people to abandon the worship of idols, but they paid no heed, and at length, as it is expressed in Scripture: "The Lord grew weary of Israel.”

During the reign of Phacee, Theglathphalasar laid Israel waste, and carried a vast number of the inhabitants into captivity. The final dispersion took place under his successor, Osee. Salmanasar having taken Samaria, collected the Israelites from every part of the country, and scattered them among the nations of northern Asia. No portion of them ever returned to their own country, which was peopled by colonies from Babylon and the surrounding provinces. The new inhabitants suffered much from lions, which committed great ravages, and slew vast numbers of the people. The colonists attributed this scourge to the anger of the God of Israel, and the Assyrian king caused them to be instructed in the law of Moses. This was done, and the people feared God, and sacrificed.

Nevertheless, the colonists continued, for the most part, to worship their idols also, and the false gods whom they had served in the countries beyond the Euphrates. The mixed races which occupied

the land of Israel were known henceforth as Samaritans. There were always among them many righteous men, but their religious belief was generally mingled with their old superstitions. As we learn from several passages of the New Testament the most bitter

Relate the dispersion of the Israelites. What is related of the now inhabitants! What did the colonists continue to do?

enmity existed between the Jews and the Samaritans, so that there was little or no intercourse between them.

CHAPTER XLVII.

KINGS OF JUDA.

OSAPHAT who reigned in Juda in the time of

Jose

Achab, was in many respects a virtuous prince. He sinned, however, by taking Athalia, the daughter of Achab and Jezabel, as a wife for his son Joram. This prince and his son and successor Ochozias were thus led into alliances with Israel.

Ochozias being slain by Jehu, Athalia his mother usurped the government of Juda. To assure her power, she massacred all the royal family, not excepting her own grandchildren. Of these, one named Joas was saved, and some years later the highpriest caused him to be proclaimed king. The wicked Athalia was slain, and Joas governed wisely as long as he followed the counsels of the good high-priest Joaida. After his death, he gave himself up to the worship of idols, compelling his subjects to become partakers in his wickedness.

Zacharias, the son of Joaida, a holy prophet, preached fearlessly to the people, denouncing these crimes, and Joas caused him to be stoned to death in the sacred court of Israel, between the sanctuary and the altar

How did Josaphat sin? What is related of Athalia? of Joas?

Amasias was, as we have seen, led into captivity by the king of Israel. The reign of his son Ozias was most prosperous, but unfortunately his heart was lifted up with pride, and he ventured to usurp the office of the priesthood. It was in vain the priests remonstrated. Ozias was very angry; he lifted the censer in his hand, and threatened the priests with death if they hindered him any further. Even as he was speaking, he felt himself struck by the hand of God, and white spots of leprosy appeared on his forehead. The priests knew the fatal sign, but such was the terror of the king, that he was more eager to fly from the temple than they were to thrust him forth.

Ozias was now a leper, and his son Joatham governed Juda in his place.

Joatham was given to the worship of idols, and his son Achaz was the most wicked of all the kings of Juda. Having gone to war with Phacee, king of Israel, he suffered a terrible defeat, losing 120,000 men. Isaias was sent by God to warn the guilty king of the judgments which awaited him, but Achaz despised every warning and died in his sins.

A Ezechias, son of Achaz, was a virtuous prince. He was guided in all things by the prophet Isaias, and turned with his whole heart to the service of God. The idols were banished, the sacred groves cut down, and the altars were overthrown. He then purified the Temple, and when all things were in order, he celebrated the Pasch with great solemnity.

What sin did Ozias commit, and how was he punished?

In the reign of this prince, Sennacherib, king of Assyria, invaded Juda with a countless host, and Ezechias at first sent offerings of gold and silver, hoping to buy a peace. Sennacherib would grant no terms, and wrote a letter to Ezechias in which he blasphemed God, and scoffed at the king for trusting in his aid. Ezechias went up to the Temple clothed in sackcloth, and prayed the Lord to avenge the honor of his name, and save his people. He then took measures for defending the city. Isaias in the meanwhile comforted the king with the assurance that Sennacherib should not so much as approach Jerusalem, but would retire in confusion to his own country.

This prophecy was accomplished in a wonderful manner; for on that same night, the destroying angel passed through the camp of the Assyrians, and slew one hundred and eighty-five thousand men. Sennacherib returned to his own country, as had been foretold. Shortly after, as he was worshipping in the temple of one of the gods in whom he trusted, he was treacherously slain by his own sons.

Immediately after these events Ezechias was seized with a dangerous illness, so that he was warned that his death was at hand. Ezechias was afflicted at this news, and God was pleased to add fifteen years to his life. That the king might know the truth of this promise, Isaias caused the shadow on the sundial to go back ten degrees.

Who invaded Judea in the reign of Ezechias? Relate the defeat of Sennacherib.

Unhappily, this favor became an occasion of sin. The king of Babylon, hearing of the recovery of Ezechias, sent an embassy with congratulations and presents. The king yielded to an impulse of vanity, and showed the embassadors all his treasures, his stores of spices and precious perfumes, and vessels of gold and silver. Isaias reproved him for his folly, warned him that the treasures which he had so proudly displayed would be carried away to Babylon, and that his children should be servants in the palace of the Assyrian king.

E

CHAPTER XLVIII.

KINGS OF JUDA.-BABYLONIAN CAPTIVITY.

ZECHIAS was succeeded by his son Manasses.

In the beginning of his reign, this prince imitated the conduct of the worst among his predecessors. He restored the worship of idols, profaned the temple by sacrilegious rites, and built altars in the sacred courts dedicated to the sun, moon, and stars. Such was the violence of the king against those who had the courage to oppose his impiety, that the streets of Jeru salem flowed with blood. The murder of Isaias completed the measure of his iniquity.

God permitted that Manasses should be carried in chains to Babylon. The unhappy king acknowledged

What favor did Ezechias receive, and what fault did he commit! What were the crimes of Manasses?