1156.

1155.

1137.

2136.

1117.

*116.

Abdon the Ephraimite fucceeds Elon, and judgeth Ifrael 8 years.

13.

Sam.

IV. 18. Judges

Eli the High-prieft (in whom the high-priesthood was tranflated from the family of Eleazar to Ithamar's) fucceeds Abdon, and judgeth Ifrael 40 years. The Ifraelites again provoke the Lord to anger, and he delivers them into the hands of the XIII. 1, 2, Philistines. This fixth thraldom begins feven months after Eli's entring upon the government, and lafteth 40 years, even till feven months after his death, when the ark was brought back again.

Samfon the Nazarite, as an Angel had foretold,

is born at Zora.

24.

Whilft Eli the high-prieft executeth the office of XIV. 4. a judge in civil caufes under the Philiftines, Samfon takes an occafion to quarrel with them, by marrying a woman of Timnath; for having on the day of his betrothing propounded a riddle to the Philiftines, and laid a wager; his Wife tells them the meaning of it; Enraged hereat, he goes and flays 30 men of Askalon, and gives them the fuits of raiment which he had ftript off their bodies, in performance of the wager which he had loft, and returns home to his father.

Samfon again in harvest-time goes to prefent his wife with a kid at her fathers houfe, but finds her given away in marriage to another man; Samfon refolves to be revenged; he catcheth 300 Foxes, and tying fire-brands to their tails, turns them all into the corn-fields of the Philiftines, and into their vineyards and olive-gardens, and fets them all on fire. The Philistines take Samfons wife and father in law, and burn them; Samfon in revenge, flays a great multitude of them, and fits down upon the rock Etam, from whence being taken by 3000 of the Jews, and by them deliver'd into the hands of the Philistines, he lays of them a thousand men with the jaw-bone of an Afs; in which place he is miraculously refreshed when thirsty and ready to faint.

Samfon is betrayed by Delilah his concubine, bereaved of the hair of his Nazariteship, and deliver'd to the Philiftines; who put out his eyes, and bind him with chains of brass. The Philiftines gather together to offer facrifice to Dagon their God, and Samfon is brought to make them fport, whofe hair being grown, and his ftrength in a great measure reftored, he takes hold of the two chief pillars whereon the house stood (wherein were the Princes of the Philistines, and a great multitude of People) and pulls down the house, killing more men at his death than he did in all his life-time. So he died, having judged Ifrael in the days of the Philistines 20 years.

The Ifraelites take up Arms against the Philiftines, but with very ill fuccefs, for they lofe 4000 men in one battle. Then they fend for the Ark of the Covenant from Shiloh, and cause it to be brought into the Camp. The Philistines seeing now all lie at ftake, encourage one another to behave themselves like men that day, and fo falling on, they flay of the Ifraelites 30000 men, The Ark

XV.

XVI.

I Sam IV.

1096,

1095.

1085.

1063.

1056.

1055.

The Philiftines having brought the Ark into Afhdod, fet it in the houfe of Dagon their God.

But

when Dagon had been found two feveral times fallen groveling before it, and broken in pieces, and the inhabitants of the place forely plagued: they remove it from thence to Gath, and from thence to Ekron. But the fame Plagues and Judgments following where-ever it went; after seven months, by the advice of their Priefts, they fend home the Ark again, with prefents and gifts into the land of the Ifraelites, and it is brought to Beth-fhemesh; where 50000 and 70 men are fmitten for looking into the Ark. From hence it is carried to the houfe of Abinadab in Kirjath-jearim, who fanctifieth his fon Eleazar to keep it.

After twenty years, the Ifraelites, by Samuels perfwafion, folemnly repent at Mizpeh, and upon their converfion, God by thunder from Heaven delivers them from the invafion of the Philiftines, who are fubdued, the hand of the Lord being against them all the days of Samuel.

I Sam. V:

VI.

VII.

13.

VIII.

Hofea XIII, 10,

Samuel being grown old, takes for his affiftants in the gouvernment his fons; by whofe ill management of affairs, the Ifraelites require a King to be given them; whereupon God gives them a King in his wrath, to wit, Saul the fon of Kifh, after Samuel had judged Ifrael 21 years. Saul is privately anointed by Samuel, and afterward publickly proclaim'd King at Mizpeh. About a month after Jabefh-Gilead is befieged by Naash King of the I Sam. Amorites, and the fiege raised by Saul; whereupon XI. 12. the whole congregation of Ifrael coming together at Gilgal, again proclaim Saul King.

David the fon of Jeffe, the Ephrathite, born at XVII. Bethlem, 30 years before he fucceeded Saul in the 12. Kingdom. He was his fathers youngest son,

God rejects Saul, and fends Samuel to Bethlem, XVI. 11. there to anoint David King, whom Saul ever after extremely perfecuteth.

Yet Jonathan Sauls fon loveth him, and often- XVIII. times refcueth him from Saul's cruelty.

David having Saul twice in his power, forbears to hurt him.

David fearing he may fome time or other fall into the hands of Saul, flies to Gath unto King Achifh, carrying with him 600 men, and having obtain'd of him the Town of Ziklag to dwell in, he continueth one year and four months in the land of the Philiftines, from whence he invadeth the countries of the Gefhurites, Gezerites, and Amalekites, and puts to the fword all, both men and women, not leaving one alive to carry the news thereof to King Achish.

Saul feeing the Army of the Philistines, is in 1 Sam. great fear, and (Samuel being now dead) goes to XXVIII. Endor, to confult with a Witch there, the Woman raifeth an apparition of Samuel, and Saul receives from it that dreadful doom, The Lord will deliver Ifrael, together with thy felf, into the hands of the Philistines.

The Princes of the Philiftines growing jealous of XXIX. David, he and his company early the next morning leave the Army, and return to Ziklag.

The Armies joyn battle, and the Ifraelites are XXXI. defeated; the three fons of Saul are flain, and he himfelf falls on his own fword.

Three days after an Amalekite brings Sauls 2 Sam. 1 Crown and the Bracelet that was upon his arm, and prefents them to David, profeffing that finding him fallen upon his fword, he had kill'd him outright, and taken the Crown from off his head, whereupon David caufeth him to be put to death, for ftretching forth his hand to flay the Lords anointed, and lamenteth the death of Saul and Jonathan bis fon, in a funeral fong. David having askt coun- 2 Sam. II

fel

The Fourth Age of the World. The Year fel of God, goes up to Hebron with thofe that are 2 Sam. II. before about him, where he is anointed King by the men Chrift. of Judah, his own Tribe, in the 30th year of his Chron. 1055. age, and there he reigns feven years and fix months. XII. 23. Abner, who was captain of the hoft to Saul, 2 Sam. II. carries Ifhbofheth, Saul's fon, to Mahanaim, and there makes him King over the reft of Ifrael.

1953.

1048.

1047.

1045.

1044.

1035.

1034.

1033.

1032.

1030.

1027.

1025.

1024

After two years there arife frequent and mortal skirmishes between a party of men on David's fide, headed by Joab David's nephew, and another party on Ifhbofheth's fide, whereof Abner is chief; but the former ftill grows ftronger and ftronger.

8.

12.

Abner affronted by Ifhbofheth, revolteth to Da- III. 6, vid, and deals with the chief men of Ifrael to transfer the whole Kingdom unto him, and this in the hearing of the Benjamites.

He comes to David, and is kindly received; returning, he is treacherously murder'd by Joab. David much laments his untimely death, and buries him at Hebron.

22.

David now dwelling in his houfe of Cedar which he had built, and living in a full and perfect peace, imparteth to Nathan the prophet his purpofe of building a houfe for God, but is anfwer'd from God, that this was a work which fhould be done, not by him, because he was a man of blood, and trained up in war, but by his fon Solomon, a Man of peace, which fhould be born unto him. The 2 Sam, time which paffeth from hence till the birth of So- VIII. lomon is spent in wars; wherein David fubdues 1 Chron. the Philiftines, Edomites, Amalekites, Moabites, XVIII. Ammonites, and Syrians, and extends his king- Gen. XV, dom to the utmoft bound of that land which had been promised to the feed of Abraham, and never poffeft by any of them, fave only by David, and his fon Solomon.

At the end of this year, Joab going with the army against the Ammonites, befiegeth Rabbah the Metropolis of Ammon, whilft David takes his cafe at Jerufalem, and there commits adultery with Bathfkeba the wife of Uriah the Hittite, who was then in the Army, whom he alfo procures to be flain. The child fo gotten in adultery is born, David is convicted by Nathan the Prophet of his fin, and he repents; in teftimony whereof he compofeth the 51 Pfalm. The child dieth.

Bathsheba becomes now Davids wife, and beareth him a fon, unto whom, as unto one who fhould prove a man of peace, God gives the name of Solomon; and as to one beloved of the Lord, the name of Jedidiah.

Amnon, David's eldeft fon, deflowreth his fifter Thamar.

Abfalom avengeth his fifter Thamar, and killeth his brother Amnon; for which thing he fleeth to Gefhur in Syria, where he continues three years with King Talnai, his Grandfather by the mothers fide.

The Fifth Age of the World.

The Year The next year following, under pretence of a before vow, he obtaineth leave to go to Hebron, where Chrift. by Ahitophel's counfel, he breaks out into open 1023. rebellion, and forceth his father to flee from Jerufalem.

1017.

1016.

7. (

Ahitophel, becaufe his counsel in all matters is XVII not followed by Abfalom, hangs himself.

Abfalom having loft 20000 men, fleeth, and a bough of an oak catching hold of him, he there hangs, and is run through by Joab.

XVIII.

XXI.

David tempted by Satan, commandeth Joab to XXIV. number the people: God offended thereat, fends a Prophet to put three plagues to his choice, viz. 1 Chron the famine, fword, or peftilence. David choofeth to fall into the hands of a merciful God, rather than into the hands of men. So God fends a pestilence; whereof 70000 men die in one day. The Angel being about to deftroy Jerufalem, God bids him hold his hand, for he beholds David repenting in fackcloth, and intreating him to fpare the innocent people, and to turn his hand upon himfelf, and upon his fathers houfe.

Rehoboam is born unto Solomon, by Naamah an Ammonitish woman.

David being now 70 years of age, and broken 1015. with continual cares and wars, grows fo weak and feeble, that cloaths can no longer preferve heat in him. Therefore Abifhag, a young virgin, is appointed to keep him warm. Adonjah 'eeing his father thus declining, by the affiftance of Joab and Abiathar, makes himself King, which David understanding, he presently commands Zadok the Prieft, and Nathan the Prophet, with other great men, to anoint Solomon King. Adonijah hearing this, betakes himself to the Sanctuary, and is pardon'd.

1014.

1012.

1005.

Solomons Temple finished in the Eleventh year 1 Kings of his reign; having been seven years and an haif VI. 38. in building.

Solomon this year (being the ninth Jubile, and VIII. opening the fourth millenary of the World) with 2 Chron. great magnificence celebrates the dedication of the Temple; at which time God giveth a visible fign of his favour.

Solomon having, as'tis with reafon believed, forfaken his lufts and vanities, to which he had been too intemperately addicted, and written as a teftimony of his repentance, his Book called the Preacher, dieth. He reign'd 40 years.

The Ifraelites affemble at Shechem to crown Rehoboam, Solomon's fon, King over all Ifrael. The People by Jeroboam fue unto him for a removal of fome grievances; to whom Rehoboam, by the advice of young men, returning an harsh anfwer, alienates the hearts of Ten Tribes from him, who make Jeroboam King over them, and fall at the fame time from the house of David, and from the true worship of God.

The Year

974.

From the time of this difmal rent, Rehoboam 1 Kings reigneth over Judah and Benjamin 17 years, and XIV. Jeroboam over Ifrael, or the other ten Tribes 22 2 Chron. XII. The Priests and Levites, and other Ifraelites who XI. 17. feared God, ftick to Rehoboam, and maintain the kingdom of Judah three years; after which time Rehoboam falls to Idolatry, and walketh no more in the ways of David and Solomon.

I Kings

Jeroboam facrificing to his Calf at Bethel, a Prophet is fent unto him from God, who foretels XII. 32. the Judgment which fhould one day be executed XIII.2. upon that altar, and the Priefts (viz, those whom Jerobeam had made of the loweft of the people) that ferved at it. Which prophecy then and there is confirm'd by figns and wonders upon the King him felf, and upon the altar.

I Kings

Shifhak King of Egypt fpoileth Jerufalem and the Temple; but the King and the Princes repent- XIV. 25. ing at the preaching of Shemaiah the Prophet, God 2 Chron. gives them not over to utter deftruction."

Abijam the fon of Rehoboam fucceeds his father in the Kingdom of Judah, and reigns three years. He obtains a great victory over Jeroboam, killeth 500000 men in one battle, and taketh Bethel, Afa, in the twentieth year of Jeroboam, fucceeds his father Abijam, and reigns 41 years. Nadab in the fecond year of Afa, fucceedeth his father Jeroboam in the Kingdom of Ifrael, and reigneth not full two years.

Nadab at the fiege of Gibbethon (a Town of the Philistines) is flain by Baafha of the Tribe of 1ffachar, in the third year of Afa; and the fame year having made himfelf King over Ifrael, he utterly deftroyeth the whole race of Jeroboam, and reigneth 24 years. At this time lived the Prophets Jehu, Hanani, and Azarias.

The Year

The Fifth Age of the World.

before Chrift. him his vineyards, falls fick upon it; Jezebel his wife 899. fuborning falfe witneffes to accufe him of blafphemy, caufeth Naboth to be ftoned, and puts the King in poffeffion of the Vineyard. Whereupon the Prophet Elijah denounceth Judgments against Ahab and Jezebel; wicked Ahab repenting, God defers the Judgment.

898.

897.

XII.

Zerah the Ethiopian with an innumerable Army 2 Chron. invadeth Judah Afa overcomes him, facrificeth XIV. 9. to God of the fpoil, and maketh a folemn Covenant with God. He alfo depofeth Maacah his Grandmother, a great Patronefs of Idolatry, bringeth into the Temple thofe things which his father and himself had confecrated unto God, and enjoys a long peace.

Elah the fon of Baafha, fucceeds his father in the Kingdom of Ifrael.

In the fecond year of his reign, and the 27 of Aza's, Zimri, one of his captains confpires against him, kills him, and reigneth in his ftead. As foon as he fits in the throne, he deftroyeth the whole family of Baafha; but the Army which then lay before Gibbethon, make Omri their King, who prefently befiegeth Tirzah, and taketh it; which Zimri feeing, he fets in fire the kings palace, and perifheth in the flames.

The people of Ifrael are now divided into two factions, one follows Tibni the fon of Ginath, and endeavours to make him King, the other adheres to Omri; but Tibni dying, Omri reigns alone, in the 31 year of Afa.

1892.

889.

888.

885.

884.

XXI

Ahab in the feventeenth year of the reign of Je- XXII. 58. hofaphat, maketh his fon Áhaziah his affociate in the government of his kingdom.

III. I.

1. 17.

Jehofaphat alfo maketh Jehoram his fon copartner 2 Kings with him; whence it is, that Jehoram the fon of Ahab, who fucceeded his brother Ahaziah in the kingdom of Ifrael, in the eighteenth year of Jehofaphat King of Judah, is faid to have begun his reign in the fecond year of Jehoram the fon of Jehofaphat. Ahab having got Jehofaphat to affift him in the 1 Kings fiege of Ramoth-gilead, before he goes, he asketh XXII counfel of 400 falfe prophets, who promise him 2 Chron. victory and fuccefs; but by Jehofaphat's advice, Micaiah a true Prophet of God is confulted, who foretels his overthrow; and according to his word, Ahab is flain at Ramoth-gilead, and buried at Sa

Ahaziah King of Ifrael lying ill of a fall, fends to confult Baal-zebub the God of Ekron, concerning 2 King. I. his recovery. Elijah the Prophet meeteth the mef fenger, and telleth him Ahaziah fhall furely die; whereupon two captains over fifty men apiece are fent to apprehend him, and bring him before the King; Elijah calleth for fire from heaven, and deftroyeth both them and their companies. A third captain with his fifty men being fent, and behaving himself fubmiffively, Elijah goes along with him; the Prophet certifies the King, that he shall not come down from his bed alive. So Ahaziah dieth, having govern'd (partly by himself, and partly together with his father) two years.

Jehoram fucceedeth his brother Ahaziah in the Kingdom of Ifrael, in the latter end of the eighteenth year of Jehofaphat, and reigneth twelve years.

of the Princes of Ifrael. At this time the Edomites, who ever fince King David's time, had lived Genefis in fubjection to Judah, revolt, and (as it was foretold by Ifaac) they for ever shake off his Yoke. Libnah alfo a city of the Priefts, in the tribe of Judah, falls off from him about this time.

Jehoram following the counfel of his wicked wife Athaliah the daughter of Ahab King of Ifrael, fets up in Judah, and even in Jerufalem it felf, the idolatrous worship of Baal, and compels his fubjects thereto; a letter which was left for him by Elijah the prophet, comes to his hands, which reproves him, and denounces all thofe calamities and punishments which afterwards befel him.

Ahaziah fucceeds his father in the kingdom of Judah (having had part of the government beftow- VIII. 25 ed upon him the year before) in the 12 year of Jehoram king of Ifrael, and reigneth one year in Jerufalem.

Jehoram King of Ifrael, and Ahaziah King of Judah, lead their armies to Ramoth-gilead, against Hazael, who had newly fucceeded Berhadad in the kingdom of Syria; Jehoram is dangerously wounded, and retires himself to Jezreel to be cured. In the mean time Elifha fendeth a young prophet with inftructions to anoint Jehu the fon of Jehofaphat the fon of Nimfhi, at Ramoth-gilead, king over Ifrael, and to open to him the will of God for the rooting out of the houfe of Ahab, who being proclaimed King by the foldiers, marcheth ftraight to Jezreel, killeth Jehoram in the field of Naboth, and caufeth Jezebel to be caft out at a widow,

28a

IX.

.X.

Chrift. where he is eaten by dogs. He difpatcheth letters 2 Kings alfo to Samaria, and caufech 70 of Ahabs children to be beheaded. Then taking with him Jehonadab the fon of Rechab, he comes himself to Samaria, and deftroys the whole family of Ahab, and all the Priefts of Baal. Nevertheless having put down the worship of Jeroboam's golden Calves, but maintains that Idolatry all the time of his reign, which was 28 years.

878.

857.

841.

840.

839.

836.

826.

825.

310.

808.

Jehu proceeds farther, and executeth the divine vengeance upon the idolatrous house of Judah, he purfues Ahaziah, who fled towards Megiddo, and overtaking him at Gur, causeth him to be kill'd in his chariot. Going alfo to Samaria, he meeteth with 42 of Ahaziah's kinfmen, whom he causeth to be nain.

IX.

2 Kings X.

XI. 2 Chron.

Athaliah the daughter of Ahab, feeing her fon Ahaziah dead, ufurps the kingdom, destroying those that had right to the fucceffion; but Jehofheba the XXII, 10. daughter of king Jehoram, and wife to Jehoiada the High-prieft, takes Jehoafh being then an Infant, and fon to her brother Ahaziah, and hides him in the temple, and fo faves him from that maffacre which was made of the rest of the blood-royal.

Jehoiada the High-Priest brings out Jehoash, now feven years old, and anoints him King; causeth Athaliah to be flain, and reftoreth the worship of the true God, deftroying the house of Baal, and commanding the idolatrous Prieft Mattan to be killed before his altars. Jehoafh now beginning his reign in the feventh year of Jehu, reigneth 40 years in Jerufalem.

Jehoafh in the 23 year of his reign, giveth order for the repair of the Temple, committing the charge thereof to Jehoiada the High-Priest.

Jehoahaz fucceedeth his father Jehu in the kingdom of Ifrael, and reigneth 17 years: during all which time, Hazael King of Syria oppreffeth him, and exerciseth all thofe cruelties upon the Ifraelites which Elisha the Prophet had foretold.

2 Kings XI.

2 Chron. XXIII.

Zechariah the fon of Jehoiada the High-Prieft, 2 Chron. for reproving the people of Judah that fall to ido- XXIV. latry after the decease of Jehoiada, is stoned to death in the court of the house of the Lord, by the commandment of King Jehoafh, who the next year after is murder'd by fome of his fervants, as he lay in his bed, and Amaziah his fon fucceedeth him. Jehoahaz dieth, and Jehoash his fon fucceedeth in the kingdom of Ifrael. Not long after his father's funeral, he vifits Elifha the Prophet, then lying fick, and with many tears asketh counfel of him, who promifeth him victory over the Syrians. A dead man is brought to life, by being laid in Elifha's grave. Jeroboam the fecond is this year taken into the XV. I. confortfhip of the kingdom of Ifrael by his father Jehoath, going to war against the Syrians. This is gather'd from Azariah King of Judah's beginning. his reign in the 27 year of this Jeroboam.

Amaziah King of Judah growing proud upon a victory obtain'd against the Edomites this 14 year of his reign, provoketh Jehoafh King of Ifrael to battle. Jehoah overcomes him, and takes him prifoner, breaks down 400 cubits of the wall of Jerufalem, and having fpoiled the Temple and the King's houfe of a vaft treafure, returns to Samaria.

Jehoah dies 15 years before Amaziah, and Jeroboam the fecond his fon reigneth in Samaria 41 years. Amaziah finding a confpiracy against him at Jerufalem, flies to Lachifh, where he is murther'd, after whom comes his fon.

Uzziah or Azariah, in the 27 year of Jeroboam the second, he reigneth 52 years in Jerufalem.

Now is held the 13th jubile under the two most flourishing Kings, in whofe times live fundry great Prophets in both kingdoms; Ifaiah and Joel in Judah; Jonas, Hofea, and Amos, in Ifrael.

The Fifth Age of the World.

Jeroboam King of Ifrael (under whom that King- 2 Kings dom came to its full height of glory) dieth; after XIV. 29. his death all things fall into confufion, and the State is reduced to a plain Anarchy, which lafteth 11 years and an half; for fuch an interregnum or vacancy the Synchronism of Kings requires; that the fix months of Zachariah the fon of Jeroboam may anfwer the 38 years and one month of Shallum, who murder'd him the 39 year of Azariah, or Uzziah King of Judah.

Zachariah the fon of Jeroboam the 4th and laft XV. 8, of the race of Jehu (as was foretold) begins his reign over Ifrael in the the 38 year of Azariah or Uzziah King of Judah, and reigneth 6 months.

Shallum the fon of Jabefh, at the end of 6 months, murders him in the fight of the people, and reigns one month in the 39 year of Uzziah King of Judah. After Zachariah's death follow thofe direful calamities foretold by Amos the Prophet. Menahem the son of Gadi going from Tirzah to Samaria, killeth Shallum, wafteth Tiphfah and the borders thereof, and because the Town would not open to him, he takes it, and rips up all the women with child.

While Menahem in these broils labours to get the poffeffion of the Kingdom, Pul King of Affyria invadeth his country, to whom Menahem giveth 1000 Talents of filver, and afterwards reigneth quietly 10 years.

Pekahiah fucceedeth his father Menahem in the 50 year of Uzziah King of Judah, and reigneth 2 years.

Pekah, one of his captains, kills him in his own palace at Samaria, and reigneth zo years.

Jotham fucceedeth his Father Uzziah in the kingdom of Judah, at the age of 25 years, and reigneth 16 years in Jerufalem.

Ahaz fucceedeth his father Jotham in the 17 year of Pekah King of Ifrael, and reigneth 16 years. This year Rezin King of Syria, and Pekah King of Ifrael, are confederate against Judah, which strikes a great terrour into that Nation; but unto Ahaz, God by the Prophet Efay fends a gracious Ifa, VIL meffage, with a promife of deliverance; for a fign whereof (when the incredulous King, being bid to ask a fign, refufed to do it) God gives him the promife of Immanuel to be born of a Virgin. Rezin and Pekah, now lay fiege to Jerufalem, and therein to Ahaz, but are beaten off; Ahaz is no fooner deliver'd from his enemies, but he forfakes God his Deliverer, and falls to idolatry. Wherefore z Chron, God gives him over into the hands of the King of XXVIII. 2, Ifrael, who flays of the men of Judah 120000 in

one day, with a great many of the Nobility, and carrieth away 200000 captives; but thefe, by the advice of the Prophet Oded, are released and fent home.

Hofhea the fon of Elah, murders Pekah King of 2 Kings Ifrael, and gets the kingdom into his own hands; XV. 30. it is faid in the 20th year of Jotham, that is from the time that Jotham firft began to reign, which is the fame with the 4 of Ahaz his fon. Hofhea, by reafon of the tumults and diforders which enfued, cannot be faid to have reigned till 9 years after, the State continuing all that time in great confufions without any form of government.

Shalmanefer King of Affyria comes up against 2 Kings Hofhea, and makes him to ferve him, and pay him XVII. 3

tribute.

Hezekiah fucceedeth his father Ahaz in the king- XVIII. r. dom of Judah, he destroyeth Idolatry, and prof- 2 Chron. pers; he alfo celebrates a folemn Paffover, and XXIX, reigneth 29 years in Jerufalem; his father had made him, in the last year of his reign, his Affiftant in the Government.

XXX,

XXXI.

Hofhea King of Ifrael, having confulted with So. 2 Kings King of Egypt, refufeth to pay tribute to Shalma- XVII. 4 nefer; provoked hereby, and jealous of fome farther

defign in that conf

of Hofhea with the King

713.

XVIII.

Sennacherib King of Affyria coming up against 2 Kings Judah, beliegeth their fenced cities, and takes many of them, but is pacified by a tribute.

XX.

About this time Hezekiah falls fick, and is told 2 Kings by Ifaiah, that he fhall die; but pouring out his tears and prayers unto God, he recovereth his health, and obtaineth a prolongation of his life and kingdom for 15 years. For a fign whereof the fun XXXVIII. goes ten degrees backward,

Ifaiah

Sennacherib not obferving the articles of peace, 2 Kings 710. layeth fiege to Jerufalem, and fendeth a blafphemous

677.

letter to Hezekiah, which he opening and fpreading

XIX.

Ifaiah

before the Lord in the temple, with many tears, XXXVII. craves affistance from God against the Affyrians. Whereupon the Prophet Ifaiah affures him that God will deliver him, and defend that city. The selffame night an angel of the Lord flays 185000 men in the Affyrian Army; and the next morning Sennacherib departeth and returns to Nineve; where not long after, whilft he is worshipping in the houfe of Nifroch his God, he is flain by his own fons.

XXI.

2 Kings 2 Chron. XXXIII.

Manaffeth at 12 years of age fucceedeth his father 698. Hezekiah, and reigneth 55 years. He fets up Idolatry, and fheddeth much innocent blood. Wherefore God delivers him up into the hands of the Affyrians, who in the 22d year of his reign, carry him away captive to Babylon; but upon his repentance God reftores him to his liberty and kingdom. This year Nabuchodonofor King of Affyria pur- Judith pofing to make himself univerfal Monarch, fends Holofernes his General againft Judea, who layeth fiege to Bethulia, and there hath his head taken off by Judith a woman of the tribe of Simeon.

This year he giveth order for the repair of the Temple. Hilkiah the High-Prieft having found a book of the law, fends it to the King, who hears it read all over to him, and thereupon asketh counfel of Huldah the Prophetefs, who prophefieth the deftruction of Jerufalem, but not in his days. Jofiah calleth to him the Elders of Judah and Je- 2 Kings rufalem, with the Priests and Prophets, caufeth the XXIII. book of the law to be read over before all the People, and reneweth the Covenant between God and his People; he burneth alfo dead mens bones upon the altar at Bethel, as was foretold; and keepeth a XXXIV. 2 Chron. moft folemn Paffover. At this time a war breaks out between the King 2 Kings of Egypt and the King of Affyria, Jofiah unadvi- XXIII. fedly engageth in this war against Necho King of Egypt, and is flain in the valley of Megiddo. The good King being thus taken out of the world, whose life only kept off the Babylonifh Captivity from that nation, not only the People then living bewail'd his Zechar. death, but even in after time, a publick mourning XII. 11. for him was kept. The Prophet Jeremy alfo in remembrance thereof, compofeth his lamentations, wherein bewailling the calamities which were shortly to befal that people, as prefent before his eyes, in a moft compaffionate manner he points, as it were with his finger, at the death of Jofiah, as the fource Lam. IV. and original of all thofe enfuing miferies.

After the death of Jofiah, the people anoint Shallum, one of his younger fons, to be their King. After three months reign, he is depofed by Pharaoh Necho, who makes Eliakim his elder brother King over Judah and Jerufalem, and changes his name into fehoiakim; but Jehoahaz he carries along with

29.

2 Chron. XXXV.

25.

20.

2 Kings XXIII.

2 Chron. XXXVI.

This year is Nebuchadnezzar the great made by XXV. 1. his father Nebopolazzer, his affociate in the kingdom of Affyria and Babylon, into whofe hands God delivers up Jehoiakim, who is put in chains to be 2 Chron. carried to Babylon, but upon his fubmiffion, and XXXVI. promises of obedience, is left in his own house, where he lives a fervant to Nebuchadnezzar 3 years. From which entring of the King and People of the Jews into the fubjection and Service of Nebuchad- XXV. II. nezzar, are the 70 years of the captivity of Babylon XXIX. 10. to be reckon'd, which were foretold by the Prophet Jeremy.

Nebuchadnezzar gives order to Afhpenaz, mafter Dan. I. 3,7. of the Eunuchs, that he fhail carry from thence of the children of Ifrael, both of the blood-royal, (as was foretold by the Prophet Efay to Hezekiah) and alfo of the Nobility, the choiceft Youths both for beauty and wit that he can find; who being educated three years in the Language and Sciences of the Chaldeans, may afterwards be fit to ferve the King in his Palace; among whom, of the tribe of Judah, are Daniel, called Beltefhazzar; Hananiah, called Shadrach; Mifhael, called Meshach; and Azariah, called Abednego. Their names being thus changed by the mafter of the Eunuchs.

XXXVI.

Whilft Nebuchadnezzar pursues his victories over the King of Egypt, his Father dies, which coming to his knowledge, he gives order for the bringing away the captives, and pofts with a fmall company the neareft way to Babylon, where he is received as the lawful Succeffor to his Father's Dominions. He caufeth to be brought to Babylon what he thinks Dan. I. 2. fit of the veffels and furniture of the Temple, and 2 Chron. placeth them in the house of his God, viz. Belus.. Jehoiakim having lived 3 years in fubjection to the King of Babylon, falls off and rebels against him. This year (being the fecond of Nebuchadnezzar's Dan. II. reign, taking it as it begun at his Fathers death) Daniel recovers Nebuchadnezzar's dream, and interprets it to betoken the four chief Monarchies ; whereupon he and his companions are highly advanced.

7.

2 Kings XXIV. 1.

2 Kings XXIV. 2.

Jerem.

Nebuchadnezzar fends an army consisting of Chaldeans, Syrians, Moabites and Ammonites, against Jehoiakim; these waste the whole country of Judea, and carry away from thence 3023 captives: Jehoiakim alfo is taken prifoner; whom they put to death, cause his carcafe to be drawn out at the XXII. 18. gate of Jerufalem (as was foretold by the Prophet Jeremiah) and leave it without the walls unburied. Jehoiachin (called alfo Conias and Jeconias) at 18 years of age fucceeds his Father Jehoiakim, and reigns three months in Jerufalem.

Ne

XXXVI.

30.

12 Kings XXIV. 8.

2 Chron. XXXVI.

9.

Ifaiah XXXIX.

6.

Jerem. XXXIV. 1? Ezekiel

Against him Nebuchadnezzar leads an Army, and befiegeth Jerufalem; Jehoiachin with all his Kindred and Courtiers, come out to meet him. buchadnezzar makes them all prifoners, enters Jerufalem, and takes all the Treafure he can find in the Temple, and the King's Palace, breaking in pieces all the veffels of Gold, and Furniture which Solomon had made for the Temple; he carrieth away captive to Babylon, the King, his Mother, Wives, Courtiers, Magistrates, and 1000 able men out of Jerufalem, leaving none behind but the poorer fort of people, and out of the country round about, he carries alfo away 8000 Artificers; among the Captives are Mordecai, and Ezekiel the Prieft; Ezekiel therefore in his Prophecy reckons the time I. 2, 3. all along from the beginning of this captivity. An Epiftle, faid to be Jeremiahs, is now fent to the Captives, admonishing them to beware of the Idolatry which they fhall fee in Babylon. Nebuchadnezzar before his departure from Jeru- 2 Kings falem, makes Mattaniah, Jehoiachins fathers brother, King, changing his name into Zedekiah.

XVII. 12.

Baruc.

VI.

XXIV.

17.

Zedekiah, beginning his reign at 21 years of age, 2 Chron. reigneth 11 years he by rebelling against Nebu- XXXVI.