1206.

1188.

3187.

1182.

Tolah the fon of Puah, after Abimelech, judgeth Judg. X. Ifrael 23 years.

Jair the Gileadite fucceeds Tolah, and judgeth Ifrael 22 years.

The Ifraelites forfaking again the true God, fall to worship the Gods of feveral nations, and are given up into the hands of the Philiftines and Ammonites; which fifth thraldom lafteth 18 years. Upon their repentance and abandoning their Idols, at length they obtain mercy.

1, 2,

3,

15.

XI.

Jephtha the Gileadite being made captain of the hoft of Ifrael, fubdues the Ammonites; before the battle he vows his daughter unawares to be offer'd in facrifice, and afterwards performs it. He puts to the fword 42000 Ephraimites, who had beha- XII. 6, ved themselves infolently against him, and judgeth Ifrael 6 years.

Ibzan the Bethlemite fucceeds Jephtha, and judgeth Ifrael 7 years.

8,

3175.

Elon the Zebulonite fucceeds Ibzan, and judgeth Ifrael 10 years.

II,

1164.

13.

1156.

1155.

1137.

1136.

1117.

1116.

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

1 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 harveft-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 Philiftines 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 flays 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.

XV.

Samfon is betrayed by Delilah his concubine, XVI. bereaved of the hair of his Nazaritefhip, and deliver'd to the Philiftines; who put out his eyes, and bind him with chains of brafs. 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 Philiftines, 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 Philiftines 20 years.

The Philistines having brought the Ark into Afhdod, fet it in the houfe of Dagon their God. 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 Philistines, who are fubdued, the hand of the Lord being against them all the days of Samuel.

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 Amorites, and the fiege raised by Saul; whereupon the whole congregation of Ifrael coming together at Gilgal, again proclaim Saul King.

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

I Sam. V.

VI.

VII.

13.

VIII.

Hofea

XIII. 10.

XI. 12. I Sam.

XVII.

12.

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 Achifh.

XXIV.

XXVI. XXVII.

Achifh purpofing to make war upon the Ifraeli- XXVIII. tes, takes David along with him in that expedition,

to whom whilft he is upon his march with his 600 1 Chron, men, repair a great many others of the tribe of Manaffes, and joyn with him.

XII.

Saul feeing the Army of the Philiftines, 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 Philistines 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. I. 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 his fon, in a funeral fong. David having askt coun- 2 Sam. II,

fel

1048.

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.

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 stronger.

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.

1047,

1045.

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.

1044

1035.

1034.

1033.

1032.

1030.

1027.

1025.

1024

22.

Baanah and Rechab murther their Lord and IV. 2. Mafter Ishbofheth, as he lieth refting himself upon his bed. They bring his head to David, who in deteftation of their Treafon, caufeth them immediately to be put to death.

V.

The captains and elders of all the Tribes coming to Hebron, anoint David a third time, and make 1 Chron. him King over all Ifrael. XI.

David with all Ifrael marcheth to Jerusalem a- 2 Sam. V. gainst the Jebufites, and taketh the fort of Zion, 5, 6, 7, 9. and calls it the city of David, and making Jerufalem the feat of his Kingdom, reigneth there over all Ifrael thirty three years.

VI.

The Ark of the Covenant, which in the first Sabbatical year, was brought from Gilgal to Shilo, I Chron. is this year, being alfo a Sabbatical year, brought XVI. from Kirjath-jearim out of the houfe of Abinadab, 2 Chron. and placed at Zion; 30000 choife men of Ifrael I. 4. attending it, and finging the 68 Pfalm.

2 Sam. VII.

XXII.

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 purpose 1 Chron. of building a houfe for God, but is anfwer'd from XVII. 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 fpent 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 utmost 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 eafe at Jerufalem, and there commits adultery with Bathfheba 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.

18.

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 house.

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 Abilhag, a young virgin, is appointed to keep him warm. Adonjah feeing his father thus declining, by the affiftance of Joab and Abiathar, makes himself King, which David understanding, he prefently 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.

975.

David having given inftructions to his fon Solomon, dieth; after he had reigned in Hebron seven years and fix months, and 33 years in Jerufalem over all Ifrael.

I Kings XIV. 21. 1 Kings I.

II.

Solomons Temple finished in the Eleventh year 1 Kings of his reign; having been seven years and an half 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 V. VI. 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 aflemble 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 answer, 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 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.

1 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, thofe whom Jeroboam had made of the lowest of the people ) that ferved at it. Which prophecy then and there

is confirm'd by figns and wonders upon the King himfelf, and upon the altar.

XV.

2 Chron.

Shifhak King of Egypt fpoileth Jerufalem and 1 Kings 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. XII. Abijam the fon of Rehoboam fucceeds his father 1 Kings in the Kingdom of Judah, and reigns three years. He obtains a great victory over Jeroboam, killeth sooooo 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 Iffachar, 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.

XIII.

1 Kings XV. 8,

25.

27.

Afa deftroyeth Idolatry, and enjoying Ten years 2 Chrom of peace, ftrengthens his Kingdom with Forts, and a ftanding Army.

:

XIV.

XV.

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.

1 Kings

XVI. 6,

8.

27,

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 22, the 31 year of Afa.

Omri having reigned fix years in Tirzah, remo- 23, 24. ves the feat of his Kingdom to Samaria, a place which he himself had built.

Ahab fucceeds his father in the Kingdom of Ifrael, and reigneth 22 years in Samaria. He did evil in the fight of the Lord, above all that were before him.

899.

The Fifth Age of the World.

The Year before Chrift. him his vineyards, falls fick upon it; Jezebel his wife XXI. fuborning falfe witneffes to accufe him of blafphemy, caufeth Naboth to be stoned, 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.

896.

1892.

889.

888.

885.

884.

Ahab in the feventeenth year of the reign of Je- XXII. 51. hofaphat, maketh his fon Áhaziah his affociate in the government of his kingdom.

Jehofaphat alfo maketh Jehoram his fon copartner 2 Kings with him; whence it is, that Jehoram the fon of III. I. 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 fehofaphat to affift him in the 1 Kings fiege of Ramoth-gilead, before he goes, he asketh XXII counsel of 400 falfe prophets, who promife him 2 Chron. victory and fuccefs; but by Jehofaphat's advice, XVIII. 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 VIII. 2. 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 fhall not come down from his bed alive. So Ahaziah dieth, having 1 Kings govern'd (partly by himself, and partly together with XXII. his father) two years.

Jehoram fucceedeth his brother Ahaziah in the 2 Kings Kingdom of Ifrael, in the latter end of the eigh- III. I teenth year of Jehofaphat, and reigneth twelve years.

Elijah is taken up into Heaven in a fiery chariot. II. 11. Jehofaphat grown old, gives to his fons many 2 Chron. gifts with fenced cities in Judea; but his eldest fon XXI. 2, 30 Jehoram he now more abfolutely investeth in the 2 Kings throne of the Kingdom, in the fifth year of Jehoram VIII. 16. King of Ifrael.

Jehoram now by the death of his father, has the 2 Chron. Kingdom of Judah to himself which he holds four XXI. 4, 5 years. He is no fooner fettled in his throne, but he puts all his brethren to the fword, with many

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 fore- XXVII. told 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 counsel 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 2 Kings 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 Benhadad in the kingdom of Syria; Jehoram is dangerously wounded, and retires himself to Jezreel to be cured. In the mean time Elisha 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 window.

X.

Chrift. where he is eaten by dogs. He difpatcheth letters 2 Kings allo to Samaria, and caufeth 70 of Ahabs children 114. to be beheaded. Then taking with him Jehonadab the fon of Rechab, he comes himfelf 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.

Jehu proceeds farther, and executeth the divine vengeance upon the idolatrous houfe of Judah, he purlues 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 flain.

857.

IX.

a Kinga 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 reft of the blood-royal.

Jehoiada the High-Priest brings out Jehoash, now feven years old, and anoints him King; caufeth 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-Prieft.

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 exercifeth all thofe cruelties upon the Ifraelites which Elisha the Prophet had foretold.

2 Kings XI.

2 Chron. XXIII

841. Jehoafh the fon of Jehoahaz King of Ifrael, is XIII. 10. taken into the confortihip of that kingdom by his father, in the 37 year of Jehoah King of Judah, and reigneth 16 years.

840.

2 Kings

XII. 20. XIII.

Zechariah the fon of Jehoiada the High-Prieft, 2 Chron. for reproving the people of Judah that fall to ido- XXIV. latry after the deceafe of Jehoiada, is stoned to death in the court of the houfe 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. 839. Jehoahaz dieth, and Jehoafh his fon fucceedeth in the kingdom of Ifrael. Not long after his father's funeral, he vifits Elisha 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 confortfhip of the kingdom of Ifrael by his father Jehoafh, 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.

Jehoafh dies is years before Amaziah, and Jero- 2 Kings boam the fecond his fon reigneth in Samaria 41 years. Amaziah finding a confpiracy against him at Jerufalem, flies to Lachish, where he is murther'd; after whom comes his fon.

Uzziah or Azariah, in the 27 year of Jeroboam the fecond, he reigneth 52 years in Jerufalem. Now is held the 13th Jubile under the two moft furishing Kings; in whofe times live fundry great Prophets in both kingdoms; Ifaiah and Joel in Judah, Jonas, Hofea, and Amos, in Ifrael.

XIV. 23.

XIV.

2 Chron.

XXV.

2 Kings

XV.

Jeroboam King of Ifrael (under whom that King- 2 Kings dom came to its full height of glory) dieth; after XIV. 29his death all things fall into confufion, and the State is reduced to a plain Anarchy, which lafteth II years and an half; for fuch an interregnum or vacancy the Synchronism of Kings requires; that the fix months of Zachariah the son 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.

Menahem the son of Gadi going from Tirzah to Samaria, killeth Shallum, wafteth Tiphfah and the XV. 14› 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 z years.

Pekah, one of his captains, kills him in his own palace at Samaria, and reigneth 20 years.

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

Jotham fubdues the Ammonites, and makes them tributary for 3 years. Under him and his two fucceffors, the Prophets Micah and Hofea execute their Prophetical Office. About this time lived the Prophet Nahum, and prophefied the destruction of Ni

Ahaz fucceedeth his father Jotham in the 17 year 2 Kings 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 ftrikes 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, refused 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 2 Chron. God gives him over into the hands of the King of XXVIII. 3 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 sent 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 first 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 againft 2 Kings Hofhea, and makes him to ferve him, and pay him XVII. 3

tribute.

Hezekiah fucceedeth his father Ahaz in the king- XVIII. 1. dom of Judah, he deftroyeth Idolatry, and prof- 2 Chron. pers; he alfo celebrates a folemn Paffover, and XXIX, reigneth 29 years in Jerufalem; his father had made XXX, him, in the last year of his reign, his Affiftant in. XXXI. the Government.

Hofhea King of Ifrael, having confulted with So z Kings King of Egypt, refufeth to pay tribute to Shalma XVII. nefer; provoked hereby, and jealous of fome farther defign in that confederacy of Hofhea with the King b 3

of

The Year

before Chrift. 724. 721.

713.

710.

698.

677.

556.

643.

641.

·630.

624.

$10.

of Egypt, Shalmanefer layeth fiege to Samaria, and towards the latter end of the third year, taketh it, and carrieth away the Ifraelites captive into his own country. This was the end of the Kingdom of Ifrael, when it had stood divided from the kingdom of Judah 254 years.

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

The Year

before Christ. 610.

About this time Hezekiah falls fick, and is told 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 layeth fiege to Jerusalem, and sendeth a blasphemous letter to Hezekiah, which he opening and spreading

XIX.

Ifaiah

before the Lord in the temple, with many tears, XXXVII. craves afliftance 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.

2 Kings

XXI.

2 Chron. XXXIII.

Manaffeth at 12 years of age fucceedeth his father Hezekiah, and reigneth 55 years. He fets up Idolatry, and fheddeth much innocent blood. Where fore 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 tance God reftores him to his liberty and kingdom. repenThis year Nabuchodonofor King of Affyria pur- Judith pofing to make himself univerfal Monarch, fends Holofernes his General against Judea, who layeth fiege to Bethulia, and there hath his head taken off by Judith a woman of the tribe of Simeon,

Amon, aged 22 years, fucceedeth his father Manaffeh, and reigneth two years. An Idolater indeed as his father, but no penitent; he is murdered by his own fervants.

Jofiah, a child of 8 years old, fucceedeth his father Amon, and reigneth 31 years. In his time lived Jeremiah, and Zephaniah the Prophets, and Huldah the Prophetess.

In the 12 year of his reign he begins a reformation in Judah and Jerufalem, and carries it on fuccessfully.

XIII.

XXI. 19. 2 Kings 2 Chron.

XXXIII.

21, 22. 2 Kings XXII. 1.

XXXIV.

2 Chron.

This year he giveth order for the repair of the Temple. Hilkiah the High-Priest 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 Jerufalem, 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

2 Kings

his People; he burneth alfo dead mens bones upon 2 Chron. the altar at Bethel, as was foretold; and keepeth a XXXIV. moft folemn Paflover.

29.

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 Babylonish 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 present before his eyes, in a moft compaffionate manner he points, as it were with his finger, at the death of Jofiah, as the fource and original of all thofe enfuing miferies.

605.

605.

600.

$99.

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. promifes 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.

Jerem.

Ifaiah

7.

Nebuchadnezzar gives order to Afhpenaz, mafter Dan. I. 3,7. of the Eunuchs, that he fhall 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 XXXIX. 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 Belteshazzar; Hananiah, called Shadrach; Mihael, called Methach; and Azariah, called Abednego. Their names being thus changed by the mafter of the Eunuchs.

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 posts with a small company the nearest way to Babylon, where he is received as the lawful Succeffor to his Father's Dominions.

Nebuchadnezzar fends an army confifting of Chaldeans, Syrians, Moabites and Ammonites, against Jehoiakim; these wafte the whole country of Judea, and carry away from thence 3023 captives: Jehoiakim alfo is taken prisoner; whom they put to death, caufe his carcafe to be drawn out at the 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. Against him Nebuchadnezzar leads an Army, and XXXVI. befiegeth Jerufalem; Jehoiachin with all his Kindred and Courtiers, come out to meet him. Nebuchadnezzar makes them all prifoners, enters Jerufalem, and takes all the Treasure 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 XXXIX. away captive to Babylon, the King, his Mother, Wives, Courtiers, Magiftrates, 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 Priest; 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 shall fee in Babylon.