Page:Light and truth.djvu/169

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ANCIENT KINGS AND WARS.

to be imprisoned for the abuses of which he was guilty while he administered the government, and that it was then he became acquainted with Jehoiachin as a fellow prisoner. He at last fell a victim to a conspiracy, formed among his own kindred, headed by his brother-in-law Neriglissar, who succeeded him.


Belshazzar, the son of Nebuchadnezzar was king of Babylon, who reigned 17 years. This impious king who was warned of his impending fate by the miraculous hand-writing on the wall, (Daniel v. 5,) was killed by some soldiers of Darius, on the night of his guilty feast. (Dan. v.) His kingdom thenceforth passed over to the Medes and Persians.


Jabin, king of Canaan, to whom the Israelites were captives twenty years. (Judges, iv. 2.)


Sisera, a general of the Canaanites, under Jabin II. Jael invited him into her house, and being instigated of God to destroy this murderous idolater and devoted Canaanite, she drove a nail through his temples.


Hebron, called originally Arba, or Kirjath-Arba, because Arba, the noted giant, was king of it. It was built on a hill, not long after the flood, (Numb. xiii. 22;) and stood 22 miles south of Jerusalem. Here Anak and his father and sons dwelt, but Caleb receiving it for his inheritance, expelled these giants and called it Hebron, after one of his sons. (Josh. xiv. 13, 14. It was made a city of refuge and given to the priests. David reigned here seven years over Judah, before he was crowned over all Israel. (2 Sam. ii. 11, and v. 3) Here Absalom first set up for king. (2 Sam. xv.) It is now little else than a heap of ruins, compared to its former extent and beauty. The number of houses is estimated at 400. It was visited by Mr. Fisk in 1824, who informs us that its present name is Haleel Rahman.


Hiram. 1. (2 Sam. v. 11.) A distinguished king of Tyre. He was contemporary with David and Solomon, and on terms of the strictest political and personal friendship with them. Under his reign, the city of Tyre became celebrated for its wealth and magnificence; and the vast supplies he furnished to the kings of Israel show the greatness of his resources. (1 Kings ix. 14; x. 22.) 2. (1 Kings vii. 13.) An eminent artificer of Tyre,