tion; and is said to be most obstinate in || the harvest-season. Its common cure is a vomit of ipecacuanha, and afterwards repeated doses of the Jesuits' bark. A burning ague is one of the most terrible kind, Lev. xxvi. 16.

rudely charged him as a troubler of Israel. The prophet replied, that he himself and family, in forsaking the true God, and following Baalim, had brought these judgments upon the people. He required Ahab to asAGUR, the son of Jakeh, is ima- semble the Israelites, and all the gined by some to be Solomon: but prophets of Baal, to mount Carmel. Solomon had no reason thus to dis- It was done; and Elijah having, by guise his name; nor could he pray the descent of fire from heaven to against riches; nor is his stile and consume his sacrifice, demonstrated manner of writing similar to Agur's; JEHOVAH, not Baal to be the true who, under inspiration, uttered the God, ordered the people to slay the xxxth chapter of the Proverbs to his prophets of Baal to the number of two friends Ithiel and Ucal. In it he 450: and quickly after, by his prayprofesseth his great ignorance of the ers procured an abundance of rain, unsearchable greatness and marvel-1 Kings xvi. 29-34. and xvii. xviii. lous works of God; his esteem of About A. M. 3103, Benhadad king God's word, and desire of a mode-of Syria, who besieged Samaria with rate share of worldly things: hea powerful host, sent Ahab a mesmentions four kinds of persons very wicked; four things insatiable; four things wonderful; four small, but wise; and four comely in going, Prov. xxx.

AH, ALAS. It generally expresses great distress and sorrow, Jer. xxii. 18; but in Psal. xxxv. 25. and Isa. i. 24. it signifies the same as

AHA, which denotes contempt; derision; insult, Psal. xxxv. 21.

sage, importing, that his whole silver, gold, wives, and children, were his property. Ahab immediately consented. By a second message, Benhadad ordered him to deliver up his silver, gold, wives, and children; and threatened that, upon the morrow after, he would send his servants to plunder the city and palace of every thing valuable. The elders and people dissuaded Ahab from hearkening AHAB, the son and successor of to this. Hearing of the refusal, BenOMRI. He began his reign over Is-hadad outrageously swore, that his Fael, A. M. 3086, and reigned 22 troops should ere long demolish Samayears. In impiety he far exceeded ria till not a vestige was left. Offended all the kings of Israel. He married with the Syrian pride, God by a proJezebel the daughter of Ethbaal kingphet, instructed Ahab in his meaof Zidon, who introduced the whole sures, and assured him of victory. abominations and idols of her country, Ahab ordered his small army of 7000, Bual and Ashtaroth; and vigorously with 232 pages, or young noblemen, prompted her husband to every thing at their head, to march out of the city horrid. To punish their wickedness, at noon-tide. Benhadad ordered his God, by the prophet Elijah, first troops to bring the young commandthreatened, and then sent above three ers directly to him, whatever they years of continued drought; a terri- intended; but the Hebrew host still ble famine ensued, Charging this to advanced, and killed all that opposed the account of the prophet, Ahab them. Benhaded and his army were sought for him in his own and the intirely routed, and left a prodigious kingdoms adjacent, to murder him. booty. This victory was gained by At last Elijah, by means of Obadiah raw and unexperienced commanda courtier, informed Ahab where heers, that it might appear wholly of vas, Ahab hasted to the spot, and God.

The prophet informed Ahab, that|| Ahab went and took possession of his Benhadad would invade his kingdom vineyard. In his return home to next spring; and advised him to take Samaria, Elijah met him, and dihecd to his steps. The invasion took vinely assured him, that for his murplace with a powerful host. Ahab, der of Naboth, and seizing of his assured of victory by the prophet, vineyard, dogs should lick his blood drew up his small army seven days on the spot where, or because, they successively before the Syrians, and had licked Naboth's: that Jezebel on the last gave them battle. An his wife should be eaten of dogs by hundred thousand Syrians were kill- the wall of Jezreel: and the rest of ed on the spct. The rest fled to his family have their carcases deAphek, where the walls, overturned voured by the dogs in the city, or by an earthquake, killed 27,000 more. wild beasts and fowls without it. Benhadad threw himself on the mer- Terrified with this prediction, Ahab cy of Ahab, and was kindly received. rent his clothes, put on sackcloth, and An agreement was made, on condi- mourned for his conduct. To reward tion that Ahab should have all the his repentance, though not evangelic, cities restored that had been taken God deferred the full execution of from him and his father; and that the stroke till after his death, in the Ahab should be allowed to make, for reign of Jehoram his son; and perhis own use, streets, market-places, or haps altered some circumstances rather citadels, in Damascus. This thereof, 1 Kings xxi. kindness to an horrid blasphemer and murderer, whom Providence had put it in Ahab's power to slay, greatly provoked the Lord. A prophet, as he returned home, assured him, that since he had suffered Benhadad to escape, his life should go for his life, and his people for his. Ahab was at first considerably vexed; but the impression of the prophet's words quick-ed, whether the Lord would favour ly wore off, 1 Kings xx.

A. M. 3107, Benhadad not fulfilling his treaty in restoring to Israel their property, Ahab prepared to retake Ramoth-Gilead, a strong city near the south-east confines of Syria, by force. Jehoshaphat happened just then to pay a visit to Ahab, and consented to assist him; but desired that some prophet might be first consult

the attempt. Four hundred prophets of Baal were consulted. They, as with one voice, assured the kings, that the Lord would deliver the city into their hand. Suspecting their fraud, Jehoshaphat inquired for a prophet of the true God. Ahab informed him of one Micaiah; ' But said he, I hate him, for he always

Intending to make himself a kitchen-garden, hard by his palace in Jezreel, Ahab demanded of Naboth to sell him his vineyard, or exchange it for a better. Naboth absolutely refused to violate the divine law in an unnecessary alienation of the inheritance of his fathers. Stung with this refusal, Ahab went home greatly prophecies evil concerning me.'displeased, threw himself on his bed, Being sent for at Jehoshaphat's inand would eat nothing. Informed of stance, and consulted, he bade Ahab the cause of his disorder, Jezebel, to go up to Ramoth-Gilead, and proscomfort him, assured him, that she per. Ahab, discerning the ironical would quickly put him into the pos-air wherewith he spake, adjured him session of Naboth's vineyard. By to tell nothing but truth. Micaiah issuing forth orders to the elders of then seriously assured him, that his the city, and suborning false wit-army should be scattered, and return nesses against Naboth, she got him without him as their head; and that, murdered, as guilty of blasphemy by the divine permission, a lying spiand treason. Informed of his death, rit had seduced his false prophets to

entice him to go up and perish in the syrian empire, and ruin the city of attempt. Enraged hereat, Ahab or- Nineveh. He succeeded his father dered Micaiah to prison, and there to on the Median throne, and reigned continue half-starved till himself || 35 years; but did nothing of impor should return in peace. Micaiah re-tance, besides repulsing an inroad plied, that if ever the Lord spake by which Evilmerodach king of Babyhim, he should never return in peace. Ion made on his territories. He died To avoid his predicted exit, Ahab || A. M. 3444, leaving children, Darius treacherously persuaded Jehoshaphat the Mede his successor, and Mandane to put on royal apparel, while himself the mother of Cyrus.

scarce mounted the throne, when the
Samaritans requested him to put a
stop to the rebuilding of the temple
at Jerusalem. He did not and per-
haps could not, formally revoke the
decree of his father. The building,
however, was stopt during his reign.
He was notable for nothing but vio-
lence, foolishness, and cruelty. His
fits of passion often hurried him into
downright madness. In the second
year of his reign he entered Egypt;
reduced the revolters; wasted their

went to the field of battle in disguise. 2. AHASUERUs, or Cambyses, king
In consequence of this all the Syrian of Persia. He succeeded his father
captains, as directed by their master,|| CYRUS, A. M. 3475, and reigned se-
set upon Jehoshaphat, suspectingven years and five months. He had
him to be Ahab. At last God deli-
vered Jehoshaphat; but Ahab, not-
withstanding his precaution, met
with his fate. A Syrian shot a ran-
dom arrow, which, entering by the
joints of his harness, pierced him to
the heart; and made him order his
charioteer to carry him out of the
host, for he was sorely wounded. The
battle continued, and Ahab, bleeding
in his chariot, faced the enemy till
night, and then died. His army were
immediately warned to diperse and
shift for themselves. Ahab was car-country; killed their sacred ox; and
ried to Samaria in his chariot, and
buried. His chariot and armour be-
ing washed in the pool, the dogs
licked up his blood; and his son
Ahaziah reigned in his stead, 1tempt to invade Ethiopia; and daily
Kings xxii.

carried off thousands of their idols.
Here he continued five years, and ru-
ined a great part of his army in the
dry desarts of Lybia, in his mad at-

sacrificed some principal Persians to
his fury, his own brother and sister
not excepted. Informed that Pati-
zithes the Magus, whom he had left

2. АHAB, the son of Kolaiah, and ZEDEKIAH, the son of Maaseiah, were two false prophets, who about A. M. 3406, seduced the Jewish cap-to govern Persia in his absence, had tives at Babylon with hopes of a speedy deliverance; and stirred them up against JEREMIAH. The Lord threatened them with a public and ignominious death before such as they had deceived; and that there names should become a curse: men wishing their foes might be made like Ahab and Zedekiah, whom Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon roasted in the fire, Jer. xxix. 21, 22.

placed his own brother Smerdis on the throne, pretending he was Smerdis the brother of Cambyses, he hastened to his kingdom. It is said, he wreaked his fury on the Jewish nation as he passed their territories. Near mount Carmel he mounted his horse with such precipitant rage, that his sword dropt from its scabbard and deperately wounded his thigh. The wound appearing to be mortal, CamAHASUERUS, or Astyages, the byses convened his principal nobles, Mede, Dan. ix. 1. He was the son and informed them that his brother of the brave Cyaxares, who assisted Smerdis had been murdered by his Nebuchadnezzar to overturn the As-orders; and begged that they would VOL. I.

G

AHASUERUS, if Darius Hystaspis, was a Persian of royal blood, a des

not suffer the Magian impostor to || his cousin Esther could be so young translate the government to the as to attract the king's affection, above Medes; and quickly after expired. all the fine beauties of Persia! We That Cambyses is the Ahasuerus, are therefore obliged to accede to the and Smerdis Magus the Artaxerxes sentiment of the great Usher, Calof scripture, who hindered the re- met, &c. that his Ahasuerus was building of the temple, is sufficiently Darius Hystaspis. He, first of the plain. None but these ruled in Per- Persian kings, reigned from India to sia betwixt Cyrus, who gave the edict Ethiopia above Egypt; and was noted for building, and Darius who renewed for his imposition of tributes, and it, Ezra iv. 6, 7. hoarding of money, Esth. i. 1. and x. 1. 3. AHASUERUS, the husband of We should even reckon him too late, Esther. Who he was is not univer- could we possibly fix upon any before sally agreed Scaliger, Gil, and him. ATOSSA, the name of his beothers, will have him to be Xerxes, loved wife is easily formed from HAthe fourth king of Persia after Cyrus: DASSAH, the Hebrew designation of his wife Amestris, they suppose to Esther. Herodotus might very easi have been the very same with Est-ly be mistaken concerning her lineher; and that the report of her cru-age, when she so long concealed it elty took rise from her concern in the herself; and the Persians could hardexecution of Haman and his sons, ly fail to challenge her as one of their and the death of the 70,000 opposers,|| royal blood, rather than assign her to who were slain by the Jews in their the contemptible Jews. own defence. The authors of the Universal History, Prideaux, and others will have him to be Artaxer-cendant of Achæmenes, and an attenxes Longimanus, the son of Xerxes, who greatly favoured the Jews, particularly in the seventh year of his reign, &c. Ezra vii. Neh. i. and ii; with Esth. ii. 16; and indeed Josephus calls him by this name. The seventy interpreters, and the apocry-fore sun-rising; and that he whose phal additions to Esther, constantly call him Artaxerxes. Atossa the beloved wife of Darius Hystaspis, according to Herodotus was never divorced, but lived with him till his death; both she and Aristone, his next beloved wife, were the daughters of Cyrus. These hints would effectually command our assent, if we did not remember that Artaxerxes began his reign A. M. 3548: the seventh year of it, when Esther was taken to his bed, behoved to be A. M. 3555; betwixt which and A. M. 3405, when Mordecai was carried captive to Babylon with king Jehoiachin, (Esth. ii. 5.) is an interval of 150 years. How incredible that he should be then alive, or capable to manage the affairs of a large empire! How improbable that

dant of Cyrus in his warlike expeditions. Soon after the death of Cambyses, he and other six Persian lords killed Smerdis the usurper. They agreed to meet next morning on horse-back, at an appointed place, be

horse should neigh first should be acknowledged king by the rest. Hearing of this agreement, Darius' groom caused his master's horse to cover a mare in the place by night. The conspirators no sooner met next morning, than Darius' stallion neighed for his mare. The rest immediately alighted, and acknowledged Darius their sovereign, A. M. 3483. To fortify his royal claim, he, according to Herodotus, espoused Atossa the daughter of Cyrus, who had been first married to her brother Cambyses, and afterward to Smerdis the usurper, and Aristone her sister. In the second year of his reign, the Jews, encouraged by the prophets Haggai and Zechariah, resumed the rebuilding of their temple. The Samaritan governors, by means

ted to his bed. None of them pleased him equally with Esther the Jew.She was made queen in the 7th year of his reign. Whether his fruitless expedition into Scythia happened during the purification of the women, or afterward, we know not.

of whom the work had suffered about nine years interruption, demanded their warrant. The Jews referred them to the edict of Cyrus. The governors informed Darius hereof, and begged he would inquire if such an edict was ever granted, and return them his orders. Upon search, the No sooner was Esther made queen, edict was found at ACHMETHA, a-than Bigthan and Teresh, two of his mong other ancient records. Darius chamberlains, resolved to murder the confirmed it, and ordered his Sama-king; disgusted perhaps with his ritan governors to assist the Jews if treatment of Vashti. Mordecai innecessary, and to furnish them with every thing needful for sacrifice; and he devoted to ignominious death and ruin the persons who should refuse to obey, Ezra v. and vi.

formed against them; the crime was proven, and the traitors were hanged. Just after, Ahasuerus made HAMAN his chief minister of state: he, enraged that Mordecai denied him the When his empire, containing 127 honours he desired, obtained an edict, provinces, and extending from India to have the whole Jewish nation cut to African Ethiopia, was fully esta-off in one day, and their estates conblished, and his new palace of Shu-fiscated to the king. To prevent the shan finished, he made a very splen-execution, Esther, advised by Mordid entertainment for his nobles. It decai, risked her life, in approaching lasted six months; at the end of the royal presence uncalled. Melted which, he made a feast of seven days with affection, Ahasuerus held out to for all the people of Shushan. His her his golden sceptre, as a token queen VASHTI, at the same time, that her life was in no danger; and feasted the ladies and other women asked her request. She only invited in the like splendid manner. Upon him and Haman to a splendid treat. the 7th day, Ahasuerus warmed with At the banquet, he again offered her wine, and gayer than usual, ordered whatever she asked, to the half of his his principal eunuchs, Mehuman, kingdom. She only begged they Biztha, Harbona, Bigtha, Abagtha, would come to-morrow to a second Zethar, and Carcas, to bring queen entertainment. That very night the Vashti to the assembly of the men, king could take no sieep: he therefor the display of her charms. She fore ordered the records of the emrefused to obey. Enraged hereat, pire to be read to him. The reader Ahasuerus, by the advice of Memu-happened on the passage of Mordecan, and his other six counsellors, cai's information against the treachegave Vashti an irrevocable divorce. rous chamberlains. Finding, that A war with the revolting BABYLO- Mordecai had hitherto been neglectNIANS, which issued in the ruin ofed, the king resolved now to reward most of them, and the reduction of him. Haman, who had just entered their walls, employed his thoughts the palace to ask leave to hang Morfor above two years. He now hear-decai on the gallows which he had tily repented of his rash divorcement of Vashti. His servants advised him to search out all the fine virgins of his vast empire, and choose whom he pleased to be her successor. The virgins were collected at Shushan; and after a year's preparation, with fine spices, were in their turn admit

prepared, was called in, and asked what was proper to be done to the man the king delighted to honour? Haman, expecting the honour was intended for himself, advised, that the man should be dressed in the royal robes; crowned with the royal diadem; mounted on the king's