Ahaziah intended to fit out a second fleet; but JEHOSHAPHAT refused to have any concern therein. The Moabites, who, till now, had continued tributary to the ten tribes, rerolted, and refused their yearly tribute of sheep. Ahaziah was Ahaziah was rendered incapable to reduce them. Falling from one of his windows, or from the balcony of his house, he was mortally hurt, and sickened; he sent messengers to Baalzebub, the idol-god of Ekron, to inquire if he should 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, moroever, assured them, that for this reason he should certainly die of his disease. They returned and reported to the king what they had heard. By the tokens they gave, he quickly perceived it had been Elijah who had met them. He ordered a troop of his horses 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 were idolaters, they deserved this treatment. A third troop was sent: warned by the fate of his brethren, this captain addressed the prophet with reverence and awe, and begged him to spare his and his soldier's lives. It was done; and Elijah went along with them. Enter. ing the chamber of Ahaziah, he boldly assured him, that for his orders to consult Baalzebub, the idol of Ekroa, 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 JEHO VOL. I. No. I. AHAZ, the grandson of Jehoshaphat and son of Jehoram 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 mo ther ATHALIAH, he walked after the pattern of Ahab his grandfather, worshipping Baalim and Ashtorath; 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 Ra moth Gilead to be healed of his wounds. At that very time JEHU, tlie destroyer of the house of Ahab, came to cut off Jehoram. Know. ing 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 himself. On search, he was found by a party which Jehu detached after him. 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 or ders gave him his death wounds. His own servants posting away with him in his chariot, till they came to Megiddo, he died there, and his corpse was thence carried and interred in the royal sepulchres of Jerusalem. About the same time, 42 of his brethren, or rather nephews, his brethren being all before slain by the Arabians, had gone to visit Jeho. ram: these Jehu involved in the common ruin of the house 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 ex cluded 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 G others observe, 2 Kings viii. 24,-29. | young men waited near Enrogel, 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 cracknels, 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 JOSIAI 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. AHIMAAZ, the son and successor of Zadok the high-priest. He and Jonathan, the son of Abiathar, performed a very important service for David, during the progress of Absalom's rebellion. Their parents and Hushai, all fast friends of David, continuing in Jerusalem, unsuspected by Absalom, the two without the city, to convey proper information to the king. Iuformed from Hushai, by means of a maid, what had passed in Absalom's privy council, they posted off to inform David. Informed hereof, by a young man who had seen them, Absalom detached a party 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. 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 Hushai advised him to pass the Jordan with the utmost expidition, that he might be out of their reach. Not long after, Absalom's troops 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 sentinel 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 Cushai had come within sight, and Ahimaaz was discerned who he was, David suggested, that, as he was a good man, he hoped he brought agreeable tidings. Ahimaaz came up and informed the king that all was well; and, falling down at his feet, blessed the Lord who had cut off his enemies. David asked, if Absalom was safe. Ahi maz prudently, if truly, replied, that just before he and Cushi were st off, he saw a great tumult, but knew not what it meant. He stood by till Cushi came up, and plainly informed the king of Absalom's death. Some years after, Ahimaaz succeeded his father in the high priesthood; and was succeeded by his son Azariah, 2 Sam. xv. 27, 36. and xvii. 15,-22. and xviii. 19,-32. 1 Chron. vi. 8, 9. AHIME LECH, 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 pressing errand, which required the utmost dispatch, begged he would grant them some food. Ahimelech assured him that he had none but shew-bread, which was allowed only to the priests; but which he believed 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 Goliath, which had been hung up in the tabernacle for a trophy. 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 afterward complaining to his servants, that none of them were affected with his misfortunes, nor disposed to inform him of David's treasonable plots, Doeg related what he had witnessed at Nob. Ahimelech 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 fa vours? 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 mur derous task: but Doeg, on a cali, 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 son of Abiathar. He and Zadok, whom Saul had made high-priest after the murder of the former Ahimelech, 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. AHITHOPHEL, a native of Giloh in the tribe of Judah. He was so renowned a statesman and counsellor, that his advice was ordinarily received as an oracle of blished. Hushai therefore proposed, that every Hebrew, able to bear arms, should be assembled; that Absalom himself should take the ho nour of commanding this prodigious host; and fall upon his father, as the dew falls on the ground; quite over. God. Disgusted with David for his | and ruin it before it was firmly esta defilement of Bathsheba, 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 Ab-whelm him with numbers; and even salom in appearance, and oppose himself to Ahithophel's advice. A. hithophel first advised Absalom pub. licly 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, Ab. salom, 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. draw the city whither he might flec, with ropes into the adjacent river. This humorous proposal, de. signed for their ruin, so gratified the pride of Absalom and his nobles, that they preferred it to that of Ahi. thophel. Ahithophel, partly from a proud indignation that his advice was not followed, and perhaps partly from foresight that Hushai's measures effectually tended to rein state David, he saddled his ass; rode home to Giloh; ordered the affairs of his family; and then hanged him. self, 2 Sam. xv. 12, and xvi. 20. and xvii. AHITUB, the son of Phinehas, and brother of Ichabod. His father being slain in that unhappy engage. ment, in which the ark of God was taken by the Philistines, he succeed. ed ELI his grandfather in the high priesthood; executed that office un der Samuel; and was succeeded by his sons; first Ahiah, and then Ahimelech, 1 Sam. iv. and xiv. 3. There were besides two Ahitubs, both fathers of Zadoks, and descended of ELEAZAR. But it does not appear, that the first of them could execute the office of high-priest, 1 Chron. vi. 8, 11. But Hushai's mind being asked, he replied, that however sensible and prudent Ahithophel's counsel might be in itself, it was not suited to the present occasion. To persuade them of this, he displayed in the most striking manner what mighty heroes David and his attendants were; that himself was too prudent to lodge all AHOLAH and AHOLIBAH, night with his friends, but would two feigned names, whereby the probe hid in some pit; that he and his phet Ezekiel represents the kingparty being so valiant, and besides doms of Israel and Judah; the first enraged and desperate, it was hard signifying a tent, denotes Samaria to say what slaughter they might and the ten tribes; the second signimake of Ahithophel's 12,000 in the fying my tent is in her, denotes Je night; and what terror might seize rusalem and her subjects. Both are Ahithophel himself; and so a small represented as of Egyptian extracloss at the first, magnified by report, tion, because of the Hebrews somight discourage the whole party,jouring in Egypt; and as prostituting themselves to the Egyptians and As- | them, cut them to pieces, without syrians; imitating their idolatries, suffering one to escape. The king and relying on their help. For was taken prisoner, and brought to which reason the Lord threatens to Joshua. After the inhabitants of make these very people their oppres- this city was utterly destroyed, and sors, and the means of their captivity the city burnt into ruins, himself was and cruel servitude, Ezek. xxiii. hanged; and before sun-set, taken down, and his corpse thrown into the entrance into the city, and a heap of stones raised over it. The work of the day was finished with the Hebrews division of their spoil. Ai was some time after rebuilt by the Benjamites; and long after taken by SENNACHERIB, Josh. vii. and viii. Isa. x. 28. It was rebuilt after the captivity in Babylon, Neh. xi. 31. AHUZZATH, a friend of the 2d ABIMELECH, who reigned at Gerar, and who with Phicol, attended him when he came to establish an alliance with Isaac. The Chaldaic targum and such versions as follow it, render this name a company of friends, Gen. xxvi. 26. 2. Ai, a city of the country of Moab, taken and pillaged by the Chaldeans, Jer. xlix. 3. AIJALON, (1.) A city of the tribe of Dan, assigned to the Levites descended of Kohath, but the Amorites kept possession of it. It stood between Timnah and Bethshemesh. It appears to have been taken by Uzziah or some other potent king AI, AIATH, AIJA, HAI, a city about 9 miles north-east of Jerusalem, and one eastward of Bethel. Near it Abraham some time sojourned, and built an altar, Gen. xii. 8. and iii. 3. After the taking of Jericho, Joshua sent spies to view Ai; they represented it as improper to send above 3000 chosen men to attack so small a place; and no more were sent. To punish the transgression of ACHAN, they were divinely permitted to suffer a repulse, and thirty-of Judah; it was wrested from them six of them were slain. The expiation of that crime being finished in the death of its author, Joshua, according to the direction of God, marched to attack that city. Two bodies, one of 25,000, and another of 5000, he placed in ambuscade. He himself with the main army, openly marched towards the walls. The king of Ai, proud of his late inconsiderable success, sallied forth against the Hebrews: they retreated, as in flight, till they had drawn the men of Ai, and their assistants of Bethel, into the open plain. Joshua then, raising his shield on the top of his spear, gave the appointed signal to the forces that lay in ambush on the other side of the city. They immediately rushed in, and set it wholly on fire. This done, they came up with the rear of the Canaanites, while Joshua and his forces turned on their front; and enclosing by the Philistines under Ahaz, Josh xix. 42. and xxi. 24. Judg. i. 35. 2 Chron. xxviii. 18. Perhaps it was here that Saul's army stopped their pursuit of the routed Philistines, 1 Sam. xiv. 31. (2.) A city in the tribe of Benjamin, about three miles eastward of Bethel. It was fortified by Rehoboam, 2 Chron. xi. 10. (3.) A city of the tribe of Ephraim, about two miles south of Shechem, and assigned to the Kohathites, is marked by some authors: but I doubt of the existence of this place, and suppose it no other than that in the tribe of Dan, which might come into the hands of the Ephraimites; compare Josh. xxi. 24. with 1 Chron. vi. 69. (4.) Another in the tribe of Zebulun, where Elon the judge of Israel was buried, Judg. xii. 12. It is not certain over which of these AIJALONS Joshua desired the moon to hover. The first lay south-west, |