daughter, in Judah-both women of lawless passions and haughty spirit, and, withal, idolatrous worshippers of Baal and Astaroth. These were only queens dowager-for, Joram, the son of Jezebel, was sovereign of Samaria; and Athaliah's son, Ahaziah, governed Jerusalem. Being much engaged in wars with Edom and Syria, their country was left to the tender mercies of these fierce and cruel women. They were universally detested; but the people, knowing there was no redress, submitted in silence. Jezebel's persecution of the holy prophet Elijah, after his signal defeat of the prophets of Baal, is well known. "So let the gods do to me, and more also!" said Jezebel to Elijah, by a messenger, "if I make not thy life as the life of one of the prophets thou hast slain, by to-morrow morning!" Elijah fled into the wilderness, and threw himself down beneath a juniper-tree, where he prayed to die, rather than to live under the sway of that cruel woman. Her wicked and unjust conduct towards Naboth united all classes against her, and accelerated her doom. Naboth possessed a vineyard, which joined the grounds belonging to one of Ahab's palaces, in the vicinity of the city of Jezreel. This vineyard Ahab offered to buy, that he might make it a garden; but Naboth, unwilling to sell, refused. Ahab persisted: Naboth continued firm, telling the king it was contrary to law to sell his land, as it was said in Leviticus, "The land shall not be sold for ever, for the land is mine." Ahab was not used to disappointment-and, being a weak man, it preyed upon him until he was quite ill. His wife, Jezebel, sought him while lying in this mood upon his bed. Why is thy spirit so sad, Ahab," she said; "why eat est thou not?" 66 "I am sore vexed," he answered sullenly. "I have asked Naboth for his vineyard, and he refuses, because, forsooth, he will not sell the inheritance of his fathers." Jezebel gazed upon him with the utmost scorn. "What! art thou the ruler of Israel, or is Naboth?" she said. "Arise! eat bread and be merry-I will give thee the vineyard of this insolent Naboth." Jezebel swept haughtily out of the room to issue her cruel orders. That day she caused a fast to be proclaimed, because wrong had been done in the city, which needed punishment. Naboth was then brought forth before the people, accused by two of the hirelings of Jezebel, of blaspheming God and the king. He was, of course, convicted, and carried without the city and stoned to death. Abab took possession of the land of the murdered Naboth. God sent Elijah to Ahab and Jezebel, to reproach them for their wickedness, and uttered prophecies of their downfall, which, we shall see, were afterwards fulfilled. Upon the side of a hill, in the land of Syria, stood an ancient man, leaning upon his staff, apparently resting after a toilsome march. He wore a mantle of goat's skin, while a long white beard fell down to the leathern girdle which bound his waist. He gazed sadly upon the scene which lay stretched out beneath him; although it was lovely enough to raise a smile of admiration from even him, anchorite as he was. He stood upon one of a large circle of hills, bearing every hue and altitude, and enclosing a vast plain, watered by the two lucid streams, Abana and Pharphar, and bearing in its centre a large and glorious city ;-it was Damascus, which reposed upon the centre of the green plain, like a snowy water-lily, wafted upon its verdant leaves. Temples and palaces of marble and ivory, adorned with gleaming gold, arose within its walls, and were reflected in the brilliant stream below. Towards this city was Elijah, the prophet, sent to fulfil the mission of God. O, Damascus !" he said sadly, "beautiful art thou to behold; but out of thee shall come a sword, which shall bring my country low. Alas! Israel is ripe for punishment, and the wrath of the Lord cannot be staid." A young man arose from beneath an olive-tree, where he had been reposing, and approached the prophet. "My son," said Elijah, "thou seest before thee Damascus, the city of Ben-hadad, king of Syria. Here I am sent to anoint Hazael king, that he may be God's avenger upon Israel, who worship Baal and the golden calf, instead of Jehovah." 66 "God's purpose is not, then, to send Ben-hadad?" "No, my son; he is so convinced of God's power, by his forced flight from before Samaria, that he fears the God of Israel." "Unhappy land! will thy sufferings never cease? "" "Never! until it throw away its idols, and serve the living God." The rumour, that the celebrated prophet Elijah had taken up his abode upon the hill of Damascus was soon carried to the ears of the king. He had ever held the holy man in reverence since his memorable defeat, prophesied by him; and now, being ill, sent to know if he should recover or not. One morning Elijah left his cave, and gazed abroad. A long procession of camels and men were crossing the plain, from the city, towards the hill upon which he dwelt. Elijah knew it was sent to him, and awaited the train's approach. A inan, richly clothed, alighted from a camel, and threw himself at the prophet's feet. It was Hazael, one of the principal lords of Ben-hadad, king of Syria. "O Elijah! - holy prophet! said Hazael, "I came from thy son, Ben-hadad, king of Syria. He lieth in bed ill, and hath sent me to ask thee if he shall recover of this disease. See! here are forty camels, loaded with all that is rich and rare of Damascus, which my master lays at thy feet, hoping thou wilt deign to look into the future for him." Elijah looked for a long time mournfully upon Hazael,-for, by his prophetic power, he saw in him the ruthless conqueror of Israel: "Go tell thy lord he will not die of this disease," at last, he said; "and yet, I foresee he will die a more cruel death." Elijah gazed upon Hazael until the tears ran down his aged cheeks; and then, turning from him, the man of God wept bitterly. Why weepest thou, my Lord?" asked Hazael, rising. "Alas, Hazael! it is because I can foresee all the evil which thou wilt do to the children of Israel. Thou wilt burn their strongholds, and slay men, women, and even children, in the cruellest manner." "What! am I a dog, that I should do this thing?" "Yea, Hazael. The Lord hath shown me thou shalt be king of Syria, in place of Ben-hadad." We know not what spirit we are of until we are tried. Solomon saith, "He that trusteth in his own heart, is a fool." As Hazael returned over the plain, he sank into deep musing. He should be king of Syria !-how his ambitious heart leaped within him at the thought! And the conqueror of Israel!--but he would be a merciful conqueror, and Elijah should find he was not so wicked as he imagined. Elijah had prophesied Ben-hadad should die, and he would quietly await that event. "What said the prophet?" asked the feeble Ben-hadad. "He told me, thou shouldst surely recover of this disease." This joyful news so excited Ben-hadad as to act favourably upon him, and before the night he was nearly well. Hazael began to grow uneasy. He doubted the truth of Elijah and, forgetting his resolution of awaiting his master's predicted death, and not willing to rely upon God's will, he determined to murder the king. Early on the morrow, ere day had yet appeared, and while all in the palace were asleep, Hazael crept softly into the king's chamber. The old man lay in the heavy slumber of an exhausted invalid. Hazael dipped a thick cloth in water, and pressed it upon the king's face until the spirit had fled. Then, when the murderous deed was executed, and Hazael was gazing upon his victim, did the words he had spoken to Elijah, the day before, occur to him-"Is thy servant a dog, that he should do this thing?" - and Hazael saw he had not read his heart aright. "But, now that I have begun, I must go on!" he said, bitterly. Away to my soldiers !-they must proclaim me king! Hazael was anointed king of Syria. 66 The words of Elijah regarding Hazael were soon proved to be prophetic. He ravaged Israel with fire and sword, and brought upon the country all the evils which Elijah had predicted. Joram, the son of Jezebel, and Ahaziah, Athaliah's son, united their forces and besieged Hazael in the city of Ramoth Gilead, which he had lately conquered. Various skirmishes took place; in one of which Joram was severely wounded, and returned to his mother, at Jezreel, to be cured of his wounds. Ahaziah followed him, leaving the army in command of Jehu, a man of great valour, and a skilful soldier. God's purposes were not yet fulfilled upon the wicked house of Ahab: by his huinility, he averted the evil from himself; but the time was come to destroy the rebellious race from the land. Elijah was commissioned to anoint Jehu king of Israel, in place of Joram. He sent the young prophet, who had attended him to Damascus, to fulfil the mission. According to his instructions, the youthful prophet repaired to Ramoth Gilead. Jehu and the other captains were feasting in the guard-room when the prophet entered. "I have an errand to thee, O captain!" he said. "Unto which of us?" asked Jehu. knew not whom they were, or if they came in peace or war. "Let some one go out to meet them, and ask the leader if he come in peace," said the king. The horseman approached Jehu, who was standing in his chariot. "Thus asks king Joram," he said: "Is it peace?" "What hast thou to do with peace?" replied Jehu. "Get thee behind me." The messenger did as he was ordered. and joined the train of Jehu. A second messenger was despatched, who also remained with the approaching party. The city now became alarmed, and gathered upon the walls to watch the troop. Joram sent for the watchman to inquire more particulars. "I know not who they be, my lord," he said; "but their driving is like that of Jehu, the son of Jehosha "Even unto thee, Jehu, son of Jeho-phat, for he ever driveth furiously." shaphat!" Jehu arose, and followed the prophet into an inner room. The prophet opened a horn of perfumed oil, and poured it on his head, saying-"Thus saith the Lord God of Israel: I have anointed thee king over Israel. Thou shalt be my avenger, to smite the house of Ahab. And thou shalt avenge me of Jezebel, who hath shed the blood of my servants. The dogs shall eat her in the portion of Jezreel !'" His mission over, the prophet opened the door and disappeared. 66 Jehu returned thoughtfully to the feast. Is all well?" asked one of the guests. "What said this mad fellow to thee?" "It is Jehu," said the king; "and perhaps bearer of news from the army. Make ready the chariot, and I will ride out to meet him." Joram and Ahaziah, each in his chariot, left the city, and met Jehu just by the vineyard of Naboth the Jezreelite. Then sank the heart of Joram within him when he recollected it, for many prophets had denounced judgments against him and his house, for the great iniquity of his father and mother. The chariots stopped. "Is it in peace thou comest, Jehu ?" asked Joram. "What peace is there for any," said Jehu, "when the wickedness and witchcraft of thee and thy mother, Jezebel, are so many?" "Treason! Treachery!-O Ahaziah!" "Indeed, we know not. Tell us what cried Joram, and turned to fly; but an he said." "He hath anointed me king over Israel, in place of Joram, my master." Jehu was a favourite with the soldiers, and the son of Jezebel was hated; so that they joyfully received the news, and determined to proclaim him at once. For want of a throne, they covered the stairs, which ran up outside the house, with their scarlet mantles; and, placing Jehu on high, sounded upon their trumpets, and proclaimed Jehu king of Israel. The warder upon the watch-tower of Jezreel reported to Joram the approach of a body of horse and chariots. Joram arrow from Jehu, the avenger, brought him low, and he sank down dead in his chariot. "Throw him upon the field of Naboth," said Jehu to his captain, Bidkar. "Now have the words of the Lord come to pass, which thou and I heard when we rode behind Ahab: 'I have seen the blood or Naboth,' said the prophet; and I will revenge me here, in this very field,' saith the Lord." When Ahaziah, king of Judah, saw the deed, he fled; but was pursued by the people of Jehu. "Smite him also in his chariot," cried 68 the avenger; and Ahaziah was soon dead. "Jezebel inhabited the ivory palace which her husband, Ahab, had built. She had decked herself out, and painted her face, in order to dazzle the conqueror, and stood at the window awaiting his approach. Upon her head she wore a golden net, or caul, surrounded by a gauze shawl, as a turban, while chains and ornaments of gold hung over her cheeks, her neck and arms, and little golden bells tinkled at her feet. But in vain were all these mufflers, crisping-pins, and rings, and jewels called in play; they could not avert her fate. In spite of her design to win Jehu, her natural evil temper broke forth, and, in a taunting accent, she cried out, "Thou wilt repent this deed, Jehu! Had Zimri peace who slew his master? " Jehu looked up at the windows, which were crowded with slaves and attendants. "Who is on my side?-Who!" cried Jehu. Many voices called out their willingness to join him. "Throw down, then, that wicked woman. Let the dogs eat her, according to the words of the prophet." They threw her down, and Jehu rode over her. "Go and bury her," he said afterwards, "for she is a king's daughter." And the words of the prophet were fulfilled! Eager for sovereign power, and devoid of natural feeling, Athaliah resolved, when she heard the death of her son, to seize upon the throne. The natural heirs, however, stood in her way; and these, although they were her own grandchildren, she doomed to death. Jehosheba, the sister of Ahaziah by another mother, was a woman of great and good qualities, and tenderly attached to her brother. She wept sorely for his death, and acted a mother's part to his young orphans. She was wife to Jehoiada, the high-priest of the temple, and lived with him within the precincts of the holy house. "Ahaziah hath been some time dead," she said one day to her husband, "and I have not seen any preparations towards anointing his son as king in his stead. Canst thou tell me, Jehoiada, why it is not done?" "Hadst thine illness not prevented thee from visiting the palace, Jehosheba, thou wouldst have known," replied the highpriest, in a sad accent. "What is the young Zezron, dead?" she asked, in alarm. "Not yet," said her husband, gloomily. "Now that thou art strong enough to hear the terrible news, know that Athaliah hath seized upon the sovereign power, and imprisoned the young princes in the palace." This was a great shock to the tender heart of the princess. "Alas! my sweet young nephews!" she said, while tears bedewed her face, "they are in the hands of a cruel tigress! Can we not do something, Jehoiada? Let me go to Athaliah, and surely she will listen to my prayer, and let them depart to their uncle's, or to my care-for I fear me she will not yet be satisfied with this cruelty." "No, Jehosheba, seek not Athaliah; thy prayers, be well assured, cannot soften the heart of that accursed woman.” "She, surely, will not imprison all those noble young princes for life." "Alas! their lives will not be long, I fear!" Jehoiada turned from his wife's tears, and retreated to the temple. Here he bent in prayer to God that he would look in pity upon Judah, and avert from it the threatened evil; for Jehoiada had not revealed to Jehosheba the fact of the intended massacre of the innocent princes, which had been told him in confidence that morning by the captain of the royal guard. That night Jehosheba, unable to sleep, arose and walked in the marble court before her apartment. There she remained some time, reflecting upon the situation of her nephews, to whom, particularly the young Joash, then just a year old, she was very much attached. She could not rest easy without doing something for them; and was busily resolving plans for their benefit, when she was aroused by the sound of trampling horses and the rattle of armour. She ascended the wall, and beheld a troop |