ 6] waies of our Lord, he tooke away also the Excelses and groues out of Iuda. † And in the third yeare of his kingdom, [ 7] he sent of his princes Benhail, and Abdias, and Zacharias, and Nathanael, and Micheas, that they should teach in the cities of Iuda: † and with them Leuites, Semeias, and Na∣thanias, [ 8] and Zabadias, Asael also, and Semiramoth, and Iona∣than, and Adonias and Tobias, and Thobadonias Leuites, and with them Elisama, and Ioram Priestes. † And they [ 9] taught the people in Iuda, hauing the booke of the law of our Lord: and they went about al the cities of Iuda, and in∣structed the people. † Therfore the dread of our Lord came [ 10] vpon al the kingdomes of the landes, that were round about Iuda, neither durst they make battel agaynst Iosaphat. † Yea [ 11] and the Philistians brought giftes to Iosaphat, and tribute of siluer, the Arabians also brought cattel, of rammes seuen thousand seuen hundred, and buckegoates as manie. † Iosa∣phat [ 12] therfore grewe, and was magnified on high: and he built in Iuda houses like to toures, and walled cities. † And [ 13] he prepared manie workes in the cities of Iuda: there were also men of warre, and valiant in Ierusalem, † of whom this [ 14] is the number by the houses and families of euerie one: In Iuda princes of the armie, Ednas duke, and with him most valiant men three hundred thousand. † After him Iohanan [ 15] the prince, and with him two hundred eightie thousand. † After him also Amasias the sonne of Zechri, consecrated [ 16] to our Lord, and with him two hundred thousand of valiant men. † Him followed Eliada valiant to battels, and with [ 17] him of them that held bow & shield two hundred thousand. † After this man also Iozabad, and with him an hundred [ 18] eightie thousand readie souldiars. † Al these were at the hand [ 19] of the king, beside others, whom he had put in walled cities, in al Iuda.

CHAP. XVIII. Iosaphat ioyned in affiniti•• with wicked Achab king of Israel, goeth with him against Ramoth Galaad, four hundred false prophetes promising victo∣rie.

14. Micheas prophecying the contrarie, 25. is put in prison. 28. Achab (notwithstanding he changeth his attire, and leaueth Iosaphat in danger) 33. is slaine.

IOSAPHAT therfore was rich and verie glorious, and [ 1] was ioyned in affinitie to Achab. † And he went downe [ 2] to him after certaine yeares into Samaria: at whose coming Achab killed muttons, and oxen very manie for him and the people that came with him: and he perswaded him to goe vp into Ramoth Galaad. † And Achab the king of Israel sayd [ 3] to Iosaphat the king of Iuda: Come with me into Ramoth Galaad. To whom he answered: As I am thou also: as thy people; so my people also: and :: 1.783 we wil be with thee in battel. † Iosaphat sayd to the king of Israel: Consult I besech thee [ 4] presently the word of our Lord. † Therfore the king of [ 5] Israel gathered together of the prophetes four hundred men, and sayd to them: Shal we goe into Ramoth Galaad to fight, or sitte stil? But they sayd: Goe vp, say they, and God wil de∣liuer it into thy hand. † And Iosaphat sayd: Is there not here [ 6] a prophete of our Lord, that we may enquire also of him? † And the king of Israel sayd to Iosaphat: There is one man, [ 7] of whom we may aske wil of our Lord: but I hate him, because he doth not prophecie me good, but euil at al times: and it is Micheas the sonne of Iemla. And Iosaphat sayd: Speake not in this maner ô king. † The king of Israel ther∣fore [ 8] called one of the Eunuches, and sayd to him: Cal quickly Micheas the sonne of Iemla. † Moreouer the king of Israel, [ 9] and Iosaphat the king of Iuda, sate in their thrones, clo∣thed with kinglie attyre, and they sate in the court beside the gate of Samaria, and al the prophetes before them. † But Sedecias the sonne of Chanaana made him hornes [ 10] of yron, and sayd: Thus sayth our Lord: With these shal•• thou strike Syria, til thou destroy it. † And al the prophetes [ 11] in like manner prophecied, and sayd: Goe vp into Ramoth Galaad, and thou shalt prosper, and our Lord wil deliuer them into the kinges hand. † And the messenger that went [ 12] to cal Micheas, sayd to him: Behold the wordes of al the pro∣phetes with one mouth tel the king good thinges: I besech thee therfore that thy word also dissent not from them, and that thou speake prosperous thinges. † To whom Micheas [ 13] answered: Our Lord liueth, whatsoeuer my God shal say to

me, that wil I speake. † He therfore came to the king. To [ 14] whom the king sayd: Micheas, shal we goe into Ramoth Galaad to fight, or sit stil? To whom he answered :: 1.784 Goe ye vp: for al thinges shal fal out prosperous, and the enemies shal be deliuered into your handes. † And the king sayd: Agayne, [ 15] and agayne I adiure thee, that thou speake not to me, but that which is true in the name of our Lord. † But he sayd: I [ 16] saw al Israel disperst in the mountaynes, as sheepe without a shepheard: and our Lord sayd: These haue no maisters: let euerie man returne into his house in peace. † And the [ 17] king of Israel sayd to Iosaphat: did I not tel thee that this man did not prophecie me anie good, but these thinges that be euil? † But he sayd: Heare ye therfore the word of our [ 18] Lord: I saw our Lord sitting in his throne, and al the host of heauen assisting him on the right hand on the left. † And [ 19] our Lord sayd: who shal deceiue Achab the king of Israel, that he may goe vp and fal in Ramoth Galaad. And when one sayd in this maner, and an other otherwise: † there came forth [ 20] a spirit, and stood before our Lord, and sayd: I wil deceiue him. To whom our Lord sayd: wherin wilt thou deceiue him. † But he answered: I wil goe forth, and wil be a lying [ 21] spirit in the mouth of al his prophetes. And our Lord sayd: Thou shalt deceiue, and shalt preuaile: goe forth, and doe so, † Now therfore, behold our Lord hath geuen the spirit [ 22] of lying in the mouth of al thy prophetes, and our Lord hath spoken of thee euil thinges. † And Sedecias the sonne of [ 23] Chanaana came, and stroke the cheeke of Micheas, and sayd: which way passed the spirit of our Lord from me, that it should speake to thee. † And Micheas sayd: Thou thy self [ 24] shalt see in that day, when thou shalt enter into chamber out of chamber, to be hid. † And the king of Israel commanded, [ 25] saying: Take Micheas, and lead him to Amon the gouernour of the citie, and to Ioab the sonne of Amelech. † And you [ 26] shal say: Thus sayth the king: Cast this felow into prison, and giue him a litle bread, and a litle water, til I returne in peace. † And Micheas sayd: If thou returne in peace, our [ 27] Lord hath not spoken in me, & he sayd: Heare al ye peoples. † Therfore the king of Israel, and Iosaphat the king of Iuda [ 28] went vp into Ramoth Galaad. † And the king of Israel sayd [ 29] to Iosaphat: I wil change my habite, and so I wil goe to the fight, but be thou clothed with thine owne garmentes. And

the king of Israel changing his habit came to the battel. † And the king of Syria had commanded the captaynes of [ 30] his horsemen saying: Fight not agaynst the least, or agaynst the greatest, but agaynst the king of Israel only. † Therfore [ 31] when the princes of the horsemen saw Iosaphat, they sayd: This is the king of Israel. And they compassed him fighting: but he cried to our Lord, and he holpe him, and turned them away from him. † For when the captaynes of the horsemen [ 32] saw, that is was not the king of Israel, they lea••t him. † And [ 33] it chanced that one of the people shot an arrow at aduen∣ture, and stroke the king of Israel betwen the necke and the shoulders, and he sayd to his cocher: Turne thy hand, and carie me out of the battel, because I am wounded. † And the [ 34] fight was ended in that day: moreouer the king of Israel stood in his chariote agaynst the Syrians vntil euening, and died at the sunne sette.

CHAP. XIX. Iosaphat being reproued by a prophet for yelding help to Achab, 5. appoyn∣teth Iudges in seueral cities, admonishing them to doe iustice. 8. exhorteth Priestes and Leuites to execute their sunctious carefully. 11. Amarias High Priest directing and ruling in thinges belonging to God, Zabedias general captayne gouerneth the kinges affayres.

AND Iosaphat the king of Iuda returned into his house [ 1] peaceably, into Ierusalem. † Whom Iehu the sonne of [ 2] Hanani the Seer mette, and sayd to him: :: 1.785 To the impious man thou geuest ayde, and to them that hate our Lord thou art ioyned in frendship, and therfore thou didst deserue in deed the wrath of our Lord: † but good workes are found in [ 3] thee, for that thou hast taken away the groues out of the land of Iuda, and hast prepared thy hart to seeke our Lord the God of thy fathers. † Iosaphat therfore dwelt in Ierusalem: [ 4] and he went forth to the people agayne from Bersabee vnto mount Ephraim, and recalled them to our Lord the God of their fathers. † And he appoynted iudges of the land in al the [ 5] fensed cities of Iuda, in euerie place, † and commanding the [ 6] iudges, he sayd: Take heede what you doe: for you exercise not the iudgement of man, but of our Lord: and whatsoeuer you shal iudge, it shal redound to you. † Let the feare of our [ 7] Lord be with you, and with diligence doe al thinges: for there is no iniquitie with the Lord our God, nor acception

of personnes, nor desyre of giftes. † In Ierusalem also Iosaphat [ 8] appoynted Leuites, and Priestes, and princes of families of Israel, that they should iudge the iudgement and cause of our Lord to the inhabitantes therof. † And he commanded them, [ 9] saying: Thus shal you doe in the feare of our Lord faithfully, and with a perfect hart. † Euerie cause, that shal come to [ 10] you of your brethren, that dwel in their cities, betwen kinred and kinred, whersoeuer there is question of the law, of the commandement, of ceremonies, of iustifications: shew it them, that they sinne not agaynst our Lord, and lest there come wrath vpon you and your brethren: so doing therfore you shal not sinne. † And :: 1.786 Amarias the priest and your [ 11] Bishop shal be chiefe in these thinges, which pertayn to God: moreouer Zabadias the sonne of Ismahel, who is the prince in the house of Iuda, shal be ouer those workes, which per∣tayne to the kinges office: and you haue maisters the Leuites before you, take courage, and doe diligently, and our Lord wil be with the good.

CHAP. XX. The Ammonites, Moabites, and Syrians ioynning forces agaynst Iosaphat, 3. he seeketh Gods helpe by publique prayer and fasting. 14. A Prophet fortelleth that God wil fight for them: 20. so they singing praises to God, the enemies kil ech other. 24. Iosaphat with his men gather verie great spoiles. 30. reigneth in peace, 35. but his nauie perisheth, for his societee with wicked Ochozias.

AFTER these thinges were the children of Moab ga∣thered [ 1] together, and the children of Ammon, and with them of the Ammonites, to fight agaynst Iosaphat † And [ 2] there came messengers, and told Iosaphat, saying: There co∣meth agaynst thee a great multitude from those places, which are beyond the sea, and out of Syria, and behold they stay in Asasonthamar, which is Engaddi. † And Iosaphar being [ 3] frighted with feare, he tooke him wholy to besech ou•• Lord, and he :: 1.787 proclamed a fast to al Iuda. † And Iudas was ga∣thered [ 4] together to pray to our Lord: yea and al :: 1.788 came out of their cities to besech him. † And when Iosaphat stood in the [ 5] middes of the assemblie of Iuda, and Ierusalem in the house of our Lord before the new court, † he sayd: Lord God of our [ 6] fathers, thou art God in heauen, and rulest ouer al the king∣domes of Nations, in thy hand is strength and might, neither

can anie man resist thee. † Didst not thou our God kil al the [ 7] inhabitantes of this land before thy people Israel, and gauest it to the seed of Abraham thy frend for euer? † And they [ 8] dwelt in it, & built in it a Sanctuarie to thy name, saying: † If [ 9] euils fal vpon vs, the sword of iudgement, pestilence, & fa∣mine, we wil stand before this house in thy sight, wherein thy name is inuocated: & we wil crie to thee in our tribulations, and thou shalt heare, and saue vs. † Now therfore behold [ 10] the children of Ammon, and mount Seir, by whom thou didst not grant Israel to passe, when they came out of Aegypt, but they declined from them, & slew them not: † doe the contra∣rie, [ 11] and endeuoure to cast vs out of the possession, which thou hast deliuired to vs. † Our God, wilt not thou therfore iudge [ 12] them? In vs in deed there is not so great strength, that we can resist this multitude, which cometh violently vpon vs. But whereas we are ignorant what we ought to doe, this onlie we haue leaft, that we direct our eies to thee. † And al Iuda [ 13] stood before our Lord with their litle ones, and wiues, and their children. † And there was Iahaziel the sonne of Zacha∣rias, [ 14] the sonne of Banaias, the sonne of Iehiel, the sonne of Mathanias, a Leuite of the children of Asaph, vpon whom the spirit of our Lord came in the middes of the multitude, † and he sayd: Attend ye al Iuda, and you that dwel in Ierusa∣lem, [ 15] and thou king Iosaphat: thus sayth our Lord to you: Feare not, neither dread ye this multitude: for it is not your battel, but Gods. † To morrow you shal goe downe agaynst [ 16] them: for they wil come vp by the steepe named Sis, and you shal find them in the vtmost part of the torrent, which is agaynst the wildernesse of Ieruel. † It shal not be you that [ 17] shal fight, but onlie stand confidently, and you shal see the helpe of our Lord ouer you, ô Iuda, and Ierusalem: feare not, neither dreade ye: to morrow you shal goe out agaynst them, and our Lord wil be with you. † Iosaphat therfore, and Iuda, [ 18] and al the inhabitantes of Ierusalem fel flat on the earth be∣fore our Lord, and adored him. † Moreouer the Leuites of [ 19] the children of Caath, and of the children of Core praysed our Lord the God of Israel with a lowd voice, on high. † And [ 20] when they had risen earely in the morning, they went forth by the desert of Thecua: and they being gone forth, Iosaphat standing in the middes of them, sayd: Heare me ye men of Iuda, and al the inhabiters of Ierusalem: :: 1.789 beleue in the Lord

your God, and you shal be secure: beleue his prophetes, and al thinges shal fal out prosperous. † He gaue counsel also to [ 21] the people, and appoynted the singing men of our Lord, that they should prayse him in their companies, and should goe before the host, and with agreable voice should say: Confesse* 1.790 to our Lord, because his mercie is foreuer. † And when they [ 22] began to sing prayses, our Lord turned their embushementes vpon themselues, to witte, of the children of Ammon, and of Moab, and of mount Seir, who were gone forth to fight agaynst Iuda, and were striken. † For the children of Ammon, [ 23] and of Moab, rose together agaynst the inhabitantes of mount Seir, to kil and destroy them: and when they had in worke atcheued this, being turned also agaynst themselues, they fel wounded one of an other. † Moreouer Iuda when they [ 24] were come to the watch place, that looketh to the desert, saw a far of al the countrie abrode ful of dead bodies, and that none remayned aliue that could escape death. † Iosaphat [ 25] therfore came, and al the people with him to take away the spoiles of the dead, and they found among the dead bodies, diuerse stuffe, garments also, and most pretious vessels: and they spoiled it, soe that they could not carie al thinges, nor in three dayes take a Way the spoiles for the greatnesse of the praye. † And in the fourth day they were assembled in the [ 26] Vale of blessing: for because there they had blessed our Lord, they called that place the Vale of blessing vntil this present day. † And euerie man of Iuda returned, and the inhabitantes [ 27] of Ierusalem, and Iosaphat before them into Ierusalem with great ioy, because our Lord had geuen them ioy of their ene∣mies. † And they entered into Ierusalem with psalteries, and [ 28] harpes, and trumpettes into the house of our Lord. † And [ 29] the dread of our Lord fel vpon al the kingdomes of the landes when they heard that our Lord had fought agaynst the ene∣mies of Israel. † And the kidgdom of Iosaphat was quiet and [ 30] God gaue him peace round about. † Iosaphat therfore reigned [ 31] ouer Iuda, and he was fiue and thirtie yeares old when he begane to reigne: and he reigned fiue and twentie yeares in Ierusalem: and the name of his mother was Azuba the daugh∣ter of Selahi. † And he walked in the way of his father Asa, [ 32] neither declined he from it, doing the thinges that were pleasing before our Lord. † But :: 1.791 yet the excelses he tooke [ 33] not away, and as yet the people had not directed their hart to

our Lord the God of their fathers. † But the rest of the actes [ 34] of Iosaphat, the first and the last are writen in the wordes of Iehu the sonne of Hanani, which he disposed into the Bookes of the kinges of Israel. † After these thinges Iosaphat the [ 35] king of Iuda entered frendshipe with Ochozias the king of Israel, whose workes were most impious. † And he was par∣taker [ 36] to make shippes, which should goe into Tharsis: and they made a nauie in Asiongaber. † And Eliezer the sonne of [ 37] Dodau of Maresa prophecied to Iosaphat, saying: Because thou hast had a league with Ochozias, our Lord hath strooken thy workes, and the shippes are broken, neither could they goe into Tharsis.

CHAP: XXI. Iosaphat dieth, and Ioram succeding killeth his owne brethren, and some other chiefe men. 6. reigneth wickedly. 8. Edom, and Lobua reuolt from him. 12. Elias by letters forwarneth him of plagues, 16. which falling vpon him, he dieth after two yeares languishing, and horrible disease.

AND Iosaphat slept with his fathers, & was buried with [ 1] * 1.792 them in the Citie of Dauid: and Ioram his sonne reigned for him. † Who had brethren the sonnes of Iosaphat, Azarias, [ 2] and Iahiel, and Zacharias, and Azarias, and Michael, and Saphatias. al these were the sonnes of Iosaphat the king of Iuda. † And their father gaue them manie giftes of siluer, [ 3] and of gold, and pensions, with the most fensed cities in Iuda: but the kingdom he deliuered to Ioram, because he was the first begotten. † And Ioram rose ouer the kingdom of his [ 4] father: and when he had established himself, he slew al his brethren with the sword, and certain of the princes of Israel. † Two and thirtie yeare old was Ioram when he began to [ 5] reigne: and he reigned eight yeares in Ierusalem. † And he [ 6] walked in the waies of the kinges of Israel, as the house of Achab had done: for Achabs daughter was his wife, and he did euil in the sight of our Lord. † But our Lord would not [ 7] destroy the house of Dauid for the couenant, which he had made with him: and because he had promised that he would geue him a lampe, and to his sonnes for euer. † In those daies [ 8] Edom rebelled, from being subiect to Iuda, and made them selues a king. † And when Ioram had passed with his princes, [ 9] and al the horsemen, that were with him, he rose in the night,

and stroke Edom, which had compassed him, and al the cap∣taynes of his horsemen. † But yet Edom rebelled, from being [ 10] vnder the dominion of Iuda vntil this day: at that time Lob∣na also reuolted, from being vnder his hand. For he had for∣saken our Lord the God of their fathers: † moreouer he built [ 11] also excelses in the cities of Iuda, and he made the inhabi∣tantes of Ierusalem to fornicate, and Iuda to transgresse. † And there were letters brought him :: 1.793 from Elias the pro∣phete, [ 12] in which was Writen: Thus sayth our Lord the God of Dauid thy father: Because thou hast not walked in the waies of Iosaphat thy father, & in the waies of Asa the king of Iuda, † but hast gone by the waies of the kinges of Israel, [ 13] and hast made Iuda to fornicate, and the inhabitantes of Ierusalem, hauing imitated the fornication of the house of Achab, moreouer also hast killed thy brethren, the house of thy father, better men then thou: † behold our Lord wil [ 14] strike thee with a great plague with al thy people, and chil∣dren, and thy wiues, and al thy substance. † And thou shalt be [ 15] sicke of a very sore disease of thy bealie, til thy vital partes come forth by litle and litle euerie day. † Our Lord therfore [ 16] raised vp agaynst Ioram the spirit of the Philisthianes, and of the Arabians, which are borderers to the Aethiopians. † and [ 17] they went vp into the Land of Iuda, and wasted it, and they spoyled al the substance, that was found in the kinges house, moreouer also his sonnes, and wiues: neither was there a sonne left him but Ioachaz, who was the yongest. † And [ 18] beside al these thinges our Lord stroke him with an incu∣rable disease of the bealie. † And when day succeded day, and [ 19] the spaces of times passed about, the circuite of two yeares was complete: and soe being wasted with a long comsump∣tion, soe that he voyded euen his very bowels, he was ridde of the disease, and of his life together. And he died in an exceding vile infirmitie, & the people made him not exequies according to the maner of burning, as they had done to his anceters. † He was two and thirtie yeares old, when he [ 20] began to reigne, and he reigned eight yeares in Ierusalem. And he walked not rightly, and they buried him in the Citie of Dauid: but yet not in the sepulchre of the kinges.

CHAP. XXII. Ochozias reigning one yeare, 3. is slaine together with Ioram king of Israel, by king Iehu. 10. Athalia killeth the kinges children (onlie Ioas being saued by his aunt) and vsurpeth the kingdom six yeares.

AND the inhabitantes of Ierusalem made Ochozias his [ 1] * 1.794 least sonne, king for him: for al the elders, that had bene before him, the rouers of the Arabians had slayne, which in∣uaded the campe: and Ochozias the sonne of Ioram the king of Iuda reigned. † Two and :: 1.795 fourtie yeares old was Ocohzias [ 2] when he began to reigne, and he reigned one yeare in Ierusa∣lem, and the name of his mother was Athalia the daughter of :: 1.796 Amri. † But he also went by the waies of the house of [ 3] Achab: for his mother forced him to doe impiously. † He [ 4] therfore did euil in the sight of our Lord, as the house of Achab: for they were his counselers after the death of his father, to his destruction. † And he walked in their counfels. [ 5] And he went forth with Ioram the sonne of Achab king of Israel, into battel agaynst Hazael king of Syria, into Ramoth Galaad: and the Syrians wounded Ioram. † Who returned to [ 6] be cured into Iezrael: for he had taken manie woundes in the foresayd battel. Therfore Ochozias the sonne of Ioram king of Iuda, went downe te visit Ioram the sonne of Achab in Iezrael being sicke. † For it was the wil of God agaynst [ 7] Ochozias, that he should come to Ioram: and when he was come he should goe out also against Iehu the sonne of Namsi, whom our Lord anoynted to destroy the house of Achab. † When Iehu therfore ouerthrew the house of Achab, he [ 8] found the princes of Iuda, and the sonne of the brethren of Ochozias, which serued him, and he slewe them. † Sear∣ching [ 9] also for Ochozias himself, he tooke him lying hid in Samatia: and being brought vnto him, he killed him, and they buried him: because he was the sonne of Iosaphat, who had sought our Lord in al his hart :: 1.797 neither was there anie more hope that anie should reigne of the stocke of Ochozias. † For Athalia his mother, seing that her sonne was dead, [ 10] arose, and s••eu al the kinges stocke of the house of Ioram. † Sauing that Iosabeth the kinges daughter tooke Ioas the [ 11] sonne of Ochozias, and stole him out of the middes of the kinges sonnes, when they were slayne▪ and she hid thim with his nource in the bedde chamber: and Iosabeth that hid him, was the daughter of king Ioram, the wife of Ioiada the high priest, the sister of Ochozias, and therfore Athalia did not kil him▪ † He therfore was with them in the house of God six [ 12] yeares, in the which Athalia reigned ouer the Land.

CHAP. XXIII. Ioiada the Hiegh priest annoynteth and crowneth Ioas king. 12. causeth A∣thalia to be slaine, 16. idolatrie to be destroyed. 18. and Gods seruice ad∣uanced.

AND in the seuenth yeare Ioiada taking courage, tooke [ 1] * 1.798 the centurions, to witte, Azarias the sonne of Ieroham, and Ismahel the sonne of Iohanan, Azarias also the sonne of Obed, and Maasias the sonne of Adaias, and Elisaphat the sonne of Zechri: and made a couenant with them. † Who [ 2] going about Iuda, gathered together the Leuites out of al the cities of Iuda, and the princes of the families of Israel, and they came into Ierusalem. † Therfore al the multitude made [ 3] a couenant with the king in the house of God: and Ioiada sayd to them: Behold the kinges sonne shal reigne, as our Lord hath spoken, vpon the sonnes of Dauid. † This :: 1.799 ther∣fore [ 4] is the thing which you shal doe. † The third part of you [ 5] that come to the * 1.800 Sabbath of the Priestes, and of Leuites, and of porters shal be in the gates: and a third part at the kinges house: and a third at the gate, which is called of the Fundation: but let al the rest of the common people be in the courtes of the house of our Lord. † Neither let anie other [ 6] enter into the house of our Lord, but the Priestes, and they that minister of the Leuites: let them onlie goe in, because they are sanctified and let al the rest of the multitude obserue the watches of our Lord. † And let the Leuites enuiron the [ 7] king, hauing euerie one their weapons: (and if anie other shal enter into the temple, let him be slayne) and let them be with the king both coming in, and going out. † The Leuites [ 8] therfore, & al Iuda did according to al thinges, which :: 1.801 Ioiada the high Priest had commanded; and they tooke euerie one the men that were vnder them, and came by the order of the Sabbath, with them that had fulfilled the Sabbath, and were to goe forth. For Ioiada the high Priest permitted not the companies to depart, which were accustomed to succede one an other euerie weeke. † And Ioiada the Priest gaue to the [ 9] centurions the speares, and the shieldes, and targattes of king Dauid, which he had consecrated in the house of our Lord. † And he appoynted al the people of them that held weapons [ 10] on the right side of the temple, vnto the left syde of the temple, before the altar, and the temple, round about the

king. † And they brought forth the kinges sonne, and put the [ 11] crowne vpon him, and the testimonie, and gaue the law to be in his hand, & they made him king: Ioiada also the high Priest, and his sonnes annoynted him: and they wished him wel, and said: God saue the king. † Which thing when Athalia had [ 12] heard, to witte, the voice of them that ranne and praysed the king, she went in vnto the people, into the temple of our Lord. † And when she had seene the king standing vpon the [ 13] steppe in the entrance, and the princes, and the companies about him, and al the people of the land reioysing, and soun∣ding with trumpettes, and playing on instrumentes of diuerse kind, and the voice of them that praysed, she rent her gar∣mentes, and sayd: Treason, treason. † And Ioiada the high [ 14] Priest going forth to the centurions, and captaines of the armie, sayd to them: Bring her forth without the precinct of the temple, and let her be killed with the sword without. And the Priest commanded that she should not be killed in the house of our Lord. † And they layd handes vpon her necke: [ 15] and when she was entred within the gate of the horses of the kinges house, they killed her there. † And Ioiada made a [ 16] couenant betwen himself, and al the people, and the king, that they would be the people of our Lord. † Al the people ther∣fore [ 17] entred into the house of Baal, and destroyed it: and they brake his altars and :: 1.802 his * 1.803 images: Mathan also the priest of Baal they slewe before the altars. † And Ioiada appoynted [ 18] ouerseers in the house of our Lord, vnder the handes of the Priestes, & the Leuites, which Dauid distributed in the house of our Lord: that they should offer holocaustes to our Lord, as it is writen in the law of Moyses, in ioy and songes, accor∣ding to the disposition of Dauid. † He appoynted also porters [ 19] in the gates of the house of our Lord, that the vncleane in aniething ••hould not enter in. † And he tooke the centurions, [ 20] and the most valiant men and princes of the people, and al the common people of the land, and they made the king to goe downe from the house of our Lord, & to enter by the middes of the vpper gate into the kinges house, and placed him in the royal throne. † And al the people of the land reioysed, & the [ 21] citie was quiet: moreouer Athalia was slayne with the sword.

CHAP. XXIIII. Ioas reigning piously, so long as Ioiada liueth, causeth the Temple to be re∣payred, 14. and new sa••red vessels to be made. 15. Ioiada an hundred thirtie

yeares old dieth. 17. Ioas falleth to idolatrie: 20. causeth Zacharias to be slayne in the court of the Temple. 23. A few Syrians kil the chief men about the king, and carie away great prayes. 25. Ioas is slayne by his owne men, and his sonne Amasias reigneth.

SEVEN yeares old was Ioas when he began to reigne: and [ 1] he reigned fourty yeares in Ierusalem, the name of his mo∣ther was Sebia of Bersabee. † And he did that which is good [ 2] before our Lord al the dayes of Ioiada the Priest. † And Ioiada [ 3] tooke for him two wiues, of whom he begat sonnes & daugh∣ters. † After which thinges it pleased Ioas to repayre the [ 4] house of our Lord. And he assembled the Priestes, and the [ 5] Leuites, and sayd to them: Goe ye forth to the cities of Iuda, and gather of al Israel money for the reparation of the temple of your God, yeare by yeare, and doe this in hast: moreouer the Leuites did negligently. † And the king called Ioiada the [ 6] prince, and sayd to him: why hast thou had no care to con∣strayne the Leuites to bring in out of Iuda and Ierusalem the money, that was :: 1.804 appointed of Moyses the seruant of our Lord, that al the multitude of Israel should bring it in into the tabernacle of testimonie? † For the most impious Athalia, [ 7] and her children haue destroyed the house of God, and of al thinges that had bene sanctified in the temple of our Lord, they adorned the temple of Baalim. † The king therfore com∣manded [ 8] and they made a chest: and set it by the gate of our Lord on the out side. † And it was proclaymed in Iuda and [ 9] Ierusalem, that euery man should bring the price to our Lord, which Moyses the seruant of God appoynted ouer al Israel, in the desert. † And al the princes reioysed, and al the people: [ 10] and going in they contributed into the chest of our Lord, and cast in so that it was filled. † And when it was time that they [ 11] should bring the chest before the king by the handes of Le∣uites (for they saw much money) the kinges Scribe went in, and he whom the high priest had appoynted: & they powred out the money that was in the chest, & recaried it to his place: and so did they from day to day, and there was gathered in∣finite money. † Which the king and Ioiada gaue to them, [ 12] that ouersaw the workes of the house of our Lord: but they hired with it hewers of stones, and artificers of al workes, to repayre the house of our Lord: smithes also of yron and brasse, that that which began to fal, might be vpholden. † And [ 13]

they that wrought did industriously, and the breach of the walles was closed by their handes, and they raysed the house of our Lord into the old state, and made it stand firmely. † And when they had accomplished al the workes, they [ 14] brought the rest of the money before the king and Ioiada: of the which were made vessels of the temple to the ministerie, and for holocaustes, phials also, and other vessels of gold and siluer: and holocaustes were offered in the house of our Lord continually al the daies of Ioiada. † But Ioiada became old [ 15] being ful of dayes, and died when he was an hundred and thirtie yeares old. † And they buried him in the citie of Dauid [ 16] with the kinges, because he had done good with Israel, and with his house. † And after that Ioiada was dead, the princes [ 17] of Iuda went in, and adored the king, who being altered by their seruiceablenesse, agreed to them. † And they forsooke [ 18] the temple of our Lord the God of their fathers, and serued groues, and sculptilles, and there came wrath agaynst Iuda, and Ierusalem for this sinne. † And he sent them prophetes, [ 19] that they should returne to our Lord, whom protesting they would not heare. † The spirit of God therfore inuested Za∣charias [ 20] the sonne of Ioiada the Priest, & he stood in the sight of the people, and sayd to them: Thus sayth our Lord God: Why transgresse you the precept of our Lord, which thing shal not profit you, & haue forsaken our Lord, that he should forsake you? † Who being gathered agaynst him, they threw [ 21] stones according to the kinges commandement, in the court* 1.805 of the house of our Lord. † And Ioas the king did not re∣member [ 22] the mercie, that Ioiada his father had done with him, but he killed his sonne. Who when he died, sayd: Our Lord see, and require it. † And when a yeare was come about, the [ 23] armie of Syria came vp against him: & it came into Iuda & Ie∣rusalem, & slewe al the princes of the people, and al the pray they sent to the king into Damascus. † And wheras there was [ 24] come a very smal number of the Syrians, our Lord deliuered into their handes an infinit multitude, for that they had for∣saken our Lord the God of their fathers: on Ioas also they ex∣ercised ignomious iudgementes. † And departing they left [ 25] him in great diseases: and his seruantes rose agaynst him, :: 1.806 for reuenge of the bloud of the sonne of Ioiada the priest, & they slewe him in his bed, & he dyed: and they buried him in the Citie of Dauid, but not in the kinges sepulchres. † And [ 26]

there conspired against him Zabad the sonne of Semmaath an Ammonitesse, & Iozabad the sonne of Semarith a Moabi∣tesse. † Moreouer his children, and the summe of money, [ 27] which was gathered vnder him, & the repayring of the house of God are writen more diligently in the Booke of kinges: and Amasias his sonne reigned for him.

CHAP. XXV. Amasias killeth those that slew his father. 5. Besides his owne people, hyreth souldiars of Israel, but by aduise of a Prophete dismisseth them, 11. and with his owne owerthroweth the Idumeans, whose idols taken in battel (13. the dismissed souldiars in the meane time spoyling his countrie) he adoreth. 15. Contemning admonition, 17. and prouoking the king of Israel to warre, 22. is taken in battel and spoyled. 27. Fearing treason in Ierusa∣lem fleeth, and is slaine in Lachis.

FIVE and twentie yeares old was Amasias when he began [ 1] * 1.807 to reigne, and he reigned nine and twentie yeares in Ie∣rusalem, the name of his mother was Ioaden of Ierusa∣lem. † And he did good in the sight of our Lord: but yet not [ 2] in a perfect hart. † And when he saw his kingdom strength∣ned, [ 3] he put to death the seruantes, that had slayne the king his father, † but their children he slew not, as it is writen in [ 4] the Booke of the law of Moyses, where our Lord comman∣ded, saying. The fathers shal not be slayne for the children,* 1.808 nor the children for their fathers, but euerie one shal die in his owne sinne. † Amasias therfore gathered together Iuda, [ 5] and appoynted them by families, and tribunes, and centurions in al Iuda, and Beniamin: and he numbred from twentie yeares vpward, and found three hundred thousand of yong men that went forth to battel, and held speare and shielde. † He hyred also for wages of Israel an hundred thousand [ 6] strong men, for an hundred talentes of siluer. † But a man of [ 7] God came to him, and sayd: O king, let not the host of Israel goe forth with thee, for our Lord is not with Israel, and al the children of Ephraim: † and if thou thinke that battels [ 8] consist in the force of an armie, God wil make thee to be ouercome of the enemies: for it perteyneth to God both to helpe, and to put to flight. † And Amasias sayd to the man [ 9] of God: What shal become then of the hundred talentes, which I haue geuen the souldiars of Israel? And the man of God answered him: Our Lord hath wherby he is able to

geue thee much more then this. † Amasias therfore sepera∣ted [ 10] the host, that came to him out of Ephraim, that they should returne into their place: but they being wrath exce∣dingly agaynst Iuda, returned into their countrie. † More∣ouer [ 11] Amasias brought forth his people confidently, and went into the Vale of salt pittes, and stroke the children of Seir, ten thousand. † And other ten thousand men did the children [ 12] of Iuda take, and bring to the steepe of a certaine rocke, and cast them down headlong from the toppe, who burst in sun∣der euerie one. † But that armie which Amasias had sent [ 13] backe, from going with him to battel, was spred in the cities of Iuda, from Samaria vnto Bethhoron, & killing three thou∣sand tooke away a great praye. † But Amasias after the [ 14] slaughter of the Idumeans, sette vp the goddes of the chil∣dren of Seir, which he had brought thence, for his goddes, and adored them, and burnt incense to them. † For which [ 15] thing our Lord being angrie against Amasias, sent a prophete vnto him, which should say to him: Why hast thou adored goddes, that haue not deliuered their owne people out of thy hand? † And when he spake these thinges, he answered him: [ 16] * 1.809 Art thou the kinges counseler? be quiet, lest I kil thee. And the prophet departing, sayd: I know that God is minded to kil thee, because thou hast done this euil, and besides hast not agreed to my counsel. † Therfore Amasias the king of [ 17] Iuda taking verie il counsel, sent to Ioas the sonne of Ioachaz the sonne of Iehu, the king of Israel, saying: Come, let vs see one an other. † But he sent backe the messengers, saying: A [ 18] thistle that is in Libanus sent to a cedar of Libanus, saying: Geue thy daughter to my sonne to wife: & behold the beastes that were in the wood of Libanus passed, and trode downe the thistle. † Thou hast sayd: I haue stroken Edom, and ther∣fore [ 19] thy hart is extolled into pryde, sitte in thy house▪ why dost thou prouoke euil against thee, that both thou mayest fal, and Iuda with thee. † Amasias would not heare, because [ 20] it was our Lordes wil, that he should be deliuered into the handes of the enemies:: 1.810 for the goddes of Edom. † Ioas ther∣fore [ 21] the king of Israel went vp, and they gaue themselues one the sight of the other: and Amasias the king of Iuda was in Bethsames of Iuda: † and Iuda fel before Israel, and fled [ 22] into their tabernacles. † Moreouer Amasias the king of [ 23] Iuda, the sonne of Ioas, the sonne of Ioachaz, did take Ioas

the king of Israel in Bethsames, & brought him into Ierusa∣lem: and destroyed the wal therof from the gate of Ephraim, to the gate of the corner, foure hundred cubites. † Al the gold [ 24] also, and siluer, and al the vessels, that he found in the house of God, and with Obededom in the treasures also of the kinges house, moreouer he brought backe the sonnes of the hostages into Samaria. † And Amasias the sonne of [ 25] Ioas the king of Iuda liued, after that Ioas died the sonne of Ioachaz the king of Israel, fiftene yeares. † But the rest of [ 26] the wordes of Amasias the first and the last are Writen in the Booke of the kinges of Iuda and Israel. † Who after he re∣uolted [ 27] from our Lord, they lay in waite agaynst him in Ieru∣salem. And when he had fled into Lachis, they sent, and slew him there. † And carying him backe vpon horses, buried [ 28] him with his fathers in the Citie of Dauid.

CHAP. XXVI. Ozias seruing God, 6. preuaileth in battel against the Philistians, Arabians, and Ammonites. 9. prospereth in honour and wealth. 16. Then w••ixing proud offereth incense on the altar, is striken with leprosie, expelled out of the Temple, and citie. 20. and his sonne Ioathan ruleth the kingdom.

AND al the people of Iuda made his sonne Ozias sixtene [ 1] yeares old, king for Amasias his father. † He built [ 2] Ailath, and restored it to the dominion of Iuda, after that the king slept with his fathers. † Sixtene yeares old was Ozias [ 3] when he began to reigne, and he reigned two and fiftie yeares in Ierusalem, the name of his mother was Iechelia of Ierusa∣lem. † And he did that which was right in the eies of our [ 4] Lord, according to al thinges, which Amasias his father had done. † And he sought our Lord in the daies of Zacharias [ 5] that vnderstood and saw God: and when he sought our Lord, :: 1.811 he directed him in al thinges. † Moreouer he went forth, [ 6] and fought against the Philisthijms, and destroyed the wal of Geth, and the wal of Iabinia, and the wal of Azotus: he built also townes in Azotus, and among the Philisthijms. † And [ 7] God did helpe him against the Philisthijms, and against the Arabians, that dwelt in Garbaal, and against the Ammonites. † And the Ammonites gaue giftes to Ozias: and his name [ 8] was renowmed vnto the entrance of Aegypt for his often victories. † And Ozias built towers in Ierusalem ouer the [ 9] gate of the corner, and ouer the gate of the valley, and the

rest, in the same side of the wal, and strengthened them. † He built towers also in the wildernesse, and digged manie [ 10] cesternes, because he had much cattel as wel in the cham∣paine, as in the vastitie of the desert: he had also vineyardes & dressers of vines in the mountaynes, and in Carmel: for he was a man geuen to husbandrie. † And the host of his war∣riers, [ 11] which went forth to battels, was vnder the band of Iehiel the scribe, & Maasias the doctor, and vnder the hand of Hananias, who was of the kinges dukes. † And al the number [ 12] of the princes by families of valiant men, was two thousand six hundred. † And vnder them al the host of three hundred [ 13] & seuen thousand fiue hundred: which were apt to battels, and fought for the king against the aduersaries † Ozias also [ 14] prepared for them, that is to say, for al the armie, shildes, and speares, and helmettes, and coates of mayle, and bowes, and slinges to cast stones. † And he made in Ierusalem engines [ 15] of diuerse kind, which he placed in the towers, and in the corners of the walles, to shoote arrowes, and great stones: and his name went forth farre, for that our Lord did ayde him, and had strengthned him. † But when he was strength∣ned, [ 16] his hart was eleuated to his destruction, and he neg∣lected our Lord his God: and entering into the temple of our Lord: he would burne:: 1.812 incense vpon the altar of incense. † And incontinent Azarias the Priest going in after him, & [ 17] with him the Priestes of our Lord eightie, most valiant men, † they resisted the king, and sayd: It is not thy office Ozias, [ 18] to burne incense to our Lord, but of the Priestes, that is, of the children of Aaron, which are consecrated to this kind of mi∣nisterie: goe out of the Sanctuarie, contemne not: because this thing shal not be reputed to thee for glorie of our Lord God. † And Ozias being angrie, and holding in his hand the [ 19] censar to burne incense, threatned the Priestes. And forth∣with there rose a leprosie in his forehead before the Priestes, in the house of our Lord vpon the altar of incense. † And [ 20] when Azarias the high Priest had beheld him, and al the rest of the Priestes, they saw the leprosie in his forehead, and in hast they thrust him out. Yea and him self being sore afrayd, made hast to goe out, because he felt by and by the plague of our Lord. † Ozias therfore the king was a leper vntil the day [ 21] of his death, and he dwelt in a house apart ful of the leprosie, for the which he had bene cast out of the house of our Lord.

Moreouer Ioathan his sonne gouerned the kinges house, and iudged the people of the land. † But the rest of the wordes [ 22] of Ozias the first and the last wrote Isaias the sonne of Amos, the prophet. † And Ozias slept with his fathers, and they [ 23] buried him in the:: 1.813 kings sepulchres field, because he was a leper: and Ioathan his sonne reigned for him.

CHAP. XXVII. Ioathan a godlie king, 5. preuaileth in battel against the Ammonites. 7. dieth, and his sonne Achaz succedeth.

FIVE and twentie yeares old was Ioathan when he began [ 1] * 1.814 ••o reigne, and he reigned sixtene yeares in Ierusalem: the name of his mother was Ierusa the daugter of Sadoc. † And [ 2] he did that which was right before our Lord, according to al thinges, which Ozias his father had done, sauing that he entered not into the temple of our Lord, and as yet the people did sinne. † He built the high gate of the house of our Lord, [ 3] and in the wal of Ophel he built manie thinges. † Cities also [ 4] he built in the mountaynes of Iuda, and castelles and towres in the forrestes. † He fought agaynst the king of the [ 5] children of Ammon, and ouercame them, and the children of Ammon gaue him at that time an hundred talentes of siluer, and tenne thousand cores of wheate, and as manie cores of barley: the children of Ammon gaue him these thinges in the second and third yeare. † And Ioathan was strengthened, [ 6] because he had directed his waies before our Lord his God. † But the rest of the wordes of Ioathan, and al his battels, [ 7] and workes, are writen in the Booke of the kinges of Israel and Iuda. † He was fiue and twentie yeares old when he be∣gan [ 8] to reigne, and he reigned sixtene yeares in Ierusalem. † And Ioathan slept with his fathers, and they buried him [ 9] in the Citie of Dauid: and Achaz his sonne reigned for him.

CHAP. XXVIII. For his great wickednes Achaz is taken in battel, his countrie spoyled, and manie ••••••yne by the kinges of Syria, and Israel. 9. yet God suffereth not the kingdom to be subdued. 16. Then requiring helpe of the Assyrians. 17 is spoyled by the Idumeans, Philisthians, and Assyrians. 22. After al which pl••••nes he committeth more idolatrie. 26. dieth, and his sonne Ezechias reigneth.

TWENTIE yeares old was Achaz when he began to rei∣gne, [ 1] & he reigned sixtene yeares in Ierusalem: he did* 1.815 not right in the sight of our Lord as Dauid his father. † but [ 2] walked in the wayes of the kinges of Israel, moreouer also he did cast statues to Baalim. † He it is that burnt incense to the [ 3] Valebenennom, and he consecrated his sonnes in fire accor∣ding to the rite of the nations, which our Lord slewe in the coming of the children of Israel. † He sacrified also, & burnt [ 4] incense in the excelses, & on hilles, and vnder euerie tree ful of grene leaues. † And our Lord his God deliuered him into [ 5] the handes of the king of Syria, who stroke him, and tooke a great praye out of his kingdom, & brought into Damascus: to the handes also of the king of Israel was he deliuered, and striken with a great plague. † And Phacee the sonne of Ro∣melia [ 6] slewe of Iuda an hundred twentie thousand in one day, al men of warre: for that they had forsaken our Lord the God of their fathers. † At that time Zechri a mightie man of [ 7] Ephraim, slewe Maasias the kinges sonne, and Ezricam the gouernour of his house, Elcana also second from the king. † And the children of Israel tooke of their brethren [ 8] two hundred thousand of wemen, of boyes, and of wen∣ches, and an infinite praye: and they brought it into Samaria. † At that time there was a Prophete of our Lord, named [ 9] Oded: who going forth to meete the armie coming into Samaria, sayd to them: Behold our Lord the God of your fathers being angrie against Iuda, hath deliuered them into your handes, and you haue slayne them cruelly, so that your crueltie did reach to heauen. † Moreouer the children of [ 10] Iuda and Ierusalem you wil subdue vnto you for bondmen and bondwemen, which nedeth not to be done: for you haue sinned hereupon to our Lord your God. † But heare ye my [ 11] counsel, and carie backe the captiues, that you haue brought of your brethren, because the great furie of our Lord hangeth ouer you. † There stood therfore princes of the children of [ 12] Ephraim, Azarias the sonne of Iohanan, Barachias the sonne of Mosollomoth, Ezechias the sonne of Sellum, and Amasa the sonne of Hadali, against them that came out of the battel, † and they sayd to them: You shal not bring in the captiues [ 13] hither, lest we sinne to our Lord. Why wil you adde vpon our sinnes, and heape vp old offences? for it is a great sinne, and the anger of the furie of our Lord hangeth ouer Israel.

† And the men of warre dismist the pray, & al the thinges that [ 14] they had taken, before the princes and al the multitude. † And [ 15] the men, whom we mentioned aboue, stood and taking the captiues, and al that were naked they clothed and shod them, with the spoyles: and when they had clothed and refreshed them with meate and drinke, and annoynted them because of their labour, and had looked carefully to them: as manie as could not walke, and were of a weake bodie, they set on beastes, and brought them to Iericho the Citie of palme trees to their brethren, and themselues returned into Samaria. † At that time king Achaz sent to the king of the Assyrians [ 16] asking helpe. And the Idumeans came and stroke manie of [ 17] Iuda, and tooke a great praye. † The Philisthijms also were [ 18] spred abroad by the cities of the champayne, and toward the South of Iuda: and they tooke Bethsames, & Aialon, and Ga∣deroth, Socho also, & Thamnan, and Gamzo, with their vil∣lages, and dwelt in them. † For our Lord had humbled Iuda [ 19] because of Achaz the king of Iuda, for that he had made it naked of helpe, and had contemned our Lord. † And he [ 20] brought agaynst him Theglathphalnasar the king of the As∣syrians, who also afflicted him, and spoyled him no man resi∣sting. † Therfore Achaz spoyling the house of our Lord, and [ 21] the house of the kinges, and of the princes gaue giftes to the king of the Assyrians, and yet it did nothing profite him. † Moreouer also in the time of his distresse he increased con∣tempte [ 22] agaynst our Lord, king Achaz himself by himself, † immolated victimes to the goddes of Damascus that stroke [ 23] him, and sayd: The goddes of the kinges of Syria doe helpe them, whom I wil pacifie with hostes, and they wil ayde me,* 1.816 wheras on the contrarie part they were his ruine, and al Is∣raels. † Achaz therfore hauing spoyled al the vessels of the [ 24] house of God, and broken them shut the gates of the temple of God, and made him altars in al the corners of Ierusalem. † In al the cities also of Iuda he built altars to burne frankin∣cense, [ 25] and he prouoked to wrath our Lord the God of his fa∣thers. † But the rest of his wordes, al his workes the first and [ 26] the last are writen in the Booke of the kinges of Iuda and Israel. † And Achaz slept with his fathers, and they buried [ 27] him in the Citie of Ierusalem: for they receiued him not into the sepulchres of the kinges of Israel. And Ezechias his sonne reigned for him.

CHAP. XXIX. Ezechias repayreth the Temple, and diuine seruiee▪ 5. zelously exhorteth offen∣ders to repentance. 12. the Temple is purified in sixtene daies. 18. the king and nobles offer hostes, which the Priestes immolate. 25. with solemne musick (ordained by king Dauid) and great ioy of al the people.

THERFORE Ezechias began to reigne, when he was fiue [ 1] * 1.817 and twentie yeares old, and he reigned nine and twen∣tie yeares in Ierusalem: the name of his mother was Abia, the daughter of Zacharias. † And he did that which was [ 2] pleasing in the sight of our Lord, according to al thinges that Dauid his father had done. † He in the first yeare and moneth [ 3] of his reigne opened the doores of the house of our Lord, and repayred them. † And he brought the Priestes and the Leui∣tes, [ 4] and assembled them in the East streate. † And he sayd to [ 5] them: Heare me ye Leuites, and be sanctified, cleanse the house of our Lord the God of your fathers, and take away al vncleannes out of the Sanctuarie, † Our fathers haue sin∣ned [ 6] and done euil in the sight of our Lord God, forsaking him: they haue turned away their faces from the taber∣nacle of our Lord, and geuen the backe. † They haue shut [ 7] the doores, that were in the porch, and put out the lampes, and haue not burnt incense, and haue not offered holocaustes in the Sanctuarie of the God of Israel. † Therfore was the [ 8] furie of our Lord stirred vp vpon Iuda and Ierusalem, and he hath deliuered them into commotion, and into destruction, & to be hissed at, as your selues see with your eyes. † Behold, [ 9] our fathers haue fallen by the swordes, our sonnes, and our daughters, and wiues are led captiue for this wickednesse. † Now therfore it pleaseth me that we make a couenant [ 10] with our Lord the God of Israel, and he wil turne away the furie of his wrath from vs. † My children be not negligent: [ 11] our Lord hath chosen you to stand before him, and to mi∣nister to him, and to worshipe him, and to burne incense to him. † The Leuites therfore arose: Mahath the sonne of [ 12] Amasai, and Ioel the sonne of Azarias, of the children of Caath: moreouer the children of Merari, Cis the sonne of Abdi, and Azarias the sonne of Ialaleel. And of the children of Gerson, Ioah the sonne of Zemma, and Eden the sonne of Ioah. † But of the children of Elisaphan, Samri, and Iahiel. [ 13] Also of the children of Asaph, Zacharias, and Mathanias.

† Moreouer also of the children of Heman, Iahiel, & Semei: [ 14] yea and of the children of Idithun, Semeias, and Oziel. † And they gathered together their btethren, and were san∣ctified, [ 15] and went in according to the commandment of the king, and the precept of our Lord, to purge the house of God. † The Priestes also going into the Temple of our Lord [ 16] to sanctifie it, brought out al vncleannes, which they sound within the entrance of the house of our Lord, which the Le∣uites tooke, and caried to the Torrent cedron without. † And they began to clense it the first day of the first moneth, [ 17] and in the eight day of the same moneth they entred into the porche of the temple of our Lord, and they purged the tem∣ple in eight dayes, and in the sixtenth day of the same mo∣neth, they accomplished that which they began. † They [ 18] entered in also to Ezechias the king, and sayd to him: We haue sanctified al the house of our Lord, and the altar of ho∣locaust, and the vessels therof, moreouer also the table of proposition with al the vessels therof, † and al the furni∣ture [ 19] of the temple, which king Achaz in his reigne had pollu∣ted, after that he transgressed; and behold al thinges are set forth before the altat of our Lord. † and Ezechias the king [ 20] rising early, assembled al the princes of the citie, and went vp into the house of our Lord: † and they offered together [ 21] seuen oxen, and seuen rammes, seuen lambes, and seuen buckgoates for sinne, for the kingdom, for the sanctuarie, for Iuda, and he sayd to the Priestes the children of Aaron, that they should offer them vpon the altar of our Lord. † They killed therfore the oxen, and the Priestes tooke the [ 22] bloud, and powred it vpon the altar, they killed also the ram∣mes, and their bloud they powred also vpon the altar, and they immolated the lambes, and powred the bloud vpon the altar. † They brought the buckgoates for sinne before the [ 23] king, and the whole multitude, and they put their handes vpon them: † and the Priestes immolated them, and sprink∣led [ 24] their bloud on the altar for an expiation of al Israel: for the king had commanded for al Israel, that holocaust should be made, and for sinne. † He appoynted also the Leuites in [ 25] the house of our Lord with cymbals, and psalteries, and har∣pes according to the disposition of Dauid the king, and of Gad the Seer, and of Nathan the Prophete: for it was the precept of our Lord by the hand of his prophetes. † And the [ 26]

Leuites stoode, holding the instrumentes of Dauid, and the Priestes trumpettes. † And Ezechias commanded that they [ 27] should offer holocaustes vpon the altar: and when holo∣caustes were offered, they began to sing prayses to our Lord, and to sound with trumpettes, and on diuerse instrumentes, which Dauid the king of Israel had prepared for to sound. † And al the multitude adoring, the singing men, and they [ 28] that held the trumpettes, were in their office, whiles the ho∣locaust was accomplished. † And when the oblation was [ 29] ended, the king bowed, and al that were with him, and ado∣red. † And Ezechias, and the princes commanded the Leui∣tes, [ 30] that they should prayse our Lord in the wordes of Dauid, and Asaph the Seer: who praysed him with great ioy, and bowing the knee adored. † But Ezechias added these wordes [ 31] also: You haue filled your handes to our Lord, come, and offer victimes, and prayses in the house of our Lord. Al the multitude therfore offered hostes, and prayses, and holo∣caustes with a deuout minde. † Moreouer the number of [ 32] the holocaustes, which the multitude offered, was thls, oxen seuentie, rammes an hundred, lambes two hundred. † And [ 33] they sanctified to our Lord oxen six hunered, & sheepe three thousand. † But the Priestes were few, neither could they [ 34] suffise to draw of the skinnes of the holocaustes: wherfore the Leuites also their brethren holpe them, til the worke was accomplished, and the Priestes were sanctified, for the Leuites are sanctified with an easier rite, then the Priestes. † There were holocaustes therfore verie many, the fatte of [ 35] pacifiques, and the libamentes of the holocaustes: and the seruice of the house of our Lord was accomplished. † And [ 36] Ezechias reioysed, and al the people, because the ministerie of our Lord was accomplished. For it pleased them that the thing should be done of a soden.

CHAP. XXX. Ezechias by messengers and letters exhorteth the people both of Iuda and Israel, to make Paesch in Ierusalem. 11. which some of Israel, and al Iuda perfor∣me, 18. the fourtenth day of the second moneth, though al could not be purified according to the law. 23. they make an other feast of Azimes seuen dayes more, the king aend princes geuing hostes to the people.

EZECHIAS also sent to al Israel and Iuda: and he wrote [ 1] letters to Ephraim and Manasses, that they should come

to the house of our Lord in Ierusalem, and should make a Phase to our Lord the God of Israel. † Counsel therfore [ 2] being taken of the king and the princes, and of al the assem∣blie of Ierusalem, they decreed to make the Phase the second moneth. † For they could not make it in his time because [ 3] the Priestes that might suffise, had not bene sanctified, and the people had not as yet bene gathered into Ierusalem. † And [ 4] the word pleased the king, and al the multitude. † And they [ 5] decreed to send messengers into al Israel from Bersabee vnto dan, that they should come, and make the Phase to our Lord the God of Israel in Ierusalem: for manie had not made it as is prescribed by the law. † And the postes went forth with [ 6] letters of commandement from the king, and his princes, into al Israel and Iuda, according to that, which the king had commanded, proclaming: Children of Israel returne ye to our Lord the God of Abraham, and Isaac, and Israel: and he wil returne to the remnant, that hath escaped the hand of the king of the Assyrians. † Become not as your fathers▪ and [ 7] brethren, which haue reuolted from our Lord the God of their fathers, who hath deliuered them into destruction, as your selues see. † Harden not your neckes, as your fathers: [ 8] geue handes to our Lord, and come to his Sanctuarie, which he hath sanctified for ouer: serue our Lord the God of your fathers, and the wrath of his furie shal be turned away from you. † For if you shal returne to our Lord: your brethren, [ 9] and children shal haue mercie before their Lordes, that haue led them captiue, and they shal returne into this land: for our Lord your God is merciful, and wil not turne away his face from you, if you shal returne to him. † Therfore the [ 10] postes went forward spedely from citie to citie, through the land of Ephraim, and of Manasses, as farre as Zabulon, they mocking and skorning them. † Neuerthelesse certayne men [ 11] of Aser, and Manasses, and Zabulon, condescending to the counsel, came to Ierusalem. † But the hand of God was in [ 12] Iuda, to geue them one hart to doe the word of our Lord, according to the precept of the king and of the princes. † And much people was gathered into Ierusalem to make [ 13] the solemnitie of Azimes in the second moneth: † And [ 14] rising they destroyed the altars that were in Ierusalem, and ouerthrowing al thinges wherin incense was burnt to idols, they threw it into the Torrent cedron. † And they immolated [ 15]

the Phase the fourtenth day of the second moneth. The Priestes also and the Leuites at length being sanctified offe∣red holocaustes in the house of our Lord. And they stoode in their order according to the disposition, & law of Moyses the man of God: but the Priestes receiued the bloud to be powred out of the handes of the Leuites, † because a great [ 17] multitude Was not sanctified: & therfore the Leuites immo∣lated the Phase for them, that came not in time to be sancti∣fied to our Lord. † For a great part of the people of Ephraim, [ 18] and Manasses, and Issachar, and Zabulon, that had not bene sanctified, did eate the Phase, not according to that which is writen: and Ezechias prayed for them, saying: Our good Lord wil be merciful, † to al them, :: 1.818 that in al their hart [ 19] secke our Lord the God of their fathers: and wil not impute it to them that they are not sanctified. † Whom our Lord [ 20] heard, and was pacified to the people. † And the children of [ 21] Israel, that were found in Ierusalem, made the solemnitie of Azimes seuen daies in great ioy, praysing our Lord euerie day. The Leuites also and the Priestes by instrumentes, that agreed to their office. † And Ezechias spake to the hart of [ 22] al the Leuites, that had good vnderstanding concerning our Lord: and they did eate during the seuen daies of the solem∣nitie, immolating victimes of pacifiques, and praysing our Lord the God of their fathers. † And it pleased the whole mul∣titude [ 23] to celebrate it :: 1.819 other seuen daies: which also they did with great ioy. † For Ezechias the king of Iuda had [ 24] geuen the multitude a thousand oxen, and seuen thousand sheepe: but the princes had geuen the people oxen a thou∣sand, & sheepe ten thousand: there was sanctified therfore a verie great multitude of Priestes. † And al the multitude of [ 25] Iuda was ful of mirth, as wel of the Priestes and Leuites, as of al the assemblie, that came out of Israel; of the proselites also of the land of Israel, and them that dwelt in Iuda. † And [ 26] there was made a great solemnitie in Ierusalem, such as had not bene in that citie from the dayes of Salomon the sonne of Dauid the king of Israel. † And the Priestes & the Leuites [ 27] rose vp blessing the people: & their voice was heard: and their prayer came into the holie habitation of heauen.

CHAP. XXXI. Idoles being destroyed in al Iuda and part of Israel, Priestes and Leuites freely execute their functions. 4 Tithes and first fruictes are payed in such abun∣dance, 15. that they are put in store houses, and distributed by officers.

AND when these thinges had bene ritely celebrated, al [ 1] Israel that was found in the cities of Iuda, went forth, and they brake the idols, and cut downe the groucs, ouer∣threw the excelses, and destroyed the altars, not onlie out of al Iuda and Beniamin, but out of Ephraim also and Ma∣nasses, til they vtterly destroyed them: and al the children of Israel returned into their possessions and cities. † And [ 2] Ezechias appoynted companies of Priestes, and of Leuites, by their diuisions, euerie man in his owne office, to witte, as wel of the Priestes, as of the Leuites, for the holocaustes, and pacifiques, that they should minister, and :: 1.820 confesse, and sing in the gates of the campe of our Lord. † And the kinges [ 3] part was, that of his proper substance holocaust should be offered, morning alwaies and euening, in the Sabbathes also, and the Calendes and in other solennites, as it is writen in the law of Moyses. † He commanded also the people that [ 4] dwelt in Ierusaiem, to geue portions to the Priestes, and the Leuites, that they might attend the law of our Lord. † Which [ 5] when it was noysed in the eares of the multitude, the chil∣dren of Israel offered very manie first fruites of corne, of wine, and of oyle, of honie also: and of al thinges, which the ground bringeth forth, they offered tithes. † Yea and the [ 6] children of Israel and Iuda, that dwelt in the cities of Iuda, offered tithes of oxen, and sheepe, and tithes of sanctified thinges, which they had vowed to our Lord their God: and carying them al, made manie heapes. † The third moneth [ 7] they began to lay the fundations of the heapes, and in the seuenth moneth they finished them. † And when Ezechias, [ 8] and his princes came in, they saw the heapes, and blessed our Lord, and the people of Israel. † And Ezechias asked the [ 9] Priestes and the Leuites, why the heapes lay so: † Azarias [ 10] the high Priest of the stocke of Sadoc answered him, saying: Since first fruites began to be offered in the house of our Lord, we haue eaten, and haue bene ful, and very much hath remayned, because our Lord hath blessed his people: and of the remaynes this is the abundance, which thou seest. † Fzechias therfore commanded that storehouses should be [ 11] prepared in the house of our Lord. Which when they had done, † they brought in as wel the first fruites, as the tithes, [ 12] and watsoeuer they had vowed, faythfully. And the ouer∣seer of them was Chonenias a Leuite, and Semeihis brother

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the second, † after whom Iahiel, and Azarias, and Nahath, [ 13] and Asael, and Ierimoth, Iosabad also, and Eliel, and Iesma∣chias, and Mahath, and Banaias, ouerseers vnder the hand of Chonenias, and Semei his brother, by the commandment of Ezechias the king, and Azarias the high Priest of the house of God, to whom al thinges apperteyned. † But Core the [ 14] sonne of Iemna a Leuite, and porter of the east gate, was ouerseer of those thinges, which were voluntarily offered to our Lord, and of the first fruites and the thinges consecrated for Sancta sanctorum. † And vnder his charge Eden, and [ 15] Beniamin, Iesue, and Semeias, Amarias also, and Sechenias, in the cities of the Priestes, that they should faithfully distri∣bute to their brethren portions, to the lesser and greater: † sauing the men children from three yeares and aboue, to [ 16] al that entered into the temple of our Lord, and whatsoeuer day by day was profitable in the ministerie, and the obseruan∣ces according to their diuisions, † to the Priestes by families, [ 17] and to the Leuites from the twentith yeare and vpward, by the orders and companies, † and to al the multitude, as wel [ 18] their wiues, as their children of both sex, mea••es were geuen faithfully of these thinges, that had bene sanctified. † Yea [ 19] and of the children of Aaron by the fildes and the suburbes of euerie citie, there were men ordayned, that should distri∣bute portions, to al the male sexe, of the Priestes and the Leuites. † Ezechias therfore did al thinges which we haue [ 20] sayd in al Iuda: and wrought good and right, and truth before our Lord his God, † in al the seruice of the ministerie of the [ 21] house of our Lord, according to the law and the ceremonies, willing to seeke his God in al his hart, and he did it and pro∣spered.

CHAP. XXXII. Sennacherib king of Assyria inuading Iuda, king Ezechias encorageth the people, and prouideth to defend the countrie. 9. the Assyrians threaten the people, and blaspheme God. 20. Ezechias and Isaias pray. 21. An Angel destroyeth the Assyrians armie, so their king retiring home, is slayne in his idols temple, by his owne sonnes. 22. Ezechias reigneth in peace, 24. falleth into deadlie sicknes, but miraculously recouereth, offendeth in pryde, and repenteth. 27. is exceding rich, which he imprudently sheweth to strangers: 32. dieth, and Manasses succedeth.

AFTER which thinges, and :: this maner of truth, came* 1.821 [ 1] Sennacherib the king of the Assyrians, and entering

into Iuda, besieged the fensed cities, desirous to take them. † Which when Ezechias had sene, to witte, that Sennache∣rib [ 2] was come, and the whole force of the battel to be turned agaynst Ierusalem, † taking counsel with the princes, and [ 3] the most valiant men, to stoppe vp the heades of the fountay∣nes, that were without the citie: and the sentence of them al decreing this, † he gathered a very great multitude, & they [ 4] stopped vp al the fountaynes, and the riuer, that ranne in the middes of the land, saying: Lest the kinges of the Assyrians come, and finde abundance of waters. † He built also [ 5] doing industriously euerie wall that had bene destroyed, and built towers vpon them, and an other wall without: and he repayred Mello in the citie of Dauid, and made armour and shildes of al sortes: † And he appointed princes of warryers [ 6] in the armie: and he called them al together in the streate of the gate of the citie, and spake to their hart, saying: † Doe [ 7] manfully, and take courage: feare not, neither dread ye the king of the Assyrians, and al the multitude, that is with him: for there are manie moe with vs, then with him. † For with [ 8] him is an arme of flesh: with vs the Lord our God, which is our helper, and fighteth for vs. And the people was encoura∣ged with these maner of wordes of Ezechias the king of Iuda. † Which thinges after they were done, Sennacherib [ 9] the king of the Assyrians sent his seruantes to Ierusalem (for himself with al his armie beseiged Lachis) to Ezechias the king of Iuda, & to al the people, that was in the citie, saying: † Thus sayth Sennacherib the king of the Assyrians: In [ 10] whom hauing affiance, doe you sitte besieged in Ierusalem? † Hath Ezechias deceiued you, to deliuer you to death in [ 11] hunger and thirst, affirming that the Lord your God can de∣liuer you from the hand of the king of the Assyrians? † Why, [ 12] is not this Ezechias, that hath destroyed his excelses, and al∣tars, and hath commanded Iuda & Ierusalem, saying: Before one altar you shal adore, and on it you shal burne incense? † Are you ignorant what thinges I haue done, and my fathers [ 13] to al the peoples of the landes? haue the goddes of nations, and of al landes bene able to deliuer their countrie out of my hand? † Who is there of al the goddes of the nations, which [ 14] my fathers wasted, that could deliuer his people out of my hand, that your God also can deliuer you out of this hand? † Let not therfore Ezechias deceiue you, nor delude you [ 15]

with vayne persuasion, neither beleue ye him. For if no god o•• al nations and kingdomes, could deliuer his people out of my hand, and out of the hand of my fathers, consequently neither shal your God be able to deliuer you out of my hand. † Yea and manie other thinges did his seruantes speake, [ 16] agaynst our Lord God, and agaynst Ezechias his seruant. † Letters also he wrote ful of blasphemie against our Lord the [ 17] God of Israel, and he spake agaynst him: as the goddes of their nations could not deliuer their people out of my hand, so the God also of Ezechias can not deliuer his people out of this hand. † Moreouer also with a lowd crie, in the Iewes [ 18] tongue, he sounded against the people, that sate on the walles of Ierusalem, that he might terrifie them, and take the citie. † And he spake agaynst the God of Ierusalem, as agaynst the [ 19] goddes of the peoples of the earth, the workes of mens han∣des. † Ezechias therfore the king, and Isaias the prophet the [ 20] sonne of Amos, prayed agaynst this blasphemie, and cried out euen to heauen. † And our Lord sent an Angel, which stroke [ 21] euerie strong man, and warryer, and prince of the armie of the king of the Assyrians: and he returned with ignominie into his countrie. And when he was entered into the house of his God, his sonnes that were come forth of his wombe, slewe him with the sword. † And our Lord saued Ezechias [ 22] and the inhabitantes of Ierusalem, out of the hand of Senna∣cherib the king of the Assyrians, and out of the hand of al, & gaue them rest round about. † Manie also brought hostes, [ 23] and sacrifices to our Lord into Ierusalem, and giftes to Eze∣chias the king of Iuda: who was exalted after these thinges before al nations. † In those daies Ezechias was sick euen [ 24] to death, and he prayed our Lord: and he heard him, and gaue him a signe. † But not according to the benefites, which he [ 25] receiued, did he recompense, :: 1.822 because his hart was eleuated: and wrath came agaynst him, and agaynst Iuda and Ierusa∣lem. † And he was humbled afterward, because his hart had [ 26] bene exalted, both he and the inhabitantes of Ierusalem: and therfore the wrath of our Lord came not vpon them in the daies of Ezechias. † And Ezechias was rich, and glorious ex∣cedingly [ 27] and gathered to himself great treasures of siluer and of gold, and of pretious stone, of spices, and of armour of al kinde, and of vessels of great price. † Storehouses also of [ 28] corne, of wyne, and of oyle, and stalles of al beastes, and

foldes of cattel, † and six cities he built to him self: for he had [ 29] flockes of sheepe, and of heardes innumerable, because our Lord had geuen him substance exceding much. † The same [ 30] is Ezechias, that stopped the vpper fountaine of the waters of Gihon, and turned them away vnderneth toward the West of the Citie of Dauid: in al his workes he did prosperously what he would. † But yet in the embassie of the princes of [ 31] Babylon, that were sent to him, to aske of the wonder, that had chanced vpon the earth, God leift him that he might be tempted, and al thinges might be made knowen, that were in his hart. † But the rest of the wordes of Ezechias, and of his [ 32] mercies are writen in the vision of Isaias the sonne of Amos the prophete, and in the booke of the kinges of Iuda & Israel. † And Ezechias slept with his fathers, and they buried him in [ 33] the chiefe sepulchres of the children of Dauid: and al Iuda celebrated his funeralles, & al the inhabitantes of Ierusalem: and Manasses his sonne reigned for him.

CHAP. XXXIII. Manasses for his manifold wickednes is led captiue into Babylon. 12. repenteth in prison, is restored to his kingdom, and destroyeth idolatrie: 18. dieth, 21. & Amon succeding, 24. is slayne by his seruantes, and Iosias reigneth.

TWELVE yeares old was Manasses when he began to* 1.823 [ 1] reigne, and he reigned fiftie fiue yeares in Ierusalem. † And he did euil before our Lord, according to al the abo∣minations [ 2] of the nations, which our Lord ouerthrew before the children of Israel: † and being turned, he reedified the [ 3] excelses which Ezechias his father had destroyed: and he built altars to Baalim, and made groues, and he adored al the host of heauen, and worshipped it. † He built also altars in [ 4] the house of our Lord, wherof our Lord had sayd: In Ierusa∣lem shal my name be for euer. † And he built them to al the [ 5] host of heauen in the two courtes of the house of our Lord. † And he made his sonnes to passe through fyre, to the Vale∣benennom: [ 6] he obserued dreames, folowed southsayings, gaue him self to magike artes, he had with him magicians, & inchaunters: and he wrought manie euils before our Lord, to prouoke him. † Also a grauen, and a molten signe he put in [ 7] the house of God, wherof our Lord spake to Dauid, and to Salomon his sonne, saying: In this house, and in Ierusalem, which I haue chosen al the tribes of Israel, Wil I put my

name for euer, † And I wil not make the foote of Israel to [ 8] moue out of the land, which I haue deliuered to their fathers: yet so if they shal obserue to doe that I haue commanded them, and al the law, and the ceremonies, and iudgementes by the hand of Moyses. † Manasses therfore seduced Iuda, [ 9] and the inhabitantes of Ierusalem, that they did euil aboue al the nations, which our Lord had ouerthrowen before the face of the children of Israel. † And our Lord spake to him, [ 10] and to his people, and they would not attend. † Therfore he [ 11] brought vpon them the princes of the host of the king of the Assyrians: and they tooke Manasses, & led him bound with chaynes, and fetters into Babylon. † Who after that he was [ 12] in distresse, prayed our Lord his God: and did penance exce∣dingly before the God of his fathers. † And he desired him, [ 13] and besought him earnestly: :: 1.824 and he heard his prayer, and brought him agayne to Ierusalem into his kingdom, and Ma∣nasses knew that our Lord he was God. † After these thin∣ges [ 14] he built a wal without the citie of Dauid, on the west of Gihon in the valley, from the entrance of the fish gate round about vnto Ophel, and raysed it excedingly: and he appoyn∣ted princes of the host in al the fensed cities of Iuda: † and [ 15] he tooke away strange goddes, and the idol out of the house of our Lord: the altars also which he had made in the mount of the house of our Lord, and in Ierusalem, and he threw al without the citie. † Moreouer he reedified the altar of our [ 16] Lord, and immolated vpon it victimes, and pacifiques, and prayse: and he commanded Iuda to serue our Lord the God of Israel. † Neuerthelesse as yet the people immolated in the [ 17] excelses to our Lord their God. † But the rest of the actes of [ 18] Manasses: and his obsecration to his God: the wordes also of the Seers, that spake to him in the name of our Lord the God of Israel, are conteyned in the wordes of the kinges of Israel. † His :: 1.825 prayer also, and his obtayning, and al his sinnes, [ 19] and contempt, the places also wherein he built excelses, and made groues, and statues before he did penance, are writen in the wordes of Hozai. † Manasses therfore slept with his [ 20] fathers, and they buried him in his house: & his sonne Amon reigned for him. † Ammon was two and twentie yeares old [ 21] when he began to reigne, and he reigned two yeares in Ieru∣salem. † And he did euil in the fight of our Lord, as Manasses [ 22] his father had done: and he immolated to al the idols, which

Manasses his father had made, and serued them. † And he [ 23] did not reuerence the face our Lord, as Manasses his father did reuerence it, and he committed farre greater sinnes. † And when his seruantes had conspired agaynst him, they [ 24] slewe him in his owne house. † Moreouer the rest of the [ 25] multitude of the people, hauing slaine them that stroke Amon, made Iosias his sonne king for him.

CHAP. XXXIIII. Iosias destroyeth idolatrie. 8. repaireth the Temple. 14. The booke of the law found in the Temple is redde before him. 19. wherby vnderstanding the sinnes of the people, 23. a prophete foresheweth their punishment, 26. but not in his daies. 29. He reneweth the couenant betwen God and the people.

EIGHT yeares old was Iosias when he began to reigne, &* 1.826 [ 1] he reigned thirtie and one yeares in Ierusalem. † And he [ 2] did that which was right in the sight of our Lord, and wal∣ked in the waies of Dauid his father: he declined not nei∣ther to the right hand, nor to the left. † And in the eight [ 3] yeare of his reigne, when he was yet a child, he began to seeke the God of his father Dauid: and the twelfth yeare after he began to reigne, he cleansed Iuda and Ierusalem from excel∣ses, and groues, and idols, & sculptils. † And they destroyed [ 4] before him the altars of Baalim, and the idols, that had bene set vpon them, they destroyed: the groues also and sculptils he cut downe and brake in peeces: and ouer their tombes, that were accustomed to immolate vnto them, he strawed the fragmentes. † Moreouer the bones of the Priestes he* 1.827 [ 5] burnt on the altars of the idols, and he clensed Iuda and Ieru∣salem. † Yea and in the cities of Manasses, and of Ephraim, [ 6] and of Simeon, vnto Nepthali he ouerthrew al. † And when [ 7] he had destroyed the altars, and the groues, and had broken the idols into peces, and had ouerthrowen al profane tem∣ples out of al the land of Israel, he returned into Ierusalem. † Therfore in the eightenth yeare of his reigne, the land [ 8] now clensed, and the temple of our Lord, he sent Saphan the sonne of Eselias, and Maasias the gouernour of the citie, and Ioha the sonne of Ioachaz Commenter, that they should re∣payre the house of our Lord his God. † Who came to Helcias [ 9] the high priest: and taking of him the money, which had bene brought into the house of our Lord, and which the Le∣uites and porters had gathered together of Manasses, and

Ephraim, and of al the remnant of Israel, of al Iuda also, and Beniamin, and the inhabiters of Ierusalem, † they deliuered [ 10] in their handes, that ouersaw the workemen in the house of our Lord, that they should repayre the temple, and mend al weake partes. † But they gaue it to the artificers, and to the [ 11] masons, that they should bye stones out of the quarries, and timber for the ioyntures of the building, and for making the roofe of the house, which the kinges of Iuda had destroyed. † Who did al thinges faithfully. And the ouerseers of the [ 12] workemen were Iahath & Abdias of the children of Merari, Zacharias and Mosollam of the children of Caath, which vrged the worke: al Leuites skilful to sing on instrumentes. † But ouer them, that caried burdens to diuerse vses, were [ 13] scribes, and masters of the Leuites, and porters. † And when [ 14] they caried forth the money, that had bene brought into the temple of our Lord, Helcias the Priest found the Booke of the law of our Lord, :: 1.828 by the hand of Moyses. † And he sayd [ 15] to Saphan the Scribe: I haue found the booke of the law in the house of our Lord: and deliuered it to him. † But he [ 16] brought in the volume to the king, and told him, saying: Al thinges, which thou gauest into the hand of thy seruantes, loe are accomplished. † The siluer that was found in the [ 17] house of our Lord, they haue gathered into a masse: and it was geuen to the ouerseers of the artificers, and of them that make diuerse workes. † Moreouer Helcias the Priest deli∣uered [ 18] me this booke. Which when he had read in the kinges presence, † and he had heard the wordes of the law, he rent [ 19] his garmentes: † and he commanded Helcias, and Ahicam [ 20] the sonne of Saphan, and Abdon the sonne of Micha, Saphan also the scribe, and Asaa the kinges seruant, saying: † Goe, [ 21] and pray our Lord for me, and for the remnant of Israel, and Iuda, concerning al the wordes of this Booke, which is found: for the great furie of our Lord hath distilled vpon vs, for that our fathers haue not kept the wordes of our Lord, to doe al thinges, that are writen in this volume. † Helcias [ 22] therfore went, and they that were sent together by the king, to Olda a prophetesse, the wife of Sellum the sonne of The∣cuath, the sonne of Hasra keeper of the garmentes: who dwelt in Ierusalem in the second part: and they spake to her the wordes, which we haue aboue mentioned. † But she [ 23] answered them: Thus sayth out Lord the God of Israel: Tel

the man, that sent you to me: † Thus sayth our Lord: Behold [ 24] I wil bring euils vpon this place, and vpon the inhabitantes therof, and al the curses, that are writen in this Booke, which they redde before the king of Iuda. † Because they [ 25] haue forsaken me, and haue sacrificed to strange goddes, that they might prouoke me to wrath in al the workes of their handes, therfore shal my furie droppe vpon this place, & shal not be extinguished. † But to the king of Iuda that sent you [ 26] to beseche our Lord, thus speake ye: Thus sayth our Lord the God of Israel: Because thou hast heard the wordes of this volume, † and thy hart is mollified, and thou art hum∣bled [ 27] in the sight of our Lord for these thinges, which are spo∣ken against this place, and the inhabitantes of Ierusalem, and reuerencing my face, hast rent thy garmentes, and wept be∣fore me: I also haue heard thee, sayth our Lord. † :: 1.829 For now [ 28] wil I gather thee to thy fathers, and thou shalt be brought into thy graue in peace: neither shal thyne eies see al the euil that I wil bring in vpon this place, and vpon the inhabitantes therof. They therfore reported to the king al thinges that she had sayd. † But he calling together al the ancientes of [ 29] Iuda and Ierusalem, † went vp into the house of our Lord, [ 30] and al the men of Iuda, and the inhabitantes of Ierusalem, Priestes and Leuites, and al the people from the least to the greatest. In whose hearing in the house of our Lord, the king read al the wordes of the volume. † And standing on [ 31] his tribunal seate, he made a couenant before our Lord, that he would walke after him, and keepe his preceptes, and testi∣monies, and iustifications in al his hart, and in al his soule, and would do the thinges that were writen in that volume, which he had read. † He adiured also vpon this al that were [ 32] found in Ierusalem, and Beniamin: and the inhabitantes of Ierusalem did according to the couenant, of our Lord the God of their fathers. † Iosias therfore tooke away al abomi∣nations [ 33] of al the countries of the children of Israel: and made al, that were left in Israel, to serue our Lord their God. Al his daies they reuolted not from our Lord the God of their fathers.

CHAP. XXXV. Iosias celebrateth a most Solemne Pasch. 20. Is slaine by the king of Aegypt, al Iudalamenting him, 25. most specially Ieremias.

AND Iosias made in Ierusalem :: 1.830 a Phase to our Lord, [ 1] which was immolated the fourtenth day of the first* 1.831 moneth. † And he appoynted the Priestes in their offices, [ 2] and exhorted them that they would minister in the house of our Lord. † To the Leuites also, at whose instruction al Israel [ 3] was sanctified to our Lord, he spake: Put the Arke in the Sanctuarie of the temple, which Salomon built the sonne of Dauid the king of Israel, for you shal carie it no more: but now minister to our Lord your God, and to his people Israel. † And prepare your selues by your houses, and kinredes in [ 4] the diuisions of euerie one, as Dauid the king of Israel com∣manded, and Salomon his sonne described. † And minister [ 5] ye in the Sanctuarie by families and Leuitical companies, † and being sanctified immolate the Phase, prepare also your [ 6] brethren, that they may doe according to the wordes, which our Lord spake in the hand of Moyses. † Moreouer Iosias [ 7] gaue to al the people, that was found there in the solemni∣tie of the Phase, lambes and kiddes of the flockes, and of the rest of the cattel thirtie thousand, of oxen also three thousand, al these thinges of the kinges substance. † His [ 8] dukes also voluntarily offered that which they vowed, as wel to the people, as to the Priestes and the Leuites. Moreouer Helcias, and Zacharias, and Iahiel princes of the house of our Lord, gaue to the Priestes to make the Phase cattel one with an other two thousand six hundred, and oxen three hundred. † And Chonenias, and Semeias, also Nathanael, his bre∣thren, [ 9] moreouer Hasabias, and Iehiel, and Iozabad princes of the Leuites, gaue to the rest of the Leuites to celebrate the Phase fiue thousand sheepe, and oxen fiue hundred. † And [ 10] the ministerie was prepared, and the Priestes stood in their office: the Leuites also in companies, according to the kinges commandement. † And the Phase was immolated: and [ 11] Priestes sprinkled the blood with their hand, and the Leuites drew of the skinnes of the holocaustes: † and they sepera∣ted [ 12] them to geue them by the houses and families of euerie one, and to be offered to our Lord, as it is writen in the Booke of Moyses, of oxen also they did in like maner. † And they rosted the Phase vpon fyre, according to that [ 13] which is writen in the law: but the pacifique hostes they b••vled in caudrons, and kettles, and pottes, and in hast they distributed it to al the people. † And for themselues, and for [ 14]

the Priestes they prepared afterward: for in oblation of holocaustes and of fatte the Priestes were occupied vntil night: wherfore the Leuites prepared for themselues, and for the Priestes the children of Aaron last. † Moreouer the [ 15] singing men the children of Asaph stood in their order, ac∣cording to the precept of Dauid, and Asaph, and Heman, and Idithun the prophetes of the king: and the porters watched at euerie gate, so that they departed not a moment from the ministerie: for the which cause also their brethren the Leui∣tes prepared meates for them. † Therfore al the seruice of [ 16] our Lord was ritely accomplished that day, so that they made the Phase, and offered holocaustes vpon the altar of our Lord, according to the precept of king Iosias. † And the children [ 17] of Israel that were found there, made the Phase at that time, and the solemnitie of Azymes seuen daies. † There was not [ 18] a Phase like to this in Israel, from the daies of Samuel the prophete: neither did anie of al the kinges of Israel make a Phase as Iosias, to the Priestes, and the Leuites, and to al Iuda, and Israel that was found, and to the inhabitantes of Ierusa∣lem. † In the eightenth yeare of the kingdom of Iosias was [ 19] this Phase celebrated. † After that Iosias had repayred the [ 20] temple, came vp Nechao the king of Aegypt to fight in Char∣camis beside Euphrates: and Iosias went forth to meete him. † But he sending messengers vnto him, sayd: What haue I to [ 21] doe with thee king of Iuda? I come not agaynst thee this day, but I fight agaynst an other house, to the which God hath commanded me to goe in hast: leaue to doe agaynst God, who is with me, lest he kil thee. † :: 1.832 Iosias would not returne, but [ 22] prepared battel agaynst him, neither did he agree to the wor∣des of Nechao from the mouth of God, but went forward to fight in the fielde of Mageddo. † And there being wounded [ 23] of the Archers, he sayd to his seruantes: Carie me out of the battel, because I am sore wounded. † Who remoued him [ 24] from one chariote into an other chariote, that folowed him after the maner of kinges, and they caried him away into Ie∣rusalem, & he died, and was buried in the monument of his fathers, and al Iuda and Ierusalem :: 1.833 mourned for him. † Ie∣remie [ 25] most of al: whose lamentations al the singing men and singing wemen repeate vntil this present day vpon Iosias, and it is growen as it were a law in Israel: Behold it is sayd to be writen in the lamentations. † But the rest of the wordes [ 26]

des of Iosias & of his mercies: which are commanded by the law of our Lord: † his workes also the first and the last, are [ 27] writen in the Booke of the kinges of Iuda and Israel.

CHAP. XXXVI. Ioachaz reigneth three monethes. 4. His brother Eliakim (named loakim) eleuen yeares, 9. his sonne Ioachin three monethes, 11. his vncle Sedecias eleuen yeares. 14. Most Priestes, and people contemning the admonitions of Prophetes, 17. manie are slaine by the Chaldees, the Temple and Ierusalem spo led and burnt. 20. The sayd kinges successiuely, and people are caryed captiue into Babylon. 22. After seuentie yeares Cyrus king of Persia, relea∣seth the captiuitie, and geueth leaue to reedifie the Temple.

THE people therfore of the land tooke Ioachaz the [ 1] sonne of Iosias, and made him king for his father in Ie∣rusalem † Taree and twentie yeares old was Ioachaz, when [ 2] he began to reigne, and he reigned three monethes in Ierusa∣lem. † And the king of Aegypt when he came into Ierusa∣lem, [ 3] deposed him, and condemned the land in an hundred talentes of siluer, and a talent of gold. † And he made Elia∣kim [ 4] :: 1.834 his brother king for him, ouer Iuda and Ierusalem: and he turned his name Ioakim: but he tooke Ioachaz himself with him, and caried him away into Aegypt. † Fiue and [ 5] twentie yeares old was Ioakim when he began to reigne, and he reigned eleuen yeares in Ierusalem: and he did euil before our Lord his God. † Agaynst him came vp Nabuchodonosor [ 6] the king of the Chaldees, and brought him bound in chaynes into Babylon. † Whither he transported also the vessels of [ 7] our Lord, and put them in his temple. † But the rest of the [ 8] wordes of Ioakim, and of his abominations, which he wrought, and the thinges that were found in him, are con∣tayned in the Booke of the kinges of Iuda and Israel. And Ioachin his sonne reigned for him. † Eight yeares old was Io∣achin [ 9] when he began to reigne, and he reigned three mo∣nethes and ten dayes in Ierusalem, and he did euil in the sight of our Lord. † And when the compasse of a yeare was come [ 10] about, Nabuchodonosor the king sent some, that brought him in to Babylon, the most precious vessels of the house of our Lord being caried away withal: But he made Sede∣cias his vncle king ouer Iuda and Ierusalem. † One & twentie [ 11] yeares old was Sedecias when he began to reigne: & he rei∣gned eleuen yeares in Ierusalem. † And he did euil in the eies [ 12]

of our Lord his God, neither did he reuerence the face of Iere∣mie the prophet speaking to him from the mouth of our Lord [ 13] † He reuolted also from king Nabuchodonosor, who had ad∣iured him by God: & he hardened his necke & his hart, that he would not returne to our Lord the God of Israel. † Yea & [ 14] al the chiefe of the Priestes, and the people transgresled vn∣lawfully according to al the abominations of the Gentiles: and they polluted the house of our Lord, which he had sancti∣fied to him in Ierusalem. † And our Lord the God of their [ 15] fathers sent to them, by the hand of his messengers, rysing by night, and daily admonishing them: for that he spared his people and his habitation. † But they mocked the messen∣gers [ 16] of God, and litle estemed his wordes, and scorned the prophetes, vntil the furie of our Lord ascended vpon his people, and there was no amendment. † For he brought [ 17] vpon them the king of the Chaldees, and slewe their yong men with the sword in the house of his sanctuarie, he pitied not yong man, and virgin, and old man, no neither him that stouped for age, but he deliuered al into his handes. † And al [ 18] the vessels of the house of our Lord, as wel greater as lesser, and the treasures of the temple, and of the king, and the prin∣ces he transported into Babylon. † The enemies set fyre on [ 19] the house of God, and destroyed the wal of Ierusalem, al the towres they burnt, and what soeuer was pretious, they de∣stroyed. † If anie man escaped the sword, being led into Ba∣bylon [ 20] he serued the king and his sonnes, til the king of the Persians reigned. † That the word of our Lord by the mouth [ 21] of Ieremie might be accomplished, and the land might ce∣lebrate* 1.835 their Sabbathes: for al the daies of the desolation she kept a Sabbath, til the seuentie yeares were expyred. [ 22] † But in :: 1.836 the first yeare of Cyrus king of Persians, to fulfil the word of our Lord, which he had spoken by the mouth of Ie∣remie, our Lord raysed vp the spirit of Cyrus king of the Persians: who commanded to be proclaymed in al his king∣dom, yea by writing, saying: † Thus sayth Cyrus king of the [ 23] Persians: Al kingdomes of the earth hath the Lord the God of heauen geuen me, and he hath commanded me that I should build him a house in Ierusalem, which is in Iewrie: who of you is there in al his people? The Lord his God be with him, and let him goe vp.

THE CONTINVANCE OF THE CHVRCH AND RELIGION, IN THE FIFTH AGE. From the fundation of the Temple, to the cap∣tiuitie in Babylon. The space of 430. yeares.

ALBEIT there were greater Schismes, Heresies, and more reuoltes from Gods law and seruice in this fifth age, then in the former: Yet the true* 1.837 Church and Religion continued stil, and were no lesse conspicuous then before. VVhich being clere and euident, touching manie principal Articles, we wil here only remitte the reader to some special places, for confirmation therof: neither wil we be prolixe, in declaring other pointes denied, or called into controuersie at this time, by the impugners of Catholique Religion.

Beleefe in one God appeareth plainly in building, adorning, & dedicating* 1.838 the Temple with so great solemnitie of the Priestes, Leuites, and al the Tribes, and particularly by king Salomons prayer. 3. Reg. 7. & 8. 2. Paral. 2. &c. Also Prouerb. 8. Eccle. 12. Isaie. 41. 44. 45. The Mysterie of the B. Trinitie,* 1.839 Prouer. 12. Isaiae. 6. 48. 49. Ose. 11. Ioel. 2. Of Christ our Redemer. Isaie. 7. 8. 9. 11. 28. 53. Ierem. 23. 30. 33. Ezech. 17. 34. 37. Dan. 7. 9. Osee. 6. 11.* 1.840 14. Ioel. 2. Sophon. 2. Aggoei. 2. Zachar. 2. &c. Sacrifices, Sa∣cramentes, & other Rites the same as before. But more frequent Prophecies, that they should be changed into better, and perfecter by Christ. Prou. 9. Isai. 12. 52. 55. 61. In the meane time for more signification of the singular vertue of Christs Sacramentes, the effect of penitential workes is often recorded. For example, wicked Achab by hairecloth, fasting, and other humiliation escaped part of his deserued punish∣ment.* 1.841 3. Reg. 21. Manasses recouered Gods fauoure, and his tem∣poral kingdom. 2. Par. 33. VVho yet was punished in his posteritie. 4. Reg. 23. And the Niniuites by such penance auoided destruction. Ione. 3. Yea nothing is more frequent in the Prophetes then preaching of penance. Isa. 1. 2. 3. 30. Iere. 3. 18. &c. and others, al ascribing the cause of plagues, and affli∣ctions to the want of repentance. And false Prophetes condemned of errour and false doctrine, for promising the people peace, and securitie in their sinnes. Ierem. 14. Lamen. 2. Besides abstinence from diuers sortes* 1.842 of meates, counted vncleane (Isaiae 66.) and ordinarie fastes, according to* 1.843 the law, other fastes were appointed sometimes, vpon occasions requiring, not only to subdue, and mortifie the flesh, but also to obtaine mercie at Gods handes in special distresses. 2. Par. 20. Ioel. 1. 2. Ione 3. Elias fasting fourtie dayes, 3. Reg. 19. prefigured Christs fast. VVhich the Church imita∣teth in Lent of fourtie daies, according to humane habilitie, for the fastes* 1.844 of Christ, Elias, and Moyses were miraculous.

To the Feastes instituted before, was added the Dedication of the* 1.845

Temple. 3. Reg. 7. 2, Par. 3. Which was built in Mount Moria, 2. Par. 3. the special place designed long before for this purpose, when A∣braham* 1.846 was directed thither by God, & was there readie to sacrifice his sonne Isaac. Gen. 22. where Dauid also offered sacrifice. 2. Reg. 24. 1. Par. 21.

This being the onlie ordinarie place for Sacrifice, there were for o∣ther vses of daylie prayer reading, preaching, and hearing the word of God other Synagogues built (as it were Parish churches) in great number: in* 1.847 Ierusalem it self foure hundred and foure score, and manie more in the whole kingdom, as the Hebrew Traditions testifie. Of al which places, especially of* 1.848 the Temple, there was venerable respect had. For which cause when Ioiada the High Priest gaue order to kil Athalia, he suffered it not to be donne in the Temple, but commanded first to draw her forth. 4. Reg. 11. 2. Par. 23. And as peculiar places, so special Psalmes, and Hymnes were appoin∣ted* 1.849 for diuers purposes and occasions. 2. Par. 20.

The ministerie of Angeles was very vsual in this time. One was sent* 1.850 to comforte and direct Elias the prophet in his afflictions. 3. Reg. 19. 4. Reg. 1. An Angel stroke the Assyrians whole campe, 4. Reg. 19. 2. Par. 32. Also the Intercession of Angels is so euident, Tobiae 12. Raphael offe∣ring Tobias prayer to God, that Protestants haue no other refuge to auoide this point of faith, but by denying the Booke to be Canonical Scripture.

Honour of other Sainctes, and their Intercession is proued a Maiori.* 1.851 For so much as honour was religiously exhibited to spiritual power and excel∣lencie, in men yet liuing in this world. So a Noble man adored Elias the Prophet, being farre greater then he is ciuil, and worldlie respectes. 3. Reg. 18. Eliseus also was adored by his disciples, not for anie worldlie authoritie or eminence, but for his spiritual power and superioritie amongst them. 4. Reg. 2. Likewise al Prophetes, and Priestes were religiously hono∣red for their holie and spiritual functions. 3. Reg. 13. Much more Sainctes are rightly honored being immortal, and in eternal glorie. It appea∣reth also that Elias, seuen yeares after that he was translated from huma∣ne conuersation (when Eliseus was chiefe Prophet. 4. Reg. 3. which was in or before the eightenth yeare of Iosaphat, who reigned fiue and twentie. 3. Reg. 22.) had care of Ioram, and his kingdom, admonishing him by letters of Gods wrath, against him and his people for their sinnes. 2. Par. 21. And the scripture saieth often, that God spared and protected Ierusa∣lem, and the kingdom of Iuda for Dauids sake. 3. Reg. 11. 15. 4. Reg. 8. 19. 20. 2. Par. 6. 21. Isa. 37. we haue also example of Sainctes Reli∣ques* 1.852 in the cloke of Elias. 4. Reg. 2. in Eliseus bones, 4. Reg. 13. and in an other Prophetes bodie buried in Bethel. VVhich Iosias would not suffer to be touched. 4. Reg. 23. Images were conserued in the Temple,* 1.853 3. Reg. 7. as before in the Tabernacle: when idolartie was most destroyed.

3. Reg. 15. 4. Reg. 23. yea an abuse rising of the brasen serpēt, for which Eze∣chias destroyed it 4. Reg. 18. yet he touched not the Images of Cherubins in the Temple. VVhich none but Infideles sought to destroy. And Osee the Pro∣phet (ch. 3.) bewayleth the want of Theraphim or Images, amongst other sacred thinges, Sacrifice, Altar, and Ephod. VVherby the ancient Rab∣bins proue very wel, that Images of Angels (and the same of other Sainctes) are not contrarie to the Decalogue, but the images of Idoles. Good workes were rewarded, and bad punished, 3. Reg. 9. and the* 1.854 whole historie of this age testifieth the same. VVhere by the way may be obser∣ued, that some inst men fel from their iustice, as Salomon. 1. Par. 28. 3. Reg. 11. Ioas, 4. Reg. 12. 2. Par. 24. Ozias, 2. Paral. 26. Others from wickednes returned to pietie. as Manasses 4. Reg. 23. 2. Par. 33. the* 1.855 multitude of the people very often much folowing the disposition of their kinges. Special State of life not commanded by the law, was voluntarily professed, and obserued by some Prophetes, and their disciples, called the children of Prophetes. Keping particular Rules, and wearing distinct* 1.856 habite. 4. Reg. 1. 2. 4. The orders of Nazarites, and Rechabites institu∣ted before, continued stil. Amos. 2. Ierem. 35. stil which were very exam∣plar* 1.857 figures of Religious State, and Orders in the new Testament, and perpetual chastitie of clergie men embraced by such, as folow Euangelical counsailes. proposed, and not commanded by our Sauiour. To which S. Paul likewise exhorteth, though there be no precept therof to anie, before they bind themselues.

Exequies for the dead were continually kept, as the sacred historie wit∣nesseth,* 1.858 recording where and with what solennitie the kinges were buried. which would be ouerlong, & nedeles to recite: the like is also writen of some Prophetes. 3. Reg. 13. 4. Reg. 23. Holie Tobias by example, and fatherlie admonition exhorted his sonne, to do workes of mercie, not only to the liuing, but also to the dead. Put thy bread, and thy wine vpon the sepulture of the iust. c. 4. Isaias, ch. 57. as the Iewes both vnderstood and* 1.859 practised, prayed, that peace be geuen to the iust, in his couch, or resting place after his death. Of the general Resurrection, Elias transla∣tion* 1.860 is a figure, who yet liuing sheweth, that God can and wil restore al men to life againe in their bodies, after death, as he conserueth him, and Enoch in their mortal bodies without corruption. Ezechiel also prophecieth of the Resurrection of the dead, applying it mystically to spiritual resurrection, and restauration of Israel to former state. ch. 37. Of the last Iudgment, and* 1.861 eternal glorie to the good, and euerlasting paine to the wicked, Salomon agreably to the doctrin of other Prophetes, discourseth▪ in his booke of Ecclesia∣stes,* 1.862 namely ch. 3. 11. and in the last concludeth thus. Let vs al together heare the end of speaking: Feare God, and obserue his command∣mentes:

for this is euerie man (or, to this end man is created) and God wil bring, into Iudgement al thinges, that are done, for euerie errour (or obscure thing) whether it be good or euil.

Neither were these and other pointes of Faith and Religion interrup∣ted,* 1.863 but stil beleued and professed in the Church alwaies visible and incontaminate, notwithstanding some boughes an•• branches became vn∣structsul, and rotten: others brake of and were separated from this vine. For when Salomon falling to luxurie, multiplying manie wiues and con∣cubines, was by them seduced and brought to spiritual fornication, and idolatrie, making altars, & offering sacrifices to Idoles, the Priestes, Prophetes, and people generally perseuered in Gods law & seruice. 3. Reg. 11. After whose death Ieroboam his seruant, of the tribe of E∣phraim,* 1.864 possessing Tenne Tribes (called the kingdom of Israel) to main∣taine his new state, fearing that if the people resorted to Ierusalem, for reli∣gions sake, they would depart from him, and returne to the right heyres of Dauid and Salomon, made an egregious Schisme; setting vp two golden calues in Bethel, and Dan. 3. Reg. 12. made temples, altares, and priestes to s••rue them, al opposite to Gods ordinance. But not only the other Two Tribes, called the kingdom of Iuda, but also the greatest part of Israel, especially Priestes, Leuites, and deuoutest people, repayred stil to Ierusalem, not yelding to that schisme and idolairie. 2. Par. 11. Moreouer God raised vp and sent special Prophetes, to confirme the weake and recal the seduced.

For Ieroboam had no sowner sette vp his new altar in Bethel, and begunne* 1.865 to offer incense vpon it, but a Prophet came out of Iuda, in the word of our Lord: and cried against that altar, foretelling that wheras for that present, they burnt frankine••nse vpon it, the time should come, when the false* 1.866 priestes should be burned there, confirming by present miracles that which he auerred in wordes, the kings hand suddanly withering, & restored* 1.867 againe by the prophets prayer, and the new altar cleuing in sunder, that the ashes fel out. 3. Reg. 13. Further an other Prophet called Ahias foreshew∣ed the destruction and vtter extirpation of Ieroboams familie, for his enormious wickednes, and namely (which is most often inculcate) for ma∣king Israel to sinne, by deuising and setting abroch a new religious. 3. Reg. 14. which ruine happened very shortly. For himself reigning twentie two yeares* 1.868 (3. Reg. 14.) one of his sonnes died presently according to the Prophets word. v. 18. An other called Nadab succeding to his father, reigned only two yeares, and vvas slaine together with their whole race and kindred,* 1.869 by Baasa of the tribe of Issachar. 3. Reg. 15. Likewise Baasa folowing the bad steppes of Ieroboam was forewarned by Iehu a Prophet, that his house should also be destroyed. And accordingly when he had reigned foure and

twentie yeares, his sonne Ela reigning but two yeares, was slaine by his ser∣uant* 1.870 Zambri, and al his kinred destroyed. VVhish Zambri reigned but seuen dayes. For being forthwith besieged by Amri, of the tribe of Beniamin, he desperatly burned him self together with the kinges palace. Neither did Amri then possesse the kingdome with peace. For he being chosen king by the armie only, whereof he was general, an other part of the people chose & folowed Thebni. Wherof arose ciuil Warre betwen the Antikinges, continuing three yeares: til ••hebni died, and so Amri reigned alone, but wickedly as his predecessors, twelue yeares in al. Then succeeded his sonne Achab most wicked. Who maried Iezabel a Sydonian, & by her was perswaded to worshippe Baal. 3. Reg. 16. To him not withstanding God sent manie admonitions by sundrie Prophetes, and bestovved great benefites vpon him, wherupon he did some notorious penitential workes; but not perseuering in anie good thing, re∣turned to his wickednes. 3. Reg. 20. And finally beleuing false prophetes, and persecuting Micheas for prophecying the truth, was slaine in battel when he thought himself most secure. 3. Reg. 22. hauing reigned twentie two yeares. 3. Reg. 16. His sonne Ochozias reigning but two yeares fel through a win∣dow, and died of the hurt. 4. Reg. 1. His other sonne Ioram; after twelue yeares was slaine by Iehu of another familie: who then dispatched Iezabel,* 1.871 and leauing her in the streete, the dogges did e••te her carcasse. He also caused seuentie sonnes of Ioram to be slaine, and vtterly destroyed al Achabs house. 4. Reg. 10. For which seruice he was established in the kingdome, for foure gene∣rations, v. 30. So himselfe reigning twentie eight yeares, ••. Reg. 10. after hi•• reigned successiuely his sonne Ioachaz seuenetene yeares, his sonne Ioas, six∣tene yeares. 4. Reg. 13. his sonne Ieroboam one and fourtie yeares. Last lie his sonne Zacharias, vvhom his seruant Sellum of an other race, killed* 1.872 when he had reigned but six monethes. 4. Reg. 15. And after one mon••th Sellum vvas slaine by Manahen of another progenie. VVho reigned tenn•• yeares. Then his sonne Phaceia reigning two yeares, was slaine by Phacee of another generation. He reigning twentie yeares, manie of his people were carried captiue into Assiria, and himselfe was slaine by Osee of another kindred. 4. Reg. 15. Finallie the Assirians taking Samaria by three yeares* 1.873 siege, in the ninth yeare of Osee possessed the kingdome of Israel, and led al the principal persons captiues into Ass••ria: about two hundred fourtie two yeares after that Ieroboam first reigned ouer the Ten Tribes. Th•••• there were in al ninetene kinges. Besides Thebni, who onlie reigned in part against another. Of which the first Ieroboam, and Iehu were aduan∣ced by Gods ordinance, for punishment of others. Amri was chosen by the armie, the rest of the people chosing Thebni: Six inuaded by mere force, killing their predecessors. The rest succeeded▪ by such titles as their fathers had. And though some were better some worse then others▪ al were wicked, and at la•••• ouerth ••w••••.

Contrariwise in the kingdome of Iuda standing after the seperation of* 1.874 tenne tribes about foure hundred yeares, though some kinges were wicked, yet some were good; and in them al God preserued Dauids seede, by the line of Salomon, in this direct succession: Roboam, Abias, Asa, Iosa∣phat, Ioram, Ochozias, Ioas (in whose infancie, his grandmother A∣thalia vsurped the kingdome six yeares) Amasias, Ozias, Ioathan, A∣chaz, Ezechias, Manasses, Amon, Iosias, Ioachaz (hitherto the sonne euer succeeding his father) then Ioakim (brother of Ioachaz) Ioachin other∣wise called Iechonias, sonne of Ioachaz. And finallie his Vncle Sedecias; who was carried captiue into babilon. But Iechonias by Gods special prouidence, was fauored and exalted by a new king of Babilon. whe∣ther he was led captiue before. In whose line Dauids of spring continu∣ed though not with title of kinges, yet in eminent state, and estimation. As resteth to be noted in the sixth age of the world.

The progenie also of Aaron continued in their office and function of* 1.875 Priesthood, with succession of High Priestes; as before from Aaron to Sadoc, partly in the line of Eleazar, partlie of Ithamar, both Aarons sonnes; so from Sadoc, by the like succession of both families. For of Eleazar is recor∣ded this Genealogie 1. Parol. 6. Sadoc, Achimaas, Azarias, Iohanan, Azarias, Amarias, Achitob, Sadoc, Sellum, Helcias, Azarias, Za∣raias, and Iosedech. vvho vvas High Priest in the captiuitie. (v. 15.) being caried into Babilon in the first transmigration vvith king Iechonias, be∣fore the general captiuitie of al, as it seemeth 4. Reg. 24. his father Zaraias yet liuing, vvho vvas slaine nine yeares after by Nabuchadonosor, 4. Reg. 25. And amongst these there vvere some High Priests of Ithamars line. Towitte, Ioram, Ioiada (4. Reg. 11. 2. Par. 23.) Ioathan, Vrias, (4. Reg. 16.) and some others; or els some of the aboue mentioned, had other names. recited by Iosephus. lib. 10. cap. 11. Antiq. and Nicephorus lib. 2. cap. 4. Hist. Eccles.

Moreouer besides this ordinarie succession of Priestes, there vvas an extra∣ordinarie* 1.876 mission of Prophetes: to supply more fullie the office of prea∣ching the truth, and admonishing offenders. And these God inspired and sent, most especiallie when and where errors sprong, and sinnes most abounded: geuing them extraordinarie grace and most excellent vertues, to conterpoise the enormities of vvicked men. Such vvere in the times of A∣chab and Iezabel, in the kingdome of Israel, besides manie others, the two fa∣mous* 1.877 great Prophets Elias, & Eliseus. vvhose admirable liues and holie conuersation vvere a mirrour to the vvorld, and great terrour to the vvicked, VVhose vvorkes and miracles meruelouslie confirmed the vvel disposed, en∣couraged the w••ake, conuerted manie transgressors, confounded false Prophets,* 1.878 iustified their ovvne preaching, and much glorified God. Elias 1. shutte the

heauen, that it rayned not in three yeares. 2. was fedde by rauens. 3. Multiplied a poore vvidovves meale & oile. 4. Raised her dead sonne to life (3. Reg. 17.) 5. Brought fire from heauen, to burne his sacrifice: thereby confounding foure hundred and fifty false prophets of Baal. 6. By prayer procured rayne. (3. -Reg. 18.) 7. Fasted vvithout eating or drincking fourtie daies and nightes together. (3. Reg. 19.) 8. Procured fire from heauen, which deuoured two insolent captaines, and their hundred men (4. Reg. 1.) 9. Diuided the riuer of Iordan vvith his cloke, that him∣selfe and Elisens passed ouer the drie chanel. 10. VV as assumpted in a firie chariote into some place, vvhere he yet liueth. And parting a vvay Ob∣tained of God, the like duble spirit (of prophecie and miracles) to Eliseus. In like maner Eliseus. 1. diuided Iordan againe by Elias cloke, and so* 1.879 returned to his disciples. 2. Amended the bitternes of certaine waters, by casting in salte. 3. Boies being cursed by him, for deriding him, were forth vvith torne by beares (4. Reg. 2.) 4. He procured water with∣out rayne, for three kinges in the campe (4. Reg. 3.) 5. Multiplied a poore vvidovves Oile. 6. By his prayers barren woman became frutefull. 7. He raised her sonne from death. 8. Made the bitter broth of his disciples sweete. 9. Fedde maine with few loaues (4. Reg. 4.) 10. Cured Naaman of leprosie. 11. Stroke Giezi with the same (4. Reg. 5.) 12. Naaman of leprosie. 11. Stroke Giezi with the same (4. Reg. 5.) 12. Made yron to swimme. 13. Knewe the secret counsels of the Syrian king. 14. Made one see horsemen, and firie chariotes, which to o∣thers were inuisible. 15. Made the Syrianes blinde, that vvere sent to apprehend him, and so ledde them into samaria. 16. For shewed vnex∣pected plentie of corne the next day, VVith the death of a great man, that would not beleue it. (4. Reg. 7.) 17. And after his death an o∣ther mans dead bodie, touching his bones reuiued. 4. Reg. 13.

Other Prophets vvrought also miracles, but these for example may suffice to she vve, that God preserued religion also in the kingdome of Israel.* 1.880 VVhich himselfe further testified, euen in most desolate times, vvhen Elias la∣mented that he vvas leift alone (3. Reg. 19.) For God ansvvered, that seuen thousand (meaning therby a great multitude) had not bowed their knees to Baal, not so much as in out vvard she vve conformed themselues to infidelitie, or idolatrie. Iehu in his time, destroyed all the worshippers of Baal. (4. Reg. 10.) But none at anie time could wholy destroy true Israelites. For God would not suffer it. 4. Reg. 14. v. 27.

Yea not vvithstanding diuers notorious heresies vvere preached, & fo∣lovved* 1.881 in that kingdome of the Tenne tribes, yet ab did not fall, nor embrace them. Iecoboam not onlie made and set vp golden calues, but also taught, that they vvere Gods, saying: Behold thy goddes, O Israel, which* 1.882 brought thee out of the land of Aegypt. 3. Reg. 12. making temples,

altars, and imaginarie priestes, which were not of the children of Leui. Also a feast the fiftenth day of the moneth, after the simili∣tude of the solemnitie, that was celebrated in Iuda. Al which the holie Scripture saith: He fourged of his owne hart. The very propertie of Archeretickes. But the true Priestes, Leuites, and manic others, that* 1.883 had geuen their hart to seke our Lord, went into Ierusalem, to im∣molate theire victimes before our Lord the God of their fathers. 2 Par. 11. Yea Naaman a stranger of Syria, and a Neophite in religion, taught by his example, that none may yeld conformitie, nor otherwise com∣municate with Infideles, then Gods Priests, or Prophetes approue for lawful. 4. Reg. 5.

Vnto this heresie of leroboam Achab, by Iezabels perswasion, added* 1.884 the worshipping of Baal, as God. 3. Reg. 16. making both temple and altar to him in Samaria. Ieroboams priests seruing fitly this purpose. Though al the former heretikes no more agreed to this new heresie, then Iutherans now admitte of Caluinisme. For Iehua Ieroboamite destroyed al Iezabilits that he could by a stratageme gette together. 4. Reg. 10. v. 28. 29. Muchlesse did al Israel serue Baal.

Againe after that Salmanazar king of Assyria had taken Samaria, and* 1.885 placed there a new people, 4. Reg. 17. they learning the rites of the Israelits religion, mixed their Paganisme there with, and made a new heresie, or rather manie new heresies. For being diuers nations they had in se∣ueral conuentieles, their particular goddes, and so manie diuers Sects. The Babylonians, Cutheites, Emathites, Heueites, and Sapharuai∣mites. 4. Reg. 17. But as the Priestes, which taught them rites of true religi∣on, allowed not of this mixture, so doubtles some people harkened to their ad∣monitions, and kept religion simply and sincerely. And at this very time of the Tenne tribes captiuitie, holie Tobias who was carried captiue with the* 1.886 rest, neither before nor after the captiuitie, leift the law of God. But went to Ierusalem (when others serued leroboams golden calues) to the Temple of our Lord, and there adored the Lord God of Israel. And in capti∣uitie bestowed himselfe in workes of mercie, towardes the liuing and dead of his nation. Tob. 1.

As for the kingdom of Iuda, it was more free from heresies. For* 1.887 very few or none of those kinges that fell to other grosse enormities, yea to manifest idolatrie, became heretikes, as is probablie collected by that Isaias the Prophet being sent to Achaz, admonished him, conuersed and dealt with him, as with one that beleued wholly and solely true religion: assuring him that God would protect Ierusalem, bidding him not to feare the two smoking* 1.888 firebrandes, in the wrath of Rasin king of Syria, and of Phacce king of Israel. Isa. 7. Further bidding him aske a singe of God, he answe∣red,

though frovvardli••, yet not as an infidel: I wil not aske: and I wil not tempt our Lord. Yea though Vrias the High Priest by command∣ment* 1.889 of the same king (4▪ Reg. 16.) made a new altar in place of Gods Al∣tar, yet he erred not in faith, nor in doctrine, as teaching in Moyses chayre, but in fact onclie, and of frailtie for feare of the king, a•• the king offended in his externall act, to slatter the king of Syria. And in this case God sent Isai•••• to admonish the king, which Vrias neglected, or durst not do. Likwise Io∣ram* 1.890 (4. Reg. 8 2. Par. 21.) Ochozias (2. Par. 22.) Ioas in the latter part of his life, 2. Par. 24. Manasses in the former part of his reigne (4. Reg. 2. 2. Par 33.) and sowe other kinges of Iuda committing idolatrie, and making others to fall with them, either were not wholie peruerted, or at least drew not al with them, For not onlie Prophets, in whose hand (or ministerie) God spake, and reproued these sinnes, but manie others kept their Zele of true reli∣gion. as appeared in their promptnes to serue God, when by good kinges Asa, Iosaphat, Ezechias, Iosias and others, they were exhorted, or admitted so to do. 4. Reg. 18. 23. 2. Par. 15. 17. 29. 30. 31. 33. 34. &c.

Finally wheras diuers good princes disposed, thinges belonging to Diuine seruice in the temple, correcting faultes, and punishing often∣ders in that behalfe, (3. Reg. 15. 4. Reg. 18. 23.) they did the same with∣out preiudice of the High Priestes suprem••cie in spirituall causes, and their godlie actes make nothing for the English Paradox of Laihead∣shippe.* 1.891 For superior authoritie, and ordinarie povvre is not proued by factes good or euil, but rather by Gods ordinance and institution. For as the factes of vsurpers make no lawfull prescription; so neither the factes of good men, do change Gods general ordinance and law: But are done either by waie of exe∣cution, or sometimes by dispensation. Often also by commission and special in∣spiration of God. As king Dauid by dispensation did eate the holie bread,* 1.892 * 1.893 which was ordained for Priests onlie. 1. Reg 21. He disposed of Priestes and Leuites offices about the Arke of God. Par. 15. 19. by way of execution accor∣ding to the law. And of the like offices in the Temple (when it should be built) 1. Par. 23. 24. 25. 26. by diuine inspiration. And Salomon by com∣mission from God deposed Abiathar the High Priest, from his office and put Sadoc in his place. 3. Reg. 2. VVherefore albeit good kinges did excellentlie well in calling together the Priestes, and disposing them in their offices, for execution of Gods seruice, yea in commanding what they should do 4. Reg. 18. 19. 22. and in punishing Priestes (4. Reg. 23.) yet they did such thinges as Gods Commissioners, not as ordinarie Superiors in spiritual causes, and still the ordinarie subordination made by the law, Deut. 17. Num. 27. stood firme and inuiolable, the High Priest supreme Iudge of all doubtes in faith, causes, and quarels in religion, when other subordinate inferior Iudges varied in their iudgmentes. Of which offices Malachias the Propher (cap. 2.)

admonished Priestes in his time, that whereas they were negligent, not per∣forming* 1.894 their dutie, their sinne was the greater, for that their authoritie stil re∣mained, and the perpetual Rule of the lavv, that the lippes of the Priest shal kepe knowlege, and they (other men generally) shal require the law of his mouth, because he is the Angel of the Lord of hostes. And al Princes & others were to receiue the law at the priestes hād of* 1.895 the Leuitical Tribe. This vvas the vvarrant of stabilitie in truth of the Syna∣gogue* 1.896 in the old Testament. Much more the Church and Spouse of Christ, vvhose excellencie and singular priuileges Salomon describeth in his can∣ticle of canticles, hath such vvarrant. Of this spouse al the Prophets write, & that more pla••nlie then of Christ himselfe, forseing more aduer∣saries* 1.897 bending their forces against her, as S. Augustine obserueth, then against Christ her head. And the same holie father in manie pla∣ces teacheth, that she neither perisheth, nor loseth her beutie, for the mixture of euil members, in respect of whom she is blacke, but fayre in re∣spect of the good, Canti••. 1. Notwithstanding therfore sinners remaining within the Church, schismatikes and heretickes breaking from the Church, stil she remaineth the pillar and firmament of truth; the virgin daughter of Sion.

THE ARGVMENT OF THE BOOKES OF ESDRAS.

ESDRAS a holie Priest and Scribe; of the stocke of Aaron, by the line* 1.898 * 1.899 of Eleazar, vvriteth the historie of Gods people, in, and presently after their captiuitie in Babilon: vvhich Nehemias an other godlie Priest prosecu∣teth, vvhose booke is also called the second of Esdras, because in the Hebrevv and Greke they are but one booke, relating the acts of them both. The other two books called the third and fourth of Esdras, touching the same matter, are not in the Hebrew, nor receiued into the Canon of holie Scrip∣ture, though the Greke Church hold the third booke as Canonicall, and pla∣••eth it first, because it conteyneth thinges donne before the other.

In the two here folowing, vvhich are vndoubtedly holie Scripture S. Ie∣rom* 1.900 * 1.901 sayth, that Esdras and Nehemias (to witte the Helper, and Com∣forter from God) restored the Temple, and built the walles of the citie; adding that al the troope of the people returning into their countrie, also the description of Priestes, Leuites, Israelites, Pro∣selites, and the workes of walles and to wres diuided by seueral fa∣milies, aliud in cortice praeferunt, aliud in medulla▪ retinent, shew one thing in the barke, kepe an other thing in the marrow: signifying that this historie hath both a literal, and a mystical sense. According to the* 1.902 letter, this first booke shevveth the reduction of Gods people from Babylon; In the first six chapters. In the other soure, their instruction by Esdras after their returne.

THE FIRST BOOKE OF ESDRAS.

CHAP. I. Cyrus king of Persia moued by divine inspiration, releaseth Gods people from captiuitie, with license to returne and build the Temple in Ierusalem: 7. restoring the holie vessel, which Nabuchodonesor had taken from thence.

IN THE first yeare of Cyrus king of the Per∣sians, [ 1] * 1.903 * 1.904 that the word of our Lord by the mouth of Ieremie might be accomplishd, our Lord raysed vp the spirit of Cyrus king of Persians: and he made proclamation in al his kingdom, yea by wryting, saying: † Thus sayth Cyrus king of the Per∣sians: [ 2] Al the kingdomes of the earth hath the Lord the God of heauen geuen me, & he hath commanded me that I should build him a house in Ierusalem, which is in Iewrie. † Who is [ 3] there among you of al his people? His God be with him. Let him goe vp into Ierusalem, which is in Iewrie, and build the house of the Lord the God of Israel, he is the God that is in Ierusalem. † And let al the rest in al places whersoeuer they [ 4] dwel, let euery man of his place helpe him, with siluer and gold, and substance, and cattel, besides that which they offer voluntarily to the temple of God, which is in Ierusalem. † And there rose vp the princes of the fathers of Iuda and [ 5] Beniamin, & the Priestes, and Leuites, and euerie one, whose spirit God raysed vp, to goe vp to build the temple of our Lord, which was in Ierusalem. † And al that were round [ 6] about, :: 1.905 did helpe their handes in vessels of siluer, and of gold, in substance, and beastes, in furniture, besides those thinges which they had offered voluntarily. † King Cyrus [ 7] also brought forth the vessels of the temple of our Lord, which Nabuchodonosor had taken of Ierusalem, and had put them in the temple of his God. † But Cyrus the king of Per∣sians [ 8] brought them forth by the hand of Mithridates the sonne of Gazabar, & numbred them to Sassabasar the prince of Iuda. † And this is the number of them; Phials of gold [ 9] thirtie, phials of siluer a thousand, kniues twentie nine, gob∣lettes

of gold thirtie, † goblettes of siluer of the second or∣der, [ 10] foure hundred tenne: other vessels a thousand. † Al [ 11] the vessels of gold and siluer, fiue thousand foure hundred: Sassabasar tooke al with them, that went vp from the trans∣migration of Babylon into Ierusalem.

CHAP. II. The names and number of special men, which returned vnder the conduct of Zorobabel into lerusalem. 66. their substance of cattel, 68. and their ob∣lations for the reedifying of the Temple.

AND :: 1.906 these are the children of the prouince, that went [ 1] vp from the captiuitie, which Nabuchodonosor the king of Babylon had transported into Babylon, and returned into Ierusalem and Iuda, euerie man into his citie. † They [ 2] that came with Zorobabel, Iosue, Nehemia, Saraia, Rahelaia, Mardochai, Belsan, Mesphar, Beguai, Rehum, Baana: The number of the men of the people of Israel: † The children [ 3] of Pharos two thousand an hundred seuentie two. † The [ 4] children of Sephatia, three hundred seuentie two. † The [ 5] children of Area, seuen hundred seuentie fiue. † The chil∣dren [ 6] of Phahath Moab, of the children of Iosue: Iohab, two [ 7] thousand eight hundred twelue. † The children of Aelam. a [ 8] thousand two hundred fiftie foure. † The children of Ze∣thua, [ 9] nine hundred fourtie fiue. † The children of Zachai, [ 10] seuen hundred sixtie. † The children of Bani six hundred [ 11] fourtie two. † The children of Bebai, six hundred twentie [ 12] three. † The children of Azgad, a thousand two hundred [ 13] twentie two. † The children of Adonicam, six hundred six∣tie [ 14] six. † The children of Beguai, two thousand fiftie six. [ 15] † The children of Adin, foure hundred fiftie foure. † The [ 16] children of Ather, which were of Ezechias, ninetie eight. [ 17] † The children of Besai, three hundred and twentie three. [ 18] † The children of Iora, an hundred twelue. † The childre [ 19] of Hasum, two hundred twentie three. † The children of [ 20] Gebbar, ninetie fiue. † The children of Bethlehem, an hun∣dred [ 21] twentie three. † The men of Nerupha, fiftie six. † The [ 22] men of Anathoth an hundred twentie eight. † The chil∣dren [ 23] of Azmaueth, fourtie two. † The children of Cariathi∣arim, [ 24] Cephira, and Beroth, seuen hundred fourtie three. [ 25] † The children of Rama and Gabaa, six hundred twentie [ 26] one. † The men of Machmas, an hundred twentie two. [ 27]

† The men of Bethel and Hai, two hundred twentie three. [ 28] † The children of Nebo, fiftie two. † The children of [ 29] Megbis, an hundred fiftie six. † The children of an other [ 30] Aelam, a thousand two hundred fiftie foure. † The children of [ 31] Harim, three hundred twentie. † The children of Lod Hadid [ 32] and Ono, seuen hundred twentie fiue. † The children of Ie∣richo, [ 33] three hundred fourtie fiue. † The children of Senaa, [ 34] three thousand ••x hundred thirtie. † The Priestes: The chil∣dren [ 35] of Iadaia in the house of Iosue, nine hundred seuentie [ 36] three. † The children of Emmer, a thousand fiftie two. † The [ 37] children of Pheshur, a thousand two hundred fourtie seuen. [ 38] † The children of Harim, a thousand and seuentie. † The [ 39] Leuites: The children of Iosue and Cedmiel, the children of [ 40] Odouia, seuentie foure. † The singing men: The children of [ 41] Asaph, an hundred twentie eight. † The children of the Por∣ters: [ 42] the children of Sellum, the children of Ater, the chil∣dren of T••lmon, the children of Accub, the children of Ha∣tita, the children of Sobai: al an hundred thirtie nine. † The [ 43] Natheneites: The children of Siha, the children of Hasupha, the children of Tabbaoth, † the children of Ceros, the chil∣dren [ 44] of Siaa, the children of Phadon, † The children of Le∣bana, [ 45] the children of Hagaba, the children of Accub, † The [ 46] children of Hagab, the children of Semlai, the children of Hanan, † The children of Gaddel, the children of Gaher, [ 47] the children of Raaia, † The children of Rasin, the children [ 48] of Necoda, the children of Gazam, † The children of Aza, [ 49] the children of Phasea, the children of Besee, † The chil∣dren [ 50] of Asena, the children of Mun••m, the children Ne∣phusim, † The children of Bacbuc, the children of Hacu∣pha, [ 51] the children of Harhur, † The children of Besluth, [ 52] the children of Mahida, the children of Harsa, † The chil∣dren [ 53] of Bercos, the children of Sisara, the children of The∣ma, [ 54] † The children of Nasia, the children of Hatipha, † The [ 55] children of the seruants of Salomon, the children of Sotai, the children of Sophereth, the children of Pharuda, † The [ 56] children of Iala, the children of D••rcon, the childrē of Ged∣del, † The children of Saphatia, the children of Hatil, the [ 57] children of Phochereth, which were of Asebaim, the chil∣dren of Ami. † Al the Nathineites, and the children of the [ 58] seruantes of Salomon, three hundred ninetie two. † And [ 59] these are they that came vp from Thelmela, Thelharsa, Che∣rub,

and Adon, and Emer. And they could not shew the house of their fathers and their seede, whether they were of Israel. † The children of Dalaia, the children of Tobia, the [ 60] children of Necoda, six hundred fiftie two. † And of the [ 61] children of the Priestes: The children of Hobia, the children of Accos, the children of Berzellai, who tooke a wife of the daughters of Berzellai the Galaadite, and was called by their name: † these sought the writing of their genealogie, and [ 62] :: 1.907 found it not, and they were cast out of the Priesthood. † And Athersatha said to them, that they should not eate of [ 63] the Holie of holies, til there rose a priest learned and perfect. Al the multitude as it were one man, :: fourtie two thousand [ 64] three hundred sixtie: † beside their men seruantes, & wemen seruantes, which were seuen thousand three hundred thirtie [ 65] seuen: and among them singing men, and singing wemen two hundred. † Their horses seuen hundred thirtie six, their mules [ 66] two hundred fourtie fiue, † their cameles, foure hundred [ 67] thirtie fiue, their asses six thousand seuen hundred twentie. † And of the princes of the fathers, when they entred into the [ 68] temple of our Lord, which is in Ierusalem, they offered vo∣luntarily vnto the house of our Lord to build it in his place. † According to their abilities, they gaue the expenses of the [ 69] worke, of gold sixtie one thousand soldes, of siluer fiue thou∣sand poundes, & garmentes for the priestes an hundred. † The [ 70] Priestes therfore & the Leuites, and they of the people, and the singing men, and the potters, and the Nathinaites dwelt in their cities, and al Israel in their cities.

CHAP. III. An Altar is built for sacrifice, 4 The feast of Tabernacles solemnly celebrated 8. And in the second yeare (a••ter their returne) the Temple is founded with great ioy of the people, and mourning of some.

AND now the seuenth moneth was come, and the chil∣dren [ 1] of Israel were in their cities: the people therfore was gathered together as it were one man into Ierusalem. [ 2] † And Iosue the sonne of Iosedec rose vp, and his brethren the Priestes, and Zorobabel the sonne of Salathiel, and his brethren, and they built the altar of the God of Israel, that they might offer on it holocaustes, as it is writen in the law of Moyses the man of God. † And they placed the altar of God [ 3] vpon his feete, the people of the lands round about putting

them :: 1.908 in feare, & they offered vpon it holocaust to our Lord morning and euening. † And they made the solemnitie of ta∣bernacles, [ 4] as it is writen, and holocaust euery day by order according to the praecept, the worke of the day in his day. † And after these thinges the continual holocaust, as wel in [ 5] the Calendes, as in al the solemnities of our Lord, that were consecrated, and in al wherein there was offered voluntarily a gift to our Lord. † From the first day of the seuenth moneth [ 6] they began to offer holocaust to our Lord: moreouer the temple of God was not yet founded. † And they gaue money [ 7] to hewers of s••ones and to masons: meate also and drinke, and oyle to the Sidonians and Tyrians, that they should bring ceder trees from Libanus to the sea vnto Ioppe, according to that which Cyrus the king of the Persians had commanded them. † And in the second yeare of their coming to the [ 8] temple of God in Ierusalem, the second moneth, began Zoro∣babel the sonne of Salathiel, and Iosue the sonne of Iosedec, and the rest of their brethren the Priestes, and the Leuites, and al that were come from the captiuitie into Ierusalem, and they appoynted Leuites from twentie yeares and vpward, that they should hasten forward the worke of our Lord. † And [ 9] Iosue stood and his sonnes, and his brethren, Cedmihel, and his sonnes, and the children of Iuda, as it were one man, that they might be instant vpon them, that did the worke in the temple of God: the sonnes of Henadad, and their sonnes, and their brethren Leuites. † The temple therfore of our Lord [ 10] being founded by the masons, the Priestes stood in their attyro with trumpettes: and the Leuites the children of Asaph in cymbals, to prayse God :: 1.909 by the handes of Dauid the king of Israel † And they sang together in hymnes, and confession [ 11] to our Lord: Because he is good, because his mercie is for euer vpon Israel. Al the people also made a shoute with a lowde crie in praysing our Lord, because the temple of our Lord was founded. † Verie manie also of the Priestes and the Le∣uires, [ 12] and the princes of the fathers, & the ancients, that had seene the former temple; when they saw this temple foun∣ded, :: 1.910 they wept with a lowd voyce: and manie shouting in ioy, lifted vp their voyce. † Neither could anie man discerne [ 13] the voice of the crie of them that reioyced, and the voice of the weeping of the people: for one with an other the people ••howted with alowd crie, and the voice was heard far of.

CHAP. IIII. The schismatical Samaritanes, because they are not admitted to communicate With the lewes, endeuour to hinder the building of the Temple. 5. Which neuertheles procedeth, al the dayes of king Cyrus. 7. but is hundered by Artaxerxes, til the second yeare of Darius.

BVT the enemies of Iuda and Beniamin heard that the [ 1] children of the captiuitie built a temple to our Lord the God of Israel. † And coming to Zorobabel, and the princes [ 2] of the fathers, they sayd to them. Let vs build with you, be∣cause :: 1.911 euen as you, so do we seeke your God: Behold we haue immolated victimes from the dayes of Asor Haddan the king of Assur, which brought vs hither. † And Zorobabel sayd to [ 3] them, and Iosue, and the rest of the princes of the fathers of Israel: It is not for you and vs to build a house to our God, but we our selues alone wil build to the Lord our God, as Cyrus the king of the Persians hath cōmanded vs. † It came [ 4] to passe therfore that the people of the land hindred the handes of the people of Iuda, and trubled them in building. † And they hyred counselers agaynst them, to destroy theyr [ 5] counsel al the dayes of Cyrus the king of the Persians, & vntil the reigne of Darius theking of the Persians▪ † And in the [ 6] reigne of Assuerus in the begining of his reigne, they wrote an accusation against the inhabitantes of Iuda and Ierusalem. [ 7] † And in the dayes of Artaxerxes B••selam, Mitridates, & ▪ Tha∣beel, & the rest that were in theyr counsel writ to Artaxcrxes king of the Persians: and the epistle of the accusation was writen in Syriake, and was read in the Sirian language. † Reum Beelreem, and Samsai scribe wrote one epistle from [ 8] Ierusalem to Artaxerxes the king, of this tenure: † Reum [] Beelteem, and Samsai scribe, and the rest of their counselers, the Dineites, and the Apharsathaceites, the Terphaleites, the the Apharsei••es, the Erchueites, the Babylonians, the Susa∣necheites, the Dieuites, and the Aelamites, † and the rest [ 10] of the Gentiles, which Asenaphar the great and glorious transported: and made them dwel in the cities of Samaria, and in the rest of the countries beyond the Riuer in peace: († this is the copie of the epistle, which they sent to him) [ 11] To Artaxerxes the king, thy seruantes, the men that are be∣yond the Riuer, send greeting. † Be it knowen to the king, [ 12] that the lewes, which came vp from thee to vs, are come into

Ierusalem a rebellious and naughtie citie, which they build making the rampyres thereof, and repayring the walles. † Now therfore be it knowen to the king, that if that citie [ 13] shal be built, and the walles therof repayred, they will not geue tribute, and tolle, & yearly rentes, and this damage wil come euen to the kinges. † But we mindful of the salt that [ 14] we haue eaten in the palace, and because we count it heynous to see the kings harmes, therfore we haue sent and certified the king, † that thou recount in the bookes of the histories [ 15] of thy fathers, and thou shalt finde writen in the commenta∣ries: and shalt know that that citie is a rebellious citie, and hurtful to the kinges, and prouinces, and battels are raysed in it of old time: for the which cause also the citie it selfe was destroyed. † We certifie the king, that if that citie shal be [ 16] built, and the walles therof repayred, thou shalt haue no pos∣session beyond the Riuer. † The king sent word to Reum [ 17] Beelteem, and Samsai scribe, and to the rest that were in their counsel inhabitantes of Samaria, and to the rest beyond the Riuer, sending greeting and peace. † The accusation, which [ 18] you haue sent to vs, was openly read before me. † and I gaue [ 19] commandment: and they recounted, and haue found, that that citie of old time rebelleth agaynst the kinges, and sedi∣tions and battels are raysed in it. † For there haue beene also [ 20] most valiant kinges in Ierusalem, which also had dominion ouer al the countrie, that is beyond the Riuer. They tooke also tribute, and rolle, and rentes. † Now therfore heare the [ 21] sentence: Prohibite ye those men, that that citie be not built, til it perhaps shal be commanded by me. † See that [ 22] you doe not negligently accomplish this thing, and by litle there grow euil agaynst the kinges. † Therfore the copie of [ 23] the edict of Attaxerxes the king was read before Reum Beel∣teem, and Samsai the scribe, and their counselers: and they went in hast into Ierusalem to the Iewes, & prohibited them with arme and strength. † Then was the worke of the house [ 24] of our Lord in Ierusalem intermitted, and was not done vntil the second yeare of the reigne of Darius the king of the Persians.

CHAP. V. By the exhortation of Aggaeus, and Zacharias, the people procede in buil∣ding the semple. 3. VVhich their enimies striuing to hinder, 5. for decision of the cause, both parties write to king Darius.

AND there prophecied Aggeus the Prophete, & Zacha∣rias [ 1] the sonne of Addo, prophecying to the Iewes, that were in Iewrie and Ierusalem, in the name of the God of Israel. † Then rose vp Zorobabel the sonne of Salathiel, and [ 2] Iosue the sonne of Iosedec, and began to build the temple of God in Ierusalem, and with them the prophetes of God hel∣ping them. † But at the same time there came to them Tha∣thanai, [ 3] who was prince beyond the Riuer, and Stharbuza∣nai, and their counselers: and sayd thus to them: Who hath geuen you counsel to build this house, and to repayre the walles? † Wherto we answered them, what the names were [ 4] of the men that were authors of that building. † And :: 1.912 the [ 5] eye of theyr God was set vpon the ancientes of the Iewes, and they could not inhibite them. And it pleased them that the matter should be reserred to Darius, and then they would satisfie agaynst that accusation. † The copie of the [ 6] epistle, which Thathanai prince of the countrie beyond the Riuer sent, and Stharbuzanai, and his counselers the Arpha∣sacheites, which were beyond the Riuer, to Darius the king. † The word, which they sent him, was writen thus: To Da∣rius [ 7] the king al peace. † Be it knowen to the king, that we [ 8] went to Iurie, the prouince, to the house of the great God, which is in building with stone vnpolished, and timber is put in the walles: and that worke is in building diligently, and groweth in their handes. † We therfore demanded of [ 9] those ancientes, and thus we sayd to them: Who hath geuen you authoritie to build this house, & to repaire these walles? † Yea and their names we asked of them, that we might [ 10] certifie thee: and we writte the names of those men, that are the chiefe amongst them. † And they answered vs these [ 11] wordes, sayng: We are the seruantes of the God of heauen & earth, and we do build a temple, that was built these manie yeares before, and which a great king of Israel built and set vp. † But after that our fathers prouoked the God of heauen [ 12] to wrath, he deliuered them into the handes of Nabucho∣donosor the king of Babylon the Chaldee: this house also he destroyed, and his people he transported into Babylon. † But in the first yeare of Cyrus the king of Babylon, Cyrus [ 13] the king put forth an edict, that this house of God should be built. † For the vesseles also of the temple of God, of gold [ 14] and of siluer, which Nabuchodonosor had taken out of

the temple, that was in Ierusale••m, and had caried them into the temple of Babylon, Cyrus the king brought forth out of the temple of Babylon, and they were geuen to Sassabasar so called, whom also he appointed the chiefe, † and sayd [ 15] to him: Take these vessels, and goe, and put them in the temple, that is in Ierusalem, and let the house of God be built in his place. † Then therfore came this Sassabasar, and layd [ 16] the foundations of the temple of God in Ierusalem, and from that time vntil now it is in building, and is not yet finished. † Now therfore if it seeme good to the king, let him search [ 17] in the kings librarie, which is in Babylon, whether it hath beene commanded by Cyrus the king, that the house of God in Ierusalem should be built, and let him send the kings plea∣sure concerning this thing vnto vs.

CHAP. VI. Darius finding in the register, that Cyrus gaue licence to build the Temple, commandeth that none binder it. 8. geueth also money towardes the charges, and hostes for sacrifice.

Then Darius the king commanded, and they searched in [ 1] the librarie of the bookes, that were layd vp in Babylon, † and there was found in Ecbatanis, which is a castle in the [ 2] prouince Medena, one volume, and there was such a cōmen∣tarie writen therein: † In the first yeare of Cyrus the king: [ 3] Cyrus the king decreed, that the house of God should be built, which is in Ierusalem, in the place where they immo∣late hostes, and that they lay the foundations supporting the height of threescore cubites, & the bredth of threescore cu∣bites, † three rewes of stones vnpolished, & so rewes of new [ 4] timber: and the costes shal be geuen out of the kings house. † Yea & the vessels of the temple of God, of gold & of siluer [ 5] which Nabuchodonosor had taken out of the Temple of Ierusalem, and had brought them into Babylon, let them be restored, & brought ba••ke into the temple of Ierusalem vnto their place, which also were put in the temple of God. † Now therfore Thathanai prince of the countrie, that is [ 6] beyond the Riuer, Stharubazanai, and your counselers the Apharsacheites, which are beyond the Riuer, depart farre from them, † and suffer that temple of God to be made of [ 7] the duke of the Iewes, and of their ancientes, that they may build that house of God in his place. † Also there is cōmand∣ment [ 8]

geuen from me what must be done of those ancientes of the Iewes, that the house of God may be built, to witre, that of the kings coffer, that is, of the tributes, that are geuen out of the countrie beyond the Riuer, the charges be dili∣gently geuen to those men, lest the worke be hindred. † And [ 9] if it shal be necessarie, calues also, and lambes, and kiddes, for holocaust to the God of heauen, wheate, salt, wyne, and oyle, according to the rite of the Priestes▪ that are in Ierusa∣lem, let there be geuen them day dy day, that there be no complaynte in any thing. † And let them offer oblations [ 10] to the God of heauen, and pray for the life of the king, and of his children. † By me therfore there is a decree made; [ 11] That euerie man, which shal alter this commandement, there be a beame taken of his house, and set vp, and he be fast hanged vpon it, and his house be confiscate. † And the God, [ 12] that hath made his name to dwel there, destroy alkingdomes, and the people that shal extend theyr hand to resist, & to de∣stroy the house of God, that is in Ierusalē. •• Darius haue made the decree, which I wil to be diligently accōplished. † Ther∣fore [ 13] Thathanai the prince of the countrie beyond the Riuer, and Stharbuzani, and his counselers, according to that which Darius the king had commanded, so did execute it diligently. † And the ancientes of the Iewes built, and prospered accor∣ding [ 14] to the prophecie of Aggeus the prophet, and of Zacha∣rias the sonne of Addo: and they built and set vp, the God of Israel commanding, and :: 1.913 Cyrus commanding, and Darius, and Artaxerxes the kings of the Persians. † And they were [ 15] finishing this house of God, vntil the third day of the mo∣neth of Adar, which is the sixth yeare of Darius the king. † And the children of Israel, the Priestes and the Leuites, [ 16] and the rest of the transmigration, made the dedication of the house of God in ioy. † And they offered in the dedication [ 17] of the house of God, calues an hundred, rammes two hun∣dred, lambes foure hundred, buckgoates for the sinne of al Israel twelue, according to the number of the tribes of Israel. † And they set the Priestes in theyr orders, and the [ 18] Leuites in theyr courses ouer the workes of God in Ierusa∣lem, as it is writen in the booke of Moyses. † And the chil∣dren [ 19] of Israel of the transmigration made the Phase, the fourtenth day of the first moneth. † For al the Priestes and [ 20] the Leuites were purified as it were one man: al cleane to

immolate the Phase for al the children of the transmigration, and for theyr brethren the Priestes, and them selues. † And [ 21] the children of Israel that were returned from the transmigra∣tion, did eate, and al that had separated them selues from the coinquination of the Gentiles of the earth vnto them, to seeke our Lord the God of Israel. † And they made the [ 22] solemnitie of Azymes seuen dayes in ioy, because our Lord had made them ioyful, and had turned the hart of the king of Assur to them, that he should helpe theyr handes in the worke of the house of our Lord the God of Israel.

CHAP. VII. Esdras, with manie other Priestes and Leuites, ascendeth to ••erusalem to teach, and assist the people. 11. bringing Artaxerxes Edict, declareth it to the peo∣ple, 27. and geueth thankes to God.

AND after these thinges in the reigne of Artaxerxes* 1.914 king of Persians, Esdras the sonne of Saraias, the sonne of Azarias, the sonne of Helcias, † the sonne of Sellum, the [ 2] sonne of Sadoc, the sonne of Achitob, † the sonne of Ama∣rias, [ 3] the sonne of Azarias, the sonne of Maraioth▪ † the sonne [ 4] of Zarahias, the sonne of Ozi, the sonne of Bocci, † the [ 5] sonne of Abisue, the sonne of Phinees, the sonne of Eleazar, the sonne of Aaron the Priest from the begynning. † The [ 6] same Esdras :: 1.915 came vp from Babylon, and he was a quicke scribe in the law of Moyses, which our Lord God gaue to Israel: and the king gaue him according to the hand of our Lord his God vpon him al his petition. † And there came vp [ 7] of the children of Israel, and of the children of the Priestes, and of the children of the Leuites, and of the singing men, and of the porters, and of the Nathineites into Ierusalem in the seuenth▪ yeare of Artaxerxes the king. † And they came [ 8] into Ierusalem the fifth moneth, that is the seuenth yeare of the king † For in the first day of the first moneth he began to [ 9] goe vp from Babylon, and in the first day of the fifth moneth▪ he came into Ierusalem according to the good hand of his God vpon him. † For Esdras prepared his hart to search the [ 10] law of our Lord▪ and to doe and to teach in Israel preceptes and iudgement. † And this is the copie of the epistle of the [ 11] edict, which king Artaxerxes gaue to Esdras the Priest, the learned scribe, in the wordes and preceptes of our Lord, and his ceremonies in Israel. † Artaxerxes the king of kings to [ 12]

Esdras the Priest, the most learned scribe of the law of God of heauē, greeting. † It is decreed by me that whōsoeuer it shal [ 13] please in my kingdom of the people of Israel, and of the Prie∣stes and Leuites, to goe into Ierusalē, let him goe with thee. [ 14] † For thou art sent from the face of the king, and of his seuen counselers, that thou mayst visite Iewrie and Ierusalem in the law of thy God, which is in thy hand. † And that thou maist [ 15] carie the siluer & gold, which the king & his counselers haue voluntarily offered to the God of Israel, whose tabernacle is in Ierusalem. † And al the siluer and gold whatsoeuer thou [ 16] shalt finde in al the prouince of Babylon, and the people wil offer, and of the Priestes that shal voluntarely offer to the house of theyr God, which is in Ierusalem, † take freely, and [ 17] bye diligently of this money calues, rammes, lambes, and the sacrifices and libamentes of them, and offer them vpon the altar of the temple of your God, that is in Ierusalem † Yea [ 18] and if it shal please thee, and thy brethren to doe any thing with the rest of the siluer and gold, doe ye according to the wil of your God. † The v••••••els also, which are geuen thee for [ 19] the ministerie of the house of thy God, deliuer thou in the sight of God in Ierusalem. † Yea and other thinges wherof [ 20] neede shal be for the house of thy God, how much soeuer is necessarie for thee to spend, thou shalt geue it out of the treasure, and excheker of the king, and from me. † I Artaxer∣xes [ 21] the king haue appointed and decreed to al the keepers of the common coffer, that are beyond the Riuer, that what∣soeuer Esdras the Priest, the scribe of the law of God of he∣auen, shal aske of you, you geue it without delay, † vnto [ 22] an hundred talentes of siluer, and vnto an hundred cores of wheat, and vnto an hundred bates of wyne, and vnto an hundred bates of oyle, but salt without measure. † Al that [ 23] pertayneth to the rite of the God of heauen, let it be geuen diligently in the house of the God of heauen: lest perhaps he be angrie agaynst the kingdom of the king, and of his sonnes. † We doe you also to vnderstand concerning al the [ 24] Priestes, and Leuites, and the singers, and the porters, the Nathineites, and ministers of the house of this God, that you haue no authoritie to put tolle and ••ribute, and yearlie rentes vpon them. † And thou Esdras according to the wisedom of [ 25] thy God, which is in thy hand, appoy••t iu••ges and presiden∣tes, that they may iudge for al the people▪ that is beyond the

Riuer, that is for them which know the law of thy God, yea and the ignorant teach ye frely. † And euerie one that shal [ 26] not doe the law of thy God, and the law of thy king diligently, there shal be iudgement of him, either vnto death, or into banishment, or to the confiscation of his substance, or at the least into prison. † Blessed be our Lord, the God of our fathers, [ 27] which hath put this in the kinges hart, that he would glorifie the house of our Lord, which is in Ierusalem, † and hath incli∣ned [ 28] his mercie toward me before the king and his counselers, and al the mightie princes of the king: and Itaking courage by the hand of our Lord my God, which was on me, gathered to∣gether out of Israel princes that should goe vp with me.

CHAP. VIII. Esdras reciteth those that came with him from Babylon. 21. the fast which ••e appointed. 33. and how they brought the holie vessel into the Temple.

THESE therfore are the princes of the families, and the [ 1] genealogie of them, that came vp with me in the reigne of Artaxerxes the king :: 1.916 out of Babylon. † Of the children [ 2] of Phinees, Gersom. Of the children of Ithamar, Daniel. Of the children of Dauid, Hattus. † Of the children of [ 3] Sechenias, the children of Pharos, Zacharias: and with him were numbered an hundred fiftie men. † Of the chil∣dren [ 4] of Phahath Moab, Eleoenai the sonne of Zareha, and with him two hundred men. † Of the children of Seche∣nias, [ 5] the sonne of Ezechiel, and with him three hundred men. † Of the children of Adan, Abed the sonne of Iona∣than, [ 6] and with him fiftie men. † Of the children of Alam, [ 7] Isaias the sonne of Athalia, and with him seuentie men. † Of [ 8] the children of Saphatia, Zebedia the sonne of Michael, and with him eightie men. † Of the children of Ioab, Obedia [ 9] the sonne of Iahiel, and with him two hundred and eightene men. † Of the children of Selomith, the sonne of Iosphia, [ 10] and with him an hundred sixtie men. † Of the children of [ 11] Bebai, Zacharias the sonne of Bebai: and with him twentie eight men. † Of the children of Azgad, Ioanan the sonne of [ 12] Eccetan, and with him an hundred and ten men. † Of the [ 13] children of Adonicam, which were the last: and these are theyr names: Elipheleth, and Iehiel, and Samaias, and with them sixtie men. † Of the children of Begui, Vthai and Za∣chu••, [ 14] and with them seuentie men. † And I gathered them to [ 15]

the riuer, which runneth downe to Ahaua, and we taried there three daies: and I sought among the people and among the Priestes for the children of Leui, and found none there. † Therfore I sent Eliezer, and Ariel, and Semeias, and Elna∣than, [ 16] and Iarib, and other Elnathan, and Nathan, and Zacha∣rias, and Mosollam princes: and Ioiarib, and Elnathan wise men. † And I sent them to Eddo, which is chiefe in the place [ 17] of Chasphia, and I did put in theyr mouth the wordes that they should speake to Eddo, and his brethren the Nathine∣ites in the place of Chasphia, that they should bring vs mi∣nisters of the house of our God. † And they brought vs by [ 18] the good hand of our God vpon vs a most learned man of the children of Mocholi the sonne of Leui the sonne of Israel, and Sarabias and his sonnes, and his brethren eightene, † and [ 19] Hasabias, and with him Isaias of the children of Merari, and his brethren, and his sonnes twentie. † And al the Nathine∣ites, [ 20] which Dauid gaue, and the princes for the ministeries of the Leuites, Natineites two hundred twentie: al these were called by theyr names. † And I proclaymed there :: 1.917 a fast [ 21] beside the Riuer of Ahaua, that we might be afflicted before the Lord our God, and might desire of him a right way for vs and our children, and al our substance. † For I was asha∣med [ 22] to aske the king ayde and horsemen, that might defend vs from the enemie in the way: because we had sayd to the king: The hand of our God is vpon al them, that seeke him in goodnesse: and his empire and strength, and furie vpon al them that forsake him. † And we fasted, and besought our [ 23] God hereby: and it fel out prosperousely vnto vs. † And I [ 24] separated twelue of the chief Priestes, Sarabias, and Hasabias, and with them ten of theyr brethren. † And I weved vnto [ 25] them the siluer and gold, and the consecrated vessels of the house of our God, which the king had offered and his coun∣selers, and his princes, and al Israel of them, that were found: † and I weyed in theyr handes of siluer six hundred fiftie [ 26] talentes, and vessels of siluer an hundred, of gold an hundred talentes: † and cuppes of gold twentie, which had a thou∣sand [ 27] solides, and two vessels of the best shyning brasse, fayre, as gold. † And I sayd to them: You are the holie of our Lord, [ 28] and the vessels are holie, and the siluer and gold, that is volun∣tarely offered to our Lord the God of our fathers: † Watch [ 29] & keepe it, vntil you deliuer it by weight before the princes

of the Priestes, and of the Leuites, and the princes of the families of Israel in Ierusalem, into the treasure of the house of our Lord. † And the Priestes and the Leuites recei∣ued [ 30] the weight of the siluer and gold, and of the vessels, to carie it to Ierusalem into the house of our God. † We ther∣fore [ 31] did sette forward from the riuer of Ahaua the twelfth day of the first moneth to goe on to Ierusalem: and the hand of our God was vpon vs, and deliuered vs from the hand of the enemie, and the lyer in wayte by the way. † And we came [ 32] to Ierusalem, and we taried there three dayes. † And in the [ 33] fourth day the siluer was weyed, and the gold, and the vessels in the house of our God by the hand of Meremoth the sonne of Vrias the Priest, and with him Eleazar the sonne of Phi∣••ees, and with them Iozabed the sonne of Iosue, and Noadaia the sonne of Bema•• Leuites, † according to the number and [ 34] weight of al: and al the weight was described at that tyme. † Yea and the children of the transmigration that were come [ 35] from the captiuitie, offered holocaustes to the God of Israel, calues twelue for al the people of Israel, rammes nyntie six, lambes seuentie seuen, buckegoates for sinne twelue: al for holocaust to our Lord. † And they gaue the kings edictes to [ 36] the princes, that were ouerseers for the king, and the dukes beyond the Riuer, and they aduanced the people and the house of God.

CHAP. IX. For mariages and other association which the Iewes had with Gentiles, Es∣dr••s lamenteth, 5. and confessing the peoples iniquitie, prayeth God to conserue them from vtter destruction.

AND after these thinges were accomplished, the prin∣ces [ 1] came to me, saying: The people of Israel, and the Priests and Leuites :: 1.918 are not seperated from the people of the landes, and from the abhominations of them, to witte, of the Chananeite, and Hetheite, and Pherezeite, and Iebuseite, and of the Ammonites, and Moabites, and the Aegyptians, and Amorrheites. † For they haue taken of their daughters [ 2] to them and to their sonnes, and haue mingled the holie seede with the people of the landes. The hand also of the princes and magistrates hath bene first in this transgression. † And when I had heard this word, I rent my cloke and my [ 3] coate, and plucked of the heares of my head and bearde, and

sate mourning. † And there assembled to me al that feared [ 4] the God of Israel, for the trangression of them, that were come from the captiuitie, and I sate sorowful, vntil the eue∣ning sacrifice. † And at the euening sacrifice I rose out of my [ 5] affliction, and my cloke and coate being rent I fell vpon my knees, and spred forth my hands to our Lord my God, † And [ 6] said: My God I am confounded and ashamed to lifte vp my face to thee: because our iniquities are multiplied ouer our head, and our sinnes haue growen euen vnto heauen, † from [ 7] the dayes of our fathers: yea and we our selues also haue sin∣ned greuously vnto this day, and in our iniquities haue we bene deliuered our solues, and our Kinges, and our Priestes in∣to the hand of the kinges of the landes, and into the sword, and into captuitie, and into spoyle, and into confusion of countenance, as also at this day. † And now as it were a litle, [ 8] and for a moment was our prayer made before the Lord our God, that a remnant might be left vs, and :: 1.919 a nayle might be geuen vs in his holie place, and that our God would illumi∣nate our eies, and would geue vs a litle life in our bondage. † Because we are bondmen, and in our bondage our God ••id [ 9] not forsake vs, & he inclined mercie vpon vs before the king of the Persians, to geue vs life, and to aduance the house of our God, and to build the desolations therof and to geue vs▪ a hedge in Iuda and Ierusalem. † And now what shal we fay, [ 10] ô our God, after these thinges? because we haue forsaken thy cōmandmēts, † which thou hast cōmanded in the hand of thy [ 11] seruantes the prophetes, saying: The land, to the which you enter to possesse it, is an vncleane land, according to the vn∣cleannesse of peoples, and of other landes, by the abhomina∣tions of them that haue filled it from mouth vnto mouth in theier coinquination. † Now therfore geue not your [ 12] daughters to their sonnes, and their daughters take not for your sonnes, and doe ye not seeke their peace, and their pro∣sperity for euer: that you may be strengthned, and may eate the goodes that are of the land, and may haue your children heyres for euer. † And after al thinges that come vpon vs in [ 13] our most wicked workes, and our most great sinne, because thou our God hast deliuered vs from our iniquitie, and hast geuen vs health as it is at this day 〈◊〉〈◊〉 † that we shal not turne [ 14] away, and make frustrate thy commandementes, neither should ioyne matrimonies with the peoples of these abomi∣nations▪

Why art thou angrie with vs vnto vtter destruction, not to leaue vs a remnant vnto saluation? † Lord God of Is∣rael [ 15] thou artiust: because we are leift, which should be saued as at this day. Behold we are before thee in our sinne, for there can be no standing before thee vpon this.

CHAP. X Esdras calling the people together commandeth them to dismisse the strange Wemen, which they haue married: 14 appointing officers to see it executed: 18 and reciteth those Which had married such wemen.

ESDRAS therfore thus praying, and beseeching, and wee∣ping, [ 1] and lying before the temple of God, there was ga∣thered to him of Israel an exceeding great companie of men and wemen and children, and the people wept with much la∣mentation. † And Sechenias the sonne of Iehiel of the chil∣dren [ 2] of Aelam answered, and said to Esdras: We haue trans∣gressed against our God, and haue taken to wiues strange we∣men of the peoples of the land: and now if there be penance in Israel vpon this, † let vs make a couenant with the Lord [ 3] our God, to put away al the wiues, and them that are borne of them, according to the wil of our Lord, and of them that feare the precept of the Lord our God: be it done according to the law. † Arise, it is thy part to discerne, and we wil be [ 4] with thee: take courage, and doe it. † Esdras therefore rose [ 5] * 1.920 vp, and adiured the Princes of the Priestes and of the Leuites, and al Israel, that they should doe according to this word, and they sware. † And Esdras rose vp before the house [ 6] of God, and went to the chamber of :: Iohanan the sonne of Eliasib, and entered into it, he did eate no bread, and dranke no water: for he mourned for the transgression of them, that were come out of the captiuitie. † And there was a proclama∣tion [ 7] sent in Iuda and Ierusalem to al the children of the trans∣migration, that they should assemble together into Ierusalem. † And euerie one that shal not come within three dayes, [ 8] according to the counsel of the princes and ancientes, al his substance shal be taken away, and him selfe shal be cast out of the companie of the transmigration. † There assembled [ 9] therfore al the men of Iuda, and Beniamin into Ierufalem within three dayes, that is the ninth moneth, the twenteth day of the moneth: and al the people sate in the streate of the house of God, trembling for the sinne, and :: 1.921 the rayne. † And [ 10]

Esdas the Priest arose, and sayd to them: You haue trans∣gressed, and taken strange wemen to wife, to adde vpon the sinne of Israel. † And now geue confession to our Lord the [ 11] God of your fathers, and doe his pleasure, and be separated from the peoples of the land, and from your wiues the stran∣gers. † And al the multitude answered, and sayd with a lowde [ 12] voyce: According to thy word vnto vs, so be it done. † Neuer∣thelesse [ 13] because there is much people, and a tyme of rayne, and we can not abyde to stand without, and it is not a worke of one day or two (for we haue excedingly sinned in this thing) † let there be princes appoynted in al the multitude: [ 14] and let al in our cities that haue taken strangers to wife, come at sette tymes, and with them the ancientes by citie and citie, and the iudges therof, vntil the wrath of our God be turned away from vs for this sinne. † Therfore Ionathan the sonne [ 15] of Azahel, and Iaazia the sonne of Thecua were appoynted ouer this, and Mesollam and Sebethai Leuites did helpe them: † and the children of the transmigration did so. And [ 16] Esdras the Priest, and the men, princes of the families went into the houses of theyr fathers, and al by theyr names, and they sate in the first day of the tenth moneth to search out the matter. † And al the men were fully counted that had [ 17] taken strangers to wife, vnto the first day of the first mos neth. † And there were found of the sonnes of the Priestes [ 18] that had taken strangers to wife. Of the children of Iosue the sonne of Iosedec, and his brethren, Maasia, and Eliezer, and Iarib, and Godolia. † And they gaue theyr handes to put [ 19] away theyr wiues, and to offer for theyr offence a ramme of the flocke. † And of the children of Emmer, Hanani, and [ 20] Zebedia. † And of the children of Harim, Maasia, and Elia, [ 21] and Semeia, and Iehiel, and Ozias. † And of the children of [ 22] Pheshur, Elionai, Maasia, Ismael, Nathanael, Iozabed, and Elasa. † And of the children of the Leuites, Iozabed, and [ 23] Semei, and Celaia, the same is Calita, Phataia, Iuda, and Eliezer. † And of the singing men Eliasib: and of the porters, [ 24] Sellum, and Thelem, and Vri. † And of Israel, of the chil∣dren [ 25] of Pharos, Remeia, and Iezia, and Melchia, and Mia∣min, and Eliezer, and Melchia, and Banea. † And of the chil∣dren [ 26] of Aelam, Mathania, Zacharias, and Iehiel, and Abdi, and Ierimoth, and Elia. † And of the children of Zethua, [ 27] Elioenai, Eliasib, Mathania, Ierimuth, and Zabad, and Aziza.

† And of the children of Bebai, Iohanan, Hanamia, Zabbai, [ 28] Athalai: † And of the children of Bani, Mosollam, and Mel∣luch, [ 29] and Adaia, Iasub, and Saal, and Ramoth. † And of the [ 30] children of Phahath Moab, Edna and Chalal, Bananias, and Maasias, Mathanias, Beseleel, Bennui, and Manasse. † And [ 31] of the children of Herem, Eliezer, Iosue, Melchias, Semeias, Simeon, † Beniamin, Maloch, Samarias. † And of the children [ 32 33] of Hasom, Mathanai, Mathatha, Zabad, Eliphelet, Iermai, Manasse, Semei. † Of the children of Bani, Maaddi, Amram, [ 34] and Vel, † Baneas, and Badaias, Chelia••, † Vania, Mari∣muth, [ 35 36] and Eliasib, † Mathanias, Mathanai, and Iasi, † and [ 37 38] Bani, and Bennui, Semei, † and Salmias, and Nathan, and [ 39] Adaias, † and Mechnedebai, Sisai, Sarai, † Ezrel, and Sele∣miau, [ 40 41] Semeria, † Sellum, Amaria, Ioseph † Of the children [ 42 43] of Nebo, Iehiel, Mathathias, Zabad, Zabina, Ieddu, and Ioel. and Banaia. † Al these had taken strangers to wife, and there [ 44] were of them that had borne :: 1.922 children.

THE ARGVMENT OF THE BOOKE OF NEHEMIAS.

THIS booke beareth Title both of the author Nehemias, who writ* 1.923 it, and of the second booke of Esdras, who in the former writ the historie of the Israelites after theyr relaxation from captiuitie, to the buil∣ding againe of the Temple, with other thinges done the same time. VVhere∣unto* 1.924 Nehemias ioyneth thinges succeding, especially the new erection* 1.925 of walles and towers about the citie of Ierusalem. And it may be diuided into three partes. In the two first chapters, he sheweth his compassion* 1.926 of his countries misserie: and his cōming to assist them. In the tenne folowing, he reciteth the good effectes in repayring, and strengthning the citie with wall••s and people. In the last chapter, the correction of errors & euil maners, which he found amongst them.

THE BOOKE OF NEHEMIAS. which also is called: THE SECOND OF ESDRAS.

CHAP. I. Nehemias hearing the miserable state of his countrie men in Iurie, 4. lamen∣teth,* 1.927 fasteth, and prayeth God for their relief.

THE wordes of :: 1.928 Nehemias the sonne of Helchias. And [ 1] it came to passe in the moneth of Casleu, the twenteth yeare, and I was in Susis the castel. † And Hanani one of my [ 2] brethren came, him selse and men of Iuda, and I asked them of the Iewes, that remayned, and were left aliue of the capti¦uitie, and of Ierusalem. † And they sayd to me. They that [ 3] remayned, and are left of the captiuitie there in the pro∣uince, are in great affliction, and in reproche: and the wal of Ierusalem is broken downe, and the gates therof are burnt with fire. † And when I had heard these maner of wordes, I [ 4] sate, and wept, and mourned many dayes: and fasted, and prayed before the face of the God of heauen. † And I sayd: [ 5] I besech thee Lord God of heauen, strong, great, and terrible, which keepest couenant & mercie with them that loue thee, and keepe thy cōmandmentes: † let thine eares be harkning, [ 6] and thine eyes open, to heare the prayer of thy seruant, which I pray before thee this day, night & day for the chil∣dren of Israel thy seruantes: and I confesse for the sinnes of the children of Israel, in which they haue sinned to thee: I & my fathers house haue sinned, † we haue bene seduced with [ 7] vanitie, and haue not kept thy commandments, and cerimo∣nies and iudgement, which thou hast commanded to Moy∣ses thy seruant. † Remember the word, that thou didst com∣mand [ 8] vnto Moyses thy seruant, saying: When you shal trans∣gresse, I will depresse you into peoples: † and if you returne [ 9] to me, and keepe my precepts, and doe them, although you shal be led away to the vttermost partes of heauen, thence wil I gather you, and bring you backe into the place, which I haue chosen that my name should dwel there. † And they [ 10] are thy seruantes, and thy people: whom thou hast redemed in thy great strength, and in thy mighty hand. † I besech thee [ 11] Lord, let thine eare be attent to the prayer of thy seruant, and

to the prayer of thy seruants, which will feare thy name: and direct thy seruant this day, and giue him mercy before this man. for I was the kings cupbearer

CHAP. II. Nehemias obtaining commission from king Artaxerxes cometh to Ierusalem: 11. secretty vieweth the broken walles, and ruines of the citie, 17. and exhorteth al the Iewes to the reedifying therof.

AND it came to passe in the moneth of Nisan, the twen∣tith [ 1] yeare of Artaxerxes the king: and there was wine before him, and I lifted vp the wine, and gaue to the king: and I was as it were languishing before his face. † And the [ 2] king sayd to me: Why is thy countenance sad, whereas I doe not see thee sicke? this is not without cause, but some euil I know not what, is in thy hart. And I was very much and excedingly afrayd: † and I sayd to the king: O king for euer [ 3] mayst thou liue: why should not my countenance be heauie, because the citie of the house of the sepulchres of my fathers is desolate, and the gates therof are burnt with fire? † And the [ 4] king sayd to me: For what thing makest thou request? And I prayed the God of heauen, † and I sayd to the king: If it [ 5] seme good to the king, and if thy seruant do please before thy face, thou send me into Iewrie to the citie of the sepulchre of my father, and I wil build it. † And the king sayd to me, [ 6] and the Queene that ••ate by him: Vnto what time wil thy iourney be, and when wilt thou returne? And it pleased before the king, and he sent me: and I appoynted him a time. † And I sayd to the king: If it seme good to the king, let him [ 7] geue me letters to the gouernours of the country beyond the Riuer, that they conduct me, til I come into Iewrie: † and a [ 8] letter to Asaph the keeper of the kings forest, to geue me timber that I may couer the gates of the towre of the house, and the walles of the citie, and the house that I shal enter into. And the king gaue according to the good hand of my God with me. † And I came to the dukes of the countrie [ 9] beyond the Riuer, and gaue them the kings letters. And the king had sent with me captaynes of soldiers, and horsemen. † And Sanaballat an Horonite, and Tobias a seruant an [ 10] Ammonite heard it, and :: 1.929 were greiued with great affliction, that a man was come, which sought the prosperitie of the children of Israel. † And I came to Ierusalem and was there [ 11]

three dayes. † and I arose in the night, I and a few men with [ 12] me, and I told not anie man what God had put in my hart to doe in Ierusalem, and there was no beast with me, but the beast wheron I sate. † And I went out by the gate of the [ 13] valley by night, and before the fountayne of the dragon, and to the gate of the dung, and I viewed the wal of Ierusalem broken downe, and the gates therof consumed with fire. † And I passed to the gate of the fountayne, and to the kinges [ 14] conduite, and there was no place for the beast where on I sat, to passe. † And I went vp by the torrent in the night, and [ 15] viewed the wal, and going backe I came to the gate of the valley, and returned. † But the magistrastes knew not whi∣ther [ 16] I went, or what I did: yea and to the Iewes, and the Priestes, and the nobles, and the magistrates, and the rest that did the worke vntil then I had shewed nothing. † And [ 17] I sayd to them: You know the affliction wherin we are, because Ierusalem is made desolate, and the gates thereof are consumed with fire: Come, and let vs build the walles of Ierusalem, and let vs be no longer a reproch. † And I shewed [ 18] them :: 1.930 the hand of my God, that it was good with me, and the kings wordes, which he had spoken to me, and I sayd: Let vs rise, and let vs build. And their handes were incou∣raged in good. † But Sanaballat the Horonite, and Tobias [ 19] the seruant an Ammanite, and Gosem an Arabian heard of it, and they scorned vs, and despysed vs, and sayd: What is this thing, that you doe? Why do you rebel against the king? † And I answered them, and sayd to them: The God of hea∣uen [ 20] he helpeth vs, and we are his seruants: let vs rise and build: but you haue no part, nor iustice, nor memorie in Ierusalem.

CHAP. III. The High Priest and others beginne to repaire Ierusalem streingthning it with* 1.931 an vttermost, 19. middle, 28. and innermost wall with towres and gates.

AND Eliasib the high Priest arose, and his bretheren the [ 1] Priestes: and they built the gate of the flocke: they sanctified it, and set the doores therof, and vnto the towre of an hundred cubites they :: 1.932 sanctified it, vnto the towre of Hananeel. † And besides him did the men of Iericho build, [ 2] and besides him built Zachur the sonne of Amri. † But the [ 3] fishgate the children of Asnaa did builde: they couered it,

and set vp the doores therof, and the lockes, and barres. And besides them built Marimuth the sonne of Vrias the sonne of Accas. † And besides him built Mosollam the sonne of [ 4] Bazachias, the sonne of Merezebel, and besides them built Sadoc the sonne of Baana. † And beside them builded [ 5] the Thecuenes: but their great men did not put vnder their neckes in the worke of their Lord. † And Ioiada the sonne [ 6] of Phasea, and Mosollam the sonne of Besodia built the old∣gate couered it, and set vp the doores therof, and the lockes, and barres. † And beside them built Meltias a Gabaonite, and [ 7] Iadon a Meronathite, men of Gabaon and Maspha, for the duke that was in the country beyond the Riuer. † And beside [ 8] him built Ezrel the sonne of Araia a goldsmith: and beside him built Ananias the sonne of a Pigmentarie: and they leift Ierusalem vnto the wal of the broder streate. † And beside [ 9] him built Raphaia the sonne of Hur, prince of the streate of Ierusalem. † And beside them Iedaia the sonne of Haromaph [ 10] against his house: and beside him built Hattus the sonne of Hasebomia. † The halfe part of the streate built Melchias the [ 11] sonne of Herem, and Hasub the sonne of Phahath Moab, and the towre of the fornaces. † And beside him built Sellum [ 12] the sonne of Alohes prince of the halfe part of the streate of Ierusalem, he and his daughters. † And the gate of the valley [ 13] built Hanun, and the inhabitants of Zanoe: they built it, and sette vp the dores therof, and the lockes, and barres, and a thousand cubires in the wal vnto the gate of the dunghil. † And the gate of the dunghil built Melchias the sonne of [ 14] Rechab, the prince of the streate of Bethacaram: he built it, and sette vp the dores therof, and the lockes, and barres. † And the gate of the fountayne Sellum builded the sonne [ 15] of Colhoza, prince of the village of Maspha: he built it, and couered it, and set vp the doores therof, & the lockes, & bar∣res, and the walles of the poole of Siloe vnto the kings gardē, and vnto the steppes that goe downe from the citie of Dauid. † After him built Nehemias the sonne of Azboc prince of [ 16] the halfe part of the streate of Bethsur, as far as ouer against the sepulchre of Dauid, and vnto the poole, that is built with great worke, and vnto the house of the valiants. † After him [ 17] the Leuites builded, Rehum the sonne of Benni. After him built Hasebias prince of the halfe part of the streate of Ceila in his streate. † After him built their bretheren Bauai the [ 18]

sonne of Enadad, prince of the halfe part of Ceila. † And [ 19] beside him built Azer the sonne of Iosue, the prince of Mas∣pha the second measure, against the visiting of the most sure corner. † After him in the mount built Baruch the sonne of [ 20] Zachai the second measure, from the corner vnto the gate of the house of Eliasib the high Priest. † After him built Meri∣muth [ 21] the sonne of Vrias the sonne of Haccus, the secōd mea∣sure, from the gate of the house of Eliasib, as far as the house of Eliasib extended. † And after him built the Priests, men of [ 22] the champayne of Iordan. † After him built Beniamin & Ha∣sub [ 23] against their house: & after him built Azarias the sonne of Masias the sonne of Ananias against his house. † After him [ 24] built Bennui the sonne of Hanadad the second measure, from the house of Azarias vnto the bending, and vnto the corner † Phalel the sonne of Ozi against the bending and [ 25] the towre, which appeareth from out of the kings high house, that is, in the court of the prison: after him Phadaia the sonne of Pharos. † And the Nathineites dwelt in Ophel, as [ 26] far as ouer against the gate of waters toward the East, and the towre that stoode out. † After him the Thecuenes buil∣ded [ 27] the second measure ouer against, from the great and emi∣nent towre vnto the wall of the temple. † And vpward to the [ 28] gate of horses the Priestes built, euery man against his house. † After them built Sadoc the sonne of Emmer against his [ 29] house. And after him built Semaia the sonne of Sechenias, keeper of the East gate. † After him built Hanania the sonne [ 30] of Selemia, and Hanun the sonne of Seleph the sixth, the second measure: after him built Mosollam the sonne of Ba∣rachias, against his treasurie. After him Melchias a gold∣smith sonne vnto the house of the Natheneites, and of them that sold old stuffe against the iudgement gate, and vnto the vpper chamber of the corner. † And within the vpper cham∣ber [ 31] of the corner in the gate of the flocke, the goldsmithes and marchants builded.

CHAP. IIII. Notwithstanding the enimies rage and oppose against the building of walles, 4. the Iewes build with one hand, and hold their swordes in the other. Ne∣hemias encorageth them, and the worke proceedeth.

AND it came to passe, when Sanaballat had heard that [ 1] we builded the wal, he was very angrie: and being

moued excedingly he scorned the Iewes. † and sayd before his [ 2] bretheren, and the multitude of the Samaritanes: What doe :: 1.933 the sillie Iewes? Wil the gentiles let them alone? Shal they sacrifice and accomplish in one day? Why, are they able to build vp the stones out of the heapes of dust, that are burnt? † Yea Tobias also the Ammanite his neighbour sayd: Let [ 3] them build: if a fox come vp, he shal leape ouer their stone wal. † Heare our God, because we are had in dispise: turne [ 4] the reproch vpon their head, and giue them into dispite in a Land of captiuitie. † Couer not their iniquitie, and let not [ 5] their sinne be put out before thy face, because they haue mocked thy builders. † Therfore we built the wal, and ioyned [ 6] together the whole vnto the halfe part: and the hart of the people was prouoked to worke. † And it came to passe, when [ 7] Sanaballat had heard, and Tobias, and the Arabians, and the Ammanites, and the Azotians, that the breach of the wal of Ierusalem was closed vp, and the gates began to be stop∣ped, they were wrath excedingly. † And they were al assem∣bled [ 8] together, to come, and to fight against Ierusalem, and to prepare embushments. † And we prayed our God, and set [ 9] watchmen vpon the wal day and night against them. † And [ 10] Iudas sayd: The strength of him that carrieth is weakened, & the morter is very much, and we shal not be able to build the wal. † And our enimies sayd: Let them not know, and let [ 11] them be ignorant, til we come into the midest of them, and kil them, and make their worke to cease. † And it came to [ 12] passe, the Iewes that dwelt beside them, coming and telling vs ten times, out of al places from whence they came to vs, † I sette the people in a place behind the wal round about in [ 13] order, with their swordes, and speares, and bowes. † And [ 14] I looked and rose vp: & I sayd to the princes and magistrates, and to the rest of the common people: Be not afrayd at their face: Remember our Lord great and terrible, and fight for your bretheren, your sonnes, and your daughters, and your wiues, and your houses. † And it came to passe, when our [ 15] enimies had heard that it was told vs, God defeted their counsel. And we returned al to the walles, euery man to his worke. † And it came to passe from that day, the halfe part [ 16] of their yongmen did the worke, and halfe was ready to battel, and speares, & sheilds, and bowes, and cotes of mayle, and the princes behind them in al the house of Iuda † of [ 17]

them that built in the wal, and that carried burdens, and that laded them: with one of his hands he did the worke, & with the other he held a sword: † for euery one of the builders [ 18] was girded with a sword about his reynes. And they builded, and sounded with the trumpet nere me. † And I sayd to the [ 19] princes, and to the magistrates, & to the rest of the common people: The worke is great and broad, and we are sepe∣rated in the wal one far from an other: † in what place soeuer [ 20] you shal heare the sound of the trumpet, thither runne toge∣ther vnto vs: our God wil fight for vs. † And let vs our selues [ 21] doe the worke: and let the halfe part of vs hold speares from the rysing of the morning, til the starres appeare. † At that [ 22] time also I sayd to the people: Let euery man with his seruant tarry in the middes of Ierusalem, and let there be courses among vs by day and night to worke. † And I and my bre∣theren, [ 23] and my seruants, and the watchmen, that were be∣hinde me, did not put of our clothes: euery man was made bare only to washing.

CHAP. V. Nehemias blameth couetous richmen, for oppressing the poore. 14. himselfe geueth largely of his owne to the needie.

AND there was :: 1.934 a great crie of the people, and of their [ 1] wiues against their brethren the Iewes. † And there [ 2] were that said. Our sonnes and our daughters are verie manie: let vs take corne for the price of them, and let vs eate, and liue. † And there were that sayd: Let vs pledge our fieldes, [ 3] and vineyardes, and our houses, and let vs take corne in fa∣mine. † And others sayd: Let vs borow money for the kings [ 4] tributes, and let vs giue our fields and vineyardes, † and now [ 5] as the flesh of our bretheren, so is our flesh: and as their chil∣dren so also our children. behold we subdew our sonnes, and our daughters into bondage, and our daughters there are bond we men▪ neither haue we where with they may be rede∣med, and our fieldes and our vineyardes other men doe pos∣sesse. † And I was exceding angrie, when I had heard their crie [ 6] according to these wordes. † And my hart thought with my [ 7] selfe: and I rebuked the princes and magistrates, and sayd to them: Do you euery one exact vsuries of your brethen? and I gathered against them a great assemblie, † and I sayd to [ 8] them: We as you know, haue redemed our bretheren the

Iewes, that were sold to the gentiles, according to our abi∣litie: and wil you therfore sel your bretheren, and shal we re∣deme them? And they held their peace, neither did they find what to answer. † And I sayd to them: The thing is not good, [ 9] which you doe: why walke you not in the feare of our God, lest we be vpbrayded with al the gentiles our enimies? † I also [ 10] * 1.935 and my bretheren, and my seruantes, haue lent money and corne to very manie: let vs not aske this againe in common, let vs remitte them the debt, that is dewe to vs. † Restore ye [ 11] to them their fieldes this day, and their vineyards, and their oliuets, and their houses: yea the hundreth part also of money, corne, wine and oyle, which you were wont to exact of them, giue it rather for them. † And they sayd: We wil restore, and [ 12] we wil seeke nothing of them: and we wil do so as thou speakest. And I called the Priestes, and adiured them, to do according to that which I had sayd. † Moreouer I shooke [ 13] my bosome, and sayd: God so shake euery man, that shal not accomplish this word, out of his house, and out of his la∣bours, so be he shaken out, and made emptie. And al the multitude sayd: Amen. And they praysed God. And the people did as it was sayd. † And from that day, wherin the king com∣mended [ 14] me to the duke in the land of Iuda, from the twen∣teth yeare til the two & thirteth yeare of Artaxerxes the king for twelue yearees, I and my bretheren did not eate the yearly allowance, that was dewe to the dukes. † But the former [ 15] dukes, that had bene before me, burdened the people, and tooke of them in bread, and wine, and money euery day fourtie sicles: yea and their officers oppressed the people. But I did not so for the feare of God. † Yea I builded rather in [ 16] the worke of the wal, and field I bought not, and al my ser∣uantes were gathered together to the worke. † Tke Iewes [ 17] also and the magistrates an hundred fiftie men, and they that came to vs out of the nations, that were round about vs were at the table. † And there was prepared for me day by day one [ 18] oxe, six chosen rammes, beside foules, and within ten dayes diuers wines, & many other things did I giue. Moreouer also the yearly allowance of my dukedome I sought not, for the people was very much empouerished. † :: 1.936 Remember me my [ 19] God to good, according to al things, which I haue done to this people

CHAP. VI. The enemies guilfully offer to make league with the Iewes 3. but Nehemias procedeth in building the walles: 16. and al bordering nations feare them.

AND it came to passe, when Sanaballat had heard, and [ 1] Tobias, and Gossem the Arabian, and the rest of our enimies, that I did build the wal, and there was no breach remayning in it (how beit at that time I had not put the doo∣res in the gates) † Sanaballat and Gossem sent to me, saying: [ 2] Come, and :: 1.937 let vs make a league together in the villages, in the field of Ono: But they thought to doe me euil. † I sent [ 3] therfore messengers to them, saying: I am doing a great worke, and I can not goe downe, lest perhaps it be neglected when I shal come, and descend to you. † But they sent to me [ 4] according to this word, foure times: and I answered them according to the former word. † And Sanaballat sent his [ 5] seruant to me the fifth time according to the former word, and he had a letter in his hand written in this maner: Among the Gentiles it is heard, and Gossem hath sayd, that thou and the Iewes meane to rebel, and therfore thou buildest the wal, and wil aduance thy selfe king ouer them: for which cause † thou hast sette vp prophettes also, which should [ 7] preach of thee in Ierusalem, saying: There is a king in Iurie: The king wil heare of these thinges: therfore come now, that we may take counsel together. † And I sent to them, saying: [ 8] It is not done according to these words, which thou speakest: for thou framest these things of thine owne hart. † For al [ 9] these terrified vs, thinking that our hands would cease from the worke, and we would leaue of. For which cause I did the more strengthen my hands: † and I entred into the [ 10] house of Samaia the sonne of Dalaia the sonne of Metabeel secretly▪ who sayd: Let vs consult with our selues in the house of God in the middes of the temple: and Let vs shutte the doores of the temple because they wil come to kil thee, and in the night they wil come to slea thee. † And I sayd: [ 11] Doth any man that is like vnto me flee? and who being as I am, wil goe into the temple, and liue? I wil not goe in. † And I vnderstood that God had not sent him, but as it [ 12] were prophicying he had spoken to me, and Tobias, and Sa∣naballat had hyred him. † For he had taken a price, that I [ 13] being terrified should do it, and sinne, and they might haue

some euil to vpbraid me withal. † Remember me Lord for [ 14] Tobias and Sanaballat, according to such their workes. Yea and Noadias the prophete, and the rest of the prophetes that terrified me † But the wal was finished the fiue and twenteth [ 15] day of the moneth of Elul, in two and fiftie dayes. † It came [ 16] topasse therfore when al our enimies had heard it, that al nations which were round about vs, feared, & were dismayed within them selues, and knew that this worke was done of God. † But in those dayes also many letters of the principal [ 17] Iewes were sent to Tobias, and from Tobias there came to∣them. † For there were many in Iurie sworne vnto him, be∣cause [ 18] he was the sonne in law of Sechenias the sonne of Area, and Iohanan his sonne had taken the daughter of Mosollam the sonne of Barachias. † Yea and they praysed him before [ 19] me, and they reported my words vnto him: and Tobias sent letters to terrifie me.

CHAP. VII. Nehemias appointeth watchmen in Ierusalem, 5. and calling the people toge∣ther reciteth the number of those, which came first from Babylon. 68. likewise of their cattel, 70. and the giftes of certaine chiefe men to∣wards the reparations.

AND after the wal was built, & I had put on the doores, [ 1] and numbred the porters, and singing men▪ and Leuites: † I commanded Hanani my brother, and Hananias prince of [ 2] the house of Ierusalem (for the semed as it were a true man, and one that feared God aboue the rest) † and I sayd to them: [ 3] Let not the gates of Ierusalem be opened vntil the heate of the sunne. And when they yet stood by, the gates were shut, and barred: and I sette:: 1.938 watchmen of the inhabitants of Ierusalem, euery one by their courses, and euery man against his house. † And the citie was exceding large and great, and [ 4] the people few in the middes therof, & there were no houses built. † But God gaue me in my hart, and I assembled the [ 5] princes and magistrates, and common people, that I might number them: and I found a booke of the number of them, that came vp first, and there was found written in it: † These are the children of the prouince, which came vp [ 6] from the captiuirie of them that were transported, whom Nabuchodonosor the king of Babylon had transported, and returned into lurie, euery one into his owne citie. † They [ 7]

that came with Zorobabel, Iosue, Nehemias, Azarias, Raha∣mias, Nahamani, Mardochaeus, Belsam, Mespharath, Begoai, Nahum, Baana. The number of the men of the peo∣ple of Israel. † The children of Pharos, two thousand an [ 8] hundred seuenty two. † The children of Saphatia, three hun∣dred [ 9] seuentie two. † The children of Area, six hundred fiftie [ 10] two. † The children of Phahathmoab of the children of Iosue [ 11] and Ioab, two thousand eight hundred eightene. † The chil∣dren [ 12] of Aelam, a thousand two hundred fiftie foure▪ † The [ 13] children Zethua, eight hundred fourtie fiue. † The childeren [ 14] of Zachai, seuen hundred sixtie. † The childeren of Bannui, [ 15] six hundred fourtie eight. † The children of Bebai, six hun∣dred [ 16] twentie eight. † The children of Azgad, two thousand [ 17] three hundred twentie two. † The childeren of Adonicam, six [ 18] hundred sixtie seuen. † The children of Beguai, two thou∣sand [ 19] sixtie seuen. † The childeren of Adin, six hundred fiftie [ 20] fiue. † The childeren of Ater, childeren of Hezecias ninetie [ 21] eight. † The childeren of Hasem, three hundred twentie [ 22] eight. † The children of Besai, three hundred twentie foure. [ 23] † The children of Hareph, an hundred twelue † The chil∣dren [ 24 25] of Gabaon, nyntie fiue. † The childeren of Betlehem, [ 26] and Netupha, an hundred eightie eight. † The men of Ana∣thoth, [ 27] an hundred twentie eight: † The men of Bethazmoth, [ 28] fourtie two. † The men of Cariathiarim, Cephira, and Beroth [ 29] seuen hundred fourtie three. † The men of Rama and Geba, [ 30] six hundred twentie one. † The men of Machmas, an hun∣dred [ 31] twentie two. † The men of Bethel and Hai, an hundred [ 32] twentie three. † The men of an other Nebo, fiftie two. [ 32] † The men of an other Aelam, a thousand, two hundred fiftie [ 34] foure. † The childeren of Harem, three hundred twentie. [ 35] The childeren of Iericho, three hundred fourtie fiue. † The [ 36] childeren of Lod Hadid and Ono, seuen hundred twentie [ 37] one. † The childeren of Senaa, three thousand nine hundred [ 38] thirtitie. † The Priests: The children of Idaia in the [ 39] house of Iosue, nine hundred three. † The childeren of [ 40] Emmer, a thousand fiftie two. † The childeren of Phashur, a [ 41] thousand two hundred fourtie seuen. † The children of [ 42] Arem, a thousand seuentene. The Leuites: † The children [ 43] of Iosue & Cedmiel, the children † of Cenia, seuentie foure: [ 44] The singing men: † the childeren of Asaph, an hundred [ 45] fourtie eight. † The porters: The childeren of Sellum, the [ 46]

childeren of Ater, the childeren of Telmon, the childeren of Accub, the childeren of Hatita, the childeren of Sobai: an hundred thirtie eight. † The Nathineites: The childeren of [ 47] Soha, the childeren of Hasupha, the childeren of Tebbaath, † the childeren of Ceros, the childeren of Siaa, the childeren [ 48] of Phadon, the childeren of Lebana, the childeren of Ha∣guba, the childeren of Seimai, † the childeren of Hanan, the [ 49] childeren of Geddel, the childeren of Gaher, † the childeren [ 50] of Raaia, the childeren of Rasin, the childeren of Necoda, † the childeren of Gesem, the childeren of Aza, the childeren [ 51] of Phasea, † the childeren of Besai, the childeren of Munim, [ 52] the childeren of Nephussim, † the childeren of Bacbuc, the [ 53] childeren of Hacupha, the childeren of Harur, † the childe∣ren [ 54] of Besloth, the childeren of Mahida, the childeren of Harsa, † the childeren of Bercos, the childeren of Sisara, the [ 55] childeren of Thema, † the childeren of Nasia, the childeren [ 56] of Hatipha, † the childeren of the seruantes of Salomon, the [ 57] childeren of Sotai, the childeren of Sophereth, the childeren of Pharida, † the childeren of Iahala, the childeren of Darcon, [ 58] the childeren of Ieddel, † the childeren of Saphia, the [ 59] childeren of Hatil, the chideren of Phohereth, who was borne vnto Sabaim, the sonne of Amon. † Al Natheneites, [ 60] and the childeren of the seruantes of Salomon, three hundred nyntie two. † But these be they which came vp from Thel∣mela, [ 61] Thelharsa, Cherub, Addon, and Emmer: and could not shew the house of their fathers, and their seed, whether they were of Israel. † The children of Dalaia, the childeren of To∣bia, [ 62] the childeren of Necoda, six hundred fourtie two. † And [ 63] of the Priests, the childeren of Habia, the childeren of Accos, the childeren of Berzellai, who tooke a wife of the daugh∣ters of Berzellai a Galeadite, and he was called by their name. † These sought their writing in the register, and found [ 64] it not: & they were cast out of the Priesthood. † And Ather∣satha [ 65] said to them, that they should not eate of the Holies of holies, vntil there stood vp a Priest learned and cunning. † Al [ 66] the multitude as it were one man fourtie two thousand three hundred sixtie, † beside their men seruants and wemen ser∣uantes, [ 67] which were seuen thousand three hundred thirtie se∣uen: and among them singing men, & singing wemen, two hundred fourtie fiue. † Their horses, two hundred fourtie six [ 68] their mules two hundred fourtie fiue, † their camels, foure [ 69]

hundred thirtie fiue, asses six thousand seuē hundred twentie.

Hitherto is reported what was written in the Register. From this place forward goeth on in order the historie of Nehemias.* 1.939

† And certaine of the princes of families gaue vnto the [ 70] worke. Athersatha gaue into the treasure of gold a thousand drachmas, phials fiftie, tunikes for Priestes fiue hundred thirtie. † And of the princes of families there gaue into the [ 71] treasure of the worke of gold, twentie thousand drachmas, and of siluer two thousand two hundred pound. † And that [ 72] which the rest of the people gaue, of gold twentie thousand drachmas, and of siluer two thousand pound, and tunikes for Priestes sixtie seuen. † And the Priestes, and Leuites, and [ 73] porters, and singing men, and the rest of the common people, and the Nathineites, and al Israel dwelt in their cities. And the seuenth moneth was come: and the childeren of Israel were in their cities.

CHAP. VIII Esdras readeth the law before the people. 9. Nehemias conforteth them. 13. They celebrate the feast of tabernacles seuen dayes: 13. & of collection the eight day.

AND al the people was gathered togethor as it were [ 1] one man to the streate, which is before the water and they sayd to Esdras the scribe, that he should bring the booke of the law of Moyses, which our Lord had commanded Israel. † Esdras therfore the priest :: 1.940 brought the law before the [ 2] multitude of men and wemen, and al that could vnderstand, in the first day of the seuenth moneth. † And he read it [ 3] playnly in the streate that was before the water gate, from morning vntil midday, in the presence of the men, and wemen, and of these that vnderstood: and the eares of al the people were attent to the booke. † And Esdaas the scribe [ 4] stood vpon a steppe of wood, which he made to speake v∣pon: and there stood by him Mathathias, and Semeia, and Ania, and Vria, and Helcia, and Maasia, on his right hand: and on the left: Phadaia, Misael, and Melchia, and Hasum, and Hasbadana, Zacharia, and Mosollam. † And Esdras ope∣ned [ 5] the booke before al the people: for he appeared aboue al the people: and when he had opened it, al the people stood. † And Esdras blessed our Lord the great God: and al [ 6] the people answred: Amen, amen: lifting vp their handes, and they bowed, and adored God flatte on the earth. † Moer∣ouer [ 7] Iosue, & Bani, and Serebia, Iamin, Accub, Septhai, O••ia,

Maasia, Celita, Azarias, Iozabed, Hanan, Phalaia: Leuites made silence in the people to heare the law: and the people stoode in their degree. † And they read in the booke of the [ 8] law of God distinctly and playnly, for to vnderstand: and they vnderstood when it was read. † And Nehemias said [ 9] (the same is :: 1.941 Athersatha) and Esdras the Priest and scribe, and the Leuites interpreting to al the people: It is a day sanctified to the Lord our God, mourne ye not, and weepe not. For* 1.942 al the people wept, when they heard the wordes of the law. † And he said to them: Goe, eate fat thinges, and drinck the [ 10] sweete wine, and send portions to them, that haue not prepa∣red for themselues: because it is the holie day of our Lord, and be not sadde: for the ioy of our Lord is our strength. † And the Leuites made silence in al the people, saying: Hold [ 11] your peace, because the day is holie, and be not sorowful. † Therefore al the people went to eate and drinck, and to [ 12] send portions, and to make great ioy: because they vnderstood the wordes, that he had taught them. † And in the second [ 13] day were gathered the princes of the families of al the people, the Priests and Leuites to Esdras the scribe, that he should in∣terpret vnto them the wordes of the law. † And they found [ 14] written in the law, that our Lord commanded in the hand of Moyses, that the children of Israel should dwel in taberna∣cles, on the solemne day, the seuenth moneth: † and that [ 15] they should proclame and publish a voice in al their cities, and in Ierusalem, saying: Goe ye forth into the mount, and fetch branches of the oliue tree, and branches of the most fayre tree, branches of the mirtle tree, and boughes of the palme trees, and branches of the thicke leaued tree, that ta∣bernacles may be made, as it is written. † And the people [ 16] went forth, and brought. And they made themselues taber∣nacles euery man in his house toppe, and in his courtes, and in the courtes of the house of God, and in the streate of the water gate, and in the streate of the gate of Ephraim. † There∣fore [ 17] al the church of them, that were returned from the captiuitie, made tabernacles, and dwelt in tabernacles. For from the daies of Iosue the sonne of Nun the children of Israel had not done it in such sort, vntil that day: and there was exceeding great ioy. † And he reade in the booke of the [ 18] law of God day by day, from the first day til the last, and they made the solemnitie seuen dayes, & in the eight day a collect according to the rite.

CHAP. IX. The people repenting in fasting and sakcloth, put away their wiues of strange nations. 5. Esdras confesseth Gods benefites, and the peoples ingratitude. 32. prayeth for them, and maketh league with God.

AND in the foure and twenteth day of the moneth the children of Israel came together in fasting and sacke∣clothes, [ 1] and carth vpon them. † And the seede of the chil∣dren [ 2] of Israel was :: 1.943 seperated from euerie strange childe: and they stood, and confessed their sinnes, and the iniquities of their fathers. † And they rose vp to stand: and they read in [ 3] the volume of the law of our Lord their God, foure times in a day, and four times they confessed, and adored our Lord their God. † And there arose vpon the steppe of the Leuites [ 4] Iosue, and Bani, Cedminel, Sabania, Bonni, Sarebias, Bani, and Chanani: and they cried with a lowde voice to our Lord their God. † And the Leuites Iosue and Cedmihel, Bonni, Hasebnia, [ 5] Serebia, Odaia, Sebnia, and Phathahia, said: Arise, Blesse our Lord your God from eternitie to eternitie: and let them blesse the high name of thy glorie in al blessing & praise. † Thou the [ 6] same o Lord, alone thou hast made heauen, & al the host ther∣of: the earth & al thinges that are in it: the seas and al thinges that are therin: and thou dost giue life to al these thinges, and the host of heauē adoreth thee. † Thou the same o Lord God, [ 7] which didst choose Abram, & broughtest him out of the fire of the Chaldees, and gauest him the :: 1.944 name Abraham. † And [ 8] thou didst finde his hart faithful before thee: and thou madest a couenante with him, that thou wouldest geue him the land of the Chananite, of the Hetheite, and of the Amorrheite, and of the Pherezeire, and of the Iebuseite, & of the Gergeseite, to geue vnto his seede: and thou hast fulfilled thy wordes, be∣cause thou art iust. † And thou sawest the afflicton of our fa∣thers [ 9] in Aegypt: & their crie thou didst hear•• vpon the Read sea. † And thou gauest signes & wonders in Pharao, and in al [ 10] his seruants, and in al the people of his land: for thou didst know that they had done proudly against them: and thou ma∣dest thyself a name, as also at this day. † And thou didst diuide [ 11] the sea before them, and they passed througth the midst of the sea in drie land: but their persecutors thou threwest into the depth, as a stone into the rough waters. † And in a piller of [ 12] a cloude thou wast their leader by day, and in a piller of fire

by night, that the way might appeare to them, by the which they went. † To mount Sinai also thou didst descend, and [ 13] spakest with them from heauen, and thou gauest them right iudgements, and the law of truth, ceremonies, and good pre∣ceptes. † Thy sanctified Sabbath thou didst shew them, and [ 14] the commandements, and ceremonies, and the law thou didst command them in the hand of Moyses thy seruant. † Bread also from heauen thou gauest them in their hunger, [ 15] and water out of the rocke thou didst bring forth to them thirsting, and thou saidest to them that they should enter in, and possesse the land, vpon which thou didst lift vp thy hand to diliuer it them. † But they and our fathers did proudly, [ 16] and hardned their neckes and heard not thy cōmandements. † And they:: 1.945 would not heare, and they remembred not thy [ 17] merueylous workes which thou hast done to them. And they hardned their neckes, and gaue the head to returne to their* 1.946 seruitude, as it were by contention. But thou a propitious God, and gratious, and merciful, long suffering and of much compassion, didst not forsake them. † Yea and when they [ 18] had made to them selues a molten calfe, and had said: This is thy God, which brought thee out of Aegypt: and they did great blasphemies. † But thou in thy manie mercies didst not leaue [ 19] them in the desert: the piller of the cloude departed not from them by day to lead them into the way, and the piller of fire by night to shew them the way by which they should goe. † And thou gauest them thy good spirite, which should teach [ 20] them, and thy Manna thou didst not withhold from their mouth, and thou gauest them water in thirst. † Fourtie yeares [ 21] didst thou feede them in the desert, and nothing was wan∣ting to them, their garmentes waxed not old, and their feete not worne. † And thou gauest them kingdomes, and peoples, [ 22] and didst part lottes vnto them: and they possessed the land of Sehon, and the land of the king Hesebon, and the land of Og the king of Basan. † And thou didst multiplie their children [ 23] as the starres of heauen, & brought them to the land wherof thou hadst said to their fathers, that they should enter and possesse it. † And the children came, and possessed the land, [ 24] and thou didst humble before them the inhabiters of the land, the Chanan••ites, and gauest them into their hand, and their kinges, and the peoples of the land, that they might doe to them as it pleased them. † They therfore tooke the [ 25]

fensed cities and fatte ground, and possessed houses ful of al goodes: cesternes made by others, vineyardes, and oliuetes, & manie trees that bare fruite: and they did eate, and were filled, and became fatte, and abounded with delicious thinges in thy great goodnes. † But they prouoked thee to wrath, & [ 26] departed from thee, and threw thy law behind their backes: & they killed thy prophetes, which admonished them ernest∣ly [ 27] to returne to thee: and they did great blasphemies. † And thou gauest them into the handes of their enemies, and they afflicted them. And in the time of their tribulation they cried to thee, & thou from heauen didst heare, and according to thy manie cōpassions gauest them sauiours, that should saue them from the hand of their enemies. † And when they had rested, [ 28] they returned to do euil in thysight: & thou didst leaue them in the hand of their enemies, and they possessed them. And they returned, & cried to thee: & thou heardest from heauen, and deliueredst thē in thy mercies, manie times. † And thou [ 29] didst admonish them that they should returne to thy law. But they did proudly, & heard not thy cōmandmentes, and sinned in thy iudgementes, which a man should do, and shal liue in them, and they gaue the reuolting shoulder, and hardned their necke, neither did they heare. † And thou didst pro∣long [ 30] manie yeares ouer them, and didst testefie to charge them in thy spirit by the hand of thy Prophetes: and they heard not, and thou didst deliuer them into the hand of the peoples of the nations. † But in thy very many mercies thou [ 31] madest them not consumption, neither didst thou forsake them: because a God of compassions and gratious art thou. † Now therfore O our God, great, strong, and ter∣rible, [ 32] keeping couenant and mercie, turne not away from thy face al the labour, which hath found vs, our Kinges, and our Princes, and our Priests, and our Prophetes, and our fathers, and al the people from the daies of the king of A••••ur, vntil this day. † And thou art iust in al thinges, that haue come [ 33] vpon vs: because thou hast done truth, but we haue done wickedly. † Our Kinges, our Princes, our Priestes, and our [ 34] fathers haue not done thy law, and haue not attended thy commandmentes, and thy testimonies which thou hast te∣stified among them. † And they in their reignes, and in [ 35] thy manifold goodnes, which thou gauest them, and in the land most large and fatte, which thou didst deliuer in their

sight, serued not thee, nor returned from their most wicked deuises. † Behold we our selues this day are bondmen: and [ 36] the land, which thou gauest our fathers, that they should eate the bread therof, and the good thinges that are therof, and our selues are seruantes in it. † And the fruites therof are [ 37] multiplied to the kinges, whom thon hast sette ouer vs for our sinnes, and they haue dominion ouer our bodies, and ouer our beastes, according to their wil, and we are in great tribulation. † Therfore vpon al these thinges we our selues [ 38] make a couenant, and write, and our Princes, our Leuites, and our Priestes signe it.

CHAP X. M••nie, in name of al, subscribe to the couenant made with God. 30. Namely not to marrie with strangers, 31. to keepe the Sabbath day, and the seuenth yeare. 32. To pay oblations, 35. First fruites, 38. and Tithes.

AND the subscribers were Nehemias, Athersatha the [ 1] sonne of Hachelai, and Sedecias, † Saraias, Azarias, Ie∣remias, [ 2] † Pheshur, Amarias, Melchias, † Hattus, Sebenia, [ 3. 4.] Melluch, † Harem, Merimuth, Obdias, † Daniel, Genthon, [ 5. 6.] Baruch, † Mosollam, Abia, Miamin, † Maazia, Belgai, [ 7. 8.] Semeia: these were Priestes. † Moreouer Leuites, Iosue the [ 9] sonne of Azanias, Bennui of the children of Henadad, [ 10] Cedmihel, † And their bretheren, Sebenia, Odaia, Ce∣lita, [ 11] Phalaia, Hanan, † Micha, Rohob, Hasebia, † Zachur, [ 12] Serebia, Sabania, † Odaia, Bani, Baninu. † The heades of [ 13] the people, Pharos, Phahathmoab, Aelam, Zethu, Bani, [ 14] † Bonni, Azgad, Bebai. † Adonia, Begoai, Adin, † Ater, [ 15 16] Hezecia, Azur, † Odaia, Hasum, Besai, † Hareph, Anathoth, [ 17 18] Nebai. † Megphias, Mosollam, Hazir, † Mezsibel, Sadoc▪ [ 19 20] Iedua. † Pheltia, Hanan, Anai † Osee, Hanania, Hasub, [ 21] † Alohes, Phalea, Sobec, † Rehum, Hasebna, Maasia, [ 22. 23] † Echaia, Hanan, Anan, † Melluch, Haran, Baana: [ 24. 25.] † And the rest of the people, Priestes, Leuites, Por∣teres, [ 26. 27.] and singing men, Nathineites, and al that seperated [ 28] themselues from the peoples of the landes to the law of God, their wiues, their sonnes, and their daughters. † Al that [ 29] could vnderstand promising for their bretheren, their princes, and they that came to promise, and sweare that they would walke in the law of God, which he gaue in the hand of Moyses the seruant of God, that they would do & kepe al the

cōmandments of the Lord our God, and his iudgementes and his ceremonies. † And that we would not geue :: 1.947 our daugh∣ters [ 30] to the people of the land, and their daughters we would not take to our sōnes. † The peoples of the land, which bring [ 31] in things to sel, & al thinges to be vsed, to sel them on the Sab∣bath day, we wil not take it of them in the Sabbath, and in the sanctified day. And we wil let passe the seuenth yeare, and the exaction of euerie hand. † And we wil ordayne preceptes [ 32] vpon ourselues, to giue the third part of a sicle euerie yeare to the worke of the house of our God, † to the loaues of pro∣position, [ 33] and to the continual sacrifice, and for a continual holocaust in the Sabbathes, in the Calendes, in the Solemni∣ties, and in the sanctified, and for sinne: that propitiation may be made for Israel, and vnto al vse of the house of our God. † We therfore did cast lotes concerning the oblation of [ 34] wood betwen the Priestes, and the Leuites, and the people, that it should be brought into the house of our God by the houses of our fathers at set times, from yeare to yeare: that it might burne vpon the altar of the Lord our God, as it is writ∣ten in the law of Moyses: † And that we would bring the [ 35] first borne of our land, and the first fruites of al the fruite of euerie tree, from yeare to yeare, in the house of our Lord. † and the first fruites of our sonnes, and of our cattel, as it is [ 36] written in the law, and the first fruites of our oxen, and of our sheepe, that they might be offered in the house of our God, to the Priestes which minister in the house of our God. † And the first fruites of our meates, and of our libamentes, [ 37] and the fruites of euerie tree, of vintage also and of oyle we wil bring to the Priestes, vnto the treasurie of our God, and the tenth part of our land to the Leuites. The Leuites them¦selues shal receiue the tithes out of al the cities of our works. † And the Priest the sonne of Aaron shalbe with the Leuites [ 38] in the tythes of the Leuites, and the Leuites shal offer the tenth part of their tythe in the house of our God, to the trea∣surie in the treasure house. † For the children of Israel and [ 39] the children of Leui shal carie to the treasurie the first frui∣tes of corne, of wine, and of oyle: and the sanctified vessels shal be there, and the Priestes, and singing men, and porters, and ministers, and we wil not leaue the house of our God.

CHAP. XI. New inhabitantes of Ierusalem are recited. 20. likwise who dwelt in other cities of Iuda.

AND the princes of the people dwelt in Ierusalem: but [ 1] the rest of the people cast lottes, to take :: 1.948 one part of ten that should dwel in Ierusalem the holie citie, and nine partes in the cities. † And the people blessed al the men that [ 2] had :: 1.949 voluntarily offered them selues to dwel in Ierusalem. † These therfore are the princes of the prouince, which [ 3] dwelt in Ierusalem, and in the cities of Iuda. And euerie one dwelt in his possession, in their cities, Israel, the Priestes, the Leuites, the Nathineites, and the children of the seruants of Salomon. † And in Ierusalem there dwelt of the children of [ 4] Iuda, and of the children of Beniamin: of the children of Iuda, Athaias the sonne of Aziam, the sonne of Zacharias, the sonne of Amarias, the sonne of Saphatias, the sonne of Malaleel: of the children of Phares, † Maasia the sonne of [ 5] Baruch, the sonne of Cholhoza, the sonne of Hazia, the sonne of Adaia, the sonne of Ioiarib, the sonne of Zacharias, the sonne of a Silonite. † Al these the childeren of Phares, [ 6] which dwelt in Ierusalem, foure hundred sixtie eight, valiant men. † And these are the childeren of Beniamin: Sellum the [ 7] sonne of Mosollam, the sonne of Ioed, the sonne of Phadaia, the sonne of Colaia, the sonne of Masia, the sonne of Etheel, the sonne of Isaia, † and after him Gebbai, Sellai, nine hun∣dred [ 8] twentie eight, † and Ioel the sonne of Zechri the ouer∣seer [ 9] of them, and Iudas the sonne of Senua second ouer the citie. † And of the Priestes, Idaia the sonne of Ioarib, Iachim, [ 10] † Saraia the sonne of Helcias, the sonne of Mosollam, the [ 11] sonne of Sadoc, the sonne of Meraioth, the sonne of Achitob the prince of the house of God, † and their bretheren that [ 12] doe the workes of the temple: eight hundred twentie two. And Adaia the sonne of Ieroham, the sonne of Phelelia, the sonne of Amsi, the sonne of Zacharias, the sonne of Pheshur, the sonne of Melchias, † and his bretheren the princes of the [ 13] fathers: two hundred fourtie two. And Amassai the sonne of Azreel, the sonne of Ahazi, the sonne of Mosolamoth, the sonne of Emmer, † and their bretheren exceding mightie: an [ 14] hundred twentie eight, and their ouerseer Zabdiel sonne of the mightie ones. † And of the Leuites Semeia the sonne of [ 15] Hasub, the sonne of Azaricam, the sonne of Hasabia, the sonne of Boni, † and Sabathai and Iozabed, ouer al the wor∣kes, [ 16] that were without the house of God, of the princes of the Leuites. † And Mathania the sonne of Micha, the sonne of [ 17]

Zebedei, the sonne of Asaph prince to prayse, and to confesse in prayer, and Becbecia second of his bretheren, and Abda the sonne of Samua, the sonne of Galal, the sonne of Idi∣thum. † Al the Leuites in the holie citie two hundred eightie [ 18] foure. † And the porters, Accub, Telmon, and their bre∣theren, [ 19] which kept the dores: an hundred seuentie two. † And the rest of Israel the Priestes and the Leuites in al the [ 20] cities of Iuda, euerie man in his possession. † And the Nathi∣neites, [ 21] that dwelt in Ophel, and Siaha, and Gaspha of the Nathineites. † And the ouerseer of the Leuites in Ierusalem, [ 22] Azzi the sonne of Bani, the sonne of Hasabia, the sonne of Mathania, the sonne of Micha. Of the childeren of Asaph, the singing men in the ministerie of the house of God. † For the [ 23] kings commandment was vpon them, and an order among the singing men day by day. † And Phathahia the sonne of [ 24] Mesezebel of the childeren of Zara the sonne of Iuda in the hand of the king, according to euerie word of the people, † and in the houses through al their countries. Of the chil∣dren [ 25] of Iuda there dwelt in Cariatharbe, & in her daughters: and in Dibon, and in her daughters, and in Cabseel, and in the villages thereof, † and in Iesue, and in Molada, and in Beth∣phaleth, [ 26] † and in Hasersual, and in Bersabee, & in her daugh∣ters. [ 27] † and in Siceleg, and in Mochona, and in her daughters, [ 28] † and in Remmon, and in Saraa, and in Ierimuth, † Zanoa, [ 2930] Odollam, and in their townes, Lachis and in her countries, A∣zeca, and in her daughters. And they abode in Bersabee vnto the vale of Ennom. † And the childeren of Beniamin, [ 31] of Geba, Mecmas, and Hai, and Bethhel, and her daughters, † in Anathoth, Nob, Anania, † Asor, Rama, Gethaim, [ 32 33] † Hadid, Seboim, and Neballac, Lod, † and Ono the valley [ 34 35] of artificers. † And of the Leuites were portions of Iuda [ 36] and Beniamin.

CHAP. XII The names and offices of Priestes, and Leuites, which came with Zorobabel and Iosue to Ierusalem 27. with great solemnitie of thanksgeuing▪ 31 watchmen are oppoynted on the new walles. 45. and K••peres of the holy treasure.

AND these are the Priestes and Leuites, that came vp [ 1] * 1.950 with Zorobabel the sonne of Salathiel, and Iosue: Sa∣raia, Ieremias, :: Esdras, † Amaria, Melluch, Hattus. † Sebe∣nias, [ 2. 3]

Rheum, Merimuth, † Addo Genthon, Abia, † Miamin, [ 4. 5.] Madia, Belga, † Semeia, and Ioiarib, Idaia, Sellum, Amoc, [ 6] Helcias, † Idaia. These are the Princes of the Priestes, and [ 7] their bretheren in the daies of Iosue. † Moreouer the Leuites, [ 8] Iesua, Bennui, Cedmihel, Sarebia, Iuda, Mathanias, ouer the [ 9] hymnes they & their bretheren: † And Becbecia, and Hannia [ 10] and their bretheren euerie one in his office. † And :: 1.951 Iosue be∣gatte Ioacim, and Ioacim begate Eilasib, and Eliasib begate Ioiada, † and Ioiada begate Ionathan, and Ionathan begate [ 11] Ieddoa. † And in the daies of Ioacim the Priestes and Prin∣ces [ 12] of the families were. Of Saraia, Maraia: Of Ieremias, Hana∣nia: † Of Esdras, Mosellam: and of Amaria, Iohanan: † Of [ 13 14] Milicho, Ionathan: o Sebenia, Ioseph: † Of Haram, Edna▪ Of [ 15] Maraioth, Helci: † Of Adaia, Zacharia: Of Genthon, Mosol∣lam, [ 16] † Of Abia, Zechri: Of Miamin and Moadia, Phelti: † Of [ 17 18] Belga, Sammua: of Semaia, Ionathan: † Of Ioiarib, Mathanai: [ 19 20] of Iodaia, Azzi: † Of Sellai, Sellai: Of Amoc, Heber: † Of [ 21] Helcias, Hasebia: Of Idaia, Nathanael. † The Leuites in the [ 22] daies of Eliasib, and Ioaiada, and Iohanan, and Ieddoa, writ∣ten Princes of the families, and the Priestes in the reigne of Darius the Persian. † The children of Leui, Princes of the [ 23] families, written in the booke of Cronicles of daies, and vnto the daies of Ionathan the sonne of Eilasib. † And the [ 24] Princes of the Leuites, Hasebia, Serebia, and Iosue the sonne of Cedmihel: & their bretheren by their courses, to praise and confesse according to the precept of Dauid the man of God, and to waite equally in order. † Mathania, and Becbecia, O∣bedia, [ 25] and Mosollam, Telmon, Accub, keepers of the gates and of the entrances before the gates. † These were in the [ 26] daies of Ioacim the sonne of Iosue, the sonne Iosedec, and in the daies of Nehemias the duke, and of Esdras the Priest, and Scribe. † And in the dedication of the wal of Ierusalem [ 27] they sought Leuites out of al other places, to bring them into Ierusalem, and to make the dedication and ioy in geuing of thankes, and songue, and in cimbales, psalteries and harpes. † And the children of the singing men were gathered toge∣ther [ 28] out of the champaine about Ierusalem, and out of the townes Nethuphati, † and from the house of Galgal, and [ 29] from the countries of Geba and Azmaueth: because the singing men did build them selues villages round about Ieru∣salem. † And the Priestes and Leuites were cleansed, and [ 30]

they cleansed the people, and the gates, and the wall. † And [ 31] I made the Princes of Iuda, goe vp vpon the wal, and I sette two great quyers of them that should praise. And they went on the right hand vpon the wal to the gate of the dunghil. † And after them went Osaias, and the halfe part of the prin∣ces [ 32] of Iuda, † and Azarias, Esdras, and Mosollam, Iudas, and [ 33] Beiamin, and Semeia, and Ieremias. † And of the childeren [ 34] of the Priestes with trumpetes, Zacharias the sonne of Iona∣than, the sonne of Semeia, the sonne of Nathania, the sonne of michaia, the sonne Zechur, the sonne Asaph, † and his [ 35] bretheren Semeia, and Azareel, Malalai, Galalai, Maai, Na∣thanael, and Iudas, and Hanani, with the instrumentes of the songe of Dauid the man of God: and Esdras the scribe be∣fore them in the gate of the fountayne. † And against them [ 36] there went vp in the stayers of the citie of Dauid, in the rising of the wal aboue the house of Dauid, and vnto the gate of waters to ward the East. † And the second quyer of than∣kes [ 37] geuers went on the contrarie side, and I after it, and the halfe part of the people vpon the wal, and aboue the tower of the fornaces, & vnto the brodest wal, † and aboue the gate of [ 38] Ephraim, and aboue the old gate, and aboue the gate of fishes and the towre of Hananeel, aud the towre of Emath, and vnto the gate of the flocke: and they stood in the gate of the watch, † and there stood two quyers of them that praysed in [ 39] the house of God, and I, and the halfe part of the magistrates with me. † And the Priestes, Eliachim, Maasia, Miamin, Mi∣chea, [ 40] Elioenai, Zacharia, Hanania with trumpettes, † & Maa∣sia, [ 41] and Semeia, and Eleazar, and Azzi, and Iohanan, and Mel∣chia, and Aelam, and Ezer. And the singing men sang alowd, and Iezraia the ouerseer: † and they immolated in that day [ 42] great victimes, and reioyced: for God had made them ioyful with great ioy: yea their wiues also and childeren reioyced, and the ioy of Ierusalem was heard far of. † They numbered [ 43] also in that day, men ouer the storehouses of the treasure, for the libamentes, and for the first fruites, and for the tythes. that the princes of the citie might bring in by them in the honour of thankesgiuing, Priestes and Leuites: because Iuda was made ioyful, in the Priestes & Leuites standing by. † And they kept the watch of their God, and the obseruance of [ 44] expiation, and the singing men, and the porters, according to the precept of Dauid, and of Salomon his sonne, † because in [ 45]

the daies of Dauid, and Asaph from the beginning there were princes appoynted of the singing men in song praysing, and confessing to God. † And al Israel, in the daies of Zorobabel, [ 46] and in the daies of Nehemias gaue portions to the singing men, and to the porters day by day, and they :: 1.952 sanctified the Leuites, and the Leuites sanctified the children of Aaron.

CHAP. XIII. The law is read, 3. strange wemen are dismissed. 5. Faultes in distribution of the treasure are amended, 10. and due portions gueen to the Leuites. 15. Brea∣kers of the Sabbath are corrected, 23. and those which maried wemen of strange nations.

AND in that day there was read in the volume of Moy∣ses [ 1] * 1.953 the people hearing it: and there was found writ∣ten* 1.954 in it, that the Ammonites and the Moabires should not en∣ter into the Church of God for euer: † for that they mette not [ 2] the children of Israel with bread and water: and they hyred* 1.955 against them Balaam, to curse them: and our God turned the cursing into blessing. † And it came to passe, when they had [ 3] heard the law, they seperated euerie stranger from Israel. † And ouer this thing was Eliasib the Priest, who had bene [ 4] made ouerseer in the treasurie of the house of our God, and neere akinne to :: 1.956 Tobias. † He therfore made to himselfe a [ 5] great treasurie, and they were there before him laying vp giftes, and frankincense, and vesseles, and the tythe of corne, of wine, and of oyle, the portions of the Leuites, and of the singing men, and of the porters, and the first fruites of the Priestes. † But in al these things I was not in Ierusalem, be∣cause [ 6] in the two and thirteth yeare of Artaxerxes the king of Babylon I came to the king, and in the end of certaine dayes I desired the king. † And I came to Ierusalem, and I [ 7] vnderstood the euil, that Eliasib had done to Tobias, to make him a treasure in the entrances of the house of God. † And it [ 8] semed to me exceding euil. And I threw forth the vessels of the house of Tobias out of the treasurie: † and I comman∣ded [ 9] and they clensed the treasurie: and I brought thither againe the vessels of the house of God, the sacrifice, and the frankincense. † And I knew that the portion of the Leuites [ 10] had not bene geuen: and that euerie man was fled into his countrie of the Leuites, and the singing men, and of them that ministred: † and I pleaded the matter against the magi∣strates, [ 11]

and said: Why haue we forsaken the heuse of God? And I assembled them, and I made them to stand in their stan∣dings. † And al Iuda caried the tythe of the corne, wine, and [ 12] oyle into the store houses. † And we appoynted ouer the store∣houses [ 13] Selermas Priest, and Sadoc scribe, and Phadaia of the Leuites, and next to them Hanan the sonne of Zachur, the sonne of Mathania: because they were approued faithful, and to them were committed the portions of t••e bretheren. † Re∣member [ 14] me my God for this thing, and wipe not out my mer∣cies, which I haue done in the house of my God, and in his ceremonies. † In those daies I saw them in Iuda treading the [ 15] presses on the Sabbath, carying heapes, and loding vpon asses wine, and grapes, and figges, and al maner of burthen, and bringing it into Ierusalem on the Sabbath day. And I charged them, that they should sel on a day that it was lawful to s••lin. † And the Tyrians owelt in it, bringing fishes, and [ 16] al thinges to sel: and they sold on the Sabbathes to the chil∣dren of Iuda in Ierusalem. † And I rebuked the Princes of [ 17] Iuda, and said to them: What is this euil thing, that you doe, and prophane the day of the Sabbath? † Why did not our [ 18] fathers these thinges, and our God brought vpon vs al this euil, and vpon this citie? And you adde wrath vpon Israel in violating the Sabbath. † And it came to passe, when the [ 19] gates of Ierusalem had rested on the Sabbath day, I spake: and they shut the gates, and I commanded them that they should not open them til after the Sabbath: and of my ser∣uantes I appoynted ouer the gates, that none should bring in burdens in the Sabbath day. † And the merchantes, and [ 20] they that sold al merchandise, taried without Ierusalem once and againe. † And I charged them, and I said to them: Why [ 21] tarie you ouer against the wal? if you shal doe so the second time, I wil lay my hand vpon you. Therfore from that time they came not on the Sabbath. † I spake also to the Leuites [ 22] that they should be cleansed, and should come to keepe the gates, and to sanctifie the day of the Sabbath: therfore for this also remember me my God, & spare me according to the multitude of thy mercies. † But in those daies also I saw the [ 23] Iewes marying wiues wemen of Azotus, and of Ammon, and of Moab. † And their children spake, the halfe part the [ 24] Azotian tongue, and they could not speake the Iewes lan∣guage, and they spake according to the language of the people

and people. † And I rebuked them, and cursed them. And I [ 25] beate of them some men, and shaued them bald, and adiured them by God, that they should not geue their daughters to their sonnes, nor take their daughters for their sonnes, & for themselues, saying: † Did not Salomon the king of Israel [ 26] sinne in this kind of thing? and surely in manie nations, there was not a king like to him, & he was beloued of his God, and God sette him king ouer al Israel: him therfore also foren we∣men brought to sinne. † And shal we also being disobedient [ 27] persons doe al this great euil, to transgresse against our God, and to marie foren wemen? † And Sanaballat the Horonite [ 28] was sonne in law to one of the sonnes of Ioiada, the sonne of Eliasib the high Priest, whom I draue from me. † Remember [ 29] o Lord my God against them, that pollute the Priesthood, and the right of Priestes and Leuites. † Therfore I sepatared from [ 30] them al strangers, and I appoynted the courses of the Priestes and Leuites, euerie man in his ministerie: † and in the ob∣lation [ 31] of woode at times appoynted, and in the first fruites: :: 1.957 Remember me my God vnto good. Amen.* 1.958

Notes

• * 1.1

  Histor: Scholast.
• * 1.2

  VVhosoeuer was author, the authoritie of this booke is certaine.
• * 1.3

  Bookes of ho∣lie Scripture principally treating of se∣ueral argu∣mentes, yet in the same parti∣cipat ech sorte with others.
• * 1.4

  The côtentes of this books.
• * 1.5

  S. Hiero. Epist. ad Paulin. S. Amb. in Psal. 47 S. Aug. li. 12 c. 31. & li. 16. c. 19. contra. Faust. Manich.
• * 1.6

  Diuided into foure partes.
• * 1.7

  The first part. Of the passage of Israel ouer Iordan.
• :: 1.8

  Besides Man na, which ye•• c••assed not, they might 〈◊〉〈◊〉 they would▪ prouide other meate: prefi∣guring that in the primitiue Church, it should be law∣ful to vse legal ceremonies, with euange∣lical rites for a time, til the old law were buried with honour.
• :: 1.9

  Notwith∣standing this officious lie, (which is a ve∣nial sinne) S. Paul, Heb. 11. and S. Iames (c. 2.) testifie, that she was iustified by her faith in God, and by good workes to∣wards these men. S. Aug. cont. M••udac. ••. 17. See An∣not. Iac. 2. v. 25.
• :: 1.10

  In place of the cloud, and piller of fire, the arke is now caried for their guid and direction.
• :: 1.11

  It perteined to the Leuites office to carie the arke. Num. 4 but in this special seruice & miraculous passage the Priestes did carie it: so the greater may do the office of the lesse, not contrariwise.
• :: 1.12

  God shewed by this mira∣cle, that Iosue had special commission from him, and that vnder his gouernment the people should pros∣per.
• * 1.13

  An obiection for laihead∣ship of the Church.
• * 1.14

  Answer.
• * 1.15

  Moyses chief both in spiri∣tual and tem∣poral authori∣tie▪ which was after diuided betwen the high Priest & temporal Prince. The high priest supe∣riour. Iosue execu∣ted Gods wil, not by spiri∣tual iurisdi∣ctiō, but with subordination to the high priest.
• * 1.16

  Exod. 4. 5. 6. &c. Deut. 17.
• * 1.17

  Chap. 5. 8. 22. 23. 24.
• * 1.18

  Other good princes haue also much ad∣uanced reli∣gion, but not taken supra∣macie in spiri∣tual causes.
• * 1.19

  Veniam ••etiturus
• * 1.20

  For maintai∣ning Catho∣lique religion against hereti∣kes, the kings of Spaine haue the title Catholique. The French Kinges, most. Christian. Kinges of Eng¦land, Defenders of the saith.
• * 1.21

  ••n. Do. 1521.
• :: 1.22

  Is not the forme of a crosse as con∣ueniēt a signe, to put christi∣ans in mind, how our Saui∣our redemed vs, as these stones were to the Iewes, how God brought their fathers ouer Iordan?
• :: 1.23

  See annota∣tions. annota∣tions. c. 3. v. 8.
• :: 1.24

  Circūcision had bene o∣mitted sourtie yeares, whiles they were in the deserte, al∣wayes vncer∣taine when to march, & so it is now com∣manded the second time.
• * 1.25

  Fu••∣men••ie.
• :: 1.26

  Not God, but of Gods hoste.
• * 1.27

  Religious ho∣nour due to Angels.
• * 1.28

  See An∣not. Ex••. 20.
• * 1.29

  Holie places.
• * 1.30

  The second part. Of conque∣••ing the Land of promise.
• :: 1.31

  God appoin∣ted this long and solemne procession to the end it might appe∣are, that the walles of Ieri∣cho ••el not by chance, no•• by force of mans industrie, but by the mightie hand of God.
• :: 1.32

  Manie are held guiltie of sinne, and are iustly puni∣shed for the fact of one or few, either be∣cause they cō∣sented, or con∣cealed, or ne∣glected to pu∣nish the offen∣ders: or els they suffer temporal affli∣ction for their warning to abhorre sinne, & for increase of their me∣rite. ••. Aug. q. 8. & 9. in Iosue.
• :: 1.33

  Hi••l fel into this curse for reparing Ieri∣cho. 3. Reg. 16. v. 34.
• :: 1.34

  So God tem∣pered his pu∣nishment that but few were slaine, and af∣terwards gaue the towne to the Israelites without losse of any of their men.
• :: 1.35

  Prayer wil not auaile til iustice be first donne.
• :: 1.36

  Deceiptes •• stratagemes are lawful in iust warre; but not falshood, nor breach of promise. ••. Aug. q. 10. 〈◊〉〈◊〉 Iosue.
• :: 1.37

  These fiue thousād were of the thirtie thousand, which were first sent. v. 3. The other 25000 ioyned with Iosues troupe, & en∣tered into the citie.
• :: 1.38

  Not one fitte to beare armes was left.
• :: 1.39

  He life his shield vpon a long pike or lance, that it might be sene fitte of.
• * 1.40

  Deut. 27.
• :: 1.41

  Al superiors may blesse their subie∣ctes, Princes their people; and parentes their children.
• :: 1.42

  In such a case they ought to haue consul∣ted God, to wirte, the high Priest putting on the Ephod & Rationale, should haue prayed at the dore of the tabernacle, where our Lord appoin∣ted to speake vnto him. Exo. 29 v. 42 It was also ordained. Num. 27. v. 21. that Eleazar should cōsult our Lord, when anie thing was to be donne by Iosue, which omittīg to do they were de∣ceiued by these Gabaonites.
• :: 1.43

  In these Ga∣baonites of Chanaans race was fulfilled Noes prophe∣cie. Geu. 9. that Chanaan should be a seruant to his brethren.
• :: 1.44

  Iosue did thinke if the moone mo∣ued the sunne also must ne∣cessarily moue so he obtained the stay of both.
• :: 1.45

  Til after the time this booke was written.
• :: 1.46

  God conde∣scending to worke so great a mira∣cle at the in∣stance of his seruant.
• :: 1.47

  God so dispo∣sed, that they should not cō∣quer al in one yeare: lest the land had benne brought into a vvildernes, and beastes increased against them Exod. 23. v. 29▪ Morally it sig∣nifieth, that the children of God must be exercised in tribulations and mortifica∣tion lest vices grow in them. Procop. in Exod.
• :: 1.48

  These warres cōtinued nere seuen yeares. as appeareth. chap. 14. v. 10.
• :: 1.49

  For their e∣normious sin∣nes God left them in their owne repro∣bate sense, not imposing ne∣cessitie of sin∣ning, but per∣mitting them to indurate their owne hartes. See An not. Exod. 7.
• :: 1.50

  Hence forth they had not general warres but diuers tri∣bes had parti∣cular▪ as appea¦reth. chap. 15. &c.
• * 1.51

  Num. 21. Deut. 3.
• :: 1.52

  Moyses slew two kinges, & Iosue thirtie one.
• * 1.53

  The third part. Partitiō of the land among nine tribes & a half.
• :: 1.54

  These partes are designed though not yet conque∣red.
• :: 1.55

  This part the Amorrei∣tes had taken and possessed; otherwise the Israelits were prohibited to take anie thīg from the Am∣monites. Deut 2.
• :: 1.56

  The Leuites hauing their portions in o∣ther maner, yet there were twelue tribes to receiue por¦tiōs by reason that Iacob ad∣opted Iosephs two sonnes. Gen. 48.
• :: 1.57

  After the viewing of the land. Num. 1••. the Israelites remained in the desert. 38. yeares: so they were nere se∣uen yeares in warres.
• :: 1.58

  Gods pro∣mise is euer sure on his part, but be∣cause it is con∣ditional, if we serue him sin∣cerly, o•••• wil being f••ee, he saith: ••f perhaps our lord be vvith me.
• :: 1.59

  Onlie the countrie of Hebron was geuen to Caleb, for the citie it self and suburbes belonged to the Priestes. chap. 21•• v. 11.
• c 1.60

  See be••ore. Chap. 11. v. 23.
• :: 1.61

  Though it was prohibi∣ted that the nephew should marie his ••unt, yet the vncle was not expresly forbid to ma∣rie his neece by Moyses law Leuit. 18. And albeit there is the same degree of consangui∣nitie, yet not the same incō∣uenience, by reason the same person remaineth sub∣iect, that was inferior be∣fore mariage. :: Because or∣dinarily the south part of the world is more drie and barren then o∣ther partes, a barren place is called a south land, in respect of more settile ground.
• :: 1.62

  The Iebusei∣tes kept a strong castle in Ierusalem, til king Dauid tooke it from them. 2. Reg. 5.
• :: 1.63

  Ruben for the sinne of incest losing the priuele∣gies of birth∣right (Gen. 49) Priesthood was geuen to Leui, the king∣dome to Iuda, and duble por∣tiō to Ioseph. Paraphr. Chald.
• :: 1.64

  The land or territorie of Taphua fallig to the lotte of Manasses, yet Taphua (that is the citie it selfe) was the childrens of Ephraim.
• :: 1.65

  The Chana∣neite remai∣ned in the Land of Ma∣nasses, for a time.
• :: 1.66

  Not equal bu•• proportio∣nable partes were assigned, for so it was commanded. Num. 26. v. 54. To the greater number to geue a greater portion, and to the fewer a lesse.
• :: 1.67

  After the por¦tions were ap∣pointed by mens industrie & discretion, God confir∣med the same by lotte, to take away al occasiō of dis∣contentment.
• :: 1.68

  Of modestie Iosue would not assigne to him selfanie place, but the whole people freely granted his request.
• :: 1.69

  At first ente∣ring it sufficed to allege in general his in∣nocencie, but after he must be tried in par¦ticular.
• :: 1.70

  God gaue al the Land in due time, but not al at once▪ for the causes expressed. Exo. 23. v. 29. Deut. 7. v. 22.
• * 1.71

  The fourth part. Two tribes & a halfe returne to their posses∣sions; Iosues godly admo∣nitions; & his, and Eleazars death.
• :: 1.72

  It perteineth to al magistra∣tes, and other superiors to admonish their subiectes of their dutie towardes God. before al other thinges.
• :: 1.73

  Al superior•• may impert blessing to their sub∣iectes.
• :: 1.74

  So it beho∣ueth al the ser∣uantes of God to see in time, that no schis∣me be made. and therfore orderly to in∣quire of eue∣rie show of e∣uil. 1. Thes. 5.
• :: 1.75

  Sinnes past are imputed to such as fal againe as a gra∣uating their new sinnes by reason of more ingra∣titude.
• :: 1.76

  As before chap. 7. so if these had bene culpable al Is∣rael might feare to be pu∣nished, ex∣cept iustice were donne v∣pon the offen¦ders.
• * 1.77

  chap. 7.
• :: 1.78

  In the law of Moyses was one onlie altar for sacrifice, for the whole people of God, to a∣uoide schisme and idolatrie. Now in the Church (being in al nations) are manie alta∣res, & but one onlie Sacrifice prefigured by al the former. as S. Augustin teacheth li 17. c. 20▪ de ••iuit. S. ••••o. Se••. ••. 〈◊〉〈◊〉 P••ssione.
• :: 1.79

  God fought for the Isiach∣tes three ma•• of wayes: sometimes a∣lone, they not fighting at al; as when the Aegyptians were drowned in the read sea: sometimes they doing his cōmandmen∣tes he appa∣rently assisted them, as in the siege of Ieri∣cho, the walles miraculously fel downe (c. 6) & haile stones killed their e∣nimies (chap. 10.) but most times inu••si∣bly, as wel by geuing them courege, as by striking their enimies with terrour. And al these wayes God also figh∣teth for his ser¦uantes in spi∣ritual warres against the di∣uel, the flesh, & the world.
• :: 1.80

  The Israeli∣tes descended also of Na∣chor, by Re∣becca, his son∣nes daughter, the wife of I∣saac. Gen. 24.
• :: 1.81

  Iosue being a prophet saw some of their hartes incli∣ned to idoles, though exte∣riorly they then had none among them. S. Aug. q. 29. in Iosue.
• :: 1.82

  This renoua∣tion of the same couenāt presigured the law of the new Testa∣ment. S. Aug. q. 30. in Iosue.
• :: 1.83

  To the more confusion of reasonable cre¦atures wilfully offending, vn∣sensible things are made wit∣nesses, because they euer o∣bey Gods wil, which is the best maner of hearing. Theod. q. 19. in Iosue.
• :: 1.84

  If Iosue writ the rest of this booke, then Samuel added these last ver∣ses. Hist. S••hol.
• :: 1.85

  Iosephs Mausoleum (o•• famous sepul∣chre) remai∣ned in Sichem in S. Hieroms time. as he wit nesseth. Tradit. Hebra. in Gen. prope sinem.
• * 1.86

  Gen. 5••. ••xo. 13.
• * 1.87

  Thare some∣time serued false goddes, but Abraham neuer.
• * 1.88

  Before Christ none entered into heauen.
• * 1.89

  A rule for rea∣ding historical bookes.
• * 1.90

  The Iudges of Israel figures of Christs A∣postles▪
• * 1.91

  They were al finally holie men.
• * 1.92

  E••••li. 4••.
• * 1.93

  The Contents of this booke.
• * 1.94

  Diuided into three partes.
• * 1.95

  The first part. A gene••al reca¦pitulation of the peoples state.
• :: 1.96

  The maner of consulting our Lord was by the High priest praying in the taberna∣cle. Exo. 29. v. 42.
• :: 1.97

  The first ge∣neral captaine after Iosue, and diuers of the Iudges, were of the tribe of Iuda, but not al, as appeareth in this booke.
• :: 1.98

  Strong wea∣pons crooked like sickles made fast to the chariottes which cut in peeces, men, horses, and o∣ther chari∣ottes that came in their way.
• :: 1.99

  An Angel ta∣king the forme of a man as be∣fore to Iosue, (ch. 5.) so now appearing to the people, spake to them in the name of God, whose messenger he was.
• :: 1.100

  By special dispensation sacrifice was sometimes lawfully offe∣red in other places though the Taberna∣cle (and after∣ward the Tem¦ple) was the onlie place commanded. Deut. 12. Iosue. 22. S. Aug. q. 36. in Iudic.
• :: 1.101

  These Iudges were extraor∣dinarily raised vp to deliuer the people re∣penting, when they were fal∣len into affli∣ctiōs for their sinnes.
• * 1.102

  The second part. Of the com∣mon peoples often falling to idolatrie, their repen∣tance, and de∣liuetie.
• :: 1.103

  In manie places we see the worde sa∣uiour, and like titles geuen to men, as the ser¦uantes and of∣ficers of God, who is the pro¦per and princi∣pal Sauiour of al. S. Aug. q. 18. in Iudic.
• :: 1.104

  In these 40. yeares are in∣cluded the eight yeares of their serui∣tude, v. 8. & so in the rest of this historie. otherwise the number of yeres agreeth not with the count. 3. Reg. 6. v. 1.
• :: 1.105

  Aod hauing special inspi∣ration from God to do this fact, (as S. Au∣gustin noteth vpon these wordes. q 20. in Iudic.) is not to be imitated by priuat men. See Num. 25. v. 11.
• :: 1.106

  Being a pro∣phetesse she resolued hard and obscure thinges, but exercised no iurisdiction in anie causes, for that belonged to the councel of Priestes and of seuentie an∣cientes, where the high priest was the chief Iudge. Num. 11. Deut. 17. Spi∣ritually Deb∣bora signified the Church & Barac christian Princes, who are directed in their warres, and other acti∣ons by spiri∣tual superiors. as Origen, and other ancient writers ex∣pouud this hi∣storie.
• :: 1.107

  VVho is this woman ful of confidence, piercing the temples of the enimies head with a naile, but the faith of the Church destroying the diuels king∣domes with the crosse of christ? S. Aug. li. 12. ••. 32. cont. Iaust. Manich. Iabel also pre∣figured our B. Ladie who crushed the serpentes head.
• :: 1.108

  The greater blesse the lesse by imparting spiritual bene∣fites, so God, and superiors blesse their subiectes. Men blesse God, & the lesse their betters, by ge∣uing thankes, and prayses.
• :: 1.109

  She inculca∣teth that she must so much more praise God for this victorie, be∣cause he for∣shewed it by her, & by her directed the general cap∣taine Barac, lest it might be ascribed ei∣ther to wis∣dome or va∣lure of anie man.
• :: 1.110

  Those that subdew their bodies to the spirite ride v∣pon fayre asses Origen, hom. 6. in c. 5. Iudic.
• :: 1.111

  Iahel the fi∣gure was bles∣sed amongst wemen: much more the most holie virgin mother of God is blessed aboue alwe∣men.
• :: 1.112

  S. Augustin (q 31. in Iudic.) supposeth that this messenger sent from God called a man & a prophete (for the forme, wherin he ap∣peared) was the same An∣gel which sate vnder the oke and sent Ge∣deon to deli∣uer Israel. v. 11. 12. &c.
• :: 1.113

  He meant not to offer sacrifice to the Angel, but that either the An∣gel, or him∣selfe in pre∣sence of the Angel, should offer it to God and so in dede the Angel part¦ly directed him what to do, partly exe∣cuted the of∣fice himselfe, by touching the oblation with his rodde; and mi∣raculously bringing fire to consume the sacrifice.
• :: 1.114

  An altar for a monument, not for sacri∣fice.
• :: 1.115

  The strength of Baal, or stronger then Baal.
• :: 1.116

  Dew first in the fleece and after on the ground signi∣fied grace and true religion first in one peo¦ple, after in al nations. Sainct Amb. Ser. 13. de Natal Dom. Venr. Beda. qq) in Iudic. c. 4. Also Christs Incarnation without detri∣ment of his mothers vir∣ginitie, of whose grace al are repleni∣shed S. Bernard. ho. 2. in Missus est.
• :: 1.117

  Obseruation of dreames is generally for∣bid. Leuit. 19. v. 26. Deut. 18 v. 10. yet here, and in other places, it is e∣uident, God would haue some obser∣ued. See Annot. Gen. 40.
• :: 1.118

  These thin∣ges were ridi∣culous (saieth venerab. Beda c. 5. qq▪ in Iudic.) if they had not bene terrible to the ene∣mies.
• :: 1.119

  It is no de∣rogation to God, that ho∣nour is also ge¦uen to his ser∣uantes.
• :: 1.120

  Trumpetes signified prea∣chers of Christ, pit∣chers the bo∣dies of Marty∣res, & lampes their vertues and miracles. Vener. Beda. qq. in Iudic. c. 5.
• :: 1.121

  A soft answer breaketh an∣ger: hard speach stirreth vp furie Prou. 15.
• :: 1.122

  Zebee and Salmana were not of anie of the seuen nati∣ons, whom God comman∣ded to destroy and therfore Gedeon might haue spared their liues, if he would.
• :: 1.123

  Kinges may do ante thing not contrarie to the law: but Iudges & Dukes may onlie do ac∣cording to the law. See. 1. Reg. 8.
• :: 1.124

  His hand∣maide o•• ser∣uant not a har∣lotte: to wit, such a one as had not the priuiledge of a wife. as Gen. 25. v. 6.
• :: 1.125

  This sonne of Gedeon by his seruant pre¦figured Anti∣christ who wil persecute the Church and reigne for a while: but in the end shal be destroyed. S. Beda c. 6. qq in Iudic.
• :: 1.126

  True pasto∣res in the time of Antichrist wil still a∣uouch the truth and the right of the Church.
• :: 1.127

  Oyle spiritu∣ally signifieth the grace of the Holie Ghost, making peace of consci¦ence in mens soules towar∣des God.
• :: 1.128

  The swetnes of Gods law producing good workes.
• :: 1.129

  Contemtible in outward shew, but brin∣ging forth li∣quour of mer∣uelous force; which sorte of workes God is most deligh∣ted withal: and men most admire. Psal. 85
• :: 1.130

  The rham∣nus signifieth base and am∣bicious men.
• * 1.131

  brierre bramble ••rthistle.
• :: 1.132

  God doth suggest only good cogitati∣ons▪ as remo••••e of conscience in the seche∣••••tes, for their ingratitude towardes Ge∣deon and for so wicked and cruel a mur∣der of his sonnes▪ wher∣upon they be∣gāne to detest Abimelec and, so hatred grew betwen him & them, which is a most euil spi∣rite▪ but their former sinne, not God, was the cause ther∣of. S. Aug. q. 45. in Iudic.
• :: 1.133

  For more reuenge he sowed the ci∣tie with salte, which maketh ground bar∣ren, Theod. q. 17. in lib. Iudie.
• :: 1.134

  Euels shal betide the vn∣iust man to de∣struction. Psal. 139.
• * 1.135

  Vngtatful peo¦ple render in∣iuries for be∣nefites.
• * 1.136

  Infidels pro∣mote wicked men to autho∣ritie.
• * 1.137

  Abimelech a figure of An∣tichrist.
• * 1.138

  2. Thess. 2.
• :: 1.139

  Not euerie one that say∣eth: Lord, Lord but he tha•• doth the wil of God, &c. Mat. 7.
• :: 1.140

  The hebrew word Z••nah signifieth also ••n ••n keeper.
• :: 1.141

  If they had not concurred to his expulsi∣on, it might haue sufficed to haue sent for him, but in this case the ancientes iud∣ged it meete to goe in per∣son, and to in treat him. So Christ was re∣iected by the Iewes, and re∣turneth not to them til in the end of the world they shal seeke vnto him. ••. Aug. q. 49. in Iudic. post••e••iū.
• * 1.142

  Num. 20
• :: 1.143

  In the opi∣nion of infi∣dels, it semed that they pos∣sess••d coun∣tries by the helpe of false goddes, and so they thought them selues to haue iust title. Much more iust is the title when God al∣mighty ge∣ueth victorie of conquest. S. Aug. q. 48. in Iudie.
• :: 1.144

  He argueth vpon prescrip∣tion of 300. yeares being nere so much. for there wan∣ted scarce thir∣tie: being from the conquest made by Moy∣ses (Num. 21.) til the time of Iephte a∣bout 270. yeares.
• :: 1.145

  This vow was vnlawful, for the law forbiddeth to offer man or woman in sa∣crifice Exo. 34. v. 20. Deut. 12. v. 31.
• :: 1.146

  In the old testament ma∣riage was or∣dinarily pre∣ferred before single life but in the new, it is better to kepe virginity 1. Cor. ••. ••. 38.
• * 1.147

  Iephte offen∣ded in vowing vndiscretly. But not in per¦forming his vow as anci∣ent fathers thinke more probable.
• * 1.148

  S. Augustin.
• * 1.149

  S. Ambrose.
• * 1.150

  S. Hierom.
• * 1.151

  S. Chrysostom.
• * 1.152

  S. Gregorie Nazianzen.
• * 1.153

  Theodoret.
• * 1.154

  Bible ••603.
• * 1.155

  Protestants censure.
• :: 1.156

  That, is ex∣pose•• my self to danger tru∣sting to Gods helpe & ••••y•• owne handes, when others would not as∣sist me.
• :: 1.157

  Iephte being of Manasses tribe the E∣phraites en∣uied his glorie and calumni∣ously obiected that he and his followers were fugitiues so raised a tumulte to their owne ••••••••e.
• :: 1.158

  Abstinence not only from thinges vncle∣ane by the law but also from wine and sider was a prepara∣tion to the childe, who should ab∣staine from them al his life.
• :: 1.159

  Other Na∣zerites obser∣ued a pres∣cripte rule of abstinence for a time only Num. 6. but Samson al his life; as a more perfect figure of Christ.
• :: 1.160

  Manue ta∣king the An∣gel for a holie prophete iust∣ly thought he would not ad∣mitte, not cō∣mand anie thing but that was lawful. And so did as the Angel ap∣pointed him, though he was no priest, nor the place pro∣per to sacrifi∣ce, but by ex∣traordinarie dispensation.
• :: 1.161

  Though Ma∣nue saw not God in his owne person, yet seing him in his messen∣ger feared death. S. Aug. q. 54. in Iudi••.
• * 1.162

  Protestantes either contra∣dict them∣selues, or teach Arrianisme.
• * 1.163

  Bible 1603.
• :: 1.164

  It was prohi∣bited (Deut. 7. v. 3. to make mariage with the Gentiles, but God some times dispen∣sed: as here it appeareth he did. v. 4.
• :: 1.165

  By threates they made he•• betray her husband: and neuertheles destroyed both her and her father. cha. ••5. v. 6. so per∣secuters of the Church deale with such, as trayterously or of frailtie serue their turne.
• :: 1.166

  Being Iudge of the people he had helpe of others to ••ake so manie foxes with ••••••••es. or o∣therwise, be∣ing great store in that coun∣trie.
• :: 1.167

  A notorious miracle to kil so manie with so meane a weapon with∣out other hel∣pe of man. And by com∣mon reason as vncredible, as the great my∣steries of Ca∣tholique Reli∣gion.
• :: 1.168

  It was a grea¦ter miracle to draw water out of a drie bone, then out of the earth or stones: but al things are possible to God, which he pleaseth to do.
• * 1.169

  or, an In••e••per.
• :: 1.170

  For such ad∣mirable stre∣ingth the heth ••i••h people thought Sam∣son to be Her∣cules. S. Aug. li. 18. c. 19. ciuit. But he was in¦deede farre stronger then they feaned of Hercules, who they said, was not able to fight against two: whereas Samson alone killed a thou∣sand with the iaw bone of an asse. c. 15. v. 15.
• :: 1.171

  Supernatural streingth, or grace depar∣teth when any leaue the rule of their pro∣fession.
• :: 1.172

  He desired to be reuenged, not of rancour of mind but of zele of iustice. And so al the elect & glori∣fied Sainctes desire reuēge. Luc. 18. v. 8. Apoc. 6. v. 10.
• * 1.173

  Samson excu∣sed in killing himselfe wīth his enemies.
• * 1.174

  Samson a fi∣gure of Christ.
• * 1.175

  The third part. Of certaine accidentes which happe∣ned in the time of the Iudges.
• :: 1.176

  In hebrew pesel vmassecah, in Latin sculp∣tile & consta∣tile, a grauen & molten thing an image or forme made in mettle for a god, and so called, v. 5. was in dede an idol of Genti∣litie, and no∣thing at al a∣gainst sacred Images of Christ and his Sainctes in the Catholique Church. wher∣of more is no∣ted. Gen. 31. Exo. 20.
• :: 1.177

  Annointed his hādes with oyle, as was prescribed. Exo. 29. Leu. 8: But such an a∣pish imitation was of no va¦lue, where was neither true vocation in the annointed (for he descen¦ded not of A••ton, but of Moyses, chap. 18. v. 30.) nor authoritie in him that vsed this ceremony
• b 1.178

  An Apostata Leuite was ac∣counted more sufficient then an idolatrical priest to serue an idol. so he that is a Priest of a Deacon once catholik∣ly consecra∣ted, is a suf∣ficient (yea too sufficient) a minister with prote∣stantes.
• c 1.179

  Their whole portiō was as∣signed (Ios 19) but through their owne ••••outh they possessed litle of it, so that hitherto the greatest part was not recei∣ued.
• d 1.180

  They ment the false god which the a∣postata Leuite serued.
• e 1.181

  The diuel answered, as his maner is obscurly, some¦times truly & sometimes falsly.
• :: 1.182

  Pesel, eidolon, sculptile, the grauen thing, falsly called god. c. 17. v. 5.
• :: 1.183

  She was his lawful wife and so called. v. ••. •• 9.) et also is called concubine be∣cause she had no dawrie, nor as yet enioyed the priuiled∣ges of a mi∣stris in her husbands house.
• :: 1.184

  Omission & contemp•• to punish hai∣nous ••••imes is a 〈…〉〈…〉 cause to make w•••••••• 〈…〉〈…〉▪
• :: 1.185

  One of the tribe of Iuda.
• :: 1.186

  Being farre more in num∣ber & hauing the iust cause, yet had the worse, because they trusted in their owne streingth.
• :: 1.187

  God also pu∣nished al Is∣rael by this ciuil warre, for suffering idolattie in the tribe of Dan. cha. 18. v. 30. which they ought to haue puni∣shed. Deut. 13. v. 12.
• :: 1.188

  By this it ap∣peareth that this historie happened not long after the death of Elea∣zarus. Ios. 24. v. 33. to whom hissonne Phi∣nees succeded in the spiritual Supremacie of the Church.
• :: 1.189

  Lest either iustice be ouer sharpe, or mercie too relaxe, with great art of discretion, gouernours must obserue mercie iustly ad∣uising, and disci∣pline piously ch••¦sticings. S. Greg. li, 1. Epist. 24.
• :: 1.190

  In the time of the Iudges the people pre¦sumed more to do that se∣med to them selues right, or good though it was nought; which after∣wardes the kinges more restrained and punished.
• * 1.191

  The historie of Ruth is rege∣stred in holie Scripture, for the genealo∣gie of Dauid, and especially of our Sauiour Christ.
• * 1.192

  Iudic. 12.
• :: 1.193

  Noemi per∣swaded not to idolatre, but in sinuated that if Ruth would not returne to her countrie, she must also leaue the false goddes. And so she answe∣red, that she would serue the same true God of Israel.
• :: 1.194

  She had a husband and two sonnes, and sufficient prouision, but now was bere∣ued of them al.
• :: 1.195

  The Church vseth this sa∣lutation in the holie sacrifice and other di∣uine office.
• :: 1.196

  Booz doub∣ted not but re∣ward was due to good wor∣kes.
• :: 1.197

  Yea a ful re∣ward, answe••∣able to Ru••h pietie: Vvhich must be spiri∣tual and eter∣nal.
• :: 1.198

  The euent shewed that Noemi was inspired by God to geue such direction to Ruth, & to foretel what Booz would doe.
• :: 1.199

  It was very cōmendable that she loued her first hus∣band and mo∣ther in law: but more ver∣tue infleing oc¦casion of sinne with young men, and see∣king to marie according to the law of God with her for∣mer husbands kinsman. Deut. 25.
• :: 1.200

  Booz calleth his kinsman brother, as A∣braham called Lot his bro∣ther. Gen. 13. being his Ne∣phevv.
• :: 1.201

  See Deut. 25. noting here withal, that the penaltie was lesse, whch an other kinsman vn∣dertaking the mariage, the woman was preuēted from complayning before the iudge.
• :: 1.202

  Here appea∣reth the final cause of writ∣ting this histo∣rie, to shew the Genealogie of King Dauid from Iudas the Patriarch, of whom Christ should descend, so prophecied: Gen. 49. and shewed to be performed; Mat. 1.
• * 1.203

  qq̄. in 1. Reg. c. 1.
• * 1.204

  These histo∣ries are also expounded mystically by the ancient Fathers.
• * 1.205

  Prolog•• in 1. Reg. li. 17. c. 4. ciuit. Ep. ad Paulin.
• * 1.206

  The general contents of al the bookes of Kinges & Para lippomenon.
• * 1.207

  Samuel writ the first part, but vncertaine who writ the rest.
• * 1.208

  Cōtents of the first booke, di∣uided into foure partes.
• * 1.209

  These bookes are read at Mattins from the feast of the B Trinitie vn∣til the first sun∣daie of August.
• * 1.210

  The first part. Of the go∣uernments of Heli and Sa∣muel: and of changing the state into a kingdome.
• :: 1.211

  This childe being of the tribe of Leui, though not of Aarons stock, was lawfully vowed to the seruice of the tabernacle, by his parentes during his childhood, but coming to yeares of dis∣cretion he was at his owne electiō to con∣tinew, or to depart. If he had bene of anie other tribe, he must haue bene re∣demed. Leuit. 27.
• * 1.212

  The Canticle at Laudes on wenesday.
• :: 1.213

  Leaue of to praise idoles, as ye haue ac∣customed to doe.
• :: 1.214

  The Church of Gentiles.
• :: 1.215

  The Syna∣gogue of the Iewes. S. Aug. li. 17. c. 4. cini••.
• :: 1.216

  Neither Da∣uid no•• Salo∣mon, much l••ss•• an•••• other King, possened or ••udged the endes of the ta••th: but ••••••••ts enheri∣tance reacheth to the endes of the earth. Psal. 2. v. 18.
• :: 1.217

  Sinnes dire∣ctly against God, and that hinder his ser∣uice, are more hardly remit∣ted: but none at al a••e irre∣missible be∣fore death, be∣cause during life euerie one may truly re∣pent, if he wil: and to al true penitētes God promisseth re∣mission of sin∣nes Ezech. 33.
• :: 1.218

  Gods deter∣mination to punish tooke not away their freewil, but for their obsti¦nacie he leift them to them¦selues, with∣out his grace, and so iustly punished them. See S. Aug. li. 5. cont. Iulian. c. 3.
• :: 1.219

  This was ful∣filled as in the figure in Sa∣muel, not wholly, for priesthood stil remained in the line of Aaron, as ap∣peareth in Achias, Abia∣thar & Sadoc. ch. 14. 22. & 2▪ Reg. 8. but per∣fectly in Christ 1. Reg. c. 2.
• :: 1.220

  Rare thinges are called pre∣cious, and so the gift of prophecie is here termed, which was then granted to few.
• :: 1.221

  This vision happened ear∣ly in the mor∣ning, before the time of dressing the lampes, when some were put out and others light.
• :: 1.222

  Their confi∣dence of helpe from God, by presence of the arke was good and com¦mendable, but their sinnes deserued to be punished.
• :: 1.223

  This zele of religion in Heli towards the arke, is a great signe that he died in good state though he was tempo∣rally punished for not corre∣cting his sonnes.
• :: 1.224

  So sowne as Christs Gospel or Testament came among the Gentiles, al false goddes & idolatry fel downe. S. Beda. qq in 1. Reg. c. 3.
• :: 1.225

  The arke be∣ing a holie thing, as Re∣liques are, was terrible to their false god, the diuel, so the Reliques of S. Babilas ouerthrew the false god Apol∣lo as ••. Chry∣so••••. testifieth at large. li. cont. Gentiles, 〈◊〉〈◊〉. 5.
• :: 1.226

  Obstinate sinners doe harden their owne hartes, not God, but by suffering them so to do. ••ee A••not. ••••••d. 7.
• :: 1.227

  As the arke was terrible to the infideles, (chap. 5.) so also to those that beleued right but vsed it not reue∣rently.
• :: 1.228

  These men knowing that the presence of the arke was good for them (though the Bethsamites had benne pu∣nished for their irreue∣rence towar∣des it) feared not to receiue and kepe it.
• :: 1.229

  That is 〈…〉〈…〉 say, the Phili〈…〉〈…〉, who were 〈…〉〈…〉 o•• the seuen na∣tions of Cha∣naan, which God comm••n∣ded his people to destroy, 〈…〉〈…〉 the Amorrhe∣ites.
• :: 1.230

  Heli his son∣nes g••ieuously offending in then office be∣fore (chap 2.) and now Sa∣muels sonnes also peruer∣ting iudgem••t gaue occasion to the people, to demand a l••ng to iudge their temporal causes rightly not declining to wrong for bribes.
• :: 1.231

  Misphat sig∣nifieth maner, fashion, or pro¦ceding.
• :: 1.232

  God alwaies heareth those that truly re∣pent for their sinnes, but doth not al∣wayes deliuer them from afflictions, which are due for offences, or profitable for probation and merite of his children.
• * 1.233

  ••••od. 19. Deut. 17. Iudi••. 2. v. 16.
• * 1.234

  Vvhy the peo∣ples demand to haue a king is disliked.
• * 1.235

  Kinges some∣times oppresse their subiectes by Gods suffe∣rance, but vn∣iustly.
• * 1.236

  ••. Cyp. li. 3. ep. 9. siue 65. ••. Hier••▪ in Osee 8. ••. Greg. li. 4. c. 2. in 1. Reg. 8.
• * 1.237

  Kinges haue prerogatiues aboue, but not cont••aric to the lawes.
• * 1.238

  Euil princes may be depo∣sed by God & the Church▪ but not by the people only.
• * 1.239

  Concil. Lateran c. 3. de heret.
• * 1.240

  Pointes obser∣ued in the con¦stitution and deposition of King Saul.
• * 1.241

  1. 2. 3. 4.
• * 1.242

  5.
• * 1.243

  6. 7.
• * 1.244

  8.
• * 1.245

  The second part. The election, annointing▪ & gouernement of King Saul.
• :: 1.246

  One that by diuine inspira∣tion foreseeth thinges too▪ come.
• :: 1.247

  Oppression of innocentes crieth to hea∣ven.
• :: 1.248

  ••. Gregorie here noteth, that such as are placed in height of go∣uernement, are annointed with oyle, which signifi∣eth mercie, light, and cu∣••ing of others.
• :: 1.249

  But the litle vessel fore∣shewed that Saul not per∣seuering in grace, should be deposed from his king∣dom. li. 4 c. 5. in 1. Reg. 10.
• :: 1.250

  Samuel en∣ioynet•• obe∣dience to Saul to trie his hu∣militie. S. Greg. li. 4 c. 5. in 1▪ Reg 10.
• :: 1.251

  God gaue him peculiar grace for exe∣cuting the of∣fice of a king.
• :: 1.252

  By and by also the gift of prophecie.
• :: 1.253

  Then supe∣rious.
• :: 1.254

  By lotte the people were assured that the election was of God. S. Greg. ••b••dem.
• :: 1.255

  As the men of Iabes delu∣ded their eni∣mies by aequi∣uocation, so speaking that they were o∣therwise vn∣derstood then they ment: so the seruantes of God being tempted with concupiscence of glutoni•• (si∣gnified by Naas) must de∣ceiue their carnal appe∣tite, by promi∣sing to satisfie the desire of the flesh, but in deede kepe such tempe∣rance, as they may kil the cōcupiscence, and not be kil∣led by it. S. Greg. li. 5. c. 1. in 1. Reg. 11.
• :: 1.256

  The annoin∣ted king.
• a 1.257

  〈…〉〈…〉 im∣mediatly by God, but would haue king to reigne ouer them▪ ima¦gening that so they should be better prote∣cted, and de∣fended from forraine ene∣mies wherin they preferred their owne conceite and iudgement be¦fore Gods dis¦position. and therfore this sinne is often here inculca∣ted, and much reprehended. S. Greg li. 5. c. 2. in 1. ••••. 12.
• * 1.258

  mi••••tie Samson.
• :: 1.259

  They ••ent that they would not be ruled and pro∣tected as hi∣ther to they had bene, by Dukes & Iud∣ges ordained
• * 1.260

  〈…〉〈…〉 ••••ures. S. ••reg. thunder.
• :: 1.261

  They feared God so much the more▪- be¦cause they fea∣red al••o his seruant. :: For sinners to come be∣fore Gods face were presum∣ption, not to come to his back, or to de∣part from thence, were desperation. So Marie Mag¦dalen with feare and hope approched & taried at Christs back. Luc. 7. S. Greg. loco citato.
• :: 1.262

  Saul begin∣ning to reigne was innocent and humble as a child of one yeare.
• :: 1.263

  And in that state reigned the first two yeares. S. Greg. in hunc locum.
• :: 1.264

  He offended in offering sa∣crifice being neither a priest, nor ex∣traordinarily allowed to do that office, and for this and other faultes was deposed.
• :: 1.265

  Gods fore∣sight of sinne, and perordina¦tion to punish it, taketh not away freewil, nor possibilitie of wel doing, nor of reward. S. Aug. li. 3. c. 4. de lib. arbit.
• :: 1.266

  Ominous speaches are proued by this and some o∣ther examples to be some∣times of God, though some¦times this kind of obser∣uation is su∣persticious. As before is no∣ted. Gen. 24.
• :: 1.267

  Pray no more nor ex∣pectno longer▪ so they proce∣ded to battel withou sur∣••••er warrant.
• :: 1.268

  Ionathas was excused by ignorance, & by necessitie; and therfore was iustly deli∣uered by the people; and his father of∣fended, in not excep••ing the case of necessi∣tie, & through more e••g••e zele of reu••ge, then he had warrant from, God, whose answer he would not ex∣pect v. 19
• :: 1.269

  VVherof fo∣lowed also an other sinne, that the peo∣ple fainting for lacke of meate did eate flesh with the blood, contra∣rie to the law.
• :: 1.270

  Before, v. 19. Saul would not expect Gods answer: now therfore God wil not answer him.
• :: 1.271

  Ionathas was found to haue transgressed the vnaduised cōmandment, but Saul him self was in a greatter fault of rash proce∣ding, and vn∣discrete com∣manding.
• :: 1.272

  Amalec is stricken when the flesh is chasticed by abstinence.
• :: 1.273

  Destroyed when the mind is restrai∣ned from vn∣cleane cogita∣tions. S. Greg•• li. 6. c. 1. in ••. Reg. 15.
• :: 1.274

  VVhen Saul was humble he was exal∣ted, now being proud he is reiected.
• :: 1.275

  By ordinarie sacrifices, we geue our ex∣ternal goodes to God, by o∣bedience we geue our sel∣ues S Greg. li. 6 c. 2. in 1. Reg. 25.
• :: 1.276

  God is said improperly to repent, when he altereth the thing, that he did before. S. Amb. li. de Nos ca. 4.
• * 1.277

  The third part. Dauids an∣nointing, his vertues, and persecution.
• :: 1.278

  By Gods per mission. S. Aug▪ li 2. q. ••. ad Sim••l••c••an S. ••eda. qq. ••n 1. Reg. c. 5.
• :: 1.279

  Naturally (as these men tru∣ly iudged) mu∣sique helpeth some il dispo∣sition of hu∣mores, and draweth also the mind from so vehement apprehension of afflictions: but here it se∣meth more probable, that God superna∣turally reliued Saul by Dauids playing on the harpe, toge∣ther with his sincere deuo∣tion, for more manifest con∣demnation of the one, and instification of the other Glos. ordin. S. Greg.
• * 1.280

  How Saintes and Prophetes know mens thoughtes.
• :: 1.281

  This bold and impudent chalenger si∣gnifieth the diuel, or anie arch heretike, that prouo∣keth the Church of God▪ but is ouercome by the humble of hart and confi∣dent in God, & slaine with his owne wea∣pon.
• :: 1.282

  Christ ouer∣coming the diuel receiued the Church to his spouse. S. Greg.
• * 1.283

  or, for and. v. 36. 37.
• :: 1.284

  He that hath ouercome the spirit of pride, and of car∣nalitie (signi∣fied by a lion, and a beare) is able also to o∣uercome the diuel.
• :: 1.285

  Pride hauing impudencie of the forhead, is ouerthrowne by humilitie of Christs crosse. whose signe therfore we carie in our forhead. S. Aug. li. 50. homil. ho. 31.
• * 1.286

  :: Saul knew no•• Dauid, be∣ing perhaps in a shep wards habue though he had not long besore serued & plea∣sed him wel. ch. 16. v. 21.
• :: 1.287

  This happe∣ned not imme∣diatly after the victorie a∣gainst Go••ath but when Da∣uid had dwelt some time in Sauls house, and was very gratful to him and to al the court and people.
• :: 1.288

  VVhen the praises of one importe dimi∣nishing of an other, he that is proud, as Saul now was, is moued to enuie and ma∣lice, more and more as the vetrues of the other and his praises do in∣crease.
• :: 1.289

  This statua, or image can not importe an idol, as the same word te∣raphim doth. Gen 31 for here no idolatrie at al was cōmit∣ted, but a right office done by the wife to∣wards her hus∣band. The same word al∣so signifieth re¦ligious thinges belonging to Gods seruice. ••••ee. 3.
• :: 1.290

  Saul and his messengers had not the gift of prophe∣cie, as godlie prophetes had by an inherent habite, but transitorie, as Baalams asse had facultie to speake, at one time, but did not afterward speake anie more. S. Aug. l••. 2. q. 1. ad Simplician.
• :: 1.291

  Distinction of common & holie bread. Also an exam∣ple of dispen∣sation in case of necessitie.
• :: 1.292

  Dauid most wisely in such distresse fai∣ned himself to be a foole. By which the Holie Ghost mystically si∣gnified that Christ should do such things not of feare but of diuine wisdom, as he should be coū∣ted a foole. Mar. 3. v. 21. Luc. 23. v. 11. 1. Cor. 1. v. 23 ••. Beda. Quest. in 1. Reg. c. 14.
• :: 1.293

  Saul vniustly condemning Dauid, con∣demned also al those that iustified him.
• :: 1.294

  Seing so ma∣nifest iniustice and crueltie they obeyed God, rather then m••••.
• :: 1.295

  By this it ap∣peareth that Dauid consul∣ted God by the high priest▪ and the high priest for this purpose ioyned the priestlie orna∣ment called Ephod to the Rationale, and so had reuela∣tiō from God. Exo 18. Leuit. 8.
• :: 1.296

  Conditio∣nally: If thou ••arie here.
• :: 1.297

  A tender cō∣science had scruple of a smal doubt which was no sinne: a large cōscience stic∣keth at no∣thing.
• :: 1.298

  Saul being annointed king by God▪ appointment, could not law∣fully be slaine by his subie∣ctes without like ordinance from God. For though Dauid was also alrea∣dy annointed, yet that was not to reigne presently, but when Saul should die, or otherwise be taken away.
• :: 1.299

  Not a mali∣cious mind, such as Saul bore vniustly against Dauid; but punishmēt is decreed a∣gainst Nabal, for not only denying a rea∣sonable re∣quest, but also for so reproch∣ful an answer.
• :: 1.300

  Euil wordes for curteous vsage heret o sore, and for late gentil in∣treating by messengers.
• :: 1.301

  Things tye•• in bundels are stronger and more secure, then single and loose.
• :: 1.302

  Dauid is re∣solute, and of∣ten repeteth, that it is not lawful for pri∣uate subiectes to kil their prince, no al∣though him selfe was an∣nointed to suc¦cede.
• :: 1.303

  Gods proui∣dence sent this extraordinary sleepe and in∣spired Dauid, to doe this fact, for more iustification of his innocen∣cie▪
• :: 1.304

  These coun∣tries were nei∣ther subiect to the Philistijms not to the Is∣raelites, and were also of those nations whom God had cōmanded to dest••roy, dwelling with∣in the land of Chanaan. Deut, 25.
• * 1.305

  The fourth part. Of the ruine of Saul, and exaltation of Dauid.
• :: 1.306

  Not manie but one excel∣lent person, an old man come lie in apparel. :: Saul adored not Samuel with diuine honour, but with dulia, re∣uerencedue to a blessed soule.
• * 1.307

  ••iadag•• cognouit Luevv.
• :: 1.308

  In state of the dead in an other world, not in the same particu∣lar state.
• * 1.309

  S. Augustin: opinion whe∣ther Samuele soule appea∣red, or no.
• * 1.310

  More proba∣ble that his ve∣rie soule ap∣peared, not compelled by the euil spirite but obeying Gods secrete ordinance.
• * 1.311

  First proose▪
• * 1.312

  2
• * 1.313

  3
• * 1.314

  4
• * 1.315

  ••
• * 1.316

  to. ••. pag. 210.
• * 1.317

  Soules some∣times appeare after death.
• * 1.318

  loco 〈◊〉〈◊〉 tat••.
• :: 1.319

  He speaketh by amplifica∣tion to make his fact seme more reasona∣ble: whereas the time of Dauids abode with him was but foute mo∣nethes. ch. 27. v. 7.
• :: 1.320

  Consuit out Lord for me:so Dauid by the priests media∣tion, was in∣structed what to do.
• :: 1.321

  It is not a∣gainst Gods cōmandment, Deut. 4. &. 12. to make new lawes, so they be conforma∣ble, & not con¦trarie to Gods former lawes▪
• * 1.322

  :: Saul killing himself after that he was wounded 〈◊〉〈◊〉 his enimies si∣gnifieth those that being o∣uercome by tentations de∣speratly per∣sist, & wilfully die in their sinne. S. Greg. ••••o 10
• :: 1.323

  These men are cōmenda∣ble for grati∣tude towards Saul, who had deliuered them. ch. 11. for a vvorke of mercie in bu∣rying the dead: for pietie towards their king and prin∣ces, and for fortitude in at∣chiuing so he∣roical an act.
• * 1.324

  This booke is wholly of Da∣uid▪
• * 1.325

  His succession to the king∣dom.
• * 1.326

  His vertues.
• * 1.327

  Faultes.
• * 1.328

  Thankes, and Prophecie.
• :: 1.329

  He fained al this, thinck∣ing to get fa∣uoure (for Saul killed himself, li. 1. ch. 31.) but Da∣uid punished him, as such a crime deset∣ued. v. 15.
• :: 1.330

  Exequies of Saul obserued with mour∣ning weeping and fasting.
• :: 1.331

  The Phili∣sthijms were strong & cun∣ning archers therefore Da∣uid comman∣ded that his subiectes should lerne and exercise the same ma∣ner of fight.
• :: 1.332

  This second annointing, as also the third, (ch. ••.) was in confirmation and to put him in possession of the first m•••••• long before. 1. Reg. 16.
• :: 1.333

  He reigned two yeares be∣fore he be∣ganne much to decline, but in al seuen yea∣res and a half, for so long Da¦uid reigned only in Iuda. v. 11.
• :: 1.334

  Hence per∣haps cometh the phraise, that one armie playeth vpon an other vvith smal and great ar••••∣lane, that is, strike and kil their enimies with al sortes of gunnes. Io∣sephus li. 7. c. 1. Antiq.
• :: 1.335

  Am I co••∣temptible in thy sight, and yet head of them that op∣pose against Dauid, I that haue donne so much for thee, wil not indure to be repre∣hended, for a smal fault. So God suffereth the maintai∣ners of an eui•• quarel to fal out among them selues, wherby the right cause is aduanced.
• :: 1.336

  weake, being newly recei∣ued king, and not able to pu¦nish strong of∣fenders. But Ioab & others were afterwar¦des punished, 3. Reg. 2.
• :: 1.337

  They an∣noint him a∣gaine in con∣firmation of their consent (as Iuda had donne chap. 2) acknowledg∣ing Gods or∣dinance. 1. Reg. 16.
• :: 1.338

  King Dauid now atcheued that the tribe of Iuda could not in the time of Iosue. Iosue▪ 15.
• :: 1.339

  Idoles that haue eyes and can not see, feete and can not goe, shal not enter into the Church of Christ.
• * 1.340

  ••c••lp▪ ••••lia,
• :: 1.341

  〈…〉〈…〉 there 〈…〉〈…〉 & 〈…〉〈…〉 that 〈…〉〈…〉, as he 〈…〉〈…〉 to 〈…〉〈…〉. S. 〈…〉〈…〉 S. 〈…〉〈…〉.
• :: 1.342

  To dance before the arke is to dance before our Lord.
• :: 1.343

  The taber∣nacle made by Moyses was a goodlie thing, but being co∣uered with skinnes and in manie respe∣ctes insuffici∣ent for Gods seruice, Dauid desired to build a glo∣rious Temple. But was not permitted to do it, for my∣sterie sake to signifie that Christ the true Salomon should build his Church, that farre ex∣celleth the Sy∣nagogue of the Iewes, and old Testament S. Augustin. li. 17. c. 8. deciuit.
• a 1.344

  He that sup∣poseth this great promise to be fulfilled in Salomon, erreth much sayeth S. Au∣gustin. ibidem▪
• b 1.345

  S. Paul ex∣poundeth this of Christ. Heb. 1. v 5.
• c 1.346

  This can not be saied of Christ, but of Salomon, and of anie chri∣stian. so this place hath ma∣nie literal senses.
• d 1.347

  The Sea A∣postolique, & priestly powre in the church of christ, is this perpetual kingdom. S. Epiphanius. Heresi. 29.
• e 1.348

  Here and in manie other places the He∣brew word is of the plural number, Elo∣him, Goddes, si∣gnifying more diuine Per∣sons.
• f 1.349

  The worke of mans Re∣demption is appropriated to God the Sonne.
• :: 1.350

  For 〈◊〉〈◊〉 ••••∣p•••••••• Dauid comp••ssing then with cor¦des, as 〈…〉〈…〉 are e••••i••••••••d, cast them on the around, and by lotte killed some, and spared some aliue.
• :: 1.351

  Sette 〈◊〉〈◊〉 an Arch in me∣morie of tri∣umph.
• * 1.352

  ••rcha•• ••••l••r.
• :: 1.353

  These were archers and sling throwers of the guard. Phara••••rasis ••h••ll.
• :: 1.354

  Or priestes, o•• chief rulers. See the anno∣tation. Gen 47. v. 22. 1. Pa••••l, 18. v. 17.
• :: 1.355

  The parti••••¦lar inhere•••••••• that per••••ined to Sauls familie.
• :: 1.356

  Not si••••e 〈◊〉〈◊〉 table with the king but haue his diet of the kinges proui∣sion, besides the forsaide inheritance.
• :: 1.357

  This Naas king of Am∣mon curtou∣sly intertained Dauids frein∣des which e∣scaped from the king of Moab, killing most of them that were cō∣mended to him, because Dauid had leift his coun∣trie, and was returned into Iuda. 1. Reg. 22. Histor. Ec∣cles.
• :: 1.358

  Then do sius the E••••rerour preten••ing to be excused from punish∣ment for his sinnes, because king Dauid also was an ad∣ulter •• and a manslaver, S. Ambrose re∣plied, saying: Thou that hast solovveding Dauid evving, folovv him ••e∣penting. After which admo∣n••tion the Em∣perour most humbly did publique pe∣nance inioy∣ned him by the Bishop. in v••••a. Theod••sij.
• :: 1.359

  Now & then some of thy seede shal be violently slaine: so were slaine three of his owne sonnes, Am∣mon, chap. 13. Absalom chap. 18. Adonias, 3. Reg. 2. six sonnes of Io∣saphat, and al Iorams sonnes saue one, •• pa∣ralip. 21. also Ochozias. A∣masias, Iosias. 2. Par. 24 25. 35. and the sonnes of Sedechias, himselfe ha∣uing his eyes put out and so brought into Babylon. 4. Reg. 25.
• :: 1.360

  Praised and thanked the king.
• :: 1.361

  These chil∣dren died be∣fore him as ap∣peareth, cha. 18.
• :: 1.362

  Concubines were lawfully maried but had not al pri∣uilegies as o∣ther wiues. See 〈◊〉〈◊〉. 25. Iudi••. 19.
• :: 1.363

  He couered his head that he might not be seene to weepe, lest he should disco∣rege the peo∣ple. neuerthe∣les the people also wept, and likewise co∣uered their heades.
• :: 1.364

  King Dauid was here abu∣sed by false in∣formation: to which he ought not so easely to haue geuen credite. chap. 19. v. 24.
• :: 1.365

  God suffered Semei, being of his owne free wil mali∣cious for pu∣nishment of Dauids sinnes to curse him but was not the author of his malice, for so Semei had committed no fault therein and then he could not law∣fully haue benne puni∣shed for it, as he was. 3. Reg. 2.
• :: 1.366

  The people doubting lest Absalō might be reconciled to his father, were not allu∣red vnto him til they saw such a crime committed as semed to make reconci∣liatiō impossi∣ble. So al re∣belles and v∣surper•• of o∣thers right, seeke by some enormious fact to make their adheren∣tes and folow∣ers sure vnto them: but God plagueth them in the end, as he did both Achitophel and Absalom.
• :: 1.367

  Bad counsa•••• often falleth worst to the counseller▪
• :: 1.368

  Dauid mo∣ued with com¦passion to∣wardes his sonne Absa∣lom, being in actual re∣bellion against him presigu∣red Christs cōpassion, to∣wards his per∣secuters, being his creatures, praying for them in his passion. S. Am∣brose in Psal. ••18. v. 108.
• :: 1.369

  Al his sonnes being ••ea••, ••••t he had once three sonnes & a daughter. chap. 14. v. 〈◊〉〈◊〉.
• :: 1.370

  Al the ele∣uen tribes are called by the name o•• Io∣seth, being chiefe after Iuda. S•• Semei not of the pro¦per tribe of Ioseph ••ut of Beniamin plea¦ding for par∣don of his for∣mer fa••lt, al∣leageth that he came first of the eleuen tribes, to sub∣mitte him self and serue the king.
• :: 1.371

  Chiefe or great in ••ami∣l••••iti••.
• * 1.372

  Iosue. ••.
• :: 1.373

  After that Dauid was de∣liuered from the handes of Saul 〈…〉〈…〉 and 〈…〉〈…〉 must dange∣rously of ••. m•••• ••••secu∣t••••••••••, and 〈…〉〈…〉 here specially named and from al his e∣nimies, c••rp••∣ral & spiritual▪ when he had good repose of mind his vi¦sible enimies being 〈…〉〈…〉 ••ed, and his sinnes remit∣ted, acknow∣ledging Gods infinite good∣nes, by inspi∣ra••ion of the Holie Ghost, made this Can title of thanks geuing, and praise of God. It is inserted amongst the Psalmes the 17 in order, al one in sense, so differing in some wordes that the one explicateth the other.
• :: 1.374

  Though some few Gen¦tiles were sub∣dued by Da∣uid, and some were conuer∣ted to true re∣ligion in the old Testamēt: yet the fulcon uersion of Gentiles per∣••eineth to the Church of Christ which is here for∣shewed and described to haue perpetu∣al seede for euer.
• :: 1.375

  King Dauid in this last pro¦phecie plainly distinguisheth betwen the co¦uenant & pro∣••••ise made to him touching ••••s earthlie kingdom and the kingdom of Christ▪ who should be borne of his 〈…〉〈…〉. In both which 〈…〉〈…〉 the reward of the good and punishment of 〈…〉〈…〉▪
• :: 1.376

  The king proposed not this for desire of that water, but to trie and exercise his mens forti∣tude.
• :: 1.377

  Precious thinges are most mete to be offered to God.
• :: 1.378

  This sinne & punishment happened be∣fore, when Da∣uid had health and streingth of bodie.
• * 1.379

  :: The furie of our Lord, that is▪ Satan (a ••u∣••••o••s spirite, yet Gods crea∣ture) not our Lord him selfe, but by permission only▪ 1. Par. 2. 1. Satan arose a∣gainst Israel, & 〈◊〉〈◊〉 Dauid.
• :: 1.380

  Contrition.
• :: 1.381

  Confession.
• :: 1.382

  Satisfaction.
• * 1.383

  The Epistle in a votiue Masse in tyme of plague or mor¦talitie.
• :: 1.384

  Temporal punishment inflicted after the guilt of sinne was re∣mitted▪
• :: 1.385

  If subiectes had not pro∣prietie in their goodes, but that the right and dominion of al pertey∣ned to the prince, then could nothing at al, in anie case be geuen gratis by the subiect, but only yelded as due, to his souereigne.
• * 1.386

  The contentes of this booke, diuided into three partes.
• * 1.387

  The first pa•••• King Dauides admonitions to his sonne: and his death
• :: 1.388

  For this con∣spiracie Abia∣thar was de∣posed. ch. •• v. 27.
• :: 1.389

  Basely este∣med, or puni∣shed as offen∣ders vpon su∣spition or ••••lo∣••••••.
• :: 1.390

  King Dauid did not ad••••e his sonne as a subject ado∣reth his prin¦ce▪ ••a•• adored God, geuing thankes for this bene••••••e of a succed••••▪ as it foloweth in the next verse.
• * 1.391

  The second part. O•• Salomons r••••••ne, and actes good and bad.
• :: 1.392

  In al co••••e 〈◊〉〈◊〉 suires•••• 〈◊〉〈◊〉 the 〈◊〉〈◊〉 to heare his mother.
• :: 1.393

  By special in∣stinct Salomon did this extra∣ordinarie fact as a prophet & minister of God, execu∣ting his senten¦ce geuen be∣fore against the house of ••••l•• 〈◊〉〈◊〉 the sinnes of his children, ••. Reg. 2. ••. 31. and for A••••a∣thars proper fault 〈◊〉〈◊〉 with Adonias against Salo∣mon 3. Reg. 1.
• :: 1.394

  Salomon was not only a kīg but also a pro∣phet. More∣ouer some se∣cular princes do•• 〈◊〉〈◊〉 ••••inate spiritual supe∣riours, are in shal them in, ther 〈◊〉〈◊〉 yet thei•• i••••••s∣d••ction is not depending on the 〈◊〉〈◊〉 but the 〈◊〉〈◊〉 to be 〈◊〉〈◊〉 by them Num 27. v. 21.
• * 1.395

  The Epistle on monday in the 4 weke of Le••••.
• :: 1.396

  So here••••••es not being able to proue that their synago∣gue is the true & permanent Church, would destroy the Ca¦tholique and so haue none at al.
• :: 1.397

  These bookes are not extant.
• * 1.398

  Narovv vvithout & broad vvithin.
• :: 1.399

  〈…〉〈…〉
• :: 1.400

  Holie of holies or most holie place.
• :: 1.401

  Stones in buildinges, and bones in ••••••ng bodies represent the state of reli∣gious perso∣nes who being hidde in their Monisteties and c••ll••s, so much the more fortifie the Church, by how much 〈◊〉〈◊〉 they ap∣peare abrode▪ because their office is not to t••••ch, but to mou••ne. S. Ber∣nard. Ser. 64.
• :: 1.402

  It is a clere 〈◊〉〈◊〉 that al ••ar ued & grauen pictures, or images were not vnlawful, but were reli∣giously made & sette in the holie Temple, for the more honour of God.
• * 1.403

  The end of the fourth age.
• * 1.404

  Articles of ••aith, other pointes of re∣ligion, & state of the Church more expres∣sed in this fourth age then before.
• * 1.405

  Beleefe in one God.
• * 1.406

  Diuine lawes.
• * 1.407

  Moral.
• * 1.408

  Ceremonial
• * 1.409

  Iudicial
• * 1.410

  Mat. 22.
• * 1.411

  Onely God to be 〈…〉〈…〉.
• * 1.412

  The 〈…〉〈…〉
• * 1.413

  q. 154. in Eoxd.
• * 1.414

  Mat. 22.
• * 1.415

  〈…〉〈…〉 Christ.
• * 1.416

  Freewil in An¦gels and men
• * 1.417

  Obiection of Gods ••or ••novv∣ledge answered.
• * 1.418

  Grace neces∣sarie.
• * 1.419

  2. Cor. ••.
• * 1.420

  Gods cōmand mentes possi∣ble to be kept.
• * 1.421

  Good workes.
• * 1.422

  Meritorious.
• * 1.423

  D••••ers sertes▪ of Sacrifices
• * 1.424

  Holocaust.
• * 1.425

  •••••• sinne.
• * 1.426

  Pacifique.
• * 1.427

  Fire sent from God 〈…〉〈…〉 charitie.
• * 1.428

  Sacraments
• * 1.429

  Alanus de Sacra. c. 9.
• * 1.430

  Manie more in the old Te∣stament then in the new.
• * 1.431

  li de vera Religi∣••ne c. 17.
• * 1.432

  Christs Sacra∣ments more excellent.
• * 1.433

  Most of Christs Sacra∣ments presi∣gured in the old law but not al.
• * 1.434

  S. Aug. in hunc. Psal. ser de ve••bis Domini. li. 17. ci∣uit. c. 20, li. 1. cont. aduers. leg▪ c. 18. S. Cyril. li. 3. m Ioan. S. Leo ser. 8. le pas∣sione.
• * 1.435

  Some like im∣••••••••ments in ••se of holie Rites.
• * 1.436

  Tabernacle. Propitiatorie with apperti∣nances.
• * 1.437

  The Taberna∣cle, and after∣wardes the Temple, the onlie place for Sacrifice.
• * 1.438

  Q••est. 56. in Leuit.
• * 1.439

  Yet God some times dispen∣sed therein.
• * 1.440

  ibidem.
• * 1.441

  Feastes of the old law.
• * 1.442

  Figh••sortes of feastes, besides the dailie sa∣crifice.
• * 1.443

  S. Beda de Embo∣lismo. 〈◊〉〈◊〉. 1.
• * 1.444

  Prescribed fast from euen to euen.
• * 1.445

  Seuenth yeare of rest: and Iubiley yeare.
• * 1.446

  O••••••r ceremo∣nial obseruan∣ces. 〈…〉〈…〉 and vncleane.
• * 1.447

  No bloud to be eaten, nor 〈…〉〈…〉.
• * 1.448

  Not 〈…〉〈…〉 ••eed•• in one field.
• * 1.449

  No cloth of d••••ers matter.
• * 1.450

  Strict com∣mandment to kep••••l the Law.
• * 1.451

  The obseruers blessed and re∣warded.
• * 1.452

  Trans••r••s∣s••••••s cursed and punished.
• * 1.453

  VVork•••• of supereroga∣tion. Vowes.
• * 1.454

  Nazarit••••.
• * 1.455

  Rechabites.
• * 1.456

  Three so•••••• of Chri〈…〉〈…〉 prefigured.
• * 1.457

  Laitie.
• * 1.458

  Clergie.
• * 1.459

  Mounkes.
• * 1.460

  Holie scip••••¦res expo〈…〉〈…〉 mystically,
• * 1.461

  S. Bern. Ser 1. de S. An∣drea. S. Be¦da 〈◊〉〈◊〉. 4. S. Aug. cont. Faust. S. Greg. in li. 1. Reg. et in Iob.
• * 1.462

  Inuocation of Patriarches.
• * 1.463

  S. Hiere. Ep. 12. ad Gauden.
• * 1.464

  Obiections answered by holie Scriptu∣••es.
• * 1.465

  Iob. 4••.
• * 1.466

  How Sainctes kn••w mens prayers.
• * 1.467

  Titles geuen to men in of∣fice, and to Sainctes.
• * 1.468

  lib. de mortali∣tate.
• * 1.469

  Angels ad••∣••ed.
• * 1.470

  Reliqués▪
• * 1.471

  Images.
• * 1.472

  Exequies f•••• the dead.
• * 1.473

  Purgatorie.
• * 1.474

  To. 2. in sept. Psal paeuitent.
• * 1.475

  Limbus patt••.
• * 1.476

  No entrance into heauen before Christ.
• * 1.477

  Resurrection.
• * 1.478

  Iudgement.
• * 1.479

  Eternal paine of the damned and glorie of the blessed.
• * 1.480

  1. Co••. ••.
• * 1.481

  〈◊〉〈◊〉 dow∣ries of glori∣fied bodies presigured.
• * 1.482

  1 Cor. 〈◊〉〈◊〉.
• * 1.483

  Cath••. c••••s. Rom p. 1. c 12. q 9.
• * 1.484

  The Church more knowen to other nati∣ons then be∣fore.
• * 1.485

  The Ecclesia∣stical and tem∣poral states more distin∣guished
• * 1.486

  Succession of High Priestes.
• * 1.487

  Distinction of offices in Prie∣stes & Leuites.
• * 1.488

  Succession of temporal prin¦ces interrup∣ted. Dukes:
• * 1.489

  Iudges.
• * 1.490

  Kinges.
• * 1.491

  M〈…〉〈…〉 Church.
• * 1.492

  Murmure.
• * 1.493

  Idolatrie.
• * 1.494

  〈…〉〈…〉e.
• * 1.495

  〈…〉〈…〉.
• * 1.496

  〈…〉〈…〉
• * 1.497

  Iudic. 3.
• * 1.498

  Ordinarie me∣anes of con∣seruing the Church. No participa∣tion with in∣fi••els. No 〈…〉〈…〉. But one Taber¦nacle. One Altar 〈◊〉〈◊〉 〈…〉〈…〉.
• * 1.499

  8. Chris. orat. 1. aduers. Iudeos.
• * 1.500

  One supreme Iudge of con∣trouersies. Al bound to obey him. His sentence infallible.
• * 1.501

  The Church of Christ pre∣serued from ••••••ing in Reli∣gion.
• * 1.502

  Math. 16. 28. Luc. 22. Ioan 14. 16. Eph. 4. ••. T••m. 3.
• * 1.503

  Not anie tem∣poral but Christs king∣dom is in al nations and perpetual.
• * 1.504

  S. Aug. li. 17. •• ••. de ••••∣uit S. ••••pip•••• heres. 2••.
• * 1.505

  The Church of Christ vni∣uersal.
• * 1.506

  Act. 4.
• * 1.507

  in hunc. Psalm.
• * 1.508

  The Iewes wil not see Christ: 2. Cor. 3. And Heretikes wil not see the Church: which yet is alwayes visible. S. Aug. in Psal. 30. c••n••. 2. Collat. Car∣thag. at cont, Donatist.
• * 1.509

  Ibidem.
• * 1.510

  The begin∣ning of the fifth age.
• * 1.511

  Firm∣nes.
• * 1.512

  in strength▪
• :: 1.513

  A vessel so 〈…〉〈…〉 for the 〈…〉〈…〉 being 〈…〉〈…〉.
• :: 1.514

  ••atus con∣tayned 〈…〉〈…〉.
• :: 1.515

  Had desig∣ned and dedi∣cated to holie vses.
• :: 1.516

  There was no more with in the arke, Deut. 10. but on the outside was the rodde of Aaron. Nu. 17. Heb. 9. the golden potte with Manna. Exod 16 Heb 9. and the booke of the law re∣peted by Moy∣ses. Deut. 31.
• :: 1.517

  Prices blesse their people & parentes their children.
• :: 1.518

  Salomon knew wel Gods conditi∣onal promise, but perseuered not in keping his cōmand∣ments, and therfore a great part of the kingdom was takē from his children, yet the right of the king∣dom of Iuda remayned to his seede euen to Christ our Sauiour.
• :: 1.519

  Reward of good workes.
• :: 1.520

  External workes of pe∣nance, except they proceede from the hart, suffice not for remission of sinne.
• :: 1.521

  External worship is not acceptable to God, except it procede from internal since∣ritie and d••••o∣don. VVher∣fore S. Augu∣stin sayth: God is worshipped in faith, hope, and charitie. Enchi∣rid. c. ••.
• :: 1.522

  Salomon did not ••el these cities, for he could not alie∣nate them, but let the king of Tyre haue the vse and reue∣newes in pay∣ment for tim∣ber, & for the gold which he sent.
• * 1.523

  dirtie or disples sing.
• :: 1.524

  a monu∣ment.
• :: 1.525

  Part of Ara∣bia is called Saba, nere to Iurie. but this Saba is beyond Arabia, as S. Hierom testi∣fieth in Esaiae. 60 li. 17 it se∣meth to be in Aethiopia, for our Sauiour saith Mat. 12. The quene of the South came frō the endes of the earth, to heare the vvisdom of Salomon.
• :: 1.526

  As this quene had no spirite, when she saw Salomons wis∣dom, so the Church gathe¦red of gentiles knowing Christs grace, & finding the masters of E∣uangelical do∣ctrin, casting away the spi¦rite of pride, and laying of al hautinesse of mind, ler∣ned to distrust in her self, and to trust in the great mercie of her king. S. Greg in Psal 7. pa••••ten. to 2.
• * 1.527

  A wonderful thing, that a Quene vpon fame of a mans wisdom tra∣ueled so farre to heare him speake, and to see his go∣uernment. but it was Gods inspiration, to signifie by this figure, that the Church of Christ should be gathered of the Gentiles in al nations. Kiges, Quenes & no•• potent Princes also submitting themselues to Christ. Isaae. c. 49.
• :: 1.528

  Though plu¦ralitie of wi∣ues was then alowed, yet it was forbid to multiplie manie. Deut.
• :: 1.529

  The tribe of Iuda.
• :: 1.530

  By Ierusalem is vnderstood the tribe of Beniamin, wherin it stood. so there remained two tribes to Salo∣mons heyres.
• * 1.531

  2. Reg. ••.
• * 1.532

  ••••. Reg. 10.
• :: 1.533

  From the time that Sa∣lomon fel to idolatrie, he was more im∣pugned by three perpe∣tual aduersa∣ries, Adad, Ra∣zon, and Hie∣roboam; my∣stically signi∣fying the flesh, the world, and the diuel.
• :: 1.534

  This fact cō∣firmed his wordes. that he spoke seri∣ously & fained not.
• :: 1.535

  VVhether he repented and was saued or no, is vncer∣taine.
• * 1.536

  The third part. The diuision of the King∣dom. Seueral reigues of cer∣taine kinges: and preaching of special pro∣phetes.
• :: 1.537

  This pharaise noteth the se∣quel, not the final cause. As chap. 14. ••. ••.
• :: 1.538

  A diuelish po¦licie to make a religion con∣formable to the temperal state.
• :: 1.539

  For such a re¦ligion such priestes were fittest.
• :: 1.540

  Places on hilles, where they sacrificed calues, and o∣ther thinges to the images of calues.
• :: 1.541

  This fore∣shewing long before the name of a childe that should be borne, impor∣teth that he should do great thinges. See. 4. Reg. 2••.
• :: 1.542

  This man of Bethel was in¦deede a pro∣phet of God, but in this lied wickedly, and so deceiuing the other pro∣phet, made him to breake Gods com∣mandment, for which he was slaine VVher∣vpon Hiero∣boam swhom the wiked pro¦phet sought to please) was lesse afeard to procede in idolatrie.
• :: 1.543

  Not only the deceiuer, but also he that is deceiued, is guiltie and pu¦nishable for breakīg Gods cōmandment.
• :: 1.544

  By this it ap∣peareth to be Gods worke and punish∣ment.
• :: 1.545

  Ieroboam did not wit∣tingly and of purpose set vp false goddes, to the end he might pro∣uoke God to anger: for his intention only was to kepe the people frō going to Ieru∣salem, left by that occasion they should re∣turne to Roboam their Lord▪ king of Iuda. ch. 12. v. 27. But by settīg vp idols he did pro∣uoke God con¦sequently to anger. So here and in other places this phrase: that he might prouoke: that it might be fulfilled, and the like, signifieth not the final cause, but the sequele of o∣ther factes, without direct intention:
• :: 1.546

  Dauids po∣stetitie conser∣ued for his sake.
• :: 1.547

  Those alta∣res which Sa∣lomon had made for his wiues, that were idolaters Asa destroved not▪ but al which Roboā and Abias had made, or suf∣fered to be made for their owne people he pulled downe. Iosias afterward de∣stroyed also those which Salomon had made 2. ••••••••l. 34.
• :: 1.548

  The a••••••ou•• of schisme pu∣nished in his posteritie.
• :: 1.549

  Al those that were in the campe chose their general to be their king and pre∣uailed therin: though an o∣ther half of Is∣rael chose and folowed an o∣ther for a time.
• :: 1.550

  Thebni be∣ing then dead he reigned peaceably▪ for he began his reigne the 27. yeare of Asa. ••. 15. & 16. and reigned in al 12. yeares.
• :: 1.551

  VVhen Hiel began to build Iericho, his eldest sonne died▪ so the rest successiuely, that the last died when he finished the building: be∣cause God by the mouth of Iosue had for∣bid the buil∣ding therof.
• * 1.552

  Iosue. ••.
• * 1.553

  The Epistle 〈◊〉〈◊〉 Teusday in the 2. weke of Lent.
• * 1.554

  The epistle 〈◊〉〈◊〉 Friday in the 4. weke of Lent.
• * 1.555

  :: To this que∣stion (sayth S. Augustin) the prophet ans∣wered in spi∣rite: No. For God killed not this childe to afflict so good a mo∣ther, but to confirme her in true religi∣on & comforte her by raysing him from death. So La∣zarus died not to remaine dead, but to be raysed to life, for Gods more glorie: Ioan. 11. v. 4. S. Aug li. 2. q. 5. ad Simplicia.
• :: 1.556

  Abdias ado∣red Elias as the prophete of God, and a holie man not with ciuil ho∣nour, for in the world Ab∣dias was the greater person nor with di∣uine honour, for that had benne idola∣trie. It was therfore reli∣gious honour, called dulia, due to spiri∣tual excellen∣cie of Gods seruantes.
• :: 1.557

  Such zelous expostulation is necessarie to al Nentrals in religion who are neither hoto nor cold, but luke vva••me. such as Angels detest Apoc. 3.
• :: 1.558

  VVhen mi∣racles are at∣tempted for trial of the truth, the di∣uels powre is restrayned, & only the truth is testified: Our Lord vvorking ••••••thal, & con∣firming the do∣ctrin vvith sig∣•••••• folovving. 〈◊〉〈◊〉. vlt.
• :: 1.559

  Elias knew no other at that instant in the tenne tri∣bes, that were not partakers in idolatrie; but there were in deede seuen thousand (v. 18) that bow∣ed not their knees to Baal. And the whole kingdom of Iuda obserued true religion, where Asa then reigned, and after him Iosaphat: both good kinges, chap. 15. v. 11. 22 v. 43. 2. Par. 15. & ▪ 17.
• :: 1.560

  Elias pro∣phecied that these two should be kinges, and cast his cloke ouer Elizeus. v. 19. Elizeus declared to Hazael that he should be king. 4. Reg. 8. an other pro∣phet annoin∣ted Iehu. 4. Reg. 9.
• * 1.561

  :: Those that are girded, & strongly ar∣med do not wi¦sely in trusting their owne strength, and contemning their aduersa∣ries: for by so doing they are often ouer∣throwne. And those that dis∣trusting them selues trust in God, one way or other al∣waies preuaile A necessarie les¦son, both in temporal and spiritual war∣fayre.
• :: 1.562

  Manie victo∣ries and other benefites were besi••wed v∣pon Achab, to make him knowe God: but he cōtem∣ning them al remained in his impietie, and finally was slaine. ch. 22, v. 38.
• :: 1.563

  Foolish pittie in sparing a dangerous & common eni∣mie is offen∣si••••e to God, & seuerely puni∣shed by his iu∣stice.
• :: 1.564

  If no subiect were lord of anie land, but only at the kings pleasure & kinges were proper lordes of al the landes in their king∣domes, then Achab might haue taken Naboths vin∣yard; especial∣ly geuing him a better, or money for it. Neither was it a vaine scruple in Naboth, to conserue his ancesters inhe¦ritance. For both his de∣nial is here iu∣stified, and A∣chabs extor∣tion co••••••m∣ned. S. Ambrose li. 3. offic. c. 9. counteth Na∣both a Martyr. See Annot. 1. Reg. 8.
• :: 1.565

  To auoide horrore of blasphemie holie scripture often vseth the terme blessing for cursing.
• * 1.566

  chap. 22. v. 38.
• :: 1.567

  So addicted to wickednes, as if he had solde him selfe to the diuel for some tem¦poral profite or pleasure. In your iniquities you are solde. Isaiae. 50. S. Aug. q. 102. ex vtro. test S. Greg. 〈◊〉〈◊〉. 10. in Ezech.
• :: 1.568

  The godlie King Iosaphat iustly suspect∣ing the schis∣matical s••••••e prophetes, ad∣uised the other King to cōsult a true prophet of God.
• :: 1.569

  Fals prophe∣tes imitate true prophe∣tes in some ex∣terior thinges, to make their prophecies seme more authentical. Such hornes appeared in a prophetical vi¦sion to Zacha∣rie the pro∣phet. Zach. 1. v 18.
• :: 1.570

  The prophet geueth not this for a reso∣lute answer, but seing the king wil goe, he prayeth he may go prospe¦rously. And the king con∣ceiueth no o∣therwise of his answer, and therfore vr∣geth him to answer resolut¦ly in the next wordes. I ad∣iure thee &c.
• :: 1.571

  The cohe∣rence of the text sheweth that God only permitted, but commanded not the diuel to deceiue A∣chab. So S. Au∣gustin. li. 2. q. vlt. ad Simplic. S. Greg. li. 2. c. 21. Moral, and other fathers explicate this & like places. :: VVhen this false prophet heard that the kīg was slaine he hidde him selfe, fearing the kings sonnes, that they would kil him. Iosephus li. 8. c. 14▪ An∣tiq.
• :: 1.572

  It happened by chance in respect of the archers inten∣tiō, but other∣wise by Gods prouidence di¦recting his hand. So A∣chabs craftic perswading Iosaphat to put on his kinglie attyre. (v. 30.) him self fighting in vulgar ar∣mour, saued him not from iust reuenge.
• * 1.573

  The kingdom of Iuda con∣serued in Da∣uids seede.
• * 1.574

  Many royal fa¦milies begūne and destroyed in the king∣dom of Israel.
• * 1.575

  This booke diuided into two partes.
• * 1.576

  The first part. Of thinges donne in both kingdomes, with the decli∣nation and ••••ine of Israel.
• :: 1.577

  Elias was knowen by his much hayre, and di∣stinct habite, from ordinary men.
• :: 1.578

  In zele of iu∣stice Elias pro∣cured fire from heauen to burne these proud capitai∣nes and their men, as he procured fire to burne the holocaust, and then ••lew the falsprophetes. 3. Reg. 18. apud. Aug. li. 2. c. 20. de mirabil. ••. Script.
• * 1.579

  ayre or lovver heauen.
• * 1.580

  :: VVhither E∣lias was car∣ried being ta∣ken vp into the ayre, is vn∣certain: but cer¦taine that he yet liueth, and must dye As S. Augustin tea∣cheth. li. 9. c. 6. de Gen. ad lit. See Annot. in Gen. 6 & Apo∣calip. 11.
• :: 1.581

  He desired not duble spi∣rite to his ma∣ster, but the duble spirite of prophecy∣ing, and of working mira∣cles, which E∣lias had. v. ••5.
• :: 1.582

  They adored him for his ho lines, and be∣cause God had geuen him the spirit of so great a pro∣phete, not for wordlie, but spiritual excel lencie, & ther∣fore not with ciuil but reli∣gious honour.
• :: 1.583

  It was forbi••▪ Deut. 20. to cut downe fruict trees in the land of Chanaan, which the Is∣raelite should possesse, but the land of Moab pertey∣ned not to them and ••o•• was ••ot prohi∣bited to an••y that countrie vpon iust of∣fence.
• * 1.584

  The Epistle on Teusday in the third weke of Lent.
• * 1.585

  The Epistle on Thursday in the 4. weke of Lent.
• :: 1.586

  God sent his law by his ser∣uant, and it auailed not to mankinde dead in sinnes. But he coming & accommo∣dating himself to our infirmi∣tie, participa∣ting our death we are quic∣ned So S Au∣gusting mysti∣cally applieth this figuratiue miracle to Christ and his Church li. 1••. c. ••5. cont. Fast. Manich and manielike thinges of the old Testament he sheweth to be figures of the new.
• * 1.587

  The Epistle on Munday in the 3▪ weke of Lent.
• :: 1.588

  In respect of Gods special electing and sāctifying the land of Cha∣naan, by his true religion, Naaman right¦ly estemed that earth fit∣ter for an altar then the earth of his owne countrie.
• :: 1.589

  Giezi prefi∣gured Iudas the false Apo∣stle of Christ▪ and al those that buy or sel spiritual thin∣ges for money who by their auarice lose Gods grace, and gaine in∣famie in this world, and e∣ternal damna∣tion in the next. S. Aug. ser. 208. de tempore.
• * 1.590

  The case of going to here∣tical seruice, and Naamans going to the temple of an idol differ in diuers respe∣ctes. Difference of times.
• * 1.591

  Mat. 10.
• * 1.592

  Of places.
• * 1.593

  Rom. 1. 2. Pet. 1.
• * 1.594

  Of persons.
• * 1.595

  Tit. ••.
• * 1.596

  The thinges demanded dif∣fer much.
• * 1.597

  D. ••••i∣stous Mo∣tiuo. 23.
• * 1.598

  Personal pre∣sence at here∣tical seruice in England, a di∣stinctiue signe of conformity to heresie.
• * 1.599

  A case very like to ours
• * 1.600

  2. Ma∣chab. ••. 7.
• :: 1.601

  His grief was g•••• it, be∣cause he ha•• not meanes to recompence the losse to the owne••.
• :: 1.602

  A husband▪ man, in york∣shire called Ketle had the gift to see euil spirites, wher∣by he often de∣tected & 〈…〉〈…〉red their ••ad purposes. ••••••. brig. li. ••. c. 〈◊〉〈◊〉▪ Rer. Anglic.
• :: 1.603

  By bread and water is vnder¦stood ordina∣rie meate and drinck. v. 2••.
• :: 1.604

  Discourse of mans reason can not reach to the powre of God, who can do al that he wil, and wil doe al that he saith: ther∣fore the incre∣dulous are iust¦ly punished. v. 20.
• :: 1.605

  This was true in some sense, sicknes ending when death came.
• :: 1.606

  Athalia v. 26. is called the daughter of Amri. VVher∣fore it semeth that either she was the adop∣ted daughter of her brother Achab, or is there called the daughter of her grand∣father.
• * 1.607

  VVhen Na∣both was falsly accused & vn∣iustly stoned to death, as if he had bla••phe med God, and cursed the king, for his pretended crimes, his sonnes were also slaine, and his landes and goodes con•••••• ••ate: which appea••eth by the kings pre∣sent going to posie••••e the vinyard. 3. Reg•• 21.
• :: 1.608

  This Iona∣dab instituted a peculiar rule of religious abstinence: which his po∣sterity duly ob▪ serued. I••••••m. 35.
• :: 1.609

  Iehu sinned in feaning, and causing others to sacrifice to Baal, his zele wanting both diseretion and equitie for euil must not be done that good may come therof. Rom. 3.
• :: 1.610

  ••oral good vvorkes done in state of mor¦tal sinne not meriting eter∣nal life, a••e often rewar∣ded temporal∣ly. S. Aug. cont. ••en••. c. 2.
• :: 1.611

  Ambition cause of much crueltie.
• :: 1.612

  Our Sauiour calleth this high priest, Za¦charias; which signifieth bles∣sed of our Lord, for the iustice which he did towards Atha∣lia and Ioas. S. ••••••rom. li. 4. in Math. c. 23.
• :: 1.613

  Great respect is to be had of holie places. VVherof co∣meth the pri∣uilege of San∣ctuaries.
• :: 1.614

  That is, the ordinarie ob lation for ech particular per¦son. Exod. 30.
• * 1.615

  a chest or alm••s box••.
• :: 1.616

  Dedicated to helie vse.
• :: 1.617

  He was bu∣ried in the ci∣tie but not in the sepulcher of the kinges. 2 Paral. 24. for his impietie in the latter part of his life.
• :: 1.618

  It was reuei∣led to the pro∣phet that so often as the king should strike the earth, so often he should haue victories against the Sy∣rians, but not how often he would strike on the▪ earth.
• * 1.619

  Deut. 〈◊〉〈◊〉▪
• :: 1.620

  Amongst kinges being at variance, Seing one an o∣ther impor∣teth, as much as to fight a battle.
• * 1.621

  ••••••••. 1.
• :: 1.622

  Otherwise called Ozias. 2. Paral. 26. Mat. 1.
• :: 1.623

  This punish∣ment was in∣flicted vpon him, for his presumption to offer incēse on the altar. 2. Paralip. 26.
• :: 1.624

  He was bu∣ried honorab∣ly in the citie of Dauid, that is, nere to the walles, but in the filde, be∣cause he was a leper euen to his death. 2. Paral. 26.
• :: 1.625

  Some men of Ruben, Gad, Manasses, and Nepthali, were caried captiues into Assyria.
• :: 1.626

  Otherwise called Azarias. ••. 1.
• * 1.627

  the great ves¦sel.
• * 1.628

  the place vvhere the king offered.
• :: 1.629

  That is, con∣sequently they did prouoke him▪ as 3. R••g▪ 14. v. 9.
• :: 1.630

  Not truly worshipped but made shew to worshippe. For true wor∣ship of God admitteth not worship of anie false god. ••▪ 34.
• * 1.631

  The second part. Actes of other kinges til the captiuitie of Iuda.
• :: 1.632

  This image of a serpent not only when it wrought miraculous health, but also long after was worthely reserued in memorie of the benefite: but when the people offe∣red sacrifice vnto it, which is proper to God only, good Eze∣chias did lau∣dably breake it And to shew that there was no deitie in it: called it Nohe∣stan, that is, a peece of brasse. And so in the Catho∣lique Church when anie ho∣lie Relique or Image is abu∣sed, it is taken away, or the∣errour other∣wise corre∣cted. See. S. Aug. li. 10. ••. 8. ciuit. Ser. 4 de verb. Apost. & 101. de temp.
• * 1.633

  a peece of brasse.
• * 1.634

  or re∣corder.
• :: 1.635

  He sasly ad∣deth of his owne that he should destroy it. For Isaias pro∣phecied the contrarie, that the Assyrians campe should be destroyed▪ Isa••e. 37. and so it came to passe. ch. 19. v. 35. 2. Pharal 32.
• :: 1.636

  Paganes and Heretikes are foolish & im∣pudent to com¦pare their false goddes and phancies with God almigh∣tie and Cathe∣lique Reli∣gion.
• :: 1.637

  Before the Arke & Propi¦tiatorie being the special place of prayer.
• :: 1.638

  Though manie in the kingdom of Iuda sel to ido lattie, yet in respect of the rest publikly professing true faith and religion the Church is stil called a virgin and despiceth and idolaters blasphemers, and false goddes.
• :: 1.639

  A pleasant hill in the for∣rest.
• :: 1.640

  If these tenne lines importe so manie hou∣ses, then the dial going forwardes a∣gaine, by like degrees, this day was increa¦sed by twentie houres, and soe was lon∣ger then that in which Io∣sue procured stay of the sunne the space of one day, to witte of twelue houres. Iosue. 10. as S. Dyo∣nise thinketh. Epist: ad Pol••∣carp: See Glossa erd: in Iosue.
• :: 1.641

  the Iewes sinned more greuously re∣uolting from the Law of God and con∣temning the admonitions of holie pro∣phetes, then the nations that had nei∣ther law nor prophetes to instruct them.
• :: 1.642

  God stil pre∣serued some in true reli∣gion, though they also suf∣fered tribula∣tions with the wicked for the general sinnes of the king and peo∣ple. Ps••l. 88. v. 35. Yea this king Manasses in captiuitie became vertu∣ous and reco∣uered his kingdom. 2, Pacalip. 33.
• :: 1.643

  VVithin the second wall the citie ha∣uing three wals. 3. Reg. 3.
• :: 1.644

  Because they had offered sa∣crific to false goddes and in vnlawful pla∣ces they were suspended from offering anie more sa∣crifice at al.
• * 1.645

  ••▪ Reg. 〈◊〉〈◊〉.
• * 1.646

  3. Reg: 13.
• :: 1.647

  Iosephus writeth that this godlie king gaue thir¦tie thousand lambes and kiddes to the poore people for their Pasch & three thou∣sand oxen for Holocaustes. The priestes also & Leuites added more of their owne. li. 10. Antiq. c. 5.
• :: 1.648

  Albeit Ma∣nasses repen∣ted, and was restored to Gods fauour, & to his king∣dome. 2. Pa∣ral. 3. Yet his sinnes were temporally pu¦nished, both in himself, and his posteritie.
• :: 1.649

  Not dying in peace, for he was slaine by Nabuchodo∣nosor, Iosephus li. 10. c. 8. Ant. And his bodie was cast out of the citie, ac∣cording as Ie∣remie prophe∣cied c. 22. vvith the burial of an asse shal he be buried▪ &c.
• :: 1.650

  In this he greuosly offen¦ded hauing sworne to serue him And therfore Eze∣chiel c. 1••. for∣telleth the mi∣serie that wil fal vpon him. shal he that broke couenant escape? &c.
• :: 1.651

  Certaine fals∣prophetes per∣swaded the king and the people not to beleue the pro¦phetes, which forwarned them of these calamites, be∣cause (sayd they) they con¦tradicte one an other, Iere∣mie saying (••h▪ 32. & 34.) the eyes of Sedecias should see the eyes of Nabu∣chodonosor, and should be led into Baby∣lon: and Eze∣chiel saying (c. 12. v. 13.) that he should not see Babylon.
• :: 1.652

  Both saying most truly: for he was caried thither after his eyes were put out. Iose∣phus. li. 10. Antiq. c. 10.
• :: 1.653

  There was so exceding much, that they wel could not, or did not weigh it.
• :: 1.654

  By Gods spe∣cial proui∣dence king Ioachin (other wise called Ie∣chonias. 2. Par. 3. & Mat. 1.) is exalted, and set ouer al the Iewes; vnto whom others succede in like authoritie. and so is fulfilled the prophecie of Iacob. Gen. 49. The scepter shal not be taken from Iuda, nor a duke of his thiegh til he come that is to be sent.
• * 1.655

  The significa∣tion of the name; and the contents of this booke.
• * 1.656

  Epist. ad Paulin.
• * 1.657

  Diuided into two bookes.
• * 1.658

  The first booke into three partes▪
• * 1.659

  The first part. Genealogies partly of other progenies of Adam, but spe∣cially of Ia∣cobs issue.
• :: 1.660

  Adam had two other son∣nes before Seth, but Cains race was vtter∣ly extinguis∣hed by the flood, and A∣bel had no chil¦dren.
• :: 1.661

  As before the right line of Adam to Noe so here from his sonne Sem to Abram.
• :: 1.662

  For mysterie sake God changed his name to Abra∣ham. Gen. 17.
• * 1.663

  Differences of names, num∣bers, & times, found in holie scriptures, make them hard to be vnderstood.
• * 1.664

  Diuers meanes to reconcile seming contra∣dictions in ho∣lie scriptures.
• * 1.665

  1.
• * 1.666

  2.
• * 1.667

  Luc. 3.
• * 1.668

  3.
• * 1.669

  4.
• * 1.670

  Mat. ••.
• * 1.671

  5.
• * 1.672

  6.
• * 1.673

  7
• * 1.674

  8.
• * 1.675

  9.
• * 1.676

  10.
• * 1.677

  Not priuate but publique spirit of the Church ex∣pounder of holie Scrip∣ture.
• * 1.678

  2. Pet. 1. v. 20.
• :: 1.679

  This patri∣arch first cal∣led Iacob signi∣fying supp••ater was afterward called Israel, that is, S••••ng God, or valient vvith God. Gen 35.
• :: 1.680

  Either this man had two names, or there is error in the last let∣ter, here, or Iosue. 7.
• :: 1.681

  Otherwise called Cal••bi. v. 9.
• :: 1.682

  By sonnes as often else∣where, are vn∣stood nephe∣wes and other of spring.
• * 1.683

  dvvel∣lings, or resting places.
• :: 1.684

  Valient men by whose help Ioab got vi∣ctories and triumphant crownes.
• :: 1.685

  S. Matthew omitteth this Ioakim, and counteth Ie∣chonias as the sonne of Iosias. The same Ieco¦nias was also otherwise cal∣led Ioachin. 4 Reg. 24. v. 6. & 25. v. 27. S. Hierom. li. 1. in Matth.
• :: 1.686

  Semeia with his fiue sonnes are counted six sonnes of Sechenias, though Se∣meia only was his proper sonne, the o∣ther his ne∣phewes. See an∣notation. ch. 1. num. 3.
• :: 1.687

  In ioyning a vow to his prayer he imi∣tated holie Ia∣cob. Gen. 28. And they both desired tempo¦ral thinges for the better ser∣uing of God, & aduancing his glorie; e∣specially that they might be assisted with grace not to ye••d to tentati∣ous, nor sinne of malice.
• :: 1.688

  Chieflo••d of the va••••••y; where the 〈…〉〈…〉 dwelt that ma••e the Temple.
• :: 1.689

  See annota∣tions; Gen. 49. nu. 4.
• :: 1.690

  Of these and the like, S Paul sayth. By saith they ouer came kingdomes, Heb; 11.
• :: 1.691

  The lineal succession of Hiegh priestes from Aaron to the captiuitie in Babylon. Nicephorus coun¦teth some others among these. li. 2. c. 4. Iosephus also differeth from this cata. logue. li. 10. c. 11.
• * 1.692

  2. Paral. 26.
• :: 1.693

  In Sadoc (3. Reg 2.) the high priest∣hood was re∣duced to the line of Eleazar which by Gods ordinan∣ce was transla∣ted to Heli of Ithamars line but stil conti∣nued in the line of Aaron. The rest of Sa∣dochs line by Achimaas &c. to Iosedech in the captiuitie appeareth be∣fore. v. 9. ad 15.
• :: 1.694

  Gen. 46. this third sonne is called As bel: & seuen more are there reci∣ted. And so in the rest is much diffe∣rence: but al may be recon∣ciled by such rules as are noted. chap. 1.
• :: 1.695

  ••••••••cheth: Regiaa Queene.
• :: 1.696

  Ishod, V••ram decorum. that is, A comelic personable or goodlie maa. So we leaue the hebrew 〈◊〉〈◊〉 in this place because ••. serom, and the whole Church doth so in the latin text which we translate.
• :: 1.697

  The genealo∣gies of al Is∣rael being hi∣therto recited before their captiuitie, o∣thers are now added which first returned to Ierusalem after their re∣lease.
• * 1.698

  :: The second part. King Saul and al his familie ouerthrowne.
• :: 1.699

  He offered Sanctifice on an Altar with∣ut warranto. 1. Reg. 13. And destroyed not the Amal•• cites, as he was comman∣ded. 1. Reg. 1••.
• * 1.700

  The third part. King Dauids reigne and his special actes.
• :: 1.701

  Two stout men of Moab, as if they had benne lions. 2. Reg. 23. v. 20.
• :: 1.702

  An armie of 〈…〉〈…〉 o•• 〈…〉〈…〉, is 〈…〉〈…〉 to ••s ••••Soan•••• 〈◊〉〈◊〉.
• :: 1.703

  Obededom was a Leuite, (c. 15. v. 18.) and therfore more mete to kepe the arke:
• :: 1.704

  Called a Ge∣theite because he had dwelt in the towne of Geth.
• :: 1.705

  An other linen garment vsed by pro∣phetes, such as Samuel did weare being a child 1. Reg. 2.
• :: 1.706

  Not only king Dauid being a holie Prophet, but anie other Su∣perior might blesse his sub∣iectes.
• :: 1.707

  That he also disposed cer∣taine offices of Leuites was by special pri∣uilege, which was no preiu∣dice to the hiegh priests authoritie, for superior powre is pro∣ued by Gods institution, ra∣ther then by factes, either of good men, which do ma∣nie thinges by way of dispen∣sation, o•• of euil v••u••••ing whitho••t war∣rant, that to them pertey∣neth ••ot. For it is ••••ie that God instituted supreme spiri∣tual powre in the high priest. Deut. 17. And al kinges and temporal princes are to receiue the law at the pri∣estes hand. ibidem. v. 18. Eleazar the high priest was appoin∣ted to consult our Lord for Iosue, Nu. 27. Finally by Gods ordi∣nance, the lavy of truth vvas in the mouth of priestes▪ Mal••s. 2.
• * 1.708

  Psal •• 104.
• * 1.709

  Psal. 95.
• * 1.710

  Psal. ••05.
• :: 1.711

  That is con∣tinew and preserue thy seede, and sa∣milie as we see it performed et en to the B. virgin Marie, and Christ of the house of Dauid. Mat ••▪ Luc. 2. 3.
• * 1.712

  2. Reg. ••.
• :: 1.713

  The lesser townes and villagies are commonly called the dauhgters of some great towne or citie to which they perteyne.
• :: 1.714

  That which is dedicated to sacred vse, is consecrated to God.
• * 1.715

  ••. Reg. 10.
• * 1.716

  2. Reg. 21.
• :: 1.717

  By Gods permission Dauid was tempted and ouercome▪ 2. Reg. 24.
• * 1.718

  2. Reg. 24.
• :: 1.719

  King Dauid was not with∣out faith, nor hope, and yet was contaminate with iniquitie, from which he prayed to be deliuered.
• * 1.720

  liitle cartes.
• :: 1.721

  God shewed by sending fire miraculously to burne the sacrifice, that he had heard Dauids prayer.
• * 1.722

  1. Reg. 7. 3: Reg: 5.
• :: 1.723

  Salomon sig nifieth Peace∣able. and therin, as in manie other thinges, prefi∣gured Christ who amongst other names is called, Prince of peace. Isai. 9.
• :: 1.724

  Aarons sonnes being consecrated Pricstes accor∣ding to Gods ordinance. Le∣uit. 8 & the Le uites to do o∣ther offices a∣bout the taber¦nacle. Num. 3. &. 4 king Dauid (with Sadoc the high priest, and other chief men. ch. 24. ••. 6.) dispo∣sed them by lottes which should serue by courses, to sing and play on instrumen∣tes, as wel in the tabernacle now resting in Ierusalem, v. 26. as in the Temple when it should be built.
• :: 1.725

  They were called princes of the Sanctu∣arie in respect of Sacrifices, & other sacred functions.
• :: 1.726

  And princes of God in ••e∣guard of their spiritual iuris∣diction in the Church, or house of God.
• :: 1.727

  Otherwise called Ethan. ch. 6. v 44. c. 15. v. 19.
• :: 1.728

  They played o•• instrumen∣tes, Psalmes and Canticles made by Pro∣phetes.
• :: 1.729

  Either his first sonne was dead, or was not fitte to be chief ouer the rest.
• :: 1.730

  Thinges are sanctified by designation to holie vse.
• :: 1.731

  King Dauid hauing hereto fore offended in comman∣ding to num∣ber the whole people. 2. Reg. 24. would not now attempt to number al, (which were in deede innu∣merable) but only those that were to be disposed of in specialser∣uices.
• * 1.732

  3. Reg. 1.
• * 1.733

  2. Reg. 7.
• :: 1.734

  So Iacob prophecied, that the royal scepter should come to the tribe of Iuda, and therein remaine til Christ. Gen. 49.
• :: 1.735

  It is here euident, that Salomon was some time the true seruant and childe of God, keeping his preceptes and as cer∣taine, that he fel into great sinnes▪ and lost Gods grace, and finally it is doubtful in what state he died 3. Reg. 11. wherby is con¦uinced their vaine phancie that thinck, he who is once the child of God can ne∣uer fal, nor become a wic∣ked man.
• * 1.736

  a kind of sinne white stone.
• :: 1.737

  That which he had already vowed and prepared he counted not his owne, and now goueth more to the building and 〈…〉〈…〉thing of the Temple.
• :: 1.738

  As Abraham Isaac Iacob and others were strāgers in respect of Chanaan: so both they and also Dauid Sa∣lomon and al men in this world are pil∣grimes in re∣spect of hea∣uen. Heb. 13.
• :: 1.739

  Albeit they did the same exterior act of honour to God and the king: yet in their mind & intention they gaue diuine honour to God, and ciuil to the king. See Exod. 20.
• * 1.740

  ••. Reg. 1. v. 34.
• :: 1.741

  Either Na∣than and Gad writ the later part of the first booke, and the second booke of kinges, or els their boo∣kes are not now extant.
• * 1.742

  1. Par. 1.
• * 1.743

  The conne∣xion of this booke with the former.
• * 1.744

  11. 28.
• * 1.745

  The contentes diuided into two partes.
• * 1.746

  The first part. Salomons reigne in the whole king∣dome.
• * 1.747

  1. Pala••. 13.
• :: 1.748

  It is the ma∣ner of holie scripture to ex¦presse thinges exceding vul∣gar capacitie by the figure Hyperbole.
• * 1.749

  ••. Reg. 5.
• :: 1.750

  It is proba∣ble, that this man had in∣structed the king of Tyre in true religi∣on of one God whom he con∣fesseth. v. 11. 12. and that therfore the king called him his father.
• :: 1.751

  This mount Moria, signify∣ing vision, was so named by A¦braham, who was there rea∣die to sacrifice his sonne Isaac Gen. 22.
• :: 1.752

  And Dauid, by the appoint¦ment of an Angel, offered there sacrifice. ••. Reg. 24. ••. Par. 21.
• * 1.753

  2 Reg. 24 3. Reg. 6.
• * 1.754

  3. Reg. 7.
• :: 1.755

  As wel the Temple as the Altars, and other apperti∣nances were made after the forme of Moyses Ta∣bernacle al∣tares of sacri∣fice & incense, and the rest: but greater in quantitie, of more precious matter, and more excel∣lent work∣manship.
• :: 1.756

  A great bra∣sen vessel, and some other thinges that were not be∣fore.
• * 1.757

  3. Reg. 7.
• :: 1.758

  Also a great∣ter number of candlestickes, and other the like.
• * 1.759

  or pom∣mels.
• * 1.760

  3. Reg. 7.
• :: 1.761

  An other Arke was not made, because that was most holie & most excellent, which Moyses made. Like∣wise other holie thinges of the taber∣nacle were brought into the Temple with great so∣lemnitie.
• :: 1.762

  God shewed his presence by the darke cloud which replenished the Temple.
• * 1.763

  Basi∣licae.
• :: 1.764

  Kneeling,
• :: 1.765

  Lifting vp handes, stret∣ching forth armes, and the like external gestures do much helpe internal atten∣tion in prayer, and also sturre vp others to godlie imita∣tion▪ and ther∣fore hath bene much practi∣sed by deuout persons both in the old and new Testa∣ment.
• :: 1.766

  In this chap∣ter and often els where it is euident, that places dedica∣ted to Gods seruice are more accep∣table to him, then other places.
• :: 1.767

  As the Tem∣ple was the special place of prayer, cho∣sen by God: v. 12 so special Hymm••s Psal∣mes and other set formes of blessing are more gratful to God, and more effectual to his seruan∣tes.
• :: 1.768

  Salomon was yet so farre from communica∣ting with In∣fidels, that he suffered not his wife (an infidel) to be present where the Arke of God had bene placed. 1. Par. 15.
• * 1.769

  3. 〈◊〉〈◊〉. 10
• :: 1.770

  They are called kinges, of God▪ which reigne by his grace and ac∣cording to his wil. VVhere∣vpon they vse this stile By the grace of God, K. of England Ieru∣salem. &c.
• :: 1.771

  His fall to luxurie and idolatrie is recorded. 3. Reg. 11.
• * 1.772

  3. Reg. 12.
• * 1.773

  The second part. Diuision of the king∣dom. Dauids issue reigning only in two tribes, which also are caried captiue into Babylon.
• :: 1.774

  A worthie example to suffer tem∣poral damage rather then to conforme them selues to the practise of false religion.
• * 1.775

  3. Reg. 15
• :: 1.776

  A firme and perpetual co∣uenant. Num. 18. v. 19.
• :: 1.777

  It perteyned properly to the king to destroy the exterior pra∣ctise of idola∣trie, but to the Priestes, & prophetes to informe the interior mind, & consciences of euerie one.
• :: 1.778

  Cooperati∣on with Gods grace meri∣••eth increase of grace.
• :: 1.779

  King Asa de∣stroyed the places where Idoles were serued, chap. 14. v. 2. but tollerated the places where some offered sacrifice to God beside the proper al∣tar in Ierusa∣lem, because this was dis∣pensable and not the other.
• * 1.780

  3. Reg. 15.
• * 1.781

  :: Iust punish∣ment with paine of his feete, for iniu∣riously put∣ting Gods prophet in fetters v. 10. So God puni∣shed him tem∣porally, for that and other passionate sinnes: and he died in good state, for. his hart was perfect al his dayes, (Chap 15. v, 17.) that is, most part of his life, espe∣cially in his last dayes.
• :: 1.782

  Good, workes ap∣proued by new benefices from God, as a reward, ther of do geue more hope & confidence to procede from vertue to vertue. 5. Tho. li. deregi∣min•• Reg••m••i.
• :: 1.783

  For this he was iustly re∣prehended, but his simple intention di∣minished his fault, and so he was more easily pardo∣ned, & for his good workes otherwise donne in Gods seruice. ch. 19. 3.
• :: 1.784

  See Annota∣tion. 3. Reg. 〈◊〉〈◊〉. v. 15.
• :: 1.785

  Precisian Do••a••••stes holding it vn∣••••••ful to con∣uerse with sin∣ners amongst other Scriptu∣res alleaged 〈…〉〈…〉 reprehen∣tion of Iosa∣•••••• for his societie with Achab. To whom S. Au∣gustin answe∣reth, that he was not bla∣med for other conuersation with Achab, but for ayding him, and, ioy∣ning with him in the act of sinne, when he contemning Micheas the true prophete of God, and beleuing false prophetes went to battel wherin both kinges offen∣ded, but with difference; so one was sa••••e though he se∣med to be se∣cure, the other was saued in great danger. and repenting was pardoned li. 2. c. 1••. 〈◊〉〈◊〉. opist Parme••.
• :: 1.786

  A most plame distin∣ction of spiri∣tual and tem∣poral authori∣tie and offices, not instituted by Iosaphat, nor anie other king, but by God himself. Deut. 17. Num. 27.
• :: 1.787

  They fasted not only to sub due the flesh to the spirite but also for other necessi∣ties.
• :: 1.788

  Example of pilgremage to holie places, because it pleaseth God to heare the prayers of good people rather in one place then in an other. ch. 6. 7. &c.
• :: 1.789

  Faith is the fundation of al good wor∣kes. Heb. 11. but not suffi∣cient to salua∣tion without other vertues, and therefore they not only beleued but also fasted and prayed, and where nede re¦quired fought with wea∣pons, though at this time it pleased God to fight for them. See Iosue 23.
• * 1.790

  Psal. 135.
• :: 1.791

  He destroy∣ed the places where sacrifice was offered to idoles. ch. 17. v. 6. but tolerated o∣ther places where the peo¦ple offered to God our Lord without the temple, not being able to reduce al to perfection.
• * 1.792

  4. Reg. 8.
• :: 1.793

  Elias was assumpted from ordina∣rie conuersa∣tion with mortal men the eight∣tenth yeare of king Iosaphat 4. Reg. 2. 3. who reigned twen∣tie fiue yeares 3. Reg. 22. v. 42. So he shewed this special care of Ioram and his kingdom, after his as∣sumption seuen yeares.
• * 1.794

  4. Reg. 8. v. 25. ch. 9.
• :: 1.795

  To wit when he beganne to reigne alone: for he reigned together with his father at the age of 22. 4. Reg. 8. v. 26. And after his fathers death but one yeare.
• :: 1.796

  See 4. Reg. 8. v. 18.
• :: 1.797

  Human hope failed, but Gods proui∣dence vsed meanes to con¦serue some of Dauids issue to sitte in his throne, yea to continue the succession 〈◊〉〈◊〉 Christ. Mat. 1.
• * 1.798

  4. Reg. 11.
• :: 1.799

  Gods pro∣mise being ab¦solute and cer∣tayne, yet hu∣mane meanes were neuer∣theles requi∣red.
• * 1.800

  the vve••eli•• vvatch.
• :: 1.801

  In case of right and ne∣cessitie we see here what the high Priest could do and did by his au∣thoritie: who otherwise in∣termedled not in the kings affayres. ch. 19▪ v 11.
• :: 1.802

  They are wilfully blind that wil not see difference betwen ima∣ges of Baal & of Christ or of Sainctes.
• * 1.803

  simul••∣••ra.
• :: 1.804

  By the law euerie one payed yearly halfe a sicle, towards the repayring of the tabernacle and so after∣wardes of the temple. Ex. 30.
• * 1.805

  Ma••. 〈◊〉〈◊〉▪
• :: 1.806

  He that kil∣led his spiritu∣al father was slaine by his owne seruan∣tes.
• * 1.807

  4. Reg. 14.
• * 1.808

  D••••t. 24
• * 1.809

  4. Reg. 8.
• :: 1.810

  Obduration of hart for for∣mer sinne.
• :: 1.811

  So long as this king ob∣serued the or∣dinance of God to be di∣rected by the high priest N••. 27. v 2••. he prospered in his affayres.
• :: 1.812

  For vsurping spiritual au∣thority which pertayned not to him, the high priest with his assi∣stantes oppo∣sed themsel∣ues against the king: and God confirmed their sentence, by striking the same king with leprosie. And so he was not only cast out of the temple, but also out of his kingdom, and common con¦uersation with other men, & forced to dwel in a separet house without the citie accor¦ding to the law. Leuit. 13. v. 46.
• :: 1.813

  Neither could he be buried in the propet sepul∣chres of the kinges.
• * 1.814

  4. Reg. 15.
• * 1.815

  4. Reg. 16.
• * 1.816

  ::VVicked po∣licie auaileth nothing, but hurteth much.
• * 1.817

  4. Reg. 18.
• :: 1.818

  Being peni∣tēt in ha••t for their sinnes, Gods dispen¦sation might be sapp••sed fo•• legal puri¦fication i•• case of ••••ce ••ine, which o∣therwise was st••••••ly com∣ma•••••••• L••••••t. 5. 〈◊◊〉〈◊◊〉. Deut. 27. &c.
• :: 1.819

  Voluntarie workes of superetoga∣tion, more then was com∣manded.
• :: 1.820

  Besides con∣session of sin∣nes there is al∣so cōfession of Gods excellen¦cie & goodnes
• * 1.821

  4. R••g. 18. Isaie 36.
• :: 1.822

  ••ore dan∣ger of p••••••e in prosperitie, then in aduer∣sitie.
• * 1.823

  4. Reg. 21.
• :: 1.824

  A pregnant example of the effect of harty repentance.
• :: 1.825

  This prayer is not extant in the Hebrew but in Greke & Latin. as yet neither recei∣ued for cano∣nical, by the Church no•• refused.
• * 1.826

  4. Reg. 22.
• * 1.827

  ••. Reg. 12.
• :: 1.828

  Geuen by the hand of Moyses.
• :: 1.829

  It is a bene∣fite to be taken out of this world, before genera•• mise••••e come vpon the peo¦ple.
• :: 1.830

  This Phase, o〈…〉〈…〉h made by Io••••as is fa∣nious, partly for that this feast had bene omitted some yeares, but spe¦cially for the great and ex∣traordinarie solemnitie made at this um••.
• * 1.831

  4. Reg. 16.
• :: 1.832

  Iosias thought that the king of Aegypt inten∣ded to inuade his kingdome. And it was Gods wil he should be slaine, and not see the euiles that should happen to the people.
• :: 1.833

  Solemne ex∣equies with lamentations and musike.
• :: 1.834

  Hitherto from K. Da∣nids death the sonne had euer succeded to his father.
• * 1.835

  ••••re. 25.
• :: 1.836

  It is like that Esdras added this cōclusion when he resto∣red the holie Scriptures that were lost▪ for he begin∣neth his owne booke with the same wor∣des. The end of the fifth age.
• * 1.837

  The Church stil visible, and the same faith as before.
• * 1.838

  One God.
• * 1.839

  Three Persons Christ.
• * 1.840

  Sacrifices Sacramentes to be changed by Christ.
• * 1.841

  Fruict of pe∣nance.
• * 1.842

  Abstinence.
• * 1.843

  Fastes.
• * 1.844

  Lent.
• * 1.845

  Feastes.
• * 1.846

  Place of the Temple desi∣gned long be∣fore.
• * 1.847

  Synagogues.
• * 1.848

  Sanctuarie.
• * 1.849

  Sette forme of prayers.
• * 1.850

  Ministerie of Angeles.
• * 1.851

  Honour and Intercession of Sainctes.
• * 1.852

  Reliques.
• * 1.853

  Images.
• * 1.854

  Good workes me••itorions.
• * 1.855

  Euangelical counselles pre figured.
• * 1.856

  Chastitie of clergie men, & religious orders.
• * 1.857

  Mat. 19▪ 1 Cor. 7. Act. 5. 1. Tim. 5.
• * 1.858

  Solemne Exe∣quies for the dead.
• * 1.859

  Gen. 5.
• * 1.860

  Resurrection.
• * 1.861

  Iudgement.
• * 1.862

  Eternal glorie or paine.
• * 1.863

  Church with∣out interrup∣tion.
• * 1.864

  Ieraboams wicked policie
• * 1.865

  Prophets inspi¦red by God to resist Schisme and Heresie.
• * 1.866

  4. Reg. 23.
• * 1.867

  The often change of Kinges, and euil successe in the kingdō of Israel.
• * 1.868

  The first fami∣lie reigned but 24. yeares
• * 1.869

  The second newe familie 26.
• * 1.870

  The third but 7. daies. The fourth▪ 48. yeares.
• * 1.871

  The fifth. 103.
• * 1.872

  The sixth, one moneth. The seuenth, 12. yeares. The eight 20. yeares.
• * 1.873

  The ninth¦nine yeares. Then ouer∣throwen and the kingdom neuer restored
• * 1.874

  The kingdom of Iuda for Dauids sake conserued in his sede.
• * 1.875

  Succession of Priestes conti∣nued.
• * 1.876

  Extraordina∣ry mission of Prophetes.
• * 1.877

  Great effectes of their prea∣ching and miracles.
• * 1.878

  Elias his miracles.
• * 1.879

  Eliseus his mi∣racles.
• * 1.880

  Religion not wholly de∣stroyed in the kingdom of Israel.
• * 1.881

  Heresies in the kingdom of Israel.
• * 1.882

  Ieroboamites
• * 1.883

  Manie con∣stant in true religion.
• * 1.884

  Iezabelites.
• * 1.885

  Samaritanite••. diuided into manie Sectes.
• * 1.886

  Tobias neues yelded to Schisme.
• * 1.887

  The Kingdom of Iuda more free from he∣refie.
• * 1.888

  King Achaz.
• * 1.889

  Vrias high priest.
• * 1.890

  King Ioram. and others committing idolatrie in fact, manie o∣thers stil pro∣fessed true Re∣ligion.
• * 1.891

  Authoritie de∣pending vpon diuine ordi∣nance, is not changed by factes or prac∣tise.
• * 1.892

  Good kinges defended and promoted re∣ligion not as chiefe in spiri∣tual causes, but by way of execution, dispensation, o•• cōmission.
• * 1.893

  Mat. 1••.
• * 1.894

  Priestes by their negli∣gēce do sinne but lose not their authori∣tie.
• * 1.895

  Deut. 17. v. 〈◊〉〈◊〉.
• * 1.896

  The Church of the old Testament conserued in truth. Much more the Church of Christ.
• * 1.897

  •••• Psal. 30. conc. ••. li. 3. ••. 32. de doctrin christ. ••. Tim. 3 4. Reg. 19.
• * 1.898

  ••. Es••r. 7▪
• * 1.899

  The two bookes of Esdras and Nehemias are but one in the Hebrew. The third and fourth are not canonical.
• * 1.900

  Epist. ad Paulin.
• * 1.901

  This historie hath also a spiritual sense
• * 1.902

  First booke diuided into two partes.
• * 1.903

  The first part. The returne of gods peo∣ple from Ba∣bylon.
• * 1.904

  Isaiae 44. 45▪ Ierem. 25. 29.
• :: 1.905

  Liberally gaue such thinges into their handes.
• :: 1.906

  This enu∣meration of the Israelites, which aseen∣ded into Ieru∣salem, signifi∣eth the Elect which ascend from the mi∣litant Chuch to the trium∣phant.
• :: 1.907

  Such as say they are prie∣stes and can not shew their vocatiō, must not exercise, that functon... Al aboue numbred of the tribes of Iuda, Benia∣min, & Leui, do not amoūt to 30. thou∣sand three hundred. So in this general number are contained a∣boue twelue thousand of other tribes, not recited a∣mong the rest. as Rabbi Salo∣moa explica∣teth the diffi∣cultie.
• :: 1.908

  Notwith∣standing the terrour of in∣fideles, Gods seruantes too 〈◊〉〈◊〉 corage to offer sacrifice.
• :: 1.909

  By the ordi∣nance of Da∣uid. 1. Pa•• 25
• :: 1.910

  By their we∣ping they te∣stified that the new temple was not so ex∣cellent as the former. And therfore Ag∣g••u▪ prophe∣tie (c. 2.) can not be vnder∣stood of this temple, but of the Church of Christ. •• Aug li. 18. ci••it. ••. 45.
• :: 1.911

  Schismati∣kes and Here-tikes may not be admitte•• to communicate in sacrifice with Catholi∣ques.
• :: 1.912

  God geuing corege to his seruantes, stricke their enemies with terrour, and so made them cease from hinderuig his worke as they before inten∣ded.
• :: 1.913

  The hart of the king is in the hand of our Lord. Pro∣uerb. 21.
• * 1.914

  The second part▪ Esdras instructeth the people.
• :: 1.915

  Esdras came with the f•••••••• from Babylon 〈◊〉〈◊〉. ••sd▪ 12▪ ••••ut returned thi∣ther and now ascended the second time ••o Ierusalem.
• :: 1.916

  This great number which by Esdras per∣swasion came from Babylon, signified the greatfiuict of soules conuer∣ted from sinne by the exhor∣tation of holie preachers. S. Beaa. li. 2. in Esara. c. 10.
• :: 1.917

  It suffice not to part from Babylon (that is, from sinne) but we must also doe workes of sa∣tisfaction, and therfore Es∣dras here pro∣clamed an ex∣traordinarie fast to those that were come from captiuitie.
• :: 1.918

  Malachias the Prophet complaineth also of this fault c. 2. v. 11. threatning Gods punish∣ment both to superiors and subiectes for not correcting it. ••▪ 〈◊〉〈◊〉.
• :: 1.919

  In respect o•• their greatini∣quities Esdias presumeth not to aske the conserua∣tion of the whole people, but some reli∣ques or ••••rā lest part, as it were a little post or a naile of a whole house towards the reedifying therof.
• * 1.920

  ••Esdras being extraordina∣rily sent by God, to cor∣rect the peo∣ple, repayreth to the high Priests sonne, by his autho∣ritie calleth the people to∣gether and so procedeth to make refor∣mation. ••o S. Paus confer∣red with other Apostles. Gal. 2
• :: 1.921

  Their ••inne was punished by ouer much rayne. v. 13. And so affli∣ction gaue them more feeling of their faultes.
• :: 1.922

  Amongst o∣ther inconue∣niences of vn∣lawful maria∣ges one is that children are borne illegi∣timate.
• * 1.923

  Duble title of this booke.
• * 1.924

  The cōtentes.
• * 1.925

  S. Ierom. Epist. ad Paulin.
• * 1.926

  Diuided into three partes.
• * 1.927

  The first part▪ Nehemias his cōmiseration of his coun∣trie.
• :: 1.928

  Nehemias by his legacie, being sent from a king▪ by his name which signi∣fieth comfor∣ter from our Lord; and by his building againe the walles of Ieru¦salem; prefi∣gured our Sa∣uiour, who was sent from God the Fa∣ther, himselfe being the com¦forter of man∣kind, and the send•••• of an o∣ther comfor∣ter the Holie Ghost, to re∣maine with his Church. S. Beda. prolog in Nehemiam.
• :: 1.929

  Infideles & Heretikes are greued, that o¦thers ende∣uoure to re∣payre the ruines of the Church in any countrie.
• :: 1.930

  Gods hand was clearly shewed in the effect of obtai¦ning the kings fauourable letters.
• * 1.931

  The second part. How the citie was repayred with walles & people.
• :: 1.932

  Finishing the gate they de∣dicated it to Gods seruice, being for de∣fence of his holie citie and so sanctified it
• :: 1.933

  It was Gods prouidence that the ene∣mies mocking at the repara∣tion of Ierusa∣lem did not so furiously re∣sist, til the worke was performed: so sometimes he∣retikes scoffe at the ende∣•••••••••••• of poore priestes laboring to re¦store Catholi∣que religion: but whether they scoffe or rage, Gods ho∣lie worke pro∣cedeth and prospereth.
• :: 1.934

  S Beda in his time lamen∣ted that some spiritual Supe¦riors negle∣cted to feede their flock, ei∣ther spiritu∣ally or tempo¦rally, and yet exacted tem∣poral reue∣newes, and op¦pressed the poore people, li 3. c. 21. in ••sd. How much more may we with him, wish an other Nehemias, that is a comfor¦ter from our Lord to correct this fault, & to releeue poore Catho∣liques distres∣sed?
• * 1.935

  :: A right pro∣pertie of a true pastor, to do that good which he preacheth to others▪ S. Beda ibidem.
• :: 1.936

  A good con∣science hath great confi∣dence in God and iustly ho∣peth for re∣ward.
• :: 1.937

  VVhen here∣tikes & other aduersaries of the Church finde them selues not able to suppresse Catholiques, they offer con¦ditions of peace, and li∣bertie to al▪ so when prote∣stātes beganne & where they are weake, they would haue none per¦secuted for anie opinions in religion; but where they are strōg they hardly grant tolera∣tion to Catho¦liques,
• :: 1.938

  Three speci∣al defences of a citie, are the strength of walles, shut∣••ing and ope∣ning the gates in due time, & diligēt watch∣men: so to the custodie of faithful soules three thinges are necessarie; the grace of God, due re∣gard of the outward ••en∣ses, and conti∣nual watch a∣gainst out in∣uisible ene∣mies.
• * 1.939

  S. Ierom here noteth whēce he receiued eech part of this booke, which is al Ca¦nonical Scrip∣ture being al alike so decla∣red by the Church.
• :: 1.940

  The people requested Es∣dras, to bring the booke of the law, and he brought it, nei∣ther is there anie mention that he writte the whole law out of his me∣morie or by miracle: which maketh it pro∣bable that al copies were not burned or lost, but some reserued by Ieremias, Eze chiel, Daniel, Aggeus. Zacha rias, or by him selfe or others out of which he collected one intire volume cor∣recting faultes committed by scribes, & ad∣ding some thinges for ex¦plication sake & supplement of the histo∣ries: and that either by tradi¦tion o•• reuela¦tion.
• :: 1.941

  Athersatha priu••••eg••••, by reason of his fauour with king Artaxer∣xes. Chap. 2.
• * 1.942

  1. Esd. 2.
• :: 1.943

  True repen∣tance requi∣reth w••••kes of penance, & especially the ren••ou••••g of occasions of sinne: as sepe∣ration from euil con panie abandoning of euil cogita∣tions, and of much wordly pleasure.
• :: 1.944

  Changing of names impor∣teth ••ome be∣neficial myste∣rie. Gen. ••7.
• :: 1.945

  Free wil in sinners.
• * 1.946

  Num 14.
• :: 1.947

  In al leagues & couenantes of peace those articles are specially men∣tioned wherin breach hath bene made in former times.
• :: 1.948

  Because Ie∣rusalem was most impug∣ned by eni∣mies fewe were willing to dwel there,
• :: 1.949

  yet many va∣lient men of the tribes of Iuda Benia∣min and Leui offered them selues: of other tribes the tenth part were chosen by lottes. wherby is ga∣thered that many of the tenne tribes returned also into Chanaan, though the holie Scrip∣ture doth not so expresly re∣cord what be∣came of them as of the other tenne tribes, because Ieru∣salem pertai∣ned to the lote of Beniamin, Iuda was the Kinglie tribe, and Leui the Priestlie. S. Beda. lib. 3. cap. 31▪ in Esdr.
• * 1.950

  Esdras went againe to ba∣bylon, and ob∣tayning a fa∣uorable com∣mission of the King brought manie with him into Ierusalem. ••. ••••a••. 7.
• :: 1.951

  The genea∣logie o•• ••••gn P••••••••••s 〈◊〉〈◊〉 Iosue to led∣doa otherwise called Iaddus.
• :: 1.952

  As others gaue tithes to the Leuites: so they gaue to Priestes. Num. 18. ••. 21. 28.
• * 1.953

  The third part Correction of faultes.
• * 1.954

  Deut. 23.
• * 1.955

  Num. 22.
• :: 1.956

  This Tobias was an Ammo nite & a per∣secuter, c. 14. to whom Eliasib being akine (by reason of vnlawful ma∣riages) ioyned felowshipe with him for wicked lucre which ther∣fore Nehe∣mias corre∣cted, prefigu∣ring therin ou•• Sauiours zele, who threw byers and sellers out of the temple Mat. 21. And these persecu∣ters prefigu∣red heretikes in their wor∣des and actes, as venerable Beda expoun∣deth. li, 〈◊〉〈◊〉 Esd. c. 19.
• :: 1.957

  A iust man that hath me∣rited by good workes may pray with great confi∣dence for re∣ward.
• * 1.958

  THE THIRD, AND FOVRTH BOOKES OF ESDRAS, WITH THE PRAYER OF MANASSES, folow after the MACHABEES.