That very day, at Esther's banquet, the king, for the third time, offerca to grant her whatever she would request, to the half of his kingdom. She then begged he would interpose for the life of herself and her people; || as, to the king's hurt, they were sold to be murdered. Informed, that Haman was the manager of this horrid scene, Ahasuerus flew out in a rage and went to his garden. Returning in a little, he found Haman at the feet of Queen Esther begging his life. His passion, it seems, made him imagine Haman had intended to force the queen on the bed whereon she sat at the banquet: he therefore ordered his face to be covered, as a signal of death. One of the pages present informed Ahasuerus, that Haman had in his house a gallows prepared to hang Mordecai, the preserver of the king's life. Ahasuerus ordered Haman himself to be hanged thereon; and gave Haman's whole power and honours to Mordecai; and though, according to the Persian law, he could not revoke the decree against the Jewish nation, he allowed Mordecai and Esther to write to all the provinces, that the Jews should stand up in their own defence; and in such manner as tended to discourage the Heathen from attempting the massacre, Esth. i. to ix.

Soon after Mordecai became his chief minister, Ahasuerus laid a tax on his inland territories, and on that part of Lesser Asia, and the islands, which belonged to him. About A. M. 3495, he invaded India, and obliged the inhabitants to pay him yearly 365 talents of silver. He had a

||

great deal of bickering with the Greeks in Lesser Asia, and with the Athenians and others in Europe, which generally issued to his loss and disgrace. A little before his death, the Egyptians revolted from his yoke. He died A. M. 3519, after a reign of 36 years; and was succeeded by Xerxes his son.

AHAVA, some petty river of Chaldea, or rather Assyria. Here Ezra, with his attendant Jews, observed a solemn fast, for direction and success in their return to Judea, Ezra viii. 15—21.

AHAZ, the son of Jotham, king of Judah. About the 10th year of his age, he espoused Abijah the daughter of Zechariah by whom he had his son Hezekiah about a year after. At twenty years of age, Ahaz fell heir to the crown, A. M. 3265, and reigned 16 years. In imitation of the kings of Israel, he abandoned himself to the most abominable idolatries. One of his sons he sacrificed to the idol Moloch; and, perhaps, caused the rest to pass through the fire for lustration. He did not merely connive at the people's offering of sacrifices in high places, as sundry of his predecessors had done, but himself ordered sacrifice and incense to be offered in high places, hills, groves, and under green trees. wards the end of his father's reign, the Syrians under Rezin, and the Israelites under Pekah had begun to harass Judah. Observing Ahaz to be a weak prince, they agreed to dethrone him, and make a son of Tabeal, their deputy, king in his stead. Their armies invaded his kingdom all at once. He and his people were seized with the utmost consternation, The prophet Isaiah assured him, that none of their projects should prosper; and that since the Messiah was not yet come, there was no reason to fear the departure of the sceptre from Judah, Isaiah vii.

To

This stroke was diverted; but Ahaz proceeding from evil to worse,

who, he imagined, had been the authors of his calamities, in order to render them more favourable: he brake in pieces the sacred vessels: he shut up the gates of the temple,

the two kings made a fresh attack || temple; he took away the covert of upon him. Rezin marched to Elath, the Sabbath, where it seems the a noted sea-port on the Red sea, and priest stood to read the law, or the peopled it with Syrians. Pekah at-royal family to hear it: he disgraced tacked Ahaz's army, and killed the brazen lavers and sea, by remov120,000 of them in one day, besides ing their pedestals, and setting them Maaseiah his son; and carried off on the earth, or upon a pavement of 200,000 prisoners, men, women, and stone. Proceeding in his wickedness, children. Moved with the remon-he sacrificed to the idols of Syria, strance of Oded the prophet, the princes of Israel, Azariah, Berechiah, Jehizkiah, and Amasa, persuaded the troops to dismiss their prisoners: and they returned them back with no small tokens of humanity. Mean-and erected altars in every corner of while the Edomites, from the south, ravaged the country, and carried off a number of the people for slaves. The Philistines, from the west, invaded the low country adjacent to their territories, and the south; and took Bethshemesh, Ajalon, Gederoth, Shocho, Timnah, and Gimzo, and peopled them with a colony of their nation.

Jerusalem, and city of Judah, for burning of incense. He died in the 16th year of his reign, and was buried in Jerusalem; but had not the honour of interment in the royal tombs, 2 Kings xv. 37. and xvi. 2 Chron. xxviii. Isa. vii.

AHAZIAH, the son of Ahab. He was made his father's associate in power, when he went to the war at In his distress, Ahaz grew more Ramoth-Gilead; and reigned about and more wicked: he sought not to a year after his death. He imitated the Lord; but, stripping the temple his parents in the worship of Baal and city of all the gold he could find, and Ashtaroth, and every other crime. he sent it for a present to Tiglath- He and Jehoshaphat fitted out a fleet pileser king of Assyria: he surren- at Ezion-geber, to trade to Ophir for dered himself his vassal; and begged gold: a storm dashed their ships to his assistance against his enemies. pieces, almost in their going out from By cutting off the Syrians that were the harbour. Ahaziah intended to fit a barrier against the eastern powers, out a second fleet; but JEHOSHAPHAT and by imposing on his kingdom a refused to have any concern therein. tribute, Tiglath-pileser rather hurt The Moabites, who, till now, had than helped him. Ahaz went to continued tributary to the ten tribes, Damascus, to congratulate the Assy-revolted, and refused their yearly tririan monarch on his victory over bute of sheep. Ahaziah was renderSyria: he there observed an idola- ed incapable to reduce them. Falling trous altar, which mightily suited his from one of his windows, or from taste: he sent off a plan of it to U-the balcony of his house, he was rijah the highpriest, to form one mortally hurt, and sickened : he sent similar. Urijah had it finished be-messengers to Baalzebub, the idolfore Ahaz returned to Jerusalem.-god of Ekron, to inquire if he should Ahaz ordered it to be placed in the room of the brazen altar erected by Solomon; and to offer all the sacrifices thereon. To gratify the king of Assyria, who, it seems, returned him his visit, he turned about the royal entrance to the court of the

recover. Elijah met the messengers, and asked them, If it was for want of a God in Israel their master had sent them to inquire of Baalzebub? He, moreover, assured them, that for this reason he should certainly die of his disease. They returned and report

servants

It seems, they brought him back part
of the way to Jezreel; but at Gur,
near Ibleam, a city of the Manassites,
they, by Jehu's orders, gave him his
death wounds. His own
posting away with him in his chariot,
till they came to Megiddo, he died
there, and his corpse was thence car-
ried and interred in the royal sepul-
chres of Jerusalem. About the same
time, 42 of his brethren, or rather
nephews, his brethren being all be-
fore slain by the Arabians, had gone
to visit Jehoram: these Jehu invol-

ed to the king what they had heard. || self. On search he was found by a By the tokens they gave, he quickly || party which Jehu detached after him. perceived it had been Elijah who had met them. He ordered a troop of his forces to fetch him immediately: the captain of the band addressed Elijah too rudely; at his desire, fire from heaven consumed the captain and his troop. A second troop was sent on the same errand: their captain behaving with the haughty airs of his fellow, he and his company of fifty were in like manner consumed: as both companies was idolaters, they deserved this treatment. A third troop was sent: warned by the fate of his brethren, this captain addres-ved in the common ruin of the house sed the prophet with reverence and awe, and begged him to spare his and his soldiers lives. It was done; and Elijah went along with them. Entering the chamber of Ahaziah, he boldly assured him, that for his orders to consult Baalzebub, the idol of Ekron, he should certainly die of his distemper: nor was it long before he expired, and his brother Jehoram || reigned in his stead, 1 Kings xxii. 49. 2 Chron. xx. 36, 37. 2 Kings i.

AHAZIAH, AZARIAH, or JEHOAHAZ, the grandson of Jehoshaphat and son of Jchoram and Athaliah the daughter of Ahab. In the 22d year of his age and the 42d of the royalty of his mother's family, he succeeded his father on the throne of Judah.By the advice of his mother ATHALIAH, he walked after the pattern of Ahab his grandfather, worshipping Baalim and Ashtaroth; and required his subjects to do so. He had scarce reigned one year, when he repaired to Jezreel to visit Jehoram king of Israel, his uncle, who had returned thither from Ramoth-Gilead to be healed of his wounds. At that very time JEHU, the destroyer of the house of Ahab, came to cut off Jehoram. Knowing nothing of his intentions, Jehoram and Ahaziah went out to meet him: Jehoram was immediately struck dead by an arrow; and Ahaziah fled to Samaria and hid him

of Ahab. What children, or friends, remained to Ahaziah, were all, except JoASH murdered by his mother about the same time. Ahaziah, his son Joash, and his grandson Amaziah, are excluded from Matthew's genealogy of Christ. Such ruin and shame, was the consequence of Jehoshaphat's marrying his son into the wicked family of Ahab. Let parents and others observe, 2 King viii. 24.— 29. and ix. 27-29. and x. 12-14. and xi. 1. 2 Chron. xxii.

AHIJAH, a prophet of the Lord who dwelt at Shiloh. Perhaps it was he who encouraged Solomon while building the temple; and who threatened him with the rent of his kingdom, after his shameful fall, 1 Kings vi. 11. and xi. 6. Meeting with Jeroboam, the son of Nebat, in a field, he rent his garment into twelve pieces, and gave him ten of them, as a token that he should be king over ten tribes of Israel. About twenty years after, Jeroboam's only pious son fell sick. Fearing to go himself, Jeroboam sent his wife in disguise to consult Ahijah, whether he should recover. She, according to the manner of the times, carried to the prophet a present of ten loaves, some craknels, and a cruse of honey. Though blind, by reason of age, Ahijah, instructed of God, told the queen at her entrance, that he knew who she was. He assured her,

that her distressed son should die on her return; and that the rest of her family should have a miserable and ignominious end, 1 Kings xi. and xiv. Ahijah wrote part of the history of Solomon's reign, 2 Chron. ix. 20.

AHIKAM, the son of Shaphan, and father of GEDALIAH. He was one of the princes of Judah; and was sent by JOSIAH to consult Huldah concerning the threatenings of God against the nation for their wickedness, 2 Kings xxii. 12. He mightily exerted himself to protect Jeremiah's life, Jer. xxvi. 24.

were entirely routed. Ahimaaz's importunity prevailed with Joab to allow him to run with the tidings to David. Running by the way of the plain, he came up before Cushi, whom Joab had sent off before him. When the centinel of Mahanaim warned David of the approach of a single runner, the king immediately concluded that he brought tidings: for if the army had been broke, the people would have come flying in crowds. When Cushi had come within sight, and Ahimaaz was discerned who he was, David suggested, that, as he was a good man, he hoped he brought AHIMAAZ, the son and succes- agreeable tidings. Ahimaaz came sor of Zadok the high-priest. He up and informed the king that all and Jonathan, the son of Abiathar, was well; and, falling down at his performed a very important service feet, blessed the Lord who had cut for David, during the progress of off his enemies. David asked, if Absalom's rebellion. Their parents Absalom was safe. Ahimaaz pruand Hushai, all fast friends of David, dently, if truly, replied, that, just continuing in Jerusalem, unsuspected before he and Cushi were sent off, by Absalom, the two young men he saw a great tumult, but knew not waited near Enrogel, without the what it meant. He stood by till city, to convey proper information to Cushi came up, and plainly informed the king. Informed from Hushai, the king of Absalom's death. Some by means of a maid, what had passed years after, Ahimaaz succeeded his in Absalom's privy council, they father in the high-priesthood; and posted off to inform David. Inform-was succeeded by his son Azariah, ed hereof, by a young man who had 2 Sam. xv. 27, 36. and xvii. 15—22. seen them, Absalom detached a par- and xviii. 19-32. 1 Chron. vi. 8, 9. ty to pursue and apprehend them.To avoid these pursuers, Ahimaaz and Jonathan retired to a friend's house in Bahurim. The man had a deep well in his court: thither they went down; while the mistress spread a cover on the well's mouth, and laid ground corn thereon. Her work was scarce finished when the pursuers came up in quest of them. The mistress affirmed they were gone.-pressing errand, which required the The pursuers not finding them returned to Jerusalem. The young priests then finished their course to king David, and informed him of the counsel of the rebels; and that Hu-to the priests; but which he believed shai advised him to pass the Jordan with the utmost expedition, that he might be out of their reach.

Not long after, Absalom's troops

AHIMELECH, the son of Ahitub, great grandson of Eli, and brother of Ahiah, whom he succeeded in the office of high-priest. During the government of SAUL, he with a number of other priests along with the tabernacle, resided at Nob. To him David repaired in his flight from Saul's court, and representing, that Saul had sent him and his attendants on a most

utmost despatch, begged he would grant them some food. Ahimelech assured him that he had none but shew-bread, which was allowed only

David and his servants might eat, if for any due space they had abstained from women. David assured him they had touched none for at least

three days.

Ahimelech gave them some loaves. David further asked of him a sword or spear. Ahimelech gave him the sword of Goliah, which had been hung up in the tabernacie for a trophy.

lech, were second priests or sagans about the latter end of the reign of king David. Before him and many other persons of note, Shemaiah the scribe wrote down the orders and divisions of the priests, singers, and Levites; and they cast their lots for their turns of service in the temple of God, 1 Chron. xxiv. 3, 6, 31. and xviii. 16. 2 Sam. viii. 17.

Doeg, the Edomite, the chief of Saul's herdmen, happened to be waiting at the tabernacle upon some purification, and witnessed the whole. When Saul was afterwards complain- AHITHOPHEL, a native of Giloh ing to his servants that none of them in the tribe of Judah. He was so rewere affected with his misfortunes,nowned a statesman and counsellor, nor disposed to inform him of David's that his advice was ordinarily receivtreasonable plots, Docg related what ed as an oracle of God. Disgusted he had witnessed at Nob. Ahime-with David for his defilement of Bathlech, and 84 other priests, were immediately ordered to appear before Saul. He rudely demanded of them, why they had conspired with David against him, and had given him provision and arms; and had inquired of the Lord in his favour? Ahimelech meekly replied, that he always took David, the king's son-in-law, to be one of his best friends; that he had all along prayed for him; and knew nothing of any rupture between them. Regardless of this sufficient vindication, Saul sentenced Ahimelech, and all his relations, to death. He ordered his guards immediately to butcher the 85 priests that were present. They declined the horrid || and murderous task: but Doeg, on a call, slew them to a man. A party was immediately sent, probably under the direction of Doeg, to murder every man, woman, child, and the very cattle of Nob, the city of the Priests. These infernal orders were so punctually executed, that none but Abiathar, Ahimelech's son, who fled to David escaped. This happened about A. M. 2944, and was part of the terrible vengeance that pursued the family of Eli, for his indulging of his sons in their profaneness, 1 Sam. xxi. and xxii. and ii. 27-36.

AHIMELECH OF ABIMELECH, the són of Abiathar. He and Zadok, whom Saul had made high-priest after the murder of the former Ahime

sheba, who is said to have been his grandchild, or rather for some other reason unknown to us, he, to the no small vexation of David, early revolted to Absalom's party. David by prayer, begged his God to confound his counsels; and advised Hushai to join Absalom in appearance, and oppose himself to Ahithophel's advice. Ahithophel first advised Absalom publicly to defile ten of his father's concubines that had been left to keep the house. This, he averred, would manifest the breach betwixt him and his father to be irreconcileable; and so attach his party more firmly to his interest. In compliance with this horrid and shameful advice, Absalom, in a tent spread on the top of the house, defiled the women in sight of his followers. Next, Ahithophel advised that 12,000 chosen forces should be given him that very night, and he would pursue after David, and slay him ere he recovered his fright; and then all his party would be scattered, and never more come to an head.— Absalom and his princes mightily extolled this proposal; and indeed nothing could more effectually compass their ends.

But Hushai's mind being asked, he replied, that however sensible and prudent Anithophel's proposal might be in itself, it was not suited to the present occasion. To persuade them of this, he displayed in the most