The Bible Story Part 206

It is generally supposed that the tunnel was made during the reign of King Hezekiah.

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For they could not keep it at that time, because the priests had not sanctified themselves in sufficient number, neither had the people gathered themselves together to Jerusalem. And the thing was right in the eyes of the king and of all the congregation.

So they established a decree to make proclamation throughout all Israel, from Beer-sheba even to Dan, that they should come to keep the pa.s.sover unto the Lord, the G.o.d of Israel, at Jerusalem: for they had not kept it in great numbers in the way it is written. So the messengers went with the letters from the king and his princes throughout all Israel and Judah, and according to the commandment of the king, saying, "Ye children of Israel, turn again unto the Lord, the G.o.d of Abraham, Isaac, and Israel, that he may return to the remnant that are escaped of you out of the hand of the kings of a.s.syria. And be not ye like your fathers, and like your brethren, which trespa.s.sed against the Lord, the G.o.d of their fathers, so that he gave them up to desolation, as ye see. Now be ye not stiff-necked, as your fathers were; but yield yourselves unto the Lord, and enter into his sanctuary, which he hath sanctified for ever, and serve the Lord your G.o.d, that his fierce anger may turn away from you. For if ye turn again unto the Lord, your brethren and your children shall find compa.s.sion before them that led them captive, and shall come again into this land: for the Lord your G.o.d is gracious and merciful, and will not turn away his face from you, if ye return unto him."

So the messengers pa.s.sed from city to city through {306} Ephraim and Mana.s.seh, even unto Zebulun: but they laughed them to scorn, and mocked them. Nevertheless some of the people of Asher and Mana.s.seh and of Zebulun humbled themselves and came to Jerusalem. Also in Judah was the hand of G.o.d to give them one heart, to do the commandment of the king and of the princes by the word of the Lord. And there a.s.sembled at Jerusalem many people to keep the feast of unleavened bread in the second month, a very great congregation. And they arose and took away the altars that were in Jerusalem, and all the altars for incense took they away, and cast them into the brook Kidron. Then they killed the pa.s.sover on the fourteenth day of the second month: and the priests and the Levites were ashamed, and sanctified themselves, and brought burnt offerings into the house of the Lord. And they stood in their place after their order, according to the law of Moses the man of G.o.d: the priests sprinkled the blood, which they received of the hand of the Levites. For there were many in the congregation that had not sanctified themselves: therefore the Levites had the charge of killing the pa.s.sovers for everyone that was not clean, to sanctify them unto the Lord. For a mult.i.tude of the people, even many of Ephraim and Mana.s.seh, Issachar and Zebulun, had not cleansed themselves, yet did they eat the pa.s.sover otherwise than it is written. For Hezekiah had prayed for them, saying, "The good Lord pardon every one that setteth his heart to seek G.o.d, the Lord, the G.o.d of his fathers, though he be not cleansed according to the purification of the sanctuary."

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And the Lord hearkened to Hezekiah, and healed the people. And the children of Israel that were present at Jerusalem kept the feast of unleavened bread seven days with great gladness: and the Levites and the priests praised the Lord day by day, singing with loud instruments unto the Lord. And Hezekiah spoke comfortably unto all the Levites that were well skilled in the service of the Lord. So they did eat throughout the feast for the seven days, offering sacrifices of peace offerings, and making confession to the Lord, the G.o.d of their fathers. And the whole congregation took counsel to keep other seven days: and they kept other seven days with gladness. For Hezekiah king of Judah did give to the congregation for offerings a thousand bullocks and seven thousand sheep; and the princes gave to the congregation a thousand bullocks and ten thousand sheep: and a great number of priests sanctified themselves. And all the congregation of Judah, with the priests and the Levites, and all the congregation that came out of Israel, and the strangers that came out of the land of Israel, and that dwelt in Judah, rejoiced. So there was great joy in Jerusalem: for since the time of Solomon the son of David king of Israel there was not the like in Jerusalem. Then the priests the Levites arose and blessed the people: and their voice was heard, and their prayer came up to his holy habitation, even unto heaven.

Now when all this was finished, all Israel that were present went out to the cities of Judah, and broke in pieces the pillars, and hewed down the Asherim, and broke down the high places and the altars out of all Judah and {308} Benjamin, in Ephraim also and Mana.s.seh, until they had destroyed them all. Then all the children of Israel returned, every man to his possession, into their own cities. And Hezekiah appointed the courses of the priests and the Levites after their courses, every man according to his service, both the priests and the Levites, for burnt offerings and for peace offerings, to minister, and to give thanks, and to praise in the gates of the camp of the Lord. He appointed also the king's portion of his substance for the burnt offerings, to wit, for the morning and evening burnt offerings, and the burnt offerings for the Sabbaths, and for the new moons, and for the set feasts, as it is written in the law of the Lord.

Moreover he commanded the people that dwelt in Jerusalem to give the portion of the priests and the Levites, that they might give themselves to the law of the Lord. And as soon as the commandment came abroad, the children of Israel gave in abundance the first fruits of corn, wine, and oil, and honey, and of all the increase of the field; and the t.i.the of all things brought they in abundantly. And the children of Israel and Judah, that dwelt in the cities of Judah, they also brought in the t.i.the of oxen and sheep, and the t.i.the of dedicated things which were consecrated unto the Lord their G.o.d, and laid them by heaps. In the third month they began to lay the foundation of the heaps, and finished them in the seventh month. And when Hezekiah and the princes came and saw the heaps, they blessed the Lord, and his people Israel. Then Hezekiah questioned with the priests and the Levites concerning the heaps.

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DIGGING IN THE MOUND WHICH COVERS THE ANCIENT CITY OF LACHISH.

From a photograph of the Palestine Exploration Fund and used by special permission.

Lachish, a very ancient city, was captured by the Hebrews when they first came into Palestine. It was an important military post, guarding the pa.s.ses into southern Judea. It was captured by Sennacherib in the great raid when he took "all the fenced cities of Judah." a.s.syrian sculpture has been found depicting this siege of Lachish. About 120 years later, the city was again captured by Nebuchadnezzar when he carried the people into captivity. When the people returned it was again occupied. The pictures show the excavation in the mound which covers the site of this very ancient city. In this mound there are 14 layers of ruins one above the other. Important tablets dating before the first occupation of the Hebrews have been found.

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And Azariah the chief priest, of the house of Zadok, answered him and said, "Since the people began to bring the oblations into the house of the Lord, we have eaten and had enough, and have left plenty: for the Lord hath blessed his people; and that which is left is this great store." Then Hezekiah commanded to prepare chambers in the house of the Lord; and they prepared them.

After these things, and this faithfulness, Sennacherib king of a.s.syria came, and entered into Judah, and encamped against the fenced cities, and thought to win them for himself. And when Hezekiah saw that Sennacherib was come, and that he intended to fight against Jerusalem, he took counsel with his princes and his mighty men to stop the waters of the fountains which were without the city; and they helped him. So there was gathered many people together, and they stopped all the fountains, and the brook that flowed through the midst of the land, saying, "Why should the kings of a.s.syria come, and find much water?"

And he took courage, and built up all the wall that was broken down, and raised it up to the towers, and the other wall without, and strengthened Millo in the city of David, and made weapons and shields in abundance. And he set captains of war over the people, and gathered them together to him in the broad place at the gate of the city, and spoke encouragingly to them, saying, "Be strong and of a good courage, be not afraid nor dismayed for the king of a.s.syria, nor for all the mult.i.tude that is with him: for there is a greater with us than with him: with him is {312} an arm of flesh; but with us is the Lord our G.o.d to help us, and to fight our battles." And the people rested themselves upon the words of Hezekiah king of Judah.

After this did Sennacherib king of a.s.syria send his servants to Jerusalem (now he was before Lachish, and all his army with him), unto Hezekiah king of Judah, and unto all Judah that were at Jerusalem, saying, "Thus saith Sennacherib king of a.s.syria, Whereon do ye trust, that ye abide the siege in Jerusalem? Doth not Hezekiah persuade you, to give you over to die by famine and by thirst, saying, 'The Lord our G.o.d shall deliver us out of the hand of the king of a.s.syria'? Hath not the same Hezekiah taken away his high places and his altars, and commanded Judah and Jerusalem, saying, 'Ye shall worship before one altar, and upon it shall ye burn incense'? Know ye not what I and my fathers have done unto all the peoples of the lands? Were the G.o.ds of the nations of the lands any ways able to deliver their land out of my hand? Who was there among all the G.o.ds of those nations which my fathers utterly destroyed, that could deliver his people out of my hand, that your G.o.d should be able to deliver you out of my hand? Now therefore let not Hezekiah deceive you, nor persuade you on this manner, neither believe ye him: for no G.o.d of any nation or kingdom was able to deliver his people out of my hand, and out of the hand of my fathers: how much less shall your G.o.d deliver you out of my hand?"

And his servants spoke yet more against the Lord G.o.d, and against his servant Hezekiah. He wrote also letters, {313} to ridicule the Lord, the G.o.d of Israel, and to speak against him, saying, "As the G.o.ds of the nations of the lands, which have not delivered their people out of my hand, so shall not the G.o.d of Hezekiah deliver his people out of my hand."

And they cried with a loud voice in the Hebrew language unto the people of Jerusalem that were on the wall, to affright them, and to trouble them; that they might take the city.

And they spoke of the G.o.d of Jerusalem, as of the G.o.ds of the peoples of the earth, which are the work of men's hands. And Hezekiah the king, and Isaiah the prophet the son of Amoz, prayed because of this, and cried to heaven. And the Lord sent an angel, which cut off all the mighty men of valor, and the leaders and captains, in the camp of the king of a.s.syria. So he returned with shame of face to his own land.

And when he was come into the house of his G.o.d, his own children slew him there with the sword.

Thus the Lord saved Hezekiah and the inhabitants of Jerusalem from the hand of Sennacherib the king of a.s.syria, and from the hand of all other, and guided them on every side. And many brought gifts unto the Lord to Jerusalem, and precious things to Hezekiah king of Judah: so that he was exalted in the sight of all nations from thenceforth.

In those days Hezekiah was sick even unto death: and he prayed unto the Lord; and he spoke unto him, and gave him a sign. But Hezekiah rendered not again {314} according to the benefit done unto him; for his heart was lifted up: therefore there was wrath upon him, and upon Judah and Jerusalem. Notwithstanding Hezekiah humbled himself for the pride of his heart, both he and the inhabitants of Jerusalem, so that the wrath of the Lord came not upon them in the days of Hezekiah.

And Hezekiah had exceeding much riches and honor: and he provided him treasuries for silver, and for gold, and for precious stones, and for spices, and for shields, and for all manner of goodly vessels; storehouses also for the increase of corn and wine and oil; and stalls for all manner of beasts, and flocks in folds.

Moreover he provided him cities, and possessions of flocks and herds in abundance: for G.o.d had given him very much substance.

This same Hezekiah also stopped the upper spring of the waters of Gihon, and brought them straight down on the west side of the city of David. And Hezekiah prospered in all his works.

And Hezekiah died and they buried him in the ascent of the sepulchers of the sons of David: and all Judah and the inhabitants of Jerusalem did him honor at his death. And Mana.s.seh his son reigned in his stead.

[Footnote: The story of the relations between Hezekiah the king and Isaiah the prophet will be found in Vol. V. of this series.]

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THE DESTRUCTION OF SENNACHERIB

The a.s.syrian came down like the wolf on the fold, And his cohorts were gleaming in purple and gold; And the sheen of their spears was like stars on the sea, When the blue wave rolls nightly on deep Galilee.

Like the leaves of the forest when summer is green, That host with their banners at sunset were seen; Like the leaves of the forest when autumn hath blown, That host on the morrow lay withered and strown.

For the Angel of Death spread his wings on the blast, And breathed in the face of the foe as he pa.s.sed; And the eyes of the sleepers waxed deadly and chill, And their hearts but once heaved, and forever grew still!

And there lay the steed with his nostrils all wide, But through them there rolled not the breath of his pride, And the foam of his gasping lay white on the turf, And cold as the spray of the rock-beating surf.

And there lay the rider distorted and pale, With the dew on his brow and the rust on his mail; And the tents were all silent, the banners alone.

The lances unlifted, the trumpet unblown.

And the widows of Ashur are loud in their wail, And the idols are broke in the temple of Baal; And the might of the Gentile, unsmote by the sword, Hath melted like snow in the glance of the Lord!

--_Lord Byron_.

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HYMN BY THE EUPHRATES

O Thou that wilt not break the bruised reed, Nor heap fresh ashes on the mourner's brow, Nor rend anew the wounds that inly bleed, The only balm of our afflictions Thou, Teach us to bear Thy chastening wrath, O G.o.d!

To kiss with quivering lips--still humbly kiss Thy rod!

We bless Thee, Lord, though far from Judah's land; Though our worn limbs are black with stripes and chains; Though for stern foes we till the burning sand; And reap, for others' joy, the summer plains; We bless Thee, Lord, for Thou art gracious still, Ev'n though this last black drop o'erflow our cup of ill!

Forgive, forgive,--even should our full hearts break; The broken heart Thou wilt not, Lord, despise; Ah! Thou art still too gracious to forsake, Though Thy strong hand so heavily chastise.

Hear all our prayers, hear not our murmurs, Lord; And, though our lips rebel, still make Thyself adored.

--_Henry Hart Milman_.

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MANa.s.sEH.

(Mana.s.seh began his reign by doing every evil thing he could possibly think of; he sacrificed to all the heathen idols and made his own children "pa.s.s through the fire." In the book of Chronicles it is said that he was taken captive and carried away to Babylon. Here he repented of his many sins, and became a good and holy man.)

Mana.s.seh was twelve years old when he began to reign; and he reigned fifty and five years in Jerusalem. And he did that which was evil in the sight of the Lord, after the abominations of the heathen, whom the Lord cast out before the children of Israel. For he built again the high places which Hezekiah his father had broken down; and he reared up altars for the idols of Baal, and made Asheroth, and worshiped all the host of heaven, and served them. And he built altars in the house of the Lord, whereof the Lord said, "In Jerusalem shall my name be for ever." And he built altars for all the host of heaven in the two courts of the house of the Lord. He also made his children to pa.s.s through the fire in the valley of the son of Hinnom: and he practiced augury, and used enchantments, and practiced sorcery, and dealt with them that had familiar spirits, and with wizards: he wrought much evil in the sight of the Lord, to provoke him to anger.