now so well recovered of his wounds, that he could . endure to ride abroad, for which cause it seems that there was much feasting and joy made, especially by queen Jezebel, who kept her state so well, that the brethren of Ahaziah, coming hither at this time, did make it as well their errand to salute the queen, as to visit the king.

Certain it is, that since the rebellion of Moab against Israel, the house of Ahab did never so much flourish as at this time. Seventy princes of the bloodroyal there were that lived in Samaria; Jehoram, the son of queen Jezabel, had won Ramoth-Gilead, which his father had attempted in vain, with loss of his life; and he won it by valiant fight, wherein he received wounds, of which the danger was now past, but the honour likely to continue. The amity was so great between Israel and Judah, that it might suffice to daunt all their common enemies, leaving no hope of success to any rebellious enterprizer; so that now the prophecy of Elias might be forgotten, or no otherwise remembered than as an unlucky tale, by them that beheld the majestic face of the court, wherein so great a friend as the king of Judah was entertained, and forty princes of his blood expected.

In the midst of this security, whilst these great estates were (perhaps) either consulting about prosecution of their intents, first against the Aramites, and then against Moab, Edom, and other rebels and enemies, or else were triumphing in joy of that which was already atchieved, and the queen-mother dressing herself in the bravest manner to come down amongst them,-tidings were brought in, that the watchman had from a tower discovered a company coming. These news were not very troublesome; for the army, that lay in Ramoth-Gilead, to be ready against all attempts of the Aramites, was likely enough to be discharged upon some notice taken, that the enemy would not, or could not stir. Only the

king sent out an horseman to know what the matter was, and to bring him word. The messenger coming to Jehu, and asking whether all were well, was retained by him, who intended to give the king as little warning as might be. The seeming negligence of this fellow in not returning with an answer, might argue the matter to be of small importance; yet the king, to be satisfied, sent out another, that should bring him word how all went; and he was likewise detained by Jehu. These dumb shews bred some suspicion in Jehoram, whom the watchmen certified of all that happened. And now the company drew so near, that they might, though not perfectly, be discerned, and notice taken of Jehu himself, by the furious manner of his marching. Wherefore the king, that was loth to discover any weakness, caused his chariot to be made ready, and issued forth with Ahaziah king of Judah in his company, whose presence added majesty to his train, when strength to resist, or expedition to flee, had been more needful. This could not be done so hastily, but that Jehu was come even to the town's end, and there they met each other in the field of Naboth. Jehoram began to salute Jehu with terms of peace, but receiving a bitter answer, his heart failed him, so that crying out upon the treason to his fellowking, he turned away to have fled. But Jehu soon overtook him with an arrow, wherewith he struck him dead, and threw his carcase into that field, which, purchased with the blood of the rightful owner, was to be watered with the blood of the unjust possessor. Neither did Ahaziah escape so well, but that he was arrested by a wound, which held him till death did seize upon him.

The king's palace was adjoining to the wall, by he gate of the city, where Jezebel might soon be advertised of this calamity, if she did not with her own eyes behold it. Now it was high time for her to call to God for mercy, whose judgment, pronouncVOL. III.

ed against her long before, had overtaken her when she least expected it. But she, full of indignation and proud thoughts, made herself ready in all haste, and painted her face, hoping with her stately and imperious looks to daunt the traitor, or at the least to utter some apophthegm, that should express her brave spirit, and brand him with such a reproach as might make him odious for ever. Little did she' think upon the hungry dogs, that were ordained to devour her, whose paunches the stibium with which she besmeared her eyes would more offend, than the scolding language, wherewith she armed her tongue, could trouble the ears of him that had her in his power. As Jehu drew near, she opened her window, and looking out upon him, began to put him in mind of Zimri, that had not long enjoyed the fruits of his treason, and murder of the king his master. This was in mere human valuation stoutly spoken, but was indeed a part of miserable folly, as are all things, howsoever laudable, if they have an ill relation to God the Lord of all.' Her own eunuchs, that stood by and heard her, were not affected so much as with any compassion of her fortune; much less was her enemy daunted with her proud spirit. When Jehu saw that she did use the little remainder of her life in seeking to vex him, he made her presently to understand her own estate, by deeds and not by words. He only called to her servants, to know which of them would be of his side, and soon found them ready to offer their service, before the very face of their proud lady. Hereupon he commanded them to cast her down headlong; which immediately they performed, without all regard of her greatness and estate, wherein she had a few hours before shined so gloriously in the eyes of men; of men that considered not the judgments of God that had been denounced against her.

So perished this accursed woman by the rude hands of her own servants, at the commandment of

her greatest enemy, that was yesterday her subject, but now her lord; and she perished miserably, struggling in vain with base grooms, who contumeliously did hale and thrust her, whilst her insulting enemy sat on horseback, adding indignity to her grief, by scornfully beholding the shameful manner of her fall, and trampling her body under foot. Her dead carcase that was left without the walls was devoured by dogs, and her very memory was odious. Thus, the vengeance of God rewarded her idolatry, murder, and oppression, with slow, but sure payment, and full interest.

Ahaziah king of Judah, flying apace from Jehu, was overtaken by the way where he lurked; and receiving his deadly wound in the kingdom of Samaria, was suffered to get him gone, (which he did in all haste,) and seek his burial in his own kingdom; and this favour he obtained for his grandfather's sake, not for his father's, nor his own. He died at Megiddo, and was thence carried to Jerusalem, where he was interred with his ancestors, having reigned about one year.

Q 2

CHAP XXI.

OF ATHALIAH, AND WHOSE SON HE WAS THAT SUC

CEEDED HER.

SECT. I.

Of Athaliah's usurping the kingdom, and what pretences she might forge.

AFTER the death of Ahaziah, it is said, that his house was not able to retain the kingdom; which note, and the proceedings of Athaliah upon the death of her son', have given occasion to divers opinions concerning the pedigree of Joash who reigned shortly after. For Athaliah being thus despoiled of her son, under whose name she had ruled at her pleasure, did forthwith lay hold upon all the princes of the blood, and slew them, that so she might occupy the royal throne herself, and reign as queen, rather than live a subject. She had before-hand put into great place, and made counsellors unto her son, such as were fittest for her purpose, and ready at all times to execute her will: that she kept a strong guard about her, it is very likely; and as likely it is, that the great execution done by Jehoram, upon the princes and many of the nobility, had made the people tame, and fearful to stir, whatsoever they saw or heard.

Yet ambition, how violent soever it be, is seldom or never so shameless as to refuse the commodity of goodly pretences offering themselves; but rather scrapes together all that will any way serve to colour her proceedings. Wherefore it were not absurd for

1 2 Chron. xxii. 9.