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up； he found food set by him and water： so when he had eaten； and
recovered his strength by that his food； he came to that mountain
which is called Sinai； where it is related that Moses received
his laws from God； and finding there a certain hollow cave； he
entered into it； and continued to make his abode in it。 But when
a certain voice came to him； but from whence he knew not； and
asked him； why he was come thither； and had left the city？ he
said； that because he had slain the prophets of the foreign gods；
and had persuaded the people that he alone whom they had
worshipped from the beginning was God； he was sought for by the
king's wife to be punished for so doing。 And when he had heard
another voice； telling him that he should come out the next day
into the open air； and should thereby know what he was to do； he
came out of the cave the next day accordingly； When he both heard
an earthquake； and saw the bright splendor of a fire； and after a
silence made； a Divine voice exhorted him not to be disturbed
with the circumstances he was in； for that none of his enemies
should have power over him。 The voice also commanded him to
return home； and to ordain Jehu； the son of Nimshi； to be king
over their own multitude； and Hazael； of Damascus； to be over the
Syrians； and Elisha； of the city Abel； to be a prophet in his
stead； and that of the impious multitude； some should be slain by
Hazael； and others by Jehu。 So Elijah； upon hearing this charge；
returned into the land of the Hebrews。 And when he found Elisha；
the son of Shaphat； ploughing； and certain others with him；
driving twelve yoke of oxen； he came to him； and cast his own
garment upon him； upon which Elisha began to prophesy presently；
and leaving his oxen； he followed Elijah。 And when he desired
leave to salute his parents； Elijah gave him leave so to do； and
when he had taken his leave of them； he followed him； and became
the disciple and the servant of Elijah all the days of his life。
And thus have I despatched the affairs in which this prophet was
concerned。
8。 Now there was one Naboth； of the city Izar； ＇Jezreel；＇ who had
a field adjoining to that of the king： the king would have
persuaded him to sell him that his field； which lay so near to
his own lands； at what price he pleased； that he might join them
together； and make them one farm； and if he would not accept of
money for it； he gave him leave to choose any of his other fields
in its stead。 But Naboth said he would not do so； but would keep
the possession of that land of his own； which he had by
inheritance from his father。 Upon this the king was grieved； as
if he had received an injury； when he could not get another man's
possession； and he would neither wash himself； nor take any food：
and when Jezebel asked him what it was that troubled him； and why
he would neither wash himself； nor eat either dinner or supper；
he related to her the perverseness of Naboth； and how； when he
had made use of gentle words to him； and such as were beneath the
royal authority； he had been affronted； and had not obtained what
he desired。 However； she persuaded him not to be cast down at
this accident； but to leave off his grief； and return to the
usual care of his body； for that she would take care to have
Naboth punished； and she immediately sent letters to the rulers
of the Israelites ＇Jezreelites＇ in Ahab's name； and commanded
them to fast and to assemble a congregation； and to set Naboth at
the head of them； because he was of an illustrious family； and to
have three bold men ready to bear witness that he had blasphemed
God and the king； and then to stone him； and slay him in that
manner。 Accordingly； when Naboth had been thus testified against；
as the queen had written to them； that he had blasphemed against
God and Ahab the king； she desired him to take possession of
Naboth's vineyard on free cost。 So Ahab was glad at what had been
done； and rose up immediately from the bed whereon he lay to go
to see Naboth's vineyard； but God had great indignation at it；
and sent Elijah the prophet to the field of Naboth； to speak to
Ahab； and to say to him； that he had slain the true owner of that
field unjustly。 And as soon as he came to him； and the king had
said that he might do with him what he pleased； （for he thought
it a reproach to him to be thus caught in his sin；） Elijah said；
that in that very place in which the dead body of Naboth was
eaten by dogs both his own blood and that of his wife's should be
shed； and that all his family should perish； because he had been
so insolently wicked； and had slain a citizen unjustly； and
contrary to the laws of his country。 Hereupon Ahab began to be
sorry for the things he had done； and to repent of them； and he
put on sackcloth； and went barefoot （36） and would not touch any
food； he also confessed his sins； and endeavored thus to appease
God。 But God said to the prophet； that while Ahab was living he
would put off the punishment of his family； because he repented
of those insolent crimes he had been guilty of； but that still he
would fulfill his threatening under Ahab's son； which message the
prophet delivered to the king。
CHAPTER 14。
How Hadad King Of Damascus And Of Syria； Made Two Expeditions
Against Ahab And Was Beaten。
1。 When the affairs of Ahab were thus； at that very time the son
of Hadad； ＇Benhadad；＇ who was king of the Syrians and of
Damascus； got together an army out of all his country； and
procured thirty…two kings beyond Euphrates to be his auxiliaries：
so he made an expedition against Ahab； but because Ahab's army
was not like that of Benhadad； he did not set it in array to
fight him； but having shut up every thing that was in the country
in the strongest cities he had； he abode in Samaria himself； for
the walls about it were very strong； and it appeared to be not
easily to be taken in other respects also。 So the king of Syria
took his army with him； and came to Samaria； and placed his army
round about the city； and besieged it。 He also sent a herald to
Ahab； and desired he would admit the ambassadors he would send
him； by whom he would let him know his pleasure。 So； upon the
king of Israel's permission for him to send； those ambassador's
came； and by their king's command spake thus： That Ahab's riches；
and his children； and his wives were Benhadad's； and if he would
make an agreement； and give him leave to take as much of what he
had as he pleased； he would withdraw his army； and leave off the
siege。 Upon this Ahab bade the ambassadors to go back； and tell
their king； that both he himself and all that he hath are his
possessions。 And when these ambassadors had told this to
Berthadad； he sent to him again； and desired； since he confessed
that all he had was his； that he would admit those servants of
his which he should send the next day； and he commanded him to
deliver to those whom he should send whatsoever； upon their
searching his palace； and the houses of his friends and kindred；
they should find to be excellent in its kind； but that what did
not please them they should leave to him。 At this second
embassage of the king of Syria； Ahab was surprised； and gathered