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thoughtless of what was for his own good； that he would not leave
off worshipping the Syrian gods when he was beaten by them； but
he went on in worshipping them； as though they would procure him
the victory； and when he was beaten again； he began to honor the
gods of the Assyrians； and he seemed more desirous to honor any
other gods than his own paternal and true God； whose anger was
the cause of his defeat； nay； he proceeded to such a degree of
despite and contempt ＇of God's worship＇； that he shut up the
temple entirely； and forbade them to bring in the appointed
sacrifices； and took away the gifts that had been given to it。
And when he had offered these indignities to God； he died； having
lived thirty…six years； and of them reigned sixteen； and he left
his son Hezekiah for his successor。
CHAPTER 13。
How Pekah Died By The Treachery Of Hoshea Who Was A Little After
Subdued By Shalmaneser； And How Hezekiah Reigned Instead Of Ahaz；
And What Actions Of Piety And Justice He Did。
1。 About the same time Pekah； the king of Israel； died by the
treachery of a friend of his； whose name was Hoshea； who retained
the kingdom nine years' time； but was a wicked man； and a
despiser of the Divine worship； and Shalmaneser； the king of
Assyria； made an expedition against him； and overcame him； （which
must have been because he had not God favorable nor assistant to
him；） and brought him to submission； and ordered him to pay an
appointed tribute。 Now； in the fourth year of the reign of
Hoshea； Hezekiah； the son of Ahaz； began to reign in Jerusalem；
and his mother's name was Abijah； a citizen of Jerusalem。 His
nature was good； and righteous； and religious； for when he came
to the kingdom； he thought that nothing was prior； or more
necessary； or more advantageous to himself； and to his subjects；
than to worship God。 Accordingly； he called the people together；
and the priests； and the Levites； and made a speech to them； and
said； 〃You are not ignorant how； by the sins of my father； who
transgressed that sacred honor which was due to God； you have had
experience of many and great miseries； while you were corrupted
in your mind by him； and were induced to worship those which he
supposed to be gods； I exhort you； therefore； who have learned by
sad experience how dangerous a thing impiety is； to put that
immediately out of your memory； and to purify yourselves from
your former pollutions； and to open the temple to these priests
and Levites who are here convened； and to cleanse it with the
accustomed sacrifices； and to recover all to the ancient honor
which our fathers paid to it； for by this means we may render God
favorable； and he will remit the anger he hath had to us。〃
2。 When the king had said this； the priests opened the temple；
and when they had set in order the vessels of God； and east out
what was impure； they laid the accustomed sacrifices upon the
altar。 The king also sent to the country that was under him； and
called the people to Jerusalem to celebrate the feast of
unleavened bread； for it had been intermitted a long time； on
account of the wickedness of the forementioned kings。 He also
sent to the Israelites； and exhorted them to leave off their
present way of living； and return to their ancient practices； and
to worship God； for that he gave them leave to come to Jerusalem；
and to celebrate； all in one body； the feast of unleavened bread；
and this he said was by way of invitation only； and to be done of
their own good…will； and for their own advantage； and not out of
obedience to him； because it would make them happy。 But the
Israelites； upon the coming of the ambassadors； and upon their
laying before them what they had in charge from their own king；
were so far from complying therewith； that they laughed the
ambassadors to scorn； and mocked them as fools： as also they
affronted the prophets； which gave them the same exhortations；
and foretold what they would suffer if they did not return to the
worship of God； insomuch that at length they caught them； and
slew them； nor did this degree of transgressing suffice them； but
they had more wicked contrivances than what have been described：
nor did they leave off； before God； as a punishment for their
impiety； brought them under their enemies： but of that more
hereafter。 However； many there were of the tribe of Manasseh； and
of Zebulon； and of Issachar； who were obedient to what the
prophets exhorted them to do； and returned to the worship of God。
Now all these came running to Jerusalem； to Hezekiah； that they
might worship God ＇there＇。
3。 When these men were come； king Hezekiah went up into the
temple； with the rulers and all the people； and offered for
himself seven bulls； and as many rams； with seven lambs； and as
many kids of the goats。 The king also himself； and the rulers；
laid their hands on the heads of the sacrifices； and permitted
the priests to complete the sacred offices about them。 So they
both slew the sacrifices； and burnt the burnt…offerings； while
the Levites stood round about them； with their musical
instruments； and sang hymns to God； and played on their
psalteries； as they were instructed by David to do； and this
while the rest of the priests returned the music； and sounded the
trumpets which they had in their hands； and when this was done；
the king and the multitude threw themselves down upon their face；
and worshipped God。 He also sacrificed seventy bulls； one hundred
rams； and two hundred lambs。 He also granted the multitude
sacrifices to feast upon； six hundred oxen； and three thousand
other cattle； and the priests performed all things according to
the law。 Now the king was so pleased herewith； that he feasted
with the people； and returned thanks to God； but as the feast of
unleavened bread was now come； when they had offered that
sacrifice which is called the passover； they after that offered
other sacrifices for seven days。 When the king had bestowed on
the multitude； besides what they sanctified of themselves； two
thousand bulls； and seven thousand other cattle； the same thing
was done by the rulers； for they gave them a thousand bulls； and
a thousand and forty other cattle。 Nor had this festival been so
well observed from the days of king Solomon； as it was now first
observed with great splendor and magnificence； and when the
festival was ended； they went out into the country and purged it；
and cleansed the city of all the pollution of the idols。 The king
also gave order that the daily sacrifices should be offered； at
his own charges； and according to the law； and appointed that the
tithes and the first…fruits should be given by the multitude to
the priests and Levites； that they might constantly attend upon
Divine service； and never be taken off from the worship of God。
Accordingly； the multitude brought together all sorts of their
fruits to the priests and the Levites。 The king also made garners
and receptacles for these fruits； and distributed them to every
one of the priests and Levites； and to their children and wives；
and thus did they return to their old form of Divine worship。 Now
when the king had settled these matters after the manner alrea