3296 AM, 4006 JP, 708 BC

677. Dejoces king of the Medes built Ecbatane this year in the first year of the 18th Olympiad according to Eusebius' Greek Chronicle. This city in Ezr 6:2 is called Achmetha, but Ctesias in his Persica, as Stephanus Byzantinus states, called it Agbatam. A fuller description of the construction of it is in /APC Jud 1:1-16 where it is said that it was built by Arphaxad king of Medes. Herodotus and other writers attributed it to Dejoces. It appears that the same man was called by both names. More will be said on this in the notes on 3448 AM.

3299 AM, 4009 JP, 705 BC

678. Taracas or Tirhaka the Ethiopian reigned in Egypt 18 years. See note on 3294 AM. (Africanus.)

3300 AM, 4010 JP, 704 BC

679. After Arkianus, there was no king for 2 years.

3302 AM, 4012 JP, 702 BC

680. Belibus, or Belithus and Belelus, held the kingdom of Babylon for 3 years. (Ptol. Reg. Canon.)

3305 AM, 4015 JP, 699 BC

681. Apronadius reigned in Babylon for 6 years. (Ptol. Reg. Canon.)

3306c AM, 4016 JP, 698 BC

682. Hezekiah was buried in the upper part of the sepulchres of the family of David. All Judah and the inhabitants of Jerusalem paid him every honour possible. 2Ch 32:33 After Hezekiah, came his son Manasseh who reigned 55 years. 2Ki 21:1 He again set up the high places which his father Hezekiah had pulled down. He built altars to all the host of heaven in the two courts of the house of the Lord. He made his son pass through the fire in the valley of the son of Hinnom. He used divinations and sorceries and soothsayings and set up a molten image in the house of the Lord. He made Judah and the inhabitants of Jerusalem to sin and do worse than all the nations, whom God had driven out before the Israelites. 2Ki 21:2,11 2Ch 33:2,9 He also shed much innocent blood, insomuch that he filled Jerusalem with it. In addition to his own sin, he made Judah to sin and to do that which was evil in the sight of the Lord. 2Ki 21:16 24:4 Manasseh is thought to have cut the prophet Isaiah into two pieces with a wooden saw. The Babylonian Talmud in their treatise, Justin Martyr in his Coloquie with Tryphon, Jerome upon Isa 20:57 and others of our men, explain the passage in Heb 11:37

``were sawed in pieces'',

683. as referring to Isaiah. For all this God threatened that:

``he would stretch out over Jerusalem, the line of Samaria and the plumb of the house of Ahab: and that he would wipe Jerusalem, as one useth to do, when he wipes a dish and turneth it upside down,'' 2Ki 21:13

3311 AM, 4021 JP, 693 BC

684. Rigibelus reigned over the Babylonians for one year. (Ptol. Reg. Can.)

3312 AM, 4022 JP, 692 BC

685. Mesissimordacus reigned over the Babylonians for 4 years. (Ptol. Reg. Can.)

3316 AM, 4026 JP, 688 BC

686. There was a vacancy of a king in Babylon for 8 years. (Ptol. Reg. Can.)

687. According to Herodotus, (lib. 1. c. 130) Dejoces extended the kingdom of the Medes, as far as the river Halys, 128 years before the end of the reign of Aastyages.

688. In the 23rd Olympiad, Herostratus Naucraties a merchant of Egypt, went to Paphos in the island of Cyprus. There he bought a little image of Venus about the size of the palm of a man's hand and of very ancient workmanship. By its power he was miraculously delivered from a storm at sea. He consecrated the image at Naucratis in the temple of Venus, with great solemnity. This is according to Atheneus, who was born in the same place, in his 15th book Deipnosophist. However, according to Scrabo, l. 17., there was no such town as Naucratis in Egypt at that time nor until later when it was built by the Milesians. This was in the time of Cyaxeris king of Medes and of Psamyticus king of Egypt, who both lived at the same time.

3317 AM, 4027 JP, 687 BC

689. Civil disorder increased in Egypt for there was no king for 2 years. (Diod. Sic. l. 1.)

3319 AM, 4029 JP, 685 BC

690. After this Egypt was ruled by an aristocracy of 12 men who governed the kingdom by a Common Council. This government according by Herod. (l. 2. c. 147) and Diod. Sic. (l. 1.) is said to have lasted 15 years. Tremellius is of the opinion, that the burden of Egypt, spoken of by the prophet Isa 19:5,6 refers to the drying up of the river Nile as foretold in:

``They shall want of their waters, to run into the sea, so that their river shall be dried up and turning away their waters, they shall empty and dry up their channels fenced with banks''

691. Based on Herodotus, Tremellius states:

``The 12 petty kings using the labour of this poor people, shall strive to overrule the very works of nature and shall turn away the waters of Nile. Even to make its channels dry. They did this so that they might finish their pond or lake of Marios with their Pyramides and Labyrinth solely for their lust and pleasure's sake.''

692. But Scaliger in his Canon. Isagog. understands it, that there should be there so great a drought that their river Nile in the summer season would not rise nor flow nor water Egypt as it normally did. He refers this prophesy to the earlier times of Soij or Sabbacon.

3323c AM, 4033 JP, 681 BC

693. When the family of the Babylonian kings died out, after 8 years of no kings, Esarhaddon the king of Assyria conquered them and held that kingdom for 13 years. (Ptolemy's, Can. Reg.) It appears Assaradinus is the same person as Esarhaddon. This is from the similarity in the names and by the word of the Holy Scripture. It intimates that he was king both of Assyria and Babylon at the same time. 2Ki 17:24 19:37 See note on 3327 AM.

3324 AM, 4034 JP, 680 BC

694. Ardys the son of Gyges, reigned in Lydia for 49 years. He captured Pryene and invaded Miletus. (Herod. l. 1. c. 15.)

3327 AM, 4037 JP, 677 BC

695. In Sicily, the city Gela was built and in Pamphilia, Phaselis by two brothers, Antiphemus and Lacius. (Euseb. Chron.) They consulted the oracle at Delphi concerning a place to live. It answered that the one should sail westward and the other eastward, as Stephanus Byzantinus in the word "Gela", reports, from Aristenetus on his first commentary of Phaselis. Heropythus in his book of the "Borders of the Colophonians", said concerning the building of Phaselis, that Lacius who transported a colony there, met Cylabra, a shepherd with his flock. He gave him the price of the ground where he built his city from his provisions. Philostephanus in his book entitled, "Of the Cities of Asia", gives a more detailed account of Lacius and a man from Argos. One of them went with Mopsus (the founder of the city Colophos) and whom some call Lindius, brother to Antiphemus the builder of Gela. (Lindius is said to have been of Rhodes by Herodotus l. 7. and by Thucidides l. 6.) Lacius was sent by Mopsus with another man, by the oracle and wish of Mantus and Mopsus, his mother. Because the decks of his ships were smashed in a tempest about the Chelidonian Isles, he could not arrive till late at night. There he bought the plot of ground where he built his city, as Mantus had foretold. He gave certain salt meats for it to Bylabra the owner of it. This is what he desired most from all their ship's provisions. (Athens Deipnosoph. l. 7.)

696. In this year the prophecy was fulfilled that was spoken by Isaiah Isa 7:1-8:22. In the beginning of the reign of Ahaz, within 65 years, Ephraim shall be conquered and never be a nation again. For although most of them were carried away by Shalmaneser 44 years earlier and the kingdom utterly destroyed, yet among them who were left there was some form of government. Now they ceased to be a distinct people because of the many foreigners who came to live there. Compared to the total population, the small number of the Ephraimites was not significant. A few remained in their country as appears from the story of Josiah. 2Ch 34:6,7,33 35:18 2Ki 23:19,20 There were every now and then new colonies of people sent from Babel, Cush, Halvah and Sepharvaim. These dwelt in Samaria and its cities. 2Ki 17:24 This was done by Esarhaddon king of Assyria (who was also called, Asnappar the Great and magnificent). This is evident by the confession of the Cushites in Ezr 4:2,10

697. At the same time as Israel was conquered, the same Assyrian army attacked Judah. They captured Manasseh the king, as he was hiding in a thicket. They bound him with chains of brass and carried him captive into Babylon. 2Ch 33:11 Some think this calamity was foretold by the prophet Isaiah, when he says:

``within sixty five years Ephraim shall be so broken in pieces, that it shall be no more a people. And the head of Ephraim is Samaria, is the son of Remaliah: And if you will not believe, you shall not be established,'' Isa 7:8,9

698. Jacobus Capellus has noted in his Chron. that you yourselves also shall be broken in pieces. Further, he adds that also the Jews in Seder Olams Rabba and the Talmudists, cited by Rabbi Kimchi, on Eze 4:1-17 state this.

699. In the 22nd year of Manasseh's reign, he was carried away captive into Babylon. After he repented of his sin, 33 years before his death, God restored him again to his kingdom. 2Ch 33:12,13 His captivity likely did not last very long for no notice of it is taken in 2Ki 21:1-18 It is recorded that he reigned 55 years in Jerusalem. 2Ki 21:1 2Ch 33:1

700. When the new inhabitants of Samaria did not serve the God of Israel, some were killed by lions. When the king of Assyria was told this, he ordered that one of the priests, which were brought from there in the captivity, should be sent back. When the priest returned he made his residence at Bethel. There he taught them how to worship God but according to Jeroboam's religion. They worshipped the calf at Bethel as well as their old idols. They are said to have feared God and not to have feared him. There is little difference between worshipping many gods and no God at all. 2Ki 17:25,33,41 This was the beginning of the animosity which grew later between the Samaritans and the Jews. Ezr 4:1 Ne 4:2 Joh 4:9

3329 AM, 4039 JP, 675 BC

701. According to Euseb. Chron., Chalcedon, or Calcedon, (as it is found on some old coins) was built by the Megarenses at the mouth of the Euxine Sea among the Thracians. They had possession of Bithynia in Asia. (Thucidid. l. 4. Strabo l. 12.)

3334 AM, 4044 JP, 670 BC

702. Psammiticus Saits, the son of Pharaohnecho, was murdered by Sabbacon the Ethiopian and one of those twelve tyrants of Egypt. Sabbacon took over the kingdom and reigned there 54 years. (Herod. l. 2. c. 152. and c. 157.) Isaiah seems to allude to this when he says:

``And the Egyptians will I give up into the hands of lords, which shall lord it cruelly over them, till a fierce king shall come to rule them,'' Isa 19:4

703. Psammitichus was sent away and confined in the low country near the sea. He hired soldiers out of Arabia and a number of pirates from Ionia and Carions, who roved about that shore and assembled the Egyptians who sided with him. In the main battle fought near to Memphis, he overthrew the rest of those domineering lords. For their good service, the Ionians and Carions had land assigned to them to live in. This land was around the cities of Bubastis and Pelusius, which stood upon the mouth of the river Nile. From that time on, the Greeks and other foreigners were always welcome in Egypt. (Herod. l. 2. Diod. Sic. l. 1.) The same Herodotus also reports, that after a 29 year siege, this Psammiticus took by force a large city in Syria called Azotus. (ib. c. 157.) That is the city of Ashdod. I showed perviously on the note on 2391 AM that it was taken by Tartan the commander of the king of Assyria and his army in one year. It was so destroyed by Psammitichus that as the prophet Jeremiah says there was but a remnant of its people left in his days. Jer 25:20

3336 AM, 4046 JP, 668 BC

704. After Assaridinus or Esarhaddon, Saosduchinus ruled both of the empires of Assyria and Babylon for 20 years. (Ptol. Can. Reg.) In the book of Judith that was written in the Chaldee language by some Jew living in Babylon, he is called Nabuchodonosor, a name common to all kings of Babylon. However he was called the king of Assyria and is said to have reigned in the great city of Nineveh. /APC Jud 1:7 The learned Franc. Junius thinks that Saosduchinus is the same person as Merodach-Baladan of the Bible, the grandfather of that Nebucadnetzar and great grandfather of Nebuchadnezzar. Hence he thinks it was Merodach-Baladan who took king Manasseh prisoner to Babylon and released him later. For he states:

``this man was the first king of Babylon and was later made king of Assyria, succeeding in that kingdom after Esarhaddon the Great. When his brothers were found guilty of murdering their father, they were deemed unworthy of the kingdom. After this, all Asia was in a tumult from a war which lasted a long time after.''

705. The succession of Asar-Adon Merodach, Ben-Merodach and Nebuchadnezzar, first and second, is only based on Anianus, that false Metasthenus. According to Junius, Merodach was not grandfather of Nebuchadnezzar or rather Nabopolastar of Nebuchadnezzar the great. Neither was he at first only a trustee of the king of Assyria and later came to be king both of Assyria and Babylon. 2Ki 20:12 Nor did he ever succeed Esarhaddon the great in any kingdom of his, since this Mardocempadus or Merodach died 11 years before ever Manasseh became king. Also 42 years after his death, Aassaradinus or Essarchaddon left Saosduchinus to succeed him in both the Assyrian and the Babylonian kingdom as we noted from Ptolemy's Canon, Reg. If Junius, a man of no less modesty than learning, had seen this, no doubt he would have altered his opinion in this point. Therefore I thought it good in this place to have the reader note that from an event that never happened he should not seek to interpret the prophecy of Eze 31:11,18 as Junius distinguishes them. This is:

``Esarhaddon the Assyrian, was put down, or thrust out of his kingdom, by Merodach Baladan. Therefore, all defected from him and many of them fled to the king of Babylon,''

706. As in the sentence following:

``So that now the land of Assyria, was most shamefully trodden under foot and brought into contempt of all men'' (Ver 20)

3339c AM, 4049 JP, 665 BC

707. Meshullemeth the daughter of Haruz of Jotbah, bore to Manasseh his son Ammon. He was 22 years old when he began to reign. 2Ki 21:19

3344a AM, 4053 JP, 661 BC

708. This was the 16th Jubilee.

3347c AM, 4057 JP, 657 BC

709. In /APC Jud 1:1-16 we read that Nabuchadonosor, king of Assyria, in the 12th year of his reign overcome Arphaxad the king of the Medes, the founder of the city Ecbatan. This battle was in the great plain of Ragau near to Euphrates and Tigris and Jadason in the plain of the country of Erioch king of the Elicians. (We read this in the first chapter of the book of Judith which Jerome at the request of Paula and Eustochiam translated into Latin.) However, whoever first published that book in Greek with many alterations and additions of his own, tells us that Nabuchodanosor in the 12th year of his reign fought a battle with king Arphaxad. This was in a great plain near Ragau. Arphaxad was helped in the battle by all that inhabited the hill countries, all that bordered on the river of Euphrates and Tigris, and Hydaspes and that dwelt in the plain of Arioch king of the Elymeans. /APC Tob 1:5-6. After reviewing the battles mentioned before, he tells us, that he fought this battle against Arphaxad in the 17th year. He conquered all of Ecbatan and in the hill country of Ragan, thrust Arphaxad through with his own spear. When he had accomplished his aim in the war, he returned to Nineveh to feast and celebrate with his army for 120 days. According to Herodotus, Dejoces' death occurred in the 12th year of Saosduchinus' reign. One would argue that Saosduchinus and Dejoces are named Nabuchadonosor and Arphaxad in the book of Judith. In trying to render a reliable succession of kings in Media, to the fables of Cresias, Franc. Junius would need to divide the Median empire into two parts. However, Herodotus known as "the father of histories" sees no division of the kingdoms at all. Fr. Junius gives one of the kingdoms to Dejoces (also called Arioch) Jer 49:14 /APC Jud 1:6-16. The other part of Media he assigns to Artecarmins (whom Ctesias calls Articam and who is here called Arphaxed). This king Arphaxed, established his kingdom at Ecbatan to the end. He thought this to be a strong place in which he would best withstand the assault of Dejoces and all other enemies. Since no division ever was made of Media, both the name of Arphaxad and the Ecbatan kingdom should have been given to Dejoces and not to Arioch or Atticarmes. The book of Judith states that Arphaxad was the founder of Ecbatan. Herodotus and others affirm that Dejoces (also called Arphaxad) was indeed the founder. No one ever wrote that Arioch or Artecarmes built it.

710. After Dejoces died, Phraortes, his son succeeded him and reigned for 22 years. (Herodotus, l. 1. c. 102.)

3348c AM, 4058 JP, 656 BC

711. According to the Chaldee copy of /APC Jud 2:1 Arphaxad (or Dejoces) is said to be the 13th king of Ecbatan but in the Greek, the 18th). One year after Dejoces was overthrown, on the 22nd day of the first month, Nabuchadonosor made plans to subdue nations and add countries to his dominion. He made Holophernes general of all his armies. Holophernes besieged Bethhoglah, also called Bethulia, a city of Judah. While this was happening he was beheaded by Judith, a woman of the tribe of Simeon. After the death of her husband Manasseh, who died in the time of the barley harvest, she spent 3 years of widowhood in that city. The Greek copy says she was a widow for 4 years. /APC Jud 2:8,13

3349 AM, 4059 JP, 655 BC

712. In this year, Isthemus and Borysthenes were built in the country of Pontus. Also, Lampsacus in Hellespont and Abdera in Thrace, were built according to Euseb. Chron. that is, Borysthenes by the Milesians of Ionia, Lampsacus by the Pheonceans and Abdera by the citizens of Clazomene. Solinus c. 10 explains that the sister of Diomedes first built Abdera. After it fell into ruin it was rebuilt and enlarged by the Clazomenians. This took place in the 51st Olympiad which ended a year prior to this date. The leader of the Clazomene colony, was Timesius a citizen of Clazomene, (Herodotus, l.1. c. 168.). Herodotus also adds that Timesius was not able to complete the work because he was attacked by the Thracians.

3355c AM, 4065 JP, 649 BC

713. Amon and Jedidah, the daughter of Adaiah had a son in Boscath, called Joash who was eight years old when he began to reign. 2Ki 22:1

3356c AM, 4066 JP, 648 BC

714. Chyladanus succeeded Saosduchinus both in the Assyrian and Babylonian kingdoms. He reigned 22 years. (Cano. Reg. Ptolemy). Alexander Polyhistor calls him Saracus (or Saracen), which means "robber", or "spoiler".

715. By the oracle of Delphi, Grinus the son of Esanius, king of the island of Thera, was commanded to go build a city in Libya. This city was in ruins because no one knew where Libya was. It is said that for 7 years there was no rain in that island. All the trees there died in that drought except one. (Herodotus l. 4. c. 150, 151.)

3361c AM, 4071 JP, 643 BC

716. In this year king Manasseh returned from his captivity. He had partly restored the true worship of God, which he had formerly discredited. When he died he was buried in the garden of his own house. 2Ch 33:1-16 2Ki 21:18 According to his last will or testament, as if he repented for his former evil doings, he deemed himself unworthy to lie among his own royal ancestors. (Tremelius.)

3363c AM, 4073 JP, 641 BC

717. After Manasseh died his son Amon reigned for 2 years. Amon forsook the Lord God and offered sacrifices to all the graven images, which his father had set up and he worshipped them. He never repented of this as his father did but sinned more than ever his father had. 2Ki 21:19-22 2Ch 33:21-23

718. This wicked Amon was murdered in his house by his own servants. He was buried with Manasseh his father, in the garden of Uzzah. The people slew all that conspired against him. 2Ki 21:23,24,26 2Ch 33:24,25

719. And to him succeeded his son Josias, a child of 8 years old, and reigned 31 years 2Ki 22:1 2Ch 34:1

3364 AM, 4074 JP, 640 BC

720. Those of the isle of Thera, wearied by their seven years of drought, hired Corobius, a merchant in scarlet of the city of Itanus in the isle of Crete. He had formerly been driven by a tempest into a place called Platea, an isle of Libya. They sent him a second time with some of their own countrymen to find that isle. When they found it they left Corobius there with provisions for some months. They returned quickly to let their countrymen know what they had found. When they did not return to Platea at the appointed time, it happened that a ship of Samos, whose captain was Coleus came from Egypt. It put in there and left Corobius and his men another year of provisions. It then put out to sea again. It was caught by a strong wind and driven beyond Hercules' pillars into the main ocean and finally came to Tarteslus in Spain. (Herod. l. 4. c. 151, 152.)

721. The Thereans chose by lot from their seven towns people to establish a new colony. They sent them away to Platea in two ships under the command of one Battus, otherwise called Aristoteles, or Aristeus. (Herod. l. 4. c. 151, 152.)

722. Thales the son of Examius, was this year also born at Miletus in Ionia. This was the first year of the 35th Olympiad according to Laertius notes in Apollodorus' Chronicle.

723. After the Commerians were driven out of their dwellings by the Scythian Shepherds (called Nomads), they left Europe and went into Asia. Following the coast to Sardis, they captured all the city except the citadel. This was the time when Ardys, the son of Gyges, reigned there. (Her. l. 1. c. 15 and 130 and in his 4th book, c. 1. and 12.)

724. When the Thereans had lived in Platea for two years, they left one of their company behind and all sailed to Delphi. There they enquired of the oracle why things were no better since they came into Libya. The oracle answered that they were not yet come to the city of Libya, where they were told to go. Therefore they returned again to Platea. They took the one they left there and they established a colony in a place in the land of Libya, opposite the isle of Platea, called Aziristus. This place was surrounded with most scenic hills and a river running around it on either side. (Herod. l. 4. c. 157.)

725. In that place next to the gardens of the Hesperides and the greater Syrtus, or quicksand, the earth was covered with a shower of rain of pitch, or sulphur. Presently there grew up an herb called Sylphius or Laser i.e. Benjamin, as the Cyreneans say. This occurred seven years before the building of their city. (Theophrast. in his History of Plants, l. 6. Pliny in his Nature. Hist. l. 19. c. 3.)

3369 AM, 4079 JP, 635 BC

726. Phraortes king of the Medes perished in the siege of Nineveh with a large number of his army. His son Cyaxares reigned for 40 years after him. In the beginning of his reign, he wished to avenge his father's death. He compelled all Asia as far as the river Halys to join with him in his war against the Assyrians. (Herod. l. 1.)

3370a AM, 4079 JP, 635 BC

727. When Josiah was 16 years old, he had a son called Jehoiakim by Zebudah the daughter of Pedaiah, of Rumah. He was 25 years old when started his reign. 2Ki 23:36

728. The same year his son was born he began to seek the God of his father David. 2Ch 34:3

3370c AM, 4080 JP, 634 BC

729. Cyaxares defeated the Assyrians in battle but as he went to besiege Nineveh, a vast army of the Scythians attacked him. These were those Scythians who drove the Cimmerians from Europe. Pressing their advantage, they departed from the Lake of Meotis and left the mountain Caucasus on their left. They entered Media, under the command of their king Madois the son of Ptotothya. (Herd. l. 1. c. 104. l. 2. c. 1. and l. 7. c. 20) Mados was also called Indathyrsus the Scythian who storming out Scythia, went over the country of all Asia until he came into Egypt. Strabo states this in the beginning of his Geography from Megasthenes and Arrian in his book "Of the Affairs of Judah". Mados was the same man as Indathirsus, against whom Darius the son of Hystaspes later made such an unlucky voyage. (Herod, l. 4. c. 76. 126, 127) When the Medes were defeated by the Scythians, they lost control of Asia. The Scythians held Asia for 28 years. (Herod. l. 1. c. 104. and l. 4. c. 1.) Tremellius and Junius refer that prophecy of Na 2:5

``He (that is, Cyaxares, besieging Nineveh) shall reckon up his great men; but they shall fall in their journey. (that is) in the journey of the Scythians''

730. Their coming at this time to Asia is better called a journey through Asia rather than an established government or kingdom in Asia. In 28 years, they overran, possessed and lost Media, Assyria and all Asia.

``they shall hasten to his wall, as if they would be his protector, i.e. they shall come hastily to Nineveh, as if they had delivered it out of the hand of Cyaxares and would deliver it.''

3371c AM, 4081 JP, 633 BC

731. In this year, Josiah had a son called Shallum or Jehoahaz by Hamutal the daughter of Jeremiah of Libnah. He was made king after his father at the age of 23 years. The people chose him for king passing over his older brothers. 2Ki 23:30,31 It seems the name of Shallum was changed to Jehoahaz for good luck. The other Shallum, the son of Jabesh, only ruled one month before he was murdered by Menahem. 2Ki 15:13,14 Of the four sons which Josiah had that are mentioned in 1Ch 3:15 this Shallum was named last not Johanan the firstborn, as some have thought. It is easily deduced that Jehoahaz was not the firstborn. For it is said that he was anointed by the people. 2Ki 23:30 However the firstborn of kings were not normally so anointed because the kingdom was theirs by common right. Also, Jehoahaz was 23 years old when he was anointed king. However, three months earlier his brother, Eliakim was made king at the at the age of 25. Hence he was older by two years than Jehoahaz. This is confirmed by Josephus, in his tenth book of Antiquities, c. 6. & 7.

3373 AM, 4083 JP, 631 BC

732. Sadyattes, the son of Ardyis, reigned in Lydia for 12 years. (Herodot. l. 1. c. 16.)

733. When the Scythians had subjected all of upper Asia, they went straight into Egypt. When they came as far as Syria Palestina, Psamitichus the king of Egypt met them in person. He persuaded them by gifts and presents not to go any farther.

734. On their return, they came to Askelon which is in Syria. The greater part of the army passed through the area without doing any damage. However some stragglers at the rear, robbed the temple of Venus Urania. For this all their posterity were smitten with the emerods. (Herod. l. 1. c. 105.) In this year, which was the second of the 37th Olympiad, the Scythians invaded Syria Palestina. (Eusebius Chron.) Also Sinope, was built by the Milesians this year. It was the chief city in all the kingdom of Pontus. (Strabo 12th book) Phlegon says, (cited by Stephanus de Tribibus,) the Sinope was built by Macritius of the isle of Coos. It is certain that when the Cimmerians came to Asia after they fled from the Sythians, they built Chersonesus, in the same place where Sinope a city of the Greeks now stands. (Herod. l. 4. c. 12.) After settling in Aziristus for 7 years, the people of Thera were persuaded by the Libyans to leave. They moved to a place called Irasa and settled there near a fountain named after Apollos. (Herod. l. 4. c. 158.)

735. In the 2nd year of the 37th Olympiad, Battus built the city of Cyrene there. He reigned for 40 years and after him his son Arcesilaus for 16 years with those of the first colony only. Later in the reign of Battus, Arcesilaus, his son, went there with a great number of other Greeks who were stirred up by the oracle of Delphi. The city of Cyrene was built when Apryas reigned among the Egyptians. (Herod. l. 4. c. 159.) This is a better account of events than others have given.

3374c AM, 4084 JP, 630 BC

736. In the 12th year of Josiah's reign, he began to cleanse Judah and Jerusalem from idolatry. He destroyed the high places, groves, and altars of Baal with the images. He burned the bones of their priests upon their own altars. He even went as far as to the cites in Manasseh, Ephraim, Simeon and Naphtali and destroyed all the altars, groves and carved images he found. 2Ch 34:3-7

3375c AM, 4085 JP, 629 BC

737. In the 13th year of king Josiah, Jeremiah was called by God to be a prophet. He refused. God called him again and encouraged him with promises and signs belonging to the office and function of a prophet. He was bid to prophesy to the Jews of the calamity which was to happen there by the king of Babylon. Jer 1:2,17 28:3 At the same time, Zephaniah and others warned the rebellious people to repent which they did not. Zep 1:1 Jer 25:3-5

738. Prosias, or Prusa was built in Bithynia. (Euseb. Chron.)

3378 AM, 4088 JP, 626 BC

739. Nabopolasur of Babylon, (who was made general of the army by Saraco also called Chinaladanus, king of Assyria and Chaldea,) and Astyages, (who was made governor of Media, by his father Cyaxares,) made an alliance together. Astyages gave his daughter Amyitis in marriage to Nebuchadnezzar the son of Nabopolasur. The two men joined their forces and took the city of Nineveh with Saraco its king. (We gather this from a fragment of Alexander Polyhistors that was misunderstood by Georgius Symelius, who cites it in Grac. Scalig. p. 38. 39.) We find in the end of the book of the Greek copy of Tobit that Nabuchodonosor is called Nabopolasur and Assuerus is Astyages and is also called Ahasuerus. Da 9:1 Nineveh was taken while Tobit the younger was still living. When Shalmaneser took Samaria, he carried Tobit and his father captive to Assyria. Tobit is said to have lived 127 years. Since only 95 years passed from the captivity of Israel to this time, Tobit must still have been alive. When Josiah was reigning, (as Jerom in his commentaries upon the prophet Jonah affirms) Nineveh was destroyed. Thus the prophecies of both Nahum and Isaiah, concerning the destruction of Nineveh were fulfilled. This is also described in Eze 31:1-18

740. When Saraco was killed, Nabopolasur ruled the kingdom of Chaldea for 21 years. (Polyhistor, Berosus in his 3rd book of the Affairs of Chaldea, Ptolemy, in Reg. Can.)

3379 AM, 4089 JP, 625 BC

741. Sadyattes king of Lydia, invaded the territory of the Milesians and started a war that lasted for 6 years.

3380d AM, 4090 JP, 624 BC

742. In the 18th year of Josiah's reign, he charged Hilkiah the high priest to use the money which had been collected to repair the house of the Lord. When he was doing this he found the original book of the law, which was first laid up in the side of the Ark of the Covenant. De 31:26 This book seems to have disappeared ever since the beginning of Manasseh's reign. When he found it, he sent it by Shaphan the scribe to the king. After Josiah heard the book entirely read to him, he asked counsel of Huldah the prophetess. She prophesied to him that that kingdom should certainly be destroyed but not in his lifetime. 2Ki 22:3-20 2Ch 34:8-28 The king called the elders of Judah and Jerusalem, with the priests and prophets. He had the book of the law read to all the people and renewed the covenant between God and the people. Again, he cleansed the city from idolatry, and throughly restored the worship of God. 2Ki 33:1-14, 2Ch 34:29,30 He demolished the altar and high place which Jeroboam the son of Nebat had set up. He burnt the bones of the dead upon the altar as had been foretold 350 years earlier. 2Ki 13:2 When he had destroyed the altars which the kings of Israel had built in the cities of Samaria, slain all their priests and burnt dead men's bones upon them, he then returned to Jerusalem. 2Ki 23:15-20 Even with this renewing of the covenant and general reformation of religion, the inevitable decree of desolation to follow because of the people's sins still stood. From this time of renewing is the beginning both of the 30 years spoken of in the first of the prophecy of Ezekiel and also the 40 years of the iniquity of Judah. Eze 4:6

3381c AM, 4091 JP, 623 BC

743. Josiah kept the passover in the same 18th year of his reign, on the 14th day of the first month (Monday, May 4th) in the presence of all Judah and Israel and the inhabitants of Jerusalem. He kept this with more solemnity than ever had been done by any of the kings of Israel or Judah in olden times. 2Ki 23:21-23 2Ch 35:1-19 He took away all witches and soothsayers, all images and gods and all the abominations, which were found in the land of Judah and in Jerusalem. He obeyed all the words which were written in the book of the law that was found by Hilkiah. 2Ki 33:24 De 18:9-11

3383c AM, 4093 JP, 621 BC

744. Toward the end of the 5th year of Nabopolassur, (which is the 127th from the Epoch of Nabonazar,) on the 27th day of Eygptian month of Athyr, toward the 28th of the month, the moon was eclipsed at Babylon, beginning 5 hours after midnight. (Ptol. Syntax. p. 125. Greek edition) This was on Saturday, April 22nd or the 27th of Athyr as it drew to a close. This is Ptolemy's meaning, when he says, that it was from the 27th to the 28th, lasting in all six hours after the midnight of the 27th day to the sun-rising when the 28th day was to begin.

3384d AM, 4094 JP, 620 BC

745. Hamutal bare to Josiah, after Shallum, or Jehoahaz, Mattaniah. He was later called Zedekiah and was 21 years old when he began to reign. Jer 51:1 2Ki 24:17,18

746. Xenophanes Colophonius, founder of the sect of the Eleatic discipline in philosophy, was born in the 40th Olymiad. (Elius Empiricus, in his first book, contra Mathematicos, c. 12.) (More correctly related from Apollodorus, as cited by Clemens Alexandrinus, l. 1. Strommat.)

3385 AM, 4095 JP, 619 BC

747. The son of Sadyattes called Halyattes the younger reigned in Lydia for 57 years. He spent the first 5 years fighting the war against the Libyans that his father had started. (Herod. l. 1. c. 17. 18, 25.)

3387c AM, 4097 JP, 617 BC

748. Jehoiakim son of Josiah, had a son, by Nehushta, the daughter of Elnathan of Jerusalem, called Jehoiakim or Jeconiah. He was 18 years old when he began to reign. 2Ki 28:8

3388 AM, 4098 JP, 616 BC

749. Necho, the son of Psammitichus, reigned in Egypt 16 years. (Herod. l. 20. c. 159.) The Bible calls him Necho or Pharaohnecho. 2Ch 35:24 2Ki 23:29 Jer 46:2 This man began a channel from the Nile to the gulf of Arabia, which cost the lives of 120,000 Egyptians. He abandoned the work when it was half done. He sent certain Phoenicians to sail round Africa. They set sail from the Gulf of Arabia or the Red Sea. They went into the southern sea and sailed around the coast. They finally came to the strait of Gibraltar and returned into Egypt, three years after they started out. (Herod. l. 1. c. 158. and l. 4. c. 52)

3390 AM, 4100 JP, 614 BC

750. In the 12th year of the war between the Lydians and the Milesians, the Lydian army had burnt the harvest of the Milesians, as they normally did each year. It happened, that the wind caught the flames and set the temple of Minerva in Assesus on fire and burnt it to the ground. After the army returned, Halyattes, became sick for a long time. Finally he sent to consult the Oracle at Delphi. The prophetess refused to entertain his request until the temple which his men had destroyed was rebuilt. Periander the son of Cyphelus, ruler of Corinth, found out the reply and told it to his good friend Thrasibulus, king of the Milesians. He cleverly ordered that when Halyattes and his ambassadors came about rebuilding the temple, the Milesians should be feasting and revelling using all the remaining grain and supplies in the city. Halyattes expected to find that the Milesians would be starving from the long war. However, when he saw they appeared to have plenty to eat, he made peace and a league of friendship with the Milesians. Halyattes built two temples of Minerva at Assesus to replace the one he destroyed. When he got well, he sent rich presents and offerings to Delphi. (Herod. l. 1. ca.19,20,22,23,24. with Polyanus, l. 6. Stratag.)

3393a AM, 4102 JP, 612 BC

751. The 17th Jubilee.

3393c AM, 4103 JP, 611 BC

752. Anaximander Milesius, the son of Praxidemus, was born in Ionia. See note on 3457 AM.

3394c AM, 4104 JP, 610 BC

753. By God's command, Necho king of Egypt went against the king of Assyria, who at that time made war with him and planned to besiege Carchemish on the river Euphrates. 2Ki 23:29 2Ch 35:20-22 Josephus states that he went to fight against the Medes and Babylonians, who had overthrown the empire of the Assyrians. (lib. 10. Antiq. ca. 6.) Carchemish, at the time of Sennacherib belonged to and was occupied by the Assyrians. Isa 10:5-19 However when that kingdom was destroyed, it returned to the hands of the Babylonians. Just as when king of Persia defeated Babylon and Assyria, Ezr 6:22 he was called king of the Assyrians, so when the king of Babylon defeated Assyria, was likewise called king of Assyria. In addition the heathen authors also tell us, that Babylon was in olden times part of Assyria and the Holy Scriptures state that the kingdom of Chaldea was founded by the king of Assyria.Isa 23:13 Nu 24:22 Isa 52:4 Na 9:22

754. When Josiah unadvisedly entered into this war, he was slain. 2Ki 23:29,30 2Ch 32:22,23 This happened in the valley of Megiddo which belonged to the tribe of Manasseh. Jos 17:11 Jud 1:17 (Herod. l. 2.) Herodotus refers to this story saying, Necho attacked the Syrians with an army on foot and overthrew them in Magdala. After the fight he took a great city of Syria named Cadytis. Scaliger notes that this Cadytis was actually Kadesh which is mentioned in Nu 21:16. Scaliger also believes that Magdala and Megiddo, were located near each other. Because Magdala was the more noted place of the two, the fight was said to have taken place there. In the same way it is commonly understood that the battle between Alexander and Darius at Gaugamela, is said to have been fought at Arbela since Gaugamela was an obscure place. It may be that Magdala and Megiddo were the same place since that is the place from which that other Mary obtained her surname of Magdalene. In Mt 15:39 we see Magdalam is how the name is rendered. The Syrian renders it Mageda and the old Latin translates it Magedan, which appears to be similar to Megiddo.

755. Since the good king was killed in this way and the fact that he lived postponed the Babylonish captivity from that nation, 2Ki 22:20 the last year's jubilee was turned into a year of lamentation. It almost became a common proverb, "The lamentation of Hadadrimmon in the valley of Megiddo". Zec 12:11 Not only all the people at that time bewailed the death of Josiah, but even later, a public mourning for him was voluntarily kept. The prophet Jeremiah also, wrote a song of memorial called "Song of Threnes", or "Lamentations" 2Ch 35:24,25 In this song he bewailed the calamities which were shortly to befall that people. Jeremiah wrote:

``The breath of our nostrils, the anointed of the Lord, is taken in their pits: of whom we said, under the shadow of his wings we shall live among the heathen.'' La 4:20

756. So that we may very justly question the first verse, or poem of that book which we find in the Greek and common Latin translation but disagrees with Jerome. It is prefixed before the Threnes or Lamentations of Jeremiah.

``And it came to pass after that Israel was carried into captivity, and Jerusalem laid waste, Jeremiah the prophet sat down and wept, and made this lamentation in Jerusalem and sighing and howling, out of the bitterness of his heart, said:''

757. Whoever added this should have noted the verse:

`` Add not to his words, that he blame thee not and thou be found a liar,'' Pr 30:6

758. There was also a second Song of Lamentations for the miserable condition of the kingdom of the Jews after the death of Josiah. It was composed by the prophet Ezekiel and appointed to be sung, Eze 19:1-14

759. After the death of Josiah the people feared that the king of Egypt would invade when there was no king. They anointed as king his youngest son Shallum or Jehoahaz. He soon did that which was evil in the sight of the Lord even as his forefathers had done. 2Ki 23:30-32 2Ch 36:1 See note in 3371 AM.

3394d AM, 4104 JP, 610 BC

760. When Necho returned from Assyria, he disposed Shallum from the throne after he had only reigned 3 months. He made Eliakim his older brother king in the place of his father Josiah and changed his name into Jehoiakim. 2Ki 23:31,32,34 2Ch 36:2-4 This was a public witness that he attributed the victory he had over the Assyrians to the Lord Jehovah only. He formerly prophesied that it was God who sent him against the Assyrians. 2Ch 35:21,22 He imposed a tribute of one hundred talents of silver and one talent of gold on the land of Judah. He put Shallum or Jehoiakim in fetters at Riblah and carried him away prisoner into Egypt where he eventually died. 2Ki 23:33-35 2Ch 36:3,4 Eze 19:3,4

761. The prophet Jeremiah by God's appointment went to Shallum in the new king's palace. He earnestly entreated the king, his courtiers and all the people the with promises and threats from Almighty God. He foretold that Shallum or Jehoiakim would be carried away captive into Egypt.

``Weep not for him that is departed (meaning Josiah) nor make lamentation for him; but weep for him that is to depart: (that is Shallum) because he shall return no more to see his native soil.'' Jer 22:1,2,10,-12

3395a AM, 4104 JP, 610 BC

762. In the beginning of the reign of Jehoiakim, Jeremiah was commanded by God to stand in the court of the temple. He exhorted the people who assembled from all the cities of Judah to bow themselves there before the Lord. It being then the feast of Tabernacles, wherein all the males out of the cities were required to appear at Jerusalem. De 15:16) He told them to repent and when they would not, he denounced the judgment of God against them saying:

``That that house should become as Shiloh: and that city should be accursed among all the nations of the earth:''

763. This resulted in his arrest by the priests and prophets and all the people that were then in the court. They accused him to be a man worthy of death, but he was acquitted and set at liberty by the public judgment of the princes and elders. Jer 26:1,2,19

3395b AM, 4105 JP, 609 BC

764. Like Jeremiah, Uriah also the son of Shemariah from Kirjathjearim, prophesied against Jerusalem and the land of Judah. When Jehoiakim the king sought to put him to death, he fled into Egypt. The king sent after him Elnathan the son of Achor and other men who overtook him and brought him back to the king. He had him killed and threw his carcass among the vilest sepulchres of the common people. However Ahikam, the son of Shaphan who had formerly been a man of great authority with king Josiah, 2Ki 22:12 2Ch 34:20 was a friend of Jeremiah. Ahikam prevented Jeremiah from being turned over to people to be killed. Jer 26:20,24

765. To these I might add the prophet Habakkuk. When he complained of the stubbornness of the Jews, God replied:

``That he would shortly send the Chaldeans into Judah'';

766. Further he declared his purpose concerning that matter:

``I will do a work in your days, which you will not believe when it shall be old unto you: For behold I will stir up the Chaldeans, a fierce nation and a swift: which shall walk through the breadth of the land, to possess a land which is none of theirs as their own inheritance. '' Hab 1:5,6

767. In the beginning of the reign of Jehoiakim, Jeremiah foretold that Zedekiah should be king of Judah and Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon. He would conquer his neighbouring nations. Jer 27:1,11

3397a AM, 4106 JP, 608 BC

768. The governor of Coelosyria and Phoenicia revolted from Nabopolassar king of Babylon. When Carchemish was taken, Nabopolassar sent against them his son Nebuchadnezzar (after he made him viceroy in the kingdom) with a large army. This was done in the latter end of the third and beginning of the fourth year of Jehoiakim, king of Judah. Da 1:1 Jer 25:1.

3397b AM, 4107 JP, 607 BC

769. When Nebuchadnezzar was made viceroy in the kingdom, God revealed to Jeremiah these things. First was the defeat of the Egyptians at the river Euphrates then later in their own country. Nebuchadnezzar would make himself master of Egypt. Jer 46:1-28 The first came to pass almost immediately. Pharaohnecho's forces at Carchemish were cut off by Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon, in the 4th year of Jehoiakim. Jer 46:2 The second happened after the taking of Tyre, in the 27th year of the captivity of Jeconiah. Eze 29:17-19

770. In the 4th year of Jehoiakim, which was the first of Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon, the prophet Jeremiah reproved the Jews for not obeying the word of the Lord. He had proclaimed this from the 13th year of king Josiah, even to that present 4th year of Jehoiakim, that is for 23 years. All that time they were stubborn and disobedient to his admonitions as well as all the other prophets whom the Lord had sent. Again he told them of the coming of Nebuchadnezzar upon them and of their captivity in Babylon which was to last 70 years. He stated that Judah and the other nations were to serve the king of Babylon.

3397c AM, 4107 JP, 607 BC

771. Lastly, the kingdom of Babylon itself would be destroyed and the land of Chaldea would be desolate. Jer 25:1,3,11,12 Many years earlier, this 70 years was mentioned by Isaiah in more obscure terms when he spoke of the destruction of Tyre. Isa 23:15,17

3398a AM, 4107 JP, 607 BC

772. In the 4th year of Jehoiakim, Baruch the son of Neriah wrote in a book according to what Jeremiah spoke. It had all the words of the Lord concerning Israel and Judah, from the time of Josiah until that day. He read them in the house of the Lord, in the audience of the men of Jerusalem, and of all the Jews who were assembled there from their cities, in the day of the fast. Jer 36:1-8 That is that solemn fast which was yearly kept on the 10th day of the 7th month, Le 16:29 23:27 Nu 29:7 five days before the feast of tabernacles. All the males from all the cities of Judah, were to appear at Jerusalem. See note on 3395 AM. Baruch was extremely amazed and afflicted in his soul, with the horror of these dreadful judgments which he had written. Jeremiah comforted him, by the word of the Lord concerning this calamity which was to be brought upon all the land by the Babylonians and assured him of his own life, in the midst of all these troubles. Jer 45:1-5 In the passage Jer 31:1-32:44 may allude to this also as well as the promises made concerning the restoration of the church.

773. When Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon came to Judah, the Rechabites, of the descendants of Jonadab, the son of Rechab, 2Ki 10:15 for fear of the host of the Chaldeans and Syrians, left their tents and came into Jerusalem. They had dwelt in tents according to the rule of their forefather Jonadab. Jer 35:8-11 Since material in this chapter is written in the present tense, we gather that the time of the Rechabites refusing to drink wine occurred when the city was besieged by Nebuchadnezzar. Da 1:1

774. God gave Jehoiakim the King of Judah into the hands of Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon, with part of the furniture of the house of the Lord. Da 1:2 This was in the 9th month called Chisleu, as may be gathered from the anniversary of the fast which was kept in remembrance of this calamity and was a tradition of the Jews. Zec 7:3,5 8:19 It was kept in this month. Jer 36:9

775. Nebuchadnezzar chained Jehoiakim to carry him away to Babylon. 2Ch 36:6 Later upon submission and his promises of subjection, he let him stay in his own house where he lived as his servant for 3 years. From this time of the carrying of the king and people of the Jews into the bondage of Nebuchadnezzar, starts the 70 years of the captivity of Babylon which were foretold by the prophet Jeremiah. Jer 25:11 29:10

776. Nebuchadnezzar ordered Ashpenash, the overseer of the eunuchs, that he should carry from there the best of the children of Israel, both of royal blood and of the princes. Da 1:3 This was predicted by Isaiah the prophet to Ezekiel. Isa 39:7 They were under his care and to be educated for 3 years in the language and sciences of the Chaldeans. The best of them were to be picked to stand before the king and serve in his palace. Among those taken from the tribe of Judah, were Daniel, who was Belshazzar, Hananiah, who was Shadrach, Mishael, who was Meshach and Anani, who was Abednego. Each had his name changed at the discretion of the prince of the eunuchs, Da 1:3-7

777. Now after those Scythians, of whom I spoke before, had taken their pleasure in Asia for 28 years, Cyaxares and the Medes gave them a great feast. When they were all drunk on a certain day, he had most of their throats cut. (Herod. l. 1. ca. 106.) In addition to these certain other Scythians of the nomads or shepherds were expelled from their own country by an opposing faction. They had been entertained by Cyaxares and by him employed, partly in hunting , partly in the education of children. After this massacre, when these were poorly treated by him, they killed one of the boys which they had taken to educate. They dressed his flesh like venison and set it before Cyaxares and his guests to eat. After this they quickly fled away to Halyartes the king at Sardis for protection. When Cyaxares demanded Halyartes surrender them to him, Halyattes refused. Hence started a five year war between the Medes and Lydians. (Herod. l. 1. ca. 73,74.) Concerning the Cimmerians, (see note on 3368 AM), Halyattes drove them from all Asia. (Herod. l. 1. ca. 16.)

3399a AM, 4108 JP, 606 BC

778. In the 9th month of the 5th year of Jehoiakim, there was a solemn fast before the Lord proclaimed to all the people at Jerusalem. This was in remembrance, it seemeth, of the taking of the city by the Chaldeans the year before in the same month. Baruch stood at the gate of the house of the Lord and read all the words of the Lord. These words were spoken by Jeremiah to him and written in a book. All the people who were assembled at Jerusalem from all the cities of Judah heard Baruch read the book. When the princes were told of this by Micah the son of Gemariah, they called Baruch to them. They heard him read the same book and fearing the king, advised Jeremiah and him, to hide. When the king heard part of the book read, he first cut the book through with a pen-knife and then hurled it into the fire that was in the hearth and burnt it. Jer 36:9-25 In memory of this detestable act of the king, the Jews to this day keep a fast, upon the 7th day of the 9th month called Chisleu.

3399b AM, 4109 JP, 605 BC

779. When Jehoiakim had burnt the book, he ordered Jerahmeel the son of Hammelech, Seraiah the son of Azriel and Shelemiah the son of Abdiel, to apprehend Baruch the writer and Jeremiah the prophet. God hid them and against that impious king and his kingdom, pronounced this sentence.

``...Thou hast burned this roll, saying, Why hast thou written therein, saying, The king of Babylon shall certainly come and destroy this land and shall cause to cease from thence man and beast? Therefore thus saith the LORD of Jehoiakim king of Judah; He shall have none to sit upon the throne of David: and his dead body shall be cast out in the day to the heat and in the night to the frost. And I will punish him and his seed and his servants for their iniquity; and I will bring upon them and upon the inhabitants of Jerusalem and upon the men of Judah, all the evil that I have pronounced against them; ...'' (Jeremiah 36:29-31 AV)

780. Later by God's appointment, Baruch wrote again the words from Jeremiah, the same words, which he had written before and wrote many additional things. Jer 36:26-32

781. Nebuchadnezzar capitalised on his victory over Necho and took from the Egyptians all the lands they possessed between Egypt and Euphrates. From that time on, Necho did not venture out of Egypt. 2Ki 24:7 Meanwhile his father Nabopolassar, died in the land of Babylon, when he had reigned 21 years.

782. When Nebuchadnezzar heard this, he ordered the deportation to Babylon of the captives of Jews, Syrians, Phoenicians and Egyptians. His army and equipment were sent there also. He posted a small company at the nearest way through the desert and returned to Babylon before them. He was made king over all his father's large dominions. He distributed the captives when they were brought to Babylon, into various colonies as he saw fit. (Berosus l. 3. of the affairs, of Chaldea,) The vessels and other furniture of the temple Nebuchadnezzar took away with him to Babylon were put in the temple of his god, Belus. Da 1:2 2Ch 36:7 His son was named after this god. According to Abydenus in his "Assyrian History" and Brosus, he did greatly enrich and adorn that temple with the spoil which he had taken in that war.

783. The rest of the Scythians who had escaped the slaughter of the Medes returning home, were met by a great army of lusty young men. These had been born of their own wives in their long absence by their slaves. With these they fought many a sharp battle but at last, laid aside their swords. Each man took a whip in his hand, as is more fitting for the correction of slaves, and thereby made them all to flee. (Herod, in the beginning of his 4th book.)

3401a AM, 4110 JP, 604 BC

784. When Jehoiakim had lived 3 years in subjection to the king of Babylon, he rebelled against him. 2Ki 24:1

785. Daniel and his three followers refused the diet provided for them from the king's allowance. They dined only on pulse and water. However they were found to look better and of a more fair complexion than the rest which did eat of the king's food. After three years, they were brought into court to attend the king. They greatly excelled in all matters of knowledge, wisdom, and science, which the king was pleased to ask them about, above all the Magi and astronomers that were in his kingdom. Da 1:5-20

786. In the second year of his kingdom, Nebuchadnezzar dreamed of the great image made of various metals. When he forgot his dream, he asked his Magi and astronomers what his dream was and what it meant. When they could not satisfy him in so unreasonable a demand, he commanded them all to be put to death. When Daniel saw the execution being prepared and understood the reason for it, he asked the king to delay for a while. Daniel and his companions prayed to God. God revealed the dream to Daniel and the interpretation of it. He declared to the king what his dream was and also the four monarchies which were to come. This was the meaning of the image which he saw in his dream. After this the king enriched him with great gifts and made him governor of all the province of Babylon and chief over all its wise men. Moreover at his request, he made his three companions, Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego, principal officers in all that province. Da 2:1-49

3403d AM, 4113 JP, 601 BC

787. In the beginning of the 6th year of the war between the Medes and the Lydians, the war was stalemated. Thales the philosopher of Miletus had predicted to the Ionians that an eclipse of the sun would happen. When both the armies saw the day grow dark like the night, they stopped fighting. Later they made a peace between themselves by the mediation of Syennesis of Cilicia and of Labynitus the Babylonian (which was Nebuchadnezzar). Halyattes gave his daughter Ariena, to Astyages the son of Cyaxeres in marriage. (Herod. l. 1. ca. 74.) This eclipse as predicted by Thales, happened exactly when Cyaxeres the father of Astyages and king of the Medes and Halyattes Cresus' father and king of the Lydians were fighting together. This is confirmed by Endemus, in his "Astronomical History". Also Pliny speaks of it and gave the following reason for the eclipse: (l. 1. c. 12.)

``Among the Greeks, the first one that found out how to predict the eclipses was Thales the Milesian. He foretold the eclipse of the sun, in the 4th year of the 48th Olympiad, which was in the reign of Halyattes, ''

788. (For so is the reading in the old copy, not of Astyages, as the common edition has it) 170 years after the building of Rome. Clemens Alexan. (lib. 1. Strom.) places this fight of Cyaxares and eclipse of the sun about the 50th Olympiad. He differs greatly from the opinion of Endemus, whom he cites for it. For both the time assigned by Endemus and Pliny does not agree with Cyaxares, but with the reign of Astyages. Also from Ptolemy's, sun and moon-tables, which are the same with those of Hipparchus, it appears plainly that the sun was eclipsed in the 4th year of the 44th olympiad. That is in the 147th of Nabonasar, on the 4th day of the Egyptian month Pacon, (or Sunday, September 20th according to the Julian Calendar) 3 hours 25 minutes before noon. This eclipse was of 9 digits, (12 digits is 100%) and continued almost two hours.

3404c AM, 4114 JP, 600 BC

789. Plamnis the son of Neco reigned in Egypt for 6 years (Herod. l. 2. c. 161.)

790. The Phocenses set sail from Ionia and built Marseilles on the coast of Liguria in Italy 120 years before the naval battle at Salamis. (According to Marcianus in his Periegesis reports from Timeus.) This was in the first year of the 45th olympiad according to both Eusebius in his Chronicle and Solinus in Polyhistor. However the latter confounds this first colony of the Phocenses made in the days of Tarquinius Priscus with their later one under Servius Tullus. See note on 3461 AM. The story of the wedding which was the occasion for the building of this city, is described in detail by Atheneus, l. 3. from Aristotle. He speaks of the commonwealth of the Marseilians. Justin has a similar account in his 43rd book out of Tro. Pomp. who relates the same thing, though differing in the names of the persons concerned.

791. Nebuchadnezzar's army of Syrians, Chaldeans, Moabites and Ammonites, attacked Jehoiakim and destroyed all of Judah. 2Ki 24:2 They took 3023 prisoners from there in the 7th year of Nebuchadnezzar. Jer 52:28

792. Astyages or Ahasuerus, Da 9:1 who married Ariena the year before had a son called Syaxares or Darius, the Mede. He was 62 years old when he succeeded Belshazzar, who was slain, in the kingdom of the Chaldeans. Da 5:30,31 Astyages, in the lifetime of his father, gave in marriage his daughter, Mandanes, who was born by his former wife, to Cambyses son of Achemenes, king of Persia. (This is according to Xenophon, who states this in his first book of the education of Cyrus.) He derives his family pedigree from Perseus. From this union Cyrus was born the next year. Hence we do not believe Ctesias, who contrary to Herodotus and Xenophon and others, states that that Astyages was related to Cyrus in any way.

3405c AM, 4115 JP, 599 BC

793. After Jehoiakim was taken prisoner by the Chaldeans, he was thrown out without a proper burial, buried like an ass. His body was dragged out of the gate of Jerusalem, according as was foretold by the prophet. Jer 22:18,19 36:30 Though in reference to the common course of nature, he also may be said to have slept with his fathers. 2Ki 24:6

794. After him, his son Jehoiachin, who was also called Coniah and Jeconiah, reigned 3 months and ten days in Jerusalem. He also did what was evil in the sight of the Lord, as his father Jehoiakim had done before him. 2Ki 24:8,9 2Ch 36:8,9 God pronounced this most dreadful decree against him:

``Write this man childless, a man which shall not prosper in his days; for none of his seed shall prosper to sit in the throne of David, nor reign any more in Judah'' Jer 22:30

795. Concerning this matter, refer to Christophorus Helvicus' book of the Genealogy of Christ. At this time, the prophecy of Jeremiah contained in Jer 23:1-40 seems to have been uttered.

796. In the same year when the former army was sent, the servants of Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon came to besiege Jerusalem. When Nebuchadnezzar himself came to the city while his servants besieged it. Jehoiachim the king, with his mother Nehushta, a woman of Jerusalem and his servants and officers, with all his courtiers, came forth to the king of Babylon. This happened in the 8th year of Nebuchadnezzar's reign over Babylon. He took from there all the treasure, both of the temple and of the king's house. He broke in pieces all the golden vessels and furniture, which Solomon had made for the temple of the Lord, just as the Lord, Isa 39:6 had foretold. He carried away king Jehoiachim to Babylon with his mother, his wives and his courtiers. From all of Jerusalem he took 10,000 men, the magistrates, every man of strength, all the carpenters and smiths. He left only at Jerusalem the poorer sort of people. From the other parts of the land, he carried away 7000 able bodied men and 1000 of the smiths and carpenters. These were all strong men and fit for war. They were carried prisoners into Babylon. 2Ki 24:8-16 2Ch 36:10 Jer 24:1 29:1,2 Eze 17:12 Among the captives was Mordecai of the tribe of Benjamin, the son of Jair, Es 2:5,6 and Ezekiel the priest, the son of Buzi. Therefore he in his prophecy starts the captivity from this time, Eze 1:2,3 which he also calls his own banishment. Eze 40:1 An Epistle, said to be Jeremiah's, is sent to those that were appointed to be carried away to Babylon. It warned them to beware of the idolatry which they should see practised in Babylon. /APC Bar 6:1-73

797. While the king of Babylon thus ravaged in Judah, God prepared a worm which in due time should eat out this spreading tree. The cry of this poor people came to the Lord.

``O daughter of Babylon, wasted with misery, happy shall he be that shall reward thee, as thou hast served us, who shall take thy children and dash them against the stones,'' Ps 137:8

798. For in this very year, was Cyrus the Media-Persian born whose father was a Persian and his mother a Mede, as I showed before. This very Nebuchadnezzar, at the hour of his death, as Abydenus has it, uttered this prophecy:

``There shall come a Persian Mule, who shall make use of your Devils, as his fellow-soldiers, to bring you into bondage:''

799. This was also foretold by that Oracle given to Croesus:

``When a mule king, shall to the Medes be born, &c.''

800. The Pythian Priests interpreted this to refer to Cyrus, who was to be born of a father and a mother of two different nations, a Persian and a Mede. (Herod. l. 2. c. 55. and 91.) But most plainly and truly Isaiah foretold, Isa 13:1,2 that the Babylonians also should have a time wherein to endure their hell of slavery. Their children would one day be dashed against the stones before their eyes. Isa 13:16 These miserably captive Jews would one day be restored to their liberty. He called their deliverer many years before by his proper name of Cyrus. Isa 44:28 45:1 God gave him the reason for this unusual revelation:

``For my servant Jacob and for Israel my chosen's sake, have I called thee by thy name and given thee a surname, though thou hast not known me,'' Isa 45:4

801. As for the age of this Cyrus, Tully in his 1st book de Divinations, cited it from Dionysius a Persian writer, in this manner:

``The sun appeared to Cyrus in his sleep, standing at his feet. When Cyrus endeavoured to take the sun in his hands three times, the sun turned aside and went away. The Magi, who are counted as wise and learned men among the Persians, said that by his three attempts to take hold of the sun meant that he should reign 30 years. This came to pass accordingly, for he started to reign at the age of 40 and lived to the age of 70.''

802. From which dream perhaps, so expounded by the magicians, Cyrus took his name; for, as Ctesias rightly says,

``Cyrus in the Persian language, means the sun:''

803. So also said Plutarch in his work on the life of Artaxerxes as well as Chur or Churshid, in the Persian poets, as it is said to this day. From the work of Tully's compared with Da 5:31 it appears that Darius the Mede or Cyaxares the son of Astyages that Cyrus' uncle was born before him. Therefore Xenophon in his book entitled, "Of the Institution of Cyrus", l. 6. coined the expression:

``seeing I am here present and am older than Cyrus, it is fitting that I speak first: ''

804. And in book 4 by the same author, when Cyrus wrote to Darius, he used these words:

``I advise you, though I be the younger of the two.''

805. Nebuchadnezzar made Mattaniah the son of Josiah, king in place of Jeconiah his uncle and changed his name to Zedekiah, meaning "the justice of the Lord". Jer 37:1 2Ki 24:17 He had made a covenant with him and had taken an oath of allegiance from him and Zedekiah, had taken an oath by God to perform it. 2Ch 36:13 Eze 17:13,14,18 By giving him this new name, he intended to remind Zedekiah of the just judgment of God if he would break the oath.

806. Zedekiah reigned a full 11 years in Jerusalem and did evil in the sight of the Lord his God. He did not humble himself before Jeremiah the prophet who spoke to him in the name the Lord but stiffened his neck and hardened his heart that he might not return to the Lord God of Israel. Jer 1:3 32:1,2 2Ki 24:18,19 2Ch 36:11-13 Indeed, all the leaders of the priests and the people of the whole land transgressed the law and polluted the house of the Lord which God had sanctified in Jerusalem. Nor would they listen to the word of the Lord, which he spoke to them by the mouth of his prophet Jeremiah and other prophets. Instead, they despised them and mocked the messengers which God sent to them until the fire of God's fury burst upon his people. Jer 37:2 2Ch 36:14-16.

807. After Jeconiah was carried away, God revealed to Jeremiah in a vision of two baskets of figs, the captivity of the new king Zedekiah and the remainder of the people. Jer 24:1,2,8,9,

808. In the beginning of Zedekiah's reign, Jeremiah prophesied the captivity and restoration of the Elamites. Jer 49:34-39 For Nebuchadnezzar had taken from Astyages, the whole province of Elam, with the city Susa on the river Ulai and annexed it to his kingdom. Jer 25:25 Da 8:1,2 Later these Elamites combined with the Medes against the Babylonians. Isa 21:2 When Belshazzar was overthrown, they recovered their state again, under Cyrus. Their chief city Susa was made by Cyrus to be the seat of the Persian kingdom. (Strabo, l. 15)

809. When ambassadors came from the various kings of Edom, Moab, Ammon, Tyre and Sidon to Jerusalem, to visit the new king Zedekiah, God told Jeremiah to give to each of them chains and whips to be presented to their masters. He commanded them all to submit to Nebuchadnezzar and stop listening to their wizards and stargazers, who advised them not to submit. He advised Zedekiah to remain loyal to the king of Babylon and to beware of the false prophets. By threats and promises he persuaded many of the people to submit to and obey the king of Babylon. Jer 39:1-18

810. When Jeconiah was carried away with the other captives, Zedekiah sent Elasah, the son of Shaphan and Gemariah the son of Hilkiah, to Nebuchadnezzar in Babylon. Jeremiah sent a letter by them which he had written to the elders and priests and prophets and the rest of the people, who had been carried from there by Nebuchadnezzar, king of Babylon. In the letter, the prophet instructed them how to behave themselves in captivity and comforted them with a gracious promise of deliverance at the end of the 70 years. He predicts the great calamities which were to fall on those whom they had left behind in Jerusalem. He foretold the miserable end which Ahab, the son of Kolaiah and Zedekiah the son of Maaseiah, the two false prophets should come to. Jer 29:1-23

3406 AM, 4116 JP, 598 BC

811. Seraiah sent letters, as it seems, by Zedekiah's messengers, when they returned from Babylon, to Zephaniah, (who was the second chief priest) 2Ki 25:18 and to the rest of the priests at Jerusalem. He denounced what the prophet Jeremiah had written to them. When this was read to Jeremiah, he pronounced a heavy judgment from God on him. Jer 29:24,32 At this time also it seems he made those notable prophecies concerning the kingdom of Christ and restoration of the church in Jer 30:1-31:40.

3407 AM, 4117 JP, 597 BC

812. Cresus was born. He was the son of Halyattes, king of Lydia and his mother was a woman of Caria. It appears that he was 35 years of age, when he began to reign. (Herod. l. 1. c. 26. and 92.)

3408d AM, 4118 JP, 596 BC

813. In the 5th month of the 4th year of Zedekiah, Hananiah a false prophet, made a false prophesy. He said that at the end of two years, all the vessels, and furniture of the house of the Lord and Jeconiah and all the people, who were carried away to Babylon would return and be brought home again. When Jeremiah mocked him, he took a yoke of wood from about Jeremiah's neck and broke it. He said:

``Thus shall the Lord break the yoke of Nebuchadnezzar, within two years precisely, from off the neck of all the nations:''

814. Jeremiah replied,

``That God, instead of that wooden yoke, would lay an iron one upon the neck of all these nations, under which they should bow, and serve the king of Babylon, Jer 28:1-14

3409a AM, 4118 JP, 596 BC

815. Hananiah the false prophet died in the seventh month according to the word of Jeremiah. Astyages, after the death of his father Cyaxares, reigned over the Medes 35 years. (Herod. l. 1. c. 130.) He is also called, Ahasuerus, Da 9:1 or Asuerus. /APC Tob 14:15

3409c AM, 4119 JP, 595 BC

816. God by his prophet Jeremiah foretold that Babylon and the land of Chaldea should be overrun and laid waste by the Medes and Persians. He comforted his people with the sweet promises of their deliverance. Jer 50:1-51:64

817. Zedekiah, in the 4th year of his reign, sent Seraiah, the son of Neriah, the son of Maaseiah to Babylon, to whom Jeremiah delivered the these prophecies of the destruction of Babylon. These were written in a book. He read the book to the people and threw it into the river Euphrates. Jer 51:59-64 His brother Baruch, son also of Neriah, the son of Maaseiah, Jer 32:12 51:59 Jeremiah's scribe, is thought to have gone to Babylon with Seraiah.

3409d AM, 4119 JP, 595 BC

818. Baruch is said to have read all the words of his own book to Jeconiah, the son of Jehoiakim and to all the captives that were then dwelling with him at that time in Babylon. This was in the 5th year, (that is after Jeconiah was carried away to Babylon) in the 7th month, at the time when the Chaldeans took Jerusalem and burnt it with fire. /APC Bar 1:2-4 Some think that this was the same month when Jeconiah gave himself up to the king of Babylon and Jerusalem was taken and perhaps partially set on fire by the Chaldeans. For I cannot agree with Severus Salpicius, who perhaps taking it from that text, states in his first book of his Sacred History that at this very time:

``Nebuchadnezzar entered Jerusalem with his army and laid both city and walls, temple and all, even with the ground,''

819. Yet the former guess of Fran. Junius, concerning the quenching of the fire, and the taking of the city is somewhat more tolerable than that of our seminary priests of Downay when they said:

``that the whole time of the taking of Jerusalem, lasted eleven years before it was wholly burnt:''

820. That is from the time, when it was taken under Jeconiah until the time it was taken under Zedekiah. This book was written in the 5th year of that interval of time. Hugo Grotius thinks that the first writer of it means here that the fifth year after the carrying away of Jeconiah. The phrase "the rest of the burning of Jerusalem", was added later by someone else who was of opinion that Baruch never went to Babylon until after the burning of Jerusalem, which happened in the reign of Zedekiah.

821. Ezekiel had his first vision from God in the beginning of the 30th year from restoration of the worship of God in the 18th year of Josiah's reign, or the 5th year of the captivity of Jehoiakim or Jeconiah, 5th day of the 4th month, (on Saturday, July 24th). He was among the rest of the company that were carried away to Babylon, by the river Chebar or Chaborra according to Strabo and Ptolemy. Eze 1:1,2,28 From here he was sent to be a prophet among the Jews of the captivity. When he came to those who dwelt at Telabib near the river Chebar, he sat down as a man distressed for 7 days. After this, God reminded him of his call with promises if he obeyed and with threats if he refused. He confirmed him with a new sign and gave him courage and boldness by his word. Eze 2:1-3:27

822. The prophet was commanded to make a drawing of the siege of Jerusalem, and to lie a long time on his side for 390 days. This was to be a type of how many days the siege of the city of Jerusalem would last and of the number of years of the iniquity of the house of Israel from the time of Jeroboam. Eze 4:1-17

3410 AM, 4120 JP, 594 BC

823. Shortly after Plammis king of Egypt returned from his journey which he had made into Ethiopia, he died. His son, Apryes, succeeded him and reigned for 25 years. (Herod. l. 2. c. 161) The scriptures call him Pharaohhophra. Jer 44:30 He and a well equipped army made an incursion into the Isle of Cyprus and upon Phoenicia. He took Sidon by force and the rest of that country by the very dread and terror of his name. After a main victory at sea, over both Cyprians and Phoenicians, he returned into Egypt with a huge spoil taken from them. (Diod. Sic. l. 1.) It is reported of him, that he said that no God was able to put him out of his kingdom for he thought he made his kingdom very secure. (Herod. 2 c. 169) In Eze 39:3 (as Tremelius has noted) is in that allegorical Prosopopeia, most elegantly expressed,

``The river is mine own, for I have made for it myself.''

3410c AM, 4120 JP, 594 BC

824. When Ezekiel had lain 390 days upon his left side, he turned to his right and lay there 40 more days. This was a type of the many years of the iniquity of Judah. Eze 4:6 See also Eze 5:1-7:27

3410d AM, 4120 JP, 594 BC

825. In the 6th year of Jeconiah's captivity and 5th day of it, (which was Wednesday, September 22nd) God carried Ezekiel away by the Spirit to Jerusalem. In a vision there, he showed him the infinite idolatry practised there and the plagues which were to befall that city for this. Eze 8:1 9:1-11:25

826. According to his prediction, Pelatia, the son of Benaiah died. God comforted the godly in their captivity in Babylon by the sanctification of his presence and with his evangelical promises for the time to come. When the vision was over, the prophet was brought back by the Spirit to his people in Chaldea and there declares to them all that God had showed him. Eze 11:13-25

3411a AM, 4120 JP, 594 BC

827. God by signs and words predicts Zedekiah's flight by night, the putting out of his eyes, his going into captivity and his dying in Babylon. Also he foretells the captivity of the Jews and the calamities which they were to endure before this captivity. Eze 12:1-28 In this same year, the next 7 chapters of Ezekiel were written. From his writings we understand that Daniel's name was at that time very famous for his continual prayers which he made for the people of the captivity. Eze 14:14,20 Zedekiah did not regard the covenant and oath which he had sworn and rebelled against Nebuchadnezzar. Eze 17:15,17

3411d AM, 4121 JP, 593 BC

828. In the 7th year of Jeconiah's captivity, the 10th day of the 5th month (Sunday, August 27th), Ezekiel reproved the elders for their gross hypocrisy in coming to ask counsel of God. He prophesied of the calamity that was to come on all flesh. He pronounced God's judgment on the idolaters and comfort to the godly. Eze 20:1-23:49

3413 AM, 4123 JP, 591 BC

829. After Battus founded the kingdom of Cyrene, he was succeeded by his son Arcesilaus who reigned 16 years. (Herod. l. 4. c. 159.)

3414d AM, 4124 JP, 590 BC

830. This was a sabbatical year in which the men of Jerusalem, set their servants at liberty according to the law. Eze 21:2 De 15:1,2,12 Jer 34:8-10 The men of Jerusalem also heard that Nebuchadnezzar was approaching with his army. Nebuchadnezzar marched against Zedekiah and ravaged all the country. He took their strong holds and came before the very walls of Jerusalem. (Joseph, Antiq. l. 10. c. 10.) He had taken all the cities of Judah, except Lachish, Azekah and Jerusalem. All of these cities were besieged by all his forces. Jer. 34:1-7

3414b AM, 4124 JP, 590 BC

831. The siege of Jerusalem did not begin until the middle of winter. In the 9th year of the reign of Zedekiah on the 10th day, (Thursday, January 30th) Nebuchadnezzar with all his army came before Jerusalem. He built forts all around it. 2Ki 25:1 Jer 39:1 52:4 In memorial of this event a yearly fast is kept among the Jews beginning from the captivity until this day.Zec 8:19

832. On the same day of the siege of Jerusalem, God revealed to Ezekiel who was in Chaldea its complete destruction. This was represented to him in type to a seething pot. His wife died that day in the evening. He was told not to mourn her death. In this way he was to signify the grievous calamity of the Jews which was to surpass all expressions of grief by mourning.Eze 24:1-27

3414d AM, 4124 JP, 590 BC

833. God told the prophet Jeremiah to tell Zedekiah of the complete destruction and burning of Jerusalem brought on by the king of Babylon. Zedekiah was to be carried away prisoner to Babylon. However, he would die in peace and have an honourable burial.Jer 34:1-7

834. Zedekiah imprisoned Jeremiah for his prophecy in the king's prison house. This happened in the 10th year of Zedekiah and the beginning of the 18th year of Nebuchadnezzar. He recovered the land of Hanameel, by right of redemption. Jer 32:1-16 All things then came to pass which he foretold. These are contained in Jer 32:1-33:26

835. Pharaohhophra, also called Vaphris, came with his army from Egypt, to help Zedekiah and the Chaldeans raised the siege before Jerusalem. Jeremiah was allowed to go free during the siege and had not been thrown into the dungeon until later. Zedekiah sent messengers to Jeremiah to ask him to make intercession to God for the deliverance of the people. Jeremiah told him that the Egyptians would return to their own land and the Chaldeans would return to Jerusalem and destroy the city by fire.Jer 37:3-10

836. When the siege was raised the people took back their Hebrew servants whom they had formerly set free, because they no longer feared the enemy. They made them serve them as before, which was contrary to the law and covenant. For this barbarous act, Jeremiah reproved them, telling them if they released their servants they would escape the sword, famine and pestilence of the returning Chaldeans. He told them the Chaldeans would be returning to make war again and would take their city and burn it to the ground. Jer 34:11-22

837. While the Chaldeans were perusing the Egyptian army, Jeremiah planned to escape but he was stopped by the princes. He was taken and scourged and cast into the dungeon in Jonathan's house for a long time. Jer 37:11-16 While Nebuchadnezzar was perusing the Egyptians in the 18th year of his reign, he took 832 prisoners from Jerusalem and for safeguard, he sent them all back to Babylon. Jer 52:29

838. Pittacus of Mitylene was one of the 7 wise men. He was sent against Phrynon who was surnamed the Pancratiast, which means "a man excellent in all feats of chivalry". Phrynon was an olympian who won the bell in the games at Olympus. At that time he was serving as a general of the Athenian army. He had taken two towns, Sigeum and Achilleum, from the Lacedemonians, with a Navy to Troas. In this battle, the Athenians were victorious. They took the shield of Abraeus, since the poet of Mitylene, had thrown it away in his efforts to escape. They hung it up in the temple of Minerva in Sigeum. After this, Phrynon challenged any man that dared to encounter him to a single combat. Pittacus accepted the challenge and with a little net which he had hid under the hollow of his shield, he caught him by the head and killed him with his three-forked spear. The Mitylenians offered him a large portion of land for killing Phrynon. He only accepted as much land as he could throw his spear across. On this land he built a temple and called it Pittacium. This story seems to be mangled and is imperfect in Herodotus, (l. 5. c. 95.) However that defects in him is supplied by Plutarch, in his book entitled, "De malignitate Herodoti", of the envy, or spitefulness of Herodotus, together with (Strabo, l. 13. Polyenus, l. 1.) Festus, in the word, Retiarius "a fighter with a net." and Diogenes Laetius, l. 1.) He tells us, that the Mitylenians for that service made him their sovereign, of their own accord, 20 years before he died. He states this was in the third year of the 52nd Olympiad. In carefully calculating it, I chose to place it in the 3rd year of the 47th, though Eusebius places it on the 2nd year of the 43rd Olympiad. This seems to more closely agree because in the Catalogue of the Victorious Runners who won prizes, Phrynon, is said to have gotten the bell in the 36th Olympiad. The war did not end with this duel, but their quarrel was referred to by both parties to Periander of Corinth, who was also reckoned as another of the seven wise men of the world. As an indifferent arbitrator, he ordered that each party should hold what they had in their possession. The Mitylenians were to keep the Town of Achilleum and the Athenians Sigeum. (Herod. l. 5. c. 94. 54. Strabo l. 13.) Periander out of Sosicrates shows that Laertius died 6 years after this and before the 49th Olympiad. This reveals Herodotus' error in his account of times, where he makes this peace between the Athenians and Mitylenians, toward the latter end of the Successors of Pisistratus in Athens' government.

3415b AM, 4125 JP, 589 BC

839. In the 10th year of the captivity of Jeconiah and on the 12th day of the 10th month, (on Sunday, February 1st.) Ezekiel prophesied against Pharaoh and all Egypt. Ezekiel foretold that Pharaoh would prove to be only a staff or reed to the house of Israel. Pharaoh's attempts to relieve Israel were all in vain. He predicted that Pharaoh himself would be over thrown in the desert of Libya by the Cyreraeans. (see note in the year 3430). Egypt was to be miserably wasted by the Babylonians and that desolation would last for 40 years, Eze 29:1-16

3415c AM, 4125 JP, 589 BC

840. When Nebuchadnezzar had routed the Egyptian army, he presently returned to the siege of Jerusalem about the 15th day of the 3rd month, that is , 30 days before he took it.Eze 4:5,8 Jeremiah told Zedekiah that he would be given into the hands of Nebuchadnezzar. Zedekiah then command him to be removed out of the Dungeon of the prison in Jonathan's house and taken into the court of the prison. He was to be given a roll of bread each day as long as there was any bread left in the city, Jer 37: 17,21

3415d AM, 4125 JP, 589 BC

841. As the siege continued Zedekiah inquired of Jeremiah, but he still sent him the same answer, that both king and people must fall into Nebuchadnezzar's hands. He said if any stayed in the city they would perish by sword, famine or pestilence. However, if any would go out, and submit to the king of Babylon, they would have their lives saved.Jer 21:1-14

842. The princes cast Jeremiah into Malchiah's dungeon, which was in the court of the prison for answering the king in this way. He was delivered by the help of Ebed-Melech, one of the kings Eunuchs, and was again consulted by the king. When he still continued in pronouncing judgment against the land of Judah, he was still kept in the court of the prison until the city was taken. Jer 38:1-28 He assured Ebedmelech, in the name of the Lord; that he would be free from all harm and danger in that calamity. Jer 39:15-18

3416c AM, 4126 JP, 588 BC

843. Tyre rejoiced to see the wretched condition Jerusalem experienced by Nebuchadnezzar's hand. However, in the 11th year of Jeconiah's captivity, in the first day of the first month, Ezekiel prophesied that Tyre would also perish in like manner by the same hand and that all who saw her former wealth and bravery would be amazed. Tremellius and Pradus places this prophecy in the 5th month. This would place it in the 12th year of Jeconiah's captivity in Babylon. He also foretold the same misery for the Sidonians, Tyre's neighbours. Eze 26:1-18 At that time the fame of Daniel's wisdom was so great, even in foreign nations, that used to speak in a proverbial way "as wise as Daniel". It was from this man that God upbraided Ithobolus king of Tyre, with his pride and arrogancy of his mind.

``behold, thou art wiser than Daniel; no secret can be hid from thee,'' Eze 28:3

844. In the same year, the 7th day of the 3rd month, (Tuesday, April 26th) God revealed his will to Ezekiel, of sending and arming Nebuchadnezzar against Pharaoh, to the ruin of Egypt. Eze 30:20-26

845. In the same year also, upon the first day of the 3rd month, (Sunday, June 19th) God declared that the Egyptian, could no more avoid this determination, than the Assyrian could. Eze 31:1-18

846. Near the end of the 11th year of Zedekiah, Jer 1:3 on the 9th day of the 4th month (Wednesday, July 27th) the famine grew strong in Jerusalem. The city was broken up and the Chaldeans entered it. 2Ki 26:2-4 Jer 39:2,3 52:5-7

847. When the city was taken Zedekiah and all the men of war fled away by night.

848. The Chaldeans pursued after them and took Zedekiah. They brought him as a prisoner to Riblah where Nebuchadnezzar was. He saw his children slaughtered and he had then his eyes put out. He was enchained with steel chains and carried away from there to Babylon. 2Ki 25:4,7 Jer 39:4,7 52:7,11 The prophecies were fulfilled of him, that with his eyes he would see the king of Babylon, Jer 32:4 34:3 but he would not see Babylon although he would die there.Eze 12:13

849. On the 7th day of the 4th month (Wednesday, August 24th) Nebuzaradan, captain of the guard was sent by Nebuchadnezzar to enter the city.2Ki 25:8 He spent two days preparing provisions. On the 10th day of that month, (Sunday, August 27th) he executed his charge. He set fire to the temple and on the king's palace. He also burned to the ground all the noble men's houses, with all the rest of the houses in Jerusalem.Jer 52:13 39:8 Our country man Tho. Lydiate, thinks that fire was set on it on the 7th day; but not burnt down till the 10th. In remembrance of this calamity, the fast of the 5th month was ordained to be kept.Zec 7:3,5 8:19 This fast is observed by the Jews to this day. However it is kept by them on the 9th day and not the 10th of the month Ab. The temple was destroyed toward the end of the 19th year of Nebuchadnezzar's reign.Jer 52:12 2Ki 25:9 This was in the beginning of the first year of the 48th olympiad, in the 160th year, running of Nebonasar's account, 424 years, 3 months and 8 days, from the time that Solomon laid the first stone.

850. On the same 5th month, Jer 1:3 all the walls of Jerusalem were levelled to the ground. Nebuchadnezzar carried back to Babylon all the remaining people in the city, all those who had formerly fled over to him, all the common people of the city, all the treasure of the king and of his nobles and the furniture of the temple. Jer 39: 8,9 52:14,23 2Ki 25:10,17 2Ch 36:18-20 Thus, Judah was carried away out of her own land. Jer 52:27 2Ki 25:21 468 years after David began to reign over it. These events have been recorded from the dividing of the 10 tribes, from the tribe of Judah, 388 years and from the destruction of the kingdom of Israel, 134 years.

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