An institution of general history from the beginning of the vvorld to the monarchy of Constantine the Great : composed in such method and manner as never yet was extant / by William Howel ...

SECT. IV. The Kingdom of Israel From the revolt of the Tribes, to their final Captivity under Salmanasser.

* 1.11. THe ten Tribes, falling off from Rehoboam upon his Churlish answer, chose Jeroboam the son of Nebat, of the Tribe of Ephraim to reign over them. He, being industrious in the work of Fortifications,* 1.2 had been made by Salomon Ruler over all the charge of the house of Joseph; but the Lord, after he was provoked by the Idolatry of Salomon, sent Ahijah the Prophet to him to promise him ten Tribes; which coming to the ears of the King he sought to slay him; whereupon Jeroboam fled for his life to Shishak, King of Egypt, with whom he sojourned till Salomon's death. Then he was sent for out of Egypt, and accompanied all Israel as their Speaker in their addresse made to Rehoboam; whom after they had rejected, they made him King,* 1.3 that the Lord might perform what he had promised by the Prophet.

2. In the beginning of his reign he built up Shechem, which had lyen waste well nigh 260 years, from the time that Abimelech destroyed it. This place being situated in Mount Ephraim he first made his habitation, till he went over Jordan, and built Penuel, whence afterwards he also removed his seat to Tirza. He forsook the Lord, who promised him establishment, if he would keep his Statutes and Commandments, going about by carnal and wicked policy to secure his interest. For, lest his Subjects by going up to Ie∣rusalem to Worship, should be turned again from their obedience to him, he set up two Golden Calves,* 1.4 the one at Dan, and the other at Bethel, ha∣ving learnt Idolatry towards this sort of Cattel in Egypt. To that in Bethel he sacrificed, instituting a Feast like to that of Tabernacles: and though, re∣buked by a Prophet, he was stricken with Leprosie, and might have been con∣vinced by other Miracles; yet neither these things nor the many judgements of God against him, and his Successors, could reclaim either him, or them. Rejecting the Priests of the sons of Aaron, and the Levites, he made of the lowest of the people Priests for the high places: He had War with Rehoboam continually, and with Abiah his son, who overthrew him in a great battel, and slew 500000 of his men, although he added a stratagem to the force of his numbers (which doubled those of his Enemy) compassing-in Abiah's Army whil'st he was speaking to it. Some years after, he died, having reigned 22. Nadab his son succeeding him,* 1.5 walked in the wayes of his father,* 1.6 & in his sin wherewith he made Israel to sin; but in his second year, he and all Israel besieging Gibbethon of the Philistins,* 1.7 Baasa the son of Ahijah,* 1.8 of the house of Issachar conspired against him, and slew him there.

3. Nadab is said to have began his reign in the second year of Asa, and to have reigned two years: yet Baasa to have began to reign in the third year of Asa. To this, either must be said, that Ieroboam made his son King whil'st he himself yet lived, or else not reigning 22 years compleat, but some part onely of the 22th year (so that the far greater part of the first year of Nadab must fall in with the greater part of the second of Asa) neither did Nadab reign two whole years, but one with a piece of another, and so the first year of Baasa will fall in with the greater part of the third of Asa.

For in this comparing of the times of the Kings of Judah and Israel, is to be taken notice; That, 1. A year onely begun is taken for a compleat one. 2. The fathers often yet living communicated the royal dignity to their sons. 3. Some were twice inaugurated, as Joram in the Tribe of Judah, and H••shea in that of Ephraim. 4. That there were many vacancies, especially in the Kingdom of Israel. Baasa cut off all the posterity of Jeroboam,* 1.9 not leaving one to pisse against the Wall, according as Ahijah had foretold; so that here Jeroboam's policy failed him, the Golden Calves having pushed down his family. When Baasa saw that Asa had restored Religion, and for that cause many of his subjects revolted to him, he had War with him all his dayes, and in his fourteenth year built Ramah to restrain fugitives.* 1.10 Asa to divert him hired Benhadad, King of Syria, who breaking the league for∣merly made with Israel came up with his forces, and smote Jion (a Citie of the Tribe of As••er) Dan of the Danites, Abel-hethmaach of the Manassites, and all Cinneroth with the Land of Napthali; which forced Baasa to leave off building Ramah, and return to Tirza. He reigned 24 years,* 1.11 viz. 23 with part of another.

* 1.124. Elah his son succeeded him in the 26th year of Asa,* 1.13 and reigned two years; at the end whereof his servant Zimri,* 1.14 Captain of one half of his Chariots, slew him at Tirzah as he was drinking in the house of Arza his Steward, and the Prophesie of Jehu, the son of Haneni was fulfilled against the house of Baasa, that it should be made like to that of Jeroboam; all of it being destroyed in like manner by Zimri.* 1.15 But Zimri himself reigned onely seven dayes; for the people then besieging Gibbethon, and understanding how things had passed at Tirzah, made Omri the General of the Army, King. He presently led them against Tirzah, and took it; Whereupon Zimri with∣drew himself into the Pallace, and setting it on fire perished therein, because he also walked in the steps of Jeroboam. A Schism now followed, for one half of the people chose Tibni,* 1.16 the son of Gineth, and four years (imperfect) as the Jews have it: this division continued, till at length Tibni dying,* 1.17 Omri reigned alone.* 1.18 He is also said to have began his reign in the 31th year of Asa, which must be understood of his reigning alone, having slain Zimri in the 28^th year (beginning) of that King. After he had reigned six years at Tirzah, he translated the seat of the Kingdom to Samaria, which Citie he had built on an Hill, bought of one Shemer, from whom it took the name. Having done worse then any that were before him, he died after he had reigned twelve years. Which if they be accounted from the death of Zimri, and so contain his whole reign, then reigned Ahab his son,* 1.19 and Successor but two years with him, his 11^th year falling into the 38 of Asa; but if they be reckoned from the death of Tibni, then must Ahab have reigned about five years together with him.

* 1.205. Ahab exceeded in wickednesse all his predecessors,* 1.21 not onely living in the sins of Jeroboam, but marrying Jezebel the daughter of Ethbaal, King of Sidon, whose God Baal he served and worshipped. For this,* 1.22 through the prayer of the Prophet Elijah, it rained not upon the Land for three years; but at the end thereof he prayed again, and the Heavens gave rain. He took occasion to shew the vanity of the Idoll Baal, and then slew his Priests; for which being threatned by Jezebel, he fled into the desart to Mount Horeb.* 1.23 Against Ahab came up twice Benhadad, King of Syria; once with 32 petty Kings, and both times with great forces, but still was overthrown,* 1.24 and at the latter time yielded himself. Ahab honourably received him, and, making a league with him, let him go in safety; for which he was sharply rebuked by a Prophet, and told that his life should go for the life of Benhadad, and his own people for his people; but there followed a peace betwixt Israel and Syria for three years. In this space Ahab fell sick for Naboth's Vineyard, who being by Jezebels procurement accused of blasphemy, was stoned to death, and so Ahab injoyed the Vineyard by way of confiscation. For this so wicked a fact severe judgement was pronounced against him and Jezebel, by Elijah; the execution whereof by a temporary repentance they caused to be

be prorogued. But the three years of the peace being expired, he renewed the War with Syria; for that Benhadad having ingaged to restore such Cities, as he had taken, refused to surrender Ramoth-Gilead. Four hundred false Prophets perswaded him to undertake the Expedition; onely Micajah sent from God disswaded him from it. With him joyned Iehosaphat King of Iudah, whose Son Iehoram had maried Athaliah his daughter. But going down both together, Ahab received a wound by an arrow, and thereof died, that day, in the 22^th year of his reign.* 1.25

* 1.266. Ahaziah his Son succeeded him, whom he had formerly made his As∣sociate in the Kingdom, and reigned 2 years in all; being said to have be∣gun his reign in the seventeenth year of Iehosaphat King of Iudah, because his Father then dyed, having reigned 21 years, and some part of another. After Ahab's death, Moab fell off from Israel,* 1.27 to which it had been subject ever since the dayes of David. Ahaziah falling sick, of a fall which he had through a lattise in his upper Chamber, sent to consult Baal-zebub the god of Ekron about his recovery; but the Lord commanded Elisah to meet the Messengers, and denounce death to him for this his sin. Hereat Ahaziah be∣ing angry, sent two Captains with their fifties, one after another, to fetch him to him; but he called for fire down from Heaven, which consumed them: then being intreated by the third, he went with him to the King, where de∣nouncing the same to his face,* 1.28 Ahaziah accordingly died, not long after. Him his Brother Ioram followed in the 18^th year of Iehosaphat King of Iudah ending, who wrought evil in the sight of the Lord,* 1.29 but not like his Father and Brother; for he put away the Image of Baal, erected by his Father, yet cleaved to the sin of Ieroboam the Son of Nebat, who made Israel to sin, because of his carnall interest; all the Kings of Israel accounting it an espe∣ciall piece of policy, to busie the people in the worship of the golden Calves.

7. Joram made War upon the Moabites which had revolted, in conjuncti∣on with Jehosaphat King of Judah, and the King of Edom his Tributary, Elisha the Prophet miraculoussy providing the Armies of water, and pro∣mising them Victory. When the Sun arose and shone upon the Pits full of water, it appeared, to the Moabites, blood; so that they concluding their Ene∣mies to have fallen one upon another, came out to take the plunder of the field; but finding other entertainment, were repelled with great consternation and losse. The Israelites then falling upon the Countrey, made havock of all things, and besieged Mesha King of the Moabites, in Kir-hazereth, who being streightened, attempted with 700 Men to break through to the King of Edom, but could not; whereupon taking his Son, (his own some think, others the King of Edom's) which should have reigned in his stead, he offered him for a burnt-offering upon the wall. This specta∣cle seemed so horrible, as raised indignation against Israel, and such pity to∣wards the Man driven by extreme necessity, (as Josephus telleth it), that be∣ing mindfull of the mutability of humane affairs, they raised the Siege and departed.

8. Benhadad King of Syria made severall attempts upon Israel, and be∣sieging Samaria, reduced it unto extreme necessity by Famine. Him Hazael his Servant slew, and possessed himself of his Kingdom; but having received, together with it, the succession of the War, Jehoram went up against him,* 1.30 and was accompanied by Ahaziah King of Judah to Ramoth-Gilead. Here receiving a wound, he returned to Iezreel, to be cured; but the Army was left under severall Captains, amongst which was Jehu the Son of Jehosaphat; to whom Elisha sent one of the Sons of the Prophets,* 1.31 to annoint him King. He was presently received as such by the Army, and returning to Jezreel,* 1.32 slew Joram,* 1.33 (and gave Ahaziah his death's wound) after he had reigned twelve years.* 1.34 He caused Iesabel to be thrown down out of a window, where her carkeise was eaten by the Dogs; after which writing Letters to Samaria, he procured Seventy Sons of Ahab to be slain, and their heads sent to him. Then going thither, he slew 42 persons in his way, of the kindred of Ahaziah

King of Iudah, who were going to visite Iehoram and Iesabel: at Samaria he put to death all the Priests of Baal, and burnt the Temple with the Images. Yet took he no heed to walk in the Law of the Lord God of Israel, with all his heart, departing not from the sin of Ieroboam. For his executing of justice upon the house of Ahab, the Lord promised that his seed of the fourth generation should sit upon his Throne; Yet because of the rottennesse of his heart, he began to cut Israel short in his dayes, by the means of Hazael, who now subdued not onely the Gileadites, but also whatsoever the Israelites possessed beyond Iordan, raging with cruelty againg Man, Woman, and Child, as Elisha had foretold him. Iehu coming to the Kingdom at the same time as A••haliah began her usurpation in Iudab, reigned full 28 years, and then died.

* 1.359. Iehoahaz his Son succeeded him, in the 23^th year of Ioash the Son of Ahaziah King of Iudah, who did evil in the sight of the Lord,* 1.36 in the sin of Ieroboam; a grove being also in Samaria. Hazael mightily oppressed Israel also in his dayes, so that to him were left but 50 Horse-men,* 1.37 10 Chariots, and 10000 Foot-men. Yet the Lord was intreated by him, and sent Israel a Deliverer; notwithstanding which, yet Prince and People remain∣ed incorrigible. After he had reigned seventeen years he died, and left his Kingdom to his Son Ioash,* 1.38 who also reigned with him about three years, for that he began his reign in the 37^th year of Ioash King of Iudah,* 1.39 and is held by the Jews to be that Deliverer, mentioned to have been sent by God. He overcame the Syrians thrice, as dying-Elisha foretold him (whom he visited, and consulted about the affairs of his Kingdom); and thereby recovered the Cities lost to Hazael by his Father. Upon the occasion formerly mentioned, he took Ierusalem, with Ahaziah the King of Iudah, and, breaking down the wall of the City 400 cubits, plundred the House of the Lord and the Kings house. He also was guilty of Ieroboam's sin, and died after he had reigned together with his Father, and by himself sixteen years.

* 1.4010. His Son came after him, Ieroboam by name,* 1.41 whom God made instru∣mental to preserve Israel; nay to raise it to the highest top of greatnesse it arri∣ved at. For he recovered Damascus and Hamath,* 1.42 which had by right be∣longed to the Tribe of Iudah, with whatsoever the Syrians had taken from his Predecessors, from the antient border of the entrance of Hamath, to the Sea of the Plains, or the Lake Asphaltites, as Ionas the Prophet the Son of Amitthai had foretold, the same with him that prophecyed against Ninive, being of Gath-Hepher, a Town of the Tribe of(k) 1.43 Zebulon, in(l) 1.44 Galile of the Gentiles; out of which therefore arose a Prophet, though the learned Pharisees so earnestly urged the contrary to Nicodemus. In this King's dayes also prophecied Hosea, and Amos, called from the Herd in Iudaea, to prophecy to the people of Israel. Notwithstanding all that God did for Ie∣roboam, he did evil also in his sight, accompanying his Ancestors in the sin of Ieroboam the son of Nebat. He reigned 41 years,* 1.45 and after his death the affairs of his Kingdom fell to decay; way being made for the ruine of his house, and an Anarchie insuing for 24 years. For so it must be, if Zacharias his Son began not his reign till the 38^th of Uzziah King of Iudah,* 1.46* 1.47 the last of Ieroboam falling in with the 14^th of this King, seeing Uzziah is said to have begun his reign in the 27^th of his, and he reigned 41 years. This may well seem strange in this Kingdom, where Princes were often made away by Usur∣pers; but God had promised Iehu, that his Children should reign to the fourth Generation; and this Zacharias might be a posthumus, or however very young, and therefore not admitted by the Nobility to govern, till he had attained to such ripenesse, as was convenient for so great a charge.

11. Zachariah, doing evil in the sight of the Lord, as did his Ancestors, reigned but six moneths,* 1.48 being then slain by Shallum the Son of Iabesh who reigned in his stead in the 39^th year of Azariah King of Iudah. He enjoyed his usurped royaltie but a short space, being after two moneths served so him∣self by Menahem the Son of Gadi,* 1.49 who also reigned in his stead. Menahem smote Tiphsah and all that were therein, with the Coasts thereof from

Tirzah, because they opened not to him; and ripped up the Women with child. He did evil in the sight of the Lord, not departing from the sin of Ieroboam all his dayes; wherefore God stirred up the Spirit of Pul King of Assyria,* 1.50 who invaded the Land; but he gave him 1000 talents of Silver, which he wrested from the richest of his Subjects, to confirm the Kingdom in his hand. After he had held it ten years he died, and his Son Pekahiah reigned in his stead, in the 50^th year of Azariah; so that Menahem having begun his reign in the 39^th of that King, and reigning but ten years, here seemeth an Inter-regnum of a year or more to have happened after his death, except that be admitted, which some think, viz. that Menahem did not peaceably enjoy the Kingdom till about a year after Shallum's death,* 1.51 purchasing it then of Pul; so that beginning his reign in the 39^th of Azariah, or Uzziah,* 1.52 must be understood peaceably, and in that year ending. Then must Pekahiah have begun his reign in the very beginning of the 50^th year, and so a few moneths being added to the ten years of Menahem, at the furthest, there will be no need of an Inter-regnum. Pekahiah treading in the wicked steps of his Praedecessors, reigned two years and then was slain by Pekah the Son of Remaliah, one of his Captains, who possessed himself of his Seat.

* 1.5312. Pekah joyned with the King of Syria against Ahaz King of Judah, slew in Judah 120000 in one day, all valiant Men, because they had forsaken the Lord God of their Fathers. Zichri a mighty Man of Ephraim,* 1.54 slew Maaseiah the King's Son, Azrikam the Governour of the house, and Elkanah that was next the King. Two hundred thousand were also carried Captive, with much spoil, all which Oded the Prophet, when they came to Samaria, procured to be sent back. This made Ahab purchase the help of Tiglath-Pileser King of Assyria,* 1.55 who first destroying the King and King∣dom of Damascus, caried the inhabitants thereof into Captivity; and then came against Pekah and transported the Reubenites,* 1.56 Gadites, and the half Tribe of Manasses into Halah, Habor, Hara, and to the River Gozan: then crossing Jordan, he set upon Galilee and caried away the Inhabitants thereof with all the Napthalites (which remained of those that were left by Benhadad) into Assyria. Pekah doing evil in the sight of the Lord, after he had reigned twenty years, was slain by Hosea the Son of Elah who usurped the Kingdom.

13. Hoshea the 19^th King of Israel began his reign in the 12^th year of Ahaz King of Judah, who reigned seven or eight years with his Father Jotham,* 1.57 and began to reign by himself in the 17^th year of Pekah;* 1.58 so that Hosea may truly be said to have began his reign in the 20^th year from the inauguration of Jotham; which we must say except we allow of a kind of Inter-regnum for eight or nine years, during which time, Hoshea for the stirs that hapned could not peaceably enjoy the Kingdom; and then must we lenghthen out the time of this Kingdom longer by so many years. Hoshea did evil in the sight of the Lord, but not as the Kings of Israel which were before him. Against him came up Salmanasser King of Assyria, and made him his tributary Vassal, which he continued for some time, till weary of this bondage, he con∣spired with So King of Aegypt, and refused to pay his tribute: Here∣upon, Salmanasser subdued first the Moabites, lest he should have an Enemy at his back, then invaded Israel and besieged Samaria,* 1.59 in the fourth year of Hezekiah King of Judah,* 1.60 and the seventh of Hoshea. At the end of three years (in the sixth of Hezekiah, and the ninth of Hosea) he took the City, and carried the Israelites Captive into Assyria, where he placed them in Chalach, Chabor, by the River of Gosan, and in the Cities of Media, because they had not obeyed the voice of the Lord, but transgressed the Covenant. In their Seat he placed certain Persians that inhabited by the River Chuthus, and afterwards, in distinction from the Jews, were called Samaritans.* 1.61 This hapned to Israel, for their abhominable Idolatry, 255 years after the rent of the Kingdom; so that this Schism lasted five Jubilies and ten years; in the 832 after the entrance into Canaan, according to Ludovicus Cap∣pellus, and therefore in the end of the seventeenth Jubilie from that; in

the year of the World 3380. or 3381. and so in the end of the 69 Jubily from the Creation;* 1.62 134 before the destruction of Jerusalem, and the Captivity of Iudah.

Notes

• * 1.1

  Jeroboam.
• * 1.2

  1 Kings 11.12.13, 14. 2 Chron. 11.13.
• * 1.3

  A. M. 30••6.
• * 1.4

  Setteth up to Golden Calves.
• * 1.5

  Nadab.
• * 1.6

  A. M. 3047. Asae 2.
• * 1.7

  Baasa.
• * 1.8

  1 Kings 15.
• * 1.9

  Jeroboams po∣sterity utterly destroyed.
• * 1.10

  2 Chron. 16.
• * 1.11

  1 Kings 16.
• * 1.12

  Elah slain by Zimri.
• * 1.13

  A. M. 3071.
• * 1.14

  Asae 26.
• * 1.15

  Omri.
• * 1.16

  Tibni.
• * 1.17

  A. M 3076.
• * 1.18

  Asae 31.
• * 1.19

  Vide Lud. Cappellum Chron. Sacr. pag. 179.
• * 1.20

  Ahab mar∣rieth Jezebel.
• * 1.21

  A. M. 3083. Asae 38.
• * 1.22

  1 Kings 18.
• * 1.23

  Chap. 19.
• * 1.24

  Chap. 20.
• * 1.25

  A. M. 3103. Jehosaphati. 18.
• * 1.26

  Ahaziah.
• * 1.27

  2 King. 1.
• * 1.28

  Joram.
• * 1.29

  Chap. 3.
• * 1.30

  Chap. 8.
• * 1.31

  Jehu annoin∣ted King.
• * 1.32

  Chap. 9.
• * 1.33

  A. M. 3117▪ Athaliae. 1. Chap. 10.
• * 1.34

  Destroyeth the family of Ahab.
• * 1.35

  Jehoahaz.
• * 1.36

  Chap. 13.
• * 1.37

  A. M. 3145. Joasi. 23.
• * 1.38

  Joash.
• * 1.39

  A. M. 3159. Joasi 37.
• * 1.40

  Jeroboam the Second.
• * 1.41

  Chap. 14.
• * 1.42

  A. M. 3175. Amatziae. 16.
• (k) 1.43

  Josh. 19.13.
• (l) 1.44

  Isa. 9.1.
• * 1.45

  2 Kings 25.
• * 1.46

  Zachariah.
• * 1.47

  A. M. 3238. Hazariae. 38.
• * 1.48

  Shallum.
• * 1.49

  Menahem.
• * 1.50

  Pul King of Assyria inva∣deth Israel.
• * 1.51

  Pekahiah.
• * 1.52

  A. M. 3250. Haraziae 50.
• * 1.53

  Pekah.
• * 1.54

  2 Chron. ••8.
• * 1.55

  1 Chron. ••.26.
• * 1.56

  The Reube∣nites, Gadites, and the half Tribe of Ma∣nasses, carried Captives into Assyria.
• * 1.57

  2 Kings 17.18. A. M. 3272. Achazi 12.
• * 1.58

  Hoshea the nineteenth & last King of Israel.
• * 1.59

  A. M. 3280. Ezechiae 6.
• * 1.60

  The Israelites carried away Captive.
• * 1.61

  The Samari∣tans placed in their room.
• * 1.62

  SECT. 3.