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THE DEATH OF AHAB.
Ahab fighting against the King of Syria, is slain by an Arrow shot at a Venture.
THe Sins of Ahab and Jezabel daily in∣creasing, they at last arrived to their highest point by the hor∣rid Murther of innocent Naboth. This Man was owner of a Vineyard in Jezreel, near to Ahabs Palace, which he ma∣nur'd and took delight in, as an Inheritance descended to him from his Forefathers: Now Ahab designing to enlarge his Gardens, desired to have this Vineyard of Naboth, either paying him the worth of it, or giving him another in exchange. But Naboth would by no means part with it.
Ahab, notwithstanding that he was despe∣rately wicked, yet thought he had no right to take it by Violence from him; but finding himself unable to overcome Naboths Resolu∣tion, his Refusal caus'd in him so high a dis∣pleasure and vexation, that he fell sick upon it, and refused to eat. Jezabel having understood from his own Mouth, the cause of his sadness and distemper, mocked at his simplicity, say∣ing, It is a sign you have great Authority over your Subjects; when one of them is able to put you into this condition! And immediately she sent Letters to the chief Men of the City where Na∣both dwelt, that they should suborn two false Witnesses, to depose against Naboth, that he had blasphemed GOD and the King, and that there∣upon they should condemn and stone him.
Jezabel being punctually obey'd in all this, the false Witnesses were found, and Naboth Condemn'd and Ston'd the same day; and News thereof being brought to Jezabel, she acquainted Ahab, that now he might go and take possession of the Vineyard he had so much desired. Ahab recovering at this News, goes down to see the Vineyard, where Elijah meeting him, thunders out this Sentence a∣gainst him: Thou hast killed Naboth, and hast ta∣ken possession; but know, that Dogs shall lick thy Blood in the very same place where that Inno∣cent Man was murther'd; and Dogs shall eat the Flesh of Jezabel by the Wall of Jezreel.
The War which Ahab soon after undertook against Syria, gave an accomplishment to this Prophecy; for Ahab having desired the King of Judah to accompany him; Jehoshaphat desired him to consult some Prophets about the event of the Battel. Ahab (to comply with his desire) sent for 400 Prophets who all with one Mouth promised Ahab the Victory; but Jehoshaphat not satisfied with their Predictions, demanded, Whether there were never a Pro∣phet of the LORD there besides, of whom they might enquire? Ahab answered, that indeed there was one, but that he hated him, because he always prophesied Evil to him.
This Prophet was Micajah, whom Ahab however (at Jehoshaphats entreaty) sent for; who being come, boldly declar'd the unhappy Event of the Battel, and that Ahab should be kill'd in it. Ahab provok'd with this Predi∣ction, caused Micajah to be cast into Prison, with design to put him to death at his Return; at which Micajah was not at all concern'd, as being assured that he should never return.
Ahab being advanced near to the Army of the Syrians, put himself into a Disguise; but Jehoshaphat entred the Field in his Royal Ac∣coutrements, and the King of Syria having given order to his Captains, to aim chiefly to kill the King of Israel, they took Jehoshaphat for him, and had like to have killed him; for if he had not discover'd himself by his Speech, that he was not King Ahab, he would have learnt by fatal Experience, how unhap∣py a thing it is for a good Prince to ally him∣self with such as are ungodly.
In the mean time it hapned, that an Arrow shot at a venture reached Ahab, and pierced the Joynts of his Armour; of which Wound he died that Night. The Blood that gusht from his Wound had all stained his Chariot, and as they were washing it in the Pool of Samaria, the Dogs came and licked his Blood, according to the word of the LORD, denoun∣ced against him by Elijah the Prophet.
So true it is, that the greatest and most potent of Princes, cannot avoid the just Doom of an incensed GOD, which they have deserved by their exorbitant Crimes and Excesses; and that Heaven with as much ease dischargeth its Thunderbolts upon Crowned-Heads, which have thunder'd against others, as upon their meanest Subjects; for those who seem Gods upon Earth, are nothing but Dust and Ashes before GOD.